A game away at title-chasing Manchester City is perhaps not the best way to start the season, although on the other side of the coin it does at least get it out of the way early doors.
As you might be able to tell from that last bit I’m not exactly hopeful of picking up a result in Manchester but that doesn’t mean I’d be happy to see us go through the motions like we always seem to do against City. This group of players, lack of investment aside, were not great last season and now they have to set about showing that they justify the hype surrounding them.
From players to manager to those above, questions need answering. Are the players we have good enough? Is the manager good enough? Was 5th place the fluke or was 16th due to exceptional circumstances? Will we ever sign anyone ever again on a permanent basis? So many questions, but at least now they can start to be answered.
Manchester City:
Matija Nastasic will miss the game after picking up an ankle injury during pre-season whilst Carlos Tevez and Kolo Toure have now departed the Etihad and (obviously!) won’t face us. However City have spent in the region of £90 million this close season on bringing in Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic, Jesus Navas and Fernandinho so they aren’t shy of a few replacements.
Newcastle:
Loan signing Loic Remy is absent with a calf injury while Davide Santon also misses out. Jonas Gutierrez is doubtful with hamstring strain. Mehdi Abeid, Shane Ferguson, Adam Campbell and James Tavernier have all been loaned out so aren’t available for consideration.
Previously…
City done the double over us last season winning 3-1 at St James’ Park and 4-0 at the Etihad which isn’t exactly anything to get excited about.
When we’re away from home against City we historically tend to suffer. There have been 78 games played at Manchester City’s various homes over the years with the Citizens coming out on top on 41 occasions compared to just 21 victories for United.
Overall though we do still hold an advantage when you consider games played home and away. Newcastle have notched up 66 victories compared to 56 for City with 36 draws making up the numbers. Remarkably goals scored between the two sides is almost identical with United finding the back of the net 233 times compared to City’s 223 goals scored against us.
Match stats and facts:
United last beat City almost eight years ago in September 2005 with Michael Owen scoring the goal on that occasion. We’ve faced each other 13 times since.
City have recorded seven straight victories against us. The last time we managed to avoid defeat against City was when Joe Kinnear was in charge of football managing matters.
United’s first away Premier League fixture of the season has resulted in nine defeats, five draws and five victories from 19 games.
Final thought…
After the way last season went, and seeing how the summer has gone, my final thought is how high can I count such is my lack of optimism regarding this game. I expect us to get nothing so if we get something it will be a bonus for me. That doesn’t mean that a lack of effort is allowed. If we lose to the better team on the day then that’s fine so long as I cans see we’ve given it a go and haven’t turned up thinking we’re going to lose before a ball is kicked. As a fan I might think that, but I’m also not paid tens of thousands of pounds a week to give 100% and be professional.
Still, I might be pleasantly surprised.
Howay the lads!
Date: Monday, 19th August, 2013
Time: 8:00pm
Venue: The Etihad Stadium
I hope a new owner comes in soon. I have nearly given up with these idiots.
stem(Quote)
lol what a thick mug. for the sake of a few hundred quid 🙄
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2396550/Ryan-Taylor-claims-trusted-Newcastle-car-washer-stole-him.html
mark(Quote)
Southampton have signed Pablo Osvaldo from Roma for £15m! Wonder what its like to support a club with ambition..?
How are we supposed to progress when every other club around us keeps investing in the team and improving when we just stay static?
Stuart79(Quote)
Mark as my old fella always told me never spoil a good thing, and that muppet has shot himself in the foot .
Stu you know how we operate now, we are the also rans.
Big Dave(Quote)
@Stu
We cannot compete with the likes of S’ton as our owner only has 3.5bill and our stadium only holds 52k. We had to sell Perch, simmo etc just to pay for the gates being installed. 🙄
So who keeps the 60mil of TV revenue? Last time I read our books were pretty well balanced.
