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About this blog

Blog on the Tyne is dedicated to bring Toon fans everywhere the most up to date NUFC views, opinions and comment.

The author Lee Ryder, proudly born and bred on Tyneside, has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.

From the high octane atmosphere of St James' Park to the Premiership grounds up and down the country and into Europe - this Blog has been there.

But the coverage doesn't stop at first team level.

Blog on the Tyne is also proud to be there to witness the future of the club with regular coverage of Newcastle United's reserve side, as well as all things black and white.

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January 2008 Archives


The window slams shut with United empty handed

Posted by Lee on January 31, 2008 11:59 PM

LAST YEAR WE SIGNED A GUY CALLED GOOCH, THIS YEAR WE GOT NOWT

The opening day of this Blog on January 1 warned Newcastle United fans not to expect miracles during the transfer window but perhaps nobody expected absolutely nowt.

And while you might have had a hangover when you read it the lack of new faces may have you reaching for a stiff drink with the prospect of a relegation battle hanging round SJP like a bad smell.

Big Sam warned United needed to add depth to the squad at the start of the month but before he even had time to open the doors at St James's Park he'd been pushed out the backdoor himself!

That left United with two and a bit weeks to add players under Kevin Keegan but even the Messiah had a job on his hands to persuade high profile stars to come to Tyneside with team sitting in mid-table and with little or no chance of Europe next season.

Continue reading "The window slams shut with United empty handed" »

Sorted from top to bottom?

Posted by Lee on January 31, 2008 8:55 AM

BLOG ON THE TYNE SPECIAL ON THE HOPES AND FEARS OF A NEW ERA

So Newcastle United have called upon three Wise men to address their torrid record in the transfer market and look into the production line that lies beneath first team level.

With United welcoming Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez and Jeff Vetere to the black and white legion the plan, hopefully, is that incoming transfers and off the field stuff runs smoothly while KK does the business from the sidelines.

Wise would appear to be "director of football" even though his title of executive director suggests otherwise - but while the masterplan from chairman Chris Mort and owner Mike Ashley is now well in place Toon fans are wondering if a two tier management systems hasn't worked anywhere else in the Premier League, why will it work up here?

Continue reading "Sorted from top to bottom?" »

The party's over on the streets of Billy Mill!

Posted by Lee on January 30, 2008 9:20 PM

Lee Ryder reports from Ralph Gardner Park, home of football

So in the end they weren't singing and dancing on the streets of Billy Mill as North Shields were put to the sword.

A 3-0 win for the reserves but most United fans were more concerned with the lack of new faces in January and the unusual new two tier management system which is now in place.

But Newcastle United's second string handed the travelling Toon fans in North Shields something to shout about against the Northern League Second Division side who gave it a good crack.

Kevin Keegan was present along with his main men Arthur Cox and Terry Mac as they witnessed a 3-0 stroll for the kids.

Continue reading "The party's over on the streets of Billy Mill!" »

Deja vu for Newcastle!

Posted by Lee on January 29, 2008 9:39 PM

NEWCASTLE UNITED are still searching for their first win under Kevin Keegan after enduring a 3-0 defeat once again at the hands of Arsenal.

On a night of little cheer for the travelling Toon Army the Gunners went back to the top of the Premier League to leave Newcastle without a Premier League victory since December 17.

United boss Kevin Keegan made just one change to the team that lost 3-0 in the FA Cup on Saturday with David Rozehnal replacing Jose Enrique after the Spaniard picked up a knock at the Emirates a few days ago.

Continue reading "Deja vu for Newcastle!" »

We don't do quiet days in Newcastle do we?

Posted by Lee on January 28, 2008 6:07 PM

Just another quiet day then?

Confirmation that Jonathan Woodgate snubbed Newcastle, a new director of football and the fact that bail conditions now allow Joey Barton to sit on the bench at the Emirates Stadium.

I know the phrase "never a dull moment" is used in Newcastle a lot but this takes the biscuit!

Continue reading "We don't do quiet days in Newcastle do we?" »

It's getting better man!

Posted by Lee on January 27, 2008 11:09 AM

Newcastle's agonising wait for a trophy will reach at least the 40 year mark next season but for Kevin Keegan the challenge is only just beginning.

KK vowed bravely to give it a real go against Arsenal and he was true to his word, Newcastle could easily have been in front at half-time at the Emirates as the travelling Toon fans witnessed their best first half performance on the road all season.

That description may sound extremely specific and very much a case of clutching at straws but anybody who has spent their hard earned dosh going to the likes of Reading, Wigan or Derby (take your pick under Sam Allardyce's stint in charge) will know that the football played against the Gunners was crisp, fresh and encouraging considering the long road that lies ahead.

