Our next home game is on Sunday, 24th February against Southampton, and that’s two weeks come Sunday – and before that game we’ll have played the two Europa League ties against Ukrainian side FC Metalist Kharkiv.
Moussa Sissoko scores winning goal Saturday
And the surprising thing now is that the final 13 games of the season and the Europa League look like big chances for Newcastle to save this season, by climbing the league table as much as we can, and even getting as far as we can in the Europa League.
And that’s a huge change from what things looked like two weeks ago when we had just been beaten 2-1 by Reading, our worst result of the season, and Loic Remy had decided not to join Newcastle but to take the big money at small London club QPR – certainly he didn’t go down there to play in front of big and passionate crowds – like we have at Newcastle – that’s for sure.
And Remy is now out of action for two months with a groin injury – and we think there’s a good chance he’ll look back on his decision to move to QPR, and regret it big time – even if QPR can avoid thee drop this season.
Of course owner Tony Fernandez is continuing to spend big money to try to save QPR, and he has now brought in over 30 players by one count, since he took over the London club a short eighteen months ago – pity he didn’t buy some good players among those 30.
But back to Newcastle, and Steven Taylor has talked today about the club’s electric fans:
“It was exciting. It was just electric from our fans. I hadn’t had that feeling in a long time in the last few minutes.” “You heard the roar with everyone behind us. And that kept us going.” “We’ve got players coming back from injury.”
“I think it’s a good start. We’ve got a winning mentality back.” “We couldn’t do anything about the goals – you’ve just got to hold your hands up and accept them.” “My block near the end was as valuable a goal, but it’s not good for my family allowance!”
“It was a painful one. We knew that with the players we’ve got, we just needed a bit of luck.” “We got that. And now hopefully it continues in the last 13 games.” “It was a touch of class from Mata for the second.”
Newcastle fans have gone from fearing relegation to actually looking ahead to the final 13 games of the season, and also to the Europa League – because that at least gives Newcastle the chance of playing a very strong second team in that competition.
And with so few games remaining in the season, and the games being spread out, Newcastle could even play their first team in some of those European games.
Things are now looking incredibly bright for Newcastle United – fact!
Comments welcome.
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and +1 us on Google+:
You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com
=============================================
93 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:04 AM
Comment #1Falling into the bear enclosure at Edinburgh zoo with his fresh trout supper in his pocket is too good for Ashley.
Magpies-till-d3ath
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:04 AM
Comment #2http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/fixtures
Jonas's better than Messi
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:06 AM
Comment #3The future’s bright if Ashley buys in the summer.
He needs to realise he has to show his ambition to the squad.
An impressive early buy each window is the way to go.
HWTL
Magpies-till-d3ath
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Comment #4A- Spurs
H- Southampton
A- Swansea
H- Stoke
A- Wigan
A- Man City
Out of that we must get at least 10 points. We should win against Wigan, Stoke and Southampton. We can’t lose to Swansea and a draw at either Spurs or City would be nice.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Comment #5TransferSage
Earlier blogs like you Nottingham forest- thats another reason I don’t want foreign owners.
McLeish just left/sacked
ajcrawfs
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Comment #6when Saylor got hit in the balls at the end it reminded me a while back when he hand balled it on the line against villa and started clutching his face! absolutely hilarious!
RonVanDam
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:13 AM
Comment #7I agree with Taylor. If he didnt take lampards shot to the nuts in injury time, the game wouldve been a draw. If seen last weekends game three times. Havent enjoyed a match so much since we beat Man Utd 5-0 back when KK was in charge
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:13 AM
Comment #8Magpies-till-d3ath
Taylor looking fat – maybe he’s puffing out his chest – Proud To Be A Geordie !!!!
wolfshead@toon
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:14 AM
Comment #9yeh mag i think saylors put on some suet
Somerset Mag
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:19 AM
Comment #10It certainly feels great with two wins under our belts. However, we still lack a reliable goalscorer and are well within the relegation zone, so things can still get hairy…
yo-yo
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:20 AM
Comment #11Previous thread (fast and furious this morning)
Got to set up for the win at Spuds.
It’s no coincidence our very best attacking performances have been against Gooners, Manure, Chelski, Villa – all fixtures where we needed to attack, needed the three points. Now we’re solid at the back it liberates the midfield to look forward and not over their shoulders.
Totally agree TS we are a match for any side now – even if they are playing well themselves, whereas before we had to be on form and them not.
