Welcome one and all to this ‘Game On’ article which will take us through the highs and lows as we play host to Spurs in this evenings Premier league game (4pm kick-off), Newcastle United will be looking to end their five-game losing run.
A win for the Magpies would see them register their first double of the season in what will be their 400th Premier League home fixture.
United go into the fixture on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, while Spurs also lost last time out – going down 1-0 at home to strugglers Aston Villa. But most of the talk this week has been focused on the #BoycottSpurs campaign which I really hope is a success but fear it will be a bit of a damp squib. I could go on and quote Carver etc trying to get fans to stop the boycott, and as he says support the team but I am sure everyone has read all the stuff about it.But apart from that he has been talking ahead of the game saying, “I’m not bothered about performance – we need results. By hook or by crook we have to get some results. This weekend is important for the team and the Club and getting the right result, and I’m giving every single ounce to try and get that. We know that Tottenham haven’t been on the best run lately and they haven’t been scoring too many goals. Harry Kane, however, has been outstanding this season and I think he fully deserved to get into the England team. It’s great to see such a good, young English talent doing well.”
TEAM NEWS
Newcastle our so called Captain Fabricio Coloccini returns to the squad having completed a three-game suspension, and according to the Club could be joined by Siem de Jong, who came through 45 minutes for the under-21s on Wednesday night. De Jong had been ruled out since February by a collapsed lung ( but I suspect the club have said that to try to give the fans a reason not to boycott ). Winger Rolando Aarons is fit but unlikely to be risked against Spurs. Moussa Sissoko starts a two-match ban following his red card at Liverpool, while Papiss Cisse serves the fifth game of his seven-match suspension. Massadio Haidara (knee), Paul Dummett (knee), Cheick Tiote (knee) and Steven Taylor (Achilles) all remain sidelined.
Tottenham Full-back Kyle Walker is expected to miss out with an ankle injury, but Spurs could be boosted by the return of influential goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and defender Jan Vertonghen after a knee injury and illness respectively.
Howay the Lads
Newcastle united Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini (c), Williamson, Anita; Abeid, R.Taylor, Colback; Gouffran, Perez, Cabella.
Subs Woodman, Sterry, Kemen, Obertan, Ameobi, Armstrong, Riviere
Tottenham Vorm, Dier, Fazio, Vertonghen (c), Rose; Bentaleb, Paulinho, Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane
Subs Friedel, Davies, Yedlin, Dembele, Mason, Townsend, Soldado
MDS – I don’t mean their plans as in the regimes plans. But a total change to how Pardew had things set up. The main draw back from that though is that they have Carver & Stone on 8yr deals so unless they are getting rid of them (which I don’t see), then things can only change so much.
Hopefully one thing McClaren come bring is success in progressing youth through to the first team. He did it well at Boro, and has had quite a young squad at Derby.
Gashley – with no potential buyer on the horizon, hope & optimism is all we have.
Get Ashley Out! is all well and good – but if there’s nobody to buy him out then it simply isn’t going to happen – even if he puts the club up for sale, it needs a buyer.
I’ve watched Derby a few times since McClaren became the front runner, and they are well organised and play with a lot of energy – but there are obviously better teams in the championship, and if they still had Bamford instead of Boro then I think they’d be pushing for automatic promotion.
He wouldn’t be my first choice but I’d take him over JC, and they’ve appointed worse let’s not forget.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy @ 295 you think the Rangers 5 went there to get game time even though 3 of them had longterm injuries meaning they would struggle to be fit before the end of the season. 1 had an illness that meant he couldnt play in the SPL.
IMO they were sent to Gers to try to strengthen Jabba’s hand at the Gers nowt to do with game time
Big Dave(Quote)
We were handed a gift from the gods when someone actually paid us to take Pardew’s horrid contract off our hands. Hiring McClaren would be a huge opportunity wasted IMO
MDS(Quote)
MDS: Klopp would be a good head coach if you ask me. Him alone would attract better player’s.