We were also promised 20mil of Ashleys money per season, not to mention a giant screen installed…
yippee! the football season has arrived 😆
mark(Quote)
Mark I will have to send Troy a PM to get him to have a look at the way you have moved of the fence he wont believe me until he see’s it for himself.
You must be looking a vip seat in the reality train. 😉
But you have a lot of making up to do 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
😛
we just need to make 1 or 2 signings. my faith is hanging by a thread…
mark(Quote)
😆 mark I thought you had came off the fence 😯
Big Dave(Quote)
not off completely m8 but I’m on the last rung 😀
mark(Quote)
Mark do you really think we will make 1-2 quality signings 😯 really ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
From NUFC.com regarding tickets for the big game tomorrow…….
United were allocated 1,700 places and sold just under 1,500 while City also failed to sell out – and announced that child and OAP season ticket cards can be used by adults for the game!
Looks like Ashley isn’t completely wrong when he decides to take a reduced number of away tickets 😯 😯
Munich Mag(Quote)
@BD
I’m hoping we make a forward signing to compete with Remy and Cisse. a winger would also be cool. But a striker would do for now as its always a tough window to purchase players. just look at arsenal 😛
mark(Quote)
and I didnt say quality.. 😉 u have a habit of adding bits to a story to make your own theory look plausible 😀
mark(Quote)
I see Obertan is in the 18 man squad. Do they have to name 18 ? I mean its obvious he aint gonna be stripped.
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Mark ok will you arn’t really worried if they’rebquality. But then do you REALLY think we’ll make 1 or 2 signings before the window closes ❓
TLR for me Oba is a waste of a shirt we would ne better of getting a 100mtr spriter as they would add just as much
Big Dave(Quote)
My football knowledge is getting worse. In the Predictor league I have the same number of points as Richie and Oblong.
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
TLR if you have the same amount as Richie you must have just took a lucky dip 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
I’m hoping we will as we desperately need one…. I think we will sign a forward. Perhaps I have too much hope, I don’t know what to expect m8 the ways thinks are at the mo.. We’ll soon find out.
mark(Quote)
So do we want to be in Europe or not?
Pardew said “There’s always that special feeling when the Premier League is kicking off, I think we have worked hard in pre-season and got the group in fantastic condition.
You can never read too much into pre-season, 2 years ago we lost to Leeds in our final pre-season match and were all over the place but went on to finish fifth.
Last year was difficult for us, not only with the extra games but also because it was compounded by an injury crisis.
We’ll be better armed next time we go into Europe and that is where we want to play.”
mark(Quote)
My prediction is City will be top tomorrow night
Sharpy17(Quote)
“Last year was difficult for us, not only with the extra games but also because it was compounded by an injury crisis.
We’ll be better armed next time we go into Europe and that is where we want to play.”
Well Alan if you want Europe again you best tell Joe to get a shift on . 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
Mark@77 ,My god even the car washer is a Londoner 😆 they are taking over the Toon and they’re all robbing bastards.
KIMTOON(Quote)
@Kimtoon 😆
good lad Colo
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/18/fabricio-coloccini-meeting-pope-newcastle
mark(Quote)
things @94 🙄 😆
mark(Quote)
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2013/08/18/newcastle-united-in-talks-with-agent-ahead-of-move-for-6m-italian-international-striker/
mark(Quote)
Don’t say that Mark some think he’s a “Disgrace” 😛
Santii(Quote)
Not excited about this season, let alone this match. Is it bad that I’m happy Jonas is injured?
AndrewT(Quote)
Mark @98, Well if Colo does get caught kicking him he can always say he sought divine intervention and the Pope made me do it 😉
Mark@ 100 ,Well that’s player number 199 we been linked with 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
@Kimtoon 😆 I wish Colo would use his hand-of-god and give Kinnear a slap for not signing players. although I dont condone violence 😈
mark(Quote)
And here’s why form means **** all-man united average at best, Swansea full of goals and not conceding any-and go on to get turned over at home. Still don’t get how Routledge is one of their best players. Which toon fan would have seen that three years ago? Or any fan of any side he’s been at.
