Newcastle United and it’s fans are used to fire fighting, but it’s usually a reaction to some form of scandal or travesty that has taken place at the club.
Not so at the moment. Instead we are sailing in infinitely calmer waters as we head into October. Results are good, performances are improving, and we sit in 4th place in the table still. All this without playing brilliantly at all times and without playing to our full potential.
I don’t think many would have thought that we’d be in 4th after six games. From the more negative person to the more positive one I hand on heart believe that nobody would have predicted a start like this. Even with me not being one that subscribed to the panic button pushing, I’m still surprised that we’ve started off so well.
One person that isn’t surprised however is Demba Ba. He claims that the calibre of players at the club always ensured that there is a chance that we could have started off so well.
“I am not surprised that we have made such a good start,” Ba told The Chronicle. “When I look at the players that we do have I can’t be surprised. We all get on very well together and it is important for not just me, the other guys as well.”
The Senegal striker added: “The future looks very good here, not just for the French guys, but for everybody. I am happy about that because the French guys get on very well with the other lads too.”
It’s been a slow start to life at Newcastle for Demba Ba, but his hat-trick at the weekend was a fine way to get off the mark for his new club and fans will now be eager to see what else the 26-year-old has in store.
The issue of fasting and Ramadan has been quite hotly debated by NUFC fans due to the start that Demba Ba made at Newcastle. In my opinion it’s probably the least likely subject that I’d expect football fans to talk about but still. Whatever the cause of Ba’s slow start, the most important thing is that he recognises that he wasn’t fit and admits that he feels much better now.
“I am very thankful to the fans because they have been fantastic,” said Ba. “I haven’t played well since I have been here, until the last two weeks where I’ve got my sharpness back. Once you get that back it’s good, the football side is there all along but you have to be sharp.”
Ba then reminisced on the last time that he scored a three goals in a game before moving to allay fears that this side doesn’t have enough goals in it.
“I last scored three goals in a game in Germany against Stuttgart playing for Hoffenheim,” he revealed. “Scoring three is a great feeling, a lot of people can score two goals in a game, but three is different as it is special. Everybody is happy, you can only feel like that.”
“We are scoring. Against Blackburn it was me but last week it was Besty and in midweek against Forest it was Peter Lovenkrands. Next week it could be anybody.”
Next week it could be anybody, but it’s likely to be either Leon Best or Demba Ba. The pair of them seem to work well together and both of them know where the back of the back of the net is. Perhaps the most pleasing thing was seeing Leon Best play well despite not scoring.
Granted his shooting may have been off against Blackburn but all strikers have off days and I think Best deserves a bit of slack. Like I said, he still played well and caused problems for the Blackburn defence. If that had been, say, Peter Lovenkrands, then I very much doubt I’d be saying the same thing simply because the Danishman either scores or does nothing. How many times can you say Lovenkrands played well without finding the back of the net?
Before I go, a little fact for you all. Demba Ba has managed 10 goals in 14 Premier League starts whilst Best has bagged himself 9 goals in 13 starts.
Long may that kind of form continue!
Steven Taylor on talkSport
http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/richard-keys-and-andy-gray/blog/2011-09-26/steven-taylor-newcastle-priority-not-england
toonsy(Quote)
the best thing about this is that stroller is now third choice at best!! thank **** for that.
craig chisholm(Quote)
I never would have guessed 4th. very pleased that two major worries form the ofseason proved fruitless (so far at least): the lads haven’t taken long to so settle and the heart wasn’t ripped out of the team. If anything, the squad seems more together than they’ve ever been. Long may this run continue. HWTL
MDS(Quote)
santon gets his recall in the reserves at swansea rugby ground… at least we are giving him a nice smooth surface to ease his knee back into it again lol lol ffs..
craig chisholm(Quote)
MDS.. you are right, they seem happier now than ever before. I have been clearly wrong in thinking that in getting rid of the so-called-spine that it would have hurt the morale bad.. its the opposite, its made it better ffs.
craig chisholm(Quote)
the stats do look good for best and ba. But im still worried about what lurks around the corner, all this plain sailing, feel good factor malarky is a worrying thing purely cos im not used to it!
Sime(Quote)
CC- you weren’t alone mate. I thought there would be effect, but sometimes when you get rid of strong personalities it gives the other lads a bit of space.
MDS(Quote)
its really great to hear how all the lads are getting on so well, and alll the lads were made up for Demba scoring his hat trick.
How long we can keep this run going for is debatable, Wolves away this saturday will be a big test. Apparently we haven’t won down there since 1958 or something. Time to rewrite another stat hopefully.
HTL
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
It’s no more worrying than losing the last six at home against Blackburn…
toonsy(Quote)
MDS – Maybe last seasons team spirit was just us misreading it? Maybe Nolan, Barton and Carroll were part of a clique called maybe, I dunno, the players committee, which had to much sway???
