Paul Merson was right in getting the Norwich vs Newcastle result right last week when he predicted a 2-1 win for the Canaries – so he didn’t get the score right.
Let’s hope he ‘s not correct on Saturday either when he predicts a 3-1 win for Southampton against Newcastle at St. Mary’s and Paul says if Norwich beat Crystal Palace that could be it for us – and we’ll be relegated.
If that happens we will be 9 points behind Norwich with a game in hand but an inferior goal difference – with 6 games still to play.
Paul predicts a 2-1 home win for Crystal Palace.
Paul Merson – predicts another Newcastle defeat
It’s no laughing matter
This is what Paul has said on Sky Sports about Saturday’s game.
“Newcastle have to start winning football matches. They have to have an eye on the Crystal Palace versus Norwich game because if Norwich win, they have to pick up three points.”
“If they lose and Norwich win, I think that’s it. It’s goodnight for the Magpies. I watched Newcastle the other week and they’ve got some good players, but they aren’t a team.”
Prediction: 3-1
Our fans are not too confident of a result either.
Comments welcome.
84 comments so far
geordie157
Apr 7, 2016 at 5:00 PM
Comment #1norwich will beat palace
Tsunki
Apr 7, 2016 at 5:25 PM
Comment #2Got some good players but they aren’t a team. That’s it really. Not a team. Just a collection of mismatched individuals who would go to other teams and play quite well. But the way they’ve been assembled in one side has been negligently assessed. Not even thought of probably. Just purchased on individual merit.
Tsunki
Apr 7, 2016 at 5:33 PM
Comment #3I see Ibiza been whipping a hornets nest with a big stick on the subject of loyal fans supporting the club that is betraying them. it’s a sore Subject. I feel sorry for the loyal match going support especially the diehard away following. They have the desire and affection for the club, but it’s not just that it’s not reciprocated, the whole arrangement has been unilaterally withdrawn by Ashleys restructuring of the club. He continues to send out the email blurbs and sell the strips and scarves and bang the ‘Toon’ and ‘Magpie’ drum but the business of Nufc is so far removed from our cup winning days it’s virtually non existent. it’s a one way Street now, the ‘club’ as it is now is a completely cynical and wholly exploitable commerce with no loyalty or responsibility to it’s customers save from keeping them within reach of emptying their pockets. You have to feel desperately sorry for the fans who stick with the club through thick and thin, because they are loyal to something that has long since lost any love it had for them.
Ibizatoon
Apr 7, 2016 at 5:40 PM
Comment #4Tsunki…To be honest, I don’t think that was the topic at all. We were simply talking about Ashley. Not whether fans should still be attending or such.
Betty has quoted me as saying something, which I do believe was said by someone else.
Anyway, I would have hoped that most know that whilst I do have my views of Ashley and want fans should do, more than that, I have always wanted for fans to try and find middle ground. A united fan base only makes us stronger, which surely is a good thing.
Anyway…don’t let that get in the way of your post good sir.
Ibizatoon
Apr 7, 2016 at 5:50 PM
Comment #5Here you go Betty.
catchy in norway // Apr 5, 2016 at 2:27 PM
I think the Happy clappers that just go to the match just to be there have to look in the mirror and say they have had there Parton letting the club get to where it is right now,
the club needed action 3or 4 years ago, but fans sat there and we’re happy watching wonder goals, and clapped all the way, this train wreck has been in the cards for a long time now.
you got what you wanted.
the fact that we have Rafa now shows we could have had a good manager a long time ago, if only we pushed for it. but to many said what manager would come here.
fools with no ambition just looking for a reason to get out of the house.
Ed should hang his head in shame too.
Ibizatoon // Apr 5, 2016 at 2:34 PM
Catchy…I can go along with that to a certain point, however, I don’t think a Benitez type of manager would have been on the cards prior to this.
Completely agree fan pressure should have been kept up though, in whatever form that may have been.
martoon // Apr 5, 2016 at 2:41 PM
I’m sorry but I refuse to be blamed for the current state of NUFC because I attend matches especially by people who have never set foot in SJP. Maybe it’s the fault of people who watch the games on dodgy computer streams instead of paying to watch through proper channels and therefore deprive the club of revenue which could have been used towards buying better players?
