The Newcastle United Blog

204 responses so far ↓

• 1 Pek // Feb 10, 2012 at 1:51 PM

  Here’s hoping. I’d still be over the moon with top 7 but if we can carry this momentum and flirt a bit with lady luck, who knows………….

• 2 VanToonMan // Feb 10, 2012 at 1:55 PM

  Big IF….but IF we take that 4th spot…i would actually go crazy!….my friends who support other teams won’t hear the end of it!….Just imagine the quality of players we would sign in the summer!!

  All those games mentioned apart from Everton away…are very ‘winnable’…basically apart from everton away and liverpool and arsenal…if we win all our games against the teams below us at the moment…we should be there or thereabouts.

  How many points do you think a team would need this season to get 4th spot?

• 3 Pek // Feb 10, 2012 at 1:56 PM

  P.s
  I am far from a doom and gloomer, I’m one of the most optimistic people I know but does anyone else share my worry that Ba’s knee may be a ticking bomb? Obviously I hope not, would be unreal to see the Demba boys banging them in for a while. Just can’t shift this nagging feeling in the back of my heed.

• 4 Sgt. Heagerty // Feb 10, 2012 at 1:59 PM

  Did any of you lads see the match on espn earlier I’n the season where they had a feature on an oldschool Newcastle fan who had been to every game since the late 60′s. He gave a stirring rundown of the years and at the end he was dreaming of smashing a game winner at the gallowgate end, top corner he even said. Wish I could find that on YouTube it was pure Geordie and sent chills up me spine….. Anyways wor shearer pure class wish we could still run him out cuz he looks as if he could still bag at least a brace v spurs tommorow

• 5 SuperShearer // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:04 PM

  I would love to see us take 4th spot but I don’t see us competing with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelski yet. Unless all three of them slip up. I’d be over the moon with 5th….would do a very stupid dance with 4th. The Sunderland game will be tough as MON has them fired up right now.

• 6 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:05 PM

  Looking forward to the game tomorrow; anticipation we’ll start we’re we left off against Villa.

  Hopefully not just formation-wise, but also performance-wise

  HWTL

• 7 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:06 PM

  4th place! With our luck so far this season, why not

• 8 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:07 PM

  we’re = where

• 9 Sgt. Heagerty // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:07 PM

  Wish the club could find a spot for shearer at the club. Not at the expense of the silver fox or his leftenant carver, but something cuz he is oozes Geordie pride and leadership. Not I’n a gaffer sort of way but as a skipper he was brilliant, maybe they could find a role for him I’n a player management role or something….. What a player and Geordie. Another person who nufc owes alot here I’n the states is warren Barton. He is a mainstay on the fox soccer network here I’n the states and is always introduced as former Newcastle united defender. He is always beaming when we win and is just a great ambassador for the toon here I’n the states

• 10 alip123 // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:08 PM

  @6 – bearing in mind we finished with Shola on the field??

• 11 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:08 PM

  alip123 strike that part then. lol

• 12 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:13 PM

  What’s the general thought about the vacancy at the National team?

  I reckon Stuart Pearce might stay in charge until the end of the season, where ‘Arry will take over full time!

• 13 Thump // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:14 PM

  @Sgt: He wouldn’t accept anything less than a managerial position and he’s already spoken out against Ashley (when he was released at the end of relegation season) so it isn’t going to happen frankly. Either Shearer deflates his head and starts from a coaching role like everybody else, or looks to the lower league manager/assistant manager.

• 14 gonz // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:15 PM

  I’d just like to point out that Perch isn’t playing as well as everybody say’s he is. He’s just as much as a liability as HBA is, but with HBA he can score and get assists, so I’d throw him in the side against Tottenscum tomorrow.

  If you watched the game against Villa you will see it was Perch’s fault why Keane scored the goal – Perch should’ve followed Keane’s run through the middle, but he let him go and Keane neatly finished, Also, nearly at the end of the match he let Gardner run straight passed him who nearly scored a late equaliser. It bugs me when people talk so highly of somebody, but fails to look at the bigger picture. Yes, he’s done ‘ALRIGHT’

• 15 gonz // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:15 PM

  Bruce Arena for England manager!!!!!!

• 16 Thump // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:15 PM

  @jesper: Psycho for the Holland game then probably Roy Hodgson imo. Wouldn’t surprise me if the FA tried to court Mourhino or somebody though lol

• 17 SurefootedShola // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:16 PM

  Opponents team news – http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/team-news-090212.page?

  I hope King plays. I think he’s vastly overrated. Good organizer, but a real tortoise. With the combination of the Demba’s physical presence, energy, movement and determination, I think they could run him ragged.

• 18 Sgt. Heagerty // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:17 PM

  Also as far as spuds go. Their performance at Liverpool was strong defensively but Carroll and suarez both missed sitters having said that. Ba and cisse won’t miss if they get a chance. As far as going forward they looked short of ideas and ambition. However they will be at home and much more attack minded I am sure of it. I think if we play solid defense and create a couple of chances we could shock the world again. Tapping king arry is still a big distraction to the club even now that his trial is over the talk of leaving for England could upset the dressing room…. Let’s hope anyways.

  Krul
  Simmo Willo. Colo. Santon

  Perch

  Hba. Guthrie. Jonas

  Ba. Cisse

• 19 VanToonMan // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:19 PM

  If they can’t get Harry….it’s gotta be someone who can really get the best out the players…a really good man-manager. Martin O’Neil would be good but obviously he has just moved so he wouldn’t go.

• 20 Thump // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:22 PM

  Don’t underestimate Liverpool, Sgt. They’re a good passing side and matched ‘Arry’s tactics 1 to 1 and both sides kind of cancelled each other out.

  Spurs will be buoyed by courts ruling too. That’s my biggest fear.

• 21 SurefootedShola // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:23 PM

  For me it’s plainly obvious our team is going to be:

  _______________Krul_______________
  Simpson____Willo____Colo____Santoon
  Obertan____Perch____Guthrie____Jonas
  ____________Cisse____Ba

• 22 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:23 PM

  Sgt HBA is never starting tomorrow, no way no how.

• 23 bob // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:23 PM

  NUFC should have to much for Spurs tomorrow watched them against Liverpool they looked average and they are due a wobble all the other top clubs have had one theirs starts against us!

• 24 VanToonMan // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:24 PM

  As for the spurs game…we can’t go there and be open and try to go toe to toe with them ‘cos we will get destroyed. We have to be solid and hit them on the counter…which is why obertan definitely needs to play tomorrow….he is the only one with the real pace to make that counter-attack effective and if he can put some for the dembas to get on the end of…we could get a good result.

• 25 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:24 PM

  Sounds about right SurefootedShola

• 26 RickyFatten // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:26 PM

  . I for 1 would but disappointed with 7th. At the start of the season a 7th finish seemed amazing but looking at the table now we should be aiming higher , 1 point off 4th and 9 points ahead of 8th. So why would any1 be over the moon with 7th with only 14 games to play !

• 27 Munster Mag // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:27 PM

  I dont think our central midfield can hold them but hope for best. I hate Floppy Chops.

• 28 cyprus // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:28 PM

  @3, keep spreading that rumour. Keeps suitors away.

