Don’t get me wrong, I’m not attempting to cover over any cracks. Quite frankly we all knew we were a couple of injuries away from disaster and that is how it is proving to be. The nightmare before Christmas so to speak.
However we are still sat in 7th place in the league, we’re still three points clear of 8th and seven points clear of losing a spot in the top half of the table. Yes we are in the middle of a dip and we’ve not got the results from the last three games that perhaps we should have done, but overall we’re still having a good season, right?
Naturally that could all change in January. We’ll be losing Cheik Tiote and Demba Ba to the African Cup of Nations and some fear that we may lose one or two players for a lot longer, ie indefinitely, if this transfer window treads a familiar path once more.
However lets not lose sight of the start we’ve had to the season. A bit of confidence is all we need. Against West Brom we bossed them for the first 20 minutes until they got that opening goal. Once that goal went in the confidence took a hit and we struggled to get back into it, which we only managed thanks to a Demba Ba thunderbolt. In short, if we’d have scored the opening goal we’d have won that game.
It’s all if’s and but’s of course, but so are the dozens of theories that are whirling about regarding how our season is going to go from now. IF we sell so and so, IF we don’t buy in January and so on. How about IF we go on another run that we saw at the start of the season? We’ve done it once so why not again?
I know things could have been even batter had we got the results in the last few games, but the reality is that we were not going to go on winning game after game. At some point it would end. I’m just as *off as the rest of you but the fact is that we’re still in an excellent position to progress.
Some festive food for thought…
@toonsy
It depends which way you analyse it and I know some will say I’m starting my negative banter but I maintain, I say it how I see it.
It’s not the games we have lost, as some 2 of them were against top sides but it’s the manner.
Lack of creativity and a defence like a sieve.
If you look at our great start to the season, I was constantly talking about the heroics of Tim Krul.
He literally won games by himself and in the early stages I thought we were lucky to keep the run going. However, after 10 games I doubted my own judgement, (unheard of), and began to think I had been wrong and we hadn’t been lucky and we were top 6 contenders.
To be fair to Steve Wraith, he slapped my round the face to bring me out of my relapse and I’m back to where I started. Lack of confidence in our squad to finish in the top 7.
On top of hearing that Spurs have tabled a £14m bid for Krul and Chelsea £22m for Tiote then I’ve lost any glimmer of hope I had during those exciting couple of months.
Ashley = Mediocrity 😡
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I’ll answer at the end of Jan after the window has closed but i’m not hopefully. been here before, expecting more bullshit..
All the best everyone, have a good un
TOON TOON!!
mark(Quote)
aye all the best to all bloggers.
and to you TOONSY well done with the site,top job 😉 .
got to have somewhere to grub mrs fed up with it 😀
icedog(Quote)
Can’t see us getting anything from the next 3 games.
We must buy a striker and CB in the window, but doubt fatty will release the cash.
We are well and truely derailed at the moment due to lack of strength in the squad.
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
After the start we had I think it will be a huge dissapointment if we don’t finish in the top 7. I said that three weeks ago and I stand by it, but instead of being 10 points clear we’re now only 3 points clear.
Unfortunately I really cannot see us finishing top 7 now. Not just because of the run we”ve had but I truly believe the transfer window will be another shattering blow to the fans of NUFC. I believe Tiote will be sold and I think we’ll end up only bringing in a centre half instead of a striker. Add that to losing the guy who’s scored 50% of our goals this season for at least 4 weeks I see a top ten finish as a challenge.
I know some will call me doom and gloom etc but I’m looking at the past and making my own assumptions.
I actually think it’s personally now from Ashley’s point of view, The only way he can recoup hois money (which is what he wants to do) is by selling our better players to keep the club afloat so he can take his loan back. Then when he has it all paid back he’ll sell the club. If that is his plan I would gladly accept selling Tiote, Collocini, Cabaye and anyone else who would add up to the £70m we probably still owe him all in this transfer window.
That way we would be rid of this man sooner rather than later and have half a chance of acheiving something.
Stuart79(Quote)
@stu
I agree.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
We got Tudor from Sheffield and Hibbit from Leeds
MacDonald from Luton and Smith Aberdeen
But we got the greatest the world’s ever seen
We bought him from Blackpool his name’s Tony Green
Ohhhhhhhhhh Tony Tony, Tony Tony Tony Tony Tony Green ……..
