Alan Smith was shown a red card in injury time in our 6-0 hammering at Old Trafford on Saturday, and will now be banned for the next two games against Stoke and Bolton, both at home.
Alan Smith – got himself sent off stupidly, in dying minutes on Saturday
Smith will now miss the FA Cup third-round replay against Stoke on Wednesday and the Premier League clash with Bolton the following Saturday. Smith was sent off for saying something to match referee Rob Styles, and we don’t even want to know what he said.
Nicky Butt has collected 10 yellow cards this season and will also miss the next two games for the club. It’s interesting that both players are former Red Devils players and they have by far the worst disciplinary record amongst Newcastle players this season.
Emre – should get starting chance in next two games
This may however, open the door for Emre to get a couple of starts at the club. We really need to see what the Turk can do for us in these troubled times. We would expect him to get a start on Wednesday night against Stoke City in our FA Cup replay.
We’re sure he wants to earn his wages at the club – so we should play him. He will add a bit of class to our midfield.
Comments welcome.
50 comments so far
cg
Jan 14, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Comment #1There you go, something good came out of 6-0 then! 😛
Hammy
Jan 14, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Comment #2Oh well, it’s not all doom and gloom then…
Ed Harrison
Jan 14, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Comment #3Hammy 😀
Leo*
Jan 14, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Comment #4damn what a shame, the two most boring newcastle players banned for the next two games…. thank you ref. emre and nzogbia in the middle of the park with duff and milner on the wings against stoke we should be able to pace them on the st james park pitch
Tom_Toon
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Comment #5Thank god for that.
Zog and Emre please.
Give Lualua a shout on the right wing.
jimmer
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Comment #6emre and zog would be too lightweight in the middle. but who else is there
John
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Comment #7Best news i heard all day…Butt is the worst midfielder on the planet
jimmer
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Comment #8no he isnt
true
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Comment #9Can we not appeal agains Smith’s 2 game bad…… and ask for a 7 game ban?!
He make a really good CAPTAIN does he not! setting the example one for the kids to look up to his days too must be numbered at SJP.
true
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Comment #10millner and duff wide
zog and emre in the middle
sorted
antz
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Comment #11there is a god! 🙂
Rich
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Comment #12Ed, im very frustrated at the position you seem to have taken regarding Sams sacking.
Before, you like most other sane toon fans supported Sam and everything he did, knowing that its going to be a long hard road to sort our team out.
It seems since our new charman has adopted the ‘sack him then wonder what the hell to do next’ mentality, which our old chairman had you have supported them whole heartidly.
Mike Ashley seems so far to be a worse chairman than Freddy Shephard. Chris Mort whose decision it was to sack BSA (according to the media) has not got 1 footballing bone in his body, which angers me to such a point, we have a LAWYER RUNNING NEWCASTLE, A FRICKING LAWYER.
I hate Souness, but he hit the nail on the head when he said ‘nowadays the new chairmen buying clubs have been in football for 5 minutes then they reckon they know it inside and out’
our problem has always stemmed from the boardroom and will continue to do so until we sort it out top to tails, especially with these muppets running our team.
Mike Ashley & Chris Mort seem to be the biggest pair of muppets that could of bought us, I would of been happier if it was a random Saudi billionaire that bought us for his play thing than what Mike Ashley is doing to us now.
Again, i am absolutely shocked at the editorial line this blog takes, no outrage Sam was sacked, no outrage we are being linked to 2nd rate managers, just oh ‘Mark Hughes could be our next man’, MARK HUGHES!?!?!? you cant be a real Newcastle Supporter if you would seriously be content with Mark HUghes taking over from Sam, SERIOUSLY????
You just seem to tow the official line that everything will be ok and we will be playing ‘Mike Ashleys Sexeh Football’ in a matter of days.
Mike Ashley & Chris Mort are making a bigger joke out of us than we ever have been or could of dreamt of, and that says alot regarding the on & off pitch debacles our team has been part of.
Domininufc
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Comment #13Sorry Rich but I don’t agree. Ashley has been fantastic for Newcastle United, we had 100mil of debts just a few months ago and now we are free. He spends money when needed and needs his own man Sam was not his choice and let’s face Sam was a disaster.
Why give him more time look at Sven, Ramos etc they don’t need time and nor should a Newcastle Manager he spent, he bought and the players are shocking.
Hullier for me now as Jose wouldn’t want it but please not Mark Hughes
Edd Case
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Comment #14What a headache for Pearson now – he might have to play two in the middle that can actually tackle and pass…
Can you imagine the dreadfull football we’re going to see on Wednesday night?
