There is no doubt that this will be a tough game. Spurs are a good side and have Champions League aspirations, with players capable of attaining that goal by the end of the season. They won’t have it all their own way on Sunday though and Newcastle will provide them with an equally tough test.
In truth Tottenham are probably just about the favourites. I’m not being down on Newcastle, not at all, but the reality is that they will be the ones who are expected to win the eyes of the bookies. Skybet have Newcastle at 15/8 whilst Spurs are 7/5. Not much in it, but still…
If Tottenham are to win on Sunday then it will take some effort. Likewise if Newcastle are to win it will be down, mainly, to hard work. That is what I managed to deduce from an article in the Chronicle today anyway.
Now some of these stats have been mentioned before at various stages, but I thought it would be interesting to look at them again in their updated form. They basically detail just how hard working our defensive unit has been and central midfield pairing have been so far this season.
Newcastle have the hardest working back line in the Premier League, with the players who have played covering a total of 352,102 metres (219ish miles) between them. They’ve also made more defensive clearances than any other defensive unit with that particular total standing at 40. The next highest is Manchester City with 25.
The defence are undoubtedly being helped out by the central midfield pairing of Cheik Tiote and Yohan Cabaye who give us a great mix of style and steel in the middle of the park. They’re not lazy either and have proved themselves to be the hardest working midfield pairing in the Premier League having covered a distance of 167,703 metres (104ish miles) between them.
It’s clear to see that we have a hard working team. In truth the stats didn’t need to be brought up to highlight it as it’s something that has been evident right from the start of the season. However I thought it would make for interesting reading so there you go.
Over the years I’ve seen Newcastle teams turn up and not even look bothered about playing football. Over the last couple of years this hasn’t been the case, but there has still been a lack of effort on the odd occasion.
You won’t get a lack of effort from this current crop of Toon stars and in truth I guess that is all we can ever ask for as fans. Yes I’d love to have World Class players at NUFC again, but to me that doesn’t necessarily matter. What does matter to me is that those lads in black and white, whatever their failings, go out there and give it their all.
At the moment we are getting just that!
Great statistic to be reminded of. These lads won’t rest on their laurels as they all have a point to prove to the world. And if they don’t perform, there is a player waiting on the bench to take it from them!
Nufc could be up for this game more than Spurs, and with the home crowd, I would expect a lot of pushing to attack
AndrewT(Quote)
It is going to be a great match. Cant bloody wait til sunday now.
I love all those wee stats, i read a few articles saying we have scored more goals against spurs than any other team which is a great wee stat for us 😀
I hate the phrase “world class player” i rate alot of our players as world class. So what makes a world class player?
N.Irish Toon(Quote)
Something that was also touched on in the article is that we have a resilient and dedicated defensive UNIT right now. So Santon will most likely not start, at least this weekend. He’ll definitely come on as a sub at some point though
AndrewT(Quote)
Andrew
I feel Santon can be intergrated into the Unit off the field as well though. I know a training ground and a live game are 2 seperate things but surely a unit learning how to read each other can be done in training. 🙂
nobby(Quote)
Really happy for you geordies to have a team you can feel proud of again, good luck for the season except on sunday!!!
coys
Wyart Lane(Quote)
Cheers Wyart Lane its going to be a cracking game on sunday, with you guys slightly favourites. This could be the hardest game to call all season and you would be stupid to put money on it imo.
N.Irish Toon(Quote)
Given our current defending prowess and these stats, it seems that we are at long last living up to the club motto: “Fortitur Defendit Triumphans”. Let’s just hope it once again stands us in good stead against the spuds.
Paul in Hollywood(Quote)
I’m not to sure about spurs being slight favourites. Newcastle especially at home always used to beat us. Saying that we have one hell of a weapon in Bale. Key is stopping him by stifling his supply line ie Modric/Parker. Good to see Newcastle up there who have true supporters not like the corporate t@ssers u see at chelski and arsenal.