Forget about the national media witch hunt, forget about anybody else who wants to kick United when they are down and hardest of all block out the fact that Newcastle will end the season without a piece of silverware again - this time there won't even be a trophy-less open top bus parade around the city just because we made it to Wembley.

The only thing to remember after the 3-0 defeat at the Emirates is that there could just be some light at the end of the darkest of all tunnels.

Continue reading "It's getting better man!" »

Wait for a trophy goes on for Newcastle

Posted by Lee on January 26, 2008 4:54 PM

NEWCASTLE UNITED were knocked out of FA Cup tonight as two second half goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and a Nicky Butt own goal ended their hopes of glory in the capital.

The odds were already stacked against United after being handed the toughest draw of the round but despite a battling performance by the Magpies, Arsenal’s class shone through in the second half.


Keegan included Alan Smith and Nicky Butt in his team for the clash with the Gunners as David Rozehnal dropped down to the bench and Shola Ameobi missed out on selection all together.

Continue reading "Wait for a trophy goes on for Newcastle" »

Gunners nicked Toon's title but can United beat them at our old game?

Posted by Lee on January 24, 2008 12:07 PM

Arsenal are the new EntertainersONCE UPON THE TYNE WE WERE THE ENTERTAINERS NOW TOON ARE PLAYING CATCH UP WITH THE ARSENAL.

They say what makes you bad makes you better when it comes to most Newcastle fans' other main hobby!

And to be honest many Newcastle fans have been feeling bad ever since KK left Tyneside in 1997.

So is the re-emergence of entertaining and free flowing carpet football at Newcastle a case of hair of the dog?

Could it be that the post-Keegan era has been somewhat of a hangover period with Sir Bobby's stint in charge a bit of light refreshment?

Continue reading "Gunners nicked Toon's title but can United beat them at our old game?" »

Handy Andy is Newcastle's hero against Boro!

Posted by Lee on January 22, 2008 8:54 PM

Andy Carroll Lee Ryder reports from Billingham Synthonia

The turnstile operator was an excited man on the way into Billingham Synthonia's Central Avenue tonight as he revealed to me that Kevin Keegan was on the way.

However, with KK busy attending first team matters ahead of the weekend's FA Cup tie at Arsenal there was no sign of the Messiah to the disappointment of the autograph hunters.

What the handful of loyal Toon fans did get though was a superb hat-trick from Andy Carroll who threw his hat into the ring for the trip to the Emirates in fine style against a Boro team who pride themselves on graduates from their Academy as well as an appearance from Mido.

Continue reading "Handy Andy is Newcastle's hero against Boro!" »

The Keegan dream is only just beginning

Posted by Lee on January 20, 2008 12:58 PM

In the end it was a cake without the icing on top or very much the fairytale night that lacked the fairytale ending.

But Kevin Keegan's dugout didn't turn into a pumpkin at midnight.

And nobody woke up this morning to find that Sam Allardyce was still in charge waxing lyrical to the amount of times the ball ended up in the penalty area or pointing to the fact the ProZone stats tell everyone that 0-0 with Bolton at home was a good result.

Continue reading "The Keegan dream is only just beginning" »

KK has to settle for a point!

Posted by Lee on January 19, 2008 6:57 PM

NEWCASTLE UNITED had to settle for a point tonight as Kevin Keegan made an emotional return to the dugout at St James's Park.

Keegan recalled Shola Ameobi to the starting line-up for the first time since the Carling Cup tie since Arsenal last September.

Ameobi replaced Mark Viduka (calf) while David Rozehnal was also back in the team with Emre suspended.

Continue reading "KK has to settle for a point!" »

KK's return means we can dream again

Posted by Lee on January 18, 2008 8:26 AM

The last couple of days all seems like some kind of crazy dream but as each hour passes the reality is that Kevin Keegan is back on Tyneside and the city is buzzing once again.

And you just can't help thinking about the good times.

You know what I mean stuff like Rob Lee's hat-trick of headers, Grimsby away, Howay 5-0, Albert's chip, Tino Asprilla, KK saying: "I would love it", Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand, Pedro - the list is endless.

Outside of Newcastle people think it's a joke, from one Soccer Circus to another seems to be general cocensus.

But any Geordie is thinking differently - KK is older and wiser and while many doubt his passion for the game isn't what it used to be his love for Newcastle United Football Club has never died - Keegan has always held a torch for the Toon.

Continue reading "KK's return means we can dream again" »

Welcome home Kev - now take us back where we belong

Posted by Lee on January 17, 2008 8:32 AM

It's never really been the same since has it?

Ever since the day Kevin Keegan left Newcastle United 11 years ago we've all been pining for a return of the good old days.

And although Sir Bobby Robson rekindled some of that to extent, we've always been longing for the return of The Entertainers.