Merry Xmas and happy new year TGS 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@Stuart79
I’d agree with your sentiments towards Ashley and his recouping of his loan before selling.
I’m not gonna fall for this bullshit story he want to do well for us, why would he?
mark(Quote)
STUART79,ive said before you have no chance of jabba selling the club ever.would you give up 40/50mil a yr pocket money for doing naf all a nice little earner where else could he get that sort cash,he just leaves owlheed to collect it for him,think we fans have to dream on mate 🙁
icedog(Quote)
So far, we have taken two steps back by selling players but then three steps forward. I don’t mind if Tiote goes provided we get big money, and re-invest in one or two of Carr’s targets. Plenty more fish in the sea. No need for such doom and gloom.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Yallright boys and girls. Wherever you may be, all the very best…Merry Christmas to you all… 🙂 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
@ icedog
I believe he bought us to make a quick profit before he realised he was screwed by Shepherd and the UK slumped in a recession.
I honestly think he’ll sell after recouping. How long do u think fans will turn up if he just continues to rape the club and fans for cash once we know he’s had his debts settled.
I think another season of this even Pardew will walk and he might find it hard to get another decent manager.
Anyway, I hope youre not right coz that senario is possible but would be a nightmare 🙁
mark(Quote)
Just saw this article on the club site in which its said James Perch has had an impressive return to the starting 11, now i am convinced they definitely believe we are all as thick as ****.
Its no coincidence that we have conceded goals for fun since he got into the team, impressive, what a joke!
http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/News/Features/0,,10278~2556425,00.html
Robert(Quote)
Has Pardew been in the press speculating what positions he’s looking to strengthen?
I haven’t seen him but haven’t been actively looking.
He was in the press and media more than the Prime Minister last summer! 😯 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
MARK sorry mate but that how i see it,put youself in his shoes would you give up that sort of cash, he will hope to spend just enough to keep us in PL to keep it comeing in.as to the fans ime one of the mugs that have been with the toon for many many years and seen most things i would still go if we were a non-lge club even, as would many others its in the blood,trouble is HE knows it,ime not dooming and glooming i just accept it and go no matter what,but i have given up my season ticket in my own little protest but pick and chose my games now even so ive been 5 times this year like a daft git 😐
icedog(Quote)
@Icedog
no m8, youre not being doom and gloom. U choose how you think it will go, like I said its a possibility 😥
After a cpl of season like that tho ppl will realise what his game is. Pards will leave, players will leave and decent players wont sign because the spirit will be gone, he can only take the pish for so long imo
mark(Quote)
its fair to say tho its a sad state of affairs when football fans are 2nd guessing to what their football club is up2. Why can we just enjoy football.
I’d love to be in some of the other clubs shoes and know that we’re either skint or not but the plan is to do well for the club not whether its for profit, SD, to get his money back etc.
Even Everton know theyre skint but the fans can settle with that and know they’ll do something about it, we have no idea with Ashley in charge what our club is up to. 🙄
mark(Quote)
MARK, why do you think like that ?
What’s happened to make you think like it?
wolfie(Quote)
A very merry christmas to those who see the club improving under the current regime. and Bah Humbug to the rest
Premandup(Quote)
We have had a bit of a dodgy run of late as Toonsy says but there’s no reason why we can’t get back on track.
wolfie(Quote)
MARK, would you prefer Kenwright over Ashley even though Kenwright hasn’t got a pot to **** in and can only sell or wait for someone to buy the club?
wolfie(Quote)
@wolfie
To be unsure what Ashleys next move is, is unsettling for me.
U believe he’s here for the good of the club and will make us stronger, I believe he’s here to claw his cash back and **** off, Icedog believes he’s here just to make profit which would result in mediocrity season after season, some believe he’s here just to make SD even richer.
all these question marks make me wonder why he’s here and nobody actually knows the truth.. thats why i think like that 😀
mark(Quote)
would you prefer Kenwright over Ashley even though Kenwright hasn’t got a pot to **** in and can only sell or wait for someone to buy the club?
I would say we’re in a similar position if we believe we’ll sell more players and not spend the profits.
mark(Quote)
21 games to go and if we get 23 points from them we end the season on 50 points , which should be well enough for a top ten finish.
I will hang fire on the jolliness of the season until this transfer window is over.
Any bid of £20m+ will see Tiote gone And Troy seems convinced that Krul is going.
