However I see not a lot has changed. Alan Pardew is, against all odds, still in the managerial hotseat, we’re still struggling as a team and we’ve still yet to record a win in the league this season.
United will be aiming to change the last part of that statement this afternoon when newly-promoted Leicester City visit St James’ Park. It’s an interesting one for me personally as I live near Leicester these days and married into a family of which half were born in Leicestershire, so for me today the banter stakes are high.
For Newcastle, the stakes are even higher. Results may have been poor but I cling onto the fact that we’ve salvaged recent draws against Hull and Swansea when we could have hidden and got beat. Again. Although a large part of avoiding defeat has been down to the return of Papiss Cisse who will be hoping to add to his tally of four league goals this season.
Newcastle:
Emmanuel Riviere is doubtful as reported yesterday although the other injury concerns, namely Tim Krul, Daryl Janmaat and Paul Dummett, should be fit to feature. French pair Moussa Sissoko and Remy Cabella returned from international duty with France with no problems while Cheik Tiote and Papiss Cisse survived long-haul international trips unscathed which means that Davide Santon and Siem De Jong remain our only senior first-team absentees.
Leicester City:
Matt Upson and Zoumana Bakayogo are the only injuries that former United caretaker boss Nigel Pearson has to contend with.
Previously…
We haven’t had much of a recent history against the Foxes with our last meetings coming from when we faced each other in the Championship where United secured a 1-0 victory at St James’ Park while only a draw could be mustered against 10-men at the Walkers Stadium.
Historically though we do have the upper hand, especially at home where the 54 games played at St James’ Park have yielded 36 victories for United with Leicester returning home South with victory on just seven occasions.
Overall 108 games have been played to date with Newcastle winning 46, Leicester winning 37 with 25 stalemates thrown in for good measure.
Stats and facts:
The Magpies are the only side yet to score first in a Premier League game this season.
Out of the 17 ever-present Premier League sides in 2014, Newcastle have earned the fewest points (20), scored the fewest goals (21) and conceded the most (49).
Leicester have only found the net once in their three league matches away from home this season.
However they are the second-most efficient scoring team in the Premier League, with 11 of their 62 shots resulting in a goal (18%). Chelsea lead the way with 20 goals from 101 shots (20%).
Final thought…
It’s actually starting to get desperate and we’re almost at the point where we’ve gone beyond a bad start and look to be settling into a battle to get away from the bottom of the table. That will get harder and harder unless we start picking up points and even a win today would only see us potentially move up one place.
But we do need that win and the longer it takes to come the harder it will be to achieve. Haven’t we waited long enough for one now?
Howay the lads!
Date: Saturday, 18th, October
Time: 3pm
Venue: St James’ Park
Batty, how about this one 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Quick up date for all the Toon based A league fans. Perth Glory 3 – Brisbane Roar 2.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Hold the fort doors back lads. The masses of Toon based A league fans will deluge this blog any minute. 😯 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Nice one Aussie, thanks for the update!
Toon based A League Fan(Quote)
What’s the A League ?
sidekick(Quote)
It’s one up from the B league apparently
Premandup(Quote)
Troy – I don’t hate Pardew, but I do blame him for our form in 2014. If he were to get back to winning ways and stayed in charge though I’m not bothered. I support NUFC, not the manager or any individual player.
Obviously we’d all love to watch free flowing entertaining football where we win more than we loose – but how many teams or managers achieve that?! – so I’d settle for winning or drawing more than we loose.
That hasn’t been happening with Pardew and up until recently he was doing very little to change that – as in not changing the playing staff or formation. Something I’ve been asking for him to do for ages. He has made the changes in the last couple of games and its worked.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I have to get back to the Mackems though because even though they are above us in the league it was the funniest game ever. 8 nowt and comedy gold Jerry, comedy gold. Hilarious back passes and a perfect own goal and much more besides. It cheered me up almost as much as our win.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I notice the commentator on MOTD for our game mentioned the fact Percy told Oba he was free to leave in the summer after he scored.
