So far the season has fallen into two distinct periods, and in my opinion we are about to enter the third and final phase.
The first 11 games saw us pick up 25 points (2.27ptspg). We had won seven games, drawn four, were unbeaten, scored 17, conceded only eight with four clean sheets. We were third in the table having beaten Sunderland away and having drawn matches with Arsenal and Spurs at home.
The pundits were waiting for the bubble to burst and saying that we had not faced a real test. Our success was built on a hard working side, but also the continuity of picking the same back five with Cheik Tiote and Yohan Cabaye in central midfield in just about every game. Add to that Demba Ba’s eight goals, including two hat-tricks, and it’s no wonder we were doing so well.
Well, whilst the bubble has not burst, we can certainly say that we have been severely tested. Phase two of the season opened with games against Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea. A serious injury crisis and players away at the African Cup of Nations. It included a transfer window which thankfully saw no major outgoings and although we signed a new no9 we unfortunately acquired no new defensive resources. So how did we cope?
Played 14, won five, drawn two, lost seven, scored 19, conceded 28 picking up 17 pts (1.21ptspg) and five clean sheets along the way leaving us sitting 6th in the Premier League table.
Given a stated target of top ten, with many fans hoping for best of the rest (eg 7th) we are well on target. Personally given the interviews with Yohan Cabaye and others when they signed in the summer a target of silverware or a place in Europe was implied in the camp.
Well we are still on target. Actually Phase two can be further split, as 6 games at the beginning where we lost four and drew two to a much more respectable five wins and three losses after that. So two points per game even with the ACoN players missing and Yohan Cabaye suspended.
We now have a break for players to recover a little. Our full first team available and a fixture list that means 13 games with trips to Arsenal and Chelsea whilst entertaining Sunderland, Liverpool and Manchester City at St James Park. The only worry is the strength in depth at Centre Back given our performance against Norwich, and the reality that we are ‘best of the rest’ at best with our demolition at Spurs.
So what can we hope for? A return to our invincible start to the season, going unbeaten and averaging 2¼ points per game which would give us a massive 70+ points for the season? Or a continuation of our more modest form of phase two which could give us only 55 points?
To many it will depend upon our Captains availability. Others believe Alan Pardew when he said that he was happy with our defensive cover.
Personally I fully expect a defensive crisis just when we don’t need it. Together with a struggle against the other top sides. I said at the start of the season that I expected at least 55 points as we lost a dozen points from inconsistency last season. I also fully believe the evidence of my own eyes. We are a far better team than last season. So we should get at least 60 points. On top of that we have a new Number 9 and a returning Cheik Tiote and Yohan Cabaye.
My best guess is five wins, five draws, 62 pts and a place in the Europa League.
I look forward to the insights that hindsight will bring.
@wolfie
His heart was in the right place, it’s just his head was on back to front.
It takes people like that to change the world. I liken him to Emily Davison who jumped I front of the Kings horse at the Derby and assisted the government to change their minds and grant women the vote .
Hail, Michael Atkinson. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
In 3012, schools in the North East will be taught about Michael Atkinson in the same breath as Michael Angelo. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Kids in school rather••••••
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I hope they lock the *** up for disrespecting our club’s proud history 😉
MDS(Quote)
We might have to play the makemslayer then. tbf if there was one game to play shola in it is that one.
B1GSTEVE(Quote)
Cisse isn’t available?!! How on earth can an international friendly be valued as more important than a derby game which could still potentially make or break our season?!!
At the risk of upsetting Cisse I would simply demand he stays. He’s our no.9 for God’s sake!
Gary Watson(Quote)
I’d rather he was coming on as a late impact sub tho
B1GSTEVE(Quote)
mds @ 80 aye agree hope they lock fatty up and throw away the key 😆 the ***
batty(Quote)
Batty 😆
@82. I’m actually surprised the club are letting him go
MDS(Quote)
Troy@77, if his head is on back to front that would explain the awful brush strokes and bad letter forms. I would question how he managed to get caught though, literally having eyes in the back of his head 😯
(strictly speaking they’d still be at the front of his head, but his head is on backwards)
Rodzilla(Quote)
@Gary
I agree. He’s just played in a tournament for them. I can only assume he’s got it in his contract otherwise I’m sure the club would have made representations.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Regardless, it’s poor form by Senegal. Usually when nations have these non-int’ break friendlies they only invite fringe or youth players
MDS(Quote)
Troy I would try a 5hp outboard, it wouldn’t pull you out as much. Or you could try glueing a board on the back try liquid nails etc.