Citeh are in some disarray and we could take them too.
RonVanDam
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:20 AM
Comment #12Has anyone else notice Guti playing with more fire since the Villa game after Weimann pissed him off? He’s showing more aggression but his crosses 8/10 still suck
Transfer Sage
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:20 AM
Comment #13charlie
I saw that. He promised investment in the club and then refused to buy a player due to an eye test and him not having 2020 vision. Has he not heard of glasses, contacts or laser eye surgery.
I think he is just another clown who has a bit of money but not enough to do what he talks about.
I may not agree with ashley all the time and think he should spend more at certain times but at least he has some idea on how to run a club sensibly.
Transfer Sage
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:23 AM
Comment #14somerset
I think cisse is still a proven goal scorer and the key thing is he is still getting himself in the right place to score even if he is missing so hopefully he can get the touch back. The rest of his play improved a lot the last2 games.
Gouffran could also offer goals, very good record the past 18 months, looks like he will get chances for us too.
RonVanDam
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:23 AM
Comment #15In order to break into the top 10, we need to win our next three games and hope a few results go our way. I just hope player exhaustion doesnt become a problem with International call ups and Europa games taking a toll on our players
yo-yo
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:24 AM
Comment #16Magpies
We could win all of those fixtures.
The sides that sit back and let us attack would have been harder to break down but with HBA, Sissoko and Gouffy in the side we are looking rejuvenated – and if Cisse hits one on two then great. IF he gets on a roll then we coulc be in for a good run.
Drop 6 opts out of that list Magpies and we’re still 12 up
Jonas's better than Messi
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:24 AM
Comment #17It’s difficult not to put on weight if you have an active lifestyle and you get laid up for a few months.
I thought he had a blinder. As did everyone bar Cisse who was better but not scoring.
yo-yo
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:24 AM
Comment #18HBA back in the side *
JackButler
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:25 AM
Comment #19I just read a piece on the new Financial Fair play Rulings and it seems that dear old Mr. Platini’s son, Laurent Platini, is employed by QSI (Qatar Sports Investments) who own Malaga and PSG and who have flaunted the ruling more than anyone,
Platini has openly criticized Man City and Chelsea for their spending but conveniently ignored what PSG have done.
So my question is do you think he will allow us to get around the new rulings seeings as we have half of the French 11 playing for us now???
Transfer Sage
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:28 AM
Comment #20Jack
FFP will never be fair.
UEFA wont risk losing their sponsors if man utd, madrid, barca, etc over spend.
They might punish teams like man city as they dont have a huge following and wouldn’t really be missed.
Jonas's better than Messi
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:28 AM
Comment #21Quite a few players are coming back from injury or from the slower French league..
They are just starting the season.
This could mean we have a great chance of climbing the table and doing well in Europe.
yo-yo
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:30 AM
Comment #22JB
Someone on previous thread said the big clubs would continue to flout the rules or they’d be lax in turning the screw and what if there are court challenges.
The tail is wagging the dog.
PSG is def a case in point.
I can’t believe QPR can NOT be in breach of the rules
Jonas's better than Messi
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:32 AM
Comment #23Does anyone know if Jonas has ever scored with his head before? He was a most unlikely centre forward.
Transfer Sage
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:33 AM
Comment #24yo-yo
UEFA only have power over the teams in european competition. They just ban clubs from UEFA contests, this won’t worry QPR haha
JackButler
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:33 AM
Comment #25Transfer
I honestly think that these new FFP will see the formation of a European Super League in the not too distant future
yo-yo
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:35 AM
Comment #26Sorry for McLeish.
He is a decent man and a decent manager. Not top drawer but neither is AP (yet).
I do think that MA showing patience and getting us through the bad spell by working with the manager instead of just sacking him has shown more wisdom than any of the foreign owners. Only Whinger seems to get the same tolerance of ups and downs.
yo-yo
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:37 AM
Comment #27TS
Don’t we have ANY fair play rules applied to national competitions as well ?
Is it really that narrow ?
We all know the big EPL clubs boss the FA too.
JP...from The Rock
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Comment #28I have never doubted Saylor’s ability nor determination. He is another leader in the team and we now have at least 4 leaders in Colo, Cabaye, Saylor and Mbiwa and maybe even Sissoko.
If he weren’t so injury prone he would have starred for England now ahead of Cahill.