Anything but a pounding from City is enough for me. Six points from the following two games though ta.
Newkie(Quote)
http://davidpick1987.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/financial-fair-play-it-does-affect-us/
fascinating article focusing on the Prem Lg’s own FFP rules
M(Quote)
Toby le Rhone says:
“My football knowledge is getting worse”…Come on, we’ve all read your comments over the years and know that that’s just not possible! 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Richie 😆
Newkie(Quote)
So from PEA and Bony to some Italian and Ecudoran that I’ve never even heard of!.
Why waste most of a transfer window pissing about with players we know were not going to sign due to fees or wages.
While Saints spend another £15m on one player.
I wonder if Colo is happy to stay with us coz he enjoyed playing in the Chamionship so much 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Mark@104 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well the waiting is almost over 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
M good read. makes sense
Premandup(Quote)
Dave – I’m on me jollies at the mo, a farm up in Scotland in the middle of nee where – not a sky dish in sight so nee match for me the neet 🙁
Can barely get tintetnet. Seriously bad planning on my part, but I may have saved myself watching a mauling as well like so may not be all that bad after all
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy that was bad planning , but it could be a good thing for you
Big Dave(Quote)
oblong tav will be pushing debs for rb this season although he is injured and out for a month or so.hope debs and tiote don’t get reds tonite but I recon one of them will .fooyts back yeay
stevo(Quote)
SHARPY you get stopped in there mate,dont step in those cow-pats or you and toon will both be in the ***** 😀
icedog(Quote)
id love to see oba start tonite actually
stevo(Quote)
Dave – were going into the town today so if I see a pub with it on I may have a drive out tonight but I doubt it. There all log fires and nee TVs from what I’ve seen so far, and even the ones with TVs are not likely gonna wanna watch the toon v city
Sharpy17(Quote)
If santon is out. should we go with a back 3 in 3-5-2
Premandup(Quote)
Sharpy ,Think you may have the right idea mate ,if we get spanked , which is highly likely then I think most of us will want to be hiding away from it all 😳 .
Still can’t feel excited about the new season ,I so wish we would sign someone ,can’t believe we start the season without a couple of reinforcements in. Poor show Joe ,poor show . 🙁
KIMTOON(Quote)
Predicted a draw tonight, Always more hope than expection but i never tip us to lose and judging by my league position already I can’t see it making much diference to my chances of finishing top come maytime…
CC(Quote)
Ice – it’s great, the bairn loves it and loads of walks for the pup – but it feckin stinks! and like I say nee where to watch the match that I’ve found yet anyway. I’m sure NUFC blog will keep me right up to speed with what happening though 😉
I really hope Pards goes with 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2 tonight and gets Cisse some support up there.
It’s all well and good us being fitter but if he lines them up the same way as last season then there will be nee change. Don’t expect to win tonight but would like to know that we at least played well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Prem@119 ,I would worry about a back three against Citeh , who would you have in the 5 ?
KIMTOON(Quote)
BIG DAVE
August 19, 2013 at 09:02
Well the waiting is almost over
Normally I would be delighted the season is starting but actually I couldn’t think of anything worse than watching NUFC this season. The regime have totally taken the fun out of football for me and I imagine many other fans.
Stuart79(Quote)
Prem – worked well for Wigan last year. But yeah, if we’re going to get the best out of the players we have then it could work.
georgio(Quote)
I think that Sayor-Colo-MBM would make a decent back 3
then with say Anita – Tiote – Sissoko in front of them
Cabs in the playmaker role
then a front three of HBA, Cisse and Gouffran
we could play el Loco
Premandup(Quote)
I’d have thought with a back 3 you’d want wing backs?
