With quite a bit of negativity around Newcastle this week, with Yohan Cabaye being sold and Loic Remy being banned for the next three games, the very last thing Newcastle fans need is a third successive defeat against Sunderland.
The game is at home and it’s been 91 years since the last time Sunderland beat Newcastle three times on the trot, and it was back in 1967 that Sunderland beat Newcastle twice in succession, which they also did last year.
So another defeat would be more than calamitous for Newcastle, and it’s not like we have our top side out tomorrow either, with our top three scorers – Remy, Cabaye and Gouffran all unavailable for one reason or another.
But most Newcastle fans think we can still win the game tomorrow, and that would provide a huge boost for us all – then we can look forward to a decent run-in to the season – whoever we are left with at 11:00 pm tonight.
Newcastle must win this game tomorrow, bit to lose would be more than tragic.
Comments welcome.
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219 comments so far
Lilongwe Geordie
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:29 AM
Comment #151Lilongwe Geordie // Jan 31, 2014 at 9:28 AM
I think we have the basis of a good 11 here, and I am looking forward to seeing a front three of Goofy/HBA, Remy and LDJ, with LDJ in the centre and 2 of the other 3 feeding off him. Sissoko Anita and Tiote are good enough to hold there own, and the back line while not spectacular is okay.
But you just have to look at the bench on Tuesday to see how thin we are in certain areas if we get any injuries.
catchy in norway
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:31 AM
Comment #2catchy in norway // Jan 31, 2014 at 9:26 AM
my fear
tomorrow, no one is really talking about tomorrow, in times gone by we would have had loads of banta about what we are going to do to them,
I think we all know we should win the game at home, we have the better team and a good crowd ,
but
I fear we only have HBA that will be the shining light, because of lack of a game plan, so should HBA not play, we will revert back to containing defensive football,
and hope to sneak a 1 nil,,
sad fact is , I know GP is sitting there in training all this week with pictures of every one of our players drumming it into his players telling them they can win,
pardew will put a speech on the dressing room wall from way back when that most of our players wont even grasp
Transfer Sage
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:31 AM
Comment #3TDS
I honestly think our squad isn’t better, our first 11 is vastly better but not the squad.
It’s the same faces on the bench and in reserves as it was a couple years ago.
no doubt our first 11 players are very very good but a couple injuries does expose us. (same for a lot of teams around us though)
Spoof
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Comment #4Lilo
is Goofy fit ?, is Cisse fit ?, is Shola injured (fingers crossed) ?
welshgeordie9
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Comment #550welshgeordie9 // Jan 31, 2014 at 9:28 AM
42jordijohnty
We are going to sign 3 quality players today
What planet are you on
HullMag6
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:34 AM
Comment #6War chest in the summer – believe it when it happens
Get Holtby if available I’d also test spuds on Siggurdsson as they have eriksen. Siem would be a good move although recovering from injury so a medical could be dodgy. There’s options with or without transfers.
Moving Cisse on – why not, he’s not producing for us cut losses and move on
What happened to the 22yr old from sochaux going cheap if he’s less than 5mil – worth a gamble?
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:34 AM
Comment #7Lilo/TADS/TS
There are several arguments about the strength in depth point that people seem to brush over:
1 – against Norwich we were missing Colo, Cabaye, Goofy, Jonas and Cisse. That’s 3 clear starters and 2 who played regularly last season.
2 – we know we were short of a striker so with Goofy and Cisse out, we knew that would be a problem
3 – compare our strength in depth to Sep 2012 or Sep 2011 or Sep 2010. Are we worse?
4 – compare our strength in depth to any club outside the top 8. Are we worse?
5 – compare our strength in depth to Everton’s. Maybe similar but are we worse?
I said in the summer that we were short of one striker and we need to gradually get in better players for the squad than the likes of Marv, Shola etc. but look at the teams around us and they have fringe players at those levels too. We can’t all have massive squads like Chelski or City and we haven’t been a top side in the top league for decades like Liverpool or Arsenal who can attract the best young players from all over the world due to their status and the fact that they will challenge for the CL virtually every season.
