On a day where Anthony Joshua battles to become IBF World Champion and Newcastle should have been fighting for their Premiership lives, The Magpies simply threw the towel in on what has been a season well and truly on the ropes.
Southampton were a class above a desperately beleaguered Newcastle side who were never in the contest after gifting their hosts an early lead. Newcastle left huge gaps in their defence and were unable to hurt Southampton in the early stages and only really ever landed one telling blow in Townsend’s left pile driver. With Newcastle already well behind it was nothing more than a momentary glimpse of attacking prowess. It certainly couldn’t provide a Rocky Balboa style win against the odds.
All hopes of survival now seem to be lost as Newcastle now only have six games remaining to get out of this mess. The damage was already done well before Rafa Benitez was appointed but even his arrival seems to have added nothing to Newcastle’s hopeless cause. This performance was no better than anything under McClaren, Carver or Pardew and realistically Newcastle are simply on their knees waiting to be counted out as they fall way behind on points.
Never mind Rocky, Newcastle need a miracle to stay up. It is still possible of course but on this evidence it is hard to see anything other than relegation. As 33/1 Rule The World won the National, Newcastle are odds on to be playing in the Championship next season unless something drastic happens.
P.S. A thought for those 1700 Newcastle fans who made a 660 mile round trip to that shambles and back. Newcastle didn’t deserve anything from the game…you did!
wonder what type of game Shelvey will have against Swansea.
kimtoon(Quote)
I have read that if Janmaat has a cast then the PL would not allow him to play. We have Dr.s on staff, couldn’t they design a glove or splint to protect his hand for 90 minutes. Even if he has a plaster cast which I doubt, then they could remove it for the game and then put a new one on.
I also read in The Chronicle that he had a sling. That will probably stop him training so that is another reason he will not play. Why does he have a sling for broken fingers?
Losing the use of 2 fingers would not seem to me to be enough of a hindrance to stop him playing. Of course, they could be the 2 fingers he has been putting up to NUFC fans all season.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, Aye that’ll be the ones alright.
kimtoon(Quote)
My guess for Saturday:
Darlow
Anita Lascelles MBemba Dummett
Townsend Shelvey Colback Wijnaldum
de Jong Mitrovic
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Watching a replay of the FC Bayern game and one of their players has 2 fingers taped together. I am not certain but I bet he has a broken finger and the tape is temporary to allow him to play. Wor Daryl needs a sling though 🙂
I know it must be on Doctors advice but I just can’t fathom needing a sling for broken fingers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – Janmaat has been given the excuse and he has grabbed it with two hands, minus a couple of fingers! Pathetic like the others. Already looking towards their next move and pay rise. deluded that they are! They actually think scouts would have been impressed with them this season!
I would go for Saturday:
Darlow
Mbabu Lascelles Mbemba Dummett
Anita
Shelvey Colback
De Jong
Cisse Mitrovic
There’ll be plenty of effort in there and a goal threat.
On the bench we will have Gini, Sissoko, Perez, Aarrons to try and effect the game if needed.
Stuart79(Quote)
I hadn’t seen this but apparently Janmaat has said that he wouldn’t swap any of our players for any of Leicesters. He must be on drugs:
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/newcastle/newcastle-players-and-fans-are-delusional-at-least-sunderland-realise-they-re-not-good-enough-1-7852685?
As usual, a Mackem reporter would rather talk about Newcastle than their own team but he may have a point. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the fans are delusional but shouldn’t we expect more for the money that has been spent? A player like Wijnaldum, with his reputation, should be doing a lot better. And Shelvey and Townsend are recent England Internationals and played pretty well when I watched them but haven’t exactly set the Toon on fire.
I keep expecting us to do better because on paper and by reputation they should be doing a lot better. However, they keep letting us down and I am not sure if it is because they are not good enough or can’t be arsed. But after a season of only 6 wins and now 8 away defeats on the bounce you can only conclude that they are not as good as a lot of us thought they were. It is not just the Managers as even Rafa is struggling (that doesn’t mean that I don’t think Carver and Pardew were ****).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And what is going on with Coloccini? Hasn’t he been back in training for a couple of weeks and he is supposedly still not available. Perhaps Rafa has not liked what he has seen although after the Taylor defending masterclasses you would think Colo would at least make the bench.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t care if I never see Janmatt, Taylor or Colocini in the team ever again Eric. 64 goals conceded. Who the ***** going to notice if there in the team or not. These three idiots aren’t going to give me false hope about staying up. We are going down. They will take the money and run. Cunts the lot of them.