Terry(Quote)
Knowing our luck it will be Joe Kinnear out of the blue again.
Terry(Quote)
CC @ 300 you say Pards should have realised ❓ he has allready came out and said a couple of weeks ago that he got frustrated at the fact he had asked several times for a set piece specialist but never got one, so that would say to me that he realised that it was a problem 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave – but then your theory doesn’t work either coz how’s sending 5 crocked players going to strengthen his position. I’m not saying I’m right, I’m just still trying to make sense of that move. Did Ashley even know they were crocked?! – it just doesn’t make sense, but Vukic has done well from it, which is one good thing.
MDS – I was just about to say we have to be realistic about who could come in, then Terry mentions Klopp 😆
I would love Rafa to come in, but it simply isn’t going to happen.
The top managers want to be in CL/Europe and to achieve that in England would simply cost NUFC far too much money to try to mix it with Chelsea, City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs – even Lpool & Spurs are regular outsiders for those top 4 spots.
It’s something I totally agree with Troy on, in that whichever manager comes in will be no better than Pardew – in terms of league positions. They may play football that is easier on the eye, and they may not be as arrogant. But I don’t see anyone coming in and taking us into the mix for 5th or 6th place.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Terry can’t really see us getting Klopp mate. He’ll have better options than us
MDS(Quote)
If Manuel Pel doesn’t get 4th spot I see City sacking him – Rafa will end up there and Klopp at Napoli I reckon, or Klopp could go to Arsenal if Wenger decides to hang up his bench coach.
West Ham will be an interesting one too I think. They have hardly hung their hat on fat Sam and I don’t see Moyes going there – who else?. Gus Poyet is a strong possibility, which would be hilarious, or it could be a return for Arry.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So I’ve just read the report that De Jong & Armstrong had a good run out for the U21 – with Armaz bagging a brace and De Jong playing 75mins – and both were very good by all accounts.
So, do we start with them against Swansea or do we start them on the bench?
Sharpy17(Quote)
MDS: Klopp getting the job would be a very ambitious move for Ashley imo. He would have to pay the going rate of course. Somewhere in the region of 60 grand a week.
Terry(Quote)
I think a manager should get paid more than the player’s but I’m old fashioned I guess.
Terry(Quote)
It will probably be someone on the rock and roll knowing Ashley.
Terry(Quote)
Sharpy they were sent to gers with no medical because Lambastad ok’ed , but they did arrive with injuries that our club knew about, its been widely been reported on.
As for Vuckic yeah he has done well but it is the 2nd teir in Scotland I really dont believe he is a Prem player, but then we have some players in our 1st team that arn’t prem standard.
I would say the fact that they were of our wage bill plus the fact if the Gers do get promoted they have to pay us £500k .
But at the time the players were sent there there was a lot of media in Scotland that were trying to big Jabba up for loaning them the players
Big Dave(Quote)
Terry @ 312 I have often thought the same, as after all the manager should be the most important player at the club. But with the money in the EPL it wouldn’t really work
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave
Well hes changed his tune then because i remember him doing an interview blaming it on a lack of 6″4 players 🙄
Regardless of the club not bringing a set piece specialist in, He had Cabaye, Marveaux, Ryan Taylor, Guthrie & Ben Arfa players who could strike a ball as well as them couldnt take a corner ?
CC(Quote)
I’m not taking anything away from Pardews success at Palace, but I do think he’s benefiting from the foundations Pullis laid when it comes to defence and set plays.
It’s the 2 aspects of the game that Pullis is very good at – particularly organising faltering defences. He makes his teams hard to beat and sees corners & freekicks (long throw ins at one stage) as a good opportunity to nick a goal.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Like when he kept Barton wide right after he’d wormed his way in Hughtons job 😉
CC(Quote)
Sharpy @ 295 and 297 Goodonya, mate. I like a person that tries to find an alternative narrative, one that makes as much sense as the anti-Ashley bandwagon.
In my opinion (and experience), the majority is nearly always wrong. Well, maybe not wrong, but certainly easily taken in.
