Newcastle now are placed 6th in the Premier League table after an eventful and exiting batch of games today, which saw the Manchester United hammer hapless Arsenal 8-2, and Manchester City hammer Tottenham 5-1, so as the commentators said it’s Manchester 13 – London 3.
Alan Pardew congrartulates Leon Best this afternoon
But I’m not interested in either London or Manchester clubs, and cannot quite believe Newcastle have made such a good start to the season.
Once again today, the lads held on through times of adversity, especially in the first half (again), and came through in style to win against a more than decent Fulham side.
Fulham played some nice football and must have wondered how they could have been 2-0 down after 66 minutes, after Leon Best had scored his second goal, a brilliant effort, and the answer was that Newcastle took their chances in this game and Fulham didn’t.
This lad looks the part and now in his last 15 appearances he has 8 goals, and at least right now he is the number one striker at Newcastle, as he was ealerer this year.
Alan Shearer scored just slightly more than one goal every two goals in his career of over 700 games, but I’m not comparing Leon with the great Alan Shearer – but Leon can do a decent job for Newcastle – if he’s given a chance.
We shouldn’t get carried away too much either, because looking back on all four game so far this season, we’ve been really poor in the first half in each game, and could have lost each game before half time.
But we didn’t and three successive wins and a draw is not too bad a start at all.
And Alan Pardew was rightly a very happy man after the game:
“You have to pay credit to Fulham, in that first 15 minutes, they took the sting right out of us and we struggled in that period,”
“They kept the ball really well, they overloaded the midfield, but it was good that we managed to deal with that. We changed something a little, which worked for us, and I felt we started to dominate towards the end of the first half.”“And then in the second half, I felt we were in control of the game up until the last ten minutes.” “We have won three games this week and in professional football, whatever level you are at, that’s good going,”
“We have used numerous players and they have all done a great job and as a football manager, that’s what you are after, everybody to contribute, and we have had that.
“We have got seven points out of a really tough programme and we are pleased with that.”
We’ve been concentrating on two things in the last few weeks, good players we don’t have and who we are trying to sign, and good players we don’t have because they have left the club.
But the lads who have played for Newcastle over the last four games have performed very well indeed, and the amazing thing to us is that the team spirit seems excellent, and the new lads coming in have to take a lot of credit for mixing in well.
But that becomes a lot easier when you want to be on Tyneside of course. Being 6th in the league should also assist the club in getting three new players in before the end of the transfer window.
And the two heroes today for Newcastle were Leon Best and Tim Krul – Leon for two excellently taken goals and Tim Krul for three wonderful reaction saves that kept Newcastle in the game in the second half.
We think Leon is still improving and today’s performance was just a follow-on for the way he played earlier this year.
Leon Best after scoring his first goal this afternoon
Alan Pardew was delighted with Best today:
“He’s a player who is trying to establish himself as a Premier League player,” “I never really worry about his confidence. He kind of has that in abundance, which is not a bad thing for a footballer.”
“I have known him for a long, long time and come up against him a couple of times and for me, he has never really had a run where he has said, ‘I’m the man’.
“He will get an opportunity now and he needs to prove it. He was unlucky last year, to be fair, because an injury came at a really bad time for him when he was doing fantastically.”“He still needs to improve in some areas, but he was great today, especially in the second half.”
Leon can improve and he will improve, and he just needs to be given a good run in the side, and as he showed earlier this year, he’ll put the ball in the back of the net.
His two goals today were two typical opportunist goals, and the second, if it had been Ronaldo or Messi, people would have been raving about how he back-heeled the ball clear of the defenders, before smashing the ball past Schwarzer.
No – I’m not comparing our Leon with those two world-class players.
We now have two weeks to bask in the glory of 6th place, and three days to worry about whether we’ll get any players in before the end of the transfer window.
Howay The Lads!!
228 comments so far
LewSpi
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:37 PM
Comment #81You know what, sometimes this club baffles me. Pardew promised us ‘bums off seats players’, yet we all get a notice on our seats today saying we aren’t allowed to stand. A guy in front of me got thrown out because he wouldn’t sit. Joke.
ochytoon
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:38 PM
Comment #82WWJBD
Santon can play at both RB and LB and can also be deployed as a midfielder. This is probably why we’re interested in him, Pardew will spin he’s like 3 new signings lol
Spuggy
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:38 PM
Comment #83Santon is sensible buy if true as can play either FB position. So if Simpson is injured, Santon at RB with Raylor LB, otherwise he plays at LB. Gives us options and with Situ at least we have some CB cover. Could do with an experience journeyman CB on loan until he cuts his teeth. I think we may make a loan signing before the window shuts.
WWJBD
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:38 PM
Comment #84By win anything I mean cups/titles haha what I said was a cock up
JackButler
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:39 PM
Comment #85WWJBD
If thats the remit then I’ve got my work cut out for me?
