A win see’s Newcastle pull 3 points clear of the drop zone with a game in hand over Norwich City and local rivals Sunderland. With Swansea away to Title chasers Arsenal today – and their manager having been taken ill – the Magpies also have the chance to match them for points, again with a game in hand. The importance of this game cannot be underestimated, as our other game in hand is against Manchester City in a game we have no right or expectation of getting anything from. Ordinarily a game away to Stoke should be feared, but their home form is inconsistent of late and our lads should by now be worrying about their form in the lead up to the Euro’s – as well as their long term futures and pay packets at the highest level. They have had an 18-day break and there is no excuse for not showing fight and application tonight.
Shearer’s right foot did an excellent preview, which you can read here. It’s full of injury news, interesting stats and key battles. Since that article, news has come out that January signing Andros Townsend has been laid off with a hamstring injury – which has seemingly gifted Yoan Gouffran a starting berth tonight.
Stoke City: Butland; Bardsley, Cameron, Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Imbula, Shaqiri, Afellay, Arnautovic; Walters. Subs: Haugaard, Muniesa, Ireland, Joselu, Diouf, Crouch, Bojan.
Newcastle United: Elliot; Janmaat, Taylor, Lascelles, Dummett; Shelvey, Colback, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Gouffran; Mitrovic. Subs: Darlow, Sterry, Saivet, Aarons, Perez, Riviere, Doumbia.
As you can see the Toon have gone with 3 strikers from the bench. Does Steve McClaren anticipates Aleksander Mitrovic not to last the full game following his recent injury? Or he is planning a full scale assault for the last half hour should things not go to plan? Lets find out…
HWTL
I like the new format. Someone has put an impressive effort in. All the latest seems to be about sacking McLaren. As we’re still in the fight to escape relegation I think cowardly Ashley won’t sack useless McLaren. His only experience with a late season sacking (remember Shearer with 8 games left?) didn’t turn out so well. Any decent owner would have sacked Charnley and McLaren last November and given a new manager full reign in the January transfer window. Our only chance is to win at least 3 of our remaining home games and the away game at Villa. A couple of draws thrown in there as well would do it at 38 points I think. I would say it’s 50/50 whether we go down now.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Steve Bruce would probably want to bring his own player’s in. Ian Holloway probably talks to much and might say a few home truths about the board.
Terry(Quote)
Stuart: I was thinking about a couple of things you said. After 10 games I said sack him but then changed my mind and was on the fence as I thought 10 games really wasn’t enough. As the losses and excuses have piled up it has become clear McClaren doesn’t know what he is doing. This is shown by his constant changing of tactics and instructions – remember when he said his style of play was a passing game. It is not like Mourinho changing tactics to suit the opposition. It is scattergun and he changes tactics when we have a poor display. The players must be thoroughly confused. He even tried to be the “bad cop” before one game which brought Dennis Healy’s remark about Geoffrey Howe to mind, “that debating him was like being mauled by a dead sheep”. The players must have just laughed at vanilla Schteve trying yell at them.
What would I do now? Sack him and take the best I could get. But not Harry Redknapp. I would sound out who would come and what their requirements would be. If Schteve survives and somehow there is a miracle and we are not relegated I would still sack him. It is a Carver situation where he has proved to be out of his depth in a league that is much more competitive than it was when he was at Boro.
The only way to survive is for one of forwards to miraculously find a goalscoring touch. Doumbia is the obvious candidate so play him. If he fails, see if Cisse can go on one of his streaks but that is a long time ago now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
G2 we have to find a suitable replacement for McClaren. Some that doesn’t slag the board off. Doesn’t moan ever, not once about the player’s Carr sign’s. Any ideas ?
Terry(Quote)
Supporters who live in Newcastle have had ages to do something about Ashley. They have come to matches and sat like lumps watching dross. The away support have watched even worse dross. If you turn up and say nothing then Ashley will lap it up and collect the money gained from free advertising. People reap what they sow I’m afraid. This disaster has been years in the making.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I think Joe Kinnear is available Terry mate. Wouldn’t he be ideal for Ashley at this point? He could give the journo’s a good earful after every loss as well.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 it’s also the fan’s that turn up for away games and clap after a 5-1 defeat as well. The player’s probably think they played well.