Ibizatoon // Apr 5, 2016 at 2:53 PM
martoon…Each and every fan has played their part.
I understand why you don’t like the comments that have been made, however, you’re scenario doesn’t really add up. The stadium is more or less always full.
This isn’t a question of available finances, quite clearly, but the owner and board and their approach to running NUFC. Surely you can see where the match going fans have a big part to play?
martoon // Apr 5, 2016 at 3:23 PM
Ibiza – fan pressure can make a big difference – I’m pretty sure the abuse Pardew was getting contributed towards him leaving for Palace and also the crowd were starting to turn on McClaren which again I think contributed towards his demise.
Surely a ground full of disgruntled fans is a more effective protest than an empty ground who’s ST holders have already paid for their tickets?
Ibizatoon // Apr 5, 2016 at 3:45 PM
martoon…I didn’t suggest fans stopped going, just that there was more to being a fan to “Well, I turned up, paid my money…I did all I could”, which seems to be the mantra for many.
In fact, just stopping going hasn’t really gotten the club anywhere.
Any unified protest (in or out of the ground) would be better than what we’ve had. Even during the Pardew out protests, many were still bickering over small points.
That was more my point, not what form of action to take.
Ibizatoon // Apr 5, 2016 at 3:52 PM
Anyone who employs Keith Bishop cares about public opinion, one way or another.
Especially when that someone doesn’t usually like spending money.
I think if you look back to each time fans have put pressure on the club, something has given way. The issue is we simply revert back to square one each time and relieve the pressure off them.
BobbyBee then commented at 8.32pm, Betty. Over 4 hours later. That’d probably be the reason I didn’t respond, I wasn’t there and didn’t see it. Nor was it addressed to me.
Now, what are these comments I made a few weeks back Betty and do let me in on this “agenda”?
LGFUAD21
Apr 7, 2016 at 5:58 PM
Comment #6To be honest.
I normally try and stay positive but I think we are already down.
I think Norwich have the momentum to stay safe so our best bet is to pick up some shocking wins and leapfrog Palace.
Tsunki
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:03 PM
Comment #7Hmm. I may have been selectively reading the final exchanges Ibiza but it seems that while it wasn’t the main thrust if the thread, it certainly looks from the exchange that it was the temperature of the thread. Anyway it was a lighthearted reference, instantly put to one side by my own musings on the subject of fans who unfailingly pursue a loyalty to a club which has little respect for them apart from their wallets.
It is in the power of those fans to demand a bit more respect for their loyalty though. Just having 52k showing up and cheering as the club descends to the pit under the guidance of an owner who washes his hands of the effects of his policy toward the club (“I’m only the owner for the last decade, I haven’t a clue what’s happening”) surely isn’t a great way to demand a better product is it?
Tsunki
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:07 PM
Comment #8But hey, no doubt like last time we will have a full ground every other week in the championship. When Mike reins in the player spending, sets his sights on us being perennial championship playoff challengers and budgets accordingly, maybe he’ll make a comfortable home for us there?
Ibizatoon
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:11 PM
Comment #9Tsunki…Todays posts had nothing to do with that subject, until Betty mentioned it.
I’ve only posted them to clarify that I made no “happy clappers” comment the other day.
Yes, the temperature of the thread, the other day, was certainly that topic. Is that the conversation you were referring to @3? If so, I have no objections 🙂
The thing that turned me against Ashley in the first place was the treatment of said loyal fans. It’s also because of that treatment why I find it hard to believe times are changing, without a bit of proof.
This is more a hang up from my comments made last Spring, which Betty didn’t object to one bit at the time.
mindshaft
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:16 PM
Comment #10not sure why people blame the fans for turning up … they make an ever smaller percentage of revenue anyway – plenty prem teams play to 3/4 full stadiums including man city if they’re on tv
the blame is squarely on Carr and Charnley for spunking 84 million quid on players who can’t play as a team
Tsunki
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:22 PM
Comment #11I’m not blaming fans for turning up. I’m blaming Ashleys cynical reconfiguring of a proper club into a tat flogging money funnel and ripping off those well intentioned, faithful and hopeful supporters.
