Welcome one and all to this ‘Game On’ article which will take us through the highs and lows as we travel to Anfield for tonight’s Premier league game (8pm kick-off),
JC has been speaking to the media ahead of tonights game saying “There’s only nine points between us and the relegation zone so if we get nothing at Liverpool that could reduce to six,” explained Carver, ahead of the fixture.
“Relegation is always a worry. We need to start picking up the points somewhere no matter how we do it. I’m not too concerned with how we play, I’m more concerned with the final result and we need to get something from Liverpool.
“They (Liverpool) are only seven points off the top four and they’ll definitely think they still have a chance of getting there. I’ll be very surprised if their manager (Brendan Rogers) hasn’t prepared them for our game with that in mind.
“We know it’s going to be a difficult game but I think there’s a bit of pressure on the home side as well.
“Our fans need to get behind the team. We’ve seen the difference it can make when you have that support behind you.
“They love this football club and they just need to see us giving everything we can. We need them.
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool – The Reds are without suspended pair Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel but versatile midfielder Emre Can will return to the squad having served a one-game ban, Young winger Jordan Ibe is also back in contention having recovered from a knee ligament injury sustained in February, but centre-back Mamadou Sakho (hamstring) and forwards Adam Lallana (groin) and Mario Balotelli (illness) are all expected to miss out again.
Newcastle – Winger Rolando Aarons (hamstring) and forward Siem de Jong (collapsed lung) are both back in group training but will not be risked for the Magpies’ trip to Anfield. Defender Daryl Janmaat was expected to be passed fit after suffering a calf strain at Sunderland last weekend, but it seems he is now doubtful. United will once again have to do without suspended pair Papiss Cisse and Fabricio Coloccini. Leading scorer Cisse serves the fourth game of a seven-match suspension, while captain Coloccini sits out the final game of his three-match ban.
Howay the Lads
Liverpool Mignolet, Johnson, Can, Lovren, Moreno, Allen, Lucas, Henderson, Ibe, Coutinho, Sterling
Subs Jones, Toure, Lambert, Manquillo, Borini, Brannagan, Markovic
Newcastle United Krul, R.Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback, Anita, Abeid, Sissoko, Cabella, Obertan, Perez.
Subs Elliot, Sterry, Gouffran, Gutierrez, Ameobi, Armstong, Riviere.
Dave , to be truly effective there would have to be a sustained boycott, but if sunday is successful it’ll be a start.
kimtoon(Quote)
Never in the history of St James Park, Super Mac, Shearer, Hughie Gallagher, Les Fernand, Shearer, Tino, Beardo, Gazza ,Waddle, Milburn, Keegan, Bobby Shinton number 9 have I seen such an important moment in our history to make a stand. Did I mention Shearer twice?
Why do I think such a thing? Because in the past, NUFC fans have always been there but never in time has there been such an audience.
For decades the Toon fans have had the same passion for the club as they do now. It’s only in the past 20 yrs since the introduction of the premier league that it’s come apparent that NUFC have some of the loyalist fans in world football. TV now highlights our plight more than ever.
Tomorrow, is D Day for me. Throughout recent history of NUFC there has never been a successful era in in terms of dominating the league and cup compared to the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
We all know that our club has potential far beyond that we are currently reaching and the vast majority of fans are now questioning whether to stay loyal in terms of attending games
Will a boycott work? Short term? Long term?
Who knows, but for me, I really believe a half empty stadium at the back drop of Sports Direct advertisements will be far more effective than a full stadium singing “Ashley get out of our club”
Pissed like but bring it on.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
There’s nowt wrong with the blog
Its as Big Dave says, nowt to get excited about these days.
We just go over and over the same points really.
The football is ****, if not worse than that.
The players are nearly all sub standard for this level of football.
The coaching team are making zero progress.
The club is rotten to the core
Fans have no heros to sing about and even less hope for the future.
never felt so disconnected before.
🙁
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Been saying it for years Troy, but I still don’t think it will happen.
40k + on sunday will be a failure.
Beggars belief, it really does.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
nice to see a sensible comment from you for a change 😉
you need to get pissed more often 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Troy spot on 😉
BB I would want there to be less but even at 40k its a good start
Big Dave(Quote)
I’ve been on this blog for years. It’s had peaks and troughs throughout. It’s still here without any input fro. The blog master Toonsy.
I don’t see it being ant different now to anytime since it was created.
What I have noticed over time are bloggers who love to criticise others and the blog yet contribute little themselves.
Life will always produce the people who are positive, negative or indifferent and the blog should reflect that generally.