Spurfect one(Quote)
Cheers Wyart Lane! Very admirable! 😀
Wyart which toon player are you most afraid of this weekend?
I’m scared of Gareth Bale myself… but Kyle walker capable as well! 😕
nobby(Quote)
Just hope that the players don’t get over tired but hey we still have ben arfa on the bench! 😆
Liam southern toon(Quote)
Really looking forward to the game Sunday …but looks like ill be stuck driving back from Bristol! Might well have to bully hungover non-footy fans into the care early, as after watching the Arsenal game I think, especially if Spurs play VDV and 2 strikers, they have big holes in the side we can take adv of….
ToonTom(Quote)
Oh quick qu-saw “dreamboat” went off after 60 odd mins for France-assume it was tactical and not an injury? Had to check as I havent seen it mentioned….
ToonTom(Quote)
Nothing more you can ask for really 😀 , sky sports saying adebayor 50/50 for sunday…
ADAMNUFC96(Quote)
Toontom – Aye it wasn’t injury related thankfully 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Cheers Toonsy. Btw have you got through your existential worries of a week or so back? Ive not been on much and thought Id see ….site still looking good!
ToonTom(Quote)
Andrewt your correct santon will most likely not start on sunday, but if ryan taylor is playing really well, i dont think for one moment that alan pardew will definitely bring him on at some point, no right thinkng manager is going to change the team if thier all playing well as a unit as iam sure you would agree, i hope the toon can get another great victory, but i have a feeling that it will perhaps finish as a draw, ha way the lads.
Eamon Mc Parland(Quote)
YOur we might not have World Class players statement is a strange one as a spurs fan I assume the main central midfielder for the French national team must be world class if he can play at that level (Cabaye)
Jonas is a regular in the Argentine squad which is currently in the top 5 nations in the world.
Ben Arfa is regarded as a massive star in French football just with a bad attitude problem.
Collocini is an Argentine cap holder
Santon is highly regarded in Italy
Krul is highly regarded in the dutch squad and Cheik Tiote is probably behind Sandro and Scott Parker as third best holding midfielder in the league, ahead of Barry and Lucas in my opinion.
You do have a great team but with a few huge weaknesses that will hold you back…….these are:
Leon Best- wouldnt even get in our B team
Danny Simpson- very average right back
Cover if Collocini gets injured.
For these reasons I feel we will beat you on Sunday, simply because Bale against Simpson is a huge mismatch and you have a huge pitch, last time he faced someone as average he tore Skrtel a new **** hole and Liverpool suffered all over the pitch as a result
Jay(Quote)
hey nobby,i would say at the moment it would be demba ba he seems a right handfull.I would be happy with a point from this game.
Wyart Lane(Quote)
Jay, i have to disagree, Leon Best has impressed me. Certainly an upgrade on Ameobi.
Spurfect one(Quote)
couldnt agree more about the work ethics of the current team,our fitness levels seem much better than recent years.So all credit to coaching staff,regarding sundays game ,i think this has all the ingredients to be one of the premier league games of the season,and i think home advantage will just see us scrape it 2-1 to the toon
mg man(Quote)
Jay @ 17 – I guess it depends on the definition of “World Class”really although you do make a valid to point.
To me I mean World Class to be Messi/Ronaldo, or a Shearer in his pomp and so on. World Class players are few and far between for me. Being an international doesn’t make you World Class. Not in my book anyway 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Good assessment there Jay.
With Adebayor rated as 50/50 does that mean if he doesn’t Van Der Vaart will slot in behind Defoe with Lennon coming in on the right but if Adebayor does play will Defoe start along side him with Van Der Vaart on the right?
dan4toon(Quote)
There those Spurs fans go again – being all reasonable, friendly and educated. Don’t they know this is a football blog?? 😆
Seriously – nicest lot we’ve had on here. When’s the “View from the Away End” coming, or have I missed it?
I do think they’re genuine favourites to be honest. Adabayor always seems to score against us and with Bale and co behind him… Ick.
