The Newcastle United Blog

154 responses so far ↓

• 1 Pardew's fist pump // Apr 20, 2012 at 11:27 AM

  I really think 3 wins and 1 draw could nab us 4th place, but let’s go for win 1/5 tomorrow eh?

• 2 Ollieh51 // Apr 20, 2012 at 11:29 AM

  @ Garreth – http://www1.skysports.com/20seasons

  Sorry about the delay!

  Ed’s on a mad one again today!

• 3 Indian Magpie // Apr 20, 2012 at 11:30 AM

  @ Cheick the toastie,

  The article where reading b/w the lines started

  it was abt HBA, i am a realist not a pessimist

• 4 pardew no 1 // Apr 20, 2012 at 11:30 AM

  i am so happy how the season planned out and the way transfers been done and everything its been the best year with mike ashely long may it continue long live the toon

• 5 Londtoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 11:34 AM

  Can someone remind of the points total under Sir Bobby in ’03? In the sixties? Are we set to achieve higher with a win tomorrow as I recall 61?

• 6 Hatem's better than Messi // Apr 20, 2012 at 11:37 AM

  typing “nufc 2003 points” into Google and it tells you … 69

• 7 Xavi // Apr 20, 2012 at 11:38 AM

  ill kick my granny too if we qualify for champions league!!!

• 8 Pardew's fist pump // Apr 20, 2012 at 11:39 AM

  We finished on 71pts in 01/02 – http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html?season=2001-2002&month=MAY&timelineView=date&toDate=1020121199999&tableView=CURRENT_STANDINGS

• 9 martoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 11:48 AM

  Pardew should be careful what he says or the anti-granny bashing groups will be up in arms commonly known as SPOG (Society for Protection Of Grannies)

• 10 Auzzie_Toon // Apr 20, 2012 at 11:48 AM

  There is no way we should be where we are but WE ARE. I have been a long time follower of this site and was sick of seeing the bagging out of Pardew and Ameobi. If we finish 5th or 6th its still been a great season, well above expectation. Lets beat Stoke and then we will be 5th (maybe 4th) with 4 games to go. I dream of watching NUFC in the CL once again, especially with our budget/transfer policy. Makes the Manchesters look stupid..

• 11 Hatem's better than Messi // Apr 20, 2012 at 11:50 AM

  Yes watch it Pardew …

  A Granny’s for life and not just for Christmas!

• 12 check the toastie // Apr 20, 2012 at 12:14 PM

  Indian – thats what you think, i know your ‘Reading between the lines’ comment has gone down in the histories of the blog as being extremely pessemistic, that was the whole point of taking the p1ss out of it.

• 13 Tom4Nufc // Apr 20, 2012 at 12:22 PM

  Reading between the lines I’d say a win tomorrow would give us 3 points….

• 14 Indian Magpie // Apr 20, 2012 at 12:27 PM

  see when i made that comment, it was not a joke, you make takewhatever out of it.

• 15 lewytoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 12:29 PM

  if we get 3rd i think ill be in shock, at the start of the season i aimed for top 8, then top 7, then since january top 6, now top 5, now top 4, if we get 3rd i’ll be unbelievably happy

• 16 Tom4Nufc // Apr 20, 2012 at 12:31 PM

  Lewytoon- Whilst you’d be in shock I think I’d go into cardiac arrest at the age of 20!!! The thought of Europe puts me off work!!!

• 17 lewytoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 12:43 PM

  i know! just the fact ‘Newcastle United 3rd Place and Champions League’ sounds so unreal

• 18 Tom4Nufc // Apr 20, 2012 at 12:44 PM

  But it hasn’t happened so lets not talk about it!!!!!!

• 19 Garreth // Apr 20, 2012 at 12:52 PM

  @OllieH Thanks for that!

  We are higher than anyone ever expected us to be, and it has been such a successful season. The key now is to make sure we don’t fizzle out and then repeat our success next year.

  There is no reason why we can’t progress to the knockout stages in any European competition we are in, and win one of the domestic cups as well! We need a few more squad players in the team, and bring in some of our youth to the first team squad in the cups. Players like Vuckic and Sammy Ameobi really excite me!

• 20 jonobbad // Apr 20, 2012 at 12:56 PM

  At end of 02/03 season we were 3rd on 69 pts and the unwashed finished bottom on 19 pts. Nearly a perfect season. HWTL

• 21 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 12:57 PM

  I’d kick my granny, but she is dead so I’ll have to kick someone elses

• 22 toonincheek // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:00 PM

  Pardew has a great team supporting him.

