That slither of light was provided by Swansea in midweek, who thankfully beat Wigan on their own turn ensuring that we don’t enter this match against QPR in the bottom three of the Premier League table.
In fact the result for Swansea has given us another chance to get ourselves out of this mess and could potentially see us safe on Tuesday evening providing to things happen. The first thing that needs to happen is that we need to pick up at least a point at Loftus Road tomorrow, although ideally we’d pick up three. The second thing is that Wigan must lose at Arsenal on Tuesday (or achieve no more than a draw if we win at QPR) which would be enough to see us safe heading into the final league game of the season and would see super Roberto Martinez – managerial mastermind in the eyes of some – relegate Wigan with a record that isn’t even comparable to that of Steve Bruce!
QPR
Chris Samba is doubtful for the visit of the Magpies as he battles with a knee injury. Shaun Wright-Phillips (ankle) and Andrew Johnson (knee) will both miss the match and what is left of the season as both have undergone surgery on their respective injuries. Tal Ben Haim has already left the club and has signed for MLS side Toronto FC while goalkeeper Julio Cesar won’t be considered for selection.
Newcastle:
Mathieu Debuchy is available once more after sitting out the 0-0 draw with West Ham last weekend due to suspension. Tim Krul, Shola Ameobi and Moussa Sissoko have been ruled out for the rest of the season and will join Ryan Taylor and Haris Vuckic on the treatment table. Sylvain Marveaux and Davide Santon are training again although their readiness for match action remains unknown while Sammy Ameobi and Shane Ferguson are available again after returning from loan spells at Middlesbrough and Birmingham respectively.
Previously…
United go looking for a first league double of the season following on from the 1-0 victory recorded at St James’ Park back in December. The goalscorer that day – Shola Ameobi.
Newcastle last tasted defeat at Loftus Road back in 1995. The scoreline was 3-0 that day and whilst 1995 sounds a long time ago there has only been three matches in West London since then with United recording two victories (one in the Championship) and one draw.
Home and away and in all competitions our record against each other is remarkably similar. There have been 41 games contested between the two sides with United winning 18, QPR winning 16 with 7 draws making up the numbers.
Match stats and facts:
QPR have the worst home record in the division having won just two games in front of their own fans all season long.
United have the third-worst away record in the division and have won just once on the road all season.
QPR have failed to score on 15 occasions this term and have not scored in their last four league games.
United have kept only two clean sheets away from home all season. Last week at West Ham was one with the other coming against Norwich in January.
If Newcastle fail to win tomorrow it will be our worst season away from home in terms of wins. Even in our relegation season we managed to win two games away from home.
Final thought:
On the face of it United have everything to play for whilst QPR have nothing, but that isn’t strictly true. Their pride will be hurting and they will be wanting to sign off the season with a win in front of their own fans. They owe us no favours.
We have the capability and quality to win this game no doubt, but we’ve had that in other games also and have crumbled before. The pressure is most definitely on us and we must get a result, whether it be through nice football or dog ugly long-ball stuff I don’t care as long as we get the points on the board. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we’re hardly in a position where we can be picky about the type of football we play, are we?
P.S: I’m getting a bit fed up of the snide remarks people seem to be aiming towards each other and the amount of general bickering right now. Fed up to the point of considering whether it’s actually worth keeping this open bearing in mind I set it up with the aim of encouraging RESPECTFUL debate between ADULTS who support NUFC. I know a lot of people are annoyed with things right now, but come on, it doesn’t mean that people have to act like peckers does it now? Calm it down please, make your point, respect others, and all will be good.
Howay the lads!
Date: Sunday, 12th May, 2013
Time: 3pm
Venue: Loftus Road
Just win ffs … respectfully speaking of course.
brisvegas(Quote)
Toonsy good read mate and nice to hear a bit of positivety 😉 oh and you spot on about some of the back biting that has been going on, it cost nothing to show a bit of respect to others as we should all be able to express our opinion without childish **** and abuse
Big Dave(Quote)
Bris 😆
Dave – Cheers 😉
toonsy(Quote)
Bris 😆
Wish it was tomorrow already ffs the suspense is killing me.
