The visitors on the other hand have some pressure on them and must win the match if they are to ensure that they pip their North London rivals to that final Champions League spot.
Going back to that opening paragraph, I say we only have pride to play for but that is a bit unfair. With final positions between 10th and 17th open for occupancy depending on results elsewhere there is a hefty amount of additional prize money left to play for. With each place worth an additional £750,000 the coffers of the club could be swelled by additional £4.5 million, so to say only pride is at stake is maybe a bit harsh.
Mind you the most important thing is being in the Premier League next season. That £4.5m will pale into insignificance when you consider how much the new Premier League TV deal will be worth to clubs next season. With the bottom club next season set to receive roughly the same as what the league winners have received this season it gives a rough impression of the kind of riches on offer. But that’s for next season, first let’s try and finish this one off in style.
Newcastle:
Tim Krul will be missing through injury whilst Rob Elliot misses out through suspension meaning that Steve Harper will get a chance to make a final appearance of his 20-year spell at United on home soil.
Sylvain Marveaux, Cheik Tiote and Steven Taylor are all available for selection although Moussa Sissoko, Massadio Haidara, Shola Ameobi and Davide Santon are unlikely to be involved. Ryan Taylor and Haris Vuckic remain on the long-term injury list although Sammy Ameobi and Shane Ferguson are available for selection after returning from loan spells at Middlesbrough and Birmingham respectively.
Arsenal:
Olivier Giroud is likely to return to the starting line up after serving his suspension although Mikel Arteta will miss the game after picking up a calf strain in the midweek win over Wigan.
Previously…
Earlier on in the season United saw themselves resoundingly beaten 7-3 at The Emirates so some amends needs to be made for that one.
However to do so United will have to overturn some dismal recent form against The Gunners. We haven’t beaten Arsenal at St James’ Park since 2005, even though the 4-4 draw a couple of seasons ago felt like a win!
There have been 80 games played between the two sides at St James’ Park. United have won 40, Arsenal 20 with the same amount as that ending up in a draw. Overall, in all competitions, home and away, there have been 164 meetings between the two teams with Arsenal just shading it by 65 wins to 62 for Newcastle with 37 draws making up the numbers.
Stats and facts:
Newcastle have won just one of the last 11 Premier League meetings between the two sides.
United have won only one game on the final day of a Premier League season in their previous 10 campaigns.
Alan Pardew’s side have won just three of the 19 games they have played against teams in the top half of the table.
Arsenal have the best away defensive record in the Premier League and have conceded just 14 league goals away from home this term.
The Gunners are looking for a fifth consecutive away league victory. The last time they managed such a feat was in 2004.
If only the second half of games counted, Arsene Wenger’s side would already have been crowned Premier League champions.
Final thought:
A lot has been made of Alan Pardew’s comments post-match last weekend where he said he wouldn’t care if we lost 4-0 tomorrow. Am I the only one who can see those comments as an expression of relief? Or has the tenure of the Silver one become so untenable that his comments are to be taken literally? Only when they can be used as a stick to beat him with seemingly as, if you recall, a lot of people say they can’t believe a word he says, so why treat this differently?
Newcastle must bow out with a good performance tomorrow even if a win could be beyond us. For the first time in weeks the pressure is off us and we can try and put on a show in front of our own fans and hopefully bury what has been a dismal season and put it behind us.
Another tepid performance though will just increase the pressure further and may tip the owner over the edge. Perhaps he might do something about Alan Pardew, although looking at pictures of him and Pardew at the training ground the other day it didn’t seem as though the manager had a ‘dead man walking’ look about him.
Bridges need to be built and whilst the manager is taking the bulk of the flak the players must also take some share of the blame and must respond accordingly. Collectively they got us over the line, just, and must show that things are going to change for the better.
Howay the lads!
Date: Sunday, 19th May, 2013
Time: 4pm – Live on Sky Sports 1
Venue: St James’ Park
So the players I’d like to see leave in the summer are:
Obertan (2-3m)
Gosling (2-3m)
Amalfitano (1-2m)
Williamson (2-3m)
Players in
Ince (6-7m)
Townsend (6-7m)
Phillips (3-4m)
Redmond (2-3m)
Pearce (Reading CB on a free)
Carroll (10-12m)
Finnabogson or Henandez (5-7m)
That’s subject to us being able to hold onto the likes of Krul, Colo, Cabaye, Benny and our other top players.