Still, it’s all about springing surprises at the moment, so my money’s staying in my pocket.
Whumpie(Quote)
Agree with Toonsy ref “world class”…..I said the other day that I don’t believe there are any English “world class” players, Rooney being the closest and if he had done the business at the last world cup then maybe he would creep into that category……imo of course 😉
richietoon(Quote)
As a spurs fan I will answer the who do we most fear question, for me I havent seen enough of Ben Arfa to comment.
I dont think I fear anyone as your team doesnt have a player you have to double up on but Cabaye and Tiote are probably a better midfield pairing than anything that Man Utd (Cleverley, Anderson) and Arsenal (Wilshere, Song) have got.
I would have to say Tiote just because I know he will have a good game before the balls been kicked
Jay(Quote)
@17…..Surprised at the comment re- Scott Parker……..we always suspected he might be a good player, but it didn’t really click for him when he was here. What’s made the difference at Spurs do you think?
JoeSoap(Quote)
I think your getting soo many fans from spurs on here because of newsnow.co.uk linking your stories to us as we are playing each other on Sunday
Spurs fans are soo nice to Newcastle fans maybe due to the hospitality from the area, fit girls and the way you have and do play the entertaining style of football….we are trying to replicate the 90’s Newcastle of Ginola, Asprilla, Shearer and Ferdinand with VanDerVaart, Adebayor, Bale and Modric.
And because them along with sides like Notts Forest and Leeds should still be challenging at the top with the current top 6 purely down to fan bases and in some cases history
Jay(Quote)
Van Der Vaart will never play right midfield again, he hates it there doesnt track back and is more useful as a free role forward.
If Ade is fit then VDV and Ade upfront and if not VDV and Defoe
Modric will play right midfield and Sandro and Parker central midfield.
We cant leave Sandro out he is vital and you see the difference he made when he came on against Arsenal he just stops other teams playing.
Tell me about this Ben Arfa then I have seen his YouTube clips from his days at Marseille, he looks unreal but has been injured most of the time since he has come to the prem, can he handle the physical side of english football
Jay(Quote)
@Jay @17
Sandro is a good young player but Tiote, Lucas, Barry, Cabaye and a good few other players i can think of are alot better than him and a good few are better than parker aswell.
I agree with you on simpson though Bale will rip him apart but he can rip most full backs apart so nothing we can do about that.
N.Irish Toon(Quote)
I like them stats, our defensive distance covered is probably colo and taylor have a great desire to charge up the field on swashbuckling runs and play up front when the chance arrises.
Rorycn (Bottoms up)(Quote)
Rory – You’d be surprised. I think it’s Simpson who has run the most. Mind you he has to as he usually has to chase after the attacker who has gone past him 😆
toonsy(Quote)
I never used to mind Gooner’s fans until the last couple of years, then the amount of whinging after the 4-4 last year was unbelievable. They weren’t happy with being part of a fantastic game that had everything you ask for in a game, games like that are why I love football but all you got from them was whining and crying…….wonder where they got that from 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
tiote better than sandro, ??????????lmfao, i think u barcodes are getting just a little carryed away by your lucky start to the season, come the end of the season ull be lucky to be higher than 17th, you are *****, we will destroy you at least 4-1, get a grip on reality
rich g(Quote)
Jay, I know Bale vs Simpson is a major bonus for you’s but what else should be is if Lennon plays vs Ryan Taylor!
Ben Arfa can handle the physical side of the game because even in just the short time he’s played he’s been pushed and shoved but got back up, what he can’t handle is when thugs like De Jong and Espinoza deliberately go to hurt him and succeed in doing so.
He would be in the team now if we weren’t playing so well, only problem (nice problem) is who do you drop for him.
dan4toon(Quote)
Jay – Early days mate, but Ben Arfa certainly seemed to be up for this physical side against Everton, and came through it with flying colours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLB5oz88umE
The leg break thing was just unfortunate. Gutting but unfortunate. It could have been any player in fairness. The tackle that knacked him in pre-season was a rake down the ankle which caught his ligaments. Again it could happen to anyone.
