It was great to see Shane Ferguson back in the side, in those last few minutes of yesterday’s 3-1 win at West Brom.
Shane Ferguson – 14th appearance for Newcastle yesterday
Shane came on to replace the injured Papiss Cisse, who was carried off on a stretcher, but the good news there is that Alan Pardew said after the game it was only cramp and Papiss will be fine.
Ferguson always looks a good player when he gets a game for Newcastle, and he showed up well on the left wing yesterday, and he is now one of the few purely left footed players at Newcastle, along with the great Ben Arfa of course.
We have to hope Shane will get more playing time in the last eight games of the season, as he can play anywhere on the left hand side of the field.
It was yet another positive to take out of the game yesterday for Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, who said he was pleased to have the 20 year-old fit again:
“Shane will deliver crosses into the box and take us up the pitch.”
“We haven’t really got a natural left-footer in the team. I’m very pleased to have him back.”
Alan must have fogotten about a certain Hatem Ben Arfa, who has a pretty good left foot. 😀
And Shane could even come in and do the job at left back – if called upon – which is exactly what he did last year when deputizing fopr Jose Enrique, and we hardly missed Jose.
For the record Shane now has 14 appearances for Newcastle over the last two seasons, and he has two caps for Northern Ireland.
Alan Pardew recently noted that Ferguson had an excellent game in the 3-0 defeat by Norway, in Michael O’Neill’s first game as the new Northern Ireland manager.
It looks like Shane could be a regular for Northern Ireland form now on, if he keeps producing those kind of performance in International football.
Comments welcome.
269 comments so far
beefman13
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Comment #1A natural left footed wingback who always tries to attack the space in front of him and puts a great cross in, they are gold dust, and he is very highly thought of at the toon, and rightly so, i hope he gets many more chances until the end of the season and then can cement his place in the team.
He Will Rise Again
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Comment #2Like a leaping salmon he will rise, like a bankers bonus payout he will rise, like James Perch defending a corner he will rise.
Judgement day cometh, come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.
Do you believe?
martoon
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Comment #3Colo-sus – Your team from last blog is good but I would swap Jonas & Raylor.
On the subject of Jonas did anybody notice he took over the captaincy when Colo went off. Is Jonas official Vice Captain or was that a one off?
martoon
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Comment #4He Will Rise Again @2 – Yeah yeah Beattie we know it’s you!
donegalmag
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Comment #5Our next 5 games:
Liverpool H
Swansea A
Bolton H
Stoke H
Wigan A
Chelea’s next 5 games:
Villa A
Wigan H
Fulham A
Arsenal A
QPR H
They also have to play Benfica twice and Spurs or Bolton in the FA cup…
I think there are more points in the next 5 games for us..plus the extra games they will play will take it’s toll on them…
If we finish above them it might give us a better chance at keeping our players in the summer when abramavich gets hid cheque book out…
danuneek
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Comment #6donegalmag – out of those, I see us getting a point against Liverpool, loosing against Swansea and getting max points against Bolton, Stoke and Wigan.
But its going to be very hard without Colo. Even yesterday, we didn’t look great after half time and without Colo organising our defense it maybe a case of out-scoring our oponents.
The failure to sign a center back in January may cost us dearly over the next few weeks.
He Will Rise Again
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Comment #7Martoon
Blasphemy will only make him angered. Who is this false prophet you speak off?
Colo-Sus
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Comment #8He Will Rise Again
Could be indian based on the grammar there…
Hes not been on in a while!
”do not make him angered”
Colo-Sus
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Comment #9Either way,
We know you are a returning Blogger that is trying to hype up some sensational return…..lets face it,
Welcome back whoeer you are…..can we stop with the Dork off please…Prophesise THAT
Indian Magpie
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Comment #10My Grammar is not that Poor, and i dont want 2 sensationalize things, i am delibrately taking time off the blog,
read most of the comments though, and its definitely not me
Colo-Sus
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Comment #11@Indina
haha Hello mate, good too have you back!
We can rule you out then
Colo-Sus
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Comment #12INDINA!>?!!
My grammar is looking poor today TBF lol!
Pot Kettle!!
Sorry Indian
Must do better
Sgt. Heagerty
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Comment #13Danuneek, fortunately for us outscoring teams is something we are capable of, papisto is an absolute bandit in front of goal, hba is well hba, and Ba is still playing well hes just been in a link up roll, when he scores again it will be a hattrick….we got goals in us lads… papisto is well worth the 10 mil so far and more importantly looks a good choice for number 9
Indian Magpie
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Comment #14Yes Definitely, please
Vask
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Comment #15Think of the biggest attention whore you’ve ever seen on the blog and there is your answer.
martoon
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Comment #16Colo-Sus @8 With due respect to Indian I don’t think he has this kind of wit. Still think it is Beattie with an outside shout for Planb 😉
Indian Magpie
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Comment #17Martoon Thanks mate, but, no thanks
Jail for Ashley
Mar 26, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Comment #18Out scoring teams,something we are capable of mnmm ? We haven’t managed to score more than three in the league all season and have shipped two lots of five and a four.
martoon
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Comment #19While you are on Indian what did you think of yesterdays game?
