We were kind of hoping for a draw in this afternoon’s Aston Villa vs West Ham game, but Villa won 2-1, and it was the first time they had won a league game since they beat Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield on December 15th – that’s 10 league games in total, so a great win today for Aston Villa.
Alan Pardew – confident Newcastle can pull away from the drop zone
And we hope that Villa can stay up, although their win now puts them just 3 points behind Newcastle on 24 points, and Reading drop to third bottom one point worse off than Villa, and Newcastle are now only 4 points above the drop zone.
But West Ham remain in 11th place on 30 points, so Newcastle are only 3 points out of 11th place – 4 points if you include goal difference, so a couple of wins in our next two games and that should see us rise up the league table fairly quickly – and the fact is that 9 teams at least are in the relegation scrap this season, and that includes the Magpies.
West Ham are not doing too well at the moment, and in their last 6 league games they have only one win and one draw, and they have to face Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea in three of their next four league games.
Newcastle need to keep playing well like we’ve done in the last three games since the Reading disaster, and hopefully against the lesser sides coming up on our schedule, we can get some wins, such as at home to Southampton two weeks today.
And in order to guarantee that we have over 52,000 mad screaming Geordies in the remaining 6 league games at St. James’ Park, the club have wisely offered a 6 game package.
Here is the information taken directly from the Newcastle web site:
Newcastle United launched a new Six-Game Package earlier this week, where fans can secure their seat for the remaining home fixtures, in addition to getting a ticket for the Tyne-Wear derby absolutely free. This package is now available online and can be purchased by Members and season ticket holders by clicking here.
Anyone who is not a Member or season ticket holder is also able to purchase online by creating an account and adding a Membership and the Six-Game Package to their basket. The Six-Game Package includes all of United’s remaining home league matches, however fans only pay for five fixtures – receiving this season’s biggest game, against Sunderland, absolutely free.
The tickets start from just £110 for adults and £55 for juniors and can be bought online by clicking here, at the Box Office located within the St. James’ Park Official Club Store or by calling 0844 372 1892. The package has been launched as Newcastle United aim to fill St. James’ Park for the final six games of the season following the explosive atmosphere that led to the Magpies’ 3-2 win over Chelsea on Saturday.
Last season, tickets for the Sunderland game were sold out to Members and did not go on general sale, so purchasing this package is the best way for fans to secure their place at this highly anticipated fixture. Other games included in the package are Arsenal, Liverpool, Fulham, Stoke and Southampton – several of which have been sell-out games in previous years.
The Six-Game Package is limited to two per Member.
It’s a terrific deal and a chance to cheer on the lads to safety.
Comments welcome.
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You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com
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159 comments so far
check the toastie
Feb 11, 2013 at 7:37 AM
Comment #121Kezzy – Nigeria wouldnt have won if Shola had gone 🙂
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 7:47 AM
Comment #122check
couldn’t agree with that post more. Pardew saw the problem with hoofball about 2 months ago. Tried to put it right but he struggled to get results with the players available. Now he has the new lads it’s getting even better and the results are improving too.
Spurs was always going to be a hard game, they are in great form and were at home. We matched them but during the second half they piled on more pressure which stopped us attacking as much, made it difficult to get out game going. Marv was poor on the wing, as he has been before, he is much better centrally but it was him or obertan so pardew took a chance to get the better player (who has played wide before in his career) but it never paid off.
If we continue to keep going like this we have a good chance of around 9-12th in the league.
Troy Stavers
Feb 11, 2013 at 7:50 AM
Comment #123@TP
I understand your view about baby steps and accepting 8th or higher next season.
However, my thoughts are, the teams that finish outside the top 7 are generally pretty poor, average at best.
We’ve been 5th so a drop to 8th would be disappointing. I appreciate we will be outside that this season but we’ve had a pretty disastrous season so far.
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 7:51 AM
Comment #124NEWEXPATMAGPIE
I know it will be difficult against southampton but they will have 2 weeks between city and us, that gives the time for the good feeling to die down at their club, players won’t be as high, we could, if things go well, be boosted by a europa league win (or deflated by a loss).
As good as southampton were on the weekend city were even worse.
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:05 AM
Comment #125troy
I get that but in reality I think you have a clear top 2 in the 2 manchester sides.
Then if chelsea get a good manager with their money they should be 3rd and have been top 3 most times in past 9/10 years.
I think spurs and arsenal are currently ahead of us purely on a bit more experience around the top 4 and a deeper squad.
I put us in a band with everton and liverpool who should be 6-8th.