Terry(Quote)
I see the accounts show Charnley got a rise from £100k a year to £150k a year. His increase was no doubt due to success off the field. he’s making big profits – which will have been his remit. Usually the targets set would be to do with success on the field for a football club but that just explains why we’re in this mess.
Stuart79(Quote)
Sissoko can go as well. The only club I can see him playing champions league football for is Celtic. Easier division for him to win the title with as well. Lets face it Boomsong could even handle the SPL.
Terry(Quote)
Stu, I think Mbabu is still crocked mate. I think Anita will be RB
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim do you think it would be alright if Newcastle offered Celtic the chance to sign Colocini on a free next season. Slower league for him and maybe a little champions league knock out rounds as well.
Terry(Quote)
If I was Mike Ashley I would sell Newcastle and Rangers and just buy Celtic instead.
Terry(Quote)
Mike a 60,000 seater stadium that’s bigger than our stadium. You could have a field day advertising sports direct all around the stadium. You’d also have more of a chance winning a cup. I’m sure the new owner wouldn’t mind you hiring Lee, Moncur and Carr. We could even offer you some cheap players like Obertan and Colocini at a reasonable price.
Terry(Quote)
Terry, I’m thinking we’d have to pay them to take him at the moment. Should of let Pards have him when he wanted him.
kimtoon(Quote)
So, the club are in talks with Sports Direct about getting them to pay for all their advertisments. That’s according to the accounts.
Stuart79(Quote)
Well I’ve just returned from a fortnight in Cuba and see our boys have remained consistent in my absence.
Fortunately the internet coverage is ***** out there and they are baseball loves with little interest in the EPL. So I’ve managed to avoid most of it while I’ve been away – I didn’t miss as much as Saylor v Saints like!!!.
I’ve saw the ‘highlights’.
But this is clearly showing the problem area. The lack of investment & improvement in the squad in the last 5 years, means even a top class manager like Rafa is left pulling his hair out.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim yeah it would be like Mapoo paying 80 percent of his wages. We definitely should of let Pards have him. They would be where we are now.
Terry(Quote)
Stuart that doesn’t help thou does it. Free advertising is crippling this club when you take the 129 million pound loan that never goes away. I would feel safer knowing the loan was going down rather than staying the same.
Terry(Quote)
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/northdurham/14428470.Gutierrez_wins_discrimination_case_against_Newcastle___report/?b greedy c nt how can ya play football at ya peak when ya got cancer
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
So it seems Jonas won his lawsuit. What a surprise. Don’t tell me the owner and his lackeys were caught lying again. Surely not. Such an upright, law abiding group. Jonas and Keegan should get together and celebrate. I hear Ashley is going to pay for advertising next season as well. Oh how the mighty have fallen. 😈
GeordieTwo(Quote)
They refused to play him after he recovered TAE. They didn’t want to trigger a contract extension clause even though he was one of our best players in the limited time he had. Against West Ham in the final game of the season when we really needed it he scored one and created one.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Never give up on the club. Never have, never will. But the owner has to go. No way around it. He is poison.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
GeordieTwo
so they did not play him so what, they did not want to give him an extension,like the greedy little argie ****** did not have enough money out the club while he was with us,he play ok 1 game out of 10 last game of the season dont make him our best player
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Whatever you say TAE. The brilliant executive group we have should stay on then? I thought Jonas had some terrible games for us and looked like he put on too much weight but I don’t know which of those games happened while he was ill. Possibly you do. More power to you then.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Personally I think all players are overpaid. We have such a group of underachievers at the club that it’s become downright painful. Colo still faking an injury from a minor knock but still collecting his 60-70K a week. Janmaat breaking his hand and running away when the going gets tough. Wijnaldum disappearing in games we absolutely had to win. Sissoko crying about wanting to leave. It’s pathetic.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
And then there’s Doumbia and Saivet. What a clown show.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
So Jonas has won his case against the club. Jesus, man! What a club we are!
