With Newcastle again not spending big money in this summer’s transfer window, it’s going to be extremely important the lads get off to a good start in the Premier League this season.
Alan Pardew – good start is very important for the manager
And that’s what Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has been saying in the Telegraph today, as he also talked about the arrival of Joe Kinnear at the club in mid-June as the new Director of Football:
“I was surprised, like everyone, with the way Joe Kinnear’s appointment was announced and the clock is ticking for transfers, as it is for every club.”
“It has actually seemed to settle down at Newcastle, but if they start badly and there haven’t been any more signings, then people will start to ask questions again.”
“Nobody knows what the relationship is like between Kinnear and the manager Alan Pardew, and what players they have tried to sign and not got, but if they are winning games it will all be forgotten. If they make a difficult start, then it could become an issue again.”
“The appointment took everyone by surprise but if Newcastle win some games, everything gets pushed aside and obviously that’s what every supporter hopes will happen.”
It’s a tough first game at Manchester City, but then we have two successive home game against West Ham and Fulham.
The Hammers game will not be an easy one, and they won 2-0 yesterday at home to newly promoted Cardiff City, with former Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan scoring again, and Joe Cole is back at the club he made his debut for over 14 years ago at age 17, in January 1999, and Joe scored a good goal yesterday.
West Ham have strengthened their squad this summer, although Andy Carroll is still out injured.
And Fulham have also improved their squad in the summer, and they got off to a good 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light yesterday.
We’d be very pleased if we can get 6 points out of those first three games, and that would be a great start for Newcastle.
Our fourth game od the season is at Aston Villa, and they looked a good side yesterday in beating Arsenal 3-1 on their home turf – the first time Arsenal had lost their first home game od the season since 1995, and the fans did not look happy at the end of the game yesterday
But there’s also no doubt that how we do in the early games of the season is very important for this Newcastle side – it’s absolutely crucial
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234 comments so far
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:08 PM
Comment #81JB
Bloody Brighton…if we draw them again, I’m going down there to personally supervise the win! Couldn’t make it the other 2 times…
MacToon
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:10 PM
Comment #82Cheers Ruddy. I too faced his wrath when I dared suggest he had made up alternative logins to back up his own opinions so good to know we were correct and just in calling him out. I’d imagine he has more than the 3 login names that were pointed out.
Good to hear you’ll be back in town soon and expect to see you at some FanUTD meet in the near future. I’ve invited Bills on numerous occasions but he’s obviously not interested in meeting for a pint and debate! Met J4A there briefly at the last meet.
JackButler
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Comment #83Ruddy
From what I’ve seen of the lad, which isn’t a massive amount I admit, but he reminds me of HBA…………. well a fit HBA not the over weight crock that spends most of his time on the treatment table or back at Clairefontaine 😉
swisstone
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:13 PM
Comment #84Watching MOTD made me more nervous for this season. I think southampton and norwich will hav no probs, swansea and west ham likewise, bin dippers looked good etc
We’re relying on promoted teams and mackems to keep us in the league i think!
Every team seems to be playing or attempting to play more attractive football than us 🙁
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:13 PM
Comment #85TDS
I’m classing Simmo, Perch and Harper as losses from this season, as they are players who finished last season but have not started this season, but as you say that’s being hard and fast with semantics but they should be considered as players we have lost this season.
Campbell’s been loaned for a month to League 1 Carlisle, so it’s pretty clear he’s not as close to first team action as many might think, although I’d rather sign a senior striker and allow him the freedom to play on loan.
Dummett counts as being available for the first team this season, but he doesn’t count as an addition, he belonged to the club anyway.
Bottom half is a failure, I agree, however, I cannot see us finishing top half as the other clubs who were behind us in terms of quality have added much more strength in depth as well as quality and are in better positions than us.
I think it will be a case of steady as she goes until January, and plug the gaps in that window. Is it any wonder why some people are very frustrated?
JackButler
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:13 PM
Comment #86ToonDarnSarf
Come off it mate, who are you trying to kid???
I know, you know, everyone knows that we are going to face Brighton in the cup 😀
boater
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:18 PM
Comment #87The true faith podcast is a decent listen for a bit of light banter. The I wish I was a geordie podcast gives a tactical/sports psychology insight which is genuinely fresh. Check it out – if you’re interested in elevating your head slightly above the ‘Williamson/Jonas/Shola are shite & Pardew is tactically inep’t insanity circles – which albeit rules out 85% of the people on here.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:18 PM
Comment #88JB
Careful with the HBA abuse, it’s sacrilege don’t you know? 😛 the little I’ve seen of him he looks neat and tidy with a ball at his feet, if we sign him we’ll have him tracking back in no time 😉 haha
MacToon
Keep an eye out for him, if you notice new usernames who seem to have an agenda against regular posters, it’s usually a tell tale sign, which is why I think Felipe is another one of his creations.
