It’s looking like it could be tough for Newcastle to stay in the Premier League this season, and the 35 points we had reached after 27 games and the points we are still on after 34 games – may not be enough.
John Carver – seven successive defeats
That means Newcastle will have to pick up at least one win in the remaining four games, and that could prove difficult given the terrible form and attitude of the Newcastle players over the last two months, and especially recently.
John Carver will still be in charge on Saturday in the early game (12:45 pm KO), and we should get his press conference tomorrow.
John will say the players have looked very good in training and we will be going for the win and that it will be a tough game.
He may not say it’s a Cup Final since at one time John said we had six Cup Finals to play, and since we lost the first two of those he’s given up on that one.
We know that’s what he will say because that’s just exactly what he’s said in the last seven games – all of which we have lost.
And John’s starting to show signs of being under pressure, and when he was interviewed after the game on Saturday he asked the club to protect him from the abuse of fans and said he wouldn’t take it.
That may be an admission from John that he’s not up to the job because you are not going to be praised after the worst losing run Newcastle have had since 1978 – with the club looking like it’s falling apart at the seams.
If he cannot take that kind of pressure then he’s not up to the job which he himself has said is the toughest job in football – but when we are not in Europe any more is that really true?
It’s a difficult situation for the inexperienced Carver to be in – but we see no help for him coming from Mike Ashley or Lee Charnley – who have put John in this position with a threadbare squad – and they seem to be hiding out and letting John take all the heat.
So nothing has changed there over the last few years.
It could be a tough game for us on Saturday, especially if Leicester get their 5th win in a row tonight at home to Chelsea.
Th pressure is on the Newcastle players and John Carver himself – and we’ll see what they are made of.
117 comments so far
beermonkey
Apr 29, 2015 at 9:44 AM
Comment #1was there ant truth in the clubs statement last night
sickandtired
Apr 29, 2015 at 9:47 AM
Comment #2Our form is better than only two sides in the whole of Europe – one in Malta and one in Albania!
Says a lot about JC’s ability, or lack of and why his only previous first team job was in Toronto.
Ahhhh, but what do we know, eh?
Our Toon
Apr 29, 2015 at 9:52 AM
Comment #39 have predicted a win
cyprus
Apr 29, 2015 at 9:54 AM
Comment #4Ok,
will respond but just once 🙂
As I understand it, you’re a first year student, embarking on a great trip of knowledge, both about life and your chosen profession. I’m hoping that at university you will learn, if you are willing to learn, about appreciating that there are many points of view, different perspectives and no one has an absolute monopoly on ‘right’. There are opinions and facts. The more you triangulate the better.
Unfortunately, the older people get, the more they get stuck with attitudes rather than perceptions. This makes them less flexible. You just starting man, relax a little.
Best of.
jimmysmith
Apr 29, 2015 at 9:55 AM
Comment #5I don’t agree at all with the idea that Ashley’s relationship with the greatest majority of fans is broken beyond repair in the short term. I think if he signs a coach like Jemez and spends the money that’s on hand on players, and it’s not rocket science to imagine he will, when it’s so clear he needs to, then the fans by and large will be back on board. Fans want to support and believe. I think he intends to spend, but am less confident about the clubs capacity to attract the players and get the deals done. Newcastle don’t need to challenge the top six next season, but they do need to play better football, and compete in the cups and that is quite achievable, but again, do they have the wherewithal.
Ciaran
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:03 AM
Comment #6Cyprus
Your understandings are incorrect. I’m a final year Law student and I am in my mid-20s. I have great ability in discerning a well found argument as opposed to a spurious one. In my opinion yours is a spurious one that shows little understanding of numerous considerations.
I find your tone to be extremely patronising, serving to show that despite advance years, you’ve not garnered emotional maturity. I don’t dislike you as a person, I’m not speaking down to you as a person. I am challenging your views, and in response you are attempting to undermine my point of view through using aspects of my character which you consider to be underdeveloped or “flaws” – what gives you the right to do so? I’ve made no such assumptions of your character, though I could easily do so. But doing so would only weaken my stance, as you have invariably weakened yours.
Tackle the substance of the discussion. Or would you rather stay out of my way/insult me personally because it is easier for you to do so?