I think that would give a fair healthier looking squad with alot more creativity available.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice – not me mate, never had one
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just bought a new goat to take on a trek to the lakes in the summer. I’ve been walking it to the shops and loading it up with shopping so it gets used to carrying a load.
It was chewing on the lettuce in someones basket when I was stood in the queue! 😯
Anyway, we need 2 strikers in the summer. Decent cover for our wingers and Sissoko needs to meet expectations as an attacking midfielder. That’s just the priorities. We need cover all over.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
SHARPY thats strange its gone off now defo one on before,maybe its my laptop
icedog(Quote)
Ice – what was it mate?, I only ever post off my iPhone and don’t think you can add avatars from the phone. I may well be wrong, I’m that technically inept I’m surprised I’ve managed to post the comments have the time 😳 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
It doesn’t matter to me if we get beat tomorrow as long as the team spirit is there and we give it our best shot.
Can we really expect to all of a sudden beat Arsenal when we’ve struggled all season. I don’t think so. Our squad isn’t good enough and the league table shows our quality.
Tomorrow is about effort and showing the players care.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
SHARPY it was some kind of motif,thought you had joined a dog club lol
icedog(Quote)
Ice – steady on mate, I’ve not long had the pup!, I would be some kind of fanatic to be joining dog clubs and posting motifs on a toon blog wouldn’t I?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
@Icedog
Would you like to see Andy Carroll back? Pards was talking about it in tonight’s Chronicle. I would still love to see him in our team alongside Cisse.
For the right price and wage of course. £10m max and whatever our highest earner is on.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
SHARPY nowt wrong with starting early mate,and with you having plenty time on your hands you never know lol
icedog(Quote)
Troy – I agree with about tomorrow. I want to see a good performance from the boys and really would love a clean sheet for Harper to sign off with (maybe Colo as well 🙁 ).
I know it’s unrealistic to think that we could win the game but like I said earlier mate, I think it would just be a twisted irony
Sharpy17(Quote)
@Sharpy
What’s your thoughts on Carroll. Would you be pleased to have him back. ?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Ice – plenty time?! you must be joking mate, the rips see off any time I might get for my self
Sharpy17(Quote)
TROY carroll is a old type c/f imo and could still improve in some parts of his game,yes i would like him back but not if it means pardew sticking to a constant hoof ball game,i do like the finer points of the game at times,heard jabba had put a starting bid of 7mil to l/pool i cannot see that mate
icedog(Quote)
i must admit i have called carroll a judas in the past,but you hear that many storeys ,he wanted to go he pushed out ect ect you end up not knowing the truth of the matter
icedog(Quote)
Troy – I’ve never blamed him for the move away and the only time I disliked him was his dive for Lpool at SJP. Honestly, at the start of the season I didn’t fancy the idea of going back. But the more I’ve thought about it the more it’s grown on me. I don’t think his signing has to represent or encourage hoofball, and I agree that I think he would be a good partner for Cisse. But there would be 2 conditions to his arrival for me. Firstly would be cost (fee and wages). I’d probably go as high as £12m but no more than that and wages of around 70k I think. The second would be to ensure we had better wide players who could get the ball into the box for him – including at set pieces.
Do that and I think it would be a positive signing mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
@Ice
I take your point about hoofball and we’ve played plenty of it even without Carroll but I think he’s got more to his game than just heading the ball.
He’s only 24 and still learning. Gives us different options and could be the perfect foil for Cisse.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TROY i agree with you at the right price of coarse,you think it would put taylors nose out of place?i did notice after the w/ham there was handshakes all round excpect those two just gave each other evil looks and turned there back on each other,was quite funny really
icedog(Quote)
Ice – I honestly think the Carroll pushing the move story was put out by the club who were worried about fans backlash for selling him without a replacement, but that’s just my opinion mate and I don’t suppose we’ll ever know the truth.
I think you’re right though mate, Jabba won’t be bringing him back to the toon for £7m
Sharpy17(Quote)
@Ice
I thought they had made up. Mustn’t have. 😕
Jeezaz. Stardy will going apeshit if Carroll returns. He despises Tayls and Carroll in equal measures. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
John Gibson levels some stern criticisms at Pardew’s team:
“Tactics were confusing and ever-changing”
“When United begin their summer recruiting – and they must after the last close season, Mr Ashley – then signing a couple of strikers with an aerial threat would help.”
