Ex-Newcastle defender John Beresford has stated that two wins from their last three will be enough to keep the Magpies in the top flight for another season.
After making his name as a marauding left back during Newcastle’s ‘Entertainer’s’ period in the early to mid nineties, the 49-year-old has taken to the press this week to give his thoughts on United’s current relegation scrap.
With their final three fixtures coming against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, it will be the former two that manager Rafa Benitez will earmark as ‘must wins’ for his side. Assuming the Magpies get nothing but a couple of premier league fantasy football points out of the final-day clash with Spurs next month, relegation rivals Sunderland and Norwich cannot pick up more than four points in their final four games in order for Beresford’s prophecy to be correct.
Will six points be enough? Judging by Sunderland and Norwich’s final four games, we’re really not so sure.
Norwich final four fixtures:
Arsenal (away)
Man United (home)
Watford (home)
Everton (away)
Sunderland final four fixtures:
Stoke City (away)
Chelsea (home)
Everton (home)
Watford (away)
Thanks Nicky.
Two wins positively won’t be enough in my opinion. Sunderland could easily pick up wins against Stoke (who are seemingly on the beach now) and Watford.
Chelsea and Everton are no great shakes either. As much as it pains me to say it, I think it will be the scum who get over the line. 🙁
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
If we can go into the last game of the season ahead of Sunderland & Norwich on points then I’ll be happy & would have confidence we can do it.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Pardew is like a cockroach. You cannot get rid of him. He has the worst league record in 2016 and yet his team completely bucks that trend and he gets them to the FA cup final. They have a chance of winning that as well as nobody ever knows which Man U team will be picked and whether they will turn up.
As far as Schteve is concerned, I think it was almost universal on here to say they wouldn’t have picked him but let’s give him a chance. I went easy on him, even with big reservations, because I knew I had been very critical of the previous two managers. There was one guy who disappeared (Simon or someone, a Brit in China?) who was made fun of because he thought we would be minimum top 8 and probably top 6. If you remember that you will see there was some realism about Schteve’s appointment whilst hoping against better judgement that he would be a success.
I also remember the 3 window approach being questioned, his acceptance of head coach title signifying he was weak, wondering about his failed coaches following him to NUFC, his very spotty record with a lot more failure than success, the tough start etc. A lot was brought up but everybody wanted him to succeed despite their reservations and gut instinct.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
My above post was in answer to a couple of things on the last thread.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Not sure 36 will be enough but I’m really not buying this Sunderland are good malarkey. I still find it hard to imagine Sunderland or Norwich getting two wins. We have good games which we would of hand picked in the next two games and if we can rattle off two wins on the bounce we will stay up. At this stage of the season any club that wins two on the trot will stay up. Given the fixtures we have a better chance of achieving that.
Stuart79(Quote)
Everybody and their dog is saying that the sides that Sunderland have to play are already on the beach. Really? Chelsea just beat Bournemouth 4-1 away. Everton were unlucky in the FA Cup second half. Stoke just got hammered by two of the PL form teams who are 2nd and 3rd. They have done well against other teams and I doubt Hughes will let that continue. Sunderland might be relegated before Watford 🙂 but Watford have some talent to hurt them.
Not all of these teams will go on death spirals to end the season and at least 3 of them have better talent than the Mackems. And will the Mackems suddenly find Champions League form? Maybe, but it is doubtful.
In my opinion. Norwich have the hardest run in of the lot and I will be surprised if they pick up more than 4 points and I think their GD might get damaged in one or two of their games which would be good for us.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Lionel it was, Eric. Never been seen since
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu
we went to Norwich and didnt look very good. yes we fought back but were eventually beaten.
Sunderland went there a couple of weeks ago and totally bossed Norwich, winning 3-0
they are capable of winning games. they could of easily won yesterday.
At the minute I’m slightly leaning towards Scum saving themselves. My only hope is Stoke and Everton play for pride and their fans
Gashley(Quote)
STUART just wish we had a player we could rely on as a goal scorer,Cissie is a bit hitty missy,Mito isn’t doing enough the m/fielders are not weighing in enough either,scum have a goal poacher the little ****,hope he has a lean spell
Icedog(Quote)
I’m not totally convinced we’ll beat Palace. we were poor first half v Pool. If we start slow again we could be caught by the pace of Palace and may find it hard to fight back
Gashley(Quote)
i hope he falls down a manhole and smashes his shins.. 😈
Gashley(Quote)
Stoke last 3 home games
0 – 4 v Tottenham (h)
2 – 2 v Swansea (h)
1 – 2 v So’ton (h)
Gashley(Quote)
That’s him Stuart, Lionel Speed.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Gashley – How many times have you heard Sunderland were unlucky or deserved to win over the last couple of months? I’ve heard it every single week, hey they’ve won only 2 in 13. They can’t be unlucky every week. It’s a fault in their team. They can’t play any better imo and they are sure to have the odd poor performance and the teams they’re playing against will take advantage. Unlike us who have two poor sides to play in the next 2.