I can say, in my experience in life, being 47 yrs old, that those who criticise others without backing up their opinions with rationale, but choose to swear and use degrading remarks are normally those who criticise the blog.
Have a think to yourselves and those that contribute the most and have done so for years including the times when the blog was booming. I know that the same bloggers that sometimes get criticised for spoiling the blog were present throughout.
It’s those that criticise have never been there throughout but choose to occasionally post, criticise and then disappear again.
Anyway, what was I saying. Had a canny drink like leek like.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Betsy
You just hate me cos I remind you repeatedly of your infamous quote, ” Pardew is our of his depth as a premier league manager”.
I love rubbing it in. You must regret your statement? Yes/No?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy your on fire tonight like 😉 but yeah there is some that will run the blog down, but for me there is several that are always present and always contribute and they are the ones that make it all worthwhile coming on to the blog. As for the ones that get criticised for stopping others coming on I have noticed that its usually when they are on creating debate that the blog gets busy but when they’re not on it gets quieter on here 😉
Oh and enjoy your drink leek
Big Dave(Quote)
A little late with the Fantasy League update – must ave had something to hide. And I should think I did. Losing to the surrender monkeys! Again! Thankfully everybody else lost as well.
So with 3 games to go, the championship may well rest on the final game of the season, when the two top sides pay each other. Don’t boycott that one.
As for the jockeying for minor places to play in the cup, the only change is the emergence of Natalie Sawyer No1 into a threatening position for the top 8. And those 10th to 12th still have a chance if things fall their way, but it’s an outside bet.
1 Stripes and no stars 75
2 Solano’s Trumpet 72
3 Haven’t Got a Kalou 61
4 Newbriscastle Roar 55
5 WHY SO SERIOUS ? 54
6 Inter Yasista 54
7 Newkie’s Ale Stars 54
8 Niknak Utd 53
9 Natalie Sawyer No.1 51
10 Moveover Rovers 49
11 Joshua 48
12 WaWa Toures 48
brisvegas(Quote)
Blogs ok, NUFC are just ***** and sucking the life out of everything to do with our passion.
Stuart79(Quote)
Has the blog gone down hill? I have to say I don’t find it as interesting as I used to. And I don’t think that has anything to do with the parlous state of the club – it hasn’t stopped me reading other media or reduced my appetite for the game.
For me, the standard of comment is far lower than it used to be. The level of discussion has sunk to lowest common denominator status. There are no new ideas and very little in the way of interesting persectives, and any sense of fun or alternative views are frowned upon or belittled by the few who dominate the comments.
Whereas before, those few were just part of the public noise of the bar room, since some of the more rational patrons don’t come any more, those few voices can clearly be heard now. And their constant whine drives me away.
That’s my opinion anyway.
brisvegas(Quote)
As for the game, as always I’m looking forward to it. Pity I’ll miss it due to the boycott. 😆
I’ll just have to come on here and follow the comments.Can’t wait to see those who don’t care tell me about how much they hate watching the game.
On second thoughts…
brisvegas(Quote)
Agree with Vegas’ s assessment at 387, the bar room analogy is spot on.. the delusional post at 382 pretty much tells you all you need to know.. 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
John Carver thinks he has the hardest job in football, bless him. What has he done to deserve this job? We have 11 goals in his 14 games. 6 goals against Hull and Burnley meaning only 5 in the other 12. As a supporter are we supposed to think he is doing a good job regardless of the hand he has been dealt or “tools” he has at his disposal? These are his words and are a major change from what he said in January. Yes we have had injuries and suspensions, but we also let Santon and the Rangers 5 go. He cant have it both ways.
His latest comments where he says he can’t understand a boycott are either lies or delusions. He asked his mate about it and was still none the wiser. Who is this mate and what matches has he been watching?
The sad fact is that Carver is not up to the job and never will be. I wish I could be more optimistic but when people like Big Dave say they can’t wait for the season to be over it has reached a very low point. I read Ed’s blog and The Chronicle comments and the reaction ranges from apathy to anger. These are obviously fans who take the time to read about and follow the team. The blogs and comments are a reflection of the general malaise and anger at all things NUFC so no wonder there is not much excitement or anything new being written. The team is in decline and in a rut with mistrust of everyone in power at NUFC. This and the other blogs are a reflection of that.
Carver tries to portray himself as “honest John”, the fan, the everyman. Have we seen anything other than the lackey, the stooge the new puppet?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Troy: you are still dwelling on Pardew? He will go on one of his death spirals at Palace, give him time. He will remake the team in his own image – a marginally talented journeyman. We are well rid because he had us playing awful football. We did not choose his replacement so your argument of be careful what you wish for doesn’t wash.
