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
I think McClaren is a good coach, who could comfortably deliver the top 10 finish the board want. He isn’t going to take us to the next level, because (1) he won’t have the player and (2) the board don’t want to go to the next level. I think he would be a good person to develop our kids and maybe he will look to put the effort in with the cup games.
I won’t be overjoyed or blown away by his appointment, but I would be comfortable with it. Probably a bit like Troy was with Pardew.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Take a look at the form table by the way mates. One win in the last 10 matches. Five points out of a possible 30! Ashley out. You would be happy with keeping Ashley as owner then Sharpy mate? Bring in McLaren and just accept the status quo? More **** squads? More under-spending? Unbelievable. Harrumph!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Maclaren, Carver and Pardew are the level of coach the owner wants and we won’t get any better. Think we all need to face this fact now. So when it’s going badly, before you all start shouting for Carver or Maclaren’s head, just think who would replace them. It won’t get any better. Instead of crying for a manager to be sacked, just stop going.
Stuart79(Quote)
Boycott the ground until Ashley is gone!!!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Absolutely lovin the Aussie put downs. He’s seething. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I’ll say it again, 5 points from the last 30 available. 35 points from a possible 99. Pathetic and nothing will change with Ashley as owner. Wait for more lies this summer. More bollocks about a strong squad. More young, cheap imports. More fears of relegation next season. Boycott and force Ashley out.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
As much as a bellend he is, you’d think even Ashley would want things to be better than this, surely we won’t survive next season if we get through this one
Jay jay(Quote)
Jay Jay of course he doesn’t want to flirt with relegation. But he’s stubborn and as has been stated by Charnley and Llambiase before him they think their plan is the right one and don’t intend to stray from it.
MDS(Quote)
They think their grand plan is working because they are turning a profit, but at what real cost to the club is this profit? A drop in revenue on merchandising and a loss on advertising revenue but most important of all is the awful product they are peddling. This is a football club not a sports shop and cheap and cheerful won’t cut it in so far as players goes or the head coach for that matter. I mean what is this plan? Is it purely making money for SD with the football secondary? or does it involve selling the football team to the world alongside SD? If he wants a successful football team that fans enjoy watching then I’m afraid his great plan is a big fat fail; as it was when he took us down before. As for our profits which the club are so proud of, I would think most clubs could turn a profit if they never bought anyone and sold off their best players 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Jay Jay/MDS – Niall Quinn was excellent on SS the other night. He was basically saying that when Ashley took over the club was haemorrhaging money and Ashley had to be tight to get things on an even keel. But Quinn reckons that’s become a force of habit now and he needs to find the right balance.
We have to hope that all this negativity from the media & fans, coupled with the **** poor results on the pitch, makes Ashley try and find that balance – because there is no new owner waiting round the corner that I’m aware of.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, I don’t believe he would sell even if there were a buyer. His company and first love has seen profits soar since he’s been advertising through the club. There is a direct rise since the year he took control of us, I checked it out. Any interest on that bloody loan has been recouped ten fold with the huge increase in SD profits.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy I think I pretty much agree with that.
Kim I really don’t think their plan is profit in and of itself. I mean what would be the point of that unless he was paying himself a big dividend each year (which he hasn’t)?
I actually think they’ve been pretty clear with their plans. They just have gone about it poorly for the most part
MDS(Quote)
MDS. you’re not wrong there mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
I don’t want Maclaren. He seems to me to be too much like Pardew. Too much of a boring appointment- but a better option than Carver (isn’t anything?).
Now that French guy, that’s a different matter. That would be a great alternative. That shows some creativity, some attempt to move forward. I’m all in favour of that.
brisvegas(Quote)
Antipedian (@354)? Is that a person with encyclopedic knowledge of negativity? Or maybe it’s somebody who dislikes kids. Or somebody who is against walking. 😆 😆 😆
brisvegas(Quote)
Bris I’m with you. Obviously transfer business is whole different topic, but another proven way to punch above your weight in this league is to hire a smart, young, innovative, and technically astute manager. There are plenty of examples of that working. I’d view a McClaren hire as massive opportunity wasted.
MDS(Quote)
Sharpy @ 376 ” the board don’t want to go to the next level”
Whatever happened to the alternative narrative? Or have you joined the ranks of the psychics who know the minds of other people?
brisvegas(Quote)
MDS: We keep hearing about how Ashley brings in young players to sell at a profit. He should keep that policy going when he considers coaches.
brisvegas(Quote)
Kim – I really don’t think Ashley bought the club to make money, there was advertising to be had, but if it was all about making money then there are easier and far less griefy ways to do it.
This is a bloke who’s just invested £200m on land in Chelsea to build housing and make a return of £900m for example. He isn’t going to make £700m at SJP.