Hadrian
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Comment #15honest Rich , you really lay it on thick .
ashley and mort have done wonders for the club behind the scenes and in the accounts books ,
so he went after his mates ideal choice , he was probably going to back him tho so we will let him off on the redknapp malarky .
lets wait and see who he apppoints and how well he backs him before we start making stupid assumptions ehh ?
John
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Comment #16you cant be serious Rich..Ashley saved us and deserves credit for what he has done . Remember we were in 100 million pounds worth a debt ubnder Sheperd …Leeds waiting to happen ..
Moy
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Comment #17Lol…I think the fact these 2 are suspended is good news!
Enter Emre & N’Zogbia in the middle of the Park…WOW! Now that’s exciting…
Bev
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Comment #18Rich – leave ed alone, its true that we a laughing stock of the prem but mike and chris are trying to sort it out the best we can, the papers always spout this rubbish. If you don’t like what ed is writing then don’t read it, he is only giving his opinion on the latest ‘real’ news, and letting us comment too.
kagthemag
Jan 14, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Comment #19Why does smith get all the flac? he’s played out of position & ok when he does he’s sh*te. But when he plays up front he’s a canny player. He did well against arsenal – won everything in the air. He grafts more than viduka, martins is a headless chicken who doesn’t know how to look up when he’s got the ball. Owen we aint seen the best of yest (if we’ll ever see the owen of old)
just my opinion
Andreas
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Comment #20OT – since Smith seem to be regarded as a midfield player by Pearson (and SA before him) this ban is a blessing. Smith should be played upfront, and imo he’s ok as a target man, or not play at all (in my opinion).
Rich – “Mike Ashley seems so far to be a worse chairman than Freddy Shephard.”
You persist with the above but for your information since you don’t seem capable of getting this; MA is not chairman, he’s the sole owner of Newcastle United Football Club.
Beside, as I said in a reply yesterday and many others today this “crap” owner has cleard our 100 mil debt which might very well have caused us to become Leeds no2. As I said yesterday, if you seriously think FS was better chairman/owner than CM/MA, then I am truly worried about your mental health.
Aye, you do not have to like the sacking of SA (which I agree was badly timed) but to suggest that FS was a better chairman/owner is just laughable.
Magjp
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Comment #21How about that!
No Butt, no Smith, and no reason to play defensive football.
Team for Wednesday
Given
Taylor,Rozenhal,Cacapa,Enrique
Milner,Emre,Nzogbia,Duff
Viduka,Owen
The team I am looking forward to seeing when Scolari or Keegan takes over
Given
Beye,Taylor,Cacapa,Enrique
Milner,Faye,Nzogbia,Duff
Owen,Martins
Play the ball on the grass, keep the ball, attack with speed. Its not rocket science!!
ChrisM
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Comment #22SOME ONE PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ANSWER.
AS GEORDIES…..ARE WE REALLY THAT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FOLK FROM ENGLAND. (LIKE I KNOW THE REST ARE TWATS IN GENERAL).
BUT ARE WE THAT THICK AND UNREALISTIC ETC ETC……OR IS IT JUST THAT OTHERS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WE ARE????????
scott9
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Comment #23i agree zog and emre are to lightweight in the middle but we ahve no choice
obafemimartins
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Comment #24we are the only team who was going down the table that hasnt got a new manager.and you can see the positive effect that a new manager has. tottenham could break into the top 4 next season under ramos.
James
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Comment #25Cacapa shouldn’t be anywhere near the team. He is another Boumsoung. Terrible buy.
Same with Smith and Butt. Not good enough at all. Man Utd don’t give us players unless they’ve passed their sell by date.
John
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Comment #26kagthemag your spot on . I think Smith is a good player when played in hes best and only position..He caused Arsenal Havvock when he played there. He was never a midfielder player and never will..
Butt though is soppose to be a midfielder and he’s worse but seems to dodge the flack.. He can’t play football..Does’nt have a clue…He cant even pass the ball ten yards…If anything Butt should be getting the flack..
How bad ws he against united, it was like he thought he was playing for united the way he played…He’s never impressed me and at best is probably a good Championship player
James
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Comment #27http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2008/01/14/it-hurts-says-geordie-carrick-72703-20347619/
Like I’ve been saying for ages, go get Carrick in the summer
singapore geordie
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Comment #28guys guys… let us not comment on who is the better chairman/owner. These are things beyond our control. I don’t know about you guys but I think without a holding centre midfielder in wednesday’s game… we are going to struggle if stoke play the counter attacking game. Coz IMO, our defence is not that dependable at the moment if you know what I mean.