Not saying that with good buys in the summer we can’t be genuinely competing with spurs and arsenal but we will struggle to compete with the manchester sides and chelsea purely as they can sign better players.
darrenfletcher88
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Comment #126I’ve read some posts on a take over,am sorry to say it but the only way to have success and win trophys in buying it,so yes I wud love a billionaire super man, my pal is a mau u fan and yes they haven’t done a city or a Chelsea but look through there squad and they have spent 100s of millions aswell,rio,30mill,Rooney 30mil, Rvp 25mill, I think my heart would stop if the toon signed a player for 15mill these, for success u need to spend,yes we have a great team spending hardly nout but we can not compete with the big boys unless we pay top doller for players and wages.
TorqToon
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:09 AM
Comment #127Morning bloggers ! 🙂
Apologies for my rant on here during the Spurs game…
…sometimes the negativity that is on here from certain people REALLY grind on me.
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:13 AM
Comment #128darren
Exactly. We can compete around the top 4 with our current model but we wont get near the top of the league, the gap is huge.
I don’t care about winning a trophy in all honesty, it would be nice but makes no real difference other than a few nights out celebration.
My ambition for newcastle is to be a solid top ten team and get in some form of european competition as often as possible as european nights are always good and a bit different from the same teams year in year out.
Outside the top 4 how man sides actually get a trophy, very few, occasionally a league cup win but hardly ever FA cup and never league.
darrenfletcher88
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:15 AM
Comment #129We have signed some gems over the last few years,but am sorry to say it but a few might leave if we don’t push on with the games with have left,the summer is going to be a scary time for are football club,
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:16 AM
Comment #130torq
My first visit since friday, I get bored of weekend comments, people come out the wood work to slag off manager and players.
It’s football, its not golf where your performance is dependent only on you as you are in indirect competition not direct competition like football. You can play 100% but if the other team has a way to deal with you it still might not be enough,
Unfortunately without gouff we lost pace out wide and we struggled to get out and they capitalized on that.
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:19 AM
Comment #131darren
I wouldn’t worry too much.
Look at spurs, when they lost the likes of carrick, berbatov, modric, keane….all key at the time but left for big money people thought they would struggle.
We might lose the odd player, even a genuine star, but the key is long contracts to get good money for them which we do have and then to use that to improve the squad, ala andy carroll sale.
Hopefully we have learned to invest that money back a little quicker and we have a good chance of building for the future.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:20 AM
Comment #132@124:
You do have a point Transfer!
I would rest one or two players for the two Europa League games? Maybe play Anita and Tiote in the mid-field, Tiote looked sharp when he came on against the Spuds, he has seen the new signings and wants to make a point, i think?
Also feel that Mbiwa is way overdue his debut in the defense, give Collo or Saylor a rest. The Prem is more important than the Europa League! Need to concentrate on climbing the table!
In general though we need to make sure we are ready for Southampton in two weeks time! I get nervous having to look over my shoulder continually at the bottom three?
Feel it,s still too early to bring Hatem back in Europe, give him two more weeks training and maybe unleash him at home against the Saints?
We played well against the Spuds on Sat and got cock-all out of the game but, there were positives?
Troy Stavers
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:21 AM
Comment #133@Transfer Sage
I don’t expect us to break into the top 4. But when I look at Everton and Swansea in 6th & 7th at the moment, then I believe we should be above them. As I say, outside the top 6 then its a pretty poor standard.
bills-son
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:24 AM
Comment #134There is no doubt that Sissoko is some player when he has the ball – problem is he hasnt been on it for long periods in the three games he’s played. I also havnt seen one tackle from him. I’m not criticising Sissoko but if is going to be the outstanding player he can be he needs to get more involved in the play.
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:24 AM
Comment #135newexpat
Maybe give benny half hour in the second europa league game before southampton if he is fit enough, i’d rather him wait a little longer than come back too soon.
And yeh mbiwa should start but ideally alongside colo or taylor as he needs a decent cb alongside him so he isn’t covering for willo whilst trying to find his feet in our team. He needs a steady player to cover for him if he makes a few mistakes on full debut.
I think put out a full team near enough for the first tie and see where that leaves us. If we win comfortably we could make leave one or two at home before the second away leg.
darrenfletcher88
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:25 AM
Comment #136Transfer sage. I wud disagree I want trophies and success that’s all a football player should live for!! If we hang around mid tables the cabayes and Ben arfas won’t be here long, I don’t it won’t happen but 40-50 mill needs put it which in this day and age is nothing, 50mill for Torres may I stress! I no am dreaming but we go every week hoping to win praying to win,so top is not enough winning trophies and cups is what we need to strive for! And am sorry to say it again but the only way we are going to get there is if a sugar daddy’s comes with a few truck loads of cash!