• 29 cyprus // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:31 PM

  @18, nice team there, could damage them. Only Perch is a bit of a weak link.

• 30 Lew Davies // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:34 PM

  PEK – dont worry about Demba Ba’s knee.
  If he was having any problems, he would have been missing games already.
  He is more likely to pick up an injury from a bad tackle as he is for his knee to blow up.
  This could happen to any of our players at any time.
  Lifes to short to worry about “what if this and that”
  Just enjoy the here and now. What will be, will be.

• 31 Sgt. Heagerty // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:37 PM

  The biggest worry tommorow is the midfield, the match will be won or lost in midfield. If perch and.Guthrie can get a foothold on the engine room we have a chance if obertan and Jonas can get forward enough and attack effectively without fear. We are going to have to be brave and press the ball cuz spurs.will have the lions share of possession

• 32 Lew Davies // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:37 PM

  Assuming Obertan wont last 90 mins, is it better to start with him, or aim to use him as a match winning sub?
  tough call for Pardew

• 33 mattnufc // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:44 PM

  Think HBA needs a run of games to prove himself. Obertan, Best, Shola, R Taylor, Guthrie have been allowed consecutive starts with varying results, so why not HBA?

• 34 Lew Davies // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:45 PM

  I can see us going 5 in the mid field with Ba up front on his own
  ……………….krul
  simmo…colo…….willo….santon
  ………………perch
  ober…..hba…..Guthrie………Jonas
  ………………Ba

• 35 VanToonMan // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:45 PM

  Lew

  I think we have to start with Obertan ‘cos we need a good start to the game…match-winning sub should Ben Arfa i think. He is the type of talent who could come on and score a wonder goal for us when we have been dominated the whole game but kept it at 0-0.

• 36 mickyG69 // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:51 PM

  There’s a lot of negativity here. First we gave Spurs a game at SJP that we should’ve won so why can’t we get a result at WHL? I know it’s a derby but anyone watching the Mackems play Boro’s 6th formers shouldn’t be overly concerned and MON’s luck won’t last forever. And why can’t we finish 4th all the other big contenders for that spot are still in other cup competitions or Europe so we will be fresher for the league. Let’s get behind them HOWAY THE LADS

• 37 mattyNUFC // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:51 PM

  surefootedshola

  anybody who doesn’t think that is the line-up hasn’t been paying much attention this season

  4th? 4th you say? i’d go nuts…

• 38 Lew Davies // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:56 PM

  I agree we have been playing our best football when going 4-4-2, but the pressure is off us now, and Pardew has shown he is not scared to try new formations and game plans.
  I just got a feeling we gonna try something new tomorrow.
  (oh and get the surprise win too )

• 39 billy // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:57 PM

  If Simpson the little fairy can keep bale quiet on the right Guthrie can be more than a match for Parker who is massively overated TOON should win tomorrow and blow a hole in the southern media hype that Spurs will win the premier league.

• 40 mattyNUFC // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:58 PM

  lew

  would love to see some formation at least hinting towards some contingency. either way, here’s hoping for a solid showing. would take a point and run if that were on the table…

• 41 Cheickn Stevens // Feb 10, 2012 at 2:59 PM

  Paul Merson predicts this weekend’s game: Tottenham to win 4-0… Thoughts?

• 42 billy // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:00 PM

  Cheickn Stevens was he sober at the time?

• 43 LEROI // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:00 PM

  before sunday i would’ve said Guthrie & Perch against Spurs are you mad? But they both played well in there own style Guthrie’s hold up and ball playing was 1st class & Perch was like a terrier at the villans heels in the middle of pitch too. The only thing i hope for now is that Obertan can keep a hold of the ball a bit more and his passing become’s more accurate to complement his pace and great back tracking tackles.

• 44 ilovetoon8788 // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:02 PM

  Guthrie has to on the top of his game tomorrow. He and Perch needs to keep Parker and Modric at bay.

  Krancjar is extremely intelligent player. Might cause Santon problems as i still find Santon quite shaky defending but good going forward.

  Jonas and Simpson must contain Bale and prevent him running past Simpson, he will punish us.

  If we are going to get anything out of the game tomorrow. Ba and Cisse must be RUTHLESS and take ANY chance they can get.

• 45 kimik123 // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:04 PM

  got a bad feeling shola will start tomorrow instead of cisse!

• 46 ted // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:05 PM

  Mersons IQ is 55 which qualifies him as an idiot!

• 47 duNNYNUFC007 // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:07 PM

  For me i would love to see newcastle back in the CL but i just hope that we finish top 7.

• 48 LEROI // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:12 PM

  paul merson predicts 4-0 to spurs what sort of an Arsenal man is he? All that time stuck in smog land has affected his pea brain!!

• 49 VanToonMan // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:12 PM

  Kimik…after a debut like last week…why would pardew start with shola instead of cisse tomorrow??

• 50 davybtoon // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:14 PM

  obertan will start tomorrow him n simpson kept bale pretty quite up here

  glad for vukic aswell we need abeid n ferguson to go onloan to the championship aswell

• 51 Sgt. Heagerty // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:15 PM

  How is Jonas suppose to help simmo when he is on the other side of the pitch, lol

• 52 davybtoon // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:19 PM

  am not even worried about tomorrows game good ground for us in the past if we get anything its a bonus, ba n cisse will cause them more trouble than adebayor n defoe will us

• 53 Pek // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:19 PM

  Wise words Lew, I’ll go with that

• 54 Dannyo // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:22 PM

  I predict a 4-5-1 tomorrow, with Cisse on top. Or else Tottenham will run us ragged through the midfield.
  Van der Vaart is out.

• 55 Wor Shearer // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:26 PM

  Just looking forward to the match now. The boys are ready and should be playing confidently. I’m not expecting a result so I just want to see the lads give it their all and i’ll be happy.

• 56 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:29 PM

  Would love a 4-2-3-1 formation tomorrow, simply because you get a little bit of both. It’s defensive and at the same time very offensive minded.

  It’s even quite simple for AP to change back to his beloved 4-4-2

• 57 Robby Bobson // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:44 PM

  Pardew has hinted at Cisse being on the bench tomorrow, so can see us reverting to 4-5-1 again with Jonas as the workhorse again, if thats the case.

  Probably be good against a team of quality with two proper wingers (Obertan and HBA or maybe even Fergie), didnt work with Shola up front and Best on the wing tho. Lack of counter attack.

• 58 mattnufc // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:44 PM

  Everyone associated with sky is vile apart from Jeff Stelling.

• 59 mattyNUFC // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:46 PM

  jesperfuglsang

  i’d disagree with that. when we played that formation for a run of two or three matches in january we got caught out by lesser teams imo

• 60 eaststandgeordie1982 // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:46 PM

  hope they can grab a couple tha morra wold be over the moon with a point!

  i put this on yesterday lads it was the end of my tiling course so i thought i would challenge myself i think you will like what i did please have a look im goin to finish it on mon cos i ran out of time but here it is

  http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3318235520436&set=a.1596505918272.82458.1404692386&type=1&theater&notif_t=photo_comment

• 61 Robby Bobson // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:46 PM

  Surely Pards won’t start Shola…hes looked unplayable twice this season, both times coming off from the bench, best example was spurs at home where he was just breezing past players like kyle walker for fun. Simple, us him as a impact sub.