Indian Magpie
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:04 PM
Comment #20well it was good to watch, i think people wd understand why i was clamouring for HBA and shouted my voice hoarse (figuratively), it was a raelly nice watch,
Did not cringe once after the 34 minute mark
Indian Magpie
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:05 PM
Comment #21When i come to think of it, it could be this guy 2
WWJBD
Going home now, office over
Colo-Sus
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:08 PM
Comment #22NAH no way its WWJBD
The guy has far to much about him.
I like Beattie hes ok, but if its him hes making himself look a right tool to be fair haha
geoff777
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Comment #23The first half was very enjoyable.
The second half a little more nerve-racking.
Surely there must be a CB in the reserves we can draft in?
Who’s going to be on the bench as cover for CB if we get another injury or red card?
On topic:- Ferguson gets better and better. Lets hope the lad stays fit, he’s going to be a great wingback.
JAMSHA
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:22 PM
Comment #24cnt we do emergancy loan for a CB?
Londtoon
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:24 PM
Comment #25Following on last article. Based on Ed’s transfer numbers:
Newcastle spent 0.51m (510k) for each of their 50 points
Liverpool has spent 2.57m for each of their 42 points.
And the biggest losers are Chelsea who spent 2.72m for each of their 50 points.
Maybe Liverpool are the biggest losers for taking our sloppy seconds but shows we are putting them completely to shame. HWTL
donegalmag
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Comment #26@He Will Rise Again
There is a wee blue pill for that you know….
Mings
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Comment #27We are linked with Geoffrey Kondogbia, anyone seen him play?
Tramp
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:33 PM
Comment #28Absolutely love wee Ferguson. Cracking young lad with bags of potential.
martoon
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:46 PM
Comment #29Colo-Sus – I think WWJBD was on at the weekend but he has changed his name to one of those officer names in Optimism Valley. Not sure who Vask @15 talking about.
geordiejamie89
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:50 PM
Comment #30I think he’s a great player, but I don’t think he’s good enough to knock Gutierrez off the team. Maybe if Santon moves to RB next season, and Jonas to LB, then there’s the space for Fergie on the left. But that will depend on whether Simpson stays, and we sign another LB.
He Will Rise Again
Mar 26, 2012 at 1:53 PM
Comment #31Optimism valley will burn and those who take shelter within it’s walls will go up in eternal fire.
Colo-Sus
Mar 26, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Comment #32He Will Rise Again
Oh my god, shut up you absolute Dork!
Martoon
Officer names? Dont know what you are on about pal….I try and keep it to football if i can 😉
Tommyy
Mar 26, 2012 at 2:11 PM
Comment #33Haha! He Will Rise Again is hilarious! Gotta be Beattie.
Great game yesterday! Was gutted when Colo went off, and justifiably worried. His comments today are much more encouraging though! Hopefully only out for Liverpool. If he is, we need to keep possession at all costs.
Colo-Sus
Mar 26, 2012 at 2:13 PM
Comment #34He Will Rise Again
Im hoping its not you Beattie….used to think you were alright
Nut then this Optimism Valley stuff is a bit sad as well to be fair…
haha….each to their own though I suppose
martoon
Mar 26, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Comment #35Colo-Sus @ 32 – you would have to read the blogs from last week but in a nutshell someone (might have been Beattie can’t quite remember who) accused people of ‘living in an optimism valley’ regarding the Toon and then it kinda snowballed with people giving themselves imaginary job titles within optimism valley and even changing their user names etc.
To football matters is Jonas the vice captain or was it a one off him taking the captains armband from Colo?
Vask
Mar 26, 2012 at 2:23 PM
Comment #36I was talking about the biggest attention whore, not necessarily a name in particular, just someone who loves the attention. I’m sure you can think of someone who fits the bill.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 26, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Comment #37Hello all.
He Will Rise – Optimism valley cannot burn down. Fact.
Everyone Else – Optimism valley is a state of mind for people who don’t want to buy in to constant negativity regarding Newcastle United. Nothing we’re taking too seriously, but yes, the joke has snowballed somewhat. I think it came to a point where we were a bit tired of being slated for not being down on Everything black and white. As colo says…each to their own.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 26, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Comment #38Attention seekers? On here? Think you may have the wrong blog 😉
Vask
Mar 26, 2012 at 2:28 PM
Comment #39You ever notice how you never see Lance and the squirrel at the same time?
check the toastie
Mar 26, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Comment #40Must say yesterdays first half performance was enjoyable as any since Keegans days, Thought Jonas was superb as the CM enforcer (think hes been on the steriods) he is turning into a powerful player for us, him and Tiote as midfield enforcers will be good to watch.
So much effort and workrate by all players must be applauded and pardew must be praised for this.
Personally i think we have all been lucky with Raylors injury as if he was still fit we would still be seeing Benny on the bench, hopefully Raylor will not take Benny’s place at the first sign of a bad performance, that is still my worry. However hopefully some concerns regading pardews reluctance to let his players play, were put to bed with yesterdays football, i liked the way Cabaye was freed to join in on the counter, much better stuff, and gud times ahead.
Not that keen on Optimism Valley myself, but its better than Fickle Fields, were some blog members live, im just happy chilling on Reality Drive.
One last thing, Simpson was a weak link again yesterday, he offers zero and should be replaced by Santon, Fergy other side, lets go for goals.