Time will tell I guess, but an awful lot is expected of him and a lot of Newcastle fans seem to revere him as a god already.
toonsy(Quote)
Lucky to be higher than 17th……
Righto 🙄
Schools out I see 😛
toonsy(Quote)
It will probably be an unchanged team again which you can understand, if they keep winning why change it, the biggest concern for me would be the fact that Spurs have 2 pacey wingers in Bale and Lennon and both our fullbacks Simpson and Raylor both lack a bit of pace, winning team or not I would bring Santon in his pace could nullify Lennon, we do have match winners ourselves with Ba, Ben Arfa and Marveaux, unfortunetly 2 of them will probably be on the bench which is another concern, if Tiote and Cabaye can win the midfield battle then the service to their wingers would be lost and we could get a result
Patchty1(Quote)
I’d play jonas on the right to help nulify Bale personally. Haha your probably right toonsy plus taylor has to go and generally lash one over the stadium/over the wall.
Rorycn (Bottoms up)(Quote)
agree rory ,i would put marvuex on the left 2 goals for the reserves the other day will have his confidence high 😀
ADAMNUFC96(Quote)
Ryan Taylor is like an accident waiting to happen. His goal against sunderland did bought him some time and sympathy, but I fear the worst when he is up against pacey wingers. It gives the midfield and collocini in particular an extra burden, constantly having to cover for the exposed ryan taylor and leaving gaps behind. Although I do not doubt his heart and effort, he just is not the solution to the left back position.
I do have a question for the fans, would you be happy seeing ryan taylor occupying the left back role, providing we stay unbeaten?( Realistically, it’s until we meet one of the big fours) Or would you prefer pardew to get Santon on the team, once ryan taylor makes an absolute howler? I know ryan gives his all or so, but Santon IS enrique’s replacement after all, ain’t he?
Toon@Jer(Quote)
Toon@Jer, totally agree, I know they say ‘never change a winning team’ but surely we shouldn’t just be waiting for us to get a hiding or a certain player to play awful which costs us points to change the team.
dan4toon(Quote)
Pardew’s trying to keep the good team spirit going. If he just drops the likes of Ryan Taylor [& I’ve seen others asking for Obertan’s head aswell] then he risks destroying this team spirit. When a player is dropped he has to understand the reason for it, otherwise you return to the cliques and favouritism of the previous squads we had over the last 20 odd years where sheep’s hearts are left in the dressing room etc.
JoeSoap(Quote)
Good luck guys i can see a draw all over this game. None of the toon army have mentioned Pardew yet, what do you guys think of him so far..?
hotspur(Quote)
Joesoap, i get your point, but Ryan taylor knows it best that he is a more of a squad player. Even Pardew came out in public earlier in the season saying something like ” the sooner ryan does not play in left back, the better”. I can also see Pardew’s intention, gradually easing Santon into the team while reaping the reward of ryan’s good form. However, as the saying goes, a leopard can’t change its spots. Ryan taylor, for all he is, does possess the knack of making the odd error in a game, or one of his main weaknesses, which is inability to cope with pacey wingers. As DAN4TOON mentioned too, do we really have to drop points first, in order to replace a winning team? The players should be worried in keeping the manager happy, not the other way round.
Toon@Jer(Quote)
@43. can’t speak for everyone but I think the general feeling was absolute shock/disappointment at the appointment, partially out of general good affections towards Houghton and partly because Pards had a spotty record elsewhere has never really manahged a club like ours. Also, he was seen as a friends ot an unpopular regime.
That being said, slowly but surely he has won most us over. He communicates with the fans, he has gotten results, and he plays an attractive style now that he has some players with the ability to do it. Really couldn’t be happier with him right now if I’m honest.
