This time last season we still had an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League although in the end we had to settle for just the 5th place in the table and Europa League football instead.
What a difference a year makes though and this time round we find ourselves only recently ruled out of the relegation dogfight by virtue of a win at QPR last weekend. In fact in terms of real prizes there isn’t a lot left to play for other than more prize money, unless you are our opponents today who still have to ensure that they can pip their North London rivals to that final Champions League place and the riches that come with it.
Amazingly United could add a thin layer of veneer to the season potentially find themselves in the top half of the table come end of play this afternoon but it’s a tall order asking for all results to go our way. The best thing we can do is try to go out with a bang rather than a fizz though and see where a result takes us in the grand scheme of things.
Standing in the way of us doing that are Arsenal who know that they must beat us to guarantee 4th place in the table. If they do then it won’t matter what result Spurs get against Sunderland leaving players like Gareth Bale with tough decisions to make over the summer.
That sort of gives you a bit more of a background about what is at stake for everyone today. For us there isn’t a lot other than a few quid in the bank whilst for teams like Arsenal the game today means everything. However if you fancy reading a bit more of a background on the fixture along with injury news, stats and facts and so on then why not have a peek at my match preview which is viewable here.
I’ll be on my way to Paris when the teams are announced so once again team news will be provided by Big Dave, who by the way I’d like to thank for helping out with things whilst I’ve been away working or babysitting or other stuff like that. It’s very much appreciated by me and others I’m sure.
The game itself is going to be shown live here in the UK on Sky Sports 1 which is all fine and dandy if you have it, if you’re in a pub that has it, or even if you are in the ultimate place which is St James’ Park. However not everyone has access to the ground or Sky or a pub so streams are still needed. For one final time this season, please leave any links to streams in the ‘comments’ section below.
That just about wraps this up really and now it’s up to the players and management to attempt to restore some pride after a season which has seen a lot of goodwill from last season wiped out. Only they can do it, we can only watch.
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Harper; Debuchy, S.Taylor, Coloccini (c), Yanga-Mbiwa; Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez; Ben Arfa, Cisse, Gouffran.
Subs: Alnwick, Simpson, Anita, Perch, Marveaux, Obertan, Campbell
Arsenal: Szczesney; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott; Podolski.
Subs: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Giroud
Can I just say how glad I’m going to be if the commentators of this match are fecking off and this is their last game. I’m sick to death of listening to their drivel!
Jill(Quote)
LOL wALCOTT
KIMTOON(Quote)
By god this ref gives us nowt
KIMTOON(Quote)
Result was not fair. Arsenal has no chance of goals.
HBA39(Quote)
Kim-Aye, he’s a grade a c*nt. Will be interesting to watch that a few times tonight.
Ah well, shame we couldn’t get something but it was always going to be hard, Wenger has always reached the CL for a reason. Undone by a set piece in the end, oh the irony.
Newkie(Quote)
Gutted ,thought we deserved a point tbh .
Next season we simply must have a more attacking style ,we simply cannot isolate Cisse like this is toothless.
The tealady will be pissed right off
KIMTOON(Quote)
Good job we didn’t need to win to stay up like.
KIMTOON(Quote)
5 – WBA 5-5 Man Utd is the first English top-flight game to end 5-5 since Newcastle v QPR in September 1984. Rarity.
Another newcastle record involved. 🙄 😆
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
I don’t want Harper to go 😥
Jill(Quote)
Our goal difference from the past few years
2012/13 GF 45 GA 68 GD -23
2011/12 GF 56 GA 51 GD 5
2010/11 GF 56 GA 57 GD -1
2009/10 Championship so doesn’t count
2008/09 GF 40 GA 59 GD -19
2007/08 GF 45 GA 65 GD – 20
Poor poor poor.
Santii(Quote)
Jill ,he looked assured today didn’t he .
KIMTOON(Quote)
At last, the season is over. 😳
There are lots to be done in the summer. Who will stay? Who will be gone?
Anyway thank you Harps and Simmo for your service. Good luck in your future.
The football world will be getting interesting too, with big clubs and big names plotting their moves around the musical chairs.
Toon TRW(Quote)
Bummer.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Nolan scored a hattrick by the way.
