The collective Geordie groans could be heard far beyond the Angel of the North when Steve McClaren was appointed ‘Head Coach’ at Newcastle under the muffled promises of a fresh start and three window plan following the disaster that was last season.
The only folks blindly convinced of this were McClaren and the Newcastle board. The players weren’t and the fans certainly weren’t. Not many expected it to be quite as bad as it has turned out though.
For Newcastle to be sitting second from bottom with only three games remaining, far behind the likes of Bournemouth, West Brom and Watford is infuriatingly disappointing. That is nothing against those particular clubs by the way…they have proved themselves to be more effective in this division than we have this season and therefore deserve our respect.
The fact remains, however, that Newcastle is a club with far greater resources than those mentioned to be successful at this level and the mere fact we are lingering in the relegation zone speaks volumes of how so incompetently Newcastle have been conducted…until now.
Five points in the last three against sturdy opposition has given Newcastle much needed momentum and provided the fans…and players with a reasonable belief that Premiership survival is very much achievable.
Norwich and Sunderland may have a small advantage in terms of an extra point and game in hand but they don’t seem to be filled with the same optimism that Newcastle’s resurgence has given us.
Fans and pundits all over the country have been looking at the run in trying to predict what will happen and how many points will be needed to stay up. We are all hoping to win our next two against Palace and the Villa but they are not givens. There are no free wins in this league. No easy points. Just look at Spurs against West Brom. You would have put money on a Tottenham win there wouldn’t you?
Norwich and Sunderland could both beat Watford and Everton which would leave us needing to win all three once you factor in goal difference. On the other hand they both might not win another game; that is very possible. Newcastle have more confidence now than they have had at any point this season and Rafa is learning more about his players by the day. Hopefully that momentum will see us home. Come on the Toon!
Momentum is with us. Some might say it’s with Sunderland too but they just haven’t won enough games while playing very well. We might not either but I am backing us to win our next two and pile big pressure onto them.
Stuart79(Quote)
Eric I’m sitting at 65-70% right now
Simon(Quote)
Take it one match at a time. A win against Palace first. Three points. Sunderland and Norwich both lose. Things look a lot better in 17th place. Then on to Villa.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Good thread and Ime with it 100%,Ime dreading the thought of seeing Pardew with “that” smirk on his kisser
but Ime going with Stuart and keeping the faith
Icedog(Quote)
Arsenal is going to beat Norwich at home. They desperately need the points for Champions League. Stoke is very good at home as well. Sunderland go down 2-0. I don’t know why they’re even bothering to play those matches. 😀
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 Stoke been beaten four nil in past three games surely they have to show their fans something to cheer,here’s hoping
Icedog(Quote)
Aye ice mate. They’ll be up for it. Sunderland will run out of steam. Norwich are looking over their shoulders. We’re the form team with a top manager and players with confidence. 🙂
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2: How are you getting along with Bobbybee?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We’re going down.
funkyjesus(Quote)
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/10259760/mauricio-pochettino-says-psg-job-part-of-my-dreams
Well that sounds to me like he has thrown the towel in for the title race and is looking to take advantage of news that Blanc will be canned this summer. Cant believe he is talking about joining other clubs before the season has even ended and they are technically still in the race! What kind of message does that send to his players? Surely they wont be putting in 100% between now and end of season if they see tbeir own leader is not even committed… Good news for us if we are still in with a shout of surviving come the last game of the season.
Shamrock(Quote)
SHAM let’s hope so,it’s Pardews smirk that’s Erking me
Icedog(Quote)
Before the Swamsea game I said if we win that game we will stay up. I stand by that but here’s another prediction. If we win our next two games we will stay up.
Stuart79(Quote)
G2 – Starting to believe. I like it:
Stuart79(Quote)
STUART Ime praying your right mate
Icedog(Quote)
Watch for Pardew and Cabaye both putting one over on us. Pardew certainly has a grudge against the toon. If we beat palace that really will be a massive 3 points.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Maybe people will start to believe when we beat Palace.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ime believing but this game does worry me I must admit 😐
Icedog(Quote)
“Although there has been a lot of disappointment and moaning about the situation (in the table), they know that when it really matters, they have to get behind the team and when they do that, it’s difficult to beat them.”
Pardew on NUFC
Stuart79(Quote)
http://www.footballinsider247.com/redknapp-this-is-what-benitez-will-do-at-newcastle-in-the-summer/
Fingers crossed his instincts are right. I have a feeling Rafa will stay either way. He has reached the pinnacle (Real Madrid) and has won it all. Im not convinced he is motivated by going to a powerhouse club anymore. He has been there and done it and when he reached the pinnacle, he was treated badly. The way he talks about his relationship with Liverpool fans makes me think he just wants a club with potential that he can share an affinity with – hence why he came to Newcastle in the first place.
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock: I am inclined to dismiss most of what Redknapp says. He lets his mouth run before engaging his brain, he is to ex-football manager punditry as Paul Merson’s giant balloon head is to ex-player punditry.
