Lee Clark has a little break these days, since he left the manager job at Huddersfield, and Lee will no doubt be at St. James’ Park on Sunday afternoon, to watch his home town club take on the old enemy – Sunderland.
Lee Clark – while Huddersfield manager
Lee played for both Newcastle and Sunderland of course, before he moved to Fulham to finish his playing career in London.
And Clark started his management career in great style at Huddersfield, and had them 4th top of League One when they decided to sack him a few weeks ago, and it was a strange decision to a lot of us.
Lee is like any Newcastle-born lad and is up for the derby game on Sunday, and surely Newcastle can capture all 3 points and the double over Sunderland this season.
This what the former Newcastle United midfielder and coach said today:
“It does help a little bit to have a sprinkling of the local lads in the dressing room.” “But the players this week will realise as they are walking around the city and at the training ground with the supporters, who will be demanding that everybody is right at it and looking for the right result.”
“The manager has experienced these games and has two Geordie lads in John Carver and Steve Stone on the staff.” “They will be re-iterating all of that and the backroom staff is made up of Geordies and black-and-whites as well.”
“They will all be well aware of what is required.” “The managers may not be from this particular area but they will be aware of how important the game is to the clubs they are representing.” “Nobody is under any illusions of what the situation is or what’s required or expected.”
“Newcastle will be right up for it – and I think that Sunderland will too. Martin O’Neill has made a huge impact at Sunderland but he will have his lads up for it as well.” “They’ve had a little bit of a bum-smacking at West Brom.”
“I think it is going to be good for both teams really, because it’s not as if they are going to be coming into the game complacent.” “Newcastle will be disappointed after drawing at home and I’ve seen Alan Pardew’s quotes after being 2-0 up in the game against Wolves.”
“When Newcastle are 2-0 up they expect to win because of the form they have been in this season, with the exception of the Tottenham game.” “They’ll be hurting and certainly not complacent – they’ll take that into the motivation they will have anyway when it comes to winning the derby game.”
“I think the players that they have there now have been nothing short of magnificent this season.” “They’ve played across at the Stadium of Light already so they aren’t going in without derby experience.”
“There might be one or two like Papiss Cisse who will be experiencing his first one, but the rest will be up for it.” “It’s all about the fixture, most of them will know what it means and what is required.”
“All the Newcastle lads have got to do is continue what they’ve done for 95% of this season.” “There’s only a small percentage where they haven’t been at their best or come up a little bit short.”
“There was Spurs away and the second half against Wolves.” “But for most of the season they’ve been fantastic. They just need to continue in that way.”
Lee will be taking a little rest away from the game, maybe as long as until the summer, but we have no doubt he will be snapped up by some ambitious club, as he proved at Huddersfield that he’s not only a good coach, but a manager who can handle his players very well.
And the Newcastle lad will have learned from his three years and three months in charge of Huddersfield Town, and he had a great record there, having won 87 of 178 matches for a win rate of 49%, which is very good – and he lost only 40 games as Huddersfield manager.
Lee has already let it be known that his ambition in football management is to one day manage his home town club Newcastle United.
Hey – we have no problem with people who want to aim for the very top – go for it Lee. 😀
Comments welcome.
146 comments so far
dutchy
Feb 28, 2012 at 5:52 PM
Comment #1I CANT WAIT FOR IT!!!!
dutchy
Feb 28, 2012 at 5:53 PM
Comment #2Unfortunately couldn’t get a ticket, but ill be there in Beyond cheering them on.
Btw, when Benny came on against Wolves he was terrible.. almost as bad as Guthrie. He needs to sort him self out BIG TIME
Dannyo
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:03 PM
Comment #3Oh, Lee Clark praising AP, the team and our achievements this season.
Must mean he’s a poor manager according to some people here.
Dannyo
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:03 PM
Comment #4NUFCfans.co.uk ? @nufcfans Close
Verified account of #NUFC goalkeeper Tim Krul is @TimKrul. Get following Toon fans. #NUFC
roshan MAGPIE
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:04 PM
Comment #5http://www.themag.co.uk/blog/pardew-world-ranking-no-63-oneill-229-bruce/
toonking
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:04 PM
Comment #6these days 3 goal are needed to feel safe because i have noticed lots of games have shown 2 goals not enough even outside newcastle e.g. arsenal spurs
tomtoon7
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:04 PM
Comment #7CANT wait 4match,slap up brekkie,afew pints then hoprfully jumpin outta my seat in the Gallowgate in ST JAMES PARK!!HWTL
roshan MAGPIE
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:06 PM
Comment #8http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-wire/newcastle-v-sunderland-the-mind-games-begin/
tomtoon7
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:08 PM
Comment #9Cudnt agree more Dannyo,well said! Lots of time 4lee clark.