Laurent Robert 32
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:35 AM
Comment #8Check, good point about their extra number of games as well, yes.
If you are enjoying your football it’s amazing how much longer you can play for. The enjoyment of the game just keeps you going.
It’s tiring for me a lot of the time watching us contain apart from a good half every few games or so.
Have an attacking plan and be ruthless with it.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:35 AM
Comment #9Spoof,
Yeah, I don’t like being drawn into it but the not proper fans thing really annoys me. Once the insults start flying around I generally just log off, I don’t get the opportunity to chat NUFC with many over here as we are just an also ran to most people, so I like coming on here for the discussion even though I don’t always agree with others.
And finally, I do realise that you are the fount of knowledge regarding NUFC and are always correct. I always turn to your greater knowledge eventually!
Spoof
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:36 AM
Comment #10catchy
I think the problem is that with the current good form that the unwashed are on and having just lost Cabaye and probably not replacing him, we are both apprehensive and feeling a little bit flat.
SholaHeskey
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:37 AM
Comment #11id go for:
Krul
Debuchy
Willo
S Taylor
Haidara
Tiote
Anita
Sissoko
Sammy
Shola
LDJ
Sammy left, sissoko right, LDJ feeding off shola
id drop santon as i think johnson will do him big time..tell haidara to sit and let debuchy do the raiding on the other side..alonso likes to venture forward so we need pace in behind with big boys in the box
not even bothered if its hoofball – just score one more than them
catchy in norway
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:37 AM
Comment #12Transfer Sage
our squad is not better
because he has not developed anyone
how to develop obertan, get him working on getting into space, and whipping balls in to the box
but even he has gone backwards,, he now runs past the ball, like he don’t know what it is
the squad should be fine
Rotonda heights
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:38 AM
Comment #13TDS
Even you can not deny there seems to be a big ”disconnect” and a real sense of disillusionment going on between the fans and the club right now.
No relegation, but no CL, EL or any domestic cups either, best player sold, singing section closed, a foul mouthed drunk with vascular dementia as our D.O.F, an average but clearly limited and not topline manager, a super tacky cheap sponsor and the most classless owner, well since….Shepherd!!
It’s a Mexican stand off. We ‘re not in danger of anything good or really bad!! ”No ambition United” is a phrase seemingly gathering popularity and it’s not difficult to see why.
Spoof
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:38 AM
Comment #14Lilo
you sarcastic bugger lol.
Transfer Sage
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:39 AM
Comment #15TDS
i honestly don’t think our squad player are much better than they were 2 years ago, maybe 1 or 2 but it should be more than that.
We are better than all the teams out the top 8 though, so we should be looking to build. We need to improve the squad with 5/6 additions to push on so why not have a couple now? or a couple from the summer gone?
It just seems we are looking to only ever have a good 11-13 players and the rest just cheap backup who aren’t even worth a spot on the bench.
BTW i think our defence has decent cover, plenty people who can come in a do a decent job, cover positions etc…..its the rest we need to build on.
Himanshu Dhingra
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:39 AM
Comment #16This season is as good as over
jordijohnty
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:39 AM
Comment #17welsh geordie
I was being tongue in cheek
i support a club whose only ambition is to finish 10th. End of. Nothing else. Does not match my rightful ambition for this club
LooneyToon41
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:40 AM
Comment #18@7 TDS. Good points, can’t argue with that.
@6 Hull Mag6. ‘Worth a Gamble?’ No thanks. We all know that we have a budget on Transfer fees and wages, and we can’t afford to gamble. ‘In Carr we trust’.
I’m disappointed about Grenier, but if he doesn’t want to come here, then so be it.
I’m hoping for 1 quality addition today, but like many of you, I really doubt it’s gonna happen.
Transfer Sage
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:41 AM
Comment #19catchy
you blame pardew for obertan? he is and always has been useless since he came to england, man utd couldn’t improve him.
Our Toon
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:41 AM
Comment #20TDS
Mate whether we like it or not MA is currently NUFC, he’s an owner who just doesn’t care which in turn really annoys the fans. I’ve said this before but this season is the first time I didn’t renew my season ticket (in 15 years) the first time I haven’t traveled to away games (in 15 years)….the first time I missed a game in 15 years was the Citeh away game, all because of the owner.