Best of.
beermonkey
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:08 AM
Comment #7jimmy
although I agree the problem is, is Ashley going to change the way he runs the club
they say one thing and do another there really is no trust
as for spending of course we will spend if we don’t spend and we manage to stay up we will go down next season
but who has faith that they will bring in the right manager with a proven record of what they claim they want and will they bring in the right players in the right positions or will we get another window of squad players that might come good cos there cheap
Ciaran
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:11 AM
Comment #8I’m also being rhetorical when I said “tackle the substance of the discussion” with regards you specifically. You’re a patronising ass and I’ve no wish to discuss anything with you.
As much as I dislike discussions with Blackley he actually challenges points on their validity as opposed to character assumptions.
Our Toon
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:17 AM
Comment #9Is this the 5 year plan? Promotion followed by relegation
davetoon
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:17 AM
Comment #10Call me nuckin futs but I have a feeling that we are going to win this weekend.
Players back, starting to score a couple of goals for once, Leicester playing mid-week jusr some of the reasons and also for the first time in ages we are not favourites to beat what should be a weaker team.
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Comment #11Jimmy,
It would take far more than appointing a coach and one summer of spending to get many fans back on side. Some never will be regardless. I think the issues of trust have been broken too often. Most agree he will spend, but likely only enough to survive next year.
one fine day
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Comment #12Jimmy @ 5
Jimez is a perfect coach for Ashley. Cheap out of contract and seems to finish 11th fits the bill to perfection.
Sorry but I think until Ashley actually stops hiding and has the guts to actually speak with fans he will never be trusted .
Better football is something that should be easily archived after the dross his year
Just no way I can trust Ashley to do the right thing .
Do you honestly feel you can trust him and charnley when they say they will actually have a go at the cups,?
Mate they simply do not care about us how much more evidence do you need?
cyprus
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:21 AM
Comment #13I’m not old, well not really anyway! 53 🙂
Anyway, maybe there’s plenty of room here for the both of us, so you can stay out of my way and I yours.
Best of
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:23 AM
Comment #14I still think we will stay up. I reckon we will collect 4 to 6 points from the remaining games. 34 points was enough to keep you up last season. Sunderland will struggle to reach that. Tactics Tim still needs to do a bit of work. Burnley and QPR are virtually down, QPR will probably be down by the time we face them. Burnley could stay up, but would have to beat Hull which leaves Hull more vulnerable than us. Leicester still to play Sunderland, and Burnley still to play Villa. Each of the teams below will take points off the others. We will pick up a few points and be safe in my opinion at least.
Lindisfarne
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:24 AM
Comment #15I wonder if Mike Ashley would take £150M for a 51% stake in the club?
He keeps 49% and the shop merchandise, but the corporate hospitality, advertising, money from the PL and the running of the club goes elsewhere. Not that I have two bob to rub together.
Lindisfarne
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Comment #16If we every game until the end of the season, s’land need two wins.
Vask
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Comment #17Davetoon,
You, my friend, are nucking futs!
Still I think you may have unearthed something there. We’re definitely due one.
HTL!
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Comment #18Lindisfarne,
Given they are one of the few clubs who have less wins then us this calendar year that is unlikely. They play Saints, Everton – remarkable how Martinez teams always (almost) find a patch of form this time of year – Leicester, Arsenal and Chelsea. I don’t see 2 wins there.
Lindisfarne
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Comment #19# lose !!!
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:29 AM
Comment #20Adam Campbell on trial at West Brom at the moment.
Lindisfarne
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:30 AM
Comment #21Lilongwe Geordie
Exactly, we are safe but if they get one win I will be a wreck by the end of the season.
Lindisfarne
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Comment #22Lilongwe Geordie
I just looked at his transfermarket profile yesterday and it said J.Campbell didn’t score at Villareal, is that correct?
Lindisfarne
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:32 AM
Comment #23Sorry!!! DOH
lochinvar
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:32 AM
Comment #24It’s not the toughest job in football JC or anywhere else for that matter.
Suggest he walks round the corner to the RVI and see the jobs that so many people do there and do professionally in difficult situations.
The hard part must be working for Charnley and Ashley who make Gengis and Khan seem like pussy cats .
More than anything it’s the tat that Ashley peddles and how he peddles that infuriates . Newcastle – the City and the toon were built on hard graft, a sense of pride and spirit. Clearly qualities that are beyond the cockney spivs.
davetoon
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:32 AM
Comment #25Yeah hopefully Leicester will run around like rabid dogs tonight and be knackered come Saturday.
jimmysmith
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Comment #26There is one big change Ashley could make to repair his relationship with the fans, and that’s charge SD for advertising, which he should, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Other than that, the club can still turn this around quickly, by spending the money at hand well.