Big Dave(Quote)
Apparently he’s been oot raving with Rotary Vests and Derek Owl Heed.
Heedo taught him how to do 360’s with his napper whilst stacking shelves and feeding the hens, oh and painting the walls. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Ice@76-Can’t work that out .How can they be allowed to take him for a meaningless friendly when we are paying his wages and as gary said he’s our new no.9. Really not happy about that ,jesus MON is one lucky manager, was so looking forward to unleashing the Demba boys on em . 👿 **** sure sir Alex wouldn’t let that happen if he was at Manure, can’t we just tell em to go forth and multiply? 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
@Big Dave
Cheers fella. Taken on board. 😉
I’ve had to put a 50kg anchor on the front to counterbalance the motor. The trouble is, it’s that heavy the water is lapping over the sides.
I wasnt expecting these problems like. 🙂
Troy Stavers(Quote)
senagal say they have the right to call up both cissie and ba,but dont want to take both strikers from us at this time and are useing a few fringe players how bloody kind of them ffs,they have dropped sow as well 👿
icedog(Quote)
Troy i think you will do a lot better with a hand whisk 😉
batty(Quote)
@batty
😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
think they dropped sow as hes just signed for a turkish team and know what the turks would have told them,talk about saveing face ffs
icedog(Quote)
Ermmm Cisse’s friendly is played on Wednesday the 29th Feb, 4 days before the Mackems.
EvilFranky(Quote)
aye Franky, it’s midweek between Wolves and the mackems. I’d like to think we’d have him for both games. I don’t know when they’re planning on flying him out or back though. 😕
Rodzilla(Quote)
Troy?????
I am a Geordie, born and bred!!!!!!
I live 2 miles from St James’ at the minute. I work less than a mile from the CheapTat Arena!!!!!
Lived in the Newcastle area all my life apart from a few brief periods in my youth.
Are you mixed up because I mentioned that in the 80’s I was a bit of a Denver Broncos fan too???
Pootle(Quote)
Cissé will probably get back on Thursday night and with the game not until Sunday that should give him enough time to be alright.
dan4toon(Quote)
Yeah that’s ridiculous if he’s missing out 😐 Still, I guess we’d rather lose him than Demba ba? Or maybe its to keep him happy…still, that’s kinda, pandering to him really..Huge game against the Scum, if they won they’d not be far off overtaking us 😕
Newkie(Quote)
Rod – Can’t see it being an issue myself. If we start well against Wolves and get a couple of goals he can come off early so isn’t completely knackered. Go away on the Monday/Tuesday, play Wednesday (but secretly not try very hard), then fly back Thursday for a nice easy Friday and Saturday, get to St James on Sunday to kick the mackems arses.
EvilFranky(Quote)
Hope the players don’t start getting too far ahead of themselves. All they need to do is concentrate on the next game and staying 3, potentially 6 points ahead of the scouse. Hows your neck Caroll looking up 😆
belter99(Quote)
WOLFIE
the person who done that spray paint has cost the club prob any future sponser hope peeps like troy are very proud of themselfs 😈
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
DAN the games in africa its not a one hour flight, ever had jet lag?give the lad a chance
icedog(Quote)
@Pootle
Sorry fella. I thought I had posted you weren’t a Geordie.
@TAL
I’m just posting the opposite views of Wolfie . My extreme examples are on the opposite side of the extreme scale as Wolfies.
We can both play that game. If I’m a WUM then Wolfie is not far behind. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TOONARMYELITE, it just makes me laugh how a so called fan can do that to the wall at the stadium making it look absolutely **** and then spout off about Ashley defacing the club.
I honestly cannot get my head around some fans. I mean that lad who done it, thinks he’s some kind of hero.