Oh, Some Spurs fans were celebrating during the match as rumour of our ‘equaliser’ erupted. 😳
Toon TRW(Quote)
Spot on Kimtoon @156. We are absolutely toothless. One shot on goal in the entire game. The lone isolated striker is a complete failure. And we can’t cross a ball to save our lives. Three straight goalless games to end the season at home, outscored 10-0 at home, my God. And we’re thinking of keeping this manager? Madness. The owner even showed up for the final humiliation. What more does he need to see before bringing in a top manager? Gash doesn’t begin to describe it in the second half.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Not to forget, we finished above mackem (again) 😎 😆
Toon TRW(Quote)
You mean they were even worse gash than us Toon TRW. We beat them by 1 place and 2 points and we had a -10 worse goal difference than them. Whoop de fricking do. No offense mate I’m just absolutely fried after this bollocks of a season.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Lukaku had a hat trick too.
In the end, our defense finished 4th worst.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
thank you steve harper and danny simpson for all you done for newcastle over the years. i hope ashley swallows his pride and sacks pardrew because we deserve better football than this and im sick of his excuses! at least we didn’t get relegated
pardum(Quote)
We were unfortunate, felt a draw would have been more fair. We played well, possibly the best all season and if we can recreate that next season we’ll be top 6. Mind you Tiote needs to sort out his passing or go and Debuchy needs to sort out his decision making. Speaking of whom I think he should have had a penalty when he was dragged down, Gouffran could’ve had one too when Mertesacker held his arm and dragged him down as he was about to get into the end of a cross.
Andymag(Quote)
Harper was a little bit of class at the end of his career wasn’t he? I’ve always liked him. Wish we could have won that last one for him but with Pardew pulling the strings no chance. Why no all out attack in the second half for the supporters? What did we have to lose? Isolated front man for no possible reason. Bizarre.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Should have said the end of Harper’s career with us. I wish him well whatever he does. As for our management, if there was an award for poorest management in the Prem our trophy cabinet would be full.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Well to say there is a lot of work to be done this summer just doesn’t begin to describe it. What to do with Tiote? We could hope to sell him to a club with a blind owner I suppose. Can’t pass the ball at all anymore. Jonas is finished, we have no attack whatsoever. The entire game for us was Ben Arfa trying beat 3 men and get a shot on goal. Cisse ran miles for nothing. No attacking plan at all. Gouffran had some decent moments on the ball but what did it really accomplish? Nothing as usual. We must have drastic changes after this. Don’t take the summer off Ashley.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Does HBA come in for some criticism? I only saw the 2nd half, but I thought he lost the ball 3-4 times trying to beat 3 defenders. Am I wrong?
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
GeordieTwo I know mate. We are in this together. I just tried to cheer myself up after this debacle.
Toon TRW(Quote)
WE PLAYED WELL THE REF WON THE GAME
batty(Quote)
I was at the game and I never heard one person jeer or have a go at Pardew.
I sense that the fans in general don’t trust Ashley to appoint a better manager.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
its a toss up who are the biggest dicks on here santi or michelle 12 ,ile just wait to see what michelle has to say ?
batty(Quote)
Will watch Debbie getting pulled down on MOTD again cause it sure looked a pen to me in real time ,I frickin hate Webb ,he gives us ****** all every game .
We played much better today ,well first half anyway,but next season we have to improve our scoring stats ,we offer nothing unless Benny comes up with a moment of brilliance. Cisse is completely stranded ,the gap between him and any support is like the Cheddar gorge:(
KIMTOON(Quote)
Aye I know Toon TRW it hurts like hell right now. So disappointed with this mess. It will take a huge effort to lift us out of it. The thing is I still think we have a talented bunch of players. What we don’t have is a team that plays well together with a plan from the manager. It’s just a bunch of individuals trying to do it all by themselves.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Ohh Batty is on fishing whats wrong are you angry we lost did you lose some money in the bookies you old cretin.
Santii(Quote)
Harper and Given used to be neck and neck as to who was best. Then Given seemed to get the nod and Harper was sidelined. Given finally left and Krul was given the chance. I feel the club owes Harper to keep him on as a goal keeper or let him be behind the scenes coaching. He deserves Ashley to give him that for the service he has given the club over all these years. He is still a great goalkeeper and I wish him the very best for him and his family. His going is Newcastle”s loss.
Also sorry to see Simpson go, TBH I’d play him before Debuchy as Debuchy seems to have a bit of a temper on him and can be rash. We desperately need Colo to stay. Has anyone had any news if he is definitely going?
Jill(Quote)
Troy ,I’m not sure today was the time to do it . It was a few players last day and it would of soured the occasion for them imo . Also they were all trying hard to get a result for the fans and staff ,we just arn’t set up, to score unless Benny springs some magic.