Troy@275, You’re welcome mate, could’ve been written for you.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Vital 3 points as i said the other day performance is irrelevent to me at this moment in time, Just win and get within spitting distance of about 8 or 9 teams.
Draw or defeat was unthinkable even at this early stage as it is for QPR today, Burnley looking like being cast adrift already…
CC(Quote)
Yep Poy8, that’s class.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Must say that Oscar free kick was something else too.
kIMTOON(Quote)
http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/newcastle-united/news/pardew-obertan-can-be-a-great-player_183377.html
Deary me, that’ll be why you said he could leave then 🙄
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – I’ve just been watching MOTD again this morning and you’re right, he does. Then you pick the papers up this morning and it reckons we are looking to swap Saylor with Lascelles. Yet Saylor came in yesterday and looked better than what Willo has this season – and we kept a clean sheet. (Saylor only came in coz Willo was injured by the way – not coz Pardew made the change).
Kim – that Cisse miss gets worse every time I see it!! 😳
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, Spot on mate, enforced change and you are right , I did post earlier I thought Taylor had a good game. In fact he made a vital block right at the end of the game to possibly save our bacon. Shame he has to wake up to those headlines like.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Yep Cisse’s miss was a shocker but he worked hard all game getting little service as usual. His pass accuracy was over 80% apparently, still think his brain works too fast for half his team mates which is what results in the off sides . He is also an instinctive finisher, often scoring from impossible angles yet fluffing when he has time to adjust and think, very strange.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – he shouldn’t worry too much. If Willo is out again next week and Saylor has another decent game then I’m sure Pardew will say he’s good enough for an England call up 😆
The Oba comments are OTT as well like. This is a kid they told to leave 3 month ago, yet now Pardew sings his praise. He says he’s a confidence player, yet Pardew has let him rot in the reserves for seasons.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, That’s my main gripe with Pards, he changes his opinions on players like the wind. Either back your players or don’t, all these mixed messages must drive them nuts, it just makes him look fickle too. Time and again he writes players off in public only to then have to turn to them in his hour of need and consequently has to back track, it makes you dizzy with all his u turns.
kIMTOON(Quote)
I must admit that this bullshit between Eric and Troy really is taking the gloss off this blog for me.
Call it what you like, cracking on or whatever, but it really is boring.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Aussie Mag@302, I’ve just came back from doon your way, and watched a couple of A-League games over the last few weeks. I have to say the standard of the A-league is pretty minging mate 😥
Munich Mag(Quote)
There again the standard of the EPL for the first half of the toon game yesterday was pretty minging too. 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Sorry Munich Mag. I will stop now, really!
Did you see Tesco’s is offering a free prawn sandwich with every Roy Keane book”They would have to offer me a boat and a bakery to buy anything by that c@nt.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Been searching for this clip all morning, Couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this, Percy is nuts, what type of celebration is that 😆
http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/newcastle_utd/201704/football-vine-newcastle-boss-alan-pardew-wrestles-coach-to-floor-in-adrenaline-fuelled-goal-celebration.html
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – yet we are told, and a number of the players have made a point of saying that they still back Pardew.
They certainly seem to be playing for him in the last few games.
I’ll be the first to say that I don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, and they may actually be a really tight squad (manager n coaches included).
Sharpy17(Quote)
Munich
Say something interesting and you might strike up a conversation which distracts others away from our banter. You have got something interesting to say haven’t you? 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Eminem, the A league has only just started mate.. so i am not sure what games you saw?? Agreed, it’s not the greatest quality but it is what it is.. if you watch it expecting pl footy then yeah it will be minging.. but it is enjoyable to watch if you ..er hemm..lower your expectations! 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Saylors a footballer, Williamsons a hoofer; He played some useful balls into the midfield instead of booming it 80 yards for their centre halves to mop up.