I see one bookie has McClaren as 1/20 to be our next manager. The bookies are rarely wrong when they are that certain. I am at the point where McClaren would be acceptable, there aren’t that many realistic alternatives as most now know that Ashley is running the club like one of his tat shops.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
At the risk of boring everyone to death with another reference to the latest accounts, I’ll just quickly mention that I’ve managed to work out why there was a discrepancy between the cash at bank figure that was being quoted in the press and the figure that was actually reported in the club’s accounts.
If you remember, this is how it was reported in the media:
“But the full accounts registered with Companies House this week show £38.6m was transferred into Newcastle’s bank account as a cash-flow sum – paying off a £4.5m overdraft and leaving £34.1m available.”
The trouble with that statement is that it’s completely wrong because the bank overdraft at the beginning of the year wasn’t £4.5m – it was £16m. (If anybody else has a copy of the accounts available you’ll find the bank overdraft figure of £16,036 included in note 14 to the accounts as part of the total for Creditors: amounts falling due within one year).
So the corrected cash flow statement becomes:
– 16.0 Overdraft b/fwd + 38.6 positive cash flow = 22.6 balance at year end
and it’s this figure (£22,534 to be precise) which is correctly shown on the balance sheet.
The £34.1m figure which was being reported everywhere earlier in the week was just the product of some halfwit who didn’t know what he was doing. Unfortunately it got picked up by a lot of lazy journalists (and all the usual copy and paste merchants like Ed Harrison) who took it all at face value and couldn’t be arsed to check whether or not the figures were correct.
Chris G(Quote)
Thanks Chris G 😛
So how much money have we ACTUALLY got then ?
Can we compete with any other PL club yet ?
😕
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
That’s interesting, Chris – not necessarily about the money, but that we have somebody on the blog who actually deals in facts. It’s refreshing to see.
It confirms again that media outlets are full of **** and shouldn’t be trusted. I’ve never really understood why it is that so many people still take at face value what they read in news media.
Looking at the positive side, let’s hope that the cash is used to give the squad a facelift and a creative decision is made about the coach.
brisvegas(Quote)
@Eric
you would accept McClaren? 😮 then we should of kept Pardew. I’d say SM is worse. total draw specialist who has struggled getting his team up this season
Gashley(Quote)
Gashley: McClaren actually won stuff, and a lot of it as a coach under Ferguson. He has been hit or miss but got a league cup and Eefa cup final with Boro and a League title with Twente. Pardew’s won nowt and done little. McClaren wouldn’t be my first choice but the Fat man has partially achieved his objective where I am concerned by having me lower my sights for manager and think anybody will be better than the last two. More so to do with Pardew’s personality than his average results.
A word on averages and Pardew though. We all know Pardew goes on the streaky winning runs and then his death spirals. On average it looks like he is doing OK with points etc. However, this hides a lot. Imagine a town that is 50 degrees for 6 month and 50 below for 6 months. The average is 0 degrees but you would have to suffer most of the time or be deed. That’s the way Pardew was for me, the average points gained hid the extremes (and he played **** football).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
thats better 😆
i really hope theres a good turn out for the boycott tomorrow,but i can see this being a total let down,we have been here before,toon fans dont really do protests.
hitman(Quote)
Chris G: so only the 40 mil profit then 🙂 22+18. You would expect we made close to that this year as well since the overdraft is now wiped out and the accounts close soon. There is definitely a war chest for summer spending if the fat man chooses – close to 80 mil I would guess and that doesn’t even include the projected increase in TV revenue coming up.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
i agree with the troll boy 😯
its d-day tomoz,if its a half arsed protest and boycott,then there needs to be a total end to all the unrest,no more anti ashley chants no more banners nothing.the media world are watching if its a total let down it will show the world that there is just a few moaners,and the vast majority support ashley and the way he runs the club.
hitman(Quote)
Hitman @399: I think you are confusing apathy and support. I would say it would show the vast majority have been beaten into submission with no hope of change, realising that Fatty can do whatever the **** he wants with his/our club.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Got to love the two miserable souls Huffstar and Bluffstar.
The two of them do nothing but whine about others and play the victims.
My point at 382 (though written when hammered last night) sums up the pair of them.
NITHOB
(Never In The History Of Blogs)
Troy Stavers(Quote)
hitman – I’ve done a straw poll at work this week of quite a few of the lads n lasses that are still ST holders and none of them are boycotting.
That’s NONE of at least a dozen.
The one’s that support the boycott are those of us who have already stopped going.
I think it is doomed to fail.