The world needs independent thinkers.
brisvegas(Quote)
Bris – I fully expect it to be very independent mate 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Psychs @258
I’m not defending Carver as a manager. I’m just he has no real managerial record to speak of.
14 games at a struggling club?
It’s not as if you didn’t say the same things about Pardew and he’s making you look delusional now.
😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Sharpy – Why didn’t Warnock benefit from Pulis’ legacy?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – coz he was **** 😆 he was too busy pinching himself that he was managing in the PL.
Pardew has been able to focus on getting his attack right because the defensive side of things were in place thanks to Pullis.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well I’ve heard it all now., Sharpy. Maybe Palace should give Pulis Pardews win bonuses for this season too?
Anyway, next season will show what he is really made of I suppose. Interesting also to see if a new manager comes in next season how he copes under Jabba and his constraints. Although the healthy bank balance will put the next manager in a position that Pardew was never in.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – if only I had started my post with ‘I’m taking nothing away from Pardews success at Palace’ 🙄
Like any manager going in at a new club, they inherit the good & the bad left by the previous manager.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Jocelyn Gourvennec has apparently been spotted in Newcastle talking to Lee Charnley according to twitter. It’s probably not true.
Terry(Quote)
I looked him up on wiki and it says current team Newcastle United. Guingamp manager.
Terry(Quote)
I think we’ve signed him already. Very odd it says current team Newcastle United when it’s not official.
Terry(Quote)
Terry, please calm down…. a self confessed, legend/visionary with inate powers of esp on this here blog has predicted that Carver is our new manager!!
So please dismiss any of these silly rumours! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Troysta @321: I made and make the same arguments about Pardew and Carver because they were part of the same mis-management team for 4 years and are both ****. There is an eerie similarity between last years run-in and now. Is this a coincidence or is it **** mismanaging of an admittedly threadbare squad (Pardew’s partly by choice, by the way)?
Pardew’s record over a few games means nothing. He has shown in the past that he can go on these runs until the death spiral kicks in when he gets his ideas over fully and remakes the team in his own image. If Pardew has any SUSTAINED success at Palace it will be a first.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
after watching the same insipid set pieces for the past 4 years, it can only be concluded that Pardew and Carver are both ****! We have never had a descernible style of play. We have had no flair/style or a nice passing game. We have been playing bog standard basic old school british football and it has been dross for the most part… god I hope we get a tactical coach that can empower the guys to play some entertaining football…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
The report in The Chronicle that our wages in 13/14 were 7th in the premier league is interesting. It does show that Ashley is willing to spend in this regard but the net transfer spend shows his gamblers nature. Now, in the past year he has started to amend this policy and get rid of some of the high earners, some of whom turned out to be crocks, mavericks (ben Arfa) and underachievers. Sometimes the low transfer fees were justified it seems. Maybe it is time for Ed to take down the ad for the “In Carr we Trust” t-shirt? I wonder how many of them have sold recently?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Er… Just checked the Ed Blog and he HAS taken down the “In Carr we Trust” t-shirt ad 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, how can any of this be Carrs fault? He has probably supplied the names of a lot of top footballers and then had the club ask for the “B” list of palyers becasue they are cheaper! It is hard to blame him when you don’t know if they are his first choice or not. Christ they could be his last choices and the club has failed to meet any of the prices for the prime candidates..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
AMF: I am not saying it is Carr’s fault. I am making fun of the fact that he was lauded as some super-scout when his record shows he is a bit above average fishing in an average pond (French and Dutch Leagues). If he made recommendations that were not followed then maybe his record would be better as it would be if some of the players were coached a bit better, had better medical treatment, played in their proper positions and not ostracized from the team. It is a club wide problem and Carr is probably part of it. All in all I think he has done a decent job under Ashley’s bargain bin constraints, just not enough to warrant the t-shirt 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
from the bullshit stirring Chron
“John Carver and Steve McClaren the only realistic contenders for Newcastle United job”
It wouldnt surprise me if it was true. from 60+candidates to JD or SM 😆
what a f**king joke we are. Shame MA or LC havent come out and spoke since the protests, as always they just ignore all the fuss.
