Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has talked about the passion that is St. James’ Park, and he is hoping that the crowd will be a big factor in allowing Newcastle to somehow get through this quarter final against Benfica, after being 3-1 down from the first game in Lisbon last Thursday.
Cisse and Pardew after sensational late winner on Sunday
With Newcastle winning in the last minute on Sunday against Fulham, Wigan equalizing in the last seconds of stoppage tome against QPR on Sunday, and Borussia Dortmund somehow scoring the two goals necessary to beat Malaga in stoppage time on Tuesday night in Dortmund, then Alan thinks anything is possible tonight, however late in the game it gets.
This is what he told the local press, and he talked about the passion of the Newcastle fans:
“I have visited big clubs in the past and the home team have negativity from the fans in terms of expectation. Here it is more of hope than expectation.”
“They are willing you to succeed. There are no negative feelings. They have stayed with us and been brilliant for us. It’s just the sheer passion of this place and the fans showed that on Sunday when you look at the picture with them and Papiss.”
“Not many clubs get that feeling and we owe so much to our supporters.” “A full house is everything, as Dortmund proved the other night – the crowd can influence proceedings.”
“Sunday was a special occasion as we were all nervous and apprehensive about that fixture, so to win in the last minute was special. Our fans were a key part of that, because the atmosphere they generated helped push Fulham deeper and deeper.”
“In terms of the opposition, there have not been many better sides played here than Benfica. They have a slightly different style to Premier League teams and are a real threat on the counter-attack.
“The game could get away from us, so we have to give ourselves the chance to be still in it towards end.”
That last sentence is accurate – the game will get away from us if Benfica score an early goal or goals, because then we’d need to score four goals to win the thing if Benifca go ahead 1-0 – and of course they are very good at scoring goals.
They have 68 goals in 25 league games in Portugal, so job one is to stop them scoring – and then job two is to somehow come up with two goals – and our best chance is to win this game 2-0 and we are through.
And there will be some scenes after the game tonight if Newcastle can get to the semi-finals of the Europa League..
Howay The Lads!!
Note: For those attending Thursday’s game (and Sunday too) please bring your scarves to the the game, as there is an effort to recreate the atmosphere at Alan Shearer’s testimonial, and hopefully inspire our lads to two famous wins.
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27 comments so far
toonarmydownsouth
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:14 AM
Comment #141toonarmydownsouth // Apr 11, 2013 at 9:12 AM
JFA
Lol! Maybe wigan cosmos are playing!
Sage
Suppose mate but how often do a team like Wigan make a cup semi final! Look how many fans Bradford took the whole city turned up!!
Charlie
As far as I know millwall are shifting there tickets pretty quickly it’s just Wigan who have no fans!
Ibiza
It’s fitting because the toon are only going in one direction straight to the semi finals!!!
Reet lads I’ll catch you all later got a long drive to newcastle and am buzzing for the match tonight!!!!
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:14 AM
Comment #2tads…Enjoy the game mate…lucky b*st*rd…not that i’m bitter at all 🙂
Toon Tang
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:15 AM
Comment #3he will probably get a geordie crown at st james’! Its man utd you dont get any mancs turning up at old trafford.
Markaccus
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:18 AM
Comment #4Team for tonight will be a strange one. Hairdrier and hba probably wont start so who gets the not at lb and who supports cisse up front?
lesh
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:19 AM
Comment #5‘…… Wigan equalizing in the last seconds of stoppage tome ……’. Interesting reading!
Markaccus
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:25 AM
Comment #6——————–krul
Simmo—perch–yanga—gutz
———–cabaye—–anita
marv———-socks——–squidward
——————cisse
Alternatively.. drop squiddy, gutz moves to the wing, anita as a fb, biggi comes in to mf
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:30 AM
Comment #7Dreamt about the match last night, not often I do that, but if it comes true, a) I will be rich, and b) what a match for you lucky gets that are going!
We lead 2-0 with 5 minutes to go, then Benfica score to make it look like we are out, but up pops Pappisto doing what he does best! 3-1, evtra time. We score early in extra time to go 4-1 up, however after half time in ET, they score twice to make it 4-3, we score one to make it 5-3 with just minutes to go. Then in the 119th minute, up pops Perchinio and drills one through a crowd of players from the edge of the box to win it 6-3 and put us through.