  Including whoever writes his one-liners!!

  Brilliant.

• 23 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:01 PM

  Does anyone else disagree with Pardews earlier comments about needing 1 or 2 new players?

  I’d say we need about 4 and thats before letting the fringe players leave.

  Getting rid of Lover, Smith, Xisco, Harper, Ranger etc.. is all well and good but we need to repllace them and add to our already small squad and failure to bring in at least 4 first team players competing for the first 11 would be a massive dissapointment for me this summer.

  I hope its all smoke and mirrors but I cant help feeling dispondant by the remark and hope someone can fill me with optimism.

• 24 jonobbad // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:04 PM

  It’s always smoke and mirrors. Remember ‘We wont be signing a striker this January’ and then cisse turned up! Champions league would be amazing cos that would help keep our best players. Cant wait for tomo

• 25 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:08 PM

  I hope tomorrow the noise levels are amazing and that the fans in attendance realize the neccisity of cheering on our team.

  Against Bolton I think we forgot we were challenging for 4th place. It’s coming towards the end of the season, 2 home games left, it should be a party atmosphere.

  Too many times have the fans sat there waiting for things to happen instead of encouraging the team regardless of how we are playing.

  Every match is now the biggest of the season and just because we are pplaying Stoke doesnt mean the atmosphere should be any less than if we were playing the scum.

  If I had pom poms and a dress I’d cheer lead myself, but I am not able to attend tomorrow so I hope the silence is just a memory and the thunder is apparent.

• 26 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:15 PM

  I’m just itching for the game to start!

  It’ll be a great day! Howay!

• 27 only magpie of nepal // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:41 PM

  What the hell! Why would anyone kick their own Grandma?

• 28 only magpie of nepal // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:44 PM

  As far as Stoke game is concerned, only real danger for us will be their aerial bombardment. other than that, with ben arfa, ba and cisse in hot form, as well as with home advantage we should at least score 2/3 goals at least. don’t worry we will win the game anyway.

• 29 pieceofpapiss // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:45 PM

  I’ve been looking all over for a black and white passport holder, cant find them anywhere. thought it would look good when we jaunt off to Spain, Italy and the like!!

  On a serious note, reading between the lines, sneaky 1-0 win against Stoke this weekend is on the cards. Cisse to score (again)

• 30 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:46 PM

  @only magpie of nepal

  To get in the CL….?

• 31 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:49 PM

  Outside, the clouds are dark as night, it’s hailing golf balls and there’s a thunder storm overhead!

  That can only be good, right?

• 32 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:53 PM

  Now I hear police sirens!

  Help, i’m stuck in a Stephen King novel!

• 33 cyprus // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:54 PM

  Is kicking your granny in order to get a better position accepted by the FA as fair play? Shame on you AP!

• 34 Tom4Nufc // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:57 PM

  And that in one is why we will never win the Fair Play League lol!

• 35 martoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:57 PM

  Wor Shearer @ 31 Not sure, a wet heavy pitch could favour Stoke with their aerial attack and hamper our passing game.

• 36 drongo // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:58 PM

  hope im not speaking too soon, but Stoke’s defence is land of the giants, land of the slow giants too. Should be tailor made for our front 3 to run at them (assume they’ll be sat well deep)

  I know the old adage is never change a winning team, but I wont be surprised if start with a 442 tomorrow ba behind Cisse, HBA and Jonas back on the wings.

• 37 cyprus // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:58 PM

  Beattie25,
  with your pom poms and dress might you just be kicked by AP? In lieu of a real granny;)

• 38 magpie6699 // Apr 20, 2012 at 1:59 PM

  Wor Shearer – it’s throwing it down here in Bedlington. Now I’ve got TWO new things to fret over!
  1 Could the match be cancelled? (Unlikely but more rain forecast.)
  2. Will the wet pitch favour cloggers and hump-balls like Stoke whereas HBA won’t be able to move the ball on the soggy pitch?
  Aaaarrgh! Still 27 hours till result time!

• 39 Tom4Nufc // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:01 PM

  If its a wet pitch watch HBA win us a penalty off Huth

• 40 drongo // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:02 PM

  Id like to see us with a diamond midfield tomorrow – HBA at the tip, Mr T as the achchorman

  My team:

  ——————–Krul
  Santon—–Collo—Perch—Jonas
  ——————-Tiote
  ———Cabaye——–Guthrie
  ——————–HBA
  ————–Cisse——–Ba

  Narrow I know – but they will out perform us on the air so not sure crossing is the way forward.