Newkie(Quote)
Toonsy, also agree about the respect thing. Dave, you bully, take note mate 😛
Newkie(Quote)
Toonsy, you have the e-mail addresses of all the purported bad boys…why don’t you just have a word with them off the record mate 😉
Differences of opinion will always exist on a public blog. Have you misplaced your ban-hammer ? 😆 If we all sing from the same hymn sheet then ultimately the number of hits on your blog may suffer, surely lively debate is wished for ?
btw anxiety amongst the fans is understandable, we’re stuck in the middle of a relegation dog fight at the moment. Most probably at least half of the posters on here are ex-pat’s so really enjoy the chance to swap opinions and let off steam.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Newkie@5, leave Big Dave alone will you….tsk tsk ….
Munich Mag(Quote)
Big D@2, sorry mate but I see nowt to be positive about with our performances over the last months. Just my opinion like.
Munich Mag(Quote)
I find it a bit rich from Big D considering he is one of the main back biting protagonists!
At least that’s what the boys in pink are saying 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Hey Stardust…settle down now lad. You’re near the bottom of the Fair Play League as it is … 😆 😆 😆 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
@STARDUST
just wondering why you chating with these boys in pink 😆 😆 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Lads watch the lip or the ban hammer might make an appearance 😀
Stardy nice to see Jabba letting you out a bit more as it is good for you to get a bit of fresh air and day light.
MM I agree with you mate about this season as it has been *****, I was more talking about the positivedy about us staying up as for a few days on here it was pure doom and gloom.
And as you say its ok once or twice but when you hear it over and over again from the same people it gets depressing
Big Dave(Quote)
Big D@2, I agree mate regarding the gloom and doom, beena bit much lately. Hats off to you that you can manage to ignore it so easily mate.
btw Big D, I thought that was a great touch from you during the week adding your own personal Samaritans link for the bloggers who are struggling at the moment 🙂 Toonsy doesn’t know how lucky he is having a 2ic like you mate 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
Toonsy, keep it going would be lost without this blog, defo the best one and everybody on here is so canny. Just ignore the biting and the bullies!! Roll on 3 points tomorrow and league safety
Simon(Quote)
TOONSY nice to see you bringing up the insults that do upset people there is no need for it,this blog has very little of it if you compare it to “some”blogs just the odd one,pity you left it late like pardew seems to be doing 😆 😆 😆 hes hoping for a grandstand end to the season
icedog(Quote)
I just hope we go into the game hell-bent on picking up 3 points! We do that and we are 98% safe. We intend to do that but only end up with a draw it’s unlucky but it could still be enough.
If we try to feel our way into the game and look to pinch it, causing nerves and panic… it is living on a knife edge.
Player for player we should win this, away from home or not. Get it done n dusted. Today. #toonarmy
HODDO(Quote)
what a ****** hardly match wait us tomorow 😯 😕 ❓
i must find power for watch that and be cooooooooooooooooool ❗ hmmmm….sorry 😳
djebs9(Quote)
if we don t beat them fck..arce ❗
we must go down..and cleaning the team begining pards and ashley….
even same ….we save us arce….
abou dhabi emir have in interest for a big club like nufc… ❓
god..if….. 💡 …what ells ❓
start to pray for that…
djebs9(Quote)
Hoddo@16, I’d love to see Pardew throw the gloves off from the first minute, we burst out of the traps and power our way to a 3-0 lead after 12 minutes. Now that would be brilliant.
Howay the lads 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM@19 thats the way mate you stay in the beer tent its working wonders 😆
icedog(Quote)
If anyone is struggling to pass this time without saturday footie, may I suggest Anna Ivanovic vs Maria Sharapova in the madrid semi final.
😀
Newkie(Quote)
A 3-0 lead after 12 minutes sounds great mate! 😛
We have Ben Arfa back who has had a game and a half under his belt now, lets hope he’s hungry. I think the approach to this game has to be to stress them out. Colo is back to keep it tidy at the back. Yeah QPR have a threat or 2, but generally it would be madness to approach this game with too much caution you’d of thought. The goal I hope is 3 points outright…
HODDO(Quote)
MM – a bit harsh that like 😆 Unfortunately these days I’m a shadow of my former shadow. So unless “my” Mikey needs defending I keep my powder dry.