Gashley(Quote)
Terry – I saw that rumour too mate. He’s probably more likely than Garde now, but to be honest I’m not sure. He’s done fantastic in France, but that’s his first managerial post so he’s very inexperienced.
I think McClaren would be a better option personally, because I think the Newcastle job needs someone who knows what they are doing. I think he’d handle the difficult times better.
Sharpy17(Quote)
As Carver says “I’m not a miracle worker.” The squad is not fit for purpose and I honestly don’t think anybody could produce positive results over a short or medium term period. When a PL club is left with one serious striker and only 2 fit defemders (then why not sell two defenders in January!) it’s gross negligence and I feel sorry for any manager/coach who has to put up with that.
Prime example of value over the needs of the squad.
Saddest indictment of the last week or so is that this is a company where it is more important to turn a profit than to have a good football team. Staggering for a football club that!
What’s the real point in making big profits of they’re not to be invested in making the team better? Is he really priming it to sell?
Stuart79(Quote)
Just looking at the papertalk this morning and their saying that Spurs are having a good clear out too, with as many as 9 players leaving. The players on the list shows the gulf between us & them, as all 9 players would walk into our first team I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So as we suspected, only Carver and McLaren in the running for the job. Can anyone tell me which other club on earth would entertain the thought of employing a manager that has won only 2 of 15 games during their ‘job interview’? Doesn’t it say everything about the club. If Carver gets it, and I still think he’s the favourite I really can’t see too many people renewing tickets at all.
Stuart79(Quote)
Papers are winding the gullible Toon fans up again I see 😆 the rest take it with a pinch of salt! 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
The reality is that JC and SS are highly likely to still be at NUFC in some capacity next season as they are on 8yr contracts. Should they be paid off – yes, will they be? – probably not. So any new man coming in will have to work with them in whatever role they take up – McClaren is probably going to be more agreeable to that than other possible candidate.
Carver getting the job permanently is the papers working themselves I reckon. Whilst it is a very slim possibility, it’s highly unlikely based on his poor points return so far.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – Papers don’t just make stories up. Someone somewhere will be briefing them about the situation. Mclarens name hadnt just been plucked out of the air and Carver is the one the club would love to appoint. History shows us that.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – you truly are the David Starky of the blog when it comes to history mate 😆
I fully expect McClaren to be appointed, but if for some reason he’s not, then the papers have to have offer alternatives just incase – so who?. Well the French lads are outsiders, but the fact Carver is there doing the job now and has an 8yr contract with the club, makes him safe for the papers to suggest.
It won’t happen though because Ashley’s minimum requirement is 10th and Carver won’t deliver that – the club know that by now based on what they have seen of his time in charge.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Papers don’t just make things up 😆 😆
They do make lots of stuff up, its not reporting, its commentary… no facts, all opinion!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Amazing that there are only a handful of libel cases per year considering Aussie things Papers make things up all the time.
I just don’t think you quite grasp what actually happens in the press with regards to briefings ect…
I’m thinking of booking a two week holiday in Aussies head as it must be the most tranquil and spacious environment on earth.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart – that thing about Aussie’s head. Funniest thing you’ve ever said.
Aussie – ignore Stuart – he’s not even funny. Seriously mate it’s nice to see you’re back on and making some decent comments instead of trying to bite troys wind ups.
georgio(Quote)
😯
hitman(Quote)
Of course they make things up, They save their backsides by quoting imaginary “sources” or “insiders”
CC(Quote)
I just need to go to a sewerage plant, if I want to get an idea as to what is Stuarts head! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Papers don’t make things up? 😯
Here’s one guy who disagrees with you: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-scientific-fundamentalist/201001/british-newspapers-make-things
brisvegas(Quote)
Anyway, I guess we will see if they’ve been making it up or not in a few weeks. It would be an amazing bit of guess work for them to narrow it down to two possibilities out of 92 managers.
