Eyebrows Raised…Even if Flags Weren’t

Shearer's Right Foot

Newcastle players raised a few eyebrows on Tuesday night with a terrific display to gain a good point against Manchester City in a game they could have won if it wasn’t for a shocking offside decision and Joe Hart’s excellent late block.

I’m not particularly fond of attributing whole results on refereeing decisions and think that far too often managers, players and fans would rather blame the officiating team for a disappointing result than actually acknowledge that their team wasn’t good enough. Linesmen, or referee’s assistants have a difficult job.

The pace of Premier League is such that making an instant decision during open play with players moving in opposite directions and constantly changing parameters for what part of the body is considered to be offside and whether players are ‘active’ or in the ‘second phase’…it is a minefield. And we are lucky that our officials usually get things right or at least a pretty desirable proportion of decisions right.

The call on Tuesday was not, however, a difficult one. There was nothing difficult about it. The ball was stationary, Aguero was stood, for an age, in an offside position. It could not have been more straightforward. And yet somehow, the linesman kept his flag down. Even Aguero was bemused by the decision as he immediately looked to the official, fully expecting to trot back upfield to face a Darlow free-kick and then almost embarrassingly began a guilty celebration.

It was a kick in the teeth for a Newcastle side that started well. It took the sting out of the crowd but the players didn’t lose heart. Cheick Tiote was back to his combative best, his best in years in fact. In one glorious moment, right at the end of the first half, Tiote leapt like a gazelle to tower a good 4 to 6 inches above YaYa Toure to beat him in the air. Pure determination.

Sissoko has been totally reinvigorated by Benitez and was again, outstanding. His pace and power so much more effective in a central position and it was his brilliant pass that picked out Vernon Anita on the right, who controlled, cut inside and curled a beautiful left footer in off the bottom of the post. It was a magnificent goal, one of real quality and Anita again showed he has the determination and the quality to be a vital component of our fight for survival.

Where many had expected Newcastle to go down without a fight, four points in the last two games have given United a platform for survival and more importantly, the players are showing a determination, belief and desire to survive. That is, in large part, down to Benitez. A trip to his beloved Anfield is next.

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185 thoughts on “Eyebrows Raised…Even if Flags Weren’t”

  1. 9 points Stuart? That means you have us down for a win against either Liverpool or Spurs (we beat both earlier in the season so who knows, miracles might happen).

    I couldn’t believe Tiote’s performance against Citeh. I thought he had gone into terminal decline because of his knee injury and attitude and thought it was dumb of Schteve not to sell him. Seems like he was just in a 2 year huff and now wants to prove himself to the Chinese.

    I think Liverpool will score, so going with 2-2. Dont not start Cisse. There, hopefully that will put a reverse jinx on him and he will get a hattrick. He has been holding the team back when he has been on in my opinion.

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  3. If Little Vurn is still in the team when we play Spurs, please somebody tell him that Harry Kane usually sets up on Spurs’ left and does a little cut in move before bending it into the far corner a la Thierry Henry. Tell Darlow as well.

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  4. Good thread mate and so true,Ime another that cannot understand the up-rise of Tiote but then again he could be putting himself in the window ready for a summer move,that’s the only reason I can think of to be honest

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  5. Sky Sports thought the linesman actually thought Toure scored it.

    My theory is the linesman confused the ruling with throw ins – where the offside rule doesn’t come into play.
    Aguero was so far offside, that he couldn’t have missed it – it must have been a momentary mind fart.

    Aguero clearly knew he was offside – should he have coughed to it?
    unlikely I know, but it’s a stain on his 100th PL goal either way.

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  6. The fact that Tiote looks to be playing well again will have the club rubbing their hands. He was nearly sold in Jan, so they will be happy he’s holding his value.