Terry(Quote)
I’ve said what I think of McLaren. I thought we would be in trouble from the off this season and we were. McLaren was never going to be good enough and the board were clueless about what players we needed as incoming. A large fraction of the 80M spent over the last 2 windows was wasted. Cabella and Thauvin aren’t even at the club for Christ’s sake. Only an idiot would think the club has done a good job with recruiting. How much more criticism is it worth adding? Total incompetence can’t be hidden. It’s there for all to see.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
IF, we stay up, in an idea world you would try and tempt someone like Guus Hiddink after Chelsea get their new guy in place. Reckon with the promise of more cash to spend he could be tempted. He’ll be aright withJanmaat, Gini, Krul and De-Jong, he could even get the best out of Anita. 😉 Just a thought like. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Joe Kinnear I would probably take him over McClaren mate. However he might say something stupid, get a player’s name wrong or expose Ashley and blame the board. Dennis Wise would be a safer bet. He done quite well at Swindon town and won a manager of the month award.
Terry(Quote)
G2, I’m disappointed mate as I believed he would of walked away by now. I gave him credit for more integrity than he has. 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim in an ideal world yes sounds good but this club is run by fool’s. We basically need a manager with no ball’s like McClaren. Practice’s the line’s written by the board at a press conference or after a heavy defeat. Peter Beardsley loves Mike Ashley, he has to be in the running ?
Terry(Quote)
Riviere looks more like a jazz musician than a footballer and plays football like a jazz musician as well. What has Steve seen that would prompt him to put him on ahead of Perez? Have they looked at last years tapes where his only goal was a scuffed effort. Maybe he could play some smooth jazz in the dressing room to calm everybody after the latest debacle.
And Shaqiri looks like a cross between a young Harry Enfield and Beavis.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If we escape relegation will it be more of the same next season? More smiles and promises from Ashley in the summer? More poor decision making leading to more lost seasons? That would be my guess. Force the b@stard out by exposing him to an empty ground match after match. I think he’s got a pretty good idea what people think of him but his wallet is still untouched so far. That has to change.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
We’re all more than disappointed Kimtoon lass. This is what the bottom of the barrel looks like. Chasing 17th place at this point in the season after the debacle of last season with Carver. And all the bollocks from Ashley in the summer. Saying he’s a buffoon is giving him too much credit.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
A lot of the old posters must be shaking their heads in disbelief. Even I can’t believe how bad McLaren has been. Yesterday was a true shocker. Bringing on billygoat Riviere before Perez and Doumbia. And giving Perez and Doumbia 7 minutes to play! Only a lunatic would do that. Stoke were terrible for most of the match. We could have had the points, or at least 1 of them.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I was reading Shamrock’s season summary from December 3rd and the only thing to have changed is we signed a couple of English players in desperation to stay in the PL.
G2: it is a pretty sad joke that we are now in our own little mini-table with Villa, Norwich and the Mackems to see who gets 17th with still more than a quarter of the season to go.
Normally 38 points is the threshold to survive. Us, Mackems and Norwich have less than a point a game. At this rate 35 would do it. The problem is, do you trust us to be the ones to put a small run of results together or will Fat Sam do it with an inferior squad?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
G2: I am also surprised that Steve doesn’t understand the concept of subs. Schteve was content to go for nil-nil with zero goal threat. How many clean sheets have we had away from home? I can think of Man U and a very lucky game against Saturday’s opponent where they battered us and Perez had our 1 shot and scored.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That’s where we stand Eric. A disgraceful mini-league with Villa, Norwich and mackems. And we know Villa are going down. I would agree with you about the points required as well. I have this horrible number in my head for us. I think we’ll end up with 35 points, so right on the cusp. We all know the games we absolutely must win. The home games against mackems, Swansea and Bournemouth and the away game against Villa. Surely we have a good chance against Palace at home as well the way they are playing now. If we lose 2 of those 5 games we’re probably sunk.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I thought I saw some solidity in the back 4 against Stoke. I think Elliot must have been unsighted on the goal as he didn’t move at all. Shaquiri is a very good player. But there was no excuse for not making changes early in the second half and bringing on Perez and Doumbia early enough to make a difference. There’s no reasonable explanation for that.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
It is very difficult not to repeat yourself when nothing changes!
I do not really blame us for getting hammered by a resurgent Chelsea. I can write that game off as they have some truly talented players who won the league last year FFS. However, to use that to gameplan for Stoke and set out for a nil-nil is truly idiotic. Could they not see that Stoke are not Chelsea and that the conditions were appalling?