But if those supporters continue to stump up knowingly while this continues down a well signposted road, there has to be a diminishing amount of sympathy for those who continue to put up with it season after season without complaint.
Ibizatoon
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:23 PM
Comment #12mindshaft…2 points and then I am off.
The blame cannot be put just down to that, as this isn’t a problem just from this season. It’s historic, before we started spending such sums of money. It’s just even more pathetic now.
As has been said before, it isn’t really a question of hitting him financially. The match attending fans are important. Not just to support the team, but in letting the board / owner know what’s what. It’s common sense. Punters keep turning up, punters don’t object, there’s no problem.
magscar
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:31 PM
Comment #13Not seeking to question or agree with Ashley’s “wasn’t me Guv” stance at all as some have but as a long suffering fan ( since the late 60’s) I honestly struggle to recall when “my Club” treated me with any love or respect whatsoever. It just isn’t that relationship. Is he worse than some of the others? yes but probably not all.
Any poster thinking we have had any halcyon days when “the Club” did things solely for it’s fans is looking back with severely rose-tinted glasses and a heart breaking score played by a string quartet for accompaniment. Supporting your football club is rarely a reciprocal deal anywhere in UK but it is what it is.
toon kk
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:37 PM
Comment #14Tbf when p45 was our yes man he did as well as anyone else could have managed with the players he had. Shows how deluded some fans were thinking we could be in Europe with the right manager. People call MA but loads of people were happy with the new signings and had us as a top eight side. WHY? I’m not so sure, no proven striker and basically the same defence what did people expect?
Yes Macca was a ridiculous decision but our worst decision was failing to strengthen our weaknesses, that’s why we’re going down.
welshgeordie9
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:41 PM
Comment #15So the first thing that comes out of Paul Mersons mouth is that Newcastle needs to Start winning games.
Ha ha ha
No shit sherlock.
GeordieTwo
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:49 PM
Comment #16One good decision in what has otherwise been a shambles for the last 3 seasons. Hire Rafa with 10 games left and pray. That’s Charnley’s method. Any other club would have sacked Charnley after last season. We limp along but with no real leadership and vision except if we can hold on to Rafa. Will relegation result in positive change? We will only know if it happens. If it doesn’t happen and we hang on to Rafa it could be brilliant. But it all comes down to the last 7 games and whether or not we can raise our game.
Our Toon
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:50 PM
Comment #17Toon KK
Agree to an extent with what you say about the squad but it’s been mismanaged throughout, McClaren was a shocking choice simple as that. I wanted to give him a go and get behind the team but pleased I don’t attend games to vindicate this know heads reign as owner. Some say he can what he wants as he owns it….my views are we let him do what he wants because we are daft enough to believe the shite they feed us!! Liverpool fans walked out and the club changed its policy on tickets….our lot go and moan off the pitch!! We have no backbone!! Each to there own though
GeordieTwo
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:55 PM
Comment #18Spot on Our Toon @17. A walkout early on this season and reduced attendance would have gotten action with a lot more than 10 games left. Charnley is an absoluted dunce. Get him out of there Ashley and let Rafa run it all.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 7, 2016 at 6:58 PM
Comment #19magscar,
As a staunch Ashley supporter is that all you’ve got left to hang on to, that things have never been rosy?
Jail for Ashley
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:01 PM
Comment #20toon kk,
Not sure if deluded is the right word but they were very much mistaken that’s for sure!
welshgeordie9
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:04 PM
Comment #21I think palace will win this weekend.
magscar
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:05 PM
Comment #22A crowd turning cannot be orchestrated simply though Blogs or fanzines.
When I used to go regularly I bought the Mag every fortnight from the sellers round the ground. Of those I was with (usually 4-5) no one else bought a copy nor wished to read mine. They had their own personally formed views and cared less about some ponce writing about their take on NUFC in a juvenile magazine. A small sample of opinion but a telling one I feel. All but 1 of those have since stopped going at different times and for different reasons. All still support from a distance.