Stuart79(Quote)
Thank you Nicky.
Think it’s gonna take more than another 6 points to be safe. A few months back it was looking like as low as 34 would be enough but with Norwich, Scum and us picking up unexpected points it’s up in the air again. Still think Scums goal difference and the Defoe factor could be crucial in the end.
kimtoon(Quote)
About time they kicked their *** out
http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/
Icedog(Quote)
same as us then 2 in 13..
Gashley(Quote)
I know we had McClaren at the time but all of the teams Sunderland play played well against us. Chelsea and Everton slaughtered us. They still have the same players even though their form may not have been great recently. I wouldn’t write those games off as Sunderland wins. Just like us, Sunderland are in a relegation fight for a reason. Fat Sam has had time and has made them hard to beat but if Defoe doesn’t score then nobody else looks like they will. He’s hardly going to score 4 hattricks is he (fingers crossed he doesn’t).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-dressing-room-finally-11240876
This basically shows why the blame for this is squarely at McClarens door.
Stuart79(Quote)
But Gashley, you’re missing my point. They’ve supposedly been playing really, really well during that period. We’ve been pathetic yet we’re still in with a chance and are coming into form.
Stuart79(Quote)
they obviously weren’t playing really well, they just showed more fight than us. we have a similar record to the Scum over 13 games but now we are playing with passion (albeit normally in the 2nd half)
that for me puts it level pegging. I dont see us having an advantage.
Gashley(Quote)
You don’t see us with having the easiest next two games?
As I said, any team that can win two games on the bounce will stay up. We have a better chance than them.
Stuart79(Quote)
I see Palace and Pardew as a bit of a bogey for us. they smashed us down there. I wouldnt be surprised if we drew
Gashley(Quote)
Do you think if we play like we did against City we will win?
Stuart79(Quote)
lol I’m not sure mate. its a funny old season. we beat Bournemouth at their ken but got well beaten up here.
Palace play a pacey game, they get in behind the full backs similar to B’mouth
I obviously hope we win but im not as confident as you
Gashley(Quote)
I don’t think 6 will be enough, think we need to get something from the Spurs game.
We have a chance of staying up. It is out of our hands but we need to pick up two wins from the next two games and see where we are
Johno Toon(Quote)
Whoever now runs this blog… Put a f*cking link at the bottom please to stop us wasting our time putting posts on threads that are out of date…, Jesus!
Dubai Toon(Quote)
From last thread…
No matter what anyone says, there are a load of ifs, buts and theories… The plain fact is that our destiny, whether we stay up or go down is out of our hands. We are now reliant on others to f*ck up. We can win all 3 of our remaining games but if Norwich and Scum also win or just match our results we are down. We can assume what we like, but we are reliant on others and that is a very bad place to be. The scum’s goal difference is also worth an extra point so all the odds are against us.
I’m born and bred Toon, I eat, sleep and breath black and white, but I’m so low right now I just hate this position in which we find ourselves. At least if our destiny is in our own hands there is real hope … But it is not. We needed to beat Norwich and scum. We didn’t. Now we have to just hope …
(Quote)
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I think there’s a difference between theory and realism. For instance, in theory Sunderland could win every single game they have left and finish on 42 points. In reality they won’t and if we get to 39 points we will stay up and I just happen to think that if we win our next two games it will heap so much pressure on the other teams that it will make it a lot harder for them.
Stuart79(Quote)
The problem for Sunderland is that they’ve played well, and look solid at the back at times; but they’re not turning it into wins. Without Defoe they would be relegated already. They are only one point above us and we haven’t even got a goal scorer.
DJG(Quote)
A little song to sing at the match:
We’ve got Rafa, we’ve got Rafa
What have you got?
What have you got?
Not a lot. Not a lot!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Abolsitely spot on, DJG. It’s what I have been saying for the last couple of weeks.
Stuart79(Quote)
Dele Alli could well be banned for three games there. Looked like he punched that guy… More good news for us.
Stuart79(Quote)
They beat Norwich 3-0 away from only last week and have a game in hand with an 8 goal advantage against us.