Well the Messiah is back, United are still in the FA Cup and suddenly the doom and gloom has evaporated into the Tyneside skies.

Continue reading "Welcome home Kev - now take us back where we belong" »

Special start for Special K

Posted by Lee on January 16, 2008 9:53 PM

NEWCASTLE UNITED fans celebrated the return of Kevin Keegan in style tonight after Stoke City were rolled over in the FA Cup.

The Messiah lifted the gloom instantly on Tyneside as United dished out a real hiding.

The win means they will now face Arsenal at the Emirates at the end of the month but with KK now back in the helm the Magpies will feel anything is possible.

Continue reading "Special start for Special K" »

KEEGAN IS BACK

Posted by Lee on January 16, 2008 4:31 PM

TOON SENSATION

Kevin Keegan is back at Newcastle United in an amazing twist to the managerial situation at St James's Park.

KK is back for a third spell in Newcastle in a move that will delight the romantics on Tyneside and also fill the void for sacked manager Big Sam Allardyce.

Keegan had fans singing and dancing last November at a dinner on Tyneside and now history has repeated itself once again.

Continue reading "KEEGAN IS BACK" »

Newcastle manager chase heats up!

Posted by Lee on January 16, 2008 12:34 PM

WHICH DIRECTION IS THE TOON BIG DIPPER HEADING NOW?

It's almost like tonight's game with Stoke City is an awkward distraction.

But let's be honest Newcastle's season is hanging by a thread and the Potters will be ready to cut that thread by knocking us out of the FA Cup.

Newcastle players appeared to be on the canvas at Old Trafford and with the four African players missing and Nicky Butt and Alan Smith suspended plus Joey Barton missing, the Toon team picks itself tonight.

Yes this is a crisis in every sense of the word.

Continue reading "Newcastle manager chase heats up!" »

The Mike Ashley era officially starts here

Posted by Lee on January 15, 2008 9:27 AM

THE TOON'S TOP MAN JETS IN TO GET HIS NEW BOSS

Mike Ashley will be back in Toon today to team up with chairman Chris Mort for what promises to be the official start of a whole new era for Newcastle United.

The pair made it clear that the appointment of Sam Allardyce wasn't theirs and while many pundits, who haven't even set foot in St James's Park, blame the fans for hounding Big Sam out, the truth is the departed boss probably had enough time to stamp his authority on the team.

True, eight months isn't long but if you told your boss at work that you needed three years to get things right, what would they say?

Continue reading "The Mike Ashley era officially starts here" »

Newcastle fans must be punch drunk

Posted by Lee on January 13, 2008 1:55 PM

Well, well, well, shouldn't we all be ashamed of ourselves for being passionate and wanting our city to have a successful football team?

Or at least that's how we are being made to feel by so called "experts" in the game today.

I mean how dare we?

How dare we be so stupid to think that we should expect a winning team that battles hard and plays an entertaining brand of football on a regular basis - give us a break!

Continue reading "Newcastle fans must be punch drunk" »

Toon hammered at Old Trafford

Posted by Lee on January 12, 2008 7:10 PM

NEWCASTLE UNITED fans were forced to endure a gloomy trip home from Old Trafford tonight as Manchester United ran riot.

The Magpies went in at the break on level terms but crumbled in the second half as Man United piled on the agony for the Toon Army.

United caretaker boss Nigel Pearson recalled fit again Stephen Carr who started ahead of David Rozehnal while Mark Viduka was relegated to the bench with James Milner back after shaking off an illness.

Continue reading "Toon hammered at Old Trafford" »

Harry says thanks but no thanks

Posted by Lee on January 12, 2008 10:14 AM

Harry Redknapp will not be the new Newcastle United manager.

And while that news this morning meant that the Pompey fans were delighted on the streets of the south coast, it was a similar scene for most Toon fans as well.

Because just too many people felt that he wasn't the man to take Newcastle forward.

Redknapp did turn us down in the end but that could be the biggest blessing in disguise that this great club has ever had.

Continue reading "Harry says thanks but no thanks" »

Would you be happy with Harry?

Posted by Lee on January 11, 2008 8:12 AM

Harry RedknappNewcastle United fans have been speculating just who is the next man for the job in the past couple of days with many of them scratching their heads wondering just who is the man to sort this mess out.

Let's be honest we've tried everything and we've still won nowt since 1969!

We went with the big names in Ossie Ardiles, Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Sir Bobby Robson and Graeme Souness.

Glenn Roeder was next and then Sam Allardyce - not regarded as big names in football - but certainly installed as boss for what people thought were the right reasons.

Harry Redknapp's name today was pushed into the picture.

Continue reading "Would you be happy with Harry?" »