Think we’ll get a couple in with maybe a loan deal last thing on wednesday, but if we don’t get the bodies in you better make room for one as I’m coming over to the dark side
JackButler
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:40 PM
Comment #86We need the Gunner’s to finish top 4 just to stop Dogleash getting in there
WWJBD
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:41 PM
Comment #87Haha Santon 3 new signings hahahaha I can hear the Pardew interview now hahaha classic
ochytoon
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:41 PM
Comment #88At least Simpsons not the worst right back in the league, that Jenkinson kid was shocking, and then telling Walcott to f off when he just covered his mistake, what a mug
BigKirky
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Comment #89Thing with that message board link hrocks, is that wasn’t mr Lamearse supposed to be in Europe securing a deal at present instead of attending the game? If so, one of the two stories is false. Unless hes sorted the deals and flown back in to watch the game? I dunno. Would love it to be right. Santon and pieters / Cissokho would be great business along with a striker.
ochytoon
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Comment #90JB
Agreed, really hope we beat Liverfool and show Carroll what he missed out on
JackButler
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:43 PM
Comment #91Ochy, you gotta feel sorry for Jenkins, he’s a young lad who has just moved up to the prem, he had no help or guidance throughout the game and was exposed time after time
WWJBD
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:44 PM
Comment #92JB
Haha aye not a easy task my friend. I wouldn’t say I am confident of new players in before the window shuts like…but the dark side death star having a new influx of recruits? Now that’s fairly certain
JackButler
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:46 PM
Comment #93Someone posted on here today that Lambs arse was in France working on the Maiga deal?
kingkev9
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:46 PM
Comment #94Not being overly negative here but we havent played well yet, hope that’s a positive thing to build on.
Seriously worried about lack of a good striker, left back, and centre back cover. Needs addressing before wed.
Wonder what Ashleys thoughts are on crowd. 10,000 empty seats today, atmosphere so much quieter compared to last season now signing section has gone. So many people around me not going back until Ashley has gone.
ochytoon
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:47 PM
Comment #95I have a sneaky feeling that Modric might go to Arsenal
WWJBD
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:47 PM
Comment #96I don’t feel for Jenkins no way should he of told Theo to f off imo
And another attitude ‘lol’ VDV walking away from the pitch injured hahaha
Tom_Toon
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:48 PM
Comment #97I’m not gonna complain because Santon is definitely highly talented and would get in our current starting 11 no problem, but the guy is right footed and prefers to play RB. When he plays LB he just cuts in. Not sure if I want him as our left back.
ochytoon
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:48 PM
Comment #98Silva is a very very good player
TOONARMY4LIFE
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Comment #99hoping to wake up to a signing tomorrow :D!! …
its going to be that bloody keeper 🙁 !
JackButler
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Comment #100Jenkins was wrong to have a go at Theo, but he was overrun all day, with no protection most of the time
Tom_Toon
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Comment #101dont be ridiculous ochytoon.
I’ll bet you everything I own that does not happen.
Spuggy
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Comment #102Wish we could sign Santon who can play either FB, and a RB who can cover CB with simmo for backup = defence sorted.
ochytoon
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:50 PM
Comment #103I can see Bale leaving next summer as well
JackButler
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:51 PM
Comment #104Said before that Modric will go to chelsea with Sturridge being part of the deal
Tom_Toon
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:52 PM
Comment #105Why sign Santon (preferred RB) then sign another RB/CB to add to Raylor (RB), Simpson (RB) and another 2 players who can play RB (Taylor, Jonas).
Where is the LB!!!!!
ochytoon
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:52 PM
Comment #106Flippin heck, who needs Tevez?
JackButler
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:53 PM
Comment #107ochy, we do 😉
WWJBD
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:54 PM
Comment #108Oh aye Jenkins was over run and out on his own with no guidence but attitude towards Theo needs stamping out. Looks a decent player though
Leon simply the Best against Fulham…for no other reason than the headlines papers can make for him he should be starting every match haha
Spuggy
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:54 PM
Comment #109Ok Santon @ RB and a LB who can cover CB. Jees you get my point – resilience it’s nearly midnight and I have manflu.
ochytoon
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:54 PM
Comment #110JB
Haha, I wouldn’t want him, great player but terrible attitude
JackButler
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:56 PM
Comment #111WWJBD
Strolla – 30 games 6 goals
Best – 13 games 8 goals
Hmmmmmmm……..Who should we start with
nobby sol
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:57 PM
Comment #112http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_7135512,00.html
HIJACK! 2.2 million fee agreed where are we?
09nufc09
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:58 PM
Comment #113Santon and muntari according to reports in italy… Hopefully true because it would hopefully mean no more smith.
ochytoon
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Comment #114nobby sol
Isn’t he the crap one, Teteh Bangura was the one we wanted I think
nobby sol
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Comment #115and the other bangura (teteh) has already moved to bursaspor for 2.3 million ffs man they were 2 bargains there like!!!
JackButler
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Comment #116http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/08/28/nufc-hope-to-close-in-on-davide-santon-72703-29320168/
BigKirky
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Comment #117From that message board post: “without mentioning any player names, NUFC have made a fantastic signing in the RB and LB Department today, and aim to add to that by midnight tonight with a further player. the squad will be further bolstered with a striker by wednesday morning (fingers crossed) which will all be announced by official statement during the week”
Well if it is true, “a signing” meaning one person who can play lb and rb, would this indeed be Santon? Cissokho can play either side can’t he? But is naturally left side.
hrocks
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:02 AM
Comment #118@ bigkirky 89
i have no idea what the nufc board were up to today just posted what i had read and hope it might b true. maybe club lawyers were doing deals and im sure santon would need a medical so fingers crossed he shows up in the toon today. maybe ashley has a private jet picking all these signings up because u know he likes to splash the cash
WWJBD
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Comment #119JB
Worryingly its apparently Shola haha
JackButler
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Comment #120WWJBD
I know mate, thats very worrying indeed