Hes also quicker which when playing with Colo is an absolute must, He makes some howlers but hes not alone in that
CC(Quote)
Sharpy, Players do seem to be pulling for him I agree, but then again they won’t wanna lose their place I’d imagine. We all know what happens when you question his tactics, just ask Benny ,Mbiwa, Marv et al .
kIMTOON(Quote)
CC, agree, elbows and brain farts aside he is the better footballer and will always put his body on the line for Toon. I certainly would not off load him to Forest.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – for me I don’t mind that he moved Benny out. Marv could have been kept, however if its made space for Aaron’s to come through then I’m fine with that. But MYM was a truly stupid move (ESP as we are still paying 80% of his wages).
I also agree about Saylor, who’s biggest problem has been injuries. No way would I be offering him to Forest. Maybe Satka, Streete or Good, but we need to keep Saylor in the squad this season IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Im not sure they have any obligation to let them have anyone, There was talk that he had a recall clause when he was named in the squad pre season and Darlow wasnt.
Id bring the lad back in january and MYM back in the summer as i still think he will fall out of favour at Roma when they get their first choice CB pairing back.
CC(Quote)
CC, Colo’s days are surely numbered now so it would be wise to bring back Mbiwa but sadly I think his bridges are burnt as far as Pards is concerned.
kIMTOON(Quote)
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/10/19/crocked-newcastle-pair-tweet-after-win-6m-man-still-on-crutches/
kIMTOON(Quote)
Troy@325, you and Eric Sykes having a *****-slapping love in on a public blog, and me having something “interesting” to say are two different issues mate :-).
Munich Mag(Quote)
Kimtoon@323, that goal “celebration” was horrendous if you ask me mate. Just another on the long list of great Pardewisms which make me so proud to have the bloke managing our club.
Munich Mag(Quote)
AMF @326, I watched Melbourne Heart beat Sydney West Side or summat, and on Friday I watched Adelaide v Melbourne Heart, all on TV I might add…
The standard aint great but I suppose it’s a nice outlet from Aussie Rules, which really rules the roost over your way…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Munich – I think horrendous is a bit strong mate. The celebration was certainly over the top, but I reckon months of press and people calling for your sacking would do that to a man
Sharpy17(Quote)
In defence of our defence, if we had a midefield who held a structure and who could play the ball between themselves, then our defenders would be happier to play football out from the back. Yesterday we had Anita feverishly patrolling the midfield, picking up the loose balls before giving them BACK to the defenders, ultimately passing the buck.
That aint no way to play football.
Throw in the fact that we have no forwards who can hold up the ball, and no ball playing midfielders, then it stands to reason that our build up play is stuttering.
Young Perez looks like he could be a great signing, a real jack in the box who can turn on a sixpence, and has an eye for a through ball. Cabella will also come good given time.
Krul played well but his kicking is still poor.
Dummett started well before fading quite shockingly in the second half. Is Shane Ferguson so much worse than Dummett ?
Staylor did ok, pity he is so injury prone.
Gouffron non-existant.
Obertan tried hard, and scored a great goal.
Sissoko tried hard, but again with nothing moving on the front line his options were limited.
The biggest plusses was the clean sheet and a win of course, man oh man was that important. Also great to record a win having lost our talisman Tiote in the warm up. Now that really was ridiculous, and if I remember correctly not the first time we have players injure themselves in the warm up ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Sharples@337, maybe horrendous was the wrong choice of words, you’re right, but there again I wasn’t the baldy little geezer on the receiving end of knacker Ned’s headlock 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM what else do you expect from the aussies mate 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Big D@340, when Emil Heskey is in the Aussie soccer hall of fame what can you expect mate ? 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Remember when AP putted Santon as CM at Stamford Bridge last season. If/When returns, Id like to see him play that role again for Sissoko, Sissoko got a poor first touch, poor decision making, need more smart players in offense or we’ll keep struggling to get wins. Obertan Sissoko Gouffran toghether behind Cissé is the worst present you can do to Cissé. Cabella can play instead of Sissoko in that 3man midfield as long as he got the work rate, Abeid can play DM CM AM too, need new options and smarter players.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Chollo – I’m sure Santon used to be a midfielder before Jose moved him to LB at Inter.