KIMTOON(Quote)
agree with andy 170
batty(Quote)
haha santi you old young bender
batty(Quote)
santi you dont half talk some ***** try talking through your mouth instead of your **** 😉
batty(Quote)
185 ment to have a ?
batty(Quote)
Benitez not hooked up with anyone yet then , just said so in interview on SSN.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Nothing wrong with being a little bent you homophobic ****.
“old young” you are getting a bit confused in your old age i think
Santii(Quote)
@Kim
I think Pardew is here for at least another year or at least he seems to think so.
Its a shame as i think Rafa could do wonders here.
Santii(Quote)
@ Kim
I disagree. If you want the manager sacked then you have to express your dissatisfaction whenever it requires it. Normally its anytime during the season and that’s an even worse time.
The last game of the season seems the best time to me. I accept your viewpoint but I disagree.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
kim@183
totally agree.
mark(Quote)
@Kim
I really suspect those who want him sacked have exactly the same fears I’ve expressed on here.
They may say they hate Pards but have a touch of, ‘ better the devil you know’ ;-). They might not admit it but the proof was in the pudding today. Not one jeer for Pards.
I guarantee you that if I’m not happy next season and we are struggling again then I will be the first to start the chants off. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
if colocini leaves the club we will probably end up with bramble playing for us! i wouldn’t put it past pardrew or ashley
pardum(Quote)
Kimtoon @183 I agree with you that we’re aren’t set up to score unless Benny springs some magic but what kind of team works like that? You can’t manage a club by saying ok lads we’ll defend as if our lives depended on it and Benny you go out and work miracles for us mate. Don’t worry about passing or team play just run through the entire side and put one in for us. Oh and if that doesn’t work lads just keep bombing the ball towards Cisse. Someday he may even learn how to control it and even get a shot on net. Anyone can see Cisse is a poacher. He can finish if he gets the ball in a good position with a decent pass near goal but we never do that. I can’t imagine a worse attacking plan than we have right now.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Was it just me or did we switch to 3-5-2 at one point before we took Gouffran off?
We are still lacking attacking options to support Cisse and wingers to create the chances for me. If that is addressed in the summer and we keep colo etc I think we can push on.
Young Campbell needs a season in the Championship to get more football under his belt and then hopefully we will be ready.
Oblong(Quote)
@Troy
youre right mate regarding ‘better the devil u know’. ppl dont trust Ashley to appoint a new manager, we can only hope he would. By the looks of it he wont and Pards is here for at least another year.
You cannot use 2days game as a ‘i’m right again’ 🙄 . people didnt jeer for a number of reasons already mentioned, and where would it get us if we did? as, like i said, Pards is here to stay.
mark(Quote)
well said kim. that sums this season up
pardum(Quote)
@Mark
I’m seriously not using it to say “I’m right”. But I have to disagree. I think I am right. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
G2 @195 I agree mate ,it’s just not working as it is.
Troy ,They can always call for his head at pre-season matches or go on 606 tonight !. I just wish Ash would take a chance on Rafa and show some real ambition.
Still wondering why Cabaye went off as well.
KIMTOON(Quote)
dont worry lads we had loads of injuries 2day (sissoko) and some players have just returned and are a little tired (benny) but rest assured we’ll be working on it all summer to put it right. 😆
I thought we played alright considering how **** we are compared to Arsenal. Another decent forward to replace the infective Doofrun and we’re nearly there, as long as we dont play defensive hoofball
mark(Quote)
I said youre right, so youre rignt about being right. 2 rights don’t make a wrong either. well done mate. you should be a manager 😛
mark(Quote)
We definitely deserved at least a draw.
Can’t understand the criticism of Pardew today, except maybe playing Tiote/Jonas over Marv/Anita.
How many chances did Arsenal create for Podolski? Cisse had two half chances and fluffed them. He is too isolated – partly down to playing 3 midfielders centrally, but also partly down to the other two attackers not getting in the box. There were a couple of Debuchy crosses where noone was there – Pardew isn’t to blame for that.
Tbh I think HBA was poor today, yeah he is always the one that can produce something out of nothing, and he had a couple of awesome dribbles, but link up play was *****.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
can we have a vote on whether Troy is right or wrong regarding:
Fans should of booed 2day if they were unhappy with Pardew?
mark(Quote)
WRONG 😛
mark(Quote)
i think shearer should be given a second chance to manage us! why not?
pardum(Quote)
@pardum
why? he has no experience.
mark(Quote)
@Geordietwo
Spurs?