• 41 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:02 PM

  We have one of the finest pitches in the country. We’ve won in the wet before this season as well, so the weather doesn’t bother me.

• 42 pieceofpapiss // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:09 PM

  The only issue i have with the rain is i’m sat 4 rows from pitchside so im gonna get drenched!!

  the things we do for those we love.

• 43 magpie6699 // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:09 PM

  Thanks guys – I’ll try to stay positive!

• 44 cyprus // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:11 PM

  From Bettor:
  “Shawcross also admitted that his side will need to be at their best to deal with the quality that the Newcastle said have in abundance.

  “You only have to take a look through their squad to see the calibre of players they have. Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa – the list is endless.”

  Newcastle United find themselves level on points with fourth place Tottenham Hotspur and two points ahead of sixth placed Chelsea, which means that they will be looking for the win at any and all costs, a move which will suit Stoke City’s style of play.

  Shawcross however, is under no delusions as to the challenge Stoke will face on Saturday but believes that as long as they play to their strengths they can come out with a result.

  “They (Newcastle) are on an incredible run of form at the moment and we know that this game will be extremely tough for us. But we will go there, play our game and hopefully get the win.”

  A win for Stoke will all but guarantee another season in the Barclays Premier League as Tony Pulis’s side are currently 13 points clear of the relegation zone.”

• 45 Toon_Tom // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:11 PM

  drongo – “HBA at the tip” – misleading comment my friend

• 46 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:16 PM

  I’d like to see HBA at the top (tip?), just for 10-15mins at some point in the game….just to see what happens.

• 47 drongo // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:16 PM

  In the hole then – any better?

• 48 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:19 PM

  haha. no, it’s not.

• 49 cyprus // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:20 PM

  Lifted from eurosport (see below my comments):

  Some guesses based on below:
  - Ba will score!
  -We will concede from a penalty or a header
  -Cisse will score!

  i.e. 3-1

  “MATCH FACTS
  Demba Ba has scored four goals in two league games against Stoke, making the Potters his joint-favourite Premier League opponent (with West Brom).
  Papiss Demba Cisse currently has the best minutes/goal ratio in Premier League history, netting a goal every 68.4 minutes.
  The Potters have won one and drawn one of their two previous Premier League trips to the Sports Direct Arena, and last lost in the league there in April 1990.
  If all games had finished at half-time this season, Stoke would be in 19th place ahead of only Wolves.
  The Magpies have won their last five Premier League games and are just two short of their record in the competition (seven).
  Newcastle have kept four clean sheets in their last five league games, including the last three in a row.
  The Potters have failed to win any of their last seven on the road (D3 L4).
  Stoke have netted the highest percentage of headed goals in the top-flight this season (38%).
  Newcastle have conceded a league-high nine penalties this season.
  The Potters have the worst tackle success rate in the Premier League this season (70%).”

• 50 drongo // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:21 PM

  predicting 2-1 to us

  think they’ll nick one from a corner (for some reason us defending corners always makes me concerened)

  Off topic, but considering we have Raylor, Guthrie, Cabaye, HBA to choose from on set pieces we arent half pony at scoring from them. Cant remember the last time we scored from a corner

• 51 oo aa demba ba // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:21 PM

  drongo

  would you really have perch as cb? Williamson die to his height would be the much better option due to Stoke’s game style.

  Crouhc/Jones/Jerome/Walters? Williamson would stand a much better chance dealing with their long balls than Perch would

• 52 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:24 PM

  @drongo

  I’m concerned at our efforts at scoring from corners too!

• 53 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:25 PM

  Jose Enrique we’re in the top 4.

• 54 drongo // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:26 PM

  @ 51 based on form probably yes, I think the trick to their long balls is closing down their full backs before they hoof it up there. We’re pretty good at that

  Perch seems to be a more intelligent player than willo and recently has been tackling like a demon.

• 55 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:28 PM

  @ wor shearer and drongo

  I’m concerned by the fact we do not score scrappy goals

• 56 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:29 PM

  ….but not much else, mind!

• 57 drongo // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:29 PM

  yeahj so many of our corners go right over everyone and roll over the byline at the far side of the goal. Weird.