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/john-gibson-no-more-excuses-3869054
Wellington(Quote)
I was talking to a mate who is a Boro fan. He wasn’t impressed with Sammi.
Looks like he isn’t going to be good enough to step up next season if he couldn’t do it this season in the championship.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@Sharpy
Do you not think for the money we’d receive it’s not worth selling Williamson?
I think if we can keep Colo, we have the CB positions nailed. Williamson is happy as a squad player, and a perfectly reliable 4th choice. On that note, how do you think Saylor may take being relegated to 3rd choice next year if Colo – M’Biwa become the standard pairing?
On the cancelling of the radio phone in – I think it was daft it being before the season ended anyway. We could smash Arsenal and end up 10th, or get hammered and end up 17th, that will affect the very mood of the phone in imo.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
@Blackley & Brownlie
well said m8@19
totally stupid comments which were taken the right way by most fans and sports journos / radio stations etc. He’ll admit himself it was stupid, yes flippant but careless at a time when he should know better than to embarrass himself further.
mark(Quote)
how much do we pay for Carroll.. 12-15mil ? not sure if its a good think tbh. Like ice said does this mean hoofball is here to stay or can pardew change his style to suite the flair players we have.. Probably hoofball then 😆
mark(Quote)
Solano – Taylor is a good pro, he’s the type to stay and fight for a place.
Wellington(Quote)
*good thing 😳 😛
mark(Quote)
@Welly
Do you think Simpson will be replaced? Or Tav just promoted to back up? Raylor is a long way off recovery isn’t he.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
@Mark
I wouldn’t pay £12-£15m
£10m max.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy I would love to see Carroll back he add so much and IMO is more than just a hoofball man, and add to that that we would start to score from all them cornerswe get 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Did anyone else read this? http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/pardew-witch-hunt-reaches-ridiculous-levels/
Wellington(Quote)
@BD
Nothing better than seeing Carroll score for the Toon IMO.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Solano – Santon, Saylor and Yanga-Mbiwa can all play at Right Back. It’s even Davide’s preferred position.
Wellington(Quote)
@Troy. aye same goes, 10mil max but im sure L’pool will make 12-15mil off him.
mark(Quote)
I still think the Carroll to Newcastle story is being stirred up by his agent for the purpose of getting a better deal at West Ham. Pardew said,
“He is a player that anybody in the Premier League has got to be interested in if he became available.
“When Demba Ba went in January and we didn’t secure Loic Remy, it was obvious that we were going to need to bring in a striker or two in this summer window, and hopefully we can.”
That’s pretty tepid stuff.
Wellington(Quote)
Troy – I work with a couple of Boro fans as well and they said similar. He showed glimpses of being very good but not enough. He’s certainly not ready for us next season and if I were Pards I’d be loaning him out for a full season. Matt Phillips in in the meantime for me like.
ST – I know where you’re coming from re Williamson but he’s 30yr old now mate, whereas Alex Pearce is only 24 and available on a free transfer this summer. There’s Douglas who’s 25 and also available on a free as well I think mate.
I don’t think we did enough in the free transfer market last summer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just read the link Welly. Do you think there will be chants for Pards to be sacked tomorrow, even if we win. There’s so many want him sacked now, i would expect them to call for his sacking if they feel so strongly about it.
It will be interesting to see the reaction from the fans. I still think, many who want him sacked, are too worried that Ashley might do just as they ask and replace him with another average manager.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@Sharpy
But would either come if they were going to be 4th in the pecking order?
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Troy I also think Cisse would relish having Carroll as a partner.
Sharpy I have said the same ahout Sammi he is just a faster dafter version of Strolla and imo is the same championship standard as his bro.
Big Dave(Quote)
Troy, of all the games to chant for a manager to be sacked, this is the one. As Pardew correctly noted, it doesn’t matter too much to the club, so unsettling the players isn’t a big worry. If people need to say it tomorrow – fine. Just so long as it doesn’t pick up at the start of next season.
There’s good reason to think next season will go well under Pardew. If I was in Ashley’s shoes – well, if I was in Ashley’s shoes, I’d leave running the club to Dekka and spend more time in the gym!
Wellington(Quote)
@Troy Welly.
