We’ve been impressed with both the skill, temperament and attitude of our new five French players we recruited last month, in what could turn out to be one of the best recruiting transfer windows for Newcastle in a long long time.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – epitomizes the new attitude in the Newcastle squad
The players are not only immediately committed to the Newcastle cause, but all five have shown some top form in their appearances to date – and they and the club, and the rest of the squad need to be complimented on helping the new lads have settled down so quickly.
Players like Yanga-Mbiwa and others have said they want to win the Europa League, and after the disappointment of losing out on two good goals by Papiss Cisse last thursday, we still managed to beat Metalist Kharkiv 1-0 last night, and that was only their second loss at home in their previous 10 European matches.
It was a great result, and some reports today have labeled it an historic win by this new-look Newcastle side.
Of course it will mean very little if we don’t win against Southampton on Sunday afternoon in front of a sold-out St. James’ Park, because the truth is that we are still in some relegation trouble, but nothing like a couple or three quick wins will not fix.
But with the skills and ambitions of our new players, coupled with those of players like Yohan Cabaye and Ben Arfa, there’s no real reason why Newcastle cannot start challenging for some trophies again – and maybe this season in the Europa League?
That would have been almost unthinkable a short few weeks ago.
But the way the lads have played in the last five games we wouldn’t put it past this current squad – not at all.
They were magnificent last night – fact!
Howay The Lads!!
Marc Gillham is from Durham and is at Hull University studying business and marketing. He is engaged in a project to help non-league clubs make decisions regarding sponsorship. Please help Marc with his research by filling out this questionnaire – thanks.
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81 comments so far
WWYCD
Feb 22, 2013 at 4:53 PM
Comment #41Dannyo
Intentions are probably good am sure just not something I am into mate but good luck to ya doing it. Douglas knows nothing though mate dont u read this blog? Haha seems a decent bloke from the little interaction I have had with him
Haha aye that was embarrassing like.
As for the twitter thing nar doubt my little voice would be heard over the noise plus 140 characters isnt enough for me to spew enough of my bile 😉
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 22, 2013 at 4:55 PM
Comment #42Afternoon all,
Any confirmation on the Krul 5 weeks news?
Jonny
Feb 22, 2013 at 4:57 PM
Comment #43How poor was cabayes set pieces last night by the way? No wonder we never score from corners but or some reason, always look in danger when defending them!
Dannyo
Feb 22, 2013 at 4:59 PM
Comment #44@Ibiza
Nothing from the club mate, but the papers are saying 5 weeks, some are saying 6.
I just hope it’s wrong.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:02 PM
Comment #45Dannyo…Whilst I have a fair bit of confidence in Elliot, I too hope those reports are true. Krul is a great keeper, even with his often poor distribution.
Fingers crossed.
How about Cabayes injury?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:03 PM
Comment #46*are not true. Please don’t beat me, I don’t want Krul injured…honestly 🙂
Dannyo
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:03 PM
Comment #47@WWYCD
Haha, yeah, I’ve heard Douglas knows nothing, lol. But it’s thought he knows the most, and there’s a good reason for that 😛
Lee and Miles doesn’t know much, that I can tell you. They’re pretty much hand fed.
Ryders “exclusive” from Llambias? Not so hard to get exclusives when the club gives the local paper a ring 😉
Yeah, that’s true, the crap you come of with sometimes, the “make love, not war” act you do… blergh 😛
But do as you wish mate, there’s a lot of good banter out there and on here 🙂
check the toastie
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:05 PM
Comment #48If anybody is interested in who seems to be the best teams in the Europa League, this is what betfair make of it.
http://www.betfair.com/exchange/football/competition?id=2005
Best team got knocked out last night Atletico Madrid, there conquerers Rubin Kazan 16.5?
WWYCD
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:07 PM
Comment #49Dannyo
If I got into twitter mate it would take over my life haha I’ll stick to the fighting on here
Big Pappa Cissé
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:10 PM
Comment #50@ Jonny
I agree and it is not just last night he was poor at them it has been all season. Unless it is a shot at goal I would take Cabaye set pieces completely, corners especially. He always seems to hit the first man for some reason. It has got to the stage where I never get exited by a corner or free kick that needs to be crossed, and we need to capitalize on them because we got a boat load last night and I think there was only 1 worthwhile delivery (in swinger I think, from Cabaye funnily enough). Not good enough, especially with the height in our team.