This guy is killing the passion our city has for our football club. MA will be around for a long time because we continue to pay him through our teeth and turn up in droves, 3 consecutive home games next season with no more than 10k attendance should and a sharp decline is sales (especially around the NE) for SD goods would chase this cancer out of our club. The only way to bring back the happiness is by taking our club back. No one will do this for us we will have to do it ourselves
catchy in norway
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:42 AM
Comment #21Spoof
I have not heard one thing from pardew to sugest we have players that can do a job,,
I know we have them,
are they a long term answer , no
all I have heard , is we must replace him,
I need to hear positivity not negativity,
he is the leader, and for me he makes them think they need cabaye,
what he knows , is we are a team of individuals , and we lost a good individual , but he is not a team,
maybe the concept of trying to make a team might work,
or we could just find another sucker to shoot from 30 yards
yorkymag
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:43 AM
Comment #22Looney toon
Dream on boy
There is no plan b me thinks
Lilongwe Geordie
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:43 AM
Comment #23TDS,
2 of those 5 are gone so we can discount them from your point as they were deemed surplus or saleable at the price.
In reference to Everton, they have strengthened already, and Martinez has said he wants more in now Lukaku and Oviedo are injured. We shall see how they get on, but they managed 3/4 deals last deadline day. If they get 2 in they are stronger in depth in my view.
As for your reference to the lack of depth in the past, it really isn’t an issue other than the fact that we haven’t rectified it in 3 years. The fact that Ryan Taylor, who is unlikely to kick a ball this season was named in the squad, and that we only named 24 players anyway tells a bit about our squad depth.
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:43 AM
Comment #24TS
Ok, here’s a comparison to 2 years ago
Krul – Krul
Elliott – Harper
Debuchy – Simpson
Santon – Raylor
Haidara – Santon
Dummett – Tav
Colo – Colo
Saylor – Saylor
Willo – Willo
MYM – Perch
Tiote – Tiote
Sissoko – Jonas
Anita – Guthrie
Goofy – Obertan
HBA – HBA
Remy – Ba
Shola – Shola
LDJ – Lovernkrands
Cisse – Best
Go back another year and it’s worse I say. Considering we could have added Cabaye to that list a few days ago, I would have said it was miles better. Assuming we replace him (hopefully today), it’s still miles better. And even without him, I say it’s better.
HullMag6
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:45 AM
Comment #25I miss torq. But he’s rarely here thanks to some muppets. Like all blogs if you dont like a bit – scroll past it. Not blindly insult the author or blog host exercise some respect.
SholaHeskey
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:46 AM
Comment #26OurToon,
You’re not Alan Pardew are you? I could just imagine him writing that about now.
🙂
pawl250
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:46 AM
Comment #27Tomorrow I would go for
———————– Krul
Debuchy – Williamson – Mbiwa – Santon
———- Sissoko – Tiote – Anita
Ben Arfa ——– De Jong ——– Marveaux
Pardew will probably go
———————– Krul
Debuchy – Williamson – STaylor – Santon
———- Sissoko – Tiote – Anita
Ben Arfa ——– Shola ————- Sammy
Looking forward to seeing the movement of a wet mop lead the line!
Our Toon
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:46 AM
Comment #28We will have a good window in the summer I have no doubt about that, MA knows he has to buy in the summer, but look at the players leaving or possible departures. I expect 4 signings in the summer, otherwise he knows season ticket sales will be down.
TDS what about the departures in the summer mate, will we still be strong then?
Marv
Colo
HBA (final yr of contract)
Shola
Gosling
Cisse
Remy
De Jong
Gutierrez
Lilongwe Geordie
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:46 AM
Comment #29Spoof,
Goofy and Cisse apparently have no specified return dates. Hopefully Goofy will make it for tomorrow!
asenski
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:48 AM
Comment #30even torq can’t predict what is in the heads of joke kinnear and mike ashley when it comes to transfers
these both are thoroughly ridiculous they are muppets not some of nufc supporters here
Spoof
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:48 AM
Comment #31Roronda
all fans can and do have different opinions of who is or isn’t a good player or manager, or if a manager is tactically good or bad, there often is a split in opinion, but very rarely do you get such a feeling of disillusionment from so many, I am 47 year old and I have never seem as many fans with their heads dropped as I am seeing now, even after a relegation there is a belief that we can get back and succeed, but now the general feeling is that we will never succeed, and personally I have never experienced a feeling like this, there just doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel, we seem to be perpetual darkness !