MDS(Quote)
Newcastle have been very lucky in all their matchs so far and spurs are the first decent team you mugs have played. Spurs will thrash your obese asses.
spurs guvnor(Quote)
i but santon is a real left back he do a job on bale he stop him playing cum on the toon 2 – 1 cum on the toon
steve7(Quote)
Got to agree – these Spurs fans are the most decent, balanced, unbiased bunch of opposing supporters I have ever seen on this or any other blog. Good on you guys! It sure puts another dent in the Arsenal.
Paul in Hollywood(Quote)
**** me don’t mention Arsenal please. Bunch of whiny **** fans. I dare say the mere mention of them will get their bottom lop quivering 👿
And it will all be someone elses fault….
toonsy(Quote)
Looking forward to this one! That’s more like it RichG and Spurs Guvnor! A few sharp tongues add some spice. Your defense is pathetic though. How are Dawson’s knees these days? Have you decided whether you have a goalkeeper yet? What happened to the brilliant Wilson Palacios? I admire Parker’s work rate but he does love to run in circles doesn’t he? Bale and Modric are real players though. Hopefully Santon will play and give Lennon something to think about. Agree with others it might be good to play Jonas on the right to help with Bale unless Obertan can mark Bale properly.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Totally of topic but just watched this wee programme about how clubs are run in England it is a good watch
http://www.footytube.com/video/net-losses-where-did-the-soul-of-british-football-go-88820?ref=wv_relbox
N.Irish Toon(Quote)
@46
Methinks you are a troll. 👿
nobby(Quote)
Starting to look foward to games with optimism and hope and enjoying watching the Toon now not like previous seasons when all we had was hope, the optimism makes the diiference. Has Ashley created a side that is now looking good?
fatash(Quote)
Cant wait to get back to proper footie, and to teach the Spuds a lesson, as a lot of their fans are becoming really deluded in thinking that they just stroll along to collect the points.
Big Dave(Quote)
GeordieTwo, how is our defense pathetic? We have been unlucky with injuries, king, woodgate, dawson, gallas all injured constantly. King is easily the best cb in europe, ekottu is superb and walker has great potential. Bassong is by far the worst defender we have!!!I wonder why.
We shall see on sunday, when spurs batter you.
spurs guvnor(Quote)
Spurs guvnor….and how were we lucky in all our games? how many have you actually seen? probably none. As for Bassong, I don’t know enlighten us, it can only be A) Spurs have turned him into a bad defender or B) Harry’s a bad judge of player, your choice. 🙄
richietoon(Quote)
Richie…there’s always one pr1ck, forget him!
He forgets we’ve played arsenal & managed a point & they’re are a much better team than spurs. Have been for many a year 😉
witters(Quote)
Plus he can’t follow spurs that much…woodgates at Stoke ffs. What a thick **** 😆
witters(Quote)
Witters….I guess he’s never seen a Spurs match either, the rest of the lads have been sound though….apart from RichG but he gets called on his own blogs too. 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Spurs Guvnor……the name says it all…. 😆 😆 😆
Deluded…..King is by far the best cb in europe, unlucky with injuries….?…eh ? 🙄 🙄
You paid us 8 million for Bassong, who was a good defender before you jokers got your hands on him.
ffs …a couple of Champions League games and they think they know it all… 😆 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Fatash @53 there are currently 58 comments on this blog , the blog is full of stats and information regarding sundays game against spurs its a good read ….but you are the only person out of those 58 comments who has mentioned ashley ? why ? is that your only frame of reference ? do you just like being a naughty boy ? are you mike ashley ?
Did the glazers win the prem league last season or was it alex ferguson pray tell . its really boring man pack it in.
keith(Quote)
I thoughy Man UNITED won the premier league, I don’t recall ferguson putting his boots on, no it was all of them players manager and owners UNITED , all deserve credit
FATASH(Quote)
Is woodgate really at stoke, i dont adam n eve it! Being called thick by a geordie is irony at its very best. If arsenal are soo much better how come they aint beaten us for 4years?
