Welcome one and all to this ‘Game On’ article which will take us through the highs and lows as Newcastle United host Arsenal today in the Barclays Premier League (3pm kick-off).
The Magpies go into the fixture on the back of a very disappointing 3-0 defeat at Everton last Sunday, while Arsenal triumphed 2-0 away at Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday, although still exited the competition.
When the side met earlier this season, the Gunners took the bragging rights, easing to a 4-1 triumph at the Emirates Stadium in December, with Ayoze Perez heading in United’s consolation goal. a very interesting and surprising stat for me is that we haven’t beat Arsenal at SJP since Dec 2005.
Speaking to the press John Carver said “I’ve had some big challenges in the past but this will be one of the biggest. You’ve got to be careful when you play against sides like Arsenal. We’ve got to consolidate and make sure we don’t concede early, that’s for sure. Against a good side like this it will be very, very difficult to get the ball. Their possession stats are one of the highest in the division, so they are a good footballing side and they like to play. So we are going to have to be patient but we do have one or two things up our sleeve when we get turnovers, and we will try to break them down.”
Howay the Lads
Newcastle United Krul; R.Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback; Anita, Sissoko (c); Cabella, Gouffran, Ameobi; Perez.
Subs Elliot, Satka, Kemen, Gutierrez, Obertan, Armstrong, Riviere.
Arsenal Ospina, Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Alexis, Cazorla, Welbeck, Giroud
Subs Szczesny, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Bellerin, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott
So Percy’s lot above us now 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Well much better in second half. If we had been given that pen who knows… Cannot understand why Gouffran still gets 90 mins or any mins for that matter. But we still lost… 🙁
Dubai-Toon(Quote)
I thought Sissoko really upped his game today, was that the armband or the fact we were playing the **** ?
Kim @ 151 I can remember some tipping him to take them down this season.
Big Dave(Quote)
Yes BD – me
Looks like I called that one wrong.
😳
(but we’ll see what happens next season ok )
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Mike Ashley the saviour of newcastle will sort everything out in the summer. Believe it when I see it.
stem(Quote)
Seems Percy is having one hell of a honeymoon
but I still wouldn’t want him back again.
I’m confident it will all go pear shaped for him as per usual.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Betsy
Do you still think he’s out of his depth as a premier league manager which you incessantly told us when he was in charge of us?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Dave, yep he has some good players at his disposal and is doing well, be interesting to see how they do next season .
kimtoon(Quote)
over the moon for Jonas and Raylor, they both showed today they still have something to offer.
Munich Mag(Quote)
love how the ref handles the game in Rugby, so good to hear his conversation with the players, makes our PL refs look like a bunch of amateurs . 😳
kimtoon(Quote)
MM, I like Raylor, always have.
kimtoon(Quote)
Scum playing quite well, look the better team tbf
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim. I think it would enhance the game if the footy refs had microphones which we could hear.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
It would also make the players think twice about abusing the ref.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
twoy – give it time fella
give it time
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
So that a yes? You believe he’s out of his depth as a premier league manager? Simple question. Yes/No?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Desrved at least a point today. MOM Cabella for me closely followed by Janmaat. Colback was unsure on his distribution today and Gouffran had a poor game and should have gone off not Anita. I would have also brought Riviere on in place of Sammy but at least Carver was trying bringing on Arma.
Groucho(Quote)
well hasn’t he always been ?
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
all we hear week after week is how the refs have made blant errors that a blind man could see.we also keep hearing that the prem is the best league in the world,so if it is its time to start bringing the best refs from around the world to the prem.
hitman(Quote)
percy always duz well with other managers teams,its when he gets ideas that things start to go pear shaped. 😆
hitman(Quote)
Betsy
Yes/No?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Hitman
Same question to you.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
It’s gone quiet round here.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I must be Betsys worst nightmare.