• 62 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:49 PM

  Spurs has a lot of ifs and buts for tomorrow’s match

  Hopefully neither Dafoe nor Lennon will have a great impact tomorrow. Here’s hoping!

• 63 eaststandgeordie1982 // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:50 PM

  obertan deserves a start we need his pace to keep up with bale

• 64 Lew Davies // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:52 PM

  Jesper – to be fair Pardew does not prefer 4-4-2
  He has tried other formations and they haven’t always worked. It just so happens that up to now we have been more effective in a 4-4-2 line up.
  I feel he will try something different tomorrow though.
  Put spurs on the back foot.
  Pardew is not as tacvtically inept as many people make out. Just look at the stoke away match. We out thought them in every depaetment and came away winners, when no one gave us a chance.

• 65 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:54 PM

  mattyNUFC, for most parts AP played his own version of 4-3-3 and not 4-2-3-1. He might have played it ones or twice this season, but always with players out of position – like Best as a left attacking winger

  You need to pass the ball and move around in order for it to work you cannot just continue to play hoofball with no movement what so ever.

  I beg the difference mate 4-2-3-1 it is.

• 66 bob // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:56 PM

  Pardew will play the same team that beat Villa, not any of these oddball line ups of 4-5-1 or any other daft variations put forward on here by the bedroom managers stick to Fifa 12 you little sacks!

• 67 eaststandgeordie1982 // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:57 PM

  got to stick with 4-4-2 imo its worked all season look where we are why change it when there is no need

• 68 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 3:59 PM

  Lew, we have been playing 4-4-2 all season. I don’t think that’s any secret.

  We don’t all agree that we have been more effective playing 4-4-2, but we have gotten results

  I have seen two games where we played 4-3-3 and we look good and lively. In one of the games AP changed formation at half time (back to 4-4-2) and we lost heavily.

  The game against Brighton was probably the closest we got to playing 4-2-3-1. But to be fair we have only looked good in two games this season. Against Man Utd. and Stoke.

  So 4-2-3-1 it is

• 69 joppadoni // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:00 PM

  spurs are on the slide and we could win tomorrow.

  pek what you on about Ba’s knee for… ffs. played all year with no issues and coz you heard some news 13 months ago its an issue for you? get a grip.

• 70 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:01 PM

  “If if ain’t broken don’t fix it” mentality.

  What happens when it’s broken? How do you then fix it?

• 71 eaststandgeordie1982 // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:02 PM

  think you will find in the fulham game that we didnt play 4-4-2 in the second half best was on the wing jonas didnt look like he knew where he was ment to be and santon got 2 men to watch

• 72 eaststandgeordie1982 // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:04 PM

  ba and cisse upfront tomorrow i would be disapointed if it wasnt lets have a go ffs

• 73 Lew Davies // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:04 PM

  ha ha bob you arrogant arse.
  Its just different opinions.
  But obviously you are itk n all that.
  Funny, but i thought Ryan Taylor and Leon Best played against villa
  Seems like you talking thru your arse too.

• 74 Willo // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:04 PM

  Krul
  Simmo Willo Colo Santoon
  _____Guthrie Perch_____
  Obertan(Raylor) BA Jonas
  _______Cisse_________

  I think we can definitely get points out of this team. I list Raylor but I doubt he’ll play, in that case, Obertan is a perfect deputy

• 75 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:04 PM

  eaststandgeordie1982, we still played 4-4-2 in the second half. Whether Best was out of position and Jonas was all over the place doesn’t change that.

  That just show there was no organization – hence the 5-2 result.

• 76 joppadoni // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:05 PM

  paul mersons on the sauce again.. cant wait for his liver to pack in.

• 77 MacToon // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:06 PM

  gonz @ 14, glad someone else spotted that Perch didn’t cover the runs from midfield on at least 2 occasions including the goal.

  As Geoff777 said on the last match day thread and no one else picked up on it as far as I could see but when Obertan was running forward and he didn’t play the ball to Cisse it was because Cisse has strayed offside, it was good thinking on Obertan’s behalf and not as many had said he didn’t pass the ball when he could/should have.

  Hope Cisse’s worked on the offside rule this week

  Going to be a tough game this weekend but we will hopefully give them a good run for their money, both Demba’s should prove a handful to any defence. Shame we haven’t got Tiote n Cabaye available.

  Sgt, can I just ask why do you put an apostrophe in the word in? “I’n”, can’t work it out lol

• 78 eaststandgeordie1982 // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:06 PM

  there is no way we played 4-4-2 at fulham it was 4-3-3

• 79 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:06 PM

  I don’t know if bob is funny or just sad lol

• 80 mattyNUFC // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:07 PM

  jesper

  are you from scandanavia? If so, where? I’m looking at property up in Swedish lapland for a holiday home….

• 81 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:09 PM

  eaststandgeordie1982, in first half 4-3-3 in second half 4-4-2.

  He just didn’t sub any at half time; he doesn’t really sub much before late in the games.

• 82 newcastleu22 // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:09 PM

  Fully aware that this comment isn’t really relevant as there’s no way that HBA starts tomorrow but….

  For me it’s time for Jonas to switch over to the right side of midfield. The last few games have shown me that Santon is better defensively than Simmo. Additionally, Santon has Colo for cover while Simmo has Williamson as his cover. I’d much prefer to see Jonas tracking back covering Simmo against Bale than Obertan.

  In a 4-4-2 have Jonas on the right and then have HBA on the left with instructions to Perch to sit a little more weighted towards the left side of our midfield. I think we’re strong enough defensively on our left to give Benny more freedom going forward but our right side will need serious help against Bale, which Jonas can provide slightly better than Obertan.

  Last thought is that I think this is the setup that we would be playing very regularly if Marveaux was fit.

• 83 eaststandgeordie1982 // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:11 PM

  if it was 4-4-2 jonas would of stayed on the left not the free role in the middle

• 84 Rozzy // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:18 PM

  if we keep the team fit we have a great chance. The most important part of our team at the minute is down the middle with krul in goal colo and saylor in the middle of defence (have to make do with williamson) tiote and cabye in the middle of midfield and cisse and ba upfront. keep these player fit and 4th is our goal. A perfect end to the season to get champions league football back at st.james and to beat 5under1and on 4th march and a few new contracts for certain players will top it off. But we must not get to far ahead as we were tipped to go down at the start of the season even though every toon fan new that would never happen. 4th 5th 6th or 7th and it will still be a great season for us.

• 85 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:19 PM

  As I recall it Best, Ameobi and HBA started in a 3-man attack. We were one up at half time and as AP always does he wanted to keep the lead. At half time HBA was RW, Jonas LW, but he was all over the place which meant Best was far out on the left even though he was suppose to be a forward next to Ameobi.

  Perch came on later, and so did Gosling and Raylor. But it was definitely 4-4-2 at half time.