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Well thank funk that’s over!.
Sent most of last season waiting for our bubble to burst and all of this season waiting for it to inflate.
I’ve said enough now that I think the problem of our season was not enough investment last summer and poor tactics from Pardew.
Time to show weve learnt lessons and build a strong squad for next season now.
We played ok today but had nowt up front again and not enough creativity. That needs addressing as a priority in the summer for me.
Best of luck to Steve Harper, whatever he does with himself from now on. I’d love to think there was a job for him at SJP somewhere.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Why don’t we just go to an 8-1-1 formation both away and at home? I know Pardew secretly wants to do it just to prove how effective it could be. We could look forward to at least a dozen draws that way each season. Cisse would have no worries about having to compete with another striker for the ball and Cabaye could have complete control of the midfield. I know it’s coming next season so prepare yourselves.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
So Hoots boys finish 11th and grab 3 goals today ,red faces all round in the Ashley household then.
Villa get 2 goals
West Ham 4 goals (nolan hat trick)
Stoke get 2 goals
Baggies get 5 against Manure ( ok they also shipped 5 ) but the point is they are all scoring and we are not.
By the way Carroll set up 3 of WH goals today surely proving he’s more than just a striker.
Get the lad back here Ashley before the hammers nab him again.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Right away a while, back later ,nice chatting folks.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Actually I was thinking of Spurs and Bale when I wrote it ST but Spurs actually have an attacking plan and do bring other players into it now and then. Anyway Bale got 21 for them while Cisse got 8 for us. Still I think Vilas Boas is up the creek if Bale leaves mate.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
At the end of the day, no harm has been done this year. Everyone that claims that “the players came here for Europe” need to look at the league table. Unless you were expecting us to get 72 points (I believe that because of Wigan/Swansea, only 5th get Europa), we wouldn’t have qualified for Europe even if Pardew had been on top form this year.
We end the season today, with a stronger squad than 12 months ago (though very light up front), and with an experience that can only benefit the players mentally next year.
I saw enough in the first half to suggest that we can push on with Pardew next year.
Serious work needs to be done by the coaches this summer mind.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
santi i ment bent ast though you dont walk with a straight back as and a bit of a crook lolol
batty(Quote)
@ Mark
Right 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
well from what I saw we could have played for a month and will still not have scored,one first half does not wipe out the **** that has been served up all season
icedog(Quote)
1-1
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Kim – according to SSN Carroll was outstanding today like. I honestly think he’ll be Pardews no. 1 target this summer.
ST – disagree it was down to 3 central midfielders as had he played either Anita/Marv in place of Tiote/Jonas – or even just Marv for Jonas I think it would have provided a more creative formation.
That aside mate, I don’t see the point in barking at Pardew today, it was always a tough ask with Arsenal desperate to win. We know he’s going to be manager next season so to read people wanting Shearer in next season – laughably ridiculous IMO 🙄 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Does anyone remember the first half of the season when people were questioning why “Pardew never got the team playing until after half time”, reading through tweets now and people are complaining that he’s guilty of the opposite 😆
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
oh and santi yes i was fishing but you bit ,less of the old crettin ,yes i can be a **** at times
batty(Quote)
Well I am happy enough with today as after some of the **** we have witnessed this season has been shocking.
But it seems Pards cant really win no matter what he does some say why did he not throw the kitchen sink but I would say if he did and we got caught out and hammered by going gung ho then he would have got stick for getting hammered.
Big Dave(Quote)
Troy today was the perfect time for the anti Pards stuff to come out at the game and leave Jabba in no doubt that Pards wasn’t the fans man but it seems that most fans are happy enough to go with the flow
Big Dave(Quote)
I think we’ve been through every possible scenario with Pardew. If he stays we wait and see what happens next season. I can’t say I’m thrilled about it and if I was Ashley I would be very worried about committing to spend more money for a squad under Pardew’s guidance. I didn’t see anything new tactically from him today and don’t expect it to change if he’s still here next season. What would it take for us to return to top 8 under him? Several miracles I would think. Ashley would have to spend 25M or more for players, including 2 strikers, a CB, a scoring winger with crossing ability and pace and a DM replacement for Tiote/Jonas. Llambias would have to actually do a good job in making deals and then we would have to hold our breath for a dozen games or so at the start of next season. The Chinese say may you be born in interesting times. I say bring in a top manager.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
@Sharpy and Big Dave
so is that Troy is wright or wrong?
2-2? 😛
mark(Quote)