  Still Id far rather watch HBA skin a whole team and tuck one into the corner than watch Huth headbut one in from a corner

• 58 geordiejamie89 // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:31 PM

  I’m not worried about the weather making any difference between the two teams. It’ll either effect both teams or none. I’m more concerned about injuries. There’s far too much talent in the Newcastle team to be letting Stoke get points off us now. They’re far too slow, their squad by all rights shouldn’t be able to cope with the pace of our front three. I just hope Krul is fine for tomorrow, he’s been important all season.

• 59 cyprus // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:33 PM

  Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba

  Stoke: Begovic, Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Delap, Palacios, Whitehead, Etherington, Crouch, Walters

  Danger players: Etherington (Simpson will take care of him with a little help), Crouch (combination of Tiote and Williamson AND crowd)

• 60 shearermania // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:35 PM

  reading between the lines :
  pardew dosnt like his granny…..

• 61 geordiejamie89 // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:36 PM

  Hatem Ben Arfa must be itching to get back onto the pitch after his last goal. He’ll know more than the rest of us he’s on fire, and he’s desperate to cement a place at the Euros. I had Hatem Ben Arfa first goalscorer and Cisse to score in the last game, and it paid off. Tomorrow I’ll go for Demba Ba first goalscorer (penalty I believe). Wet surface and slow defenders won’t be able to cope with Hatem and Jonas and Demba and Cisse all sniffing around the box. Demba is first choice for pens still according to Alan Pardew too. I think Demba Ba will score two, and Cabaye will get one, he’s been playing great last couple of games, and he’s overdue a free-kick in the right place, or a shot from a built up attack.

• 62 drongo // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:37 PM

  Delap, apart from the throws, is utter garbage. If he is in the centre of their midfield they shouldnt see the ball.

• 63 drongo // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:38 PM

  Pardews granny is better than delap

• 64 drongo // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:40 PM

  @ 61 – agree Cabaye is due one.

  Think it depends how we set up. Last couple of games we have set up spanish style (liverpool under rafa). 2 deep midfielders, one CAM, 1 CF and 2 wingers. Cabaye has been the CAM – if we do that again, with a greasy ball I expect Cabaye will have license to take pot shots from range

• 65 geordiejamie89 // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:41 PM

  And if that bet comes in I’ll be loaded for a couple weeks. Top 6. Man City- Man Utd – Arsenal – Newcastle – Spurs – Chelsea. I stuck this bet on a while ago when City had only just fallen behind Utd. It’s not likely that Man Utd will drop the points. But if you imagine that City win in the Derby match, and Sunderland take points off Man Utd in last game of the season, it’s still within reach. Those combined odds were insane, especially with Newcastle in there. Hopefully toon won’t be only team to let me down.

• 66 geordiejamie89 // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:43 PM

  I think if Cabaye does get one it’ll be from a poor clearance. Hatem putting pressure on a defender, he makes a poor clearance and gives it to Cabaye and he scores.

• 67 cyprus // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:43 PM

  Good post geordiejamie89, that looks like a typical scenario. Here’s an interesting clip from the first game when we were fourth (still are!) and they were 7th:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DZAILcgBvw

• 68 geordiejamie89 // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:45 PM

  Man Utd* excuse me, I’m too used to living down south now.

• 69 geordiejamie89 // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:48 PM

  cheers cyprus. I don’t see Cisse scoring tomorrow, which is a bit mad to bet against him. He’s an awesome striker, but I think there’ll be too much focus on him to get any real space.

• 70 geordiejamie89 // Apr 20, 2012 at 2:52 PM

  Just watched that clip, I would have put us around 6th or 7th around then aswell if I’m honest. The biggest laugh is when they said Stoke’s Britannia is a fortress. Demba Ba’s hattrick might disagree. That and the other teams that have gone straight through them this season.

• 71 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 3:02 PM

  I fcuking hate the bias of the press.

  skysports.com latest football news, the big picture added to the ‘weekend preview’ segment has a Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and… Liverpool players?

  Why the fcuk is it showing the Scousers? They are not competing for anything this weekend? Surely there should be a picture of a NUFC player and a Spud?

  Or maybe Wolves, Blackburn, Bolton, QPR etc…

  WTF has Carroll and Liverfool got to do with anything anymore?

• 72 LewSpi // Apr 20, 2012 at 3:11 PM

  Don’t get me started on the national ‘media’ Beattie.
  They wind me up something rotten.

• 73 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 3:14 PM

  I can guarentee they’ll have us down for a mid table finish next year.

• 74 Tom4Nufc // Apr 20, 2012 at 3:18 PM

  National media?! Surely you mean the Southern Press lol?!?!

• 75 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 3:22 PM

  If we win tomorrow I am going to come on here and type naked for the rest of the evening.

