Newcastle have reached European competition tonight for the first time in a full six seasons, and while there doesn’t seem to be much money to be made in the competition, and it would be much better to qualify for the European Champions League, we are where we are, and there’s some prestige on the line for Newcastle, if not big pay days in Europe this season.
Alan Pardew taking the training yesterday
The plan for Newcastle is obviously to keep all their best players in each transfer window, and improve the squad with some savvy buys like the club made last week in getting a very talented Vurnon Anita to Tyneside.
It’s extremely difficult to make the top four in the Premier League to qualify for that top European league, but we are happy we have made it back into Europe, and it’s better than not being in Europe at all, which has been the case over the last six seasons.
And it’s a big test for Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, as he continues to grow into the toughest job he has ever had in football, and he has said today he thinks his squad is good enough and big enough to overcome Atromitos tonight in Athens.
This is what Alan said last night:
“For us, this competition is something we want to proceed in, so we have to have a team and a game-plan that is going to get us through.” “For Atromitos, it is a big game for them. We are a big scalp for this team, we are under no illusions of that. And we have that much respect for the Club and the manager.”
“But I think my squad is big enough and strong enough to cope. That’s why we have 24 senior players – because they need to contribute.” “And it is a big game for some of our squad, to show they can threaten the first team. And I certainly hope to see that tomorrow night. It’s a big test for some of our players.”
“We must look at ourselves as ambassadors of the Premier League. We believe it is the strongest division in Europe.” “We need to replicate that in terms of the performance we put out. So regardless of the (Atromitos’) coach’s surprises or experience, it is irrelevant.
“I just have to make sure my team is right and that’s what I will focus on.”
Newcastle have shown in pre-season that some of their top youngsters like Gael Bigirimana, James Tavernier, Romain Amalfitano and Dan Gosling are more than useful players, and they have an opportunity to shine in Europe this season.
This is their big chance to show the manager what they can do in the famous black and white strip, and we don’t think they will let Newcastle down tonight, and either a draw or a win would be a good result for Newcastle.
Then it’s Chelsea in less than 48 hours, and they didn’t look unbeatable against Reading last night, and once again the top side got a dubious goal from Fernando Torres, who was well offside – how do the officials miss these obvious calls all the time?
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20 comments so far
ajcrawfs
Aug 23, 2012 at 9:57 AM
Comment #1did anyone notice Lille lost to Copenhagen the other day?
Apparently, chairman is having a rethink on Debuchy if they don’t make champs league group stages!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 23, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Comment #2aj…Didn’t see that score. Where did you hear about the Debuchy rumour?
MacToon
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Comment #3greek toon // Aug 10, 2012 at 2:42 PM
Being Greek I can say this is an easy draw for Newcastle, Atromitos was the surprise package last season in the greek league, however Donis their manager has gone Paok, Mitroglou their top scorer went back to Olympiakos as he was on loan, Tatos their creative player signed on at Olympiakos. Their current team and manager r fairly new the only worry is the heat in greece otherwise bring on the group stage.
Thanks Greek Toon.
ajcrawfs
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Comment #4it was here http://www.insidefutbol.com/2012/08/23/newcastle-united-on-alert-as-lille-president-has-mathieu-debuchy-rethink/67566/?
which i know is not very reputable but it is a fact that Lille lost and it does seem reasonable they would want to recoup some money if they don’t reach the group stages
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Comment #5@ibiza ha my laptop is on +150% krul and collo are missing from it im more dissapointed i didnt notice collo was missing.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Comment #6aj….Cheers. We shall see. Quite likely nothing to it, but some merit in the idea I suppose.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Comment #7Boom Boom….So was your opinion of Obertan blown up by 150% also? 😉
You didn’t notice Colo was missing? Not a good day for you mate 🙂
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Comment #8nah dont rate obertan whatsoever, what i dislike most about him is he doesn’t seem to learn by mistakes and i hate a player who wont go in where it hurts.
Beattie25
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Comment #9After these comments from Pards does anyone think we may no longer be in the Market for players?
Grafton83
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Comment #10@MacToon
Based on your insight above I’ve bet £25 on a nufc win, hope your right.
Also bet on Cisse, Campbell and Obertan to score at anytime. I will be drinking champagne or asking for the drip tray by full time, hope its not the later again.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Comment #11Beattie….I don’t think that at all. Doesn’t mean I think we will bring in anyone, just that I don’t think we’re actively not looking 🙂
Boom Boom….Fair enough. Let’s hope he proves you wrong in the long run 🙂
johnty1
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Comment #12nice advert under Ed’s post, I think thats the closest Harry will get to managing a team this season.
Looking forward to seeing the young lad up front he could work great with big Cisse
Beattie25
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Comment #13Guys in pleased to announce that at 11 o’clock today nufcblog.com’s very own Ibizatoon will be holding an informal Q & A session.
Whether its a nufc related issues or a burning personal question Ibiza will try to answer all and sundry live at 11.
Start thinking of those questions now and enjoy Q & A with Ibizatoon coming soon.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Comment #14Grafton…What’s the returns on that bet mate? This could be a good game for Obertan is played in an advanced role.
Going to have to find a pub now that it looks like it’s only commentary on eufa.com….now i’ll have to drink lots of beer too….damn it all!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:22 AM
Comment #15Thanks Beattie…Always wanted my own Q&A. Will you field any unpleasant questions for me that I may find difficult to answer? Not sure I can handle all the pressure
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Comment #16One other thing…it’s formal. Suit and tie a must
Grafton83
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:31 AM
Comment #17Evens for nufc win 5-1 obertan, 3-1 campbell and 6/4 cisse on bet365 who are rubbish for odds but I just can’t be bothered setting up a betfair account
MacToon
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:32 AM
Comment #18Grafton83, really hope you win the bet and drinking champa’s all night 😉 but I was just re-posting greek toons post about Atromitos as I thought it was interesting!
Grafton83
Aug 23, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Comment #19Ah ok I’ll curse/thank Greek Toon later
JARRAMAG
Aug 23, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Comment #20Well i hope Pardue is not being serious because a blind man can see that we need a cb and at least 1 more striker because if we get any injury in these departments we will struggle.
We missed out on the CL because we didnt sign the CB we needed and we still have not.
Are we going to repeat mistakes of last year?it looks as if we are.