Captain for the game tomorrow, Alan Smith, has given out a plea to Newcastle United’s fans and players, on the eve of the new Championship campaign.
Alan Smith – challenges Wayne Rooney
The 28-year-old has been given the black-and-white armband by stand-in boss Chris Hughton in the absence of injured captain Nicky Butt, who is recovering from an operation on his hand.
Alan will lead the lads into the new season tomorrow, when they face West Brom on Saturday evening, and hopefully can start the campaign with a good win.
The Magpies have of course sold out their ticket allocation for the Hawthorns and will have a solid backing of fans – as usual.
Alan told nufc.co.uk today:
“We need the fans more than ever – especially in the face of adversity,” “We want to show the fans how much this football club means to us and we want to stick together as a team.”
“There are 15, 20 lads in that dressing rooms who are determined to get back into the Premier League.” “But we’ve got to get used to battling and grafting because every team coming to Newcastle, and for every team facing us, it’ll be like a cup final for them.”
“The dressing room is as close as it’s ever been since I’ve been here, which is what we need through a difficult season.” “We’ll need every player, we’ll need the young lads as well and we’ll need to support each other as we go along.”
“All we are focused on now is August 8th and getting off to the best possible start.”
Those are great words from Alan, and we only hope the lads can produce the goods on the field, which they certainly didn’t do last season, even though the players’ statements before the games were just as rousing.
As we found out last season fighting words are just not good enough, without tough and spirited play on the pitch, and we will need to see a lot more spirit and fight on the pitch tomorrow, if indeed we are to get the win we badly need.
If we can produce that, and the lads are in any kind of form tomorrow, then we could even win, and that’s the result every single Newcastle fan wants to see tomorrow.
This is after the heartbreak at the club of the last 11 weeks, which is right now in a sorry mess, due in very large part to the ridiculous antics of owner Mike Ashley over the summer months.
The owner has done nothing but try to sell the club, at the expanse of any preparation for the new season, which is now upon us.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
90 comments so far
Wigaz
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Comment #1I for one am glad smith has the armband. Better someone who’s going to get everyone up for it on the pitch & constantly talk to the team as appose to Owen although a better player clealy not a leader. Only cared about himself. I hope smith has a good season & chips in with a few goals & helps get us up. That would certainly make the fans like him more. We should keep him as skipper too if we get a few wins under our belts if all this talk of Butt wanting to leave is true then in my mind he dont deserve the armband. I’d make smith captain with S Taylor Vice captain. No offence to Harper but just think a CB or CM are best shouts for captain.
Brazilian Geordie
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Comment #2Good words from Smith. Hope he can have a decent season this time around and finally produce the goods he still owe us.
Rangerman
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Comment #3Lets hope he’s more inspirational than Owen with the armband.
Doocey
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Comment #4Alan Smith will be vital tomorrow, but I’m not feeling too confident.
Johno Toon
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Comment #5I know he has been extremely dissapointing since he joined but i really think smith is going to have a good season for us
Rodzilla
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Comment #6…well we certainly have the right midfield for ‘fight’.
WBA 1 NUFC 24
I am FKN SICK to the back teeth of these fkn so-called rally calls. Then again, I suppose there’s b0llock all else to talk about. Apologies for the language but I’m well and truly fkd off today. I’ve held my patience with Ashley for a long while but at this moment in time I want to rip his fkn arms off and beat him to a pulp with them.
Looking forward to tomorrow anyway.
😀
Nick D
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Comment #7sadly Hughton doesn’t have the wit or the imagination to come up with anything original and exciting, so we will have the same pedestrian, non creative midfield in a conservative safety first 4-5-1 with the mind numbing Smith, Nolan Duff and no pace in sight.
A good manager would start with Krul, Kadar, Ranger and Lua Lua or at the very least have them ready to come on after the oh so predictable aforementioned Smith, Nolan Duff
Tino 11
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Comment #8Rodzilla “I’ve held my patience with Ashley for a long while but at this moment in time I want to rip his fkn arms off and beat him to a pulp with them.”
You’ll have to get through his bodyguards of Stardust, Worky Ticket, Rangerman and Boater 1st!
Rodzilla
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Comment #9…a good Samurai sword should suffice Tino
😉
Big Dave
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Comment #10Rod if you dont have one give me a shout and i can fix you up with one sharp as a razor too lol
benscott123123
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Comment #11I’d like to see
Harper
R.Taylor S.Taylor Kadar Enrique
Duff Barton Smith Gutierrez
Carroll Ranger
Subs Ameobi Coloccini Geremi LuaLua Nolan Krul and the only sub i’d want to see used is Lua Lua shows how much we need to strengthen as although Vuckic Donaldson ect show promise I wouldnt expect them to come on and change a game
JinkyGenius
Aug 7, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Comment #12Personally, Ed, I would sacrifice ‘Spirit and Fight’ for ‘Tactics and Professionalism’. It’s always a defensive blunder or misplaced midfield pass or poorly timed tackle half or concentration loss at crucial moment that cost us goals, not the puffed up chests and hearts on the sleeve.
Likewise, a little less schoolboy panic when the goal chances comes along might be nice, just remember to direct the ball in the right direction rather than to the back of the stand on free kicks. Play percentages, you know? One will squeeze in sooner or later.
Do those small things right, and the points are – probably – already in the bag…….
magforlife
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Comment #13Talk is cheap and this squad have always talked a good fight with one patronizing quote after another.
I am waiting until two or three games into the season when “knocks” rule half the squad out.