I reckon he’d be suited to right side of a midfield 3 – Colback and Tiote alongside him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Gouffron was signed for half a million pounds, Mike Williamson for around a million I believe.
Now that was a splendid piece of business by the toon.
That both of these players are first team regulars isn’t there fault, they have just kept there part of the bargain by forcing there way into the first team. Obviously our manager thinks they are the bees knees, otherwise they wouldn’t be first picks for the starting 11 ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
AHLEY OUT AND PARDEW TO ,PULIS TO KEEP US UP MOYES FOR LONG TERM BEFORE ITS TO LATE I MEEN BEFORE JAN TRANFER ,PAIR OF BASTARDS
batty(Quote)
http://www.mobdro.com/ anyone on android click on link and download apk for sky sports and other sports channels.
hitman(Quote)
OR SHOULD I SAY ARSELEY
batty(Quote)
Sharpy17- I think he was a winger, but he its obvious he is a technician, can hold the ball and he got that pace too, that would be a fine option. Abeid could play that role for Sissoko also, Cabella can do it too. And Siem de Jong when returns should have a role in that 3 man midfield with Tioté and Colback too. Our squad isnt a poor as it look, we just need the right combinaison and drop and even sell the few average/useless players we have like Gouffran (Okay AP wants a winger that drop back to defend, but we’ve seen with Aarons that you can work hard in D and still be able to get past you opponent), Sissoko, Anita, Willo(An exchange with Lascelles would be FINE) for Aarons, Abeid, Bigirimana, Santon as versatile option, Sammy and Ayoze.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Sharpy17- Should also bring back Big Andy Carroll to replace Cissé for AC Id like to see at some point that line up:
————————————-Krul——————————–
—-Janmaat———–Lascelles—-Colo———–Dummett–
———————————-Colback——————————
————————-Abeid———–S.de Jong—————–
————–Aarons————————————Cabella—–
———————————–Carroll——————————-
With Elliott, Saylor, Raylor, Bigi, Ayoze, Obertan, Arma as subs. For once we may have the edge in set piece situations and have the right balance between skillfull players and tough players.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Chollo – Carroll isn’t for me like mate. He’s just too injury prone and with his wages I just don’t see him as good value. If you wanted a target man then we should sign Cheick Diabate from Bordeaux.
Or if you want to stay English, Danny Ings and Connor Wickham are both in the final year of their contracts. Ings would be a good buy IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy17- I agree for injury proeness, but 1st if he signs, no doubts that he’ll have to drop his wages, Id take Wickham for free no doubt, we need to go english!!
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
But If we cant get AC, Id splash that money on Jordan Rhodes, he knows how to find the net!!
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Sharpy Santon was a RW originally.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Chollo – Rhodes is class, but Bburn would want a small fortune based off the stupid fees from the summer – Long and McCormack.
I’m a fan of Shelvey as well personally, but I don’t see Swansea letting him go at all.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Anyone else notice how poor we are in the air, throughout the complete team ?
Our opponents know we have nothing to offer in the air, it’s way too easy for the opposition defenders
Munich Mag(Quote)
IMO Ings isnt premier league class and Wickham has struggled bar a handful of matches at the end of last season
The biggest **** NUFC have made with regard to English players was the start of the summer when we could have signed Saido Berahino & Eric Dier for about £10m
CC(Quote)
Munich
You should have watched liverpool half an hour ago mate, They make us look like the crazy gang dealing with high balls
CC(Quote)
CC – I reckon Ings will score goals in the PL. He may not be a 20 goals a season forward but he’ll get goals IMO.
