So now I’m going to try and do much the same with this article, although obviously I’ll focus on the second half of the season this time around. We left off after a 2-0 defeat to the hands of Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in what was our last game of 2011, so new year, new article as we head into 2011 with a rather grim looking trip to a barren wasteland both in terms of results and venue.
However Wigan away wasn’t bad at all this time around. I was in the stands that day and had the luxury of being driven to a match. Needless to say I distinctly remember being pissed as a fart in the stands and having a sore head for the majority of the way home. That feeling was dampened though by the fact that we grabbed three points thanks to a Shola Ameobi goal – a priceless goal in fact against a fellow struggling team.
Now Shola only played that day because Andy Carroll had picked up an injury in the previous match against Tottenham, so fortunately Shola managed to step into the breach and answer our prayers whilst the player formerly known as Carroll, now known as Judas, recovered from what we were told was a minor injury.
Newcastle fans had another unlikely hero in the next match against West Ham aswell. Step forward Leon Best, who had been branded a flop. He’d been begging Pardew for a chance which he duly gave to the striker by giving him his full Premier League debut. That faith was repaid as Best scored a superb hat-trick in a 5-0 demolition of another team that was struggling at the bottom of the table. Six points from two ‘six pointers’ is about as good as you can get. Hatem Ben Arfa also signed for us permanently despite his horrific injury, but the good times ended right there I’m afraid.
BOOM! Along came another kick in the nuts. Stevenage away should have meant a relatively safe passage through to round four of the FA Cup. I won’t go there.
BOOM! And again in the next game as Asamoah Gyan snatched a lucky equaliser in the Wear-Tyne derby return at the Stade du Shoite. It wasn’t quite payback for the 5-1, but it hurt all the same.
BOOM! It’s getting predictable this, but just a few days later Newcastle again conceded in stoppage time to drop another two points. This time around it was Tottenham who were the beneficiaries of our propensity to switch off.
And finally: BOOM! Transfer deadline day. Need I say more? I think it’s all been said and done to death now to be honest.
The big question mark was how Newcastle would react to the sale of a player who had become vitally important to the team. In a way Carroll was a symbol of the new Newcastle United, until he signed for Liverpool. Us fans soon got the chance to see how we’d react, and it wasn’t pretty. Forst off we lost away at Fulham and looked dejected in the process. Then Arsenal came to St James’ Park and had the game sewn up at half-time as they went in four goals up.
Or did they really have the game sewn up? Let’s see.
Quite simply remarkable. We witnessed history in that match as it was the first time that any team had come back from 4-0 down. I just couldn’t believe it and for me it was the game of the season. I’ll never forget the sight of Cheik Tiote running the length of the St James’ Park pitch celebrating that equaliser. Magic.
That game seemed to spark the lads into life. For a bunch of players who had seemed so down and out and looking like they were heading for the relegation zone they done themselves proud. A creditable 0-0 draw at Ewood Park followed before an even more creditable 2-0 victory over Birmingham City at St Andrews followed. The lads seemed to back on track.
February came to an end with a 1-1 draw at home to Bolton. It was my Mrs’ birthday and I took her to the match especially as a present to her 😀 In a month that started so badly we actually ended up gaining six points from it.
March turned out to be a month to forget. There was only two games due some international or another, and we lost both games. Everton got us back for our win at Goodison earlier on in the season by beating us at SJP while Stoke did the double over us, in style, by beating us 4-0 at The Britannia. I was there, and I wasn’t happy with what I saw. I’ve seen milk turn quicker than Sol Campbell!
The start of April saw St James’ Park host another six-pointer as Wolves came to town. The pressure before the match was immense given just how alarmingly close we were dropping to the relegation mix at the time. Fortunately though, when it really mattered our boys pulled it out the bag as they secured a 4-1 win which effectively secured our Premier League safety, if not mathematically.
A narrow defeat to a hopelessly out of form Aston Villa followed before draws against Manchester United and Blackpool took us ever closer to the magical mathematical safety mark. Newcastle then had the chance to put one over their former No9 as they headed to Anfield. I’m still not convinced that we turned up that day as we, quite rightly, lost 3-0. The most disappointing thing for me was that we weren’t even at the races.