I think of all the games this isnt the one to chant Pardew out… Toon fans want to enjoy a good day out, last game of the season, & we’re safe. I think most fans are upset with Pardew but it wont be 2moro they show it.
mark(Quote)
@Welly
I totally agree. If the fans really want shot of Pardew then they should be shouting from the terraces. Its the last game and its the time to be heard.
I won’t be shouting as I don’t want another average manager which I believe will be appointed. My instinct tells me those who want him sacked but say that Ashley may appoint a better manager, deep down, fear what I fear.
The proof will be in the pudding tomorrow. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
listening to Simpson talking to Talksport it sounds like he doesnt want to leave. he sounds gutted but resigned to going. I’d love to know why he is leaving.
mark(Quote)
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/130518/exclusive-%E2%80%93-danny-simpson-end-his-newcastle-united-career-197882
mark(Quote)
@Mark
So when is the right time? I think for those who want him out will lose their chance if they don’t do it tomorrow.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@Mark
Without visiting the link and guessing, is it not cos the Toon have offered him less than he wants or do I have to visit the link?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@Troy. youre right what youre saying mate but last game is a special day and the fact we’re safe is a big relief. i think the game will pass without much being said.
I also think most fans like a lot on here fear who Ashley will bring in as a replacement. better the devil u know n al that..
mark(Quote)
no, it doesnt mention why he’s leaving but thats the best bet. lack of money probs.
Would love to know what we’ve offered him compared to what some others are on.
Its good to have players like danny around.
mark(Quote)
ST – I’m not sure we they would be 4th choice in the pecking order. I think we’d just have 4 very good CBs to choose from. Both Saylor and Colo spent alot of time out of the team last season and I’d reckon we’ll have injury troubles next season – particularly Saylor as I can’t remember him having an injury free season.
I hate to say it but I’m not convinced that Colo will be with us next season, but if he is 30 odd as well.
My point is that of the 4 CBs we have now, 2 are over 30 and 1 is injury prone. We’d be very naive to overlook 2 very good, mid twenty CBs available on a free transfer.
I’m not sure how long Willos contract has left on it either TBH.
Dave – I’d look to use Sammi as a make weight for a transfer for either Phillips, Ince or more likely Redmond at Birmingham – either as a loanee or a permanent switch. I’m just not sure he’s ever gonna be a first team regular – or even a regularly used sub (like his brother) for that matter.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I never paid much attention to the Pardew 4-0 comments although it did seem silly on his part knowing where we stand this season. If he is to stay he deserves a fair chance next season. I will watch the first 15 games or so with interest but if we are in a bad way by then no doubt we will have a lot to say about it. How could it be otherwise if we care about the club. Tomorrow will be an interesting test as well. Here’s hoping we can finish with a win.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I hope the players don’t do a lap of honour. I certainly won’t be waiting round to clap them even if we win.
This season has been woeful and the club, from the owner, Llambias, Carr, Pardew and the players should keep it as low key as possible for me.
Regroup in the summer and try to put things right.
Oh and reduce the price of the beer in the ground and employ more staff behind the bars and use the multi pint dispenser more often. The bars are a disgrace for me.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@G2. I’m with you on your last. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Tough one about the lap of honour Troy. I think it shows respect by the players for the supporters but they might have to deal with a few boo birds. Difficult for Pardew as well but he should be there if the players are. He knows what a poor season it has been but still needs to man up for that last game. I hope we show fighting spirit no matter what the score is at the end.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
At least my bucket seat was installed for the last home game which made a pleasant surprise. Young Chip Stavers was gutted that his bucket seat was like a baby car seat. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Unfortunately we have far bigger problems than Simpson leaving. I think he is an average Prem player, not as poor as some make out. But Ashley etc should be focused on the CB and striker positions. If we take a step backward (lose Colo and avoid bringing the right replacement in) or even just tread water (no decent second striker) we’ll be in big trouble next season. These are crucial acquisitions that can’t be avoided.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
There is a “so long as the lads put in a good perofmance” view. It ain’t gonna happen. Even if we did win by whatever means of tried to out passball Arsenal (suicide note) then it ain’t gonna be acceptable. Lets beat pardew with a big stick and ignore the evidence is the cry. that aint gonna change.