Newcastle have been very lucky, ive seen all your games and luck has saved you eg wolves.
Cant wait to smash you lot sunday, easy pickings.
spurs guvnor(Quote)
So keegan shearer hughton f sheperd and j hall deserve credit ? or has this magical journey only started the day mike walked into toon , boring Zzzzzz have your opinion like we are all entitled to but you dont have to put his name in every comment !
keith(Quote)
As for bassong, looked good in a **** team but **** for a top team like spurs. He will be sold.
You geordies really are dumb n deluded, your ****.
spurs guvnor(Quote)
You look thicker with every comment you make “guvnor”, best do your homework and get yourself away to bed boy.
richietoon(Quote)
You’ve seen all our games…who do you support again?
As for bassong…you’s fcukin bought him! I think we made about £7950000 on that deal so who’s thick?
You’re a few years behind us, chasing CL glory but you’ve only managed it once & won’t manage it again. And we’re fcukin deluded…we know our place, you should know yours. Second team in north london
witters(Quote)
Guvnor. Just like to point out our Premier League record against each other to date:
Played 34 games. You have won 13. We have drawn 5. Newcastle have won 16. Your boys still have a bit of catching up to do it would seem.
Furthermore we have qualified for the Champions League more times than you.
We also have won the English top flight twice as many times as you.
Our stadium houses almost 20,000 fans more than yours and you are going to sink as soon as Redknapp abandons you for the heartless ‘lions.’
It’s not some elite club you follow, just a fairly good one like ours which is enjoying a bit of a rare purplr patch at the moment. Despite doing ok recently, you have not actually achieved anything as the lack of any meaningful silverware suggests. So dont come on here shouting your mouth off like you come from some far superior footballing background – because you dont mate. 🙄
Shamrock(Quote)
And speaking of thick…was it Newcastle or north London where loads of good for nothing fcukwits rioted & brought shame to our national?
witters(Quote)
Witters….it’s “nation” ya thick fecker 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Richie….ssssshhh, he’ll not know the difference!
I blame predictive text… 😯
witters(Quote)
lol this “guvnor” doesnt even know who is in his team and calls himself a real supporter!!! Mate you didnt even know woodgate is at stoke! I do and im from Australia. Pathetic! talk about bandwagon fan.
milktoonAUS(Quote)
Crikey, half of L.A. knows that Woodgate is at Stoke and they think that football is played by guys throwing a rugby ball around. But at least they’re more clued in than the Spurs guvnor! BTW Guvnor, in case you hadn’t noticed, so’s that tall lanky lad called Crouch!
Paul in Hollywood(Quote)
@ Spuds Guvnor…
Your scilence speaks volumes
Also I think you’ll find Spurs… out of all teams in all leagues… is the team we have scored the most goals against.
I didn’t research that fact it was just on sky sports news yesterday morning. 😉
You clearly have done all your ‘research’ from the daily sport… moron. 😐
nobby(Quote)
keith@64
“So keegan shearer hughton f sheperd and j hall deserve credit” sure ythey deserve the credit for what they did Hughton was good and I disn’t want to see him go, Sheares was excellent as a player but not a good manager. The owners shape the club by management an how much money the put in to the team (that means everybody players, ground staff, mamagement, ground development , traning facilities, mrdical facilities, youth yeam, reserve team( where was keegans reserve team and youth policy, thats right he scrapped the reserves leaving out a vital step for youth team development We had some of our best years under John Hall
so yes credit where credit is due.
Like it or not if you only have one owner then what he says will happen financially is the clubs future. The club is now much stronger than it was before he took over. The medicine was unpleasant but it was for the greater good. No doubt he may have more to come but what are YOU going to do. We all as you say “pucker up and kiss his ****” every time we go to a match. So what are you going to do
F/inally I don’t force you to read my comments please feel free not to, If it was not for your head up backside comments this thread would have died on my first comment
Am I Ashley yeah in my dreams
FATASH(Quote)