He had a very strange career just doing well enough to keep the Fleet Street boys on his side and always being good for a quote in his chirpy chappy sort of way. Give him any subject (except taxes) and he will ramble on about it. I never really minded him, I just wouldn’t trust his opinion as it will change next week anyway.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The main thing that might keep Benitez at NUFC is complete control. He has had to deal with the megalomaniac owners/chairmen at Liverpool (Hicks/Gillette), Chelsea, Inter and 6 months at Real Madrid where he was sacked when the team were 2nd and 2 points behind Barcelona. Ashley has basically said he wants the club to run itself so that would be the bait for Rafa – plus 3 mil a year and bonuses.
I have said it before but having Rafa United with untapped potential and a pot of money might be appealing. If we go down, I am sure Fat Man could be persuaded help out a bit so his investment doesn’t go down the toilet.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Have Ashley and Rafa even talked yet?
Is there any news on Janmaat, that seems to have gone silent?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kilmornock Lee Clark-O-Meter
Won 1
Drawn 2
Lost 6
YCMIU
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – Clarky doing great. Nowt like the Troyster Jinx!
Janmaat wouldn’t get back into this team at the moment, mate. Anita has made us more secure at the back and has actually offered us a good attacking threat so we’ve actually gained without Janmaat.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart: I don’t think that Janmaat would be selected either. Last I heard was about a week ago when he said he would play through the pain. We did have 2 games when we did not have a single defender on the bench and an update on Janmaat and Taylor would have been normal.
Now we have MBabu as cover but remember he has played a total of 5 games for NUFC. Rafa seems to like experience so it tells you a lot when there are no mentions of Tayor and Janmaat at a critical period.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also, I have nothing against Clarky and think he has a difficult task at Kilmarnock. They have a playoff for the 2nd bottom team so they still have a chance to stay in the SPL. You know why I bring it up? Because it shows how clueless the Troysta is. His second choice was Stuart Pearce.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I could do a Rafa-O-Meter and that wouldn’t look that great either. However, it would belie what is actually going on. That it looks like he is turning things around and it looks like we were in even worse shape under Schteve than we thought we were.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC SM had to work on his grin or he would lose his sponsorship from Colgate
Icedog(Quote)
Coloccini and Janmaat both out for the season. Do they stay with the team? I remember when Colo hurt his back they let him go back to Argentina for a while. When ben Arfa was injured they let him do some rehab in France.
I don’t know if it really matters but one is the club captain and another an experienced Dutch international so you would think they could offer something????
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Have them coach the U21s. They seem to need it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If Rafa stays PB will be on his bike,don’t think his boot licking will work with Rafa as it has with jabba,but why has Rafa and jabba never spoken to each other
Icedog(Quote)
My fear with Stoke is Shay Given. I watched a few of their recent games and he has looked every one of his 40 years in their recent shellackings.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t think Pardew should be booed on Saturday. Much as I didn’t like him, he didn’t get us relegated and did have his hands tied to some extent. The ideal way to get under his skin would be to show support for Rafa.
As I said, I didn’t like Pardew but we have had worse since. Thanks Graham Carr.
Remember, Rafa just about fell into Charnley’s lap. I don’t think it has been confirmed but there were stories that Rafa’s “people” contacted NUFC and not the other way around.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I can’t believe how quiet it is on here given that the near future of NUFC rests on one game – this Saturday. Even the Aussies have only been on for one moan apiece.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I mean, this is the most important game since the Villa game when were relegated. Maybe even more important given that we have a Manager who may leave if we are relegated and the money at stake now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – there’s a few whipping up interest but the majority of fans and posters on this site are just losing interest mate. It’s been 2-3 years of pure misery with all connected to SJP. If we stay up it will change. Go down and the fan base will dwindle even further.
Georgio(Quote)
ERIC I’ll stick my neck out and say if jabba plays the game with Rafa he will stay and build the club back up
Icedog(Quote)
Eric I’m still here mate just abroad on assignment at the moment, back home in Minga for the Palace decider though!!
Howay the lads!!!
Munich Mag(Quote)
Eric – I have ground people down with my constant positivity… 😛
Stuart79(Quote)
Keep it up Stuart. Much better than the Aus negativity every time they come on now (once a month).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry anybody that reads this. I was just a bit annoyed that certain people just come on to ***** and offer nothing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric you are always good for a laugh, what we have needed this season. Good to have Stu’s positivity and wise words from Kim and Ice
Simon(Quote)
SIMON thank you,hope things are good for Kim she hasn’t been on for a little while
Well game is sold out,let’s hope fans can get us over the line against Pardews mob,Ime sticking with Stuart and saying we can
Icedog(Quote)
As expected Alli has been banned for three games,good for toon
Icedog(Quote)
Another piece in the Stuart master plan. Alli missing just the next star that’s aligned… 😮
Stuart79(Quote)
Totally inspired by your blog… the way is superb in which the blog has been dressed up… keep sharing more!!! 🙂
Kevon Robinson(Quote)