I will certainly be making an appearance at a meeting or two or three, especially if there is the promise of debate and pints haha
Black and White with an army lol
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Comment #89Final position in league = 17th
Number of points in league = 30-35
League Cup round = knocked out 1st game
FA Cup round = as above
Number of 1st team signings this season = 0
Number of 1st team leaving this season = 3 ( Cabaye, HBA & Santon )
Top goal scorer = Sissoko
Number of goals for top goal scorer = 7
Month that AP is sacked (or not) December
New manager if AP is sacked = JFK ( obviously )
fatman
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:23 PM
Comment #90I think we will get hammered 6-1 or 7-0 and I’m usually spot on or a mile off just hope it the latter as i think we will have a repeat of the last 3 home games, i just see a rabbit in the head lights getting run over again and again and not moving, i think Pardew suffers from stage fright, and cant react, his game plan is always find a place for Jonas and bring on shola, if that don’t work we are screwed. unless we can find something that’s not shown so far we could have an awful time ahead, i just cant see goals in the squad, take away bars goals last season and we would be in the championship now, I’m worried we have a good team without the goals, and cant defend for our lives, we bring in what seems good players and within half a dozen games they become poor, sadly our manager’s fault as i would bet the coaching is done to his instructions, the fact that one of the coaches worked under bobby and we were one of the fittest teams in the league, tells me its down to Pardew.
toon kk
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Comment #91I have to admit I’m very frustrated by the way things are going at Newcastle. We are a joke, people who are happy can’t want much.
Mind it’s getting to the stage I couldn’t give a f..k what MA does.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Comment #92Slank,
You ae determined to have us,along with a few others labelled as a mid table club, I have posted some stats that prove very differently,although we aren’t a ‘top’ club we are certainly better than the mid table you have us painted as.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:25 PM
Comment #93Ruddy, do you suspect that the new user name has an L in it ?
Blofal
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:27 PM
Comment #94I just watched the highlights of Bayern Vs Frankfurt and my god Bayern look lethal going forward. Frankfurts keeper Kevin Trapp did an amazing job keeping it 1 – 0.
Black and White with an army lol
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:28 PM
Comment #95fatman
iv’e said 8-0 to City and i’ll stick by it
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:29 PM
Comment #96Jail
Indeed I do, suspect that it begins with F as well.
MacToon
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:32 PM
Comment #97I did have my suspicions that 1 or 2 were also his but it’s important not to fall into a trap of accusing without too much to go on. Noticed they have all disappeared from the blog now.
I think Palace have done ok against Spurs.
Not sure when the next fansutd meet will be but it’ll probably be electing someone to sit on the fans forum at the club. “We” have a few things planned, if you’re on FB and want to join in add Nufc Maoc and don’t be shy lol, introduce yourself ha ha.
bills-son
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:33 PM
Comment #98Tds,
Answering your questions might change according to any signings we may make.
As we stand I don’t see us finishing in the top 8. With 2/3 signings 6-8th might be the best we can achieve.
colwell
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:35 PM
Comment #99Worldwide Transfers ?@WwTransfers 46m
Roma’s Pablo Osvaldo could join Southampton very soon. He has agreed personal terms. [@dimarzio] #ASR #SaintsFC
Wow Saints making big moves this summer.
Tommyy
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:37 PM
Comment #100We missed a trick in not bringing in Berbatov last year. If
Fulham got him, we could have.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:38 PM
Comment #101MacToon
Ed’s taken a harder line on anyone using multiple accounts. I know we need to be careful we don’t conduct witch hunts and drive decent people off the blog with false accusations, but the best way is simply asking Ed to check them out, he can check the IP addresses.
Well I think I’m on the mailing list of NUFCFansUtd because I was e-mailed the minutes from the last meeting. I don’t use FB strangely enough haha
Tommyy
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:40 PM
Comment #102And Soldado gets his first of the season. Lots of penalties this weekend.
Green1607
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:40 PM
Comment #103So it looks like we will win the financial fair play award 😛
fatman
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:41 PM
Comment #104Ruddy Marveaux-lous
hope you don’t think its me as i changed user name because i don’t want the wife finding out i still read this site as she banned me because some users were winding me up and she was worried what i might do, i,m going into hospital in September for a major op with a 50% chance of survival, so its not wise to get too deep into football, i will still be at the hull game, even though everyone says its not possible.
jazzyp
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:43 PM
Comment #105BlackAndWhite
Im glad to see you have such high hopes for this year !!