Just throwing that one out there 😉
toonsy(Quote)
@10. Wasn’t there supposedly the collo/enrique/jonas clique the too? Just seems like we have a bit of equality in the ranks now with more quiet leaders like Jonas and Collo. I mean, it seemed like Nolan was the only one who ever talked to the rpress
MDS(Quote)
Have to say, I don’t like the idea of having a small bunch of people who have all the say in the dressing room, and if it was anything like that last season, that’s just plain ridiculous. I like this team, I like the players. All of them are really likeable lads, mostly modest, no big talk from anyone, no **** in the news or twitter. It’s all very smooth sailing which won’t last forever obviously, but I don’t think we’ll have too many problems with this team even when we’re on a bad run.
Wolves away on saturday, is there an intl. break after then?
hydeous(Quote)
Just talking about baton toonsy , tho i rate him as high as any other English midfielder kinda glad we are not facing a week of Joey v kelvin Henry on twitter
johno toon(Quote)
Demba is right when he says “a lot of people can score two goals in a game, but three is different as it is special.”
I didn’t realise he was the 9th player to have scored a hat trick for NUFC in the premier league. Even more special then.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
MDS – Nolan was a talented lad. Speaking for everyone and telling us to get behind the team repeatedly all whilst ushering our No9 to Liverpool and having the sun shine out of his **** must be tough to do all at the same time….
😉
toonsy(Quote)
@ 12. well said
MDS(Quote)
We’ve got a number nine? The dude on talksport just convinced Taylor that Ba got the shirt. Man, that’s news to me. Bad toonsy for not covering this!
hydeous(Quote)
I dont like these intl breaks. We have too many players travelling all around the world for my liking. Spells trouble to me. Hopefully we get everyone back fit at the end of it.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Toonsy: you’ve been bashing them out today! I’m very impressed!! Working on a couple for you now
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
@15. That about sums him up for me. I don’t want to hammer the guy cuz he put in a shift during his time here a bagged some important goals but I was happy to see the back of him if I’m honest.
MDS(Quote)
Zoe – You perv 😛
I have another one on its way aswell 😉
toonsy(Quote)
If you were being rational about it, you’d say that we have created lots of chances to score for a while now… Carroll, Nolan, Best last season – all hit unlikely tallies which flattered them as players to be completely honest.
Best is perseverant and a proper bloodhound around the box, but Ba is the more naturally gifted – this team would really improve with someone of the individual class of Cisse alongside Ba.
boater(Quote)
Toonsy: hahaha!! Your on a roll!!
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
I’m usually guilty of rose-tinted specs on here, but I’d have bet good money against this start. More pleasing, we’re doing it with other options available to us (mostly in midfield, but that’s where you need it most) and with really attractive football.
We must assume that sooner or later, as is always the case for any club, something will come along, kick us in the clunge and we’ll have a rough patch. But who bloody cares right now? This is great!!
Whumpie(Quote)
Youre right toonsy. Didnt expect 4th, but 1st!!! Ahh well, 4th will do. Seriously though we have potential and are starting to show it. Really love the football we are producing atm.
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
Its nice to see yet another player comment on how we are looking to be good for the future……..
Saw some of my mates on weekend who are die hard hammers fans…. Said that nolan is great for scoring but is so slow and wish that if they go up he doesnt start in the premier! interesting point really. They cant believe he has 5 year deal either. But they are pleased with the signing as you would be.
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Off topic and appologies, but I see rudolph is moaning about the power of tv in football.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15059636.stm
He claimed clubs had lost control over fixtures and this has had a detrimental effect on those competing in Europe.
He added: “It shows itself quite clearly because when you see the fixture lists come out now, they can pick and choose whenever they want the top teams on television.
“You get some ridiculous situations when you’re playing on Wednesday night in Europe and then at lunchtime the following Saturday. You ask any manager if they would pick that themself and there’d be no chance.”
“When you shake hands with the devil you have to pay the price,”
Under the new deal, United earned more than £60m from television last season – a combination of fees for having their matches shown live, and prize money based upon league position.
So far this season, the champions have appeared in six televised league games, and are scheduled to appear three more times before the end of November.
United have the benefit of home fixtures after each of their scheduled Champions League group matches, while their current nearest rivals at the top of the Premier League table, Manchester City, must play away from home in each league fixture after their own matches in Europe’s premier club competition.
😯
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Bb @ 18 – add to that international football is usually ****. Wish they would cut it all together.
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
Here’s an interesting question for a Monday afternoon: would anyone out there, right now, swap any of our new players for the ones they replaced?
I’m not even sure I’d want to lose Best or Ba for Judas, to be honest. He’s been utter bobbins since leaving. I’d certainly not have Nolan back at the expense of Benny or Cabaye. Jose for Santon… obviously too early to tell. As for Joey – Joey who? Loving not having to brace myself before reading the papers in the morning… 🙂
Whumpie(Quote)
Barton was dog **** yesterday.
toonsy(Quote)
Liam – Nolan has scored 2 in 8 matches so far for WHam, but he must be struggling with them playing twice a week lol.