I think he probably would sell if the right offer came along. He’s a very private man, put he’s never out the papers as Newcastle owner. I think he’s probably about ready to cut and run by now. Mind that said, he was never going to have a quiet life owning Rangers either was he?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bris – I’m not aware of joining any ranks buddy. What have I said that’s upset like?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bris McClaren is the managerial equivalent of signing Emile Heskey
MDS(Quote)
Sharpy @ 395 It’s the ” the board don’t want to go to the next level”.
It seems to be at odds with your comment @ 295.Which is disappointing (not upsetting, though)
And you need to be a mind-reader to know what the board wants.
True that they’ve said their aim is top 10, but that’s only for now, whose to say what’s in their minds for the future? We don’t know what the long-term perspective that Charnley mentioned is.
The reality is that only those on the board know what the plan is, everything we say is speculation. Even this so-called knowing from history is bullshit as that knowing could be based on a false premise or even, as in some cases, determined by a desired conclusion..
You can have an opinion that might go along the lines of you think the board don’t want to go to the next level, but that is simply another opinion, dressing it up as a fact that you can make statements of truth about is my gripe.
It’s not just you, unfortunately it’s used all too often here. And it’s my main gripe with all that unfolds in these comments.
It’s a pity. I thought you were getting beyond that. I held out some hope for you. But maybe it was just a little aberration. Bandwagon thinking is an insidious thing and difficult to think beyond.
brisvegas(Quote)
Sorry for being a logic cop, I know rational thinking has no place on football blog. 😉
brisvegas(Quote)
Vegas, I think you are being a bit hard on Sharpy..he is one of the more level headed and sensible posters on here. I think you may be judging him by some of the company he keeps 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I agree, he is one of the better posters, that’s why I was so disappointed to see him resort to psychic arguments. 😉
brisvegas(Quote)
Walforf & Statler of the Blog Show. 😀
I remember at one time you used to have a go at Stuart for being miserable. Dear me. 😯
Have you taken a step back lately and looked at yourselves. 😆
The best of it is, you still call Stuart now. You are the most miserable people on here by a country mile. 😀
Absolutely love reading your posts though. The oracle’s of nowt. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
To be fair. The psychic thing going on here clearly doesn’t fit all. I mean, you tried it for years, believing in Ashley and the great future ahead. Refusing to join the Reality Train. Refused to accept the future was years of mediocrity. The sad thing is, the truth has come home to roost and you still hold out hope. 😀
Every blog show needs a Waldorf & Statler. 😀
Troy Stavers(Quote)
It’s time to put on makeup
It’s time to dress up right
It’s time to raise the curtain on the Blog Show tonight.
Why do we always come here
I guess we’ll never know
It’s like a kind of torture
To have to join the show
How apt. 😀
source:http://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/themuppetshowlyrics.html
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Bris – so I left out ‘seem to’ from my sentence – as in ‘the board don’t SEEM TO want to go to the next level.
I’m pleased that you acknowledge I’m not trying to mind read though and instead I’m going off what they have actually said – wanting to be a top 10 side. Something they scrapped to last season and won’t get close to this season. Are they really going to come out and say the aim is top 8 and a trip to Wembley in one of the cups having been nowhere near achieving their own goals set for this season?!. It would be like Rivière setting himself a target of 20 goals next season 😆
My alternative thinking is hope, based on how bad things have got. I still hope, but there is also a realistic expectation. Only time will tell 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
What an exciting future we have. Carver or McLaren.
And all those who screamed for Pardew to be sacked.
Haha. It makes me laugh. No wonder Ashley gets away with it. The Clueless Crew never quite catch on until it’s too late. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
So Bris doesn’t want Maclaren and didn’t want Pardew. Who does he want? Can he not understand yet that Ashley only gets cheap yes men. There’s no point telling us you don’t want this, that or the other when we all know Ashley’s Modus Operandi.
Stuart79(Quote)
Laughable, Troy, it really is. We warned them not to expect an improvement on Pardew but they wouldn’t listen. Same people were happy with the squad and the transfer business we have done. 🙄
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart
As far Huffstar goes, his reputation goes before him. Criticise him and he’s off. 😉
Begas just sits on the fence all day frightened to have an opinion of the future and criticises anyone who uses history and logic to second guess the future. 😉
They are a strange couple. I find them entertaining actually. The good thing with Huffstar is, you can still laugh at him when he goes awol on another hissy fit, cos you know he reads avidly every post to see if the threads are drying up in his absence.
It killed him when it flourished. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Of course it was good for Pardew to leave. Stu and Troy wanted this mediocre tripe for another 5years or more with Pardew 😯
think outside the box lads, 😉 youve just grasped by not going youre showing some frustration to Ashley. Others caught on 2 yrs ago 😛
Look whats happened since Pardew left.. all downhill, the **** has hit the fan..this is what I wanted, mass change, as much hatred thrown at Ashley as possible.