The forward line has last season written all over it, the three so called stars who left were seldom available for selection.
bozo
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Comment #14If that motley collection are Ashleys bodyguard you wont need a sword a wet cabbage should be enough to get you past that lot.
Whumpie
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Comment #15Look on the bright side:
1. £28 per ticket
2. No need to be in the same building as mackems or manure fans
3. More chance of winning
4. BBC coverage; no sky fees!
Er…
Hmm…
That’s it.
Let’s just remember that this is ‘just’ West Brom. We DO have a good chance of 3 points!
Oba
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Comment #16How come the players/manager at this club are always going on and on about how the fans need to get behind them? We did all of last season, and they didn’t give anything in return.
It’s time for them to stand up and be counted, with support or not.
liam85
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Comment #17“We need the fans more than ever” – You need the fans, the fans have always been there. It’s the fan’s who need the players!!
Whumpie
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Comment #18Oh, yes… Smith.
Lots of managers seem to have liked him for his impact on morale in the dressing room, so perhaps he’s our man this year?
I just hope he gets the confidence to whack the thing towards goal a few times. If he can feed the likes of Ranger and Carroll (and wor Shola, who I also think could prove pretty handy in the CCC) then perhaps he’ll keep the armband.
I hope so. Nice lad, natural leader, and there’s still a really good player in there somewhere.
pondering
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Comment #19hmmm
Rodzilla
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Comment #20…again, a fine ponder there young ‘pondering’
Johno Toon
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Comment #21I think west brom are there for the taking tomorrow to be honest , i would settle for a point but i think we can get 3 , ill go 3-1 for us , smith to get 2 and ranger the other! COME ON THE TOON
OHurley
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Comment #22Rod-
I gotta GREAT samurai sword (even got the matching short sword) if you feel the need to “huntin'” in London… 🙂
OHurley
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Comment #23Johno-
Howay lad, that’s what I’m talkin about!! I really WANT to see Alan Smith succeed. I think he can do it.
Rodzilla
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Comment #24…yeah Whumpie, I hope Smith does finally shine for us. He has all the right intentions and attitude, his skill levels just seem to have slipped somewhat.
I hope he proves, what I think is the majority of us, wrong. I have a massive disciplinary concern over our midfield though. Anyway, I’m boring myself now with gloom – only 2 hours ’til Strongbow and the first game of the CCC!
…come on you *pigs, wallop the smogs!
(*term used for both blue and red halves of Sheffield)
cromscott
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Comment #25Bum Fun anyone?……..I thought so…..Just call 0800-bumfun-bumfun…….Your direct link to some Fun with the Bum..
Rodzilla
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Comment #26Dave and OHurley, cheers for the generous offers 🙂
I may just have to vent my disdain through bouts of Grand Theft Auto for the time being though.
Big Dave
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Comment #27Oba Well said mate they have allways had the support without having to earn it
Rodzilla
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Comment #28cromscott, why, are you a bum?
Go and get your own friends you dirty tramp.
Rodzilla
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Comment #29…am off noo anyway. Back later…..
OHurley
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Comment #30see ya rod
batty
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Comment #31cromscott fck off you dirty aids spreadin fckin queer mackem
magpie6699
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Comment #32Actually, a bit of skill, ability on the ball and pace might be at least as useful.
We had so many rallying cries last season I’m amazed the players aren’t permanently hoarse – but did it do any good? No, it just made for tedious reading after a while.
I don’t get all the optimists on here. I am terrified that the omens are so bad – no manager, no tactics, no new players, no goalscorers, no defence, no midfield playmaker,no real ( i.e. committed) owner.no stability, not playing at 3pm, being on the tele, Shearer commentating, need I go on – that we will be seen to be crappy and lose 5-1. I will be amazed if we get away for less than 2-0 defeat. And I’m the cheerful one in our family!
Johno Toon
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Comment #33If your the cheerful one magpie6699 i would hate to see what christmas is like in your house 🙂
Mac
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Comment #34DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
ToonRy
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Comment #35Beye signed for villa
wilson32
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Comment #36i just need to remind a few people on this blog about alan smith he will never be good anough for this team never mind captain championship or not he is simple sh1t and how many games did he play not many iam what team were yous watching last season its not just smith its the likes of butt duff shola jonas nolan barton iam this is the same team that got stuff 6-1 by a crap team so if i was picking the team tomorrow i would start with the youths because ive seen them play loads of time and they are much better then were first team so we should start with ranger and carol up front i think ranger is class and he would get a feww goals this season if he gets a start enough said
magpie6699
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Comment #37Johno – we have to hide all the knives and lengths of rope till well after Boxing Day!
Graeme
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Comment #38Great plan – the 1st reserve corner flag attendant is our illustrious leader for the first fizzy pop league game.
What happens when he pulls his usual stunt of getting himself sent off after 25 minutes?? What earthly use is he to the team then?
Still, its only 3 years since he last scored a goal, he’s bound to score one in the next 18 months or so. If this is the best plan we have its a joke.
We have many much more talented players who deserve to play, long before you get far enough down the list of players to find Smiths name.
Johno Toon
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Comment #39hahaha magpie!
Wilson the championship would be way to physical for all the young players , yes we need to bring them in but slowly, I think lualua ranger kadar should really step up this season but we need our senior players to show more than they did last season
magpie6699
Aug 7, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Comment #40Any bets on how many games before Barton, Smith and Nolan are suspended?
Who first? My money’s on the thug.