We watched the full Arsenal Newcastle game again yesterday afternoon – you can do that when you’re retired – and I got some comments from my wife about “have you not watched that game enough already” – to which the replay was – no.
Chris Hughton – can he get the NUFC emblem on his suit?
One of the things that was obvious in the game was that Newcastle had come for all 3 points and yes, we did have some luck with Arsenal hitting the cross-bar twice, but apart from one great save Tim Krul had to make – and did, the young Newcastle goalkeeper was not troubled too much – given it was at Arsenal.
Newcastle had a good game plan, and immediately after the game (the Emirates clock showed it was 4:15 pm), Andy Carroll, Mike Williamson and Chris himself, talked to Newcastle United TV about what that plan was, and that they had executed it well enough to get all 3 points.
And the TV commentators gave plaudits to the Newcastle team-work all the time, because it was one of those displays that will get Newcastle many many new fans around the world, because they played a gutsy game and never gave up – the type of display everybody just loves to watch.
And of course Newcastle have one or two top players in players like Andy Carroll, Joey Barton, Fab Coloccini, Kevin Nolan and Cheick Tiote – and Ben Arfa too, when the Frenchman finally does return.
We also bet that Hatem BenArfa really enjoyed watching the game against Arsenal, and he”s probably just dying to return to Tyneside, where it looks like he could be joining a very decent side. If his injury allows it, maybe he can travel with the lads on match days to keep him part of the squad.
Yes, we’ve won our last three games and we mustn’t get too carried away, and indeed if we don’t win the next two home games against Blackburn and Fulham, it will show that maybe Newcastle are not as good as they have looked in gaining 9 points from the last 3 games, two of which were away from home.
But there seems to be significant hope that by the end of the season, this Newcastle side under the excellent coaching of Chris Hughton will be a lot better than the side that were completely outclassed at Old Trafford in our very first game.
Things are definitely looking up at Newcastle, and we continue to be amazed – but we’ll promise to keep our feet firmly on the ground.
Right now the only thing that matters is to get 6 points out of two home league games before Saturday evening.
Comments welcome.
16 comments so far
Mac
Nov 9, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Comment #1First
Mac
Nov 9, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Comment #2And yeah we are looking a very good side,and there’s a few reasons for that. Smith out Tiote in. This guy really is a class act. Williamson looks decent. A seson in the championship has improved Fab and Jose no end
And is it a coincidence that since Sol has arrived our defence looks much improved. I mean when was the last time Alan Hansen sung the praises of Newcastles back 4?
ginkoh
Nov 9, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Comment #3I can say everyone at the club have improve every time we play in PRM. Players, staff, chairman even our manager.
Try to compare with early of the season, I can see much much better from both of technique, tactic, mental strength, team work and discipline.
Mo Drysdale
Nov 9, 2010 at 11:22 AM
Comment #4Ed,
We have already played 6 of the top 8 teams from last season if you include the cup and we have beaten 4 of them and have played all 6 teams away apart from Aston Villa.
Not bad, that means 5 of the hardest games of the season already played.
Chris should be proud of himself and the team.
However the bigest test is always the next, 2 games at home ?
cupiddstunt
Nov 9, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Comment #5Well Ed must disagree with some of your comments, if we do not win the next two games it may not be an indication that we are not as good as we thought we were.
We could play exceptionally well and just bang the ball off the woodwork we might have no luck at all and the result might go completely against the run of play, you see it every week teams winning games they should have been hammered in.
It will be how we play the next two games that dictate where we are in terms of team development not the results.
We have already had games this season that we should have won but didn’t and I am sure we will have more before the season is over but as long as we go out to every game with the same intent and that is to win it and play to our best we will be ok, as long as we keep the level of effort and commitment up then we will be fine.
There will be days when luck is against us when the touch is not there, when we are not on song but there should never be a day when we are just not putting in the effort, there are many games that have been won on sheer hard graft, now couple work ethic with a bit of skill and we will survive comfortably.