TAE – 😳 😆 to be fair, when I overheard the same conversation (like how wriggled out of it 😆 ) I heard them say Dave was considering switching codes to “pillow biting” not sure what they meant though 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Toonsys right, I used to enjoy this blog as people on here seemed to be a bit more knowledgeable and relatively respectful of others opinions. Lately it’s become as bad as Eds where it just descends into constant slagging of each other after a couple of posts – it’s worse than my kids fighting over thier sweets
We’re all fearful of the drop but we need to pull together for the last two games
HWTL
stevep(Quote)
Anyone else take Pards comments against “my Mikey” as his resignation and touting for new jobs with an excuse already in hand speech?
Stardust(Quote)
Just thinking Dave – you could be a figurehead for the blog, to end all bickering – your slogan could be “End all back biting, embrace pillow biting – I did and I love it” it could catch on 😆 😆 😆 😆
Stardust(Quote)
@ Munich mag… I’ve had a bit of the old Bavarian brew up here in Cologne, but I think what you’ve Been drinking must have been **** stronger than mine… 🙂 😯
3-0 after 12 minutes.. 😯 I’ll have a bit of that… 😆 (the brew and the result) 😀
Cologne-toon(Quote)
Personally I like the little battles that ensue, I’m not too keen on swearing when not used in humour but Im a classy guy :lol:, but I do like folks battling out their points of view – shows passion.
Dave for example shows more passion than most and regularly jousts with the boys in front of everyone 😆 😆 😆 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Stevep your spot on it does get over the top and stupid at times, I blame it on the german beer that MM drinks 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Toonsy ,Good preview and please don’t give up on the blog,it’s the only thing keeping me sane right now 😉
It’s true to say everyone is wound up at the moment and we all say stuff we probably shouldn’t at times. I ‘d like to think we can have the odd differences of opinion but still respect one another for the most part. Thankfully most the mick takeing is playfull on here ,not like others where it’s positivly venomous at times.
Back to the game and I am hopefull we can get 3 points so long as we approach it in the right way . We simply have to attack ,no more long shots out the box in the hoof and hope way .We must press higher up if we are to create anything for Cisse or Goofy and co. Ialso don’t want to see us defending a 0.1 lead for 70 mins 🙄 that’s just a dumb move. No IF we are dominating the game then we must get as much from it as possible imo ,leave nowt to chance and we could do with a better goal difference too.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Villa leading Chelski 😯 That man Benteke again ,talk about confidence playing a big part in survival that mauling of the Scum did Villa the world of good.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Stardy@25 What’s that about ‘ my mikey’ ❓
KIMTOON(Quote)
Big Dave@29, just what on earth are you on about ?
The last time I looked you were actually one of the blokes involved 😕 There is no need to try and deflect anything in my direction 👿
Munich Mag(Quote)
Are Troy and Blackly & Brownlie related or are they just gay lovers?
Angry Ando(Quote)
Stardy 😉 😆 😆 :'( have you been eating Rodders special herb cake 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Cologne Toon @27, I spent a bit time up your way mate, and couldn’t get away with those wee lassie size portions that you drink up there in NRW.
We’ve got proper steins down this way mate ;-)…. it just makes grown men wear funny trousers and wear hats with feathers in them 😆 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
I wonder who “Angry Ando” really is ….. 😆 😆 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
What’s your game Munich man?
Angry Ando(Quote)
KimToon
Villa look a good side now and a few additions will see them challenge for top 8 next season. They need a quality central midfielder and CB at the very least though.
The Kid(Quote)
MM stop picking on me 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Villa look decent, sadly if they win this game they’ll have nowt to worry about against Wigan – means we def need a win tomorrow
stevep(Quote)
Kim – Uncle Mike Ashley
Stardust(Quote)
Angry Ando just beware of MM’s bite as he is a bit angry at times and doesn’t take no ****, then at the other end of the scale you have the mild mannered fair weather guy called Aussie but he hasn’t been on lately as we haven’t been doing to well 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Red card Ramires
KIMTOON(Quote)
Stardy ,I meant what comments has Pards meant ,as in have I missed something 😕 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
SteveP
I don’t think Villa will take their foot off of the gas regardless today’s result and fully expect them to turn Wigan over. Benteke is the form striker in the league and Aghbonlahor is also in good form. They will want to keep their form going.
The Kid(Quote)
I think Wigan will pick up just one more point this season and it may even come against Arsenal. We will survive.