However, on the more positive side of things, that was to be our final defeat of the season. Birmingham were sent packing from St James’ Park after suffering a 2-1 defeat before the team rocked up to Stamford Bridge and claimed and unlikely point with a last-gasp equaliser from Steven Taylor. It finished 2-2 and it was no less than Newcastle deserved in all honesty.
So here we are – the final game of the season. I think we all have the result fresh in our minds but just so I can say that I’ve squeezed it in, I am of course referring to the 3-3 draw with West Brom last Sunday.
I think you’ll all agree that there has been something in this season for everyone. On a personal level I’m struggling to remember a season where we have had so many memorable individual games. The 5-1, 6-0, 4-4 will all take some beating.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this two part season review.
No doubt wor Joey is about to throw a massive pile of ***** on the proverbial fan. Not sure how I feel about it… 😕
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Oh and class effort there Toonsy. 😉
The rollercoaster ride isn’t over yet and for some reason to me the season already feels like it ended ages ago 😯
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
@Joey7Barton – what was he thinking?
This has the potential to be an almighty car crash.
#losing #monkeysblood
Toon Chicken(Quote)
Off to play footy anyway. Looking forward (ish) to seeing the mess when I return.
Toon Chicken(Quote)
bartons comments on toontalk.
“I don’t want to leave. I love it here and the fans know that.
I will be here next season, no way am i being sold. Once my contracts up my hands are tied but hopefully someone buys the club by then.
I love this club and want success. We should buy the club like they did at Barcelona.
I am starting a twitter account this week so every fan will know the truth.
I love the fans of this club and want to bring a trophy here.”
hitman(Quote)
Tttuuummmbbbllleeewwweeeddd
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
I actually reckon Joey Barton is a complete legend. I hope the recent saga is just the club playing hardball. I hope he signs a new deal and I genuinely believe what Barton says.
If only all footballers were as honest.
David(Quote)
Joey7Barton Joseph Barton
Hopes Piers Morgan and Robbie Savage are as brave on here as they are when they write about me in the columns………………………….
Him coming on twitter is going to be great!
Moreno(Quote)
But Barton doesn’t love it here enough to site numerous contracts that have been put in front of him?
I’m confused 😕
toonsy(Quote)
Absolute class!
The filthy regime have no respect for anyone but themselves.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
@toonsy
Would you sign a 2 yr contract aged 28 yrs?
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
I hope twitter to Barton is not like a new toy to a kid…..
neeraj(Quote)
Agree with bobby here 😕 😛 He should have been given 3 years…rumours of Nolan with a 5 year contract-now if that happens it will prove Ashley just has no clue what he’s doing.
Newkie(Quote)
Thought he was going to be on the show 👿
Never a dull moment at nufc….
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
It will be Collo next season lads 👿
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
TGS what makes you think it wont be this season mate 😆
icedog(Quote)
Bobby, he’s been offered a two year contract extension.In other words it would be two years added on to his contract which expires next year. He’ll thus be close to 32 when that contract expires. If I were him I’d sign it.
Ahmed4nufc(Quote)
@TGS
Colo may go this summer if the likes of Jose and Barton are unsettled.
I would be surprised if Barton is not banished to the reserves if he refuses to sign or be sold.
Go on Joey ! Speak your mind!
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Ahmed, the offer has been rescinded. You can’t sign something that’s not there.
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Barton obviously has a problem with Ashley. Now that maybe a pretty bad sign if he knows things we dont. I guess we’ll find out.
Who to believe will be the question.
Stuart79(Quote)
Remember they also put Saylor on the transfer list.
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
JerseyGeordie – Is that a fact or is that the talk coming from his agent?
Ahmed4nufc(Quote)
I still think and am now even more sure that this is down to Owl Heed 👿
Big Dave(Quote)
You can just imagine the scenario though.
A Scottish agent walks into a meeting with a couple of cockney’s throwing down demands and ‘If’s’ and ‘buts’ and the cockneys tell him to sling his hook.
The agent then comes out to the press causing trouble and trying to make them look like b*stards (which we all agree they are)
I just reckon that the Willie McKay and Llambias combo is a match made in hell!
Bobby,
“Colo may go this summer if the likes of Jose and Barton are unsettled.”
Joey Barton has said himself he is very settled and loves it here.