I have no quarrel with fans turning up ( and agree with Bobbybee and Martoon) but it should not be forgotten that they are made up of a myriad of human beings. They differ in age, sex, race, culture, politics, music tastes ….. ( fill in the blanks). What the majority have in harmony is a love for their club but with a different perspective of what the accepted responsibility of being a fan means to them personally.
Over the years I have gone I have seen many who struggle to publicly show their emotions ( even at Barcelona or Man U 5-0) or sing when we are ahead or go behind , call out against ref , opposition, the board etc. I do not blame their reticence for the problems at my club.
A crowd is a an untamed beast ( I can personally verify that from trying to extricate myself and son from the crush of an overcrowded away end at Grimsby in the 90’s whilst police looked on from stairs above). At home it is more varied than away but as witnessed by McClaren against Bournemouth it can turn almost as one when the time is right ( or wrong!) and make a telling contribution for change.
That is why I applaud those who continue to go and give their support to THEIR club and not to Ashley just as I did but not then supporting McKeag etc. onwards.
It is a difficult concept for some to accept I know but those fans who still choose to go are not sheep ( if they were they could be lead by the shepherds on here!) but have their own line drawn in the sand and that is their right.
toon kk
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:15 PM
Comment #23Our toon
Macca was a massive mistake, same with Carver. But the only one thing I’ll say in their defence is they tried in there own unexperienced ways to give the fans what they thought they wanted, some kind of attacking football, but our squad lacks so much quality in defence and has very little cutting edge it was destined for failure.
I honestly think what I suppose we all know if Rafa had been appointed before the January transfer window and we had strengthened our defence at least we may have just survived.
magscar
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:15 PM
Comment #24Jfa
Read my posts over the months I am not an Ashley supporter ( sick of saying it) just not a hater. I don’t blame him for everything that is wrong at the club.
He will go when he wants and I am yet to see any realistic way of hastening that other than perhaps a concerted campaign against SD (ala Rangers) but that would be as equally hard to orchestrate on an ongoing basis as a stadium walk out.
I am simply reminding folk that the club/Board never loved them – just loved taking their money and always will. It’s the entertainment business to them and a major part of their lives to the fans.
Prove me wrong and name the Board here that didn’t just do that
Jail for Ashley
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:21 PM
Comment #25magscar,
You are dead right, it’s an entertainment business and Mike Ashley has took out the entertainment bit. Deliberately aiming to exit cup competitions at the first hurdle is a crime against football. Who is to blame for our fourth relegation battle in nine years.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:23 PM
Comment #26toon kk,
They did not try to give the fans what they wanted one little bit. They brought in a cheap, failed and sacked lower league manager to finish between 10 and fifteenth. Where did you get the good football bit from?
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:28 PM
Comment #27In the words of the Daily Telegraph Peter Simple character of many years ago.
“WE ARE ALL GUILTY”
toon kk
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:33 PM
Comment #28JFA
It is an entertainment business, that’s very true but MA knows he can basically do what he likes. He only put his hand in his pocket to TRY and save us, otherwise he would happily get some lads off the street if he thought they’d keep us up.
One thing for cirtain though SJP would still be full. Fans have sat and watched dross for a long time but many still think we have a good side.
Quite funny really. It wouldn’t happen at any other club.
hate
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:37 PM
Comment #29We were relegated last summer, when the board appointer Steve McClaren as the new head coach / manager.
I respect Rafa, but he went for the big money without risking his reputation – he didn’t get us into this deep hole we are in right now.
Time to face the truth, we are a Championship quality club right now.
toon kk
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:39 PM
Comment #30JFA
I didn’t say they did give the fans what they wanted, they tried but failed.
But it didn’t stop people turning up in there thousands to watch the sh.t on show, not forgetting they payed for the privilege.
magscar
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:40 PM
Comment #31Jfa
Ashley is to blame because he has said so on at least 2 occasions. The buck stops with him.