Disappointing waking up to realise it hadn’t actually happened…..
lesh
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:36 AM
Comment #8great dream Lilongwe, any injuries to report?
Joe Blog
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:36 AM
Comment #9Such a glib line, especially so this season, all the new players, existing players and Pardew have been banging on about the ‘passionate fans’ throughout the season, however, if anything, it’s been the quietest St James’ in recent history, with very few exceptions.
Just trying to butter everyone up. Marketing and PR – we’re now a business first remember.
Markaccus
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:38 AM
Comment #10Lilongwe??? Were you injecting cheese directly into your brain before bed last night?? 😀
Joe Blog
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:39 AM
Comment #11Hope to see Raylor back amongst things soon, think he’s undervalued by many. His set-piece delivery will be most welcome!
joe
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:42 AM
Comment #12Can’t believe i’m finally going for my first Newcastle game. And what an important match too! Live halfway across the world but supported Newcastle all my life the moment I saw Alan Shearer play! Family are in London on holiday at the moment but who cares about the London Bridge and all!? Just HAD to take a train up and see the match 😀
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:43 AM
Comment #13Markaccus,
Ha, it was the greatest feeling ever when perch drilled it home, and then not much later I woke up only to realise it was a dream. However I will be watching it in the same place I dreamt I was watching it, so fingers crossed. If it comes true I will give you the lottery numbers tomorrow morning! 🙂
Guj NUFC
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:43 AM
Comment #14We have sacrificed too much this season (league position) not to put a full strength team out and throw the kitchen sink at them.
Krul
Simpson M’biwa Perch Haïdara
Cabaye Anita
Marveaux Sissoko Gutierrez
Cisse.
Hoping for a 2-0 win 🙂 HWTL
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:45 AM
Comment #15Lesh,
Injury free I’m pleased to say. Apart form thousands of sore geordie heads the next day after celebrating!
toonarmydownsouth
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Comment #16Ibiza
Ah don’t be bitter mate I’ll get you a scarf you prob need with all that terrible Spanish weather! 😉
Transfer Sage
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Comment #17Tads
Bradford have a larger fan base though, just lower gate as not as many turn up for league games. They sold more than Wigan do in their own stadium for quarter and semi final.
Wigan just isn’t a footballing town and is slap bang between Manchester and Liverpool so at least 4 better clubs within a close range.
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:47 AM
Comment #18Joe,
Enjoy the match! Fingers crossed they do the business!
toonincheek
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:48 AM
Comment #19Lilongwe –
Are your bedsheets in the wash now?
Transfer Sage
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:48 AM
Comment #20Really looking forward to the game tonight, not able to get hold of tickets as only found out late on I’d be able to make it. A night in front of the tv will have to do but it promises to be a hell of a night.
Markaccus
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Comment #21Guj. Im not sure haidara will start the game du to fitness. Gutz will probably start at lb or simmo with anita at rb.
toonarmydownsouth
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:53 AM
Comment #22Sage
Aye true……but still it’s a semi final ffs!!
I live down near Crawley who used to have an average attendance of about 700 then when they drew manure they sold out and a further 4,000 travelled just to watch in bars near old Trafford!!
mally72
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:54 AM
Comment #23What time do the gates open tonight im taking my two young kids and want to get there before the before the cues build up
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Comment #24I think tonight we need a bit of pace in attack. So that means either Obertan or…… not sure. Campbell? I thought he looked decent when I was over for Stoke and Anzhi when he came on, just felt he doesn’t have the trust of the other players to give him the ball when he wants it. I’m not sure Obertan does either.
If we try to contain/nick a 1-0 lead for the first hour, then go for it for the last 30, I’d probably start Markaccus alternative side above, and then bring Campbell on for the last 30.
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 11, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Comment #25Toonincheek,
They would have needed changing anyway, got to get the lucky sheets on before the derby! 🙂
Markaccus
Apr 11, 2013 at 10:01 AM
Comment #26Lilongwe…. cool. I have a formation/lineup named after me now!
LeToonARMY
Apr 11, 2013 at 2:01 PM
Comment #27Lads check out this reaction looool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hh6cblJOLw