Moreno(Quote)
Got to be llambiarse. The guy is a proven pr1ck. Why Ashley has kept him along for this long is beyond me. Sure he’s good for a random pitch streak, but he can’t be that fun
AndrewT(Quote)
DAVE owl-heed only does what the fat man wants him too mate,after-all hes the man 😕
icedog(Quote)
Big Dave
Posted May 26, 2011 at 7:25 PM
I still think and am now even more sure that this is down to Owl Heed
—————-
Dave was about to post the same thing. I always thought that he and his ruthless-Casino ways were the real power at the club.
MDS(Quote)
I always viewed ashley as a bit of a muppet who just says “sounds good Derek, do what you think’s best”
MDS(Quote)
I seriously hope there will be closure to this real soon so that the fans won’t get on the clubs back. That way let’s hope Pardew and co. can get the right players and we can move forwards instead of go backwards after a good two years.
Ahmed4nufc(Quote)
Moreno I think you hit the nail on the heed, I would say Owlheed is a right arrogant ****** but I think a football agent would make him even worse.
I still believe a lot of it because Joey is brave enough and come out and say things that others wouldn’t say. and going by what Joey already has came out with I dont think its all down to the devil Mckay
Big Dave(Quote)
MDS aye thats why ashley is a billion-are,and owl heed is a hanger-on,i dont think so m8,ashleys the man
icedog(Quote)
ahmed at 29. that’s my main fear. That this’ll kickstart the whole “trouble at Newcastle”/”Ashley out” story at a time when we are trying to attract good players to the club
MDS(Quote)
Ice @ 26 you can still do what the owner wants you to do with out being an arrogant ******, remember this is the same guy that was quoted as saying that he wanted to smack KK ? the one that streaked across SJP for a bet, that doesn’t sound like a good type of chairman to me.
But I think the problem is MA trusts him 👿
Big Dave(Quote)
I actually dont know what to think about this…
witters(Quote)
Possibly Dog. I just think that from what we’ve seen over the past two years Owlheed is the one running the club. How much direction he gets from Ashley I have no idea.
MDS(Quote)
Or maybe this ***** has been started on purpose so that the fans will be up in arms then there will be more stand off’s then MA will say that he is going to try to sell the club then comes the close of the window with no new players then MA says he will stay untill someone will buy the club 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
The latest from Colin:
Transfer latest – Players will be brought in on free transfers, contracts drawn up & due to be signed off Ashley directly involved in all,
Transfer latest – Gervinho’s advisors still stalling on offer made, 6 year contract offered & wages of 60k per week,
Transfer latest – Enrique has confirmed that he does not want to negotiate a new contract, agent now sounding out prospective new clubs,
Transfer latest – Charles N’Zogbia will be returning Gameiro bid accepted but only have permission to speak to player after last game
Ahmed4nufc(Quote)
yikes, Joey’s gone in for one at Piers Morgan! Piers said something like “I haven’t used a type-writer since the last time you were sent off” Joey said “no sending-offs all season last year” Piers said “Was that because you were in prison?”
I have a feeling this is going to get ugly, Barton will speak his mind whenever he sees fit, which on twitter, will probably be very often 😕
definitely gonna be entertaining though 😆
DevonMag(Quote)
Gameiro’s side finish their league campaign on sunday for those of you that are unsure about it.
Ahmed4nufc(Quote)
DAVE i hate both the gits,they should never be involed in the footy game,but at the end of the day its ashley cash and guys like that are users,owl-heeds in there to make money for ashley by fair means or foul,and it was ashley that bet him about running onto the pitch,that shows you how much of a creep owl-heed is,yes boss no boss,there laughing all the way to the bank,on our back may i add
icedog(Quote)
Dave- stop scaring me 😉
Ahmed- just saw that. Guy certainly claims a lot of info, though must say it is all fairly believable. Lot of rumours around that one of the rumoured frees is Darren Pratley from Swansea
MDS(Quote)
Ahmed, it’s what Joey has said.
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
JerseyGeordie – Hopefully the club change their mind and realise that they need to be offering the length of contract that he wants. We just need things to settle quickly.
Ahmed4nufc(Quote)
This is what simmo write to Barton when asked what other lads are on twitter.
@Joey7Barton just @dangosling15 n @shane_fergie off r team lad, jonas has it aswel lol
Notice Enrique and Guthrie arent there but both have twitter. Also the whole “Jonas has it aswell lol” bit kinda sounds like an inside joke suggesting that Jonas maybe off as well 😕
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
If Joey really is insisting on a 4 year deal the club is right to tell him to do one. We are not a pension fund.
