Newcastle have played three completely different games so far in the Premier League season.
Chris Hughton – has made good start in Premier League
In the first game at Old Trafford it was obvious what class means to a team, as Manchester United looked streets ahead of Newcastle in everything they did.
And we were perhaps a little lucky to keep the score down to just 3-0, as the Red Devils squandered chances in the second half.
Then in the next game, Newcastle just annihilated Aston Villa, after they should have been behind in that game after just 10 minutes when John Carew wastefully missed a penalty by blazing way over the bar.
But then Joey Barton scored that wonder goal on 12 minutes, and the rest is history with one of the biggest ever wins for Newcastle in the Premier League.
The 8-0 win against fellow relegation strugglers Sheffield Wednesday back in September of 1999, in Sir Bobby Robson’s home debut as manager, stands out as another tremendous performance from the Magpies, with Alan Shearer scoring five goals.
The Aston Villa game was similar to that game, in that it was Chris Hughton’s Premier League home debut as Newcastle manager, and new number 9 Andy Carroll, like Shearer a local lad, scored a hat-trick.
Let’s hope Chris does half as well as the phenomenal Bobby Robson did at Newcastle – as Bobby had Newcastle in 4th, 3rd and 5th places in his last 3 seasons on Tyneside – and Bobby was both a tremendous manager but also a great guy who was respected the world over.
And back to the present – in our third game this season we had a very tough game at Wolves, which is a hard place to get points – and we should have been at least two goals up at the break, but found ourselves instead 1-0 down, after dominating the first 45 minutes in a very physical game.
But it is testament to the new spirit at Newcastle, that the lads were able to come back from that adversity, and at the end of the game get a good point away from home.
So it’s 4 points in our first 3 games, and given the opposition the team has played so far, most Newcastle fans will be very happy with that points return.
Now we have fellow promotion team Blackpool at St. James’ Park on Saturday, and of all the games this season this would be the game where Newcastle would be expected to get all 3 points.
But that may not be as easy as it looks, although with new boys Sol Campbell, Frenchman Hatem Ben Arfa and Ivory Coast International Cheick Tiote all expected to be on the bench, a sell-out crowd will hopefully be at the game this Saturday.
A win against Blackpool and Newcastle can be in a better position than they are now – which is a decent 8th position.
The next games after Blackpool are Everton away, Chelsea away in the Carling Cup, and Stoke City at St. James’ Park – so there are no easy games this season, that’s for sure.
But most Newcastle fans are pleasantly surprised at the good start the lads have made, but it’s always going to be one game at a time and our feet are still firmly on the ground for this season.
Next up – Blackpool and it would be great to get a win on Saturday.
The goal continues to be survival this season, but we are willing to be surprised on the upside too. 😀
Comments welcome.
14 comments so far
Azrail Malaysia
Sep 8, 2010 at 12:11 PM
Comment #1We should bag 3 points.. Hope to see Hatem Ben Arfa play this weekend… Carroll has been superb. So, praying that his ankle is ok!! My prediction.. Carroll to score a goal (at least) & Campbell & Hatem to play some part on Saturday.. HOWAY
geoff777
Sep 8, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Comment #2jeez this blog gets more and more desperate for content … season review after 3 weeks … ffs
are you so needy for clicks on the countless ads scattered around the blog?
Davies
Sep 8, 2010 at 12:25 PM
Comment #3Off to Wales to see the oldies, so I won’t get to see the match, unless I find some hooky website that’s showing it. Any ideas?
I don’t mind highlights on MOTD, but there’s nothing like watching the match.
Captain Beefheart
Sep 8, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Comment #4Ed, there are lies, damned lies & statistics & w1 d1 l1 is a very AVERAGE start by the very definition of the word AVERAGE….
Grief!!
rwpoynter
Sep 8, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Comment #5My wife endlessly tells me I am a grumpy old man, which I certainly can be, but Beefy so are you! Things at SJP are looking very good and my opinions of a lot of things at this club have changed in the last twelve months. I used to always look forward to reading your blog contributions which were informed, but recently you have become a whingeing old fart! Lighten up!
stk85
Sep 8, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Comment #6but maybe a season review is in order after say 10 games, midway point?
sorry to be a killjoy, but season review on 8th Sept after 3 games is a bit much. we all know that chris is taking us to where we want to be eventually and going about his work exceptionally well, but season review isnt needed
jesus was a geordie
Sep 8, 2010 at 1:18 PM
Comment #7Here lads if you don’t like the content, don’t read it…And if you’ve read it and don’t like it – don’t comment on it.
I come on here everyday, sometimes in the hope for some news, other times just for a little light relief and the chance to have a bit of craic with fellow Toon followers…New articles (whether old news or premature reviews) give us a chance to talk about something different.
Keep up the good work Ed!
geoff777
Sep 8, 2010 at 1:33 PM
Comment #8@jesus was a geordie
hey I can comment – that’s free speech.
jesus was a geordie
Sep 8, 2010 at 2:16 PM
Comment #9geoff, I suppose it is
amble_ball
Sep 8, 2010 at 2:38 PM
Comment #10“And if you’ve read it and don’t like it – don’t comment on it.” why the hell not?if something’s shite why shouldn’t i say it’s shite?
a review of the season after three weeks – genius
cupiddstunt
Sep 8, 2010 at 2:45 PM
Comment #11Yep geoff777 it sure is and to post disparaging remarks about someone’s efforts is hardly the best way to exercise that very freedom of speech
How about you setting up a blog on the club and keeping it full of new, fresh, vibrant info and we will then be able to judge you and your efforts?
BASSKING-FUSE
Sep 8, 2010 at 7:13 PM
Comment #12Yeah this article certainly isn’t necessary but why get on Ed’s back about it. I don’t see you giving up your free time to write a blog. One duff article doesn’t mean anything because Ed puts quality content out on a daily basis for us. I think its unfair to be so critical on just one poor article.
jimiley
Sep 8, 2010 at 7:53 PM
Comment #1352,000 for the Blackpool game. Really??? Times have changed. CH has worked wonders and he has saved Ashley’s hide. We will not return to the Keegan or Robson days as long as Mr Ashley is still at the helm.
TOONTOONTOON
Sep 9, 2010 at 12:34 AM
Comment #14Another negative comment i see from the cockney idiot that in blue