roshan MAGPIE
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:11 PM
Comment #10K
roshan MAGPIE
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:12 PM
Comment #11i am sure MACKEMs will play 5 players in mid field so if cisse IS not fit then hope PARDEw plays ben ARFA in no 10 role
roshan MAGPIE
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:13 PM
Comment #12ben ARFA looses balL lot of times but he creates lot of chances too
roshan MAGPIE
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:15 PM
Comment #13if ben ARFA DOSENT get games under his belt how can he be match fit he can also get rusty just like CABAYE and Tiote
roshan MAGPIE
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:16 PM
Comment #14i would like to see SANTON in right back and RAYLOR in left back cause simpson has been PISS poor
MagpiesFlyHigh
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:24 PM
Comment #15Lee Clark is a Toon man but he had a foot in both camps. His comments are pretty well balanced. So many bloggers on here think they know better than the professionals and I’ve heard no-one I respect saying we are still overachieving. We are somewhere below the top 4 – no-one knows how far but as long as we are at a safe working height above the unwashed and preferably the bin dippers , then I’m happy. My yardstick for success is how far we finish above Stoke as they are a truly hoofballing side.
Toon Tang
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:26 PM
Comment #16was on youtube and asked me daughter what tune she wanted to listen to, she said ‘monkey mackem’
i obliged
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4oE4DT25ug
how it never got to number one is beyond me.
Rotonda heights
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:47 PM
Comment #17I would take lee over Allardyce, sorry Pardew every day.
Rotonda heights
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:49 PM
Comment #18roshan he’d never have the balls to.
havanaclue
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:52 PM
Comment #19Please check out this short movie … i made for Uni last year ,about a sad Mackem… Im sure it will get you in the mood for sunday …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYMbeeNT1v4
Tooooon
Feb 28, 2012 at 6:56 PM
Comment #20guthrie useless – flog him.
Toon Tang
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:05 PM
Comment #21@havanaclue – absolute genius mate haha, but honestly though you must have had to stump up some hard cash for the actor to wear the top. you’d need a hollywood size budget eh hahaha
bollance
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:09 PM
Comment #22toooon
Guthrie is injury prone although this season he has been available more.. as if he is putting himself in the shop window. Dont think he will be extending his contract with us.
If we had better midfield back-up then we should have sold him in Jan.
bollance
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:10 PM
Comment #23Has anyone noticed loads of players over the years playing better when they are due a new contract?
Dyer was a perfect example of this!!
bollance
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:16 PM
Comment #24On HBA
Does anyone think that the HBA deal included clauses stating number of games? We signed him when he had a broken leg which would make sence.
Therefore the decision to play him or not may be over Pardews head?
When he starts he has been subbed usually at half time although against B’burn this was because Hoilett was terrorising Simpson so we brought on Perch who doubled up and did a job on Hoilett. Although he is a diver Hoillet looked very good.
Has HBA ever played right back during his carreer? May be wrong but sure he played there against Arsenal in the Champions League about 5 season ago? (not suggesting we should play him there!!)
super magpie
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:18 PM
Comment #25Does anyone think that cisse is not injured. It’s just us trying to keep him instead of him going to Africa for a pointless friendly. Didn’t he say cabaye n tiote had also picked up knocks, maybe he’s trying to keep them as well and rightly so, why should they be playing meaningless friendlies when their club has 1 of its most important game of the season a few days later.
davybtoon
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:18 PM
Comment #26I’d love to know we’re these fans like stuartno9 n ted who r saying pardew has took far enough think we shud b?
It’s a joke ppl saying we’re 6th in the league which is about ryt were no we’re near being able to challenge higher, 6th n 7th is about were we shud b in the league then you get these morons who r saying we need to go the next level the next level is champions league n title challenging if anyone thinks we shud b there than your an idiot
bollance
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:32 PM
Comment #27The season we went down we changed the manager for various reasons. This instability probably got us relagated.
Why do people want this instability again?
Although I was a massive Hughton fan the fact is the players had all the power. Pardew has come in, broken this player power and guided the club to what will be a top 7 finish in our second season back in the Prem which should be enough for Europe.