Spoof
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:49 AM
Comment #32Roronda, sory that’s Rotonda
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:49 AM
Comment #33Rotonda
SPOT ON! Absolutely mate.
A big “disconnect” and “disillusionment” are exactly what I’d expect to feel. Some people being a big p***ed off I could understand too and some people who think we’ll still push the top 6 I can kind of get too. But those who think if we sign Grenier then we’ll be as good as the top 4 or those who think it’s all doom and gloom I do not get at all.
I am not impressed with the DoF, the manager is currently about right for a top 8 club not challenging for the CL, everyone is disappointed we didn’t go further in the cups, I don’t like Wonga as a sponsor and yeah, we’ve gone out of the frying pan and into the fire with the owner. In fact the only decent owner we’ve had for decades was SJH.
I don’t agree with the lack of ambition, I really don’t. I just think it takes time. Honestly, we just need patience. I see progression in the squad even if others don’t. Look at how other teams have achieved success. Spurs and Everton have worked hard for many years to get to where they are in the PL now, Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd have been there for 20 years or more and Chelski and City bought their places at the top table. We can’t do what the latter 5 have done but we can copy Everton and Spurs. But it takes time.
LooneyToon41
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:49 AM
Comment #34@13 Rotonda. The ‘No ambition’ line is hard to take for all us fans, but you are right. The table doesn’t lie. We are the 8th best team in the premiership… with Cabaye.
The behind the scenes new ‘fitness/medical’ team have done a great job this season, keeping players fit to play, and that’s allowed us to be 8th.
To get top 6 (excluding Everton) consistently, would require huge annual investment, that I just don’t think will happen. I’m realistic about this, which is why I was so annoyed when we lost to Cardiff in the cup!
Spoof
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:50 AM
Comment #35sory, thats sorry, I think I might give up ?
stan anderson
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:50 AM
Comment #36Not confident about tomora,could be a bad loss to suffer with the majority of the fans pi–ed off with the transfer window.
Hope i am wrong but i think if we lose Ashley should be charged with inciting a riot.haha
Rotonda heights
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:52 AM
Comment #37jordijohnty // Jan 31, 2014 at 9:24 AM
You lot on here are so goddammed miserable, you dont deserve to support the toon.We are 3 points behind man u who will probably get 4th spot. We will get 3 quality players in today who will make the difference as we fight for that champions spot. The way you lot react you would think we will get no-one and end up below mid table. Its in touching distance. Keep the faith!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
This card carrying loon makes Kets look like mr sanity 2014 !!!!
Lilongwe Geordie
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:53 AM
Comment #38Curtis Good gone on loan to Dundee United. Decent move for the lad.
Transfer Sage
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:53 AM
Comment #39TDS
I don’t see it, on paper maybe but cisse does little these days or for the past 18months
Also santon was here 2 years ago, not an upgrade on raylor..they were both there and santon was the starting left back 2 years ago.
also gouffy is not an upgrade on obertan, he’s an upgrade on jonas (who started there) and he is now gone.
we have improved the first team as i say, maybe 1 or 2 better in the squad, but it’s pretty much the same back up players as 2 years ago
Our Toon
Jan 31, 2014 at 9:53 AM
Comment #40Lilongwe
Martinez only went and bought McGeady and loaned 6ft 8inch striker Lacina Traore, but the best signing they made was Baines on a new 4 year deal.
Shola Heskey
I cant stand Pardew mate but for the first time I saw a deflated man yesterday, for the first time he looked tired and bored of “towing the party line” will Percy crack?
On Poyet….was my first pick when he got the chop from Brighton, most on here blasted me for it, he hasn’t done it at the top level!!