• 76 LewSpi // Apr 20, 2012 at 3:24 PM

  Haha Tom, I didn’t know whether to put the ‘national’ in apostrophes , or the ‘media’, it could quite easily have been either because both are questionable.

• 77 martoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 3:31 PM

  Beattie @75 Does that mean you’ll have to type in a bare faced font!

• 78 rainrix // Apr 20, 2012 at 3:32 PM

  Beattie @ 71 i imagine thats just some rehashed header they made at the start of the season and are too lazy to make a new one

• 79 cyprus // Apr 20, 2012 at 3:43 PM

  Anyone abroad watchng “fanzone”? My q. “Do you think the in-form team will continue winning and finish fourth?” was read out by Leroy, Alan Curbishley said no, due to goal difference… Fair point.

• 80 ROSHAN MAGPIE // Apr 20, 2012 at 3:59 PM

  all Indian nufc supporters match is live on espn

• 81 drongo // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:08 PM

  Well, here’s hoping Wigan win and are safe by the time we play them, chelsea get a whooping and a few injuries in Barca, Everton are already on holiday with nothing to play for, and ManC are already confirmed in 2nd by then.

  But still need them 3 points tomorrow

• 82 munch27 // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:10 PM

  Ticket update:
  Stoke (h) SOLD OUT

  Should be some noise tomorrow hopefully will get the boys fired up from the whistle 4 – 1 the toon Cisse Ba Jonas Cabaye .

• 83 munch27 // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:14 PM

  The above is what my head says me heart says 7 – 1 Cisse 2 Ba 2 HBA Jonas Cabaye !!!!

  We need to muller someone may aswell be Stoke.

  HWTL

• 84 toonking // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:15 PM

  @71
  beattie i can’t stand them myself which is why i like having a chat on this and listening to real radio legends. here is a understanding of southerner attitudes on our team. During the unbeaten we were in they kept saying it was down to luck and the first real test was the trio of games starting with city. Also the times when we were in 7th they only showed top 6 yet they always show 7th when it was liverpool until recent weeks.
  i feel next season they will use the extra european games as a way to describe newcastle as a mid table team.

• 85 dmac // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:16 PM

  Ched Evans jailed for 5 years for rape! Jeez we dodged a bullet there! Was alot of talk of us signing him when we went down! Imagine him and Ranger! He should have hooked up with the Brambles.

• 86 drongo // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:17 PM

  @ munch – I’d love to muller chelsea, never known a club full of such b3llends. From back to front, Cole, Terry, Lampard, Drogba, Anelka (for a while anyway)

  Dunno whether youre going to get shot, spat on or bummed

• 87 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:17 PM

  I’m sure they’ll meet soon enough.

• 88 ToonDownSouth // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:19 PM

  Beattie

  Sky like to portray the idea that money = success, which is why they ignore us, and when Arsenal are doing badly they constantly portray the idea that it’s because Arsene doesn’t spend £30 on strikers.

  It lets them big up massive transfers, with their ‘Deadline Day Specials’ and other sickening crap.

  The pundits themselves always give us plenty of praise and credit, which is nice to hear, but when it comes to what the directors & producers want, it’s big money signings and Chelsea vs City.

  On a brighter note, I fancy Spurs to drop points at QPR this weekend. I’m not going to make predictions for us, because that never goes well, but…

  If Tottenham lose at QPR, & Chelsea draw with Arsenal, we could find ourselves in 4th, 4 points clear of Chelski, 3 clear of Spurs, and 3 behind Arsenal with a game in hand.

  Dream. Fcuking. Scenario.

• 89 ToonDownSouth // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:21 PM

  Make that £30m.

• 90 munch27 // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:34 PM

  Sure is gonna be a long day tomorrow home and a few beers
  For Chelski v arsene then a taxi doon to chester for Us v stoke then straight home for QPR v Spuds by my reckoning i’ll be canny steaming , just hope i’m happy with all 3 results lol .

• 91 pbNcl // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:35 PM

  Really agree with ya post @ 88 TDS mate

  Your spot on

• 92 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:38 PM

  The full time whistle will be blowing in about 24hrs.

  No, I can’t wait.

• 93 ochytoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:40 PM

  Anyone see that Sheffield Utd striker Ched Evans was sentenced to five years for rape?

• 94 spitfire_ // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:46 PM

  And Bramble is walking free…

• 95 ochytoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:48 PM

  spitfire_
  Well Bramble is obviously innocent. What woman would turn down that stallion?