• 86 ToonIcon // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:20 PM

  i strongly fancy us to take all 3 points tomorrow the spuds arent on top form and i think as long as guthrie has his passing boots with him we will beat them and beat them well

• 87 C // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:26 PM

  @mattyNUFC

  I am from Sweden

  Well it depends what you want? Cold weather or a lot of mosquitos
  you will get them both in Lappland.

• 88 mattyNUFC // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:28 PM

  C

  haha, for the cold. I work in a similar climate in Alaska for part of the year and live in Budapest, but would like something like Alaska for the winter that’s closer to where I’m at in Europe

• 89 Robby Bobson // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:29 PM

  Whatever we play tomorrow, against Wolves Danny Guthrie needs to be on that team sheet.

  Just watched the Villa highlights, he put 4-5 top top notch balls in the box, one we scored from, another Cisse missed a sitter, another caused a big scramble.

  If we are building the hard-working team ethic, then players who come in and play out of their skin like Guthrie need to remain in the team.

  Even if it means Cabaye on the bench, as Guthrie has been better recently.

• 90 mattyNUFC // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:31 PM

  C

  just wondering, is the weather significantly colder in a place like Vasterbotten versus Jamptland? I know in Alaska even a 100 km and you can be in significantly colder weather

• 91 C // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:31 PM

  @mattyNUFC

  Well are you looking for skiing then?

  If so I can recommend Hemavan/Tärnaby, that’s where Ingemar Stenmark is from.

• 92 mattyNUFC // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:38 PM

  for seclusion more than skiing, but skiing would be nice

• 93 C // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:39 PM

  @mattynufc.

  It’s kind of the same, but it’s much dryer weather in Jämtland then in Västerbotten, because of the coastline. So the cold doesn’t affect you that much. The big thing is the darkness in the winter time you won’t get much sun. And the total opposite in the summer. It’s probarly the same in Alaska.

• 94 C // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:40 PM

  @mattynufc

  I mean the cold is dryer, if you get what I mean?

  Sorry for all the none football talk, to the rest of you.

• 95 C // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:42 PM

  I would recommend Jämtland.

  Then you have a airport in Östersund, Nice skiing in Åre and there is good nightlife there as well.

• 96 mattyNUFC // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:42 PM

  c

  thanks for the info. i’ll have a chance in september to go look and hopefully find a place. last thing…what do you know about Are? Is it supposed to be a nice area?

• 97 mattyNUFC // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:43 PM

  oh, haha, perfect! i’ve heard it’s nice

• 98 phizzyJ // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:47 PM

  @pek
  With regards to Ba’s knee, there has been a lot made of this and as a qualified physio and now an orthopaedic surgeon in training I can’t really see the problem. Ticking time bomb sounds lame (what do you expect from a manager with no medical knowledge) and think it was likely that stoke could not afford any risk whereas we went for it and it paid off. There is no evidence he struggles on match day. Just can’t see the justification or the worry at the minute in an objective sense. Think it is fine.

• 99 solano // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:48 PM

  Ed…it’s about time you clamped down on all this abuse on the blog.
  In particular, is the constant abuse of the apostrophe – it’s totally disgusting and I for one, am sick of the persistent and thoughtless comments mis-using this punctuation mark – it is puerile and senseless.
  I don’t like to join the growing band of people who are calling for people to be banned from this blog – but the constant abuse of our language, both written and spoken, is beyond the pale and is almost as heinous as having a different view to certain blog bullies on this board!

• 100 Benry // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:53 PM

  An impact sub is someone like a solskjaer or Hernandez, not Ameobi rofl. Have a look at the ‘impact’ he made last game when he came on. First touch – ball goes out for their throw in…..

  Th only impact he makes is humour and embarassment.

• 101 Benry // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:54 PM

  HOWAY THE LADS!

• 102 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:58 PM

  @Solano, care to go out on a limb and name and shame these abusers of our fine language?

• 103 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 10, 2012 at 5:01 PM

  Btw I agree that the misuse of apostrophes are the biggest scourge in written English.

• 104 solano // Feb 10, 2012 at 5:07 PM

  Ruddy…they know who they are! It’s shameful!
  I don’t like witch hunts, but if there are people calling for JFA and GBS to be banned for alternative views, then there should be no room on this board for alternative punctuation.

• 105 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 10, 2012 at 5:08 PM

  On football related matters now, statements like “AP has played 4-4-2 all season” are not necessarily true, he plays his own variations of tactics at times but there is no getting past it, he likes 4-4-2, it gives him both defensive solidity alongside having an attacking threat with 2 up front. It seems the games we have diverged from the 4-4-2 are the games that we are trying to accommodate HBA, and while I agree in principle, with the argument that “Obertan, Raylor and Guthrie have had extended run in the team…” argument, that is because they fit the desired system, HBA plays better behind one up front in the no 10 role, he is good on the wings but not a winger so the argument is whether you support HBA changing his game to fit the team, or the team changing their game to fit HBA…there is no contest as to who will lose in that circumstance. AP will never sacrifice the team to benefit one man, if we break down and see the selfish nature that seems to be exhibited we may not be as glowing in reference to our mercurial star, he needs to work harder and adapt more.

• 106 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 10, 2012 at 5:08 PM

  Haha! Alternative punctuation! that made me chuckle @Solano.

• 107 Raymonator // Feb 10, 2012 at 5:16 PM

  Hopefully Shearer is right. I doubt Liverfool or Arsenal will get above us. Chelsea might be to strong for us. Anyway, if we can get the 4th spot i will party for a month:)

• 108 roshan MAGPIE // Feb 10, 2012 at 5:21 PM

  http://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2012/02/10/is-there-any-benefit-to-being-in-the-europa-league/

• 109 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 10, 2012 at 5:29 PM

  How about this for a benefit, having our team broadcast around the world, having Newcastle United back where it truly belongs, among the elite of Europe. The chance to compete for silverware that has been starved of this great club since 1969, how about to have those European nights back at SJP, such as the great CL match against Feyenoord we all so fondly remember. To resurrect our reputation as one of the big clubs in not only English football but World football too. But if you genuinely believe that tripe that was posted in that link Roshan than more fool you.

• 110 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 10, 2012 at 5:30 PM

  I know feyenoord was away, meant European nights in general

• 111 BOOM BOOM THE 1ST // Feb 10, 2012 at 5:31 PM

  i think we will c ba drop a lot deeper tomorrow with cisse playing up top pards spoke about wanting ba to play the withdrawn striker role earlier in the season if we were full strenght i think we could play 2 up top and have a right go at them but if we do that i think we may be overrun in the midfield anyway i dont care what system we play or how we play i just want a result of anykind!

• 112 Dannyo // Feb 10, 2012 at 5:42 PM

  The highlights from the U-18 Cup are up. And that Adam Campbell, man, he just blows my mind, he slips past anything and anyone. What a player, bloody hell, what a player.
  U have to watch it if u have access.