Hopefully, our mini Jekyll and Hyde team will do it again and Gouffran and Riviere will not even be in the squad. I remember it looked this dark before and then we beat Liverpool at a canter.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
@ Eric
I can well believe nobody wanted McClaren, I certainly didnt but the polls on Eds site sometimes have 700 votes within 10mins of the article being released, sometimes with only 4 comments 😕 bit strange but tru
Gashley(Quote)
And Steve said of the Chelsea game that it was a “capitulation”. That word should not be in a Manager’s vocabulary as it is his job to see it doesn’t happen (even with what I said above).
There is a phrase that comes to mind “NO GUTS, NO GLORY”. We were running scared last night.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont have a clue about players and how they do in training but I’d bet my bairns wendy house that we would of at least got a point if we had of started Doumbia and Perez
It was mindless football knocking balls to an isolate Mitro, against 2 big centerhalves. It took ages to get the balls to the wings and then when we did, the cross was easily cleared. we did this nearly all game
what was the bloke and the coaches thinking??
Gashley(Quote)
Gashley: I am doing my best to keep things ticking over 🙂 I don’t mind Ed at all except he writes so many articles it is difficult to follow the conversation. And there seems to be one decent point made and then about 10 posts bickering amongst themselves. Now, as you know, I am not adverse to bickering, but not all the time 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Gashley: Ed seems to have cornered the markets in hits. He gets as many for his polls as the Chron does, which is astounding.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
its all a conspiracy 😛
I rarely visit eds site due to his pathetic attempts to get more hits with sensational headlines but I appreciate the effort the guy makes. canny dedicated fella
Gashley(Quote)
Gash: I have read Ed a bit more recently because I think his head is going to explode and I want to read the one article when it does. I usually skip the posts.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Did you visit Eds site when troy was exiled there? 😆 comedy gold 😛
Gashley(Quote)
Not much, but I have seen his brother picking fights. I don’t mind Troy but you have to accept he is almost always on the wind up. There has been too much agreement about NUFC recently as everyone except Ryder and Troy agreed Carver was **** and now everybody agrees on McClaren (Ryder very grudgingly, but he will change with a win).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Maybe his bro will be allowed back here since there are new owners 😯
I enjoy Troys wind ups, they are very childlike and predictable. 😛
his Clarky call was not a windup tho. I get his point but he picked the wrong bloke in Clark.
I think everyone agrees SM is ****, almost from the off. The problem was, we knew Mike wouldnt listen.
Gashley(Quote)
official prison pic
NONCE ALERT
http://i4.chroniclelive.co.uk/incoming/article10980086.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/JS84040540.jpg
Gashley(Quote)
has there ever been a player fall from the loft heights as badly as Nonceson?
Gazza? no, Ched Evens? no… what an absolute pillock
big ron was hung out to dry for the ni**er word but nobody will shift noncy, 100mil a week to rationed money for baccy and picking up the soap in a segregated wing 😛
You plonker!
Gashley(Quote)
The back four played OK, but why wouldn’t they as Stoke were almost as **** as us. However, Schteve called them “makeshift”. Erm, Janmaat and Dummett have been our first choice fullbacks and Taylor has always been close to first choice when fit. That leaves Lascelles who was supposedly our CB in waiting and one of the reasons we didn’t need to buy in January. I wish they would remember what they say.
As for Saturday, they have to select the mid-field that started against West Brom. Wijnaldum has to be the number 10 because he has more freedom at home and choose Doumbia or Mitro, I don’t care as long you play to their strengths. You can always sub one off.
If Townsend is not fit then play Perez. You go with the guts of the team that beat WBA because they have more confidence at home. If some of the selections aren’t working then make subs on 60 minutes.
It is pretty simple but Steve will probably “punish” Sissoko or Gini for their away form when they have played well at home recently. I can’t think he is that dumb but then again… Gouffran and Riviere 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Gash: did you see the Judge reprimanded Johnson for not taking the trial seriously, during the trial. This could not be reported until after the verdict. I bet he takes prison seriously.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This has to be read to be believed on Johnson. He had already plead guilty and still didn’t understand how serious his situation was:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-3472694/I-hope-finished-Friday-s-bit-boring-arrogant-Adam-Johnson-joked-child-sex-trial-told-judge.html
Eric Sykes(Quote)
aye Eric he’ll definitely take prison seriously. he’ll also get 10% longer for not admitting his guilt earlier. I’m sure I read somewhere if you plead guilty straight away it can reduce your sentence by 10%?
Gashley(Quote)
It’s the victim and his daughter I feel sorry for,when his kid goes to junior school there is bound to be one idiot that brings it up. Imagine if you knew your dad did that.
kimtoon(Quote)
@Kim how sad for his little daughter.
A daddy with celeb status to restricted access due to him being registered a nonce.