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:29 AM
Comment #137troy
I think everton and swansea are both good sides with good mangers, crucially neither side has missed it’s key players for a long period this year.
Fellaini, baines, pienaar, howard, distin and osman have been fit most of the year.
Same with swansea with michu, williams, britton, dyer, routledge etc.
We have missed ben arfa, cabaye, tiote, saylor, all for quite large periods.
Not saying thats our only problem but it doesn’t help at all.
Everton and swansea are both good but I think we should be the top of that group although sometimes things juts go against you and you have a bad year.
geordiesteve520
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:30 AM
Comment #138Torq – it was a completely valid rant my friend, match days one here bring out some people who would be able to start an argument in an empty room and probably have one brain between the entrire family. I generally stay of during matches and try to post through the week, as that seems to be when a relatively ‘normal’ crowd of people are here.
Toon-Prodigy
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:31 AM
Comment #139Morning Troy,
For me finishing 5th was a massive over achievement. But we did do it. Repeating that was always going to be difficult even if we kept are team in one piece this season with the Europa games or even without for that matter.
I think you have to take into account where going through a bit of a revamp. New players, settling in, we are building the squad in the summer also. So the same all over again. Saying to that team i want a top 6 place finish seems a bit too much to me but I want it and I’ll be rooting for it deep down.
I think a fair target would be to say, reet lads, minimum place 8th this season but added bonuses for top 6. Takes the edge off it a bit I reckon and gives a little more incentive to push on.
Missing out on europe next season though would be a dissapointment for me personally though I’d have to say if it happened with this cutrent squad. Another forward in and I’ll be happy
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:33 AM
Comment #140darren
I like football just to watch a good game really. A few good wins against the big boys too coupled with a decent cup run and some nice european football ties.
I think unless we have a rich owner then theres no point wanting to win things as it’s very unlikely.
A trophy is nice and keeps good players but if we lose a player i dont mind if we use the money to get another 3-4 good players in to improve the team as a whole.
Look at man city fans, gone from happy to be mid table (well happy to stay in the league) to now demanding every game is a win. I think it would be good to be like them as you have good players and therefore better to watch but it must be boring going into every game thinking you will win…takes all the tension of out things in my view.
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:35 AM
Comment #141prodigy
Exactly. Spurs went through a bit of a rebuild over the past 6/7 years and it was only 3/4 years ago they dropped from around 5th to 19th or something when rednapp took over before getting them back to the champs league places.
Spuggy
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:37 AM
Comment #142Nice to see some common sense bloggers return! Think I too will avoid the weekend mob who use only evidence that support their hatred or dislike of pards, players etc.
Markaccus
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:39 AM
Comment #143Morning all. Have the heed-cases calmed down yet, or is there still a Blog-war going on? I’m optamistic about thursdays game. Hopefully he feilds a strong team, with no game at the weekend its a good chance to take a good lead into the second leg.
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:40 AM
Comment #144spuggy
It gets terrible on a weekend so I just enjoy the match and stay away.
you get comments like “if you forget about 5th last year then pardew’s record is bad”
It just really irks me, its like saying pardew is a great manager for us if you forget about this season.
There seems to be no middle ground with some.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:40 AM
Comment #145I am no fan of Willo!
I actually Cringe when i see him in the starting Line-up.
Rest Taylor or Collo and play Mbiwa in the back four in The Europa League?
Maybe use Hatem as a sub against the Saints at home?
Toon-Prodigy
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:40 AM
Comment #146Regarding the massive billionaire coming in and buying us a trophy..
No thankyou.
We have gone far too long without a trophy, I want it done out of merit and performance. Through sheer hard work not money.
After all this time, to go out and buy one, I don’t think I could stomach.
I kind of look forward to the day we do also. For me it has to be done right and properly
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:41 AM
Comment #147Summit wrong with this! The site keeps wiping me out mid-post when it refreshes?
Annoying!
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:41 AM
Comment #148markaccus
It really is. It gives us the chance to see how our best team copes and if we can then make changes for the 2nd leg.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:42 AM
Comment #149@146:
Agree with you totally!
I don,t want us to become another Chelski or Man Shitty?
Spuggy
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:43 AM
Comment #150Wise words sage.
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:44 AM
Comment #151toon prodigy
I don’t mind if the billionaire is like man city’s. Invested heavily in a state of the art academy and seems keen to boost the club to top level but them try and maintain like man utd, barca etc spend a lot but not insane amounts and also develop your own.
I don’t want your typical one who spends maybe 30/40 mil then gets bored and does nothing after. And i don’t want an abramovich who buys players as he sees fit and sacks the manager for no reason every year.