Despite chronically not spending where and when it most needs to, the club does spend, as they did last close season, but prefers to do its business in the summer window.
As I said previously though, it’s one thing having the intention, whether by choice or forced, another in pulling it off, especially when you get the sense that the competition, which is stiff, goes about it with greater expertise and flexibility, and of course there is always the problem of attracting players to the North East.
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:40 AM
Comment #27Lindisfarne,
I take it you misread the Campbell…. Joel Campbell hasn’t scored many goals anywhere he has been. He only really scores regularly for Costa Rica, but international football is a lower standard than club football at the top level so it means very little.
Our Toon
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:40 AM
Comment #28Think people are forgetting that Leicester can win tonight. If they do we are well and truly screwed.
The mackems got a very good point away to Stoke, a ground alot of teams have struggled at.
jimmysmith
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:40 AM
Comment #29I don’t trust Ashley at all. I just think it’s reached a point where he has to deliver, because of fan discontent. How much more can you cut prices, what else can they do?
I don’t think they are very good though, when push comes to shove, so doubt their capacity, more than anything.
Our Toon
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:42 AM
Comment #30Lindisfarne & LG
Joel Campbell scores more goals for his country because he’s used as a CF. At club level he’s mainly used as a winger.
spitfire_
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:42 AM
Comment #31Our Toon // Apr 29, 2015 at 10:17 AM
Let me remind you our five-year plan for NUFC glory. Just look which team they want to emulate. At least for one thing they didn’t lie.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mike-ashley-eyes-five-year-plan-1449440
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:43 AM
Comment #32Jimmy,
In fairness prior to last summer we had gone from Feb 2013 to June 2014 without making a single permanent addition to the first team squad. We spent last summer because the club had no option, we will again to a similar extent this summer. It is highly debatable if we kick on or not.
BandB
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:44 AM
Comment #33Does anyone recall how the club reacted to narrowly squeaking survival in 2013?
There was going to be a “root and branch” review of “lessons learned.”
In the event, we signed one player (Remy) on loan and released Simpson, Harper and Perch.
The lesson learned appears to have been to avoid the cups and therefore any chance of qualifying for Europe again while lowering our previous season target of eighth to 10th.
This end-season’s “huge rebuild” of a window, like the one that foreshadowed the present relegation fight, is predicated on the revolutionary promise of a “net spend.” and “continuity.”
Listen to what the club actually says, rather than your dreams, and you won’t be disappointed.
They don’t “do” dreams.
MacToon
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:45 AM
Comment #34Lilo. you were discussing the figure mentioned on the channel 4 program which had been paid to SD from NUFC not showing up on NUFC accounts as they are not detailed enough. Let’s not forget they will show on another companies accounts, SD.
I’m sure that is where the figure came from but awaiting confirmation on this. It does seem however that the club are quite confident their (C4) accusations are wrong.
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:46 AM
Comment #35Our Toon,
More likely than not that is because he isn’t up to playing as a centre froward at the clubs he has been at. He has played out wide a lot for his country as well, and half of his goals have come from those wide positions, rather than up top.
BandB
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:48 AM
Comment #36Correction.
We sold Perch. For £700,000
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:48 AM
Comment #37MacToon,
Yeah, I think Simon Bird wrote about the figure as he asked a question about it at the SD AGM. But the year before I think there was a payment mentioned in our accounts as well. Funnily enough this year, rather than have any controversy it is all lumped together under one heading so individual payments get lost.
mindshaft
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:49 AM
Comment #38Well if Pearson has any nous he’ll rest key players for tonight, use containing tactics and go for a draw
He pretty much knows he’s guaranteed a win against us if his team aren’t knackered
MacToon
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:58 AM
Comment #39I’d be disappointed if C4 hadn’t double (or triple) checked the figure before the program went out.
It was the payment from the previous year that the club explained in the Fansforum meeting. Does that mean that explanation now covers all payments from NUFC to SD, I’m not that sure it does tbh.
Also, I’ll guess if Ashley is still here when SD have their next AGM in September there will be more than Simon Birds presence asking awkward questions.
jimmysmith
Apr 29, 2015 at 10:58 AM
Comment #40Lilo, yes, but we signed those five french lads though, in the January, out of necessity, when we would have preferred to do that business in the summer if we could, hence the inactivity that followed. Also, there was less money in the coffers, I think, and of course the jam tomorrow spiel had more currency back then. I think Ashley is out of wiggle room, and there is cash to spend. Of course you’d still expect him to short change us to some degree I suppose, nature of the beast.