Gashley(Quote)
Ryder seemed to change his spots, but in my opinion he is still 99% behind Schteve. This is what he said an hour ago:
“They suffered their seventh successive away loss at Stoke City and scores of fans feel it is time for a change.”
“Scores” of fans. A score is 20. His own paper had a poll in the same article where more than 1000 have already voted and 81% said sack him. That is at least 800, or 40 score in Lee’s vernacular (maybe should do an edit?). “SCORES OF FANS FEEL IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE!!! ” That is like saying Hitler killed a few people.
Yes, I am comparing Ryder to Hitler now 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Gashley generally how it works here is you serve half whatever the sentence is. The other half you spend ‘free’ – but on licence with certain conditions to be met such as comply with probation officers directions and attend meetings etc.
If you plead guilty, you generally have a third taken off the sentence then serve half of that before going on licence.
The idea around being on licence is reintegration into society .
Our judicial system is a soft touch. I can’t remember their names but 2 footballers in the mid 2000’s killed one adult and 2 kids between them due to dangerous driving. In total they will have served less than 6.5 years between them, which is just wrong.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham
cheers for that
Lee Hughes killed a bloke
&
LUKE McCORMICK
Plymouth keeper was sentenced to seven years and four months in 2008 after causing the deaths of two children by dangerous driving.
Gashley(Quote)
Ah yes that’s the ones. Shocking sentences but the judges are bound by the guidelines set before them.
Shamrock(Quote)
both went on to play after being released. fair enough theyre free but they didnt really do proper time for their crimes 😕
I think McCormick still plays for Plymouth and Hughes had a couple of years left playing im sure
Gashley(Quote)
Yeah I don’t agree with the soft sentences for the serious offences, but if they are going to be let out after 2 minutes then they may as well be given the opportunity to actually contribute to society and pay their taxes. If they are shunned at every turn then the likes of you and I would end up paying for their homes, food, transport and medical costs for the rest of their lives….
Shamrock(Quote)
Gashley: this trial got a lot more attention though and probably because of the subject matter. It wasn’t just tabloids either, football websites, The Guardian etc. followed it closely. My politics are quite liberal so I do believe he should get another chance in life (hopefully, his time in jail will teach him some humility and maturity). I doubt there is much chance he will repeat offend or he really would be the biggest idiot on earth.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Tbh sham I don’t really agree with your logic. If McCormick gets out early then I hope he rots in his home and is never given a big chance again.
He killed 2 kids mate. His parents will forever be messed up while he picks up a big wage again.
The kids grandad is disabled for life…. I can do without his tax contribution
Gashley(Quote)
But.. On the other had 😕 I could forgive Noncy more. As bad as it may sound,..his biggest crime was being totally thick and getting too cosy with an underage girl. Nobody was killed.
Gashley(Quote)
Do we not need Arma back at the toon?
Natural goal scorer who could easily replace Riviere on the bench?
If we get relegated we may regret ever loaning out our local freebie
Gashley(Quote)
Gash – as I said I don’t agree with the soft sentences for serious crimes. McCormack should have got double life, but he did not and I don’t want to foot the bill for the rest of his free life. Do you?
Shamrock(Quote)
mickey mouse club
Munich Mag(Quote)
After some fans directed their anger towards players at the final whistle, United’s Daryl Janmaat walked over to travelling fans in an apologetic manner. McClaren responded: “I don’t know what happened.
“It was unfortunate, I was walking over and they were being very appreciative as always. They were supportive of the team.
“I don’t know what happened. Players are emotional and fans are emotional. But nobody deserved that at the end. We need 52,000 right behind us.” 🙄 😳
Gashley(Quote)
@sham.
No, not really but I’d rather not have him making money as a footballer. That’s why I said he shouldn’t make it BIG again. Fair enough he’s out and full of regret, but to be on TV playing in cups etc 😕
I’d hate supporting a club that had a double child killer in its team
Gashley(Quote)
Sont get me wrong Gash. If I was a chairman he would not be playing at my club, but I’d maybe give him a backroom job if I thought he could do some good for society.
Shamrock(Quote)
Gashley: They played the game past the end in the US and then cut to close-ups of NUFC fans for only a couple of seconds as Janmaat stood there. The tunnel is at the away fans’ corner. There were about 30 or more fans screaming at Janmaat and you didn’t need to be much of a lip reader to see there were some f and c words being said by the fans.
They cut away immediately because the Director knew there were expletives being screamed. There was quite a bit of anger on quite a few faces.