It brings back a story my Grandad told me when I was 3…luckily I remembered it..
Story continues in the next post. 😀
wolfie(Quote)
TROY STAVERS
you 1 of them peeps puts ya mouth in gear before connecting to ya brain 👿
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Ice – Senegal is the same time zone as us so jet lag won’t come into. He’ll be tired but am sure he’ll be flying first class so can grab some kip on the plane.
Toon Chicken(Quote)
into it
Toon Chicken(Quote)
ice
Im fairly sure theres no time delay between senegal and england… ❓ 😕
CC(Quote)
TROY STAVERS
how many more times you going to tell that dingy story with the out board motor not the 1st time you said it 😕
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
@TAL
You surprise me. You must show me how to put your photo at the end of your post. Very, very clever.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TAE the club had no intention of selling the name. And if it wasn’t for that guy having the balls to make a stand and show his disgust, and that he had a backbone.
We would be under a dictatorship where everyone was expected to just roll on their back and take whatever was thrown their way.
Big Dave(Quote)
Its dinghy not dingy.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TROY STAVERS
do every 1 a favour attach that outboard motor to ya neck and throw it over board mate 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Pootle
February 17, 2012 at 15:51
” lent the club 150mn interest free and all he asked for in return was to put a few signs up?”
Ha ha ha ha ha.
Couldn’t let this one go.
He ‘lent’ us that money only to prevent himself from paying interest to the bank. He loaned ‘us’ the money to help himself. Not out of the kindness of his heart or because he loves us.
He did it because he thought he could make a quick buck by out manoeuvering Shepherd when he was ill.
If he had done due diligence (a mistake he has made more than once) and found out about Newcastles debt its entirely possible he wouldn’t have bought us in the first place.
It’s a shame some one with such a *massive* (self proclaimed, obviously) intellect as yours seems to have wasted his entire life becoming the worst internet troll the world has ever seen.
Best thing is I hated Shepherd as a chairman from the moment he got stung by the News of the World along with his mate Dougie.
But I bet you were one of those people that was clapping like a hungry seal when he bought Owen.
This is the last time I will respond to your off topic trolling Stardust.
Feel free to *amusingly* change my name as much as you wish, sad little uber-troll.
ONTO Pittleflaps argument “Newcastles debt its entirely possible he wouldn’t have bought us in the first place”
Agreed, but the omission of it shows it was not an investment per-se. More of a lifestyle investment. Which should give you comfort not cause you angst.
Your venturing into my areas of comfortableness Pittle, suggest you stay out 😯 or you may end up looking silier than you already are. (if thats possible)
Has it not dawned on you that the only scenarios are possible re the lending of 150mn.
Bank borrowing at a time the world collapsed was A) almost impossible and B) expensive as rates quoted at some stages 10 points over LIBOR 3 month rates for medium term lending.
If he had driven through the bank borrowing, the only way of paying off the interest alone was player sales, far more agressive than we had seen. Yet still the company would have retained a value.
During the time he placed in his 150mn he would have been better off, at the time of cash being king, of reinvesting in into various markets that were cash starved and generated vast returns.
In reality he would have financially of been better off to let NUFC rot and invest elsewhere – he didnt. Which again to the informed tells them what they need to know.
So in effect it cost Ashley a huge amount in opportunity cost and ROI for that period, and its still costing him. But you wont choose to see that will you Pittle – you will just choose to hate.
I wont wait for a reply- youre out of your depth fella.
Stardust(Quote)
Ooops. I thought you were called Toon Army Lite. Hence the TAL.
Like a cheaper version of the real Toon Army.
A sort of home guard. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TROY STAVERS
what really makes me laugh is you call ma jabba aint it lmao sort of thing i used to say when i was at school,if thats a picture of yourself mate looks like you could do with sheding a few pounds yourself mate 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Au contraire Troy, I reckon TAE was referring to your story as squalid and dull 😉
Rodzilla(Quote)
@Stardust
There’s nothing sillier than calling someone sillier but spelling it silier. You don’t half look silly now Gulper eel. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@TAE
that is a picture of my Grandad, the great late Les Kellet, world wrestling champion 1967. Those trunks are worn by me daily and never washed. 😯
@Rodz
I think I’ve told that story before as well. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I remember sat on Granda’s knee and he said” right little davey, I’m taking you down to the Barbers to have your little head of hair trimmed.”