The Kid(Quote)
Stardy what has Pards been saying about your lover boy ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
The Kid @ 46 I agree I don’t think it will matter to Villa as they’ll want to get as high as they can
Big Dave(Quote)
Villa winning, honestly **** off
Newkie(Quote)
Saying that, it would be typical if Benteke gets banned for the last game because of that elbow on Azpilicueta
The Kid(Quote)
Hoddo@22, the only problem is is that we are pinning all our hopes on a half fit HBA. I hope the lad comes back fully fit next season….and playing for us !!
Munich Mag(Quote)
Wow, Villa are showing some real spirit there. Chelsea down to ten men.
Big D@43, you can’t pull the wool over my eyes mate 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM I don’t know if you agree but Benny not playing has been a massive effect on our season although he doesn’t score as many but for us he is our Bale in that he can make the whole team tick. Add to that the excitement he brings which is what we have been lacking practically all season with the boring **** we have had to watch
Big Dave(Quote)
I’d love to see us win tomorrow and my heart says we will. My head however fancies a draw 🙂
Saying that I think a draw will be enough to see us stop up ahead of Wigan and Norwich. Talking Norwich…. Will Wolfswinkle still go there if they go down?
Oblong(Quote)
Great, red card for benteke so they won’t be scoring vs wigan. FFS man
Newkie(Quote)
Benteke red, that means he can’t play against Wigan then in the last game 🙄 Villa lose their main goal threat ,big bonus for Wigan . Get passed Arsenal and it’s all to play for 👿
KIMTOON(Quote)
Things are really starting to play into Wigan’s hands now… 😐
The Kid(Quote)
Big D@54, where HBA is concerned me and you are right on the same page mate.
He is one of the bright shining lights at the toon, it’s great that we have him too. I think the lad has enough fitness at the moment, and is fully committed to the cause of getting us over the line and preserving our EPL status. He needs a full summer of R&R so that he can come back fully fit next season and push on with his toon and international career.
If fit Pardew has to start him tomorrow imo.. it’s all or nothing time..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Kim – articles are everywhere? Pards saying everyones to blame for a poor season including Ashley who has made mistakes.
That type of comment should have been in house, if he has made it public its for a reason
Stardust(Quote)
1.1 now if Villa end up losing this then last day suddenly gets very interesting for them
KIMTOON(Quote)
Ugh, come on Chelsea now then I guess.
Newkie(Quote)
Stardy ,he is a spineless get imo ,he needs to acknowledge his part in the negative footie since Mike has funded the january newbies.
KIMTOON(Quote)
@MM, yeah the little glasses of Kolsch are strange but the flavour is quite nice! Not for much longer though as I’m leaving to go live in Dubai on Tuesday. New job, new company, new country… Start work on the the last day of the footy season.. Hope I can still catch the match…
Cologne-toon(Quote)
Cologne-Toon…cool mate 🙂 Dubai is slumming it somewhat 🙂 Was down that way a few weeks ago, it’s a long way from the toon 🙂
What do you do ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Stardy@60, spot on there. The comments from Pardew are not really for public consumption, not on the eve of a tough game for the toon.
Knacker…
Munich Mag(Quote)
over the line ❓ 😥
Newkie(Quote)
MM – Global Product manager for a big paint company. Yeah it’s a long way from the Toon. Only been in Germany a year, before that was in Shanghai for 6 years. That was even further away! 😀
Not sure what to expect in Dubai to be honest. Only been there once very briefly for my interview. Offer was too good to turn down tho and my German is really **** so was a bit difficult here
Cologne-toon(Quote)
Pardew’s comments sound to me like a Dead Man Walking 😛 😛
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
Demba Ba, how did you miss that one on the line mate 🙁
Munich Mag(Quote)
@68
So will you change your name to Dubai Toon 🙂
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
Villa fans cheering the fact JT is injured ,and looks like he’ll miss another final .I have said it before they are nasty spiteful feckers with zero class .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Stardy not another of your crappy theories 😯 next you’ll be telling us he is looking a way but doesnt have the b@lls to walk so want lover boy to sack him 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Cologne, do you work offshore ?…for Jotun or International Paints ?
I have the feeling that the lifestyle in Dubai will suit you well mate. Dubai aint too far from the central european hub, and will be well better than Cologne.
Are you going to reinvent yourself as Dubai-Toon 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
Kimmy@72, I heard that too. Granted Terry is a bit of a crouton but the Villa fans have absolutely no class. 👿
Munich Mag(Quote)