• 113 MacToon // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:03 PM

  solano

  I’m guessing I’n is for “I am an American”

• 114 Wor Demba // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:04 PM

  Anyone remember Saylor playin gamws at rb? So strong and good defensively but goin forward hus strength and pace, directness was frightening very micah richards. Singing a rock like Saylor for cb and send Saylor to rb could make us more solid at the back and give us a rb who can charge forward as opposed to simpson who kind jogs forward cos he knows he shud and looks scared and confused wen the ball actually comes to him

• 115 Wor Demba // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:06 PM

  Not bashin simmo lad either cos hes decent jus not great

• 116 JackButler // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:11 PM

  From the Guardian

  Prob teams Tottenham Friedel; Walker, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto; Parker, Livermore; Lennon, Modric, Bale; Adebayor Newcastle Krul; Simpson, William, Coloccini, Santon; Obertan, Perch, Guthrie, Gutiérrez; Cissé, Ba

• 117 gaz 44 // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:13 PM

  much as i liked saylor at right back he would be my no.1 choice cb.. love collo but i think saylor commands bait more authority

• 118 santoooooooooon // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:20 PM

  If we had the amount of points that paul merson has said we were going to get, im confident that it would be less than 10…

  Tottenham v Newcastle
  PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0
  It wouldn’t surprise me if Tottenham won this game 5-0, but Newcastle also have the belief and ability to come out of this with a draw. Newcastle could have been hammered at Blackburn and if they play like that at White Hart Lane they could get ripped apart – and I think Tottenham will hit top form, especially after the week Harry Redknapp’s had. I don’t want to take anything away from the amazing season Newcastle have had, though.

• 119 gaz 44 // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:22 PM

  imagine shearer n rob lee in this side wow

• 120 JackButler // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:27 PM

  Its hard to argue with Merson’s prediction when we are missing three of our strongest players, Saylor, Tiote and Cabaye change the whole dynamics of our team

• 121 santoooooooooon // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:29 PM

  i know JB but he says we will lose vs everyone! just relying that we will eventually fall down the table

• 122 jesperfuglsang // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:34 PM

  I think Merson is right; if we come to WHL playing like we did against BB we will be ripped apart

  The lineup in the Guardian is probably not far from the truth – though it’s not my prefered formation.

  @solano, i’ll try to improve my possessive apostrophe

• 123 roshan MAGPIE // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:35 PM

  i think NUFC will win against spurs 3 goals to 1

• 124 JackButler // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:39 PM

  santoooooooooon – I stopped listening or even caring what ex-pros and so called experts think we’ll do, but it’s nice when we win and they then look clueless. We were one of the teams that were tipped to go down this season, shows what they all know

• 125 Dannyo // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:42 PM

  Wanna hear a fun fact?
  Sunderland: The Black Cats have the worst all time EPL goal difference (-178)

  #LetsAllLaughAtTheMackems

• 126 cyprus // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:44 PM

  Hope Lennon doesn’t play. He always causes us more trouble than Bale.

• 127 Dannyo // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:46 PM

  @JB
  There’s a good saying within the lines of what u’re saying.
  “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach”.
  Let’s rephrase that a bit and say:
  “Those who can, manage, those who can’t, pundit.
  

• 128 roshan MAGPIE // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:47 PM

  http://fantasy.premierleague.com/my-team/

• 129 JackButler // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:47 PM

  Dannyo – Spot on mate

• 130 Dannyo // Feb 10, 2012 at 6:56 PM

  @JB
  When u see Ian Dowie sitting there in his chair, commenting during HT on matches and stuff, then we all know that little sentence is so true…

• 131 Irie-Magpie // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:02 PM

  Interesting happenings, still an option in my opinion regardless of what AP said.
  http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/sport/hertssport/9523296.Mariappa_on_the_transfer_window/

• 132 tarie4 // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:09 PM

  Solano…
  What’s your problem?? The premier league is a global league..it reaches countries like China, Zimbabwe, Senegal etc..and in most of those countries English is not the main language. So why should we ban people like naifron who can not speak or write properly in English?? on this blog..naifron is one of my favourite posters..grow up will yeh…as the saying goes “just cause I am not from Newcastle doesn’t mean I dnt bleed black and white.”

• 133 bills-son // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:09 PM

  solano // Feb 10, 2012 at 5:07 PM – Ruddy…they know who they are! It’s shameful I don’t like witch hunts, but if there are people calling for JFA and GBS to be banned for alternative views, then there should be no room on this board for alternative punctuation.

  Presumably solano you mean these examples of ‘alternative views posted in the last few days …

  GoalsBringSmiles – in fact I revel in my hatred of Mike Ashley … I still hate the greedy ugly c**t … the criminal who runs our football club … I WOULD LOSE NO SLEEP WHATSOEVER IF MIKE ASHLEY BECOME SERIOUSLY ILL AND DIED.

  JailForAshley – Bill son – Are you going to order a new arsehole for your giant latex Ashley doll,you surely must have worn the current one out.

  solano – another poster told me you are an intelligent man. So why respond to my opinion (I know it is my request to ban JFA and GFS you are refrring to) that posters using such vile and abusive language as above should be bracketed in the same category as those mis-using an apostrophe??

  You are of course trying to belittle me (again) but your attempt at humour is not the attempt of an intelligent man.

  Answer this question – do you agree with using such vile and abusive language on this forum? I’d like to know because it appears from your post below that you find the whole issue a source of amusement.

  solano // Feb 10, 2012 at 4:48 PM

  Ed…it’s about time you clamped down on all this abuse on the blog.
  In particular, is the constant abuse of the apostrophe – it’s totally disgusting and I for one, am sick of the persistent and thoughtless comments mis-using this punctuation mark – it is puerile and senseless.
  I don’t like to join the growing band of people who are calling for people to be banned from this blog – but the constant abuse of our language, both written and spoken, is beyond the pale and is almost as heinous as having a different view to certain blog bullies on this board!

• 134 Wor Demba // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:10 PM

  Everytime i see Richards dominating at rb i think that cud be Saylor. Anyway dnt wna sound like a broken record. Spurs are no one man team quality everywhere but its no secret wen bale is on it so are they. Obertan has an important, him and simmo do a good job keeping him quiet we cud be in with a good shout

• 135 ITUNDERASHELL // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:15 PM

  Who the hell is Apostrophe guy and when did we sign him!
  I hope he is a centre back because we are needing one. Did anyone notice how easily Colloccini was drawn into Simpson position for Villas goal against us last weekend and how some on here blame Perch.
  I dont think Ba will be playing at Tottenham because Pardew will want Arfa to work his magic in the hole, Hmmmm.
  Only a joke lads, we are on the up and have a team assembled for a pittance due to very clever people understanding what is needed to topple the not so clever current teams and implementing a plan to do just that, its brilliant in its plan and in its implementation.
  I would be worried if Graham Carr decided to leave and hope Ashley and Pardew are scouring the world for the best scouts, oh yer they are doing that right now aren’t they.
  It may be too early for us if we finished in 4th spot as we probably need another year of preparation before we can confidently conquer Europe.

• 136 deyansabourian // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:16 PM

  http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/1019753/bidwell:-papiss-cisse-sold-on-newcastle-ambition?cc=5901

• 137 MagpiesFlyHigh // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:23 PM

  @ bill-son

  If you can’t take it don’t dish it out… and you do dish it out.
  Please chill out – you might or might not be paranoid but honestly – we’re not all out to get you..