Stuart79(Quote)
Spot on G2 mate Everyone at Newcastle is over paid. They have played the worst football I have ever seen but if you said that to the players they would probably take it as a complement.
Terry(Quote)
The owner must be cringing by now Terry mate. What a disaster he created. The slide downhill is still underway. I wonder if we can even cope with the Championship? Failed at every level. All the executives and coaches who Rafa didn’t bring in should be held accountable. But will they be under Ashley?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I was surprised that Jonas won the case and it looks like it was because they didn’t believe Pardew and Charnley. I really don’t see why they just didn’t admit that they didn’t play him because they felt he was not good enough for the wage before and after the cancer. Instead they gave evasive answers, but Pardew almost said as much. Charnley even was evasive about whether he knew Jonas was an Argentine International. I don’t know what is worse, his deliberate half-truths in the tribunal or that the MD of NUFC knew so little about the playing staff that he had to negotiate the contracts for. The conclusion must be either he is a liar or stupid and not doing his job properly.
I was never that big of a Jonas fan and believe it would have been perfectly valid to say they didn’t play him because he wasn’t good enough. Of course, being NUFC they shot themselves in the foot by playing him in the last game against West Ham so that reason could easily be questioned by their actions. Just one more piece of evidence that we are run by people who do not know what they are doing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This is what happens when idiots run a club. Nothing but controversy and negative rumours flying about. It’s been a disaster. Coming to this point says a lot about everybody who’s been at the club before Rafa. He’s probably never seen the likes of it. Personally I hope to never see the likes of it again either but that will depend on Ashley selling up.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I would put Rafa in charge of everything related to football at the club and give him as much money as I could. If he wants to hire someone to be DoF that would be up to him. Within 2 seasons we would be back to the Prem and on our way up.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 it’s a bit funny the timing of sports direct paying advertising on the brink of going down and Jonas winning his law suit. It doesn’t impress me one bit considering the club still owes fatty 129 million. The only way that would be good news is if the money was back dated and the interest free loan was 29 million.
Terry(Quote)
Is this actually the same club we all fell in love with ? The fabric of its identity bas changed so much in recent years. Just not feeling it anymore. The only remedy would appear to be a new owner with genuine intentions and ambitions. Until that happens, im just not interested in investing my time in this one sided pathetic relationship any more.
Shamrock(Quote)
I don’t agree with TAE because Jonas had every right to go to a tribunal if he felt they were discriminating against him. It is not like Pards and the club do not have a history of freezing out players or lying. They did it to our best player since Shearer – Hatem ben Arfa. And if they froze Jonas out for being **** then I think I can name quite a few others who were just as bad.
The tribunal dismissed 2 of Jonas’ disability claims and another of harassment. Following is part of what they said in upholding the one claim and if I read between the lines I think that Pards and Charnley pissed them off by being evasive and deliberately naive in a tactic to mislead:
The tribunal’s findings said: “Some inconsistency crept into Mr Pardew’s evidence when he was cross-examined about a critical conversation that purportedly took place in the summer of 2013, and his evidence was vague and generally unconvincing in relation to a further important conversation with the claimant in November/December 2014.
“We did have concerns with regard to Mr Charnley’s evidence, which at times appeared to be evasive and lacking in credibility.
“Our assessment of his credibility was relevant to the way in which we resolved disputed facts between the parties.
“By way of example he would not accept in cross examination that the claimant was an established international player when it was not disputed that the claimant has played for Argentina 22 times including playing in the 2010 World Cup.”
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ashley still holds all the cards Terry mate. He holds the loan over our heads. It’s his leverage. Nothing can be done because he decides when to pay himself back. It’s ridiculous and shouldn’t be allowed. With no time frame to pay it back and no way to get the money if we’re relegated it just means he keeps control indefinitely. Surely he must be sick of failure by now though? And the negative advertising he gets every time the club loses a court case. The man is truly bizarre.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
So Charnley’s evidence was “evasive and lacking in credibility” according to the BBC report of the case. Is anybody surprised by that?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Pardew said when asked if Jonas had played in WC, I think he might have played a small part,what a toe-rag he is
Icedog(Quote)
And he represents the club ice mate. What a disgrace. Our only hope is Rafa staying on.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Jonas won his case, good on him. It doesn’t surprise me with Ashley one bit to be honest. He still thank’s the fan’s for the support they gave him, still loves the club. It’s a disgrace.
