The fact that Newcastle picked up no points against Leicester on Monday night was pretty much the only negative from what was an otherwise much improved United performance. That and Steven Taylor moonwalking back towards his own goal faster than a rabbit retreating into its hole when the Foxes came lurking.
Other than that though, there was none of the headless chicken impersonations that we have come so accustomed to seeing under McClaren’s reign of directionless dross.
Newcastle matched Leicester in almost every department and were unfortunate not to gain at least a valuable point.
The defence was much more narrow which reduced league leaders Leicester to just one shot on target all game.
It was a solid foundation laid by Benitez in just three days. He also decided to play Sissoko out on the left which gave Colback a bit of extra protection in his unfamiliar left back slot. Clever.
The one thing that really impressed me though was Benitez’s substitutions. He brought on Townsend for Anita after 56 minutes dropping Gini deeper alongside captain Shelvey.
It was a great tactical switch which showed attacking intent allowing Newcastle to cause Leicester some problems. And although it didn’t quite come off it certainly proved Benitez to be more astute than his predecessor when it comes to trying to affect the outcome of a match.
It was good to see De Jong back on the pitch as well. His appearance from the bench could provide confirmation that he is a Benitez type player and could indeed see plenty of pitch time between now and the end of the season.
We ended the game with plenty of attacking players on the field too as Rafa tried his best to coax an equalizer out of a team that still looks short of confidence. His post-match interview was also quite refreshing.
Benitez refused to blame bad luck or decisions going against him, which he could easily have done considering the offside and penalty calls. No, he focused on the positives and that is exactly the kind of mentality that will filter down to the players.
A huge weekend now and an email from the man himself (allegedly) called for a united Newcastle and emphasised the impact fans can have on Sunday. It simply is the biggest derby I can recall.
A small mention for Steve McClaren here; he has taken his family on a Caribbean holiday this week. Steve was photographed negotiating a jet ski somewhat more successfully than he guided Newcastle this season. Don’t choke on your **** chicken will you?
Gash: Can’t see Palace being relegated and we are touch and go. I wonder who you mean when you say some were jumping around? Some said be careful what you wish for, but Carver and Schteve were Carr’s vision not mine.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Pardew has done the same at every club he has been at. He starts well and then the players seem to tune him out. No wonder because he is a complete gobshite.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
A bit of Pardew bashing is always a good remedy for Derby nerves 🙂 🙂 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I can’t see them being relegated, lucky they had a storming start to the season.
I wished for better not SM but good things come to those who wait 😀 I just hope Rafa’s appointment wasn’t too late
Gashley(Quote)
Eric. I have stayed clear of any Derby talk all week.
Didn’t sleep very well last night. I’m very nervous for tomorrow.
I keep seeing Defoe skipping our defence. Hope the little gimps a sub
Gashley(Quote)
Well the Norwich game did not go well. Expected a Swansea win but their remaining games are horrific. Be suprised if the reach 40.
Shamrock(Quote)
3 Positives:
1. We are at home
2. There is as much pressure on Sunderland as us
3. New Manager bounce
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I hope you’re right mate. I just feel sick.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hey Sharpy: we won’t need to argue about Blackie anymore 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wow! If I mentioned Pardew when he was doing well, there was a barrage of screams and cries from Violet Elizabeth aka Psychs.
But now he’s struggling, he can’t stop mentioning him.
The thing with Pardew is, give him time and he will bounce back.
The knee herders would have him sacked now. I wouldn’t cos he will go on another winning streak and get them back up to their rightful position. Mid table.
Palace play entertaining football as well. They’ve been very unlucky when I’ve watched them.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy
Palace are very ordinary, some OK wingers that are pacey without much skill. Defence is *****. Defo a mid to lower position team.
I’m so glad I proved you wrong and held out for a better manager. It may be too late but Clark or el Tel would of taken us down
At least we’ve given ourselves the best chance possible by signing Rafa
Gashley(Quote)
Gashley
Come come my friend. You know I called for Benny. I only wish he had listened to me earlier instead of making me believe he had fallen that far, Clarkie was our only option. He’s a card, Ashley isn’t he.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Well today is the day , no more waiting, and IMO todays game will dictate our season.
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave
If we can’t win at home with a new manager against our biggest rivals, then I can’t see how we can get motivated at all.
A draw will be a poor result for us but good for Norwich and Sunderland.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
well here we are again, average attendances approaching 50,000 per home game. A billionaire owner with shed loads of money, with a football club being sponsored by Sky, Wonga et al to the tune of over 100 million pounds per year…
..and unfortunately we are about to see our beloved NUFC relegated to the second tier once again because unfortunately we have a bunch of pfuckwits overseeing the whole shabang. Bizzarely wasting millions of pounds, time after time, on absolutely **** players and even crapper managers…
battered by third rate american college level teams, battered by sheff wed third team… battered by…well everybody… yet the light still didn’t go on for the incompetents running NUFC…
and now, finally, after all these years, the knackers in charge have finally pressed the panic button and appointed a proper manager, given him carte blanche to save our asses…unfortunately it is too late.
What an absolute travesty… the whole bunch should be sacked on the spot…incompetents the whole lot of them.
Munich Mag(Quote)
I never saw your post calling for Rafa??
Eric called for klinsmann, I called for benitez 2 months ago which was rubbished by the doom mongers 😀
Gashley(Quote)
I agree, a draw would be poor.
A defeat would be hard to come back from.
A win could see us go into the break confident for a trip to norwich
Gashley(Quote)
Gash: I think Troy said he wanted Benitez after he left Liverpool, so a long time ago. I could be wrong though. My main recollection of Troy was him supporting Carver and then wanting Lee Clark. I think Troy has a Pardew alarm on his phone so whenever his name is mentioned he is notified 🙂
But enough of this, there is a match today and there will be a match thread soon I am sure.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont think a draw is enough, apart from the points needed I think the confidence the win would give us is really what our team needs.