DokToon
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:11 PM
Comment #51morning all,
nice win yesterday! nailbiting at the end, but held them… krul out, is that true? one site here said elliot has been alerted, but unsure if krul will actually miss sundays match…
btw, anyone see suarez use haducan(?) as a stepping stool yesterday? kinda looked painful…
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Comment #52Hi Dok,
Great to get through to the final 16, all attention to Southampton now.
Doesn’t appear to be anything official on Krul yet (thanks Dannyo).
Dannyo
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:15 PM
Comment #53@Ibiza
Naught on Cabaye mate.
I thought Pards would’ve held his press conference today given that the game is Sunday though.
But I’ve not seen anything yet. It’s always, without fail, two days before the game.
DokToon
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:17 PM
Comment #54http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mKuYWr8u1Vw
hope this works…
Dannyo
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:17 PM
Comment #55@WWYCD
Haha, you’d do fine… Christ you follow A LOT of people…
check the toastie
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:17 PM
Comment #56Gotta say, was a little dissapointed in Marv last night, the lad has ability and talent for sure but is a little heartless, have sung his praises but actually can see by last nights efforts why he is currently benched. Goofy has for sure jumped ahead of him in the pecking order.
Goofy has pace, and we lack a fair bit of that going forward, when Shola plays up front team know they can press up the pitch as last night nobody ran in behind, personally would have played Obertan for Cisse, pointless playing him right wing.
Would have actually played Cisse up top and obertan wide but Shola is Pards favorite player so i suppose he is going to play at some point. pfffttt.
Ian Toon
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:19 PM
Comment #57Check- “The best team got knocked out last night”!!!
89Norcal
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:20 PM
Comment #58Sounds like Krul is doubtful for Sunday.
But Elliot is a solid substitute. I’m not worried about that at all. More hoping the defense can cope and not concede silly goals.
Mister Tuff
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:24 PM
Comment #59Ian Toon @41 previous thread you posted :-
Ian Toon // Feb 22, 2013 at 2:19 PM
“Santon- Marveaux went missing defensively a couple of times late on which put us under unnecessary pressure. Just as well Tim was on his game”.
It is true that Marveaux was caught out a couple of times but his overall contribution was fine.
In respect of Santon going missing defensively last night -well I suppose that is true to a certain extent in that he was missing from the team/the squad/those travelling to Ukraine. He was back at the Toon -so I suppose he was “missing”.
WWYCD
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:24 PM
Comment #60Dannyo
Haha yeah its a constant stream of peoples opinions and complaints 😀 its a very varied range of people as well
Big Pappa Cissé
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:25 PM
Comment #61@ Check
I agree but I find part of the reason he goes missing in games is because he never seems to get a solid run in the team. Pardew gave Obertan a run of about 12 games at the start of last season (because he was one of Alan’s recommendations) and I think Marv deserves the same treatment IMO. Not that he is going to get in ahead of Gouffran now but he would be my second choice on the left.
1. Gouffran
2. Marveaux
3. Gutierrez
And before people say “Marv isn’t a winger” neither is Jonas these days but he does create opportunities which is one attribute a winger should posses.
Ian Toon
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:28 PM
Comment #62Rotonda– ” you previously invented posters to support your argument ”
On the record:
You cannot make an untrue statement true by continually repeating it. –Fact
” You lost all credibility ” – opinion of Rotonda.
At least JFA was man enough to acknowledge he had got it wrong and
apologised.
Ian Toon
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:30 PM
Comment #63Mister Tuff- Santon the blogger.
Dannyo
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:32 PM
Comment #64@Mister Tuff
Haha, i had to laugh at that mate, I think he was responding to Santon the blogger on here, lol.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:34 PM
Comment #65Dok…Thanks for that. Was that allowed?
Ian…I am desperate to fit in, so consider yourself wedgied or something similar 😉
On the Marv issue…The guy has skills, that is not in doubt, but his overall commitment to the team does seem to be lacking. Big Pappa has a point in that Obertan was given a good run of games, however, now is not the time to be testing out whether it would improve his game. It might have been unfair before, but at this point he’ll have to earn his place, which is going to be difficult. At last, proper competition for places.
Dannyo
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:34 PM
Comment #66@WWYCD
I follow under half of that on the nufcfans account, and I struggle to keep track of those!
I only follow slightly above a 100 on my personal account, which suits me fine.