Moy
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:32 PM
Comment #29A holding midfielder is important.
The problem is ….Butt and Smith aren’t holding midfielders at all…Butt can only destroy , but he hasn’t got the legs and can’t pass 10 yards. Smith is a little worse.
Since we have no good holding midfielders ,why not have a go at 2 decent midfielders in the centre? Makes sense?
John
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Comment #30@ Magjp . Ifr you rememebr Keegan played a holding midfielder when he was in Charge. Robert Lee being the attacking one and Batty being the holding midfielder.
It would be nice to see Zog in the middle but we would need someone who can defend and protect the back four that would’nt be Emre..
I think we badly miss a brilland Holding midfielder, someone who can protect the back fouyr..Not nicky Butt who is shite..And Smith is better than him and he’s not even a midfielder…
Edmilson would be a good buy , but who know’s. We’ll probably stick with the most over rated waste off space in butt , who is stealing a living in my opionion.
James
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Comment #31Bit of trivia for you all. Did you know that Capello is credited with inventing the use of a holding midfielder in club football? Teams never thought that you had to have a holding midfielder until Capello showed that it was a requirement.
John
Jan 14, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Comment #32were did you find that out James?
James
Jan 14, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Comment #33John – It was brought up by John Motson when Capello got the England job. We all know how good Motson is with his facts – solid gold.
ObaFan2
Jan 14, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Comment #34Even with players missing @ ACN I still think it’s good having these 2 missing for at least 2 games as they’ve been rubbish recently.
Smith had a good game v Arsenal. Thats it lol.
Butt is ? well hit n miss imo.
Dan
Jan 14, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Comment #35Two of most boring muppets ive seen in the middle of the park for years!!!
Bosck
Jan 14, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Comment #36i’ve heard that one as well james. Think he first used it in his milan side when he won the CL. Cant remeber where i got that from though maybe bbc.
as for people complaining about the sacking of sa and complaining about the timing saying he shouldnt have been sacked without a replacement thats rubbish.
Dont get me wrong i supported SA’s appointment and supported him to the end even though by then i was very frustrated with his tactics etc. but i agree in the end he had to go.
for those that say you dont sack in business until you replace them that is rubbish. if they are not doing the job they are paid for properly, you do not keep paying them just cos there isn’t a replacement. you sack them for not doing their job and look for a replacement whilst someone else covers as pearson is doing now.
often the only time in business where they keep paying someone until they have found a replacement is when they send them on gardening leave so they’re not at work anyway.
There is zero point keeping someone there you dont believe can do the job just cos you havent replaced them yet. if you feel they are not up to it then get rid. its not the ideal situation to not have a replacement lined up but at least you can look knowing things arent gonna continue to be done incorrectly whilst you look.
besides in many situations it is unlawful to search for a replacement for someone without actually having fired them anyway.
ObaFan2
Jan 14, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Comment #37Problem is that we need some new signings as we are very weak in some positions.
Yes maybe BSA had to go but the show goes on, someone should be trying to get some players in asap.
Difficult job as we don’t have a manager and no one’s lined up yet or are they ?
Gooderz
Jan 14, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Comment #38At least Allardyce is gone. If he was still in charge, then it would in all likelihood have been Ameobi to make a return and into the CM position.
Hopefully it will be Duff, Emre, Zog, Milner across the middle of the pitch, with LuaLua given some time if possible. Emre can hold and pass the ball about and the other three can get forward and create for Owen and Viduka or Carroll.
Obafan
Jan 14, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Comment #39Finally a bit of good news about our team. I hate the attitude of that Smith guy, who is all except an example to be the captain of our team. What a disgrace for our squad!!!!
Magjp
Jan 14, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Comment #40About the holding midfielder issue, I think we already have Faye. If anyone saw the Man City game, you would agree with me that he was far better than Butt and Smith combined.
Now imagine that you play Faye at the holding role, and either Emre or Nzogbia as attacking mid, with Duff and Milner in the wings, need I say more?
For those of you who think that Emre and Nzogbia will be too “light weight” I actually don’t know what you mean. Does anyone remember the game in the preseason where the Bling boy Played with Nzogbia in the middle? Look at Arsenal, they have Flamini and Fabrigas, so I don’t understand the concept of Light weight, as long as a player can tacle, keep and pass the ball.
We actually have the makings of a very good side. Lets wait and see which side plays tomorrow.