I think we could make a real go of it but writing them off as rubbish is a bit premature. Whilst they have only won won 2 in 12 (the same as us), they have picked up 12 points in 10 games whilst we have picked up 6. Fingers crossed the stars align for us…
Shamrock(Quote)
I see your point, Sham but Norwich are ****. We got beat off them because we were just as **** and to be fair a tad unlucky in that game. But I can’t have them capable of winning 2 out of 4 games when I look at their fixtures. The two reasons I think we will are becuase of who we play and the fact we are coming into good form.
Stuart79(Quote)
And WBA have just equalised! That helps us and they look very very nervy!
Stuart79(Quote)
Spuds pegged back
kimtoon(Quote)
Nice equalizer by West Brom.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Am I right in thinking that I Spuds draw tonight & Leicester win there next game they win the league coz Spurs couldn’t then catch them?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Correct, Sharpy.
Stuart79(Quote)
The thing is though, we don’t want Spurs to be in danger of dropping out of the top 3/4. 4/6 points behind Leicester and safe in the top 4 is what we want for the last game.
DJG(Quote)
That’s why they play the game innit. Spurs the form team with everything to play for and at home. West Brom looking awful recently with players wearing their flip-flops and a Manager under pressure for his style of play but comfortably safe. Result = Draw.
Giving Sunderland wins against teams that have “nothing to play for” is madness. As is assuming a win for us against Palace. I still think we will beat Palace but I am not assuming it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There goes the title Spurs…… Hee hee.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Leicester need 1 win or 3 draws. Spurs have to play Southampton who might want to put one over on their ex-manager.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They have Man Utd away next, then Everton before they finish with Chelsea.
Sharpy17(Quote)
First part of my prediction almost happening.
Other thing is, look at that WBA performance and tell me that teams like Everton and Stoke will be on the beach.
Stuart79(Quote)
Spurs next game is away to Chelsea! It’s over!
Spurs will be gutted when they come to SJP and they’ll be without Alli.
Stuart79(Quote)
Looking at the Spurs fans they had banked these 3 points. That’s the problem there, you can never get complacent and if we do against Palace or Villa we are down.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sometimes West Brom can really mess up your day. Isn’t that right Pochettino?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Stuart: I said the same thing @21.51. But even more than that Pulis was under pressure just like Martine and Hughes and had nothing to play for, but…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Palace is different for me. They’ll have this mental issue about the final. One star just aligned… 😀
Stuart79(Quote)
It is still extremely likely that Spurs will finish in the automatic CL teams spot even before they play us.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This game does serve as a reminder for all those saying Sunderland have an easy run in because their opponents are on the beach already.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’m starting to worry that the Palace game might be harder than we thought. We are still capable of a dodgy first half I.e Liverpool. Bolasie is back also? He is their best player IMO. Cabaye will not fear us either and likes to get stuck in.
DJG(Quote)
G2: I said it on the last thread but why weren’t you getting stuck in on that ridiculousness on Ed’s yesterday and today 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t think their defence is that great though. If we go at them like we did Norwich at home I think we’ll comfortably win. If we get complacent then no.
DJG(Quote)
I find it impossible to get complacent in our position! Rafa won’t let them. Expect another different team with them all up for it.
Stuart79(Quote)
ERIC I’ve told you before they are a bunch of kids,my da is bigger than your da,don’t bother mate
Icedog(Quote)
Just like I said. Spurs banked on 3 pts like some are with us v Palace
No easy games
Gashley(Quote)
We won’t be seeing Alli unless there is Spurs favourtism. That is a clenched fist punch to the gut.
The other thing about predicting results – it doesn’t account for the Ref. There could be sendings off, penalties and hand balls given and not given that change the course of games. We have seen it many times with us this season. I will not mention them all but Mackems away there was a penalty not given and a sending off that was rescinded. That, and the handball not spotted against Norwich would put us in a vastly different position now.
Please Cattermole be yourself and Refs please give him what he deserves for the 10 mistimed tackles he makes every game that seemingly hardly ever get punished.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If that’s true then Pooness literally put the kiss of death on Alli tonight. He said ‘he’s got a bit of agro in him and I can see him getting some sendings off in his career’. Before kickoff. Hahaa. Good old Souness, you card.
DJG(Quote)
Souness talking about Sunderland staying up saying Sam has them keeping clean sheets and “just Finnish a way to win” while looking at a graphic of Sunderlands last 7 games which had 1 Win on it! What a muppet!
