After another rather depressing January transfer window, when we loaned out six players, sold another one, and let the manager leave to join Crystal Palace, but only for a compensation fee of around £4M, it will soon be time to move on, and put yet another disappointing transfer window behind us.
Mark Hughes – brings in-form Stoke to St. James’ Park
On the positive side, we did beat Hull 3-0 last Saturday for our biggest win of the season, so you could claim that was a good performance, but of course Hull were simply hopeless on the day.
But it was certainly a terrific result for us.
Remy Cabella and Sammy Ameobi both scored superb goals, and Yoan Gouffran’s wasn’t bad either, and he did everything right when Hull defenders refused to close him down.
And that was Yoan’s second goal in as many matches, and it would be good if Yoan can get among the goals again.
Stoke City are a completely different proposition than Hull City, and they are one place above Newcastle in 10th place and 2 points better off than the Magpies.
And Mark Hughes has them playing good football, and they are a good side away from home too.
Stoke are on a three game winning streak right now, so we know this game will not be easy, and they are always a physical side.
The other way to look at that is they are due a defeat, and certainly another win on Sunday would be a much needed tonic for Newcastle fans.
That would take us to 33 points from 24 games played, and we’d be in 10th position and would go above Stoke.
Newcastle’s defense was still dodgy last Saturday and any other side would have taken the three excellent chances Hull had to score, but somehow didn’t.
So we really have to tighten up at the back – especially Fabricio Coloccini – because when Colo plays well, Newcastle play well.
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48 comments so far
Ibizatoon
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:24 AM
Comment #1Why not aye?
We sinply must go for our top 10 target, getting stuck in 11th would be a disaster and completely throw our season…
Lindisfarne
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:25 AM
Comment #2It depends on how many players they are allowed on the pitch.
Ibizatoon
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:25 AM
Comment #3Carry on from previous thread…
MoJo…Oooo, was there a disocunt code for buying them online?
BandB…I had wondered how long the name would last 🙂
I think you’re forgetting that in exchange for that apple, you’d be given an apple tree seed (not straight away of course, these things take time) and eventually, you’ll be able to grow your own apples.
Which of course will likely be taken as well, but that’s the circle of life for you.
Average_Contents
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:25 AM
Comment #4It’s been near 8 Ibiza. Yikes. 8 years of that slug stitching us up.
Same here it’s the issue of where they’ve gone. That tells it’s own story.
No idea on the wages but it wouldn’t suprise me if we are footing the bill as measly as their wages may be it’s still a piss take.
70two had an interesting theory on that.
Rangers can’t even afford their own players wages and running costs at the moment so the slugs sent them up there because they will have to pay their wages out of the first £5m tranche SD gave them of which £3m went straight back to the slug. The remaining £2m is for operational costs thus applying more pressure to an already stretched business.
Ibizatoon
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:27 AM
Comment #5This is strange. I tried to send a post on the previous, which hasn’t shown. I re-submitted it and it said it was a duplicate post.
Have tried on here too, still not showing.
No links or naughty words.
What’s up Ed?
Ibizatoon
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:29 AM
Comment #6Oh well, shant let it ruin my day (kicks an innocent child walking by).
8 year just reminds me of more broken promises. If only Pardew was given his full 8 years to take us to glory.
That’s it, day ruined.
Average_Contents
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:30 AM
Comment #7Ibiza
Carver would still get the job. He’s nailed on if he doesn’t take us down. That’s all the slugs interested in.
RandY
Far too tired for examples like that but fatty eating an apple? Best joke of the morning so far. Can you bestow your pearls of joke telling wisdom upon Ibiza, he’s struggling. Must be all those budgie smugglers he sees on a daily basis, his brain is frazzled.
Ibizatoon
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:33 AM
Comment #8AC…I did sign up for one of our own posters comedy classes.
I couldn’t get the “ha ha ha” down after each joke, so failed.
BandB
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:34 AM
Comment #9AC
According to NUFC.Com, quoting the Telegraph, Newcastle will pay the bulk of the Loan Rangers wages, with Rangers making a contribution.
However, newspapers are all big fat fibbers, whereas the club always tells the truth.
Average_Contents
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:35 AM
Comment #108 full years of the king? IMAGINE THAT.
Sadly and the most tragic part of it is, if palace wouldn’t of stumped up the cash it’d most likely be a reality.
Oh and welcome back Mrmojo and toon tang.
Ibizatoon
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:37 AM
Comment #11BandB…The name didn’t last too long.