Premandup(Quote)
Troy – I agree with G2 mate. For me the lap of honour isn’t just the fans applauding the players but the players thanking the fans. Plus there’s young kids who look forward to it. My cousins 10yr old doesn’t really appreciate how bad we’ve been this season – he just loves Ben Arfa 🙄
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think you have said you favour Pardew gone if an excellent manager is brought in Premandup @131 as I have as well. From your comment you are saying it’s going to be a difficult outing tomorrow for Pardew I think? I would have to agree but this is the right time for unhappy supporters to voice their concerns. I think the owner is already prepared for it and probably won’t show up to share Pardew’s fate. If he does then perhaps it’s food for thought for him? What else can they expect in all honesty?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Ok lads, I will accept a lap of honour providing the players clap the fans and we stand silent, unless those brave enough shout for Pards’ sacking. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I think you’re right there Sharpy mate. It’s worth it for the young supporters alone. Some of our players are still their heroes after all.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I hope we’re not in this position next season. We should never have to discuss the lap of honour but this season has continued our suffering through many games. I had to wipe a lot of my recorded matches off the disc instead of being able to enjoy them again in the summer. 😥
GeordieTwo(Quote)
TROY going back to carroll theres one thing i would say being a ex wing man there is no better feeling than having a guy in the middle who will get a end product to your work done in the right way,better feeling than scoring yourself i found
icedog(Quote)
@G2
A change of manager no matter how average, would have to be exchanged, if we end up in this situation again. If Pards allows the owners to scrimp and scrape this summer and he goes into next season with a poor squad then he has run out of excuses.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
i will be there and i never boo players,but i will boo pardew t/morrow for sure
icedog(Quote)
I think we’re going to have some difficult discussions to get through in the summer, especially if the owner sits on his hands and isn’t active early. It will add to the suspicion that he doesn’t mind where we sit in the table as long as we’re in the Prem making him money. How much longer can he take to show some real ambition? I think this next season may be it for even more of the supporters than previously. A tepid effort from Ashley and Llambias will effectively end any chance of them convincing the supporters that they want a winning club, not just a profitable club.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
There are a few who think they don’t deserve applauded in a lap of honour. I am in two minds – they have been so pathetic this season they don’t really deserve it but then again I suppose we support them regardless.
But me I will be heading straight off to the pub after the game as I show my support every game – I don’t need to applaud them anymore and they don’t deserve anymore plaudits than they get during the games.
Stuart79(Quote)
pardew never runs out of excuses he makes them up a-going
icedog(Quote)
That would put Pardew in an impossible position and he would be bound to be sacked Troy @138. But then we would really have to bare down on Ashley as the real culprit as with last summer mate. Icedog some good comments about wingers. I mostly played the left side of the midfield or LB because I was one of the few two footed players. But we had a superb centre forward who could convert with either foot or his head. It was minor league stuff but a thrill to watch a pass end up as a goal.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
@ Stuart
Got to say, there’s no one who can complain that we haven’t supported them this season. I’ve rarely heard any jeering.
We’ve had plenty of reasons to do so but for some reason the fans have been patient. Even the hammering by Liverpool.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
G2 you know the feeling then mate,like to see awinger beat his man to the bye line and cross its as good as the goal,ive seen lennon do it the odd time at spurs think it gets the fans on there feet,i think the england manager try that combo at some point if ime honest
icedog(Quote)
If we were to bring Carroll back (I really hope we do) to get the best out of him and not just play hoofball we need wingers that can cross.
I would imagine that both Obertan and Amilfatano will be heading out the door in the summer and Jonas simply cannot cross.
Who would you bring in to replace them? My choice would be Chung Young Lee from Bolton and Scott Sinclair from City.
Oblong(Quote)
I also think we would see Fergy as a lot more of a useful asset down the left flank with some one like Carroll in the box attacking his crosses!
Oblong(Quote)
Will Ashley really compete with West Ham for Carroll (including his large wage)? I have my doubts but if we do bring him in it will mean changes up front. Could Cisse play with Carroll or do we sit each of them half the time? I’m just not sure it will work out either way (money or playing opportunities). As for wingers we couldn’t do any worse than what we have in Obertan and Jonas for crosses so whatever else happens we need a couple of real wing players.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I would say you’re right there Oblong. If Fergie can build himself up a little without losing his pace he might have a chance. His crosses are far superior to either Obertan or Jonas.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
OBLONG i know its hard the way some teams set up now-a-days but its nice to see a team that can cross from both wings as teams can double up on just one out and winger i see a few german teams working both wings now,and there not doing to bad this yr lol
icedog(Quote)