Stuart79(Quote)
* finding
Stuart79(Quote)
Sourpuss needs to stop calling 20/21 year olds, ‘still a baby’. It will make him look like a silly old fool, not that he needs help.
DJG(Quote)
Really, is there any need for that mate?
With about 300 people commenting on every post it’s a better idea to drop us an email in a pleasant manner if you wish for something to be changed than bash us in the comments.
As well as there being a link to the latest post on the bottom of every article, I always post a link to the latest post in the comment thread to help people out. You’ll see moments after Nicky Toon’s article I posted in ‘Rafa simply must stay’ to inform people. Not only that, there’s a ‘recent comments’ section on the side bar too.
The functionality of wordpress (at least to what I’m aware) doesn’t allow us to place a latest articles widget beneath the comments section, mainly because it’s not necessary on 99% of sites (the old theme may have allowed this but it was vastly out of date in other areas).
Ours is very different in that it is a blog that runs like a forum, as a result people like to continue a thread of discussion as and when articles come in. We get that and we’ve tried to accommodate everyone as best we can with the changes but as we’re no Bill Gates’, we’re sadly limited to what we can do in some aspects.
If anyone has grievances with the site i’d rather we discussed it amicably as this would be better for all of us. 🙂
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
I actually don’t see any issue here. On the mobile site the latest article/thread is at the top i.e. the first thing you see. On the PC site the latest article/thread is on the right at the top. Once you get used to it it is quite simple. The only confusion might be on the PC site where the articles scroll sideways in the middle but that is no big deal.
You might occasionally end up posting on an older thread by mistake but that is easily solved by copy and pasting to the current thread.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Mag and Ed’s are the only other sites that seem to get a lot of comments. There are so many articles on there though that there is virtually no continuity in the comments section (until Ed goes to sleep at 8pm Eastern USA time).
The Chronic has so many articles that comments are only directed at that particular piece and there is virtually no general football discussion, continuity, questions asked and answered, or interaction.
This site might not be perfect but it seems to work if you want an interaction with other bloggers which only Ed’s does as well but that has its flaws as well.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
300 people commenting? 😀 More like 6 people commenting 50 times .
I think 3 wins are needed. Win 3 and I’d say we’d be safe. The odds favour Sunderland.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Fantasy League ended with a whimper for me. After pushing Alestars for the top spot for so long, a miserable end of season disaster and unbelievably unlucky results has seen my Roar team drop out of the top 8 for the first time this season … and at the crucial time an’ all. Typical of the luck I’ve had since Xmas. At one stage AMF commented on a game between Alestars and Roar that it would be a draw because we had the same team. Pity we didn’t play against the same teams.
The top 8 are:
1 Alestars 79
2 Shteves Shcitty 70
3 Balotellitubbies 69
4 Nik Nak Utd 66
5 Born Winner FC 63
6 Macas Pony and Trap 62
7 Puff Puff Pass 60
8 Natalie Sawyer Fan 59
I presume it’ll be 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5. I’ll keep you posted till the end.
Wooden spoon to Hitman’s Army.
Many thanks to all who played. It was fun (if frustrating). Maybe we’ll do it again next year, eh?
Brisvegas(Quote)
Three wins is more than achievable in my opinion. Especially with the fixtures we have.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – I think last nights result could make our game against Spurs that bit easier.
I think Spurs dropping points last night makes it highly likely the league will have been won by Leicester by the time Spurs visit us.
They will have secured 2nd and I reckon their players priority will be staying fit & avoiding injury for the Euros.
If we beat Palace & Villa, I think it will be in our hands going into the Spurs game – and that one became a lot more winnable after last night.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bris – thanks for running the FFF mate. Like the gunners, I’m happy to settle for 4th place.
Good fun though and one of the few positives about this season (so far)
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stuart – for your prediction to become reality we’ll also need a large slice of luck which is something we’ve been devoid of all bloody season. I thought maybe that was the SM factor but that 3rd goal v Norwich says it’s the team not the manager.
Will Alli be banned. He has a dark side to his play. Let’s hope so.
Georgio(Quote)
Sharpy – The fact we have our next two fixtures against Palace at home and Villa away gives us a great chance in my opinion. I still think any team in a relegation battle with 3/4 games to who can win 2 games on the trot will stay up.
Georgio – What luck do we need?
Stuart79(Quote)
Bris you big whinging pom, man up and accept that you couldn’t copy my team to the exact specifications. I have hammered all who have opposed me and as soon as you set off on your own you were lost.
Newkie(Quote)