I am not sure if I agree that if you play **** the players should go over and clap the fans. In principle it is good but you set yourself up for an angry confrontation when things are imploding like they have for 3 years or more at NUFC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
@eric
If the players had the choice I’m sure 50% of them wouldnt go over.
But I agree, seems a little patronising after a ***** performance but I suppose it’s the right thing to do considering the miles and hours the fans endure
Gashley(Quote)
This might be the last thing I say on Johnson??? I am not defending him at all but there is a bit of a double standard going on when the whole modelling world is geared to put up 13 and 14 year old girls as objects of desire (most are are finished in their late teens). Nobody is saying anybody acts on it but the whole magazine media especially is putting up young girls as an ideal for women to aspire to and men to desire. Double standards especially from The Sun and The Mail who spend every day objectifying women. Especially “WAGS”.
Johnson is an idiot, but the print media are all a bunch of pimps.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
One more thing Columbo. It may sound hypocritical to talk about yer Mudock’s and your Lord Thompson’s taking the high road whilst playing to the lowest common denominator, and then to talk about the Johnon case. But I don’t sensationalise WAGs and print “Gail, 16” on page 3 every day. I usually stick to football and Paul Merson’s head which is tangentially football related.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Even though this is The Mail there is a ring of truth. They are saying:
1. There is a dressing room revolt about methods and tactics
2. The staff are arguing amongst themselves
3. The players think McClaren will be sacked if NUFC lose on Saturday
4. McClaren and staff had a meeting in Yarm to discuss issues. I think Steve has a house there.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3475316/Newcastle-boss-Steve-McClaren-sacked-club-lose-Bournemouth-senior-players-grow-frustrated-reign.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BTW Craig Hope at The Mail is usually pretty accurate with his NUFC inside info.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Woo hoo! Finally a win for my lads in the fantasy league, after 6 losses in a row. But Alestars slip up and the form teams move in for the kill.
Only 8 qualify for the cup, and the jockeying for positions is intense. Only 7 games to go.
1 Alestars 58
2 Balotellitubbies 54
3 Shteves Shcitty 52
4 Newbriscastle Roar 52
5 Puff Puff Pass 48
5 Dubai Toon United 48
7 Nik Nak Utd 48
8 Natalie Sawyer Fan 46
9 Born Winner FC 45
10 Aussie Mags 45
11 Inter Yasista 44
12 Macas Pony and Trap 44
13 Joshua 42
Brisvegas(Quote)
Bris – you having me on like!!. So 48 points is good enough to get everyone else 5th spot but it gets me 7th?!. You not a fan of the Niknak like??? 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric, re the Mail article. It is indeed inconceivable that they would stick with him should we lose to Bournemouth. The players must be thinking, he’s gone if we lose again. How on earth can any sane owner stick by a manager with such an terrible record?
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim the problem we have is that we dont have a sane owner
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave, aye fair point 😀
kimtoon(Quote)
Nowt we don’t know there, Eric. It’s just taken a few a little bit more time to cotton on…
Stuart79(Quote)
It’s all going wrong for him now. Losing the battle with Rangers, Sports Direct dropping out the FTS 100 and now the Toon going down the pan.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well couple of my mates are wanting a defeat tomorrow so McClaren gets sacked. Interesting thinking!….
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu I think that is all a load of **** tbh.
If it was the case I would welcome a defeat , but I have heard it all before.
Big Dave(Quote)
I mean the stories floating about that if we get beat tomorrow the clown will get sacked.Are a load of ****
Big Dave(Quote)
It’s too late to sack SM now (the club probably think) but he’s definitely lost it for me. We have 2 away wins all season so he leaves out the matchwinner in both those games to play bloody Gouffran. Then he brings on the totally dogshit Riviere instead of Perez. Finally with the game lost he throws him on. I thought he’d be a steady eddy but it seems he’s an idiot. He’ll play De Jong next or put Aarons to LB again. It’ll take a miracle for us not to be relegated. Raging!
Georgio(Quote)
McClaren won’t get the sack if we lose tomorrow. Big Daves spot on there.
Terry(Quote)
Big Daves spot on we don’t have a sane owner. That’s putting it mildly 😎
Terry(Quote)
Pressure should have been applied to McClaren earlier, it was clear by October he didn’t have what it took, but people still were questioning Ashley and the board for the most of it. Questions which needed asking – but McClaren has been backed enormously, and only proven himself to be the total inept failure some always thought him to be.
Newkie(Quote)
Dead right Newkie.
Georgio(Quote)