georgio(Quote)
If Santons out id like to see Dummett, He’s a natural defender who can play at centre half as well and he’s left footed which would make us less unbalanced…
CC(Quote)
CC@121…ditto 😕
richietoon(Quote)
A battling performance will do me, we need to be able to go into the home games with confidence intact. Despite everything I’m still looking forward too it. HtL
richietoon(Quote)
Prem ,I actually like that ,also like the thought of Anita who passes so well ,playing in Cabs who would then get the ball to any of the front 3 nice and quickly ,however Pards doesn’t have the bottle to go with that imo.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim, thats why I want Bielsa, El Loco as manager
Premandup(Quote)
I wonder if Wenger would like to manage us. We have a team full of frenchies and a solid french scouting network, plus he has an owner who won’t give out any fucking money even if he did want to spend it-surely it’s a match made in heaven?
Newkie(Quote)
Stuart @ 124 – I seriously doubt that you’d even know what fun is… lol: 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Preman…Yep, good shout and out of work still I think.
richietoon(Quote)
Yeehoo we’re gona win 2-0 we’re gona win 2-0 we’re gona win 2-0
Maybe that will get some of you guys out of your rooms and stop yas cutting your wrists.
Cisse and Gouffran to score either side of halftime 😛
Santii(Quote)
Kim and Aussie, I’m really looking forward to tonight. Hope we prove all the pundits wrong tonight and get three points. fingers crossed and touch wood time ?
stem(Quote)
Pardew going to play 3 4 3
stem(Quote)
Stem I will send you £100 if Pardew plays with 3 at the back :d
Santii(Quote)
Newkie@133 ,Aye ,perfect match ,you would think Wenger is spending his own money the way he carries on ,reckon Jabba would love a manager like that 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
AUSSIE MAGPIE FAN
August 19, 2013 at 11:47
Stuart @ 124 – I seriously doubt that you’d even know what fun is… lol:
It use to be watching NUFC every week. Now I have more fun sticking pins in my eyes.
Stuart79(Quote)
Right – going to throw one out there. I think Cabaye should leave. Something isnt adding up and his performances last year suggest his heads been turned and he isnt quite 100% committed anymore
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Staurt 79 You have every reason to feel that way after last season. Liverpool, Sunderland etc. The problem is NUFC over achieved one season and everyone expected a top 6 finish. Pardew really made us look awful and if he does it again i might turn my back on the club till Ashley’s gone. I can’t turn my back on NUFC but if Ashley, Kinnear and Pardew have no ambition why should the fans?
stem(Quote)
Our whole squad played **** last year LST that’s not a reason to suggest someone’s head has been turned. I haven’t heard a peep from Cabaye about wanting to leave. In fact Pardew was saying how professional he has been all summer and how hard he has trained.
Of course if a bid comes in for him which is acceptable to us then he would be a complete idiot if he didn’t want to go to PSG or United.
Until that time comes were a bid has been put in for him im not even going to care about all the BS rumours about him or that plonker blanc trying to get into Cabaye’s pants.
Santii(Quote)
OK Liam, counter argument.
Cabs had no break last summer, came back heavy legged and eventually spent a dozen games out injured. That period saw our worst form for donkeys years. We had anita and marv in midfield and more or less lost every game.
When he came back we went back to more normal form and together with the new signings and later Colo’s return to form saved us relegation.
He is without doubt our most valuable player and a necessary part of the team. To sell him is rediculus
Premandup(Quote)
I’d like to see how he starts playing this season LST. if he plays like last year, sell him ans bring zin Somegood wingers!
AndrewT(Quote)
SSN ,Arsenal have bid for Cabaye 😯 , Not who I thought would be in for him at all .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Talk of a bid lol Arsenal have reportedly made a bid for Cabaye according to SSN
Watch the meltdown commence 😛
Santii(Quote)
so the gunners have put in offer for cabaye then dont know size,but bid in
icedog(Quote)
Why do clubs come in for our best players so late in the window ,it leaves us no time to get adequate replacements in. 👿
KIMTOON(Quote)