  Try to separate banter from abuse.
  The Toon is more important than a few wee squabbles on this blog and toys flying everywhere.

  A bit of informed opinion or well argued case for this or that strange formation or weird signing is fine – but the level of personal abuse and self righteous indignation from those who hand it out is mind numbingly boring.

  I really don’t care one way or the other about who hates or loves the SCB. Jury’s out on him after a pretty disastrous showing and then recent improvements.

  And Bill-son – these are general comments not specifically directed at you – though if the cap fits…

• 138 MacToon // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:24 PM

  It seems a genuine question to Sgt has been blown up out of proportion….. yet again!
  I imagine humour should be frowned upon too as this is a serious football blog!

  You wouldn’t let it lie.

• 139 Lew Davies // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:26 PM

  can someone please explain to me why Martin o’nelly has number 31 on his tracksuit/sweat top?
  All other managers have their initials.

• 140 solano // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:38 PM

  Lew Davies @139……31 is the colour code for his favourite hair rinse. Jet black for balding late fifties middle-aged man!
  At least our silver fox has some dignity!

• 141 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:41 PM

  Oh God Bills son has his feathers ruffled and is going on the attack, quick everyone duck for cover….

• 142 MacToon // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:42 PM

  Only serious on-topic posts please solano

• 143 beefman13 // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:46 PM

  Lew, young shane ferguson at the toon has 31 on his shirt as well both northern irish, i wonder if there is a link there.

• 144 solano // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:47 PM

  Yeah Ruddy…I feel quite embarrassed by his attack on the freedom of speech of others.
  Fascism is never quite defeated it seems!

• 145 Lew Davies // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:53 PM

  ha ha Solano. Nice one
  .
  Interesting Beefy, maybe somthing in that, but I dont know.
  Cheers anyway

• 146 MacToon // Feb 10, 2012 at 7:56 PM

  Try for a gagging order or a super injunction. Maybe stalker would be more appropriate though.

• 147 solano // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:03 PM

  tarie@132….you’ll get used to the intonation and nuances of the language as you practice it…..if it wasn’t for the input of our worldly brothers, this blog would be a poorer place!
  It should be a forum for all with a love of NUFC.
  Having to suffer the pathetic attempts at self-righteousness by a few paranoid bullies is a price well worth paying

• 148 Dannyo // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:06 PM

  Let’s talk positives.
  My favorite thing about Pardew is that he want’s a certain type of player, he’s not gonna buy someone for the sake of buying, like Harry bought Saha from Everton.
  We’re not just looking for bodies, we’re looking for players who’ll improve the team.
  Pardew wants a certain way of play, not counting formation.
  He wants hard work, dedication and teamwork, in all areas of the pitch.
  Allot of the games we’ve grinded out is due to that fact, a high work rate in almost all areas of the pitch.

• 149 Lew Davies // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:08 PM

  Aha I’ve found out now, so no worries.

• 150 Jail for Ashley // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:13 PM

  Should be a cracking game tomorrow evening,really looking forward to it,somebody mentioned that if we play like we did against BB that we’ll get slaughtered.I think that we played excellent in the first half against Fulham but the inability to finish chances drained the confidence of the team and by the time we faced BB the confidence in the forward line had completely disappeared and you could see that everywhere except in defence where they hung on brilliantly,so I think that with the return of Ba and arrival of Cisse a renewed confidence will have seeped into the team and I think we’ll be well up for it come half five tomorrow.

• 151 Toon Tang // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:18 PM

  nufctv has a bit called ‘flown the nest’ where fans from overseas chat about there match day experience. cost this lad and his bro £600 each for the villa game. Im so very glad we won and he got to see papiss dream debut. money well spent haha , can you imagine if he had spent that on the west brom game, he’d be demanding compo.

• 152 Jail for Ashley // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:22 PM

  bills-son,
  I hardly think that imo a humourous quip about a blow up Ashley doll can be labelled as vile personal abuse,and I was unaware that you would be so sad as to try and have me banned,admittedly I undestand that not everyone appreciates my childlike moronic anti Ashley stance(which has mellowed drastically btw) but a couple of people do,and that gives me every right to post on this blog without hurling the insults at everyone who doesnt agree with me as you so often do’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘

• 153 brklyngeordie // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:24 PM

  Not to familiar with @solano but to come on the blog and be a snitch and ask Ed to remove people hahaha…. Think Ed’s got more pressing needs then to appease u and remove people just scroll by the comments u dont care for geez to hard? Newcastle 1-0 tomorrow HWTL!!!!!!!!!!!

• 154 MagpiesFlyHigh // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:26 PM

  @ Dannyo

  Reckon your spot on about Pardew. Let’s face it our side is not dominated by galacticos (or prima donnas) so the way to compensate is by graft, good team dynamic, players knowing their positions, end to end working for the team – and great team spirit.
  There’s been loads of arguments about whether we’ve played 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 but IMO that has been less important on the day than work rate and sheer togetherness. We’ll need to be as good as Stoke and the two ManU games to get much out of tomorrow – I fear another mindslip like Fulham – we can’t afford anything like that. It’ll be settled by the odd goal, hopefully in our favour.

• 155 beefman13 // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:26 PM

  Obertan could be vital 2moro, we need pace to counteract bale who is top drawer, obertan is still learning but we need his pace as cover, at this moment van der vart and lennon are missing, but who knows? i can feel we fancy it at the toon, for god sake we have suffered enough, lets do it!!!!

• 156 Dannyo // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:29 PM

  @MagpiesFlyHigh
  HBA being the prime example here. Pardew is confident enough to be unphased by primadonnas, no player is bigger than the team, and that’s how it should be.
  Pardew always takes time to praise the “lesser” players, or the fringe ones if u will, like Perch, Raylor, Best, Shola, etc. I think he does it to install confidence in them, and for Perch, that seems to be working quite well.
  I do like the hardworking team, when u see that all players has as good a go as possible out there, despite being out of position or the first game in months.

• 157 newcastlefan10 // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:35 PM

  Mark Lawrenson thinks we are going to lose 2-0

  can we at least win to shut him up? lol

  hoping for a draw

• 158 solano // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:36 PM

  brklyngeordie@153…haha! You make the point so eloquently and yet I think you totally misread my posts!
  It is Bills who is petitioning Ed because he doesn’t like what he reads

• 159 check the toastie // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:41 PM

  Bills son – im sure nobody’ really wishes you any’ real ill will, just need to enjoy’ the crack, or why’ bother. Some people swear’ by latex dolls, they do a decent job for some folk, you know’ what they say, dont knock it’ till you’ve tried it.

• 160 woodsee // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:42 PM

  Merson thinks were gonna lose 4 0,thats from the guy who thought villa were gonna beat us at home last week.
  My prediction is that Merson will be no stranger to public transport for the forseeable future

• 161 check the toastie // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:51 PM

  Of all the pundits on TV it is merson who i dislike, enjoys a drink drive, at all hours of the day, also quite clearly has had problems mostly of his own doing, and then decides to sell a story to the tabloids a couple of days after Top Man Gary Speed dies talking about all his problems, self absorbed t1t,

• 162 check the toastie // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:53 PM

  However i am inclined to agree with his prediction, Lennon and Bale and defoe, scare me with our back four with perch in front, just hope Ba and Cisse can hold the ball up and give us some decent territory and possession, rather than permenantly camped in our own half.