Terry(Quote)
G2 the hole club is corrupt mate a den of thiefs,it’s not the first they have stood up in court and told a pack of lies,they should be charged with at least with holding evedence or even perjury
Icedog(Quote)
Jonas played with heart and none of our existing players are worthy of cleaning his boots. What a **** season.
Terry(Quote)
Looks like Rafa is not staying
http://www.kingfut.com/2016/04/14/jol-newcastle-job-agent-jol/
Icedog(Quote)
Jonas also played 121 games not 152 when his clause would have been activated. Never knew that until now.
Terry(Quote)
Charnley hasn’t got any credibility! Where we are in the league shows that.
Regardless of anything off the field, that’s just a side show.
Stuart79(Quote)
I have to be honest, I would have thought it would be a clubs prerogative to choose whether or not to play a player which would result in activating any clause.
I don’t know enough of Jonas case, but if he has won, then clearly it is yet another prime example of those running the club not having the first clue of what they are doing.
I’d be interested to know the total amount of money paid out in compo under these duck eggs.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Icedog: I wouldn’t put much stock in that report mate. They probably don’t even know who Martin Jol is, plus he is not on the dole. I think Rafa contacted NUFC not the other way around.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I can quite believe that mate nobody at the club has nous to run a football club
Icedog(Quote)
Just seen a Twitter feed with he following:
7 years ago we got relegated and lost a tribunal against a employee.
7 years ago we got relegated with Taylor and Colo in our defence.
7 years ago we got relegated because we didn’t fill the gaping gaps in the squad.
7 years ago we got relegated because we left it far too late to get a Replacement manager in.
We really have not learnt any lessons have we?!
Couldn’t make it up!
Stuart79(Quote)
Seven “used to be my lucky number along with thirteen,unlucky for some
Icedog(Quote)
Has Steven Taylor always been that bad? I have seen that backpedal move he does a lot but I never really thought of him as that bad and he did throw himself into blocks. I think he has probably been bad all along but just as he gets a run in the team so that his play can be assessed he gets injured and I forget what he was like.
However, with 61 goals conceded so far he cannot be the only one to blame.
So now we have ANOTHER completely new backline that I don’t think have ever played together – Anita, MBemba, Lascelles, Dummett. And the board said they were satisfied with their options and cover in January. I suppose they cannot legislate for players punching walls or having a 2 month calf strain.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I remember watching us when we played Reading, I went with my brother and nephew and we were poor on the day but one player ran their socks off and never stopped running all game, that player was Jonas. Say what you will about the compo and his ability or lack of, I for one liked him and we are in the PL this season because of his efforts. If only we had the effort of 11 Jonas’s out there now we likely would still be in with a shout of staying up instead of looking down the barrel . It’s worth baring in mind also that he played like he did in that last game knowing they were treating him like a ****. Ask yourself this would Sissoko or many others put in a shift like that in such circumstances. He is always tweeting good things about the club and fans too, pity we can’t show him a little respect.
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM bloody spot on mate,take two or three out the Leicester team and your left with a group of players like Jonas (100%) effort every game,not doing bad for a group of Jonas’s
Icedog(Quote)
Well done Liverpool. Great comeback and great for us! They’ll have their eyes on a bigger prize than 3 points against us.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ice, yep, spot on, they all graft, never stop running all game .
kimtoon(Quote)
Stu, yeah very good result and like you say hopefully preoccupied with that now. Also City have one eye on CL progress too.
kimtoon(Quote)
That is exactly what football is all about!
Stuart79(Quote)
https://twitter.com/elgalgojonas/status/720685903077892096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
kimtoon(Quote)
Lets just hope City and Liverpool do want Europe more than anything else
Simon(Quote)
Kim, he’s saying what every player playing for the club probably wants to say. Barton did it, Enrique did it and no doubt others will when they leave. It’s just a complete mess and can’t be solved until we get someone who cares about the club and cares about football.
Stuart79(Quote)
Kimtoon: I know this is one of your pet peeves: all of the details have come out about West Ham now. They are paying a 1 time fee of 15 mil plus rent of 2.5 mil a year. It has been described as the deal of the century for a 700 million pound stadium. You couldn’t lease a dog track in London for what West Ham are paying.