I want a Revolution, not bland Alan for 5 yrs
Gashley(Quote)
Wow, how many posts has Troy dedicated to me today! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Bit of a bromance going on there
Jay jay(Quote)
still banging on about percy 🙄
hitman(Quote)
Thrower?
Jay jay(Quote)
Flourished 😆 😆 i love how you all vowed to help out and left it to Kim and Big Dave… Just like your protests…all huff and no puff! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Dear me. 😛
The net is full of snappers this morning. 😆
Brett
You can fool many on here but not the blog wizards. We know you wanted Pards gone for a better manager. All this is doing us showing thar the club needs to appease the masses by appointing a new mediocre manager and the Clueless Crew all clamour for success from the new guy. There will be peace and goodwill for 18 mo the and the merry go round will start again.
You still can’t see it can you? It’s bordering on insanity now. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Sharpy: Aye, next time you’ll need to add ‘seem to’. 😆 Words are important – especially when you are writing them to get an idea across.
brisvegas(Quote)
@Troy. 😛 I’d rather try than accept dross.
Keeping Pardew here was like a slow death. Same old **** for years. Is that the answer??
Gashley(Quote)
Mark, some people would rather stay safe and mediocre and not take risks in life.. don’t hate them for it, because deep down they already hate themselves! 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
McClaren wouldnt be my pick but hes worked at World cups, The European championships, The World club cup, Champions league and UEFA cup finals. He won Boros only ever cup & Twentes only ever league title
Pardew hasnt and wont get anywhere near that level, Bizarre equating them
CC(Quote)
CC – I think the point about Mclaren is that he is hardly the best we could get is he? He is on the radar because he would be grateful to have a job at a big club and be back in the PL. I personally think he’s a decent coach and he has done welll wherever he’s been, but we could get better,if we had a different way of running the club and that would allow us to look at the likes of Benitez, Klopp or someone like that.
Stuart79(Quote)
So the toon refuse to approach Klopp what a surprise (not) its being said that there was closer to thirty thousand fans at the spuds game I think it was higher myself maybe somewhere between the two fig quoted,but its astart at least now some are going to boycott the SD shops
icedog(Quote)
Icedog I liked your comment about the club approaching Klopp. They could at least try and see what he says but they Ashley and Lee know best mate.
Terry(Quote)
Hes not the best we can get but its certainly not the same as keeping Pardew: Weve had major problems with set pieces, Defending, Integrating young players, The team being too deep (most of the time) or overcomitting and getting caught on the break & certainly motivation.
In a pure coaching role preparing the team and developing players, McLaren is a step up on Pardew
CC(Quote)
Malcolm mclaren?
Jay jay(Quote)
Whys he managing Derby in the Championship then, CC?
Stuart79(Quote)
Brett
You really believe the dross has ended? 😯
If you remember my stance from the outset, it was to blame the entire debacle on the owner and understand the constraints any manager would have working under his shackles.
Changing managers does nothing. It just keels the merry go round spinning.
I’ve explained all this a thousand times of course but some believed and still believe a better manager than Pards would be brought in.
It’s actually worse, because whoever comes in will be given 18 months to prove himself by the fans and that will take all the pressure off Ashley
Read my posts throughout time. I’ve been a constant anti Ashley campaigner. Nothing has changed. If everyone had listened to me and those of a similar stance, these campaigns would ha e happened years ago.
Managers to me mean nothing whilst Ashley is here. It’s getting hugely embarrassing now watching you all play catch up. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
You have to love Huffstar and his amazing comeback from under his stone. 😛
His quote:
Mark, some people would rather stay safe and mediocre and not take risks in life.
Hahaha. 😆
Is it not some of us who are campaigning for Ashley to sell up and you counter this by saying there’s nobody to take over.
For me, you try to rid the club of the cancer in Ashley and not the symptoms being the manager. 😉
Keep playing catch up boys. It’s a joy to watch you all squirming. It’s like when you pick a rock up from the ground which has been there for years. The beetles underneath scarper for cover. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Where or when have I called for ashley to stay Huff snr? Making up **** up again are we!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Does Steve Mac still talk with that Dutch accent ?not heard him lately.
kimtoon(Quote)
I wouldnt say SM was a step up from Pards. He loves the safe game. We may finish 12next year but it will be 1-1, 2-2 all season.
@Troy. No the dross hasnt finished, its just started. hopefully more pressure will be heaped towards Fatty.