Kim – I’m play Santon RW but we’ve got Obertan now 😆
I would take Aaron Lennon from Spurs as well, or Nathan Redmond from Norwich
Sharpy17(Quote)
CC – would you want AC back mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
No, I think he would be a completely different animal for us than Liverpool and West Ham but i like us playing from the back and retaining possession.
A striker/winger type in Remys mould who could play up with Cisse or wide of him would be my pick
CC(Quote)
CC – are you think of someone like Ayew maybe?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Can’t believe Stoke beat Swansea
kIMTOON(Quote)
I’m still waiting for some tremendous activity in January. They will have to be very inexpensive top, top players. The ones Ashley really looks for. You know lads, like Riviere for example. He’s been a tremendous signing for us so for. 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
What will Pardew come up with against Spurs? How will we get anything from that game or the Liverpool match? In which case we’ll have 7 points from 10 games, and the pressure will be straight back on. Ashley is a hopeless case. He’s built nothing in 7 and a half years. He still knows nothing about the game. It may come down to the derby as a fight for 17th place! Hilarious Ashley you dweeb.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
And if we can get Andy Carroll back on the cheap. Why, he could be our top injured player. He could play 7 or 8 games a season, score 1 or 2 goals and really look good back home. Beautiful Mike.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Mike and Alan in a recent conversation:
Mike: How are you doing Alan, my precious?
Alan: Well I’m feeling a bit better now Mike thanks. My top players like Obertan are finally coming around this season.
Mike: Obertan, he was very cheap to buy wasn’t he? Excellent. And what is the plan to get us into 17th place by the end of the season Alan?
Alan: Well Mike, I plan to pretty much stick with my current strategy. Lots of playing time for Obertan, Colocinni, and Gouffran. We will definitely grab that much coveted 17th place by season’s end.
Mike: Lovely Alan. Keep up the good work.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
CC – agree with that, but I doubt we’ll get one.
I don’t get the AC thing – even if he wasn’t injured so frequently, allegedly linked to his, er, ‘lifestyle’, he hasn’t shown any PL form to speak of apart from that half season with us. Loved him then, but Howay!
GTE(Quote)
G2 – well I hope Pardew and the players don’t have the same defeatist attitude as you mate. I’ve watch Spurs and Liverpool recently and they aren’t the force they were last season.
I’m not expecting a win by any means, but what I’m saying is its not such a tall order.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d agree with that Sharpy, especially as they have Euro games in between times. We, meanwhile, have nothing to lose – everyone, especially us, will imagine that we’ll get nowt from either the next two League games, or the cup game at City. One lucky result would seem a big bonus. That might help the team to relax a little, play as acknowledged underdogs … Well, you have to dream 😆
GTE(Quote)
QPR showed you can get at pool and were very unlucky today and Spurs are stuttering too. All the same we still need to go up in class to get anything from either game.
kIMTOON(Quote)
Harry Redknapp must have killed a unicorn, had 50 black cats cross his path and stepped under 100 ladders to get nothing out of that game. Long may it continue. We should start a save Harry campaign.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
As long as Percy keeps us attacking, like yesterday, we have a chance against spuds and cesspool.
But despite the win, I still don’t like this 4-2-3-1 malarkey.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
did yous hear ‘arry’s rant about fatty Tarabt ❓
he’s not happy like
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB: it depends on whether you subscribe to the theory of **** manager or **** players. I haven’t seen enough of a lot of our players to know what they are about, but I do know Pardew got us here and he has a track record of going on losing streaks. However, he has shown signs that he is willing to not rely on the long ball as much. I hope for my sanity as a NUFC fan that this continues.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
GTE/Kim – I’m an eternal optimist. I think we have good enough players and the beauty with the PL is that you never know.
Boots – I’ve just watched Arrys rant. He should calm down a bit though IMO – I’ve heard Hull want to loan him anyway :razz:. Good on Arry I say though!. Bet Pardew watches it and breathes a sigh of relief.
Sharpy17(Quote)