If Krul does go , I would lay his departure at Pardews’ door. Pardew brought in his favourite goalkeeper in the summer, Rob Elliot, and were we in need of a goalkeeper ? He certainly did not come to play second fiddle to Krul or anyone else.
If Colo and /or Simpson don’t sign their new contracts I expect any offers in this window to be accepted.
Just hope that two defenders and a striker are lined up to replace departures.
Merry Christmas bloggers.
sidekick(Quote)
Rob Elliot for Krul 😯 🙄
thats like replacing Ba with Smith 😀
mark(Quote)
Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen.
It’s good that at least Williamson looks to be almost back, and we’ve got Cabaye back too – they’ll be “like new signings!” 😉
Our last visit to the Reebok doesn’t bode too well but I’m confident we can get something.
I personally don’t think this transfer window will be as awful as most of us expect it to be, but I’ll reserve my judgement for a month cos I know what moth-boy Fatty is like with his glowing dollar signs.
Anyway, I’m off back up to the Toon to see the awld gadgies and young radgie.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
(and cheers Toonsy et al, keep up the fine work, muckers!)
😎
Rodzilla(Quote)
Troy,
Merry Xmas mate, best wishes to you and your family.
Keep the reality train going 😉
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
Just about to roast my gammon…………Mmmmmmmmmmmmm 😆
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
Merry xmas to everyone on the blog and a happy new year!! My christmas list to santa is
Newcastle to buy a top striker and center half
Sunderland to get relegated
Liverpool to stop fishing for all of our players
Army69(Quote)
……Tony, “Just about to roast my gammon” that sounds dirty.
reet, amoff, laters………..
Rodzilla(Quote)
Ok MARK, if that’s what you think then fair enough, you’re entitled to your opinion of course.
BUT…
I’m not telling you here by the way, I’m asking you to think outside the darkness and look at the brighter picture.
You believe he’s here to claw his money back and go….ok , now think this way.
How long has he been here? About 5 years right, 5 years.
In that time he rid the club of 99% of mercenaries and non triers and replaced them with triers of better quality who actually care about the club and want to succeed.
Now if his goal is to make a profit then he’s in pole position to do it in January and then put the club on the market straight after because he could sell Cabaye, Tiote, colo, Ba, Krul e.t.c and he would make a handsome profit of about 80 million off that lot, then sell the club and walk away with a handsome profit.
Would this seem logical of a man that’s just put the training facilities and scouts plus academies and everything else in order .
He’s a businessman but he’s no clown and he’s no quitter either but he wouldn’t be human if he didn’t get a little bit pissed off at fans who constantly claim he’s out to cripple them when all we can see is progress.
Anything that comes out of his mouth or Pardews is lies according to some fans if it even hints at a signing of a player but it’s took as gospel that they won’t if they turn round and say we MIGHT sign a player.
Since relegation we have surpassed all expectations every season and are doing so again this season, so I suppose this is a ploy for him to make us look decent so he can sell us.
You see I can’t get my head round this negative mentality of some fans.
If we do well, it’s because he’s shaping us up to get a bigger bid but if we do *****, he’s doing it to get back at the fans and to destroy the club.
If he asks Pardew when he’s gonna sign a centre back, Pardew has just made it up so the fans think Ashley cares.
Do you see how silly this all looks.
ICEDOG thinks he’s just here to make a profit, well let me explain something. In business the name of the game is to make a profit because by making a profit, it means you are being successful in that business…It does not hold any water that he’s gonna make profit from Newcastle by hammering it down to mediocrity because doing that to ANY business means total failure.
We were getting hammered down to mediocrity before he took over and apart from the mistakes made in his first year, everything has been far from mediocrity , in-fact, quite the opposite.
I don;t see one thing at NUFC that gives me any dull feeling apart from I wish Saylor wasn’t out for the season but **** does happen.
wolfie(Quote)
We will always attract players especially ones with ambitions of playing for champions league clubs, which player wouldnt want to join a club that can promise 1st team football in England’s top division? Then add to that the promise of noone standing in their way when the big clubs come calling. Players make a decent wedge, agents do and Ashley does. Everyone’s a winner but the people that matter us supporters.
Jostoon(Quote)
All top players are target for better clubs, no matter who they are.
We have some top quality talent but what we don;t have YET is a trophy cabinet that’s gleaming with silverware from the modern era.
Unfortunately that makes us a target when those clubs that do have silverware and also a squad of players constantly challenging for those honours, come hunting.