Whumpie(Quote)
JG,
Kaz
Fergie
Jonas
Gosling
Simmo
Barton
Sammy Ameobi
Ranger
That is every official nufc twitter.
Guthrie’s isn’t him and Jose removed his after he mentioned his injury would stop him playing and got bollocked
Moreno(Quote)
I think the joke about Jonas is that he tweets in Spanish or whatever and so Joey could follow him but no understand a word. Enrique was on but I think he closed his account whilst I do not know about Guthrie. Simmo hasn’t said that Guthrie is on so I assume its a fake account.
Ahmed4nufc(Quote)
Moreno ah cheers mate 😉
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Before everyone starts jumping on Llambias and blaming him for the situation with Barton it’s worth noting that Bartons agent publicly thanked the board and Llambias in particular for sticking by Barton and giving him support through his problems.
As for that ****-erring idiot Colin he’ full of ***** and has got one transfer correct in twelve months. His form isnt great.
Stuart79(Quote)
I honestly don’t know what to think anymore…
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Moreno 😆 how do you send a tweet ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
av just got me a twitter account and havent a clue how 2 use it!!!!!!!
Army69(Quote)
JG @50,just think the whole thing is a shambles at the minute and you wont be far wrong 😆
icedog(Quote)
Jez he has near 18000 followers allready
Big Dave(Quote)
this happened last transfer window WE WERE LINKED WITH EVERY1!!!!!!!!!! my head is going to explode keep hoping a good player is coming in!! am i daft to think that?? just want me beloved newcastle united to get back to there entertainer days!!! 😥
Army69(Quote)
You just type
@piersmorgan f*ck off you big nosed ******
in the box at the top
😉
Moreno(Quote)
ARMY just ask your lass what days she wants back,think you might find its wor jackie days,had a few cups to crow aboot 😆
icedog(Quote)
icedog have u heard anymore news on signings coming in bud??
Army69(Quote)
Moreno thats the c@nt that made me think about sending one but I didn’t know how to
Big Dave(Quote)
ARMY sticking with tiotes mate comeing,and zog,and thats about all mateapart for a new l/back think that ones a done deal imo
icedog(Quote)
honestly lads i will be GUTTED if joey left at the end of next season!! hes a legend
Army69(Quote)
icedog hope ya ryt bud haha, where u from?
Army69(Quote)
Dog- you mean Gervinho? He and Zog are my thoughts as well. Plus a couple of frees, a replacement for Enrique, and a couple of bairns
MDS(Quote)
Danny Simpson is giving him a load of jip at the minute! Pretty funny.
It takes some getting used to dave, I still haven’t mastered all the little quirks you can do.
Start off by going into the search box and typing “nufcblogcouk”
Then in top right click follow next to the blog
Moreno(Quote)
i was laughing my head off 2day when that shearer came in2 the log and said ” ive got close sources that newc are getting took over 2day ” NEVER HEARD SO MUCH PAP . please why do people make all the ***** up, is it them trying 2 get attention?? its sad
Army69(Quote)
JG @50,just think the whole thing is a shambles at the minute and you wont be far wrong
Ice isn’t it always 😕
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Follow Jobey07, i find him the best. good inside knowledge on the club 😉
Jobey07(Quote)
Moreno 😉
Is there anywhere I can read what Barton had to say?
toonsy(Quote)
haway then jobey ……. are we close to buying any1??
Army69(Quote)
sy- http://www.fansonline.net/newcastleunited/article.php?id=793 Barton Wants To Stay
Jobey07(Quote)
Errr… ill check with my sources 😉
Jobey07(Quote)
Ahh right…..
So Steve Wraith says:
“I can’t quote him as he will get into bother…this is what he said to me in a conversation though…”
Before saying what was said anyway? Hmm…..
toonsy(Quote)
tomatoe or brown sauceS?
Army69(Quote)
Moreno I seen that 😆 that Morgan is a right Tanker that thinks he is someone.
I’ll try the blog one 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
ARMY durham mate.
MDS.aye thats his mate,the crack is the swansea lad is on his way too even if they go up, will cost nowt
icedog(Quote)