    I’m pleased Sissoko is coming good. I openly admit he’s been ***** for the part of the season. But I was one of the only ones defending him a few weeks ago when Rafa had him playing on the left.
    I’ve been saying for a long time now that Sissoko was wasted out on the wings (as was Gini when Mc played him on the left). I have been asking to see him played centrally for ages, so it comes as no surprise to me that he’s most effective from that position.

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  7. Eric. Cannot say I agree with you that we should not play Cisse. Cisse is clearly more mobile than Mitro and that is what Rafa wants hence the reason why Shelvey has not started.

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  8. Groucho: Cisse is not scoring though but I will agree that he does run around but he often loses the ball because his first touch is Rooney-at-a-major-tournament-esque.

    I think Shelvey is not starting because Rafa wants to protect the centre halfs which has been a problem for at least 5 years after Colo lost a step.

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  9. Do you ever think that commentators are too smart-arsed for their own good? We have a British guy called Arlo White who does the big games in the US. He is ex-radio and commentates like he is still on the radio and spends the first 20 minutes of every game giving you every fact you would never want to know about the teams.

    This weekend he outdid himself though. Harry Kane (for it is he) mishit a shot and clever, clever Arlo pipes up with the most contrived piece of commentary I have ever heard that he must have been working on for weeks – “Shot shanked and no redemption”. What a w@nker.

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  10. You see it is a play on words, as I am sure you know Shawshank Redemption. What it has to do with Harry Kane, football or Spurs I have no idea except Arlo obviously thought it was clever.

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  11. I will get back to Prince though because that has been constantly in the news. He was a good musician who wrote a few catchy and eclectic tunes. He wasn’t an icon or a legend. He didn’t have a big influence on other musicians like say The Beatles or Elvis, I repeat he was not a “legend”. To say he was puts down true legends. It is like when The Chonicle refer to Mick Quinn as “Newcastle Legend” – whenever I see that I think it denigrates Milburn and Shearer to put the fat scouse git in their category (although I do like his columns).

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  12. Regarding whether to start Cisse or Mitrovic.

    I agree that Cisse hasn’t looked like scoring in the games he’s started and hasn’t really contributed much either for that matter.
    But Mitrovic has looked like a man possessed in both games he’s came on – and Rafa has given him enough time to have an impact on the game (ie bringing him on at 55mins rather than 85mins).
    Playing Cisse may not be a great benefit, but dropping Mitrovic seems to have been – if that makes sense.

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  13. Didn’t Prince have a few ribs removed so he could indulge in a bit of self appreciation?!

    Can’t say I was a fan but then I was no great fan of Bowie either to be honest.

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  15. Good read SRF, thanks. I was stuck on the last thread though 🙄
    Bad start to weekend , Builders cancelled my new wall due to rain, Lew is ill with chest infection and has thrown up his lunch and meds and hazel has moved back in cause she’s left her fella 🙄 I do hope we get a win as I’m beyond pissed off at the moment.

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  16. Stu, I think Palace will be a draw at best somehow and Villa will probably play with total freedom plus we couldn’t beat them at home and we are poor away. As for Spuds, I think it depends on their title bid tbh.

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  17. Good read SRF.

    Im loving the optimism since the last 2 results but still believe its too little, too late. If Ashley can somehow convince Rafa to stay next season come what may – then i’d be content. Extremely small chance though. Would love to be proved wrong and see us stay up. 😈

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  19. Sham – My optimism was before the last two games. Based on the fixtures firstly, but since our performance against City it’s just made me believe more.

    Kim – We will beat Palace as they’re **** and their season will either be over or they will have a cup final to think about. Villa are just rank and Spurs will probably be deflated by losing the league or if not, if we perform like against City we will beat them – especially with the crowd up for it.

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  21. We should be able to beat Villa as they seem to be a mess. Lescott is being derided for saying he is glad that the relegation was confirmed. He didn’t quite say that but that is the way it is being portrayed with the fans saying he is stealing a living. Agbonlahor has been suspended for “partying” and their owner wants to sell up. Their caretaker manager says one of their players, Jores Okore, refused to play for the club. Two of their directors resigned, one of whom was only appointed a month ago. And they just laid off 500 employees. Morale must be as low there as any club in the world.