• 96 spitfire_ // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:50 PM

  Yeah… and the most important thing… he is already a scum legend.

• 97 check the toastie // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:50 PM

  Cyprus – spot in with those teams, think pardew will go with that, however think he will play a real conventional 442 2moro, with Ba dropping in if he needs to, hope we do the business, out until late tonite and then out early in the toon 2moro, looking forward to the game, just hope i can remeber most of it, wud love to get a couple of early goals, Ba and Cisse, then just knock the ball about, ala Balckburn early season,

  Havent really had a decent half time lead all season, 2 up half time hopefully, come on boys dont let us down.

• 98 nufc786 // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:54 PM

  ochytoon
  yup ive seen bramble has been give people pointers…

• 99 ochytoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:55 PM

  Would anyone else play Demba Ba in the centre tomorrow? By the sounds of it, Stoke expect Cisse to play in that central role and I think we could catch them off guard if we play big, strong Ba in the middle.

• 100 geordiejamie89 // Apr 20, 2012 at 4:59 PM

  I hope Aston Villa go down next season, they offer nothing these days. Furthermore, I’d love for Newcastle to play them last. After the banners and banter when we went down from that flukey goal that went in off Duff, it’d be no more than they deserve. They’ve got some promising young players, but the first team is so boring.

• 101 Tsunki // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:08 PM

  ochytoon – they swap over during the game so why not start them with roles reversed, good call that one, and demba does love to smash the potters ha ha oh all right i know it didn’t work.

  gj89 – with you on the Villa sinking I jut want the maths to work so they creep into the bottom 3 last day, perfect scenario for me, even if we didn’t get europe. well almost. we could club together and send them a dvd of when we scuppered them as a ‘going away’ present Never really liked Villa since that little smakhed wot was his name ahhhh Hendrie! played for them. what a little get.

• 102 Tsunki // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:11 PM

  check – don’t you think Pards has dispensed with the 4-4-2 at home now? I think he realises there’s no going back if we are to get a euro place for certain. Couple of words spring to mind, one is ‘bust’ ……….

• 103 Tsunki // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:14 PM

  Oh and while we’re on Villa bashing I forgot an honorary mention for them for introducing the worlds most boring England international who should never have pulled on the three lions shirt. guess who. ‘plays’ in midfield, but for someone else who should really have known better than to buy him.

• 104 askar // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:16 PM

  I said that We will finish at 3rd place if King Arfa do well…He is and will be our super star during our last five games of the season!

• 105 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:16 PM

  It’s win or bust, so we should stick to three up top imo.

• 106 davybtoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:17 PM

  http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2012/04/20/cheick-tiote-my-future-is-with-newcastle-united-72703-30799335/

  great words from mr t

• 107 munch27 // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:18 PM

  Tsunki – Milner?

• 108 munch27 // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:19 PM

  i know it’s Gareth Borey by the b4 you all slaughter me.

• 109 davybtoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:21 PM

  nothing but a win tomorrow for me stoke are awful away from home

• 110 Tsunki // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:28 PM

  munch27 – of course its G Borey stop kidding around!

  We need to go all out against stoke they know they are dead in the water and will park the bus if they can to frustrate us. HBA will walk through them at some point. If it gets a bit rough, get 2 of our lads up front off the pitch and stick fergy and shola on.

• 111 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:30 PM

  I hope the the Stoke players are as keen as their manager for Newcastle to finish top 4.

• 112 munch27 // Apr 20, 2012 at 5:39 PM

  The United boss said earlier this week that:

  “What I do know is that this European qualification is about as complicated as it gets – we need Carol Vorderman to work this one out. Let’s just say there’s a bit of confusion over it in my mind.

  Pards is turning into my favorite living sports personality his quotes are awesome.

• 113 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 6:11 PM

  We might even see this again:

  http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xja6sk_shola-silences-the-nou-camp_sport

• 114 just plain krul // Apr 20, 2012 at 6:23 PM

  hi.. im a new poster on this blog although i have been reading it for over a year so id just like to say hi

• 115 tomnewcastle // Apr 20, 2012 at 6:37 PM

  Let’s just hope – although it seems unlikely – that chelsea don’t win the champions league. That would would be so painful if we were to get 4th and not get champions league, so lets hope the little magicain (messi) is on form tuesday night

• 116 sps80 // Apr 20, 2012 at 6:39 PM

  Reading between the lines I’d say that Alan Pardew still wants to beat Arsenal.
  And you can do it now

  There is a poll on website of the Polish Canal+ where we can choose wich game will be broadcasted in Poland and Stoke vs Arsenal still has more % than our game. Disgraceful!