Big Dave(Quote)
MM
Doom merchant. 😉
We are ganna win man!
I got my man benitez after years of campaigning.
Mark or mock my words. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
MM: the next 2 games are crucial as you know. Win them both and we have a chance. Before Norwich won at WBA I would have said we needed 4, but now I think we need all 6 points.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
the chronny have rolled out John Gibson to give a Churchillian-like rallying call to beat the makkems ☺
batten down the hatches in the toon today like, cos if the toon lose it could turn really ugly…
I fear Rafa will gamble on the half-fit Townsend and Mbemba… two class acts, but just returning from injury…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Well today is the day. Our day of destiny. It’s still in our own hands, whatever anybody says. I still believe if we win our next two matches we will stay up.
Doesn’t help today though, I just need to get pissed.
Stuart79(Quote)
Well it’s start of a new dawn 😯 sunny day like it was when Rafa signed, spring equinox and Rafa’s first game at St James’
Our last decent managers first game, BR, was 8-0 v sheff wed..
I’m going for a 2-0 win
TOON TOON
Gashley(Quote)
Troy and Eric I’m trying my best lads, but we are absolutely *****, and have been all season.
we have Staylor and Lascelles who resemble two statues in Fenwicks window.. they are both too static as defenders…can both do the basics, but as soon as something tricky happens they both implode… both rubbish…
The Rafa factor cannot compensate for **** players..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Troy, dead right mate, they all forget that you led the call for Rafa years ago…
Today is a typical toon day, I’ve had loads of them… start the day with optimism and excitement…enjoy the day, have a few beers to get in the mood, and enjoy the occassion…. because as soon as the game starts it all goes to rat **** ?…. too many lightweights cheating the black and white stripes…
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’m living in hope that the combination of electric atmosphere and a new manager will inspire the players so much that we score an early goal and win 3-0.
Stuart79(Quote)
MM
Of course the Rafa factor can compensate..
Leicester had virtually the same defence last season, look what a bit of organising can do. They’ve went from winning games 3-2 to picking up loads of 1-0’s
My only concern is we’ve acted too late, anyway, mbemba, Colo will be back soon
Gashley(Quote)
MM: Townsend played at Leicester so I think he is very near fit or fully fit. We also have a fairly deep bench now, it is just a matter of using it properly and making sure Obertan and Gouffran are not on it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We are actually pretty heavy favourites considering we have lost 6 in a row.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The game starts at 8.30am here and the bar I go to plays other games. The Liverpool match will be playing in the adjacent room so I think there will be plenty of Rafa love.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Early for you, Eric. I trust it’s just one long session for you… 😀
Stuart79(Quote)
Unbelievably, the title could be pretty much settled today if Spurs don’t win.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: I will start when I get to the bar at about 8 and may stay for the Mancs depending on if anybody else does. The Yanks don’t tend to do much early morning boozing 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
one thing is sure lads and lasses…today is a massive day that whether you be stuck in a chicago bar at 2 o,clock in the morning, hanging from a lamppost in papua new guinea, up a mountain in queensland.. or in the hoose on the Big Lamp….. EVERYBODY is up for it….If you have a ticket I’m envious cos the atmosphe is gonna be something else….MASSIVE !!!! Geordies aaal ower the world are tuning in for this… howay lads, do us proud for once and beat the makkems…!!
Munich Mag(Quote)
I am doing a Mackem watch as well as there are only 2 bars that show football. It will be interesting to see if any turn up
Eric Sykes(Quote)
3.30 here game time on the western Cape… sun cracking the pavement and a couple of bottles of cold Chardonay in the fridge…….. howay the lads…!!!
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM: my brother will be watching in Thailand and scaring the Thai barmaids with his shouts if we score.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
eric get a couple of cold ones down your Gregory to ease the pre-match nerves mate !!!!
Munich Mag(Quote)
Bricking it 😐
richietoon(Quote)
Also, I have deliberately laid off the booze for a few days because I know I will be starting early and I don’t want to be “topping up”. That’s the only time when I get into trouble, when I wake up half pissed and start again for breakfast 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
eric, it doesn’t make you a bad person mate… ?
a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do… ☺
Munich Mag(Quote)
Does anybody actually enjoy days like this?
Stuart79(Quote)
Not if they are with you Stuart 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Stuart79, I always enjoy match days, and especially the build up to derby games…
I have preconditioned myself to love the excitement of the pre-match build up…
now actually watching the game, and the aftermath.thats a different matter ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
just when you thought the coast was clear up pops Aussie Mag. sitting roond half the neet waiting for Stuart79 to post ?????
Munich Mag(Quote)
Stu I find derby days a mix of both, they do make me feel slightly sick and I wish we didn’t have derbies.
But I also think that if we get the right result it is one of the best feelings in footie.
Big Dave(Quote)
Every win that Sunderland has had against us on this run has brought them ever closer to a defeat… today it ends… 😎 …. hopefully.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Ha, just popped in for a quick look Eminem. … just checking the hysteria levels
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
AMF ☺☺
even a laid back aussie must be feeling the twinge today though mate ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
I am mate… im trying to be brave 😐
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Well as always I will be dishing up lunch around kick off 🙄 Probably a good thing given the state of my nerves. I can see me choking on a roaster if we score. Would of cooked later but Hazel gets here early and probably wouldn’t of felt like eating later if we’d lost. Will not be pleased if that shower give me indigestion, so they best show up and do the right thing.
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
NEW THREAD>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
kimtoon(Quote)
Cheers Kim
Big Dave(Quote)