But over a 1000?! Jeeeeeeeez….
Mister Tuff
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:35 PM
Comment #67Ian Toon -thank you for the clarification -I need not now suggest a visit to Specsavers.
Transfer Sage
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:35 PM
Comment #68Ian and Rotonda
I think you both have valid points on pardew.
Pardew has managed to turn things around recently. The past 5/6 weeks we have improve and that was boosted more by the arrival of the boys in January.
However I am with Rotonda that criticism of pardew in the first 3/4 months of the season was valid. Maybe over the top by some in my opinion but he had us playing awful stuff (not helped by injuries but we still should have played better than we did).
People calling for his head were wrong I think as I believe managers need a few years to shape a team.
But can’t argue that he under performed as a manager. He never got the best out of what he had.
Ian Toon
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:36 PM
Comment #69In full – santonthenewmaldini
WWYCD
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:36 PM
Comment #70Dannyo
Means that when I do check it its always something new (plus I cant be bothered to go through and unfollow the ones I dont like anymore haha laziness is a killer)
barkel
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:38 PM
Comment #71I think the problem with Marv is how often he likes to come in through the centre. With a fully fit squad gouffran is going to start on the left of an attacking 3. I would love to see Marv get a good run but he’s only going to be second choice/squad player unfortunatley
89Norcal
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:40 PM
Comment #72Looks like Krul’s injury is confirmed, 5 weeks off
santonthenewmaldini
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:44 PM
Comment #73@89 norcal where are you hearing that?
santonthenewmaldini
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:46 PM
Comment #74http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/8516801/England-boss-Roy-Hodgson-is-keeping-tabs-on-Newcastle-defender-Steven-Taylor
Also interesting to see Uncle Roy looking at Taylor would actually prefer him not to get called up as knowing our luck he will get injured playing for England
Dennis Twice
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:48 PM
Comment #75This club is cursed.
barkel
Feb 22, 2013 at 5:54 PM
Comment #76On the pardew issue, I think he’s a decent manager, he’s not the best in the world but he has good experience. From about october with the injuries we had he didnt seem confident in his team selection and tactics were too cautious which led to our awful run. Saying that though we were unlucky in some games, if we had taken the tactics from the Man u and Arsenal games against some of the lower placed teams we would have spanked them.
With the squad we have decent cover for every position except CF which is week. I love Shola but I’m not sure he could play 3-4 games on the bounce
Tsunki
Feb 22, 2013 at 6:00 PM
Comment #77Krul being out might not matter so much against southampton but Liverpool? Arsenal? I do hope whatever they saw in Elliot comes to the fore. On a side note, they reckon thedilsh really loves the club etc, it should be some home PL debut for the lad on Dimanche! 😀
Ian Toon
Feb 22, 2013 at 6:01 PM
Comment #78Transfer- Mate, Be careful whom you align yourself with because some fans only need a defeat to start the whole process off all over again. In my opinion. I prefer the sort of fan who you can depend on. I prefer women the same way-LOL
I do less travelling with the toon now but I remember a father in his sixties, with a son of around my age, telling me he had only cried twice once when his father had died and the other ocassion was when we lost to Hereford in the FA cup. I still chat to fans who loathe Pardew for no other reson than because he is a cockney. I try to judge on merit. Pardew is not the greatest but he’s by no means the worst. He’s living,improving and learning as he goes. You probably have more experience of toon managers than me but Pardew is on a steep learning curve and doing OK. Transfer I don’t put you in the same category because you are not fighting previous lost battles. Your a lover of football and NUFC pure and simple. Your a proper fan . I suspect that many bloggers take a certain stance because they need to differentiate themselves. I won’t list them to prove my point because I can’t afford the time for the hate mail. -LOL
Ian Toon
Feb 22, 2013 at 6:20 PM
Comment #79Ibiza – No your the man! You would fit in anywhere. I bet your a great best man at a wedding. I can almost hear you asking for the opportunity to prove it. Forgive me , I am unwinding for the weekend .and being very silly.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 22, 2013 at 6:24 PM
Comment #80Ian…Silly? Outrageous 🙂 Don’t know about the best man stuff, tried it once (at my Fathers…second, no third marriage – good job Dad) and it didn’t end to well. Probably the fault of the wine being passed around mind.
The weekend is here, we’re through to the final 16 in the EL – Enjoy it mate.