So as a natural conclusion to that you are thinking he will sack himself. I don’t as he is a businessman and as all others is in business for profits first and not altruistic reasons. He will sell when he feels it is the right time to do so. He also has alternatives to selling.
However it is entirely feasible in my view that his public withdrawal from the Board last Summer but followed with the right input into appointing a new manager and recruitment of players and £80M spent could have lead to us being at least mid-table. In those circumstance I find Charnley and Carr guilty.
You may believe otherwise but that is all it is – yours and my opinions and there is no empirical proof either way.
Ibizatoon
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:49 PM
Comment #32Magscar….Sackings by Mike?
Looks like he’s been turning down resignations.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/04/07/mike-ashley-to-launch-newcastle-review-at-end-of-season/?
Our Toon
Apr 7, 2016 at 7:54 PM
Comment #33Toon KK
They didn’t give the fans what they wanted, think most were excited at the prospect of Vieira but McClaren was not what most fans asked for. As for attacking football…..really? He set up most games with 2 holding midfielders, home and away. Rafa is supposed to be defensive but when things go tits up he actually tries to change it to go attacking. McClaren was a failed man who was next in line to be yes man…..they’ve realised the mistake but have acted far to late.
Magscar – defeatist attitude like he’ll go when he wants is why we are in the mess. Instead of being proactive wed rather sit back and be dunces and not act all. One thing is for sure…. this let’s not do nothing and sit back has done sweet FA so far hasn’t it, one thing I can guarantee is if it continues it still won’t work, you’ll remain wondering why the fat twat isn’t shifting but you’ll also be accepting of the fact you can’t do nothing as you haven’t tried to do anything else!!
I have no issues with those that want to attend games, I have an issue with those who have no backbone and say we can’t do anything or he will go when he wants…..Try something different and if it fails keep trying until it works….or you can sit back, clap, cheer, berate and moan but actually do nothing at all to make a contribution towards change!!
firebug666
Apr 7, 2016 at 8:01 PM
Comment #34Ibiza @32
Ashley does not intend to put the club up for sale? Never good reading this. lol
How are things?
Ibizatoon
Apr 7, 2016 at 8:04 PM
Comment #35firebug…I’m sure we’re all aware that sometimes, what you intend, isn’t what transpires. Life is funny that way. And people say I’m not optimistic anymore!
Things, outside of Newcastle United, are splendid, thank you. How about in the Bug household?
Jib
Apr 7, 2016 at 8:06 PM
Comment #36He’s wearing a Wonga shirt !!!
GeordieTwo
Apr 7, 2016 at 8:07 PM
Comment #37Very well written post magscar @22.
magscar
Apr 7, 2016 at 8:07 PM
Comment #38IBiza
As you say ” looks” .
There is no surprise to me in the main thrust of the article as this is what I believe happens at the end of every season ( and presumably as at every club). One of the most reported ones was the one which ended with Kinnear coming in as DOF .
I recall reading somewhere that Llambias Pardew Carr etc had come up with their versions of what had gone wrong at the end of that particular season and Ashley didn’t know who or what to believe. Kinnear offered or was sought out as a totally independent voice to the lot of them to oversee and report direct to Ashley on the following season. The appointment (amongst loads of other grief!) lead to Llambias resigning and Carr wanting to go but being persuaded by Ashley personally to stay as Kinnear would not interfere on transfers.
As to now I don’t think there was a need for Ashley to seek the resignation of anyone (other than McClaren) at that stage as it would not positively affect anything to do with ongoing relegation problems. Carr if he did offer to go may have done so because he felt (once again) his position threatened by the arrival of Benitez – which it was and will be if he does stay ( and I personally hope even if A N Other comes in)
magscar
Apr 7, 2016 at 8:09 PM
Comment #39Thank you G2 – from the heart as you probably gathered
GeordieTwo
Apr 7, 2016 at 8:10 PM
Comment #40I and several others asked on here what would happen with McLaren if we got off to a bad start? Would anything be done about it? Well we got our answer. The usual hiding and cowardice from the executive. They could have changed things and made sure the club didn’t have to go through this again but they couldn’t deal with the truth.