Nice to see some positivity towards the club this morning. Doesn’t it make things flow better on the blog.
Ignorance is bliss utd!
A/C…He certainly would. Damn you Palace! *Waves fists in the air*
BandB
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:40 AM
Comment #12Ibiza,
It was such a good name, off the top of your head too, I had to try it on. Like a party hat.
Average_Contents
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:41 AM
Comment #13RandY
Haha, I’d be inclined to trust a career criminal before the club.
Ibizatoon
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:41 AM
Comment #14BandB…I sense you’re humouring me. So, thank you.
Hope you had some fun with it.
BandB
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:45 AM
Comment #15Ibiza,
If Belfast managed to miss the joke, I’m sure others would have made laborious, tedious work of it. It was a quick piece of wordplay, so honouring, not humouring.
Average_Contents
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:45 AM
Comment #16If the hat fits as they say.
Sorry I’ll stop before it gets out of hand….again.
Anyway I’m off. Got better things to do than chew the fat on a blog, important things like sleeping.
optimistic prime
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:46 AM
Comment #17Armstrong to a championship club next week.
If fatty dropped a quid as he bent over to pick it up it would smack him in the back of the head.
Average_Contents
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:48 AM
Comment #18I sense a romance developing. So cute 😀
Definitely off now.
Ibizatoon
Feb 4, 2015 at 9:52 AM
Comment #19BandB…I really can’t catch a break with regards to humour on this blog!
On to more sensible things and without getting in to too much detail, as and when (no “if” I’m guessing), some plans start to form, please let me know what I can assist with.
A/C…You mention you’re off to bed and then that a romance is forming. I don’t want to add 2 and 2, but…
JDdubai
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:02 AM
Comment #20Think we should be too strong for Stoke, just depends how tight we are at the back.
no bojan for them either and with our players getting fitter and few coming into some form think we could match last week’s result.
firebug666
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:08 AM
Comment #21Will Ashley sell us for Rangers?
At the moment Rangers are operating on a loan basis set up by Ashley, something that cannot continue forever.
The Five players who went up there willingly or not, have been tasked with securing Rangers promotion back into the SPL.
The financial situation at Rangers would mean that they could not exist in the SPL living hand to mouth on borrowed money.
And; at the end of this season most of those Rangers players are out of contract.
The only option for Rangers is for someone to buy them, and invest money in a new team.
A new owner, if not Ashley may want to sever all ties with Ashley and SD to get the fans back onside from the beginning it which case Ashley could lose out on a lot of money.
The other option is for Ashley to buy Rangers, and if he was to do that he would have to sell us.
Of cause he could also try using one of his other companies to buy Rangers and keep us too. Let’s hope that never happens.
My gut tells me he is readying rangers for a takeover, and we are on the market, but only time will tell.
firebug666
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:13 AM
Comment #22JDdubai
Do you think Newcastle will be sold before 2017?
Lindisfarne
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:15 AM
Comment #23Stoke are a typical rope-a-dope team relying on speed to cut through stretched and fragile defenses. JC does not seem to want to play too cautiously so it will be interesting to see how he sets out the team to minimise the risk of their counter-attacks. The image of our midfield chasing players towards our penalty box is a frightening one.
QPR tried to play 4141 last week but without any real width and it became a muddle in the middle that Stoke were able to exploit. I think they had used a secondary striker Austin would have had more opportunity himself or to lay the ball off.
Although NUFC look like they are playing the same formation as under the previous manager, there are subtle differences. Sissoko is playing slightly deeper and as a marked man creates more space inside for the wide men to cut in to. Against Hull Anita did a good job in the holding role, Colback did not need to play defensively so much and I have noticed he tends to give away free kicks. NUFC are certainly not going to get the same shooting opportunities in front of the Stoke goal, they will need willing runners to get into the box and better wing play. However whilst our best form of defense is to attack, the team risk being over committed going forward and if so need to make it count on the score board.
stuart no9
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:15 AM
Comment #24JD——‘Think we should be too strong for Stoke, just depends how tight we are at the back” —— In what area would that be ??? yeah i suppose on our day we may have a little more technical ability than stoke however in pure strength, height , power and stubborness, they dont come much bigger than stoke. If we dont play good football, we’ll get beat.
toon kk
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:21 AM
Comment #25If we defend like we did against Hull Stoke will rip our defence apart, so it’s a hard one to call.
At least the lads have had a bit of time to get over there holiday in Dubai, they clearly didn’t do much training out there.
BandB
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Comment #26Against Hull we scored with three long-range shots.