Transfer Sage
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:39 AM
Comment #29Jack
A solution to the super league situation would be to create one with UEFA’s blessing.
Replace the champions league with say 12-16 teams, they play each other once only in a league format like they would on a champs league night. That way you have more money in it as the top teams all play each other once.
You could replace the europa league with a tournament that has say 2 winners and them two teams move up into the top league and the 2 bottom teams drop out and have to qualify through the tournament next season.
Makes the champions league more entertaining as you have the best teams in it.
Makes the Europe league more entertaining as there is serious reward for winning it.
5Danny94
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:39 AM
Comment #30I was reading Ed’s article about Bigi and decided to look at his wiki page. Some comedian has edited his personal life!
“Bigirimana was born in Bujumbura to a Burundian father, although rumours have it that his father is actually Chiek Tiote, and a Rwandan mother.”
Ha!
JackButler
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:40 AM
Comment #31yo-yo
The government is imposing rules on spending within our own leagues after the amount of clubs that have gone into administration. The report they delivered criticized the FA claiming that the Premier League clubs have far too much influence over the FA
Transfer Sage
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Comment #32yo-yo
The football league are looking to bring it in but not sure of that includes the prem league.
A lot of prem league sides would be against it though as they are financially better off spending above their means in the prem league than they are struggling for money in a lower league.
Something needs to be done about it though. Owners don’t seem to understand they aren’t just losing their money they are ruining over 100 years of tradition in these towns and cities if a club goes under.
Jonas's better than Messi
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:45 AM
Comment #33All of these organisations are inherently corrupt.
Just going to the European draws means first class flights, 5 star hotels, cars, restaurants always in nice cities.
This is all legitimate, the corruption begins with all the invitations to other later events, parties, yachts and private islands.
Accept an invite from a Russian billionaire to cruise the Med next June … then the small favours start the other way.
JackButler
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:45 AM
Comment #34Transfer
If the big clubs of europe form their own league it would be worth billions to them in revenue, tv rights etc and it’s something that most fans would welcome as well although most games would see stadiums full of home supporters.
Lets say it happens, Man UTD fan would see AC Milan, Barca, Madrid and Munich at Old Trafford rather than Wigan, QPR and West Ham
geordiesteve520
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:46 AM
Comment #35TS – I live in Nottingham and am friends with the fella who’s company is the shirt sponsor for Forest and have been to a few matches with him this season. he speaks passionately about the owner and says he is determined to make the club a success and bring them back to the top – personally I think he is bats@@t crazy but only time will tell. He bought the fans a Christmas present of two new giant screens for the stadium so he must have a bit of passion and ambition. There is confusion down here about what actually happened too, club wanted Chris Burke but Mcleish apparently knocked that back and insisted on Boyd, perhaps that was too much for the owner, pretty sure we’ll never know. My best mate says that he followes him on twitter and he’s honest and informative (as well as entertaining) @Fawaz_alhasawi
Troy Stavers
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Comment #36Just read this on news now;
Newcastle defender Danny Simpson very nearly ‘did an Odemwingie’ on transfer deadline day.
As Sportsmail reported last week Simpson was close to a move to Wigan Athletic, but the move broke down with the player on his way to the DW Stadium.
Fortunately for Simpson his mad dash and U-turn was not caught on camera, unlike West Brom forward Peter Odemwingie’s visit to QPR.
Is Simpson mad!! Wigan? That can’t impress Tulisa!
JackButler
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:49 AM
Comment #37Troy Stavers
Players will drive anywhere as long as there’s a pot of gold at the end of the journey
yo-yo
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Comment #38JB
Thought I’d seen something about our beloved government getting involved.
TS
I think its a shame Pompey went under, okay in a blaze of glory but their fans must be gutted now and would exchange the FA Cup for being soundly run.
It does put Mashleys approach into perspective.
Glazers are a case in point on dodgy financing too. Isn’t it £800m loans being serviced from revenue ?
Transfer Sage
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:51 AM
Comment #39geordie steve
Hate owners on twitter, they are really just there for their own gains, they don’t seem to help the manager or players much on there.
Transfer Sage
Feb 5, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Comment #40jack
It would be good. I think keeping it seperate from domestic competition works well too.
You could always have 2 leagues of 10 where the bottom league team drops in the Europe league tournament to get back in and then 2 come up.
That way if a big team like real had a shocked they would drop into the 2nd level and not out of the super league system.