    They have no incentive and no manager. If we can’t get an away win there then we deserve to go down.

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  22. This is what the Villa caretaker manager said about Jores Okore. If you thought we were a mess under Ugly John, read on:

    “But once I named the XI on the Friday, which I normally do to try and get more detail into them, Jores asked to see me and said that he didn’t want to be considered to be on the bench, which I found surprising but that was his decision.

    “So I then withdrew him from the squad. I met him again on the Monday and asked if he had considered his position over the weekend. At that point, he said he didn’t want to be considered for any games going forwards. And at that point I really didn’t have a choice apart from remove him.

    “I don’t want people who don’t want to be at Aston Villa and playing at Aston Villa, certainly under the circumstances, and the Bournemouth game was a massive game for us. So he has gone to the under-21s and that’s what happens.”

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  23. The only good thing about Villa is that you would have to be mad to take that job on. That might mean we have a choice of Pearson, Moyes or Rodgers if we get relegated and Rafa leaves.

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  24. ERIC I have a feeling Moyes is waiting to see what going to happen with Rafa before he commits to anything he has said he is going to wait until then before making a choice

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  27. Icedog:
    KIMchin up lass,never had any rain here for a few days,your having a bad trott “again”

    Ice it has been dry for days and when I need it dry it fecks down, going to try for either mon or tues now weather permitting. Lew is ill anyway so probs best it cancelled.

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  29. I see PSG, Chelsea and Liverpool are looking at Ben Arfa. Remind me why we got rid of the most talented player since Shearer? Oh, it was Pards wanting to make him an auxiliary fullback, that’s right. A certain person on here (Troy) agreed as well. NOT SURPRISINGLY since he always agreed with Pardew.

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  30. Sorry to hear that Lew is ill Kimtoon lass. You sound a bit frustrated. All the best. We’ll be thinking of you both.

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  31. I think Ben Arfa can be very difficult at times Eric mate. He definitely has attitude issues and was clearly overweight for a considerable period. Our club was never good at man management during that period however so it’s hard to know who to blame more.

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  32. Although I do tend to blame Ashley for everything. It seems to be the safest bet. 😉

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  33. G2 Bruce couldn’t get Benny to perform just like Pardew imo the wrong type of manager for him,it would take a good manager to get the best from him and neither of them are good managers for the Modern game

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  34. G2, Cheers mate, hoping he’ll pick up tomorrow, I thought he was improving then he went down again which is pretty typical of lew when he’s unwell. He likes to keep me on my feet 🙂

    Ice, agree on Benny, managers like Pards and Bruce would never get the best from him, they like grafters but sometimes it doesn’t hurt to have a flair player in the mix.

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  35. Well, if ever there was a time to play Liverpool this must be it. There are rumours that they may play as many as 5 youngsters and they have as many injury problems as us. Klopp says he is not basing his selections looking at the Europa League semi-final but I have a strong feeling that is just spin if not an outright lie. Last time he played a weakened side they beat Bournemouth so we will still have to fight for this. I think I saw a stat that said we hadn’t won at Anfield in 22 years so we have to break that streak at some point 🙂 10 successive road losses has to be broken as well, right?

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  36. Mbabu in today perhaps, that will be us with an extremely young but promising back 5. What a test for them going into the Anfield cauldron. I fear perhaps a season too early and a painful 3-0 defeat.

    Why oh why didn’t Charnley bladder Mcclaren 10 games earlier

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  37. Good to see Psychs is still grappling with the Troy bone. 😀
    Barfa was justifiably sold and I don’t recall many if any who were not totally hacked off with him.
    He’s back playing in France where the level of work rate suits him.
    He was kicked out of Hull and if he did return to the premier league, it woud result in the same fate.
    A superb talent but the heart of a pea.