Shot Bru
Nov 9, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Comment #6Tim Krul is coming along nicely and that wonder save will do his confidence the world of good, Harper is gonna struggle to get his place back. Since he has replaced Harper we have kept the ball for much longer periods as a result of his excellent distribution to our technically astute players ie. Tiote, Colo, Barton and Enrique.
catchy in norway
Nov 9, 2010 at 11:47 AM
Comment #7i wasnt a CH fan,,but he is winning me over,,:D
its hard to compair him with anyone,, but he reminds me of Sir Bobby Robson,,inthe way he handls him self,and looks after the players,,
in return, the players, they play like heros for him,,
hope cashly reads blogs
sweendog
Nov 9, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Comment #8catchy in norway .. he reminds me of keegan in the man manager/coach stakes .. but plays the game and handles himself in the style of bobby robson ..
catchy in norway
Nov 9, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Comment #9sweendog
agreed
not a bad combo
Hugo_Viana
Nov 9, 2010 at 2:15 PM
Comment #10As long as we reach that 40 point mark, i will be happy. what would be great is if we got into europe then we’ll attract more bigger players. but main goal – survival of what seems to be a topsy-turvy prem league at the minute.
steve1980
Nov 9, 2010 at 3:48 PM
Comment #11If we get at least 4 points out of the next 2, i’ll be happy. 6 would be fantastic, and on our current form i don’t see why not, but we mustn’t get carried away. Ruining Fat Sam and Filthy ol’sparky’s day will be an added bonus.
As for our team, yeah, on paper it didn’t look perhaps good enough. But it’s as if someone’s flipped a switch and the likes of Barton, Ameobi, Coloccini etc have suddenly remembered the ability they have. Barton in particular has been outstanding, and his attitude on the pitch has been commendable, tracking back, good conduct and work rate etc. Colo was utterly brilliant against Arsenal, and our defensive line had Alan Hansen in raptures. Ameobi scored the greatest goal of his carear against Sunderland, outstanding. The ability was always there, and it’s great to see him taking the opportunity.
For me Tiote is the greatest signing we have made in years and years. The lad is a class act; his coolness on the ball and ability to break up play, find a team mate when under pressure is a joy to watch. Thats a defensive midfielder ladies and gents. I hope the massively over rated Garry Barry is watching and weeping.
Our central midfield looks very strong – Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Guthrie, Gosling, Vuckic, Smith. Out of those i’d be up for selling Smith in January. He’s on massive wages and he still remains what he’s always been since his latter days at Man U – a player without a position. He is absolutely not a defensive midfielder – it’s not his lack of pace, more his inability to read the game in that area of the pitch. Not sure i would sell anyone else, maybe Ryan Taylor if he’s unhappy here and wants to go. If we could raise £5m from those two, why not put a bid in for Tuncay? Anyone else agree? He’s unhappy at Stoke, and seems to want away, plus he doesn’t get on with Pulis. I think he’d be a great addition to our team, because he has pace, trickery and imagination. Just look at that goal against Man U. Sublime.
dave 1961
Nov 9, 2010 at 6:29 PM
Comment #12sol would be a 1st class coach
Solaidback
Nov 9, 2010 at 10:17 PM
Comment #13Well I said at the start of the season, drawing Manc Usa in our first match was an omen, the last time we played them in the first game, we drew 1-1 & we got relegated that season, this time we lost 3-0 & look at how well we’re doing now.. 🙂
I think that loss was a kick up the back side for the lads, to show them that yes we won the Fizzy in style but we’re now in a different league & need to play like it, we stumbled a tad but now we seem to be a real force to reckon with, so well done the lads, CH & all the fans.. 🙂
We sang our loud, we sang out proud… HWTL…
milburn 77
Nov 9, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Comment #14couldnt agree more dave 1961, maybe give beardo/stevie stone the assistant job and move sol in that way?
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Nov 10, 2010 at 6:02 AM
Comment #15I would like you all to cast your minds back to a certain MOTD programme , in our relegation season. Blackburn had just taken on Fat Sam as their boss, and the game was his first visit to SJP after he left us!
Blackburn had beaten us 3-1 and Sam had a cheesy grin cemented on his face. He laughed and joked, which totally wound me up and i,ve hated hom ever since for it.
Lets stuff em 6-0 tonight, and wipe that arrogant smile off the idiots face. Fat Sam and Phil Brown really annoyed me that year.
Angryman the Angry fan
Nov 10, 2010 at 10:10 AM
Comment #16Lets just hope complacency does not creep in tonight and i can see a good 3-0 win at least!!
CAUTION, we have no divinal right to beat this team tonight as we didnt Blackpool or Stoke, just because we trumped on of the top teams on their own patch at the weekend!!
Realism is the key here guys…..so that said
LETS GO AND STUFF FAT SAMS LABOURERS!