• 163 pbNcl // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:55 PM

  here, watch us go and 2 nil the cockney’s. shola comes on and clatters ledley king in the 89th. come on the fuc**in toon

• 164 pbNcl // Feb 10, 2012 at 8:59 PM

  the tottenham lads know they got a game tomorrow. there’s no way we’ll get dominated, if they score it’ll be of world class quality. the enemy know we are dangerous

• 165 MagpiesFlyHigh // Feb 10, 2012 at 9:00 PM

  @ dannyo

  SAF has to be Pards role model when it comes to team management – ‘no player is bigger than the team’ – just look at how he handles egos….let’s hope PA turns out to learn as much as quickly as SAF did when he came from Aberdeen..

• 166 geordielad880 // Feb 10, 2012 at 9:34 PM

  i think our best side when everyone is fit is:-

  ————————krul

  simpson——s.taylor——collo———-santon

  ————guthrie—–tiote—–cabaye

  ——-ba——————————-jonas
  ————————cisse

• 167 GeordieToon89 // Feb 10, 2012 at 9:40 PM

  —————–Krul
  Simo—Taylor—-Colo—Santon
  ———Tiote——-Cabaye
  ————–Ben Arfa
  —–Ba——Cisse—-Marveaux

• 168 Tonytoon73 // Feb 10, 2012 at 9:46 PM

  geordielad guthrie??GT89 that’s a better team

• 169 MagpiesFlyHigh // Feb 10, 2012 at 9:47 PM

  @geordielad & GT89

  Both those sides would be good picks depending on the opposition.
  I think Guthrie’s workrate and passing ability has to give him the nod with HBA as impact sub

• 170 Tonytoon73 // Feb 10, 2012 at 9:54 PM

  Magpie HBA could be the provider and tiote and cabaye canbe the grafters

• 171 GeordieToon89 // Feb 10, 2012 at 10:02 PM

  Sorry but if were only keeping Ben Arfa as an impact sub then a would rather we sell him.. he is unreal and if he isnt going to play here then id rather him go somewhere with a sensible manager who will play him.. he doesnt lose the ball anymore than Jonas or Obertan does and they more experienced in England especially Jonas and also neither of them have had a career threatening injury.. he should be starting games to get him used to it not start him for 4 or 5 he plays well the first then drop him because hes not been involved much.. he’d be more involved when Tiote/Cabaye are there in the centre and Ba and Cisse are upfront.. he’s the difference between us scoring 50 goals a season and us scoring 65+ goals per season…

  10+ Assists and between 5 and 10 for himself

• 172 GeordieToon89 // Feb 10, 2012 at 10:04 PM

  Look at Spurs… VDV does nothing defensively and goes in a mood when he isnt in the centre.. also he cant play 90mins cos of injury.. but he doesnt sit on the bench.. Why i hear you ask.? i’ll tell you why.. Because those types of players can change a game in an instant and can come up with abit of brilliance to snatch a win or a late point

• 173 MagpiesFlyHigh // Feb 10, 2012 at 10:09 PM

  In a 4-3-3 HBA is better played upfront with a mid 3 with high work rate to take the pressure off him covering back and he’d be great on the counter. Both Guthrie and Cabaye can spray the ball around.
  We’re just about getting to the point where we’d play the two wingers in a 4-4-2 and rest Benny. All depends on the opposition, but I’d not start him every game regardless of the stats. I’d love to see Cisse, Ba, HBA in front of Tiote, Guthrie, Cabaye – but its horses for courses just now.

• 174 MacToon // Feb 10, 2012 at 10:23 PM

  The hardest working middle 3 imo would be Tiote, Cabaye and Jonas, leaving HBA, Ba and Cisse up front…… could be plan B or C or D.

• 175 Brutooon // Feb 10, 2012 at 10:29 PM

  Alan Shearer judgement is based on Demba Ba’s half season performance and Cisses’s Debut against Aston Villa

  Alan Shearer (or other football legend) NEVER said Shola Ameobi is the key to Europe or something.

• 176 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 10, 2012 at 10:31 PM

  GT89 we’re not Spuds, HBA is not VDV, AP is not floppy chops and I think to myself “Thank God!!” HBA has to do things the Newcastle United way, not the Spuds way. We’re developing an ethos at this club and to say to HBA “don’t worry mate you don’t need to track back, everyone else will do it for you because you’re the best player at this club” is a dangerous precedent to set. HBA is not bigger than this club, some fans would need to realise this and sharpish.

• 177 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 10, 2012 at 10:33 PM

  Brutoon, you just love to hear yourself don’t you.

• 178 MagpiesFlyHigh // Feb 10, 2012 at 10:45 PM

  Pards is still experimenting with lineups and I really hope to see Tiote/Cabaye and Guthrie boss a few midfields.
  Agree MacToon we have got a lot of choices which is where we want to be.

  Brutoon
  I wonder if Shola had not had to play half fit and with niggling injuries for managers who treated players like animals then his career might have been a lot more fruitful. If Al reckons he had natural talent then who are we to disagree ?

• 179 ITUNDERASHELL // Feb 10, 2012 at 11:05 PM

  The time to judge our team is next year when we will complete the squad and it is just work in progress until then.
  Can we beat Spuds tomorrow? l doubt it but will be delighted if we do!

• 180 tarie4 // Feb 10, 2012 at 11:12 PM

  Ruddy…i feel U are not getting what GeordieToon89 is saying..vdv is an attacker…floppy chops bought him for that role….why did pards buy Ben arfa??? He is an attacker….end of…just like vdv so give him that role..wait he loses the ball too much…so does shola best Jonas and obertoon..he doesn’t track back..i watched the qpr game and he did track back…as in the Fulham game too..yes I agree it is a risk to play him without cabaye and tiote in the team..but wen they come back I wud like to see him get a extended run of game just like obertoon and raylor were given .. And if he can’t fit into our system then sell him as GeordieToon89 pointed out.. And get someone in to replace him..

• 181 GeordieToon89 // Feb 10, 2012 at 11:23 PM

  tarie4 – Thats exactly what im trying to say.. they both similar players(luxury players) Pardew has always said he wants us to play on the deck and actually play football.. but he doesnt play the most naturally gifted footballer at the club :s…a forward 5 of Cabaye, Arfa, Mar, Ba and Cisse will be pretty immense in my eyes with Tiote sitting and Cabaye helping back like he usually does.. Everytime Bennys played hes tracked back and when he’s lost the ball he’s chased after the ball.. its not his fault tht none of our players can play actual football and use his strengths (except Cabaye and Guthrie to an extent)

• 182 GeordieToon89 // Feb 10, 2012 at 11:28 PM

  Really dont understand how some people would rather us finish 7th with Ben Arfa used as a sub and coming on in the final 10mins.. rather than finish 5th or possibly even 4th with Ben Arfa starting and getting his game right while assisting in goals and also scoring goals.. howay lads Newcastle United is all about attacking football weve never been focussed on defence so why now?