As we approached the Barbers, my Granda said” you see that gleaming shop little Davey” and I’d say,” wow yea, Granda”……well actually I didn’t quite say it like that, I actually said ” row Yeth Glangda” , the reason why I said it like this was because he had popped a Worthers original in my mouth at the time. 😀
Anyway, he said ” do you see the sign above the Barbers Davey lad” and I said “yeth Glangda” and he would say, ” well son, years ago, it was called Jim the Barber and everyone used to come here even though the facilities were a bit outdated.”
He then said, ” now the sign above it says Mario’s Unisex salon but we always call it Jims”
I said ” guck why Glangda, ith iss cold Mayiyo’s” and he would say, ” it’s because that’s all we have known it as son and old habits die hard but young lads and lasses like you will know it as Marios but will remember it used to be called Jims, simply because you will remember me and others telling you.”
I never forgot what Glangda….I mean Granda said and I think I understand what he means now that something similar is happening at our club and I suppose as time moves on, things do change but older folk never forget.
I think it’s called moving with the times.
I learned a lot of Granda. 😀
wolfie(Quote)
And Troy – youve used your outboard story before – very sad 😎
Stardust(Quote)
Troy@121, yeah you have mate, but I kept schtum 😉
Rodzilla(Quote)
Hooman Stardy, thems my sunglasses, gizum back! 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
At Wolfie.
My neighbour used to sit me on his knee as well.
I don’t know why I never got to the bottom of that. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TROY, I think your neighbour might have been very rude. 😯
wolfie(Quote)
@wolfie
My Grandad used to tell me that prestige can’t be bought. It’s like Buckingham Palace. History and prestige.
Tourists travel from all over the world to see it.
I look at Anfield, Old Trafford, the Nou Camp as great stadiums with history. They are their original stadiums. I would be outraged if their names were changed nevermind SJP.
You are the equivalent of Mr Newcastle, T. Dan Smith, in the 1960’s who knocked down historical Georgian buildings to make way for the 60’s tower blocks and concrete monstrosities that they were replaced with. That history can never be replaced and Newcastle lost a huge part of its character, all in the name of progress.
Where are those concrete buildings now. ?
Knocked down or eyesores in our city.
Progress? Me thinks not. Something’s don’t have a price. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Well TROY. I have a little question for you.
If these grounds hold so much sentimentality and heritage and such, then why are Arsenal playing at the Emirates and not Highbury.
wolfie(Quote)
WOLFIE@129 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
@stardust
One big flaw in your explanation.
I know you are clueless so that’s where your theory turns to mulch. 😛
You miss the whole point. Ashley shat in his own pants by throwing all his toys out the bath and had nothing left to play with other than his tadger.
As a result he got us relegated. And in the fine words of Jabba himself, ” I got it wrong and I’ve fallen woefully short in running this club”
It was his own fault he had to use his own money cos he caused the problem.
Forget about that Gulper eel ? 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TROY STAVERS i got brought up to learn when you start name calling you have already lost the argument 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
@wolfie
You ask Arsenal fans whether they would prefer Highbury being extended and still called Highbury or moving to the soulless Emirates.
You know the answer.
We are one of the few clubs lucky enough to be able to retain our heritage. Arsenal must be so envious. Or rather, they are probably laughing their tits off at us now.
A name change and we are getting zilch for it.
🙁
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@TAE
Youre a wizard at it . You are that good I can’t even see you doing it. Now that’s magic. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Sorry TAE
I pressed the keys without engaging my brain. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy @ 126 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
Think this blog should be called “Troys r us.co.uk”
Stardust(Quote)
I was going to ask Wolfie whether he’s forgot to answer my Arsenal question but he’s probably half way thru writing an essay for a reply. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
stardy get back to the diy havent you got some windows to put in or sumit ❓
batty(Quote)
@stardust
You still hiding from my points I raised about Jabba causing the debt to be increased massively by throwing all his toys out the bath in one go. Milner, Zoggy, Given., KK .