Boots(Quote)
Huff Snr, why are you getting so worked up mate? How someone get so wound up by someone they have never met is beyond me!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
i really hope the boycotts a success i really do.there was loads of support for previous protests but when match day comes they tend to fizzle out.
hitman(Quote)
Hitman: but it isn’t a case of ‘if you aren’t with us, you’re agin us’.
I doubt whether anybody supports Ashley and the way is running the club. At best, as far as I’ve seen, is that people might think they can see the logic in having the club run itself without resorting to debt. And some have remarked on the futility of trying to break into the top six. I can see the logic in bringing financial stability to the club and building a ‘war chest’ for an aggressive dip into the transfer market.
But I’m not sure if anybody is confident that anything exciting will done with the money. Though, we all know that Ashley has an aggressive streak in him in his business dealings. The thing is, nobody knows what’s going on in Ashley’s head (despite what the psychics on here say)… but I’m getting off the point now.
As for going to games … people like their football. Win or lose, they’ll go. It’s been happening for as long as I’ve been alive, whether its been during relegation or dithering around mid-division 2.
I personally think that anyone who votes for a politician is crazy, but people do it in droves at every election. I don’t think that means they think all politicians are fine upstanding citizens with the people’s best interests at heart.
Same principle applies to Ashley. Going to the game doesn’t mean you support him.
I can well agree that it’s frustrating that people don’t act in solidarity at times like this, but such has been the case throughout history.
Anyway, off now to see the Roar get a pounding from Melbourne Victory. At least we will still make the finals now that the cheats from the west have been outed.
brisvegas(Quote)
theres a few pubs in town giving away free pints to st holders who boycott the match,if you plan ya route you can have a canny **** up for nowt 😀
hitman(Quote)
Haha. 😆
Huffstar 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Hitman
Is that true?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
aye from what ive heard,theres about a dozen pubs doing it,just show your st card and get a free pint.
hitman(Quote)
Hitman
Regarding your other comment. Just because those who choose to go to the game today doesn’t necessarily mean they are satisfied with the way Ashley runs the club.
The vast majority of people in life are apathetic about most things. They don’t rock boats, they conform, accept things readily no matter the product even though they really aren’t satisfied.
Huffstar and Bluffstar hate this blog but they keep returning. That’s life and people. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
well thats sad,there will never be change if you dont make a stand.
hitman(Quote)
We hate you Huff Snr, not the blog! 😆 😛
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Can see a lot of pissed season ticket holders tomorrow 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
And a lot of bar profits down 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Think we could get a draw tomorrow, gut feeling.
kimtoon(Quote)
I don’t think we will get another draw this season
Jay jay(Quote)
For me personally I find it incredible that people are even split on whether to go to the game. I don’t understand the rationale of people going tomorrow. The football is atrocious, boring and mind numbing. We are more than likely to lose and there’s a boycott on which makes it easier to swerve it. The other thing is that what has the supporters turning up every game achieved in the last year or two? We make no difference when we’re there as performances are pathetic.
Stuart79(Quote)
I stopped going halfway through last season
Jay jay(Quote)
Huffstar
You are obsessed with me. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Stuart79 the only rational reason I can think of is that people actually fear getting on the wrong side of Mike Ashley.
Terry(Quote)
I’d really like to take a look at Harry Kane, does anyone know where I can pick up a ticket for the game today ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Carver getting the job permanently is a recipe for disaster. Is Ashley actually that stupid ?
Terry(Quote)
I see the FC Bayern medical staff have resigned en-bloc because Pep spat his dummy out and sent Thiago back to Barca to have his new injury evaluated (he’s just spent over 12 months out injured and apparently his career is now in jeapordy)……
http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/bayern-munich-injuries
Seems like injuries are part and parcel of the game, though even with the best docs money and FC Bayern can buy the injuries are obviously not avoidable…I wonder if the legend Pep has questioned his own training methods ?
Love the vid of him seemingly taunting his medical staff on the bench… 😯 injuries………. hmmmmm a familiar problem ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
http://bit.ly/1Q0EZPJ
Only 70?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – I went to my first match mid 80’s when we were down the bottom of the old first division. The football was worse then and our cup runs were equally as awful, but there was still on average of around 25k turning up. I know it’s different times and different circumstances, but it just shows that there are a lot of Newcastle fans with almost a blind loyalty and have for decades.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stu, Great stuff@424 link
kimtoon(Quote)
http://www.themag.co.uk/2015/04/mike-ashley-uses-players-in-shameless-pr-stunt-to-fight-boycott/
kimtoon(Quote)
But back then, Sharpy there was the odd relegation fight and odd promotion charge which excited people. Now it’s just complete and utter mediocrity with no chance of any hope of competing for something.