Looks like he has lost a canny few kilos already 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Was Barton on pitch yesterday??? Haha. Only thing he did was messe up set pieces.
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
BB aye but me lads thinks he will score more apparently he misses alot of chances too but gets in good positions. They said Ba is quality and i personally always had faith in the lad.
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
APP aye he was a bit anonymous like. Didn’t see him bossing the midfield either. In fact as Toonsy says he was dog **** tbh. lol
QPR are welcome to him. But he wont ever play for England while at that club.
For the record, N’Zog was dog **** too
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Bb Zoggy was indeed bad. Dont get why he wanted to play for mcleish. Av look really poors under him.
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
I’m gonna be a big Canaries fan tonight.
Hope they can do the unthinkable over the filth.
“Where are you? Lets be ‘avin you”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_8JLkwzpd0
classic 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Toonsy @10, think u could be right there m8. I’m happy we’ve traded these players in, apart from Enrique, althought if Santon fits the bill then so long Enrique..
So after all the huff and puff that nearly blew Ashley’s home down can we now admit that the transfer window was a success and could we even applaud MA & DL for their dealings..or is it too soon for that 🙂
mark(Quote)
yeah AV will be relying on Shay Given a lot this season.
Pulled off a great save yesterday from a Teraabt shot.
He is class still, even at 35.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Bb Zoggy was indeed bad. Dont get why he wanted to play for mcleish.
———————–
Because they met his salary demands. i think that’s what zog’s all about
MDS(Quote)
Mark – you keep pushing the same line. Why?
It wont happen for a long while yet.
Stop worrying about ashley and co. Just enjoy the football while it lasts.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
@BB
Eh? – Mark – you keep pushing the same line. Why?
Do I?? show me where I keep pushing the same line.. Believe me I’m neither a fan or hater of MA, I was merely asking could they now be given some lee-way and perhaps be applauded.. just a question m8, nothing in it but that??
mark(Quote)
@BB
& I’m certainly not worried?? I can however appreciate the work they’ve done in getting out the old and bringing in the new. they could of been lucky but I believe many teams might start trading the same way in the future.
mark(Quote)
Zogs was terrible y’day, he plays for himself and that about it, we seem to have a united team atm.
I loved watching barton the QPR Lord, chipping balls and trying to make things tick. he did neither v Villa. Unfortunately with players like A Ferdinand, Derry, SRPhillips it would take a miracle and 5 J Bartons for me to say anything positive about QPR’s team. I noticed empty seats y’day too, in a 16k stadium..oh dear..
mark(Quote)
Mark – my appologies for getting you mixed up with someone else yesterday who came out with the same line. Or it may have been somewhere else entirely. Doh.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I agree with mark…..I’m a little bit behind you chaps and posted the following on the previous thread….but hey it’s relevant here also:
JoeSoap
September 26, 2011 at 16:16
I don’t see this ‘and have hit 20 between them come Christmas, we can forget about another Striker coming in’……why? If someone who’s better is available [unlikely] then yes…but not just to bury the old chestnut about spending money. The club is very clearly leading the way forward for all the clubs who aren’t backed by a mega rich owner, and whilst it’s easy to slag Ashley, I think we may all have to admit that things are being done the right way at the club, possibly in living memory [and I’ve got a very long memory] I still maintain that we’ve not sold anyone who didn’t want to go and agitated until they got a move, and I might be wrong but I don’t think Ashley is a fool and if players like HBA, Cabaye, Tiote etc are performing on the pitch week-in week-out they won’t be sold. That will also apply to Collo, although not sure how they’ll fit his high salary into their wages structure like.
JoeSoap(Quote)
Joe….I’m a bit worried about Colo to when it comes to renewing his contract on the salary he’s on. What we will have in our favour though is that no club, especially at the age he will be at with the fair play rules in full swing, will come close to offering him what he gets here, in fact I doubt other clubs would offer even 70% of what he gets here. I really hope he gets offered and signs a contract extention, he deserves it.
richietoon(Quote)
RICHIETOON @46
let’s face it, unless Colo is prepared to accept a significant wage cut he’ll be sold next summer while we can still get a fee. Jonas too
M(Quote)
Hmmm ! Colo has 2 yrs left to go on present contract, which will take him to 31. But he is playing better and better every game. The cost to replace him with equal quality will far outstrip the cost of a 2/3 yr extension I would think. But then again, £80k a week = £4M a year. wow.
Suddenly I think he is in an awkward position, unless he is willing to take a pay cut. ???
Dammit.
👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
M….but the point is, where ever he goes he’ll have to take a pay cut, no one will pay him anywhere near what he gets now.
richietoon(Quote)
What a beautiful pic of these two! <3
Susan(Quote)