Other managers have back Pardew for manager of the season to date. Personally think Paul Lambert should get it but Pardew is definitely top 5 managers this season, without a doubt.
davybtoon
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:34 PM
Comment #28The funny thing is I swear some of the fans on here who were predicting relegation battle this season r the same fans who r now saying pardew shud go n we shud goin to next level lol
davybtoon
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:35 PM
Comment #29Bollance well said
davybtoon
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:39 PM
Comment #30IMO pardew best manager since sir bobby, the players love him were having our best season in years n if staylor was fit we wud b even higher in the prem
gaz 44
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:40 PM
Comment #31ya not wrong a certain catchy was 1
bollance
Feb 28, 2012 at 7:56 PM
Comment #32There is too much negativity towards the players too.
Look at Danny Simpson. He has pretty much played every game for the past 3 seasons. He is not a world beater but a solid prem right back. He gives his al for the team and as a result the past couple of managers have instilled him as our first choice right back.
Does anyone think he is going to be feeling good about himself with the slating he has been publically taking. I doubt it.
The paper stories may not be true.
Until he publically says he wants to leave or we sell him we should be behind him 100%. Think about all the points he has personally picked us up with interceptions and goal line clearances. I know people will say he has been worse recently. But the facts r we have been doing more defending of recent because the ball does not stick in midfield or up front.
Pardew will have to do his best to pick him up for this weekend. Also he has just split up with his lass. Paper story was bad timing.
super magpie
Feb 28, 2012 at 8:00 PM
Comment #33People who want pardew sacked are deluded, our football may not be the best but we’re 6th. Anyone wouldv took that at the start of the season. I honestly can’t understand why some people want him sacked, look at much money he has had to use! And here is another point. If pardew was sacked who would replace him? I guarentee none of you can answer that with a decent manager ATM
Niff in the USA
Feb 28, 2012 at 8:01 PM
Comment #34People say our strongest 11 involves ben arfa… personally those people need to understand 2 things.
On paper. Yes you may be correct.
Theoretically. Yes if the style was implied.
But no you are wrong.
We our strongest 11 was pretty much around the stoke game at stoke. 3-0 and we were amazing. 3-0 at home. We were un playable.
Pretty sure benny wasn’t in that team.
Our strongest 11 if it were me?
Krul, Raylor, Saylor, Colo, Santon, Ober, Cabaye, Tiote, Guti/Marv, Cisse, Ba.
Subs: Harper, Fergie, HBA, Perch, Gosling, Sameobi.
And to the people who say Pardrew out…
Simple: Shut up and go play your football manager games. Indians comments are outrageous and will never be a manager. Catchy has the odd remark which I find stupid. Bruuutoon is still not married to Shola. Who else can we name? 😀
davybtoon
Feb 28, 2012 at 8:05 PM
Comment #35Spot on a bunch deluded fans who sit playing footie manager n think they know it all, they shud b praising pardew for what he’s doin this season thank god it’s a tiny minority of our great fans that r deluded arseholes that don’t hav a clue
STB
Feb 28, 2012 at 8:09 PM
Comment #36Santon playing RB for u 21s tonight and looks a class above everyone on the pitch. Play him there and give fergie a run at Lb.
2 Fbs that can ay a bit would be interesting to see. Simmo is unfortunately not good enough even if he’s a trier.
davybtoon
Feb 28, 2012 at 8:10 PM
Comment #37Santon will b our ryt back next season
super magpie
Feb 28, 2012 at 8:17 PM
Comment #38@STB
Totally agree, Simpson is a squad player, Ferguson is underrated too much by pardew, he was good when he covered for Jose last season and is comfortable on the ball, something Simpson is not, he just hoofs and hopes for the best. As much as I like him he is not a top 6 quality RB.
Niff in the USA
Feb 28, 2012 at 8:18 PM
Comment #39I still think he was an absolute steal (Santon)
gorgonzola
Feb 28, 2012 at 8:18 PM
Comment #40“lthough I was a massive Hughton fan the fact is the players had all the power. Pardew has come in, broken this player power and guided the club ”
Absolute lie…infact its more about players than even before..Perch Obertan Simmo R Taylore all favoured over Fergie HBA, HBA…
“Look at Danny Simpson. He has pretty much played every game for the past 3 seasons. He is not a world beater but a SOLID PREM right back”
HAHAHAHHAH I will pretend you NEVER wrote that….as that IS DELUSIONAL..
A SOLID PREMIER right back is possibly Rafael Da Silva or something to that ring Simmo is nowhere NEAR SOLID PREM standard you are so wrong on so many levels its crazy