Stuart79(Quote)
Why can’t this happen again?
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/nufc-boardroom-revolution-aimed-putting-9057749
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
hahaha class.
http://i.imgur.com/QOyH1s5.png
hitman(Quote)
Eric @390 – do you have any compassion for Carver at all?. I certainly feel sorry for the bloke a bit coz I think at the moment he’s flogging a stable full of dead horses at the moment. I hear what you’re saying about what has he done to deserve the job, but in reality, if you were in his position – would you have said no?.
He’s had no support from upstairs and was hung out for about a month before the board appointed him, and ever since the talk has been of who takes charge next season.
When he took the team over we already a healthy about of points and I for one don’t believe he has had the players 100% focus and effort. I think some of that has been the players being disheartened at seeing the likes of MYM and Santon leave without being replaced. Add to that injuries & suspensions to an already small squad and he hasn’t had a team to pick really.
There’s been a focus on Ashley’s antics with Rangers, the treatment of Jonas and now the accounts.
I don’t believe JC is the man who can take the club past where Pardew had us – I’m not sure who would under this regimes mentality. But I can understand why JC believes he’s in the hardest job in football at the moment.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Really hope this boycott is a turning point for this club, enough is enough. This said hope we beat Spurs, they are nothing special in my opinion to fear about. And hope we’ll go for that lineup:
——————-Krul————–
–Janmaat-Willo-Colo-Anita—-
————Abeid-Colback———–
–Ameobi——Arma———Jonas
—————–Ayoze—————–
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Munich Mag- Pep is overrated and I see him go to City next season.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Next season, I want Charlie Austin, Matt Phillips and Papiss Djilobodji with Darlow Lascelles coming, I also want Vuckic back straight into first team, not reserve anymore, deserves the right to prove his value. Kemen, Smith into 1st team with Arma Aarons Roberts, get rid of Sissoko Tioté Krul Anita but more importantly, get rid of Gouffran Obertan Willo and Riviere. Build around Janmaat(number 2?) Colback(number 4?) , Ayoze(Number 7?)
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
New deals for Sammy Abeid Aarons. Cabella to deliver or Id get rid too.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Doesn’t the finances of the club make a complete mockery of the stringent, rigid and down right neglectful transfer strategy.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – there was also an atmosphere mate. The fans turned up and for 90mins sang their hearts out. But there’s every likelihood that those 25k are still going now and haven’t missed a home game in the last 30yrs – there’s a pride in that, and some fans may feel like they don’t want this fat **** putting a dent in their own unblemished support. It’s not a mentality I can relate to, but I’ve known lads still go to the match on the day their children have been born – it’s like an obsession.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Boots – out of interest mate, of the people you spoke to, what were their reasons for still going?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY – If our attemdances drop to 25,000 Ashley won’t last long.
Stuart79(Quote)
Leicester could finish above us at this rate
Stuart79(Quote)
Mine match won’t make much of a difference, Ashley knows supporters will come back.
Jay jay(Quote)
One match*
Jay jay(Quote)
Baggies about to leap frog us and Leicester winning and heading for 28 points.
kimtoon(Quote)
Only 7 points off the bottom 3 as things stand and we have to play both QPR and Leicester away. God I hope Jabba is shitting himself!
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, I predicted 16th at start of season and right now that’s looking optimistic 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Leicester are not only winning they’re creating chance after chance, just not taking them. In fact they’ve been doing that all season… Now they are having an upturn…talk about timing 🙂
Hull, Sunderland and the Toon are on a downward spiral energy and luck wise….3 showers, though Hull have had a horrendous injury record…and have a horrendous run in. I reckon Hull will get sucked in there, we need to start picking up points pdq…avoid defeat tomorrow at all costs, even with a makeshift side. 1 point is an absolute must, and should be possible…
Munich Mag(Quote)
good vid half way down the page. predicting relegation. we don’t feature but it gets close if we don’t pick up points soon
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/9809480/john-carver-says-he-is-up-to-the-job-at-newcastle-despite-defeats
Gashley(Quote)
definitely think 2 points will see us safe. @Home v West Ham, W Brom or Swans should do for us.
Quite excited about the protests tomorrow, having been this excited about a toon game for yonks 😛
I really hope we show we’re sick, I have my doubts like but the media and country are watching and waiting. I’d be quite embarrassed if we don’t follow it through. Other fans must think we’re thick as pig **** for happy-clapping this dross.
Gashley(Quote)
Leicester 2-0
Gashley(Quote)
Leicester a lesson to all clubs in future relegation fights that it’s not over till it’s over, 3 out of 3 wins on the trot now and who would deny them survival.
kimtoon(Quote)