Stuart79(Quote)
Maybe they are just guessing because they don’t feckin know! Wow, I never took you to be that stupid! 😕
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
It’s like trying to debate with a gargoyle interacting with Antipedians.
Stuart79(Quote)
Boring bitching 🙄
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sorry for spoiling all the rapid fire craic Sharpy! 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Sounds similar to craic, that’s true.
Stuart79(Quote)
Jocelyn Gourvennec has won the french version of the F.A cup twice for Guincamp and my moneys on him taking over. Why would it say current team on wiki as Newcastle United when his not here yet ? He probably was given an emergency meeting with Lee and spoke to a few players.
Terry(Quote)
I hope he does get the job not Carver. Sorry Troy
Terry(Quote)
I think you have been talking to Grant Shapps too much about the Wiki entry… 🙂
Stuart79(Quote)
Terry you do realise that you or I could go on to wiki and edit it to say that the Special One is manager of the Toon ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
No Dave. I wasn’t sure who Jocelyn Gourvennec was mate so I went on wiki last night to see what his managerial record was like. It said on there current team Newcastle which isn’t true.
Terry(Quote)
Most of the ***** on wiki about NUFC is written by by Mackem wind up merchants Terry
Jay jay(Quote)
Terry – I’m sure when Cabaye was still with us, he appeared on the Arsenal website as being in there squad mate. Not only was it inaccurate but as we know it never actually happened either, so I wouldn’t read too much into your Wiki findings unfortunately mate.
As for the fella your talking about though, he has an excellent record. Won the cup twice and 2 promotions in 3 years I think too. My only worry with him is that this is his first gig, and he’s only really experienced success there – something he won’t experience too much of at NUFC. How will he cope when the chips are down, or us fans get restless – coz it will happen.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So who’s the ****, Ryder or the guy who took the snap ❓ 😆
https://twitter.com/GoodfellowRoss/status/590582540781625344/photo/1
kimtoon(Quote)
We all know Ryder is a ****, the bloke in the pic looks like the manager from Percy arms 😯
Jay jay(Quote)
Jocelyn was going to be at the game, but he chose to boycott instead 😛
Sharpy17(Quote)
Carver and mclaren talk just makes me depressed
Jay jay(Quote)
JayJay 😆 He’d probably do a better job than Carver is at the mo 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy@367, I see you had your wit-a-bix today 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
We need an intelligent owner. How many mistakes is one man allowed to make? Ashley has done nothing but screw up since he bought the club. The one good season we had frightened him to death. Be forced to spend money to produce a decent squad? Never! He is a fool but a sly fool. Don’t believe anything the regime says this summer.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Last 5 games: Swansea (h), Leicester (a), West Brom (h), QPR (a), QPR (a), West Ham (h). How many points? I see2 maximum. Draws against West Brom and QPR. But it could easily be 5 more losses. Does anyone really want to start this again next season? Ashley out. – See more at: http://www.nufcblog.com/2015/04/22/carvers-leadership-skills-put-to-the-test-and-hes-struggling/#comment-1450538
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Those sneaky beggars have found a way to attach a link to my post. That won’t happen again. 👿
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Let’s look at our results from the beginning of the 2013/2014 season to the present: 24W, 12D, 35L!!!! Goal difference: -36!!! If we go back a further season: 35W, 20D, 54L!!! Goal difference:-59!!! All those stats will be worse by the end of the season. In all probability we will have lost at least 57 games in 3 seasons. And have a goal difference worse than -60. Is this a team that is improving under the owner? Are we even holding our own? Are we a mid table club under Ashley (the stated goal)? Ashley out.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
The damage has been done by Ashley. He’s not going to spend 60M in the summer to make us a half decent side if that’s what people are thinking. Forget it. The limit is probably 25M. And it will be cheap, youngish foreigners, many of whom will be like Riviere. Incapable of playing in the Prem. Stupid is as stupid does mates. And Ashley is football stupid.
GeordieTwo(Quote)