It is such a sweetheart deal that Boris Johnson had to step in and claw back a bit of cash if those two lovely men that own it sell in the 1st 10 years.
I think the new Wembley cost like a billion pounds. So these 2 chancers are getting 70% of a National Stadium type ground for peanuts. It has a 60,000 capacity and I am sure it has state of the art facilities. I think Arsenal charge 3 or 4 times what we do for a season ticket. How long before West Ham alienate their traditional fan base with exorbitant ticket prices.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You know that Jonas went to the club Dr. more than once and they did not diagnose the cancer for 6 months. I don’t know enough to say it was incompetence but judging by our record with other injuries who knows. I also know that the club Dr. is leaving at the end of the season.
We shouldn’t rewrite history to say Jonas was a great player for us but he did give 100% in just about all the games I saw him in.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was ashamed of the team last Saturday. Absolutely no heart and no effort, particularly in the first half. Considering we are in a relegation fight that showing was absolutely disgraceful.
I hope Rafa will finally go 442 for this Saturday and start De Jong. In fact I hope he makes De Jong captain. Darlow, Mbabu, Lascelles, Mbemba, Dummett, Townsend, Shelvey, Wijnaldum, Obertan, De Jong, Doumbia. With Mitro as super sub when Doumbia gets tired! I’d give Sissoko a kick in the *** and tell him if he wants to go to a ‘bigger team’ he’d better change his attitude and i’d only let him go if he plays hard in the remaining games otherwise I’d make him sit on the bench in the Championship every game and play him in the reserves. If he accepts the challenge to play well I’d put him on for Obertan.
I truly believe 442 formation would make all the difference to this team. The 4 2 3 1 just doesn’t work for Ncl with the players it has.
Jill(Quote)
I’m glad Jonas won! He had heart and the last game of that season he kept us from relegation setting up one goal and scoring another. He always gave 100% and ran his heart out the full 90 mins. I’d swap any player we have right now for Jonas.
Jill(Quote)
Congratulations to Newkie’s Alestars for winning the fantasy H2H league with 2 games to spare.
Now … who will make it to the final 8 for the playoff for the cup? 2nd and 3rd are definitely in; 4th and 5th are probably in; but it’s touch and go for other 3 spots, though Inter Yasista look to be at long odds to make it – and probably can’t.
1 Alestars 73
2 Balotellitubbies 66
3 Shteves Shcitty 64
4 Born Winner FC 60
5 Nik Nak Utd 60
6 Puff Puff Pass 57
7 Macas Pony and Trap 56
8 Newbriscastle Roar 55
9 Natalie Sawyer Fan 55
10 Dubai Toon United 54
11 Inter Yasista 50
Thanks to the rest of you guys for your efforts. But don’t give up. Never give up. It is always worth making an effort – something some NUFC players should be told.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Bris – thanks for the FFF updates mate & organising the H2H. It’s one of the few things that’s kept footy interesting this season.
Congrats Newkie, I hope that doesn’t mean you disappear like Solano did after winning it last season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric, it’s a **** take on an epic scale mate, a sweet deal for the porn merchants that’s for sure.
kimtoon(Quote)
Exactly Jill, sometimes you don’t appreciate a player until they leave. As has been said, I would take a team of 11 Jonas over what we have now.
kimtoon(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-united-turn-down-request-11187979
kimtoon(Quote)
To be fair to the club I think they’ve got that decision right. The players don’t need any distractions.
However, I have read an article in the Times which shows how broken the club is. Apparently everywhere Rafa has looked things have been poor, in every dept it’s been under funded and bascially the club is “broken top to bottom.”
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, not surprised one bit mate, everything on the cheap and money only thrown at it when panic sets in and even then the wrong purchases made.
kimtoon(Quote)
http://readcrystalpalace.com/2016/04/15/palace-linked-with-move-for-england-international/
Picking over the bones already started 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Stu – I disagree mate. Look at how the Hillsborough memorial galvanised Liverpool last night.
I think the fans are so ****** off with the players that something like this could unify us all – we need to win the home games, and something like this could improve the atmosphere.
Sharpy17(Quote)