Newcastle have taken just 2 points from their last three games, two of which have been at home against sides lower in the Premier League than the Magpies.
Tim Krul – in action against Sunderland
And certainly that form will need to improve if Newcastle are to remain in the top six, and possibly qualify for the Europa League next season.
Tim Krul signed a new five year deal last Saturday, and he saved Newcastle in the second half in Sunday’s derby game with Sunderland, with an absolutely brilliant double save, and that was just a couple of minutes before Sessegnon was sent off for stupidly elbowing Cheick Tiote.
And Tim thinks that teams like Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea will be taking the Newcastle threat seriously:
“I think if teams like Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal watched the Sunderland game and saw the atmosphere, the fans and the commitment we showed, they will have to be afraid of us this season.”
“We are just behind Chelsea and yes, of course their manager sacking will increase the pressure on them. You never want your manager to be sacked, but we’re looking at ourselves.”
“There’s 11 games to go and it will be a really hard away game next week at Arsenal. But I think we’ve got a massive chance.” “We’re up there and we have to believe now.”
Newcastle haven’t won in their last three games, and it will be difficult to win at the Emirates in the next game too, but Newcastle played as well as they have since the Manchester United game in that second half on Sunday.
And that will bring hope to the Newcastle fans, who are desperate for the team to get back to their winning ways and get back into Europe.
Alan Pardew has said that most important games of the season for the Magpies are the final 11 games, and that starts at Arsenal next Monday night:
“We have a great chance of European football.” “The 11 games to go are the most important of every season. I am glad the derby is out the way and we can concentrate and get the wins we need.”
That has to be the rallying cry for Newcastle from now on – that a Europa League place next season is within the team’s grasp – but the lads have to start to play consistent and good football again.
They showed they can do that with the disciplined and skillful display they gave in the second half on Sunday, and we hope to see more of that in the vital games ahead.
Howay The Lads!!
17 comments so far
nickfish90
Mar 5, 2012 at 11:57 PM
Comment #1As much as Shola frustrated me at times, its moments like the one yesterday that make me appreciate what a great role model he is for any local lad, and what a legend he is in the black and white. He always pops up in the important games when we need him the most! Europe too.
RonVanDam
Mar 6, 2012 at 12:14 AM
Comment #23 players let me down during that game.
Willo – He’s starting to become a liability with every game
Gutti – Wasnt creative when he had the ball. looked lost for options.
Papiss – Bad ball control at certain times. Didnt feature much
I thought guthrie would come in for tiote later in the game after tiote kept hitting wide after all the scoring chances he had
But you gotta take your hats off to Sunderland. They came to play and almost embarrassed us after holding off our attack for 30 mins with 10 men. Had Sess not being sent off, i think we could have been beaten pretty badly
nickfish90
Mar 6, 2012 at 12:20 AM
Comment #3To be fair, I thought that even before sessegnon was sent off we were bossing the second half. As for Cisse he will need time to adapt his game but more did q nice piece that showed it wasn’t so much a bad first touch, more of a bad ball into him.
As for Guti, I agree that he needs a rest, but a lot of the play went down his side the start of the second half.
ToonDownSouth
Mar 6, 2012 at 12:25 AM
Comment #4Ireally doubt that the Sessegnon sending off had ANY bearing on the game.
Second half they were always going to defend with every man behind the ball for the whole half. We were up and at them within seconds of the restart, and that didn’t look like changing.
Cisse needs time to adjust. That’s the only good thing about buying in January really – they have the 7 months to bed in.
nickfish90
Mar 6, 2012 at 12:27 AM
Comment #5*MOTD
shearermania
Mar 6, 2012 at 12:41 AM
Comment #6must say the derby had it all…..the flying tackles, dismissals, poor refereing, controversy, the hatred, the atmosphere, penalties, injury time equaliser……man i enjoyed it (in the end)……
thats what football is about….was so dissapointed here in OZ they only showed highlights of the usual top 4 matches….pretty pathetic.
cant understand if they want to grow football (soccer) why they dont show matches like these….all my unbiased mates who watched it on foxtel has told me how great a game it was for the neutral…..
messi_is_king
Mar 6, 2012 at 3:30 AM
Comment #7taxi for mackems http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN5aRlDnc3I has to play more
New kingdom United
Mar 6, 2012 at 6:51 AM
Comment #8HBA all guns blazing.. gunners here we come. Raylor maybe for gutti not to sure were Raylor’s going to play if he starts.Lets hope AP make a final decision. We need some good crosses. Hopefully we not going to chase this game from behind.
Dannyo
Mar 6, 2012 at 7:08 AM
Comment #9If HBA starts, the Raylor wont.
Troleibusiukas_LTU
Mar 6, 2012 at 7:18 AM
Comment #10Raylor at RB, Guti RM.
Santon LB, HBA LW – free role.
Tiote CM, Cabaye CM.
Cisse CF, Demba behind him.
Klatoon
Mar 6, 2012 at 8:04 AM
Comment #11Cisse needs service,simple! He’s got 2 goals from about 4 chances in all the games he’s played. He was the player most caught offside in the German league because he was always on the shoulder of the last man and his midfielders looked for the through ball every time. Thats what he’s about and I believe if Cab pushed higher up he could play him through easily.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Mar 6, 2012 at 8:12 AM
Comment #12Morning all:
Report in the mail this morning that Vertongen won,t renew his contract at Ajax triggering it seems a rush between us and the Spuds!
Let the spuds have him! My preference is for Toby Alderweirld!
Dannyo
Mar 6, 2012 at 8:57 AM
Comment #13@Newexpat
Tottenham will get him, hence us switching to other defensive targets.
WWJBD
Mar 6, 2012 at 9:01 AM
Comment #14I don’t think Ajax will flog both their starting CBs
If we don’t get Jan I can imagine we go elsewhere.
Jesus1983
Mar 6, 2012 at 9:15 AM
Comment #15I think Cisse will be left out at Arsenal. Pardew learned at spurs that playing 2 up front away from home isn’t always the way to go. Reckon HBA or Guthrie will start instead of PDC!
Colo-Sus
Mar 6, 2012 at 9:19 AM
Comment #16I think we will get Erik Pieters,
Carr and Pardew obviously rate him highly, hence the amunt of work that went into the negotiations for him.
he is the best fit for me, he know Krul well, so hell settle fast, hes versatile, can play LB or CB and has the height/strength to do it well.
Yes he didnt have a great time v England but it was his 2nd game back after about 3 months injured, hed had 30 mins for PSV at the weekend.
I also think he genuinely wants to come here, seems that way on his twitter and his comments in Jan were positive.
My Perfect Summer Window:
INS:
Pieters (5-6mil)
Douglas (Free)
Corgnet (4.5mil)
Amafalitano (Free)
Hoilett (Free)
Young Striker (2mil max) Jordan Rhodes for me, Worth a punt
Young GK (1mil max)
12.5 Mil Spent (Roughly)
OUTS:
Williamson (2.5mil)
(wont need him with Saylor fit, Douglas and Pieters
Smith (Free)
Lovenkrands (Free)
Foster (3mil)
Simpson (2mil) – Might not happen and 2 mil is ambitious but hey/
7.5 mil raised: 5 mil spent with income.
Thoughts anyone?
Munster Mag
Mar 6, 2012 at 1:07 PM
Comment #17Sorry to be negative, but I’m expectinmg nothing from Arsenal except a defeat by at least 2 goals. I like Pardew loads etc etc, but we havent played well in weeks and local games can be overlooked. We have definitely had a lot of fortune this seasonm too. Arsenal are on a real role now, and I fancy them to push Milan so close tonight….