  When you click on this link

  http://www.canalplus.pl/sport/liga-angielska

  vote is on the right.

  Cheers

  Thank you for helping us to beat Arsenal Tell your friends.

  Howay The Lads

• 117 ToonMauritius // Apr 20, 2012 at 6:43 PM

  good news lad,tomorrow match will be telecast on local TV here in Mauritius

• 118 DoubleDemba // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:07 PM

  We’re having one of the best seasons ever but we have got lucky. Simpson Blatent Handball vs Liverpool
  Cisse 2nd goal offside vs liverpool
  Perch Dive vs liverpool
  Perch, Simpson and Caroll shud have got red cards in Liverpool match

• 119 DoubleDemba // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:09 PM

  We’re having one of the best seasons ever but we got lucky. Simpson Blatent Handball vs Liverpool
  Cisse 2nd goal offside vs liverpool
  Perch Dive vs liverpool
  Perch, Simpson and Caroll shud have got red cards in Liverpool match
  Feel sorry for liverpool but we still won hehe

• 120 DoubleDemba // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:09 PM

  Perch DIVER

• 121 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:14 PM

  Double Demba

  Who are you and why you chatting shit?

• 122 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:14 PM

  WUM?

• 123 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:16 PM

  We don’t need Liverpool bin men on here. Goodbye, thanks for dropping in.

• 124 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:18 PM

  What kind of troll signs in with a nufc name?

  Thats just retarded.

  At least bob/billy/ted/plan b didnt try and lead us on with a nufc alias.

• 125 ToonDownSouth // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:21 PM

  Perch’s ‘dive’ had no effect on the game, and I’m not sure why he should have been sent off?

  Cisse’s goal wasn’t offside…

  And Carroll is spent like that.

• 126 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:21 PM

  Who wouldn’t want to be a Toon fan? His username makes sense to me!

• 127 ToonDownSouth // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:23 PM

  Pardew makes me laugh, desperately trying to play down expectations. Even comparing us to Stoke.

  I imagine he’s very worried that fans will see it as a failure if we don’t get CL football.

  Unfortunately, that’s a consequence of confirming Europa League so early!

• 128 rich_toonfan // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:24 PM

  Double Demba

  not sure why perch or carroll should have been sent off, simmo should if the ref saw it.

  there may have been a touch on the cross which meant cisse was onside, benefit of the doubt went with the attacking side

  and perch went down easy but was well within his right to do that

• 129 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:25 PM

  I don’t think it’s so much playing down expectations it’s more making sure the players know the job is by no means done and they can’t presume they’ll walk over any side. imo.

• 130 ToonDownSouth // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:27 PM

  Wor Shearer

  I guess you’re right. Pardew’s biggest strength has been keeping the players motivated. In turn, it ensures that they do the basics right all the time, working hard and closing teams down for 90 minutes.

  I really hope we don’t lose that next season. It’s easy to start to lose concentration and work rate if you think you should be winning games.

• 131 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:28 PM

  I hope your enjoying Angent Carroll’s work in your dump of a ground!

  You can win all the cups you want but it wont be sweeter than finishing top 6 in the leauge.

  Jose Enrique were in the top 6

  Your jumped up, arrogant and expensive flops deserve a club like yours.

• 132 Beattie25 // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:31 PM

  Anyway back to nufc

  I see that Ryan Shawcross is confident in handling Cisse.

  Not a chance. Pappiss has got the movement of a shark. I have rarely seen unpredictibility and instincts like it.

  It is an ove rused saying in football but ‘he knows where the goal is’ rings absoloutley true with Cisse. Shawcross cannot mark the unmarkable.

  We bought the lad from Germany Cisse, Cisse

• 133 rich_toonfan // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:32 PM

  Liverpool just annoy me on how they brag about league titles etc…well we have had 20 years of the prem league and there name is not on the trophy once.

  They don’t have a huge stadium, seen to have no plan to increase it any time soon

  They spend a fortune on very average players nd have done for a long time. They spend big money under Benitez and won a few cups but only once really challenged for the league.