Tommyy
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:43 PM
Comment #106Crystal Palace are definite for relegation for me. No quality in that team at all. Really struggling.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:44 PM
Comment #107fatman
Don’t worry lad, I don’t think it’s you, I’m going to drop it now anyway as I think Ed’s weeded out the multiple accounts pretty well.
Hope all goes well for you by the way, sounds like a pretty big op, there’s nothing more important than you’re health at the end of the day, people may think football is a case of life and death, but it’s really not.
keeganjr
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:46 PM
Comment #108how mutch will micah ricards cost?? i really like that guy..
bobby vee
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:46 PM
Comment #109See that the former St James’ Park gates have now been
installed, unfortunately if you were to open them you would
walk “Smack Bang” into the perimeter wall on Barrack Road. The powers that be must have been up all night
thinking of that location. Then again, like the club owner
and Management they will lead you to nowhere. Keep
whatever faith you may have left! HTL.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:46 PM
Comment #110Right chaps, I’m off for a while, I’m sure you’ll all be glad to hear haha
All the best!
MacToon
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:47 PM
Comment #111OK Ruddy, glad Ed has taken it seriously but wish he’d do something about the crass advertising too. It’s a bit russian roulette now refreshing or going onto a new topic incase there’s something trying to download onto the pc!
Mail maoc@hotmail.co.uk when you get to town and we’ll let you know if there’s any other meetings arranged if you’re interested, you too J4A and yes, they all tend to be based around beer for some reason!!! 😉
Jail for Ashley
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:52 PM
Comment #112Mac,
As I raised the point of asking who from the club will be letting us know what is happening as far as progress was concerned,and I was told Lee Charnley would be seen soon in the media,I want to ask whats happening with that,so keep us posted and hopefully I’m home.
keeganjr
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:52 PM
Comment #113Palace is shite and are going down, easy. Hope youre op goes well ed, love from norway
bills-son
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:52 PM
Comment #114My team to play City would be (if all fit),
Krul
Santon – Taylor – Colo – Mbiwa
Tiote – Guti
Sissoko – Cabaye – HBA
Cisse
That 4231 imo is the best way to get our best 11 playing to their strengths.
For me, some of Guti’s best periods last season were in the DM position where his drop in pace isn’t as important but his workrate and covering more than makes up for it. I also think Tiote needs a defensive partner alongside to help protect the defence.
RB for me is undoubtedly where Santon should be and I could see him and Sissoko and Mbiwa and HBA working really well together on the flanks. Cabaye in CM and released from defensive duties allows him to get forward more and with HBA and Sissoko + Cisse up front we have good attacking potential.
I can’t see a 442 or 443 that works as well with the players we have.
Tommyy
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:55 PM
Comment #115Wish we’d gone for Capoue rather than Sissoko. He’s everything Sissoko isn’t. Calm, collected, smart on the ball, composed running and passing.
bills-son
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:55 PM
Comment #116On my team above,
When Remy is fit I’d play him instead of Cisse – he has more pace, can create his own chances and is a better target man.
Tommyy
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:57 PM
Comment #117Bills – I’d swap Guti and Sissoko and then drop Guti for Gouffran. Gouffran has good workrate but actually has a bit of pace and end product. I’d also like Sissoko to stick to DM and let Cabaye roam. He annoys the hell out of me when he runs forward and loses it.
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:58 PM
Comment #118Ruddy
In terms of the first team, you’re right, we have lost 3, but that wasn’t the spirit of my question. If you look at transfers alone then we have lost 3 players that really would have been back-up only and we would not have been happy if we had signed those players this summer instead. So no great loss in my opinion. Several clubs have only 2 first team goalies and relying on either a youth team goalie or an emergency loan for the 3rd. We have plenty of cover for Simpson and Perch.
In terms of the first team, Dummett is an addition. That doesn’t affect judgement if our failure to date to bring in another striker as a transfer, but it is relevant when comparing our first team squads.
Campbell is only on loan for a month, so he could come back into the squad if we don’t sign that striker. I’d rather he stayed on loan for the season too though, assuming we sign that striker!
MacToon
Aug 18, 2013 at 2:59 PM
Comment #119No problem jail. I will post on here when I know the next FansUTD meet is and mail us if you want to join in on one of our meetings, I have a feeling things might kick off after the transfer window closes but maybe if we have some valuable wins under our belt everything might calm down again…. who knows!
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 18, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Comment #120Bills
That’s the idea of predictions mate! Thought we could get people on record! Huge difference in opinions already!