Also……..metallist drew 1-1 with whitley bay.
Rotonda heights
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:46 AM
Comment #152Soggy
Multiple promotions???
Wasn’t it one, possibly 2 via the play-offs at the 2nd/3rd time of asking. His promotion(s?) were cancelled out by his relegation and taking Charlton from the premiership to the bottom 3 of the championship before being sacked, as well as getting fired from West ham after overseeing the longest losing streak in their history and inevitable relegation staved off by a new manager at the 11th hour..
Carr has found Pardew some great players but you could give him Tevez and Mascherano and he’d still screw it up. Oh wait…
Me and a lot of other non – Pardew lovers support the team during every game but we are not blind to some very suspect decisions.
We want the best for our team and Pardew’s CV does not suggest he is the best choice for a team who attract 50000 home fans.
Tequila you make a petty comment and split hairs re – Check’s figures but we’re not in 15th place for nothing.
Recent displays have been much better, but little things like not realising Sissoko was out on his feet and needed to come off after an hour , that Perch
and Jonas shouldn’t start ahead of Anita, MYM and Tiote. That Colo’s head isn’t in the right place at the moment, that Shola should have been allowed to go to the ACON etc, etc.
While Pardew is manager of course I want him to do well as it impacts the team and I’d like him to be more upbeat about the Europa as well as it’s our last chance to do anything this season.
Part of me thinks Pardew’s on the right course with the quality been put together but he has to go with it all the way, even if it means abandoning his ”comfort zone.”
Toon-Prodigy
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:49 AM
Comment #153Morning Transfer,
I agree.
Off topic, but my biggest concern now, is not about getting players through the door, we make that look simple these days.
It’s stopping our big players from walking out for top four sides. We have to get into that top six as soon as possible or are ambitious lot will want away for pastures new and trophys.
The summer is just as important as this window gone, I hope they set about it with the same urgency. We have to show these players we are going for it.
Rotonda heights
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:52 AM
Comment #154Prodigy
It’s ridiculous taking the moral high ground like that.
Sheer hypocrisy. We paid a club world record fee for Shearer, as well as big sums for Ferdinand, Asprilla and others.
We tried to buy it and got very, very close.
So if you saw our captain holding the premiership trophy aloft, you wouldn’t want anything to do with it. Absolute b…..s!!!
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:55 AM
Comment #155rotonda
I agree with some of what you say…could we get a better manager…absolutely.
Would we….I’m not sure, would we pay somebody a good wage who has experience, doesn’t seem to be our style. We could get a laudrupp style manager who has some experience and has played top level but looking to make his way in…maybe sojskaer (sorry for spelling).
I just think I’m happy to give pardew more time. Football is improving so hopefully it will continue and see where it takes us.
And what was the context of relegations under pardew…did he lose his best players, have a lot of long term injuries in a weakish squad or did he totally balls up.
Same with the promotions, was it the right achievement or did he perform above expectations?
I don’t know personally.
Toon-Prodigy
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:56 AM
Comment #156Newexpatmagpie,
Deffo not! It just wouldn’t be sufficient to me. Don’t think it would dilute my hunger to be honest.
Transfer,
It all sounds so dreamy haha. But i really want it done properly. After we get one then bring on the billionaires 🙂
Toon-Prodigy
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:05 AM
Comment #157Rotanda,
You have a point in a round about way. We had investment, but I don’t think it was anywhere near what we see invested in some teams of today. I think we had an ample amount of investment to challenge for honours, today we see teams buying buying buying until the reach that trophy.
And after all we didn’t win nout!
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:09 AM
Comment #158Any success need to be sustained and maintained !
We could spend Millions and break the Bank on new Players and a New Stadium and get another trainer, blah blah and blah !
On the other hand the best way to win anything is to do it on merit and not break the bank to achieve that !
I would hate it if a rich Oil Sheijk came in and started buying Prima-Donna,s who, if truth be known, would only be interested in the money they can make in place of giving their all for Club / Team !
I like to think that we are better than all that? Success, Yes! But not like Shitty or Chelski! If you take away the money owners away from those two clubs then they would fall as hard as Leeds and Southampton did ( No dis-respect to those two clubs intended ) !
If we ever do make it into the top four in the land then i want it to be Long-term ! and not one season of Titles and Cups only to fade into obscurity afterwards!
Prodigy! Think about this while your on here demanding us to spend Millions on new Transfers ! The club did,nt do bad last time around and Carr is doing his job handsomely!
chuck
Feb 12, 2013 at 4:54 PM
Comment #159“Newcastle positioned to move up the league table.”
Ermmm, yeah !
Cause we dont have far to go down.