• 183 GeordieCoaster // Feb 10, 2012 at 11:46 PM

  Merson said it would be 4-0 but we could get a draw. Stick to the drinking Paul!

• 184 Chinzaknuk // Feb 10, 2012 at 11:52 PM

  I have arguements with myself about HBA because i love it when he plays as he’s one of those players that are mesmerising to watch as the anticpation of what he may do (cos he can) is such a thrill. However he can also be so frustrating as he may take on too many players or could have done better by passing, but then he goes on a run and scores one of the greatest goals ever scored by a Newcastle player.
  I want the drama and the passion and free flowing football and be hugely entertained but i also want us to win and i think this is my dilema in regards to AP and perhaps his use of HBA.
  Total respect for AP because he has done it his way (to an extent) and it is working and i am chuffed. So this is not a critisism (not sure how to spell that) of him, just an observation of his style. I believe he is naturally cautious and i think that was shown in certain games such as Man City, Man u (away) where we showed too much respect to them and i think we changed our style to try to stop them scoring as opposed to going out and playing the way we had done against so called lesser teams when we had won.
  I know this is going on but to sum up my point is that AP likes hard working and skillful players (as some one on this post pointed out) however HBA doesn’t seem to fit with AP………again as someone else pointed out other players give the ball away often enough (Obertan probally the worst culprit – but showing improvement)
  I can’t remember but was HBA already at SJP before AP, if he was i wonder if obe of the reasons HBA hasn’t had the opportunyies that Obertan has had has something to do with it.

  Please don’t take this as any major gripe as i think AP and HBA will eventually find a happy median with each other and we will all be happy when HBA is displaying his silky skills to the benefit of the team but in the meantime i’ll get on with argueing with myself

• 185 Brutooon // Feb 11, 2012 at 12:02 AM

  HBA would easily first team for the four team above us

• 186 danishmag // Feb 11, 2012 at 12:11 AM

  hey lads, before bedtime i will post the team for tomorrow.
  Not the way i would play it, but the way Pards will..
  Here goes..
  —————–Krul—————-
  Simmo—Willo—Colo—Santon

  Obertan–Perch–Guthrie–Jonas

  ———–Ba———-Cissé——-

  Pards will not change a winning team!

  Mark my words.. This is the line up!

  Night lads

• 187 Brutooon // Feb 11, 2012 at 12:17 AM

  Danishmag : i bet it will be the same lineups too.

  HBA as impact sub but i m concern that gareth bale would booming the left hand side of Simpson

• 188 daffy // Feb 11, 2012 at 12:26 AM

  Ha ha – lower league clubs like Sunderland Ed ? Not checked the tables recently ?

• 189 Toon Tang // Feb 11, 2012 at 12:36 AM

  im pro guthers . would love to see him , cabs and tiote in the same starting 11.

  hallelujah

• 190 ilovetoon8788 // Feb 11, 2012 at 12:44 AM

  Livermore is a solid central midfielder. Outstanding player for Spurs this season. And Kyle Walker is twice the player Simpson. And Dawson has been a rock at their defence.

  As long as our players give 100% today, i don’t care about the result.

• 191 soundoid // Feb 11, 2012 at 1:01 AM

  Epic win tomorrow. feel it in my bones. Might just be the cold like.

  1-3 toon.

• 192 Stuart // Feb 11, 2012 at 1:13 AM

  Jesus christ, whats happened to you tonight geordietoon?

  Cheer up fella, we’ve got to 5th without HBA, who says we’ll drop to 7th if we dont start playing him now?

  I want him to be a success as much as the next man, but if doesnt fit in with the way we play atm and we’re still winning, so be it.

• 193 Stuart // Feb 11, 2012 at 1:16 AM

  Still 9 points daffy mate.

  Had the pleasure of talking to a mackem tonight who shook my hand and said we were definately going to finish above them.

  At least one of you has abit of sense.

• 194 Stuart // Feb 11, 2012 at 1:17 AM

  @toon Tang – that would be great, but where does the width come from?

• 195 Brutooon // Feb 11, 2012 at 1:22 AM

  i like Kyle Walker, one hell of a GOOD player.

  If Simpson can be as aggresive (both defending and attacking) as Kyle Walker i be happy

• 196 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Feb 11, 2012 at 1:46 AM

  HBA doesn’t necessarily provide width, so that argument has no merit, if anything Obertan provides more width.

• 197 nick_9 // Feb 11, 2012 at 1:57 AM

  We’ve got to fifth without HBA? I think you’re unfairly undermining his contribution there.

  Have to agree with the few posters who say Pardew will not change a winning team, I just cannot see it. Love that we’re 5th but I wish we wasn’t as reluctant to make subs and sit back inviting the pressure on. We have dangerous players in our arsenal so it would be nice to go all out and whallop someone.

• 198 gonufc // Feb 11, 2012 at 2:41 AM

  As irritating as it is, I don’t think Pardew will start Cisse. So annoying but just what it seems like.

• 199 MacToon // Feb 11, 2012 at 2:46 AM

  Tottenham duo Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon are fit but Ledley King, Younes Kaboul and Sandro are doubts, and Rafael van der Vaart is ruled out.

  •Tottenham have only lost one of their last six league and cup games against Newcastle.

  •Newcastle have failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous 14 league games against Tottenham. Their last shut-out against Spurs came in a 4-0 home win in December 2003.

  •Newcastle have claimed 42 points from their opening 24 Premier League matches. It is their best start to a season since the 2002-03 campaign, when they had 45 points after 24 games, and went on to finish third to secure a place in the Champions League qualifying round.

• 200 gonufc // Feb 11, 2012 at 2:52 AM

  King and Kaboul are out?!? That’s just made me a lot more excited!

• 201 nick_9 // Feb 11, 2012 at 2:54 AM

  Glad Van Der Vart is ruled out but if lennon is fit it looks like they will be dangerous on both wings if they bring him on. Then theres saha, adebayor, defoe, modric etc. I think almost everyone has this game written off so anything other than a defeat is a positive result. If we are to lose then do it in style. I remember it like it was only yesterday when martins rifled that thunderous shot in and then assisted nicky butt for the winner.

• 202 Brutooon // Feb 11, 2012 at 5:59 AM

  this game is a MUST WIN game for Spurs

  therefore the pressure is on them !

  lets quiet the crowd at White Hart Lane and hopefully Harry Redknapp’s mind is somewhere at the England Job

• 203 cyprus // Feb 11, 2012 at 8:06 AM

  @184, fair analysis on the HBA issue. I also agree with 185, that he would walk into any of the 4 teams above us. I think it’s make or break regarding this guy in the next 2 weeks. If he’s not played, that’s it at NUFC. If utility players like Perch and Raylor get the nod ahead of him, it surely must be too much for him. Shame, because AP has shown way more patience with others who are half the player he is.
  PS. Don’t know why some bloggers get so upset, even abusive, over this discussion. It’s obviously an important one, so it will keep coming up.

• 204 GoalsBringSmiles // Feb 11, 2012 at 12:40 PM

  Hook line and sinker Bills…you’ve once again excelled your own idiocy, you just keep on biting mate, you should take it easy at your age, wouldn’t want you to have an angina now would we.