I never stop highlighting his ridiculous statements. He’s made a right chump of himself over the past few years. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy, re refs, agree, can’t see why they can’t be heard and tv replays for them to consult with. As long as that is not put in place there will always be controversial decisions and teams possibly losing important points. In a league so entrenched in money with so much depending on results it’s unbelievable how backward it is.
kimtoon(Quote)
Look you *******
what don’t you understand here ?
IMHO Pardew is a **** manager/coach and is now and always has been out of his depth in the premier league.
He has the odd good run once or twice a season, but overall, he struggles.
Typical of a manager out of his depth.
That’s my opinion, deal with it ffs
Deary me you do struggle with people having a different opinion to you don’t you.
Get a grip man and get over him
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
No I haven’t, that’s your domain
you specialise in it
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Another abusive tirade of abuse from a person whose foul language mirrors his opinions. 🙄
So we are now talking about a manager who for the past 4 years at Newcastle finished his tenure in 5th 13th 11th and 8th and has now transformed 3rd bottom palace and took them above the toon who ha e dropped from 8th to 12th since he left
And you are still prepared to go on a blog which is read worldwide and state he is out of his depth in the premier league.
I nearly forgot. He won the manager of the year award a few years ago.
Chump is a polite name for you but I’m sure you can think of a more vile abusive abhorrent name you can call me. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Hammers should of had a pen then, Scum getting away with murder here
kimtoon(Quote)
Boo Hoo
that horrible man has called me a name
😥 😥 😥 😥 😥 😥
sad little man
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
If you don’t like being called a *******, then stop being one
its quite simple really.
I’m entitled to my opinion, whether you like it or not, I couldn’t give a monkeys.
Grow up man
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
anyway try and get your fact straight
we have finished 5th, 12th, 16th and 10th
but hey whatever
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Troy I don’t think our coaching staff have ever been up to scratch. Our players don’t seem to have the fitness levels that other teams have. Our players get suffer from burn out and injuries more than any other team. It’s got to be more than just bad luck. Also Ashley doesn’t pay the going rate for coaches and players which doesn’t help one bit.
stem(Quote)
Kim @ 158 yeah but he had some good players here, but he just seems to be playing a totally different style of football, yeah I know they can play a different style to suit his players but he still has surprised me by the change, also take their set plays etc.
He seems to be playing free of shackles which I think he had when he was with us.
Big Dave(Quote)
Hammers take lead with 2 mins left 😆 😆 😆 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim I also meant to say that he seems happy with Palace, and I think that could be something to do with knowing that he can be his own man and pick his own team.
Oh and don’t think im trying to convert you or tell you he is a top manager, as that isn’t my aim, as I have always said he was is a bog standard average manager, but under Jabba he was restricted to having the shoots made for him and players thrust upon him.
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave, re Percy, possibly mate, he had too many favourite players who played even when their form was poor for me and an unhealthy obsession with the left back position 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
Dave, He looks free of stress I must agree. Don’t know how anyone works for that fat ****
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh dear **** 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM mint
icedog(Quote)
so that’s put 8th, 9th and 10th well and truly out of reach now
Carry on Parver
Nee bonuses this year 😳
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Kim did I hear right that Adam Johnson good a bit of stick
Big Dave(Quote)
KIM aye tell us the abuse,Ime not watching,I support two teams the toon and whoever is playing the scum 😀
icedog(Quote)
Betsy
Did Pards leave when we were 8th. I’m listening with a cupped hand round my elephant lug 😆
I’ve never known anyone commit character suicide like you. Even hitman has bottled it to commit he’s out of his depth in the premier league.
See the thing is Betsy. I could quite easily throw torrents of foul language at you but it then becomes a blog of abusive language.
Your a disgrace to the blog for doing so imo. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Jonas deserves a two year contract.
Anita and Gouffran are dreadful footballers.