There is nothing new to this and it will always happen, until we are in a position to provide a challenge ourselves and also being on a sound financial footing to be able to refuse to sell.
All clubs are selling clubs though, for the right price, even the top clubs and 90% of players are swayed by mega bucks offers.
Newcastle United are just a club in a chain of clubs that offloads players and buy players as and when the need arises.
wolfie(Quote)
Rod,
Are you away on the lash mate ❓
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
Wolfie@33…we don’t have a trophy cabinet gleaming with silverware from any era mate… 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
MUNICHMAG, we did in the early 20 century and in the 50’s lol
wolfie(Quote)
Wolfie, you make some valid points, but in all honesty I can’t see anything changing as long as Ashley is in ownership. That also goes for the name of our stadium.
A club our size has the smallest buying budget, and nearly the largest profit margin when it comes to transfers. Agree about great business man, but what fun is it when your expected to pay 400 – 900 for a season ticket, for mid table season after season. And watching your better players move on for high fees.
Jostoon(Quote)
@wolfie
Ok wolfie, if that’s what you think then fair enough, you’re entitled to your opinion of course.
BUT…
I’m not telling you here by the way, 😆 you don’t know for sure, u could be wrong….
at least we only have to wait until the end of Jan for us to get a fair idea what Ashleys plans are.
Anyway off to wrap some prezzies for the bairns.
Have a good un everyone 😀
mark(Quote)
sorry took so long to comment been reading wolfie’s posts lol
heyyyy where newcastle when have any of us guessed whats going to happen…… never boring at SAINT JAMES PARK !!!!!!!!
ICE PUP(Quote)
very disapointed with the last 3 games ,gotta get oot of the slump very quick but i reckon we will get nowt oot of the next 3 games ,and ide like to add ashley is a fat ugly b@stard the sooner he has gone the better 😉
batty(Quote)
JOSTOON, I know fans always want better and all fans would love to see their team win every week and win a trophy and play constant entertaining football, plus have a busy transfer window where new players stream through to aid in excitement.
If only football was so forgiving.
The thing is Jos, you say watching your better players moving on for high fees but in reality we have only lost ONE for a high fee, (Andy Carroll)
What club could possibly turn down that offer for a player that was really only just cutting his teeth in the prem and who challenged a new contract.
Yes he was a good player for us but we brought in a better one in Ba.
We have lost no other players to high fees or been bullied into selling them, because Enrique went for what we paid, so no profit.
Nolan went for less than we paid, so it’s a loss .
Barton went for nothing, so it’s a loss.
Xisco is farmed out and will be gone for peanuts, so it’s a loss.
Routledge went for what we paid roughly, so no gain.
Have a think about it and you’ll realise that we haven’t played the profit game except for Carroll and he chose that path for us.
wolfie(Quote)
BATTY, explain to me why you think we will get nothing out of the next 3 games?
wolfie(Quote)
another short one there like woflie 😉
ICE PUP(Quote)
@Batty
ashley is a fat ugly b@stard the sooner he has gone the better..
Batty..what make u think like that? 😀
:)you know your getting auld when your lass asks “do you need any vests and nasal clippers for xmas” 😯 cheeky cow, im only 38!!
I used to get aftershave and a blow for crimbo, how times change lol
mark(Quote)
@batty
You should really turn the heating on for the kids. It’s bloody Xmas. You miserable old sod. 😛 😆 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Aye ICEPUP, I think I’m coming down with a cold 😆
wolfie(Quote)
@mark 😆
😛 😯
ICE PUP(Quote)
wolfies getting 5 new keyboards for christmas and a short-hand manual
mark(Quote)
Yeh I’m always jolly I’m black an white home and away and I love it .
The big question is where are we heading as a club and the glaring truth is mediocrity (troy@1) it is plain to see history shows it as does common sense , we can dream of a masterplan and investment in the 1st team and player retention and a owner who is changing the club to compete in the future but that’s all it would be a dream and I don’t think its very fare to built up the hopes of the young lads and lasses on here to watch them get kicked in the teeth , a wise man learns from history they say !
I admire your over the top and unfounded confidense wolfie but you must be very wet after pissing in the wind for so many years .
All the best from me .
keith(Quote)
MARK I resent that, ..5 keyboards indeed.