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  40. a win today would be truly amazing, but do we dare to even dream ❓
    A point away would be something too, but just not enough.
    A weakened Liverpool team will still be no easy task.
    Howay Rafa and the Lads

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  41. Bafa was as fat as Bruces heed when he was sold. obviously in a state. good to see he’s pulled himself together as he is a joy to watch when on song.

    I was totally wrong predicting the City game so more of the same **** predictions, hopefully..

    LPool 3 Toon 1

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  42. Gashley:
    Bafa was as fat as Bruces heed when he was sold. obviously in a state. good to see he’s pulled himself together as he is a joy to watch when on song.

    I was totally wrong predicting the City game so more of the same **** predictions, hopefully..

    LPool 3 Toon 1

    Don’t worry Gash, we’re used to your **** predictions. 😀

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  45. Rafa has hinted he may stay even if we go down,that’s a wink jabba act on it if you have any brains

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  46. CC aye saw that was wondering myself,but court has blocked naming him,hoping it will come out at some point

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  48. Simon:
    CC & Ice, whats the story?

    Guy has been sending sexy texts ect to some bird and newspaper found out the Sun I think but he’s had storey blocked in court from naming him,maybe there’s even more to the storey

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  49. I too hope it’s Pardew he thinks he’s god gift to everyone he’s always looked a snide type of guy to me

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  50. Thanks Ice, if its been blocked, bound to be more to it. I just hope Palace loose every game from now on and hopefully by 3 or 4 to us next week. Got Newcastle supporting family coming up from near Southampton for that game next weekend, hope we can put on a show for them

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  51. Simon:
    Thanks Ice, if its been blocked, bound to be more to it.I just hope Palace loose every game from now on and hopefully by 3 or 4 to us next week.Got Newcastle supporting family coming up from near Southampton for that game next weekend, hope we can put on a show for them

    Hope it’s a top day for you and a lucky one,had my son over from Malta for the Swansea game turned out good

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  53. interesting what’s going on at Watford with Flores. The owner is carrying out an end of season review and even cup success is said not to save his job. With Owner Pozzo seemingly unimpressed and already having a new coach in mind. Considering he likes to improve on each manager could we see him going for Rafa should we drop? he’s ambitious enough to ask him. Given Rafa wants to stay in England it isn’t out of the question surely . I see that happening more than Rafa to Everton as I don’t see Rafa at Liverpool’s rivals.

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  55. The stars are aligning folks. Sahko has been suspended for failing a drugs test! How will that effect them? Reckon there might be a few rested too.

    I have a 2-1 victory for us today.

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  56. Troy: would that be the same Ben Arfa whose name was chanted at every match, who was adored when he sat in the stands and who the fans made flags for with that beret on? A half fit Ben Arfa could run rings around most of our squad then and I for one don’t blame him if he had a bad attitude the way he was treated by Pardew. Perdew wants to make every team in his own image and eventually loses the flair players which is why he goes on the death spirals.

    But, Back to today 2-2.

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  57. Eric I agree with every word of that. Ginola was no defender either No doubt Pardew would have tried to make him a fullback too. Ben Arfa was brilliant but ruined by Pardew.

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  58. Ice: I looked at that sexting story. Did you notice that they hadn’t even had a first date and the Manager in question was asking for nude pictures and about the possibility of sex on a first date. He also referred to someone as a “stupid cow” which makes me feel he is British because I doubt many foreigners us that phrase.

    So that leaves Mark Hughes, Allardyce, Eddie Howe, Tony Pulis, Pardew and Alex Neil.

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  60. Scum will defo get something from Stoke next weekend and knowing our luck get a point v Arsenal tomorrow .

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  62. ERIC my hope is its Pardew,as KIM says he’s been a bit naughty in the past,even it’s believed it’s the reason he got the push at Southampton pestering some officials wife

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