The reason we still aren’t getting too many crosses that end in tap-ins is that we still aren’t getting people into the box to support our counter attacks quickly enough. Stoke will sit. Scoring will be much harder.
Lindisfarne
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:36 AM
Comment #27firebug666
I don’t know many details, but I am informed that when Vladimir Romanov owned Hearts he also had links with another club in Eastern Europe. A precedent in the SFAs backyard that I am sure the SD bods will be looking to exploit. Ashley selling NUFC is always on the cards but as he continues to expand his business holdings there is less and less likelihood of him being required to sell.
If not settled out of court there may be a case being brought against SD by workers on zero hours contracts, a perfect opportunity for supporters to demonstrate their anger at Ashleys deplorable business practices.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:38 AM
Comment #28At least the football cannot be worse than under AP that should be our saving grace 🙂
…I am going to clear out the attic – later!
stan anderson
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:41 AM
Comment #29Dont give a monkeys win lose or draw,whats the point.
We have no ambition with this slimy slug in charge.
Even the much inferior Makems are showing some ambition to do something other than stay in the PL.
Shocking situation to be in and i wonder why nothing is done about it by the authorities above.
Has the slimy slug got to much money to challenge his motives.
Lindisfarne
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:42 AM
Comment #30toon kk
Two(?) training sessions in Dubai and no Captain who is supposed to implement the tactics on the pitch. Go figure?
Rotonda heights
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:43 AM
Comment #31Ed
Give it up. 4M for Pardew was a hell of a result, if we really did get that much.
Carver made some poor subs decisions v burnley in his first match and and maybe was a bit disingenuous with his team selction v leicester in the cup, but overall we are going forward more and creating and scoring more goals.
BandB
Feb 4, 2015 at 10:46 AM
Comment #32Firebug,
Sometimes when you can’t get an answer, its worth turning the problem around and asking a different question.
Ashley, by his own admission, runs Newcastle to benefit Sports Direct.
So, it would be handy to see a list of all the benefits to Sports Direct that would make selling Newcastle out of the question. And all the current evidence that supports that idea.
We could start by examining the idea, widely held, that Ashley is personally creaming fortunes out of Newcastle, making it an indispensable and irreplaceable part of his revenue stream.
Rotonda heights
Feb 4, 2015 at 11:02 AM
Comment #33Stan
” Has the slimy slug got to much money to challenge his motives.”
Got it in one
Rotonda heights
Feb 4, 2015 at 11:05 AM
Comment #34I do worry about bringing back SDJ against Stoke as they have some serious nutters like Shawlcross
BandB
Feb 4, 2015 at 11:07 AM
Comment #35Rotonda,
What are you saying there?
That rich powerful people never come a cropper?
History suggests most controversial careers end in death or disgrace.
Particularly over-reachers who store up enemies.
optimistic prime
Feb 4, 2015 at 11:10 AM
Comment #36No one has a clue what the slugs end game is but a few thoughts have run through my head lately.
The ffp is still in affect and it’s obvious to anyone that looks we don’t spend.
The slug has said sell 2016 if that happens or not is a different story. We’re expected to make profits this year so you’d assume it’s the same for next year.
I’m not sure how it would work but let’s say at the end of next season Ashley had a profit in the club of £129mlion or what ever we owe him.
Is it possible for Ashley to sell the club for a higher price recouping his debt and leaving a kitty of £129mil for the new owners to spend without getting in trouble with ffp.
For anyone wanting to buy the club and invest their money this would be a attractive proposition. I’m not saying it’s right or could be done but a £129mil kitty would be a bonus for any prospective buyer.
Not sure if that would be allowed but it’s something I’ve thought about when people say the slug could be selling us.
optimistic prime
Feb 4, 2015 at 11:12 AM
Comment #37Scratch that, the fat lad won’t leave his profit.
JDdubai
Feb 4, 2015 at 11:15 AM
Comment #38@21 – Depends on what happens North of the Border i think, firstly with the SFA hearing and then the AGM later. If he survives both of them then everything kind of makes sense. Not that making sense ever meant anything with Ashley and our club.
@23 – I didnt mean physically strong, I mean we are better than them(stronger) , or should be so we will win.
optimistic prime
Feb 4, 2015 at 11:16 AM
Comment #39I watched Stoke Qpr the other day and if NUFC can’t get a result they should relegate us now. Both teams made Hull look decent.
Rotonda heights
Feb 4, 2015 at 11:17 AM
Comment #40Band B
Kind of amazed he’s survived as long as he has. In South America they’d never find the body!!