Thought Cabella was average
Perez is a gem who won’t be here for more than another 12 months
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
🙄 i will make this short and sweet.i told you i have zero time for you and no desire to debate with you.i dont like you,even tho i dont know you.is that simple enough for you.thought you might of got it by now like..
hitman(Quote)
I feel a bit sorry for Carver, but heroic failure is still failure. He did as well as could be expected under the circumstances and we deserved a draw. Still, gave away silly fouls and one of those free kicks was bound to pay off and then another from a corner. We need someone to coach our players on set pieces – both ways. Better from Raylor on corners who may even deserve an extension if he doesn’t break down before the end of the season.
I had previously said Raylor was too much of a risk. However, I have thought about it and that is falling into Ashley’s trap of judging the squad based upon salary outlay. Why should I care if the Fatman takes a risk on Raylor and loses a million because of injury? So, 49 mil profit instead of 50. Fatty’s money first, football and players last approach is something to push back against, not embrace.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TLR I agree with you but I don’t think Jonas will get that contract.
Troy I know the spat between you and BB is nowt to do with me but for me the minute he calls you a fukwit he has lost the debate. And that goes for anyone else that foully abuses others there is no need for it.
Big Dave(Quote)
HITMAN why don’t you just say what you think 😆
icedog(Quote)
DAVE always my pet hate “abuse” on the blog no need for it, good on you,and imo everyone has the right to their views
icedog(Quote)
Carver says toon need more players with the quality of Cabella next yr,careful they cost money it will give jabba the *****
icedog(Quote)
Ice you know me mate I am a firm believer that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and can debate as much as they want, I just don’t think there is any need for calling others foul and abusive names on here.
Big Dave(Quote)
Ice @ 201 from some of the stuff I have heard JC say over the last day or 2 there is no doubt in my mind he must have been told that he has got the job, as I think he will be kept on. But as I said before It wouldn’t surprise me if the regime done the dirt on him
Big Dave(Quote)
Big D@203, if JC can get the players playing for him for the full 90 minutes as they did in the second half that’ll do for me.
I can’t remenber the last time that we have pressed a top 4 team so much as today, it’s a real pity that Cisse wasn’t playing, he would have been on the scoresheet today that’s for sure.
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’m absolutely convinced that Ashley will keep JC at the club, no matter what happens in the summer. Ashley loves continuity, be it good or bad…JC will be at the club in some form or another..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Dave& Ice, re Johnson, I can’t recall hearing any but I was multi tasking at the time so may of missed it like.
kimtoon(Quote)
DAVE I wouldn’t trust this crowd to the bottom of the street.
on this abuse malarky I remember the days when Batty called most everybody that called KK.or big Al a knobrot lol,but meant nothing by it
icedog(Quote)
Munich. The key part for me of your post is the pressing. We don’t do enough of it. We take up a position of two banks if four and let the opposition do what they want.
The better sides at St James this year have had their two centre backs behind a wall of three on the half way line and when they lose possession they chase it down immediately to get the ball back.
Hope that makes sense as the vino is going down nicely
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Big Dave – “Foul and abusive language” ❓
Really ?
I called him a “*******” that’s all
That’s because that is what he is.
That is neither a tirade of abuse, or torrents of foul language. The truth obviously hurts.
FTSOTB I will just ignore him from now on
its far easier.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
TLR the pressing part is something that I can’t workout as I have seen almost every team press like that, some of the bottom clubs press like pitbulls but IMO we don’t seem to press and harrass others
Big Dave(Quote)
BB thats your opinion but my opinion is that the moment you called him a fukwit you lost the debate.
I do know that somethings get said in the heat of the moment but for me on the blog is different, I wouldn’t and haven’t liked when people have been foul to me on the blog, for me I wouldn’t call someone something on the blog that I wouldn’t call or say to their face. So the question I would ask you is would you call Troy a fukwit to his face ?
Big Dave(Quote)
Tobes@208, makes perfect sense mate 🙂 Enjoy the vino collapso !!:-)
I was really pleasantly surprised at how well the toon played for the last 50 minutes today . I was sure having watched Pardew’s sides that Pardew wasn’t convinced that his teams could last 95 minutes, so went about things cageily and defensively to cover up for this deficiency. I also feared myself that maybe we weren’t athletic enough as such for the high tempo Premier League. Today we took the game to Arsenal, and were still running hard until the very end. I mean our first half showing wasn’t too bad either and we had our fair share of the ball, it’s just that we lacked the quality to do something constructive with it. Also our central defence caved in under pressure, but that isn’t anything new…
I’m more hopeful now having seen how the toon can play when we get the team formation and tactics right.