If you had your way Pardew should of walked for selling Carroll 😉 and if you had your way again (2nd chance) we’d be bobbing along in the sea of calm, safe waters, for another 5 years.. 😯 thats just sad mate. like Aussie said, take a risk mate
Gashley(Quote)
I think jabba must be a little worried he has slashed the price of tickets for the Swansea game to £20 and £10 for kids,he wants to pay the fans to watch that **** imo
icedog(Quote)
Pardew was managing in league 1 not so long back ffs
CC(Quote)
John Carver is managing Newcastle in the premier league, Aitor Karanka is managing Middlesbrough in the championship
I know who I rate higher
CC(Quote)
Ice @ 431 yeah Jabba will try anything to keep the ground full as a half empty stadium hurts his brand and doesnt look to good to Sky when they are picking what matches they show.
As for the wally with a brolly IMO he is just another very average manager just like Pards so if he gets the job I don’t think it will be too long before fans would turn on him saying he isnt good enough.
So I don’t really understand fans that hounded Pards out to then be happy with McClaren, to me thats a bit like trading a silver 05 Fiat Punto in for a light grey 05 Fiat Punto 😕
Big Dave(Quote)
I see the Mackem Adam Johnson has been charged with 3 counts of sexual activity with a minor and a charge of grooming 😯
Big Dave(Quote)
That’s his career over then…
CC(Quote)
Haha. Huffstar is still seething. The truth hurts 😀
Brett. I don’t believe you’ve understood my post. It’s a shame cos if you did you would acknowledge I was right and you were wrong. 😉
I reckon Huffy pants is ganna 3xplode again shortly. It’s so sad yet funny to watch him boil up. 😆
Has he been right about anything? Ever?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@BD is that the official line like? Pardew left due to be hounded out?
I thought he left because Palace offered him a better deal and he couldnt see a way forward under Mikes vision
Gashley(Quote)
Mark @ 438 you know what I meant lad, but if you want me to spell it out for you I will 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Re Johnson, I don’t understand why Scum lifted their self imposed suspension if it hadn’t been cleared up 😕 Obviously felt they needed him playing, especially with the Derby game looming, albeit he was a sub.
kimtoon(Quote)
One of Mclaren or Karanka won’t get promoted. I know who I’d approach and there’s no sch in his name!
georgio(Quote)
Interesting to look at the Swiss Rambler’s analysis. Our costs have definitely gone up quite a bit. Paying this group of players higher wages? That doesn’t make sense to me. We’re up to 78M pounds in wages. Ridiculous. The squad is poor. Players like Obertan are vastly overpaid. Only a football fool would do that Ashley. So I guess that means you really are a football fool.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Keeping the ground half empty for the remaining home games will increase the pressure on Ashley enormously. He is a football fool and he does need a proper Director of Football not Lee Charnley, and a proper manager not John Carver and proper players not Riviere, Willo, Obertan etc. etc.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/9818838/newcastle-fans-planing-new-protest-against-ashley
kimtoon(Quote)
78.3 M pounds in wages for that load of tripe? Unbelievable. I wouldn’t pay Obertan minimum wage. As for other clowns like Ferrerya, give him back to his own club. Whatever we’re paying him is too much. I thought you were a brilliant businessman Ashley? Yet you are paying high wages to dross. Tut tut you football fool.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
http://www.nufcblog.com/2015/04/23/some-mysteries-cleared-up-in-newcastles-financial-figures/
kimtoon(Quote)
Yes, the Swiss Rambler has gotten to the bottom of it. Our costs have gone up by a huge amount. We have to pay all those fantastic players like Obertan, Riviere, and Ferrerya big wages you know. It’s because they are such fabulous players and every other team is after them. Right Mike?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
And of course our made of glass players like Saylor and De Jong have to be paid big wages as well. Just think what we’ll be paying if Mike brings in some more cheapish, youngish players from Europe in the summer? It’s so exciting to think of the dross we’ll have accumulated by next season to drag down the club and raise the wage bill.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
So, who leaves in the summer? Jonas, Ferrerya, Alnwick (?), Raylor (?), Campbell (?). All have their contracts expiring at the end of June. Can we somehow get rid of Riviere and Obertan? That would be 7 out. We have 2 coming in from Forest, so how about bringing in 7 more decent players Ashley? At least 1 CB to replace Willo, 2 wingers, a replacement for Santon to cover for or replace Haidara who is also often injured, a midfielder who actually plays matches in case De Jong is injured yet again, and 2 strikers. And I don’t mean young kids Ashley. I mean real players with some guts. It’s not going to happen is it Mike?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
How do you make progress with a gutless owner? Simple. You don’t. The form table looks very much like last season for us doesn’t it? One win in the last 10 matches. Five points out of 30 available. Heading for a -24 goal difference. You can’t hide any of it Mike. You are truly a football fool.
GeordieTwo(Quote)