If you want to know, I’m getting a Stephen Hawkins robocop voice thingy. 😆
wolfie(Quote)
hahaha i mean cough cough now now lets not pick on the less fortunate
ICE PUP(Quote)
@wolfie lol
mark(Quote)
@ICE PUP
do you live in the Westend of the Toon, Ive seen your face b4?
probably y’day.. on here.. 😆
mark(Quote)
Most of the facts to date support Wolfie. We still have the best team we have had for years playing more attractive football. Any other views at the moment are just conjecture but I do understand the fears of some.
Groucho(Quote)
KEITH, I won;t go into who’s wet and such but I will give you a bit of food for thought.
Cast your mind back to when Alex Ferguson took the job at Man Utd and remember what that club was like before he took over and how it was in his early tenure.
He was given time, luckily, to get it right and he bought in some quality players, relatively cheap at the time and managed to turn it round but the real telling point was when the academy kids matured enough to get game time.
Look at them now.
I’m not saying we will follow that length of success or anything but what I will say is, if you build slowly and get the priorities in the right order, you have a far better chance of gaining future success.
We tried the quick fix options many times and they always set us back years because we had no contingency plan.
Soon enough you will see that the future of this club, is being built from the foundations up because this club was a dead stick until Ashley breathed new life into it.
If you’re a fan that wants it all now, then I’m afraid you will be disappointed.
wolfie(Quote)
wolfie @ 42 whats to explain ❓ ❓ ❓ i think they will score more goals than us easy realy 😉
batty(Quote)
troy @45 got nee logs for the fire ,you have had them for the reality train ready for full steam ahead ,but ya didnt have to take me doors aswell its fckin freezin in here 🙂
batty(Quote)
Will you be watching any of those games Batty?
wolfie(Quote)
I’d happily bide my time wolfie if thats the case..
Wolfie, do u think Uncle mike will be here in 5yrs time?
do u think Ba and Cabaye will be here in 2yrs time?
do you think Krul will be here by next summer?
do you think i ask too many ‘do you thinks’ 😀
mark(Quote)
wolfie aye and i wont be booing oba 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
MARK, Unless some consortium or buyer comes in and offers Ashley a high sum for the club, plus proves to Ashley that the club keep moving forward, then he will be here in the next 10 years and more.
He wants success for this club.
I can’t tell you which players will be at the club in any years never mind 2 because circumstances will dictate what happens.
All I can say is, if any player leaves , it’s because they choose to or an offer comes in that is so ridiculously high that it cannot be turned down or a player causes unrest.
We will not get rid of our best players just for the hell of it though, in my opinion.
wolfie(Quote)
So Batty, if you think we will get no points from those games, why are you going ?
wolfie(Quote)
Wolfie…..do you think we’ll win the league? 😉
richietoon(Quote)
RICHIE….NO
wolfie(Quote)
Then why bother?
richietoon(Quote)
I never said I wanted anything at all let alone anything fast ! You shouldent make things up wolfie , the truth is better !!
keith(Quote)
Why bother what?
wolfie(Quote)
KEITH, I used the word IF, I said IF you’re a fan that wants it all now then you will be disappointed.
I didn’t say you ARE .
wolfie(Quote)
A bitter pill but better ….
keith(Quote)
With watching football, batty doesn’t think we’ll get owt in the next 3 games, he didn’t say we can’t get anything, that and the fact he is a Toon fan is why he’ll be watching/going or are you saying anytime a Toon fan doesn’t think we’ll get a point out of a game we shouldn’t bother? 😉
richietoon(Quote)
wolfie i was going before keegan took over the 1st time when we were bottom of div 2 when we wernt winning games ,iam going to support my team team so whats ya point mate 😕 😕 😕
batty(Quote)
wolfie so do you only go to games that you think we will win 😕 😕 😕
batty(Quote)
Whey wor lass is back, I divn’t reckon I’ll get owt…….doesn’t stop me trying though 😉
If I don’t get back on here, Merry Xmas to one and all, have a good ‘un 😀
richietoon(Quote)
RICHIE, he RECKONS we will get no points.
If he RECKONS that we won;t get any points but goes to the match hoping we will get all 3 then he;s going because he knows we have a chance.
Therefore he’s got a reason to go hasn’t he.
If a fan believes his club will win nothing everytime he goes , then I would question his reasons for actually bothering being a fan to be honest.
wolfie(Quote)
BATTY . all games I go to and all games I watch on telly or the internet or radio concerning Newcastle I believe we can win…EVERYTIME.
Only the result can prove me wrong.
wolfie(Quote)