One thing we learned today is that Colback isn’t a left back. I thought he was minging today 🙁 I wonder who we are going to have lining up there against Adam Johnson in a couple of weeks time ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
I see Paul Merson said on sky sports that jabba is just happy to stay in PL and won’t take the club forward,long time sussing that out arnt you
icedog(Quote)
Hitman
Why don’t you just say, Yes or No?
I would be devastated I’d you liked me. I like strong characters and people who are genuinely nice people.
You fit into neither.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Cheers Dave
I hate to see foul language on the blog. There is no excuse no matter how angry or how much you hate someone.
Mind, it’s beyond me how you can hate anyone on a blog. It shows the mentality of those that do.
I personally couldn’t raise my anger enough to bother to swear at anyone. I don’t take any criticism to heart and don’t hate anyone on this blog.
Those that I disagree with are just people I disagree with. A bit ridicule does me. But I do that with my friends.
These people, who choose to go in the huff, give abuse, swear or complain incessantly about others in a way that comes across as petty, is a good mirror of their character.
I could meet anyone of the bloggers and get along with them no matter what has been said. However, they better be prepared for good humoured ridicule.
I know you know what I’m like. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy yeah I do know what your like 😆 and thankfully your nowt like the Gulper 😉
Ice there was a fair few on here that knew what Jabba was like yrs ago, I guess some are a bit slower than others
Big Dave(Quote)
I was ower the moon with our second half performance today. Well done to the team. I’m not sure what was said in the half time chat, but it certainly seemed to work.
Pity that JC brought Sammy off and pushed Sissoko further up front, cos Sammy, Cabella and Sissoko were battering the Arsenal right back. Sissoko with his back to the oppositions goal is much less effective than when he is running at them with the ball…
10 points to JC for his half time talk, loses 3 points for his dodgy substitutions.
For a player brought up the Ajax way Anita’s distribution was prety poor today…
I love him to bits, but Janmaat puts Willo to shame when it comes to lumping the ball forward. 50% of all Janmaat’s passes forward in the second half were lumped forward to the slight frame of Perez…with the ball coming pretty much straight back. Not a good tactic imo 🙄
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’ve slagged Carver off enough on here over the last few weeks, credit where it’s due for turning things round to put on an at times scintillating second laf show…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Dear me. MM. You slagged off Pardew enough only for him to get us to 8th. You would think you would learn.
Carver is no magician. He’s been in charge for about 10 games and people like you are making huge judgements. I find it absolute priceless. And embarrassing in case other fans from other clubs visit this site and read the ridiculous judgements you’ve made already.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
MM maybe in Jamaats case it was panic never played there before he normally not a bad player when moving “with” the ball
icedog(Quote)
Icedog@220, he seemed to be pumping a lot of balls long along the right wing in the second half. We did seem to retain the ball better when Jonas came on and gave him and Willo an opening to pass too…but it seemed like he had been give orders to play high balls into the Arsenal full back… He played a lot more lump-balls than Willo in the second half..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Carver needs time and certainly until the last game of the season before any judgement is made whether to stick or twist.
There’s some Clueless people who gave him 2 games before slagging him off.
They know who they are. 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
MM maybe our great coaches thought they had a weakness there,Carver said he had something up his sleeve for this game lol
icedog(Quote)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lHnwwfOXoQ
Munich Mag(Quote)
Icedog@223, I always felt that JC would come good once he could manage to imprint his own style on a team who had been held back by the defensively minded Pardew.
We’ll see what he’s really made of next season when he has a complete pre-season to prepare. Hopefully Mike Ashley will back him in the transfer market too… One of the west ends finest sons 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)