  They are a club full of history bit with no future. Hopefully they will dip down to be a mid table side like everton or villa…. wont be long til the american owners get bored and stop throwing money

• 134 Indian Magpie // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:33 PM

  mainz vs wolfsburg

• 135 pengy // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:51 PM

  some suggestions on twitter and a tv channel on you tube that demba ba, ben arfa and tiote not playing tomorrow. they are saying ben arfa has asked not 2 play. probably bullshit

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSVZti4hF20&feature=g-u-u&context=G227d014FUAAAAAAACAA

• 136 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:55 PM

  @pengy

  What a load of bollox!

• 137 pengy // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:56 PM

  wor shearer

  ino mate can you believe those arse holes ?

• 138 Warwick Hunt // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:57 PM

  Pardews granny is having a laugh
  Pardews granny is having a laugh
  Pardews granny is having a laugh
  Pardews granny is having a laugh

• 139 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:57 PM

  Just couldn’t listen to more than 2mins of that retarded tripe. Great comments from the fans underneath though, classic!

• 140 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 7:59 PM

  The best one so far:

  ‘I hope your face catches fire.’

• 141 toonking // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:01 PM

  double demba
  we might have had lucky decisions such as the pen awarded at OT but referees have also helped opposing teams with bad ones (chelsea who should have had a red card is a good example) .

• 142 geordiejamie89 // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:03 PM

  Gary Neville saying Ryan Giggs is the best premier league player ever. Have a word. Being the best player doesn’t go on years as a squad player. Not a chance in the world has Ryan Giggs ever been better than Cristiano Ronaldo, Alan Shearer, Gazza etc. He’s been a squad player for years, and they don’t miss Giggs when he doesn’t play, unlike Scholes. And none of the other great players sahg their brothers’ missus. Have a word Gary Neville you rat!!

• 143 rich_toonfan // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:06 PM

  Giggs has been amazing, was unbelievable in the first 10 years of the prem league….and has adapted to the role of squad player over the last few yeas.

  he was amazing in his prime

  and that video is so funny….terrible journalism, as if people actually pay these to play.

• 144 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:08 PM

  I actually don’t mind Neville. What else was he going to say?

  If you ask ex-toon players (except Bellamy) who the best player is they’ll say Shearer (as Ginola did). They’re right of course, but they wouldn’t have picked anyone else even if was wrong. Don’t be too harsh on him for that.

• 145 Indian Magpie // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:17 PM

  0-0 HT, mainz vs wolfsburg

• 146 Indian Magpie // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:21 PM

  WTF, this NUFC supporter suggesting HBA may have fallen out with PARDEW

• 147 toonking // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:23 PM

  because stoke have nothing to play for compared to teams top and bottom, i wonder if pardew should protect tiote cisse and hba from the risk of injury and use a midfield of raylor(if 442) guthrie(if 433) perch cabaye and front 3 of jonas(LM if 442) ba shola. The reason i chose tiote cisse and hba is because tiote has just returned from injury and is a key part in stopping teams come through middle while cisse and hba obviously will be the key to our chance of wins against wigan chelsea and city

• 148 davybtoon // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:28 PM

  Ha I never heard so much crap in my life tiote, ba, hba all out someone shud really b looking at the pics from training before making crap up

• 149 soundoid // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:43 PM

  Lets hope we get a massive win tomorrow 4-0 would be nice:0).

  Think Pards will keep it tight I’m going for 2-0

• 150 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:46 PM

  Stoke’s stats are tragic, i’m surprised they’re safe. Not saying it’ll be easy though.

• 151 JAMSHA // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:51 PM

  thats PLAN B I GUESS LOL

• 152 JAMSHA // Apr 20, 2012 at 8:53 PM

  was watchng movi goal ……CL hea we come ..

  o n.yea INDIAN PPL

  NEW VS STOKE 7.25 PM ESPN

• 153 Wor Shearer // Apr 20, 2012 at 9:01 PM

  What happened there Ed?

• 154 cupiddstunt // Apr 20, 2012 at 10:27 PM

  Toonking @ # 147

  That’s the way to go,,,, the five games that could define our season and you want to put the second string in place, and for what????

  If we fail to beat Stoke then we are still mathematically catchable by Everton, so who do we look to protect after that and so may not even get sixth and no Europe so what would we be saving them for?????????????

  I see that as such a pessimistic outlook and why is it pessimists call themselves realists???

  We have five games that need the best possible results gleaned from them so we play the strongest team possible for each game, games we have to win as draws will not do we look to protect no one as in a couple of weeks time they will have a couple of months to recuperate.

  If Tim’s back spasms can be managed with cortisone and physio for the next five games then that is what we should do.

  In my opinion it would be stupid to protect them for something that may never come to fruition because we fielded as weakened team.