He openly admitted to the press he fell woefully short as an owner at running the club.
Please answer or has the dog chewed your fingers? 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@batty
He’s struggling with his texting and keyboard technique as he wondered if he would get an electric shock if he put his fingers in a wall socket.
😆 😆 😆 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Right . I better disappear for a bit to allow others to post.
I’m sure Wolfie will be straight back on once I’m away. Pity he couldn’t answer my question when I was here. 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TROY@131.
My Granda went to see a good friend of his who was having trouble with his plumbing business and employed 30 plumbers but he was struggling so bad that he was borrowing money after money to keep it afloat and trying to keep his men in work.
My granda who wasn’t short of money asked what was wrong and his mate said ” well Norris ( my Granda’s name), I’m gonna have to sell up as I can’t keep this firm running as I’m losing money after money and the banks are saying no joy when I go cap in hand and I just want a quick sale so I can get my head right”
My Granda took a chance and bought his mates firm on the shale of a hand and decided to pour some money into it immediately out of his own pocket to pay the bills and workers and such, only to realise that many large companies were owed obscene amounts of money from materials and such that his mate had gotten on the never never.
Granda mulled over this and realised that the handshake was tainted but he’d bought the company and now he had to make it work for him, so he paid all the debts off from his own pocket and decided that although it would take a long time to recoup, he wouldn’t charge interest on his own personal lending to his company.
As time went on, he realised that many of the workers he inherited just weren’t up to the job and some weren’t even turning up for work or turning up late and not putting the required effort in.
Before he had time to get the firm in order, it sank really low, losing customers left right and centre with shoddy workmanship and the mere mention of the companies name was met with laughter.
My Granda decided that he would identify all the slackers and one by one replace them with competent workers and using what was left of his exis ting good workers to instill a mentality in them to drag this firm out of the mire and gain the trust of the customers by being efficient and also giving them a discount.
It took time but my Granda managed to get the firm actually making money and most of the work force were well happy, although some thought they were bigger than his firm and asked him for high wage rises but he dealt swiftly with them and sent them packing, replacing them with keen lads that came because they wanted to help Granda achieve his dream of having a firm that can go up against the best.
Granda decided to push the boat out and advertise his firm so everyone could see it and make sure no one would forget the name, even if it became irritating, because he knew that if it irritates and people talk about it, then the message is getting across and people won’t forget the name.
Granda has a few businesses and each of his businesses names are plastered over each of his Vans and everything is going great.
He did change the name of his headquarters( Rothbury park plumbing) though which was situated on rothbury park ..to “Granda’s plumbing is working” and things seem to be going from strength to strength.
He’s some Geezer is my Granda and make no mistake. 😀
wolfie(Quote)
TROY STAVERS you mean a bit like the way you ducked my question yesterday eh lmao 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Fancy that boy getting caught. Amateur!
Moreno(Quote)
WOLFIE ya granda sounds a really cool geezer to me lmao 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
@wolfie
That neighbour of mine used to take me in the back of his works van and bounce me on his knee.
I never got to the bottom of why he took me in his works van as well. 😯
So are you going to answer my question? 😛
At TAE
Are you hanging onto Wolfie shirt tails? Careful mind, his Granda might bounce you on his knee. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Ok, I am not going to take sides, but love comedy when I see it…Troy’s comment @ 138 was kind of proven by Wolfie @ 143.
Keep going gents…slow day at work and I have time to read today.
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)
TOONARMYELITE
Aye mate, he’s the bees knees is my Granda. 😀
TROY , you didn’t ask me a question, you said “ask the Arsenal fans if they prefer Highbury”The point is, they seem happy enough in the Emirates. I didn’t see anyone spray paint Highbury on the Emirates.
Do you think they moved to the Emirates because it was perfect to accomodate more fans?
High rise buildings and such accommodate more people who otherwise would be living in shanty town corrugated housing right next to old ruins 😀
wolfie(Quote)
TROY STAVERS what you mean like you and big dave for instants lmao 😆 attacted at the hip you 2 are lmao 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)