It wasn’t a classic but I couldn’t care less. What a monumental win that could prove to be come the end of the season.
We came into this one without hope on so many levels, but the performance was EXACTLY what we were in need of, giving us a much needed victory at home – and a massive three points over our relegation rivals, taking us out of the relegation zone as a result.
Cardiff were poor and failed to get anything going (I don’t think Dubravka made a single save?), but we did our jobs; something we’ve rarely done at St James’ Park so far this season.
Schar was the standout player – scoring twice defending superb too – but there were so many superb displays all over the pitch today. Rondon was invaluable up top, with his hold up play giving us a pivotal platform to build on, Perez was in the mood and deserved a goal, Longstaff and Hayden bosses the midfield battle and Yedlin gave us a great outlet going forward – with Lascelles and Lejeune not putting a foot wrong defensively.
Here’s how the table looks after today’s results:
Elsewhere, a win for Southampton and a good point on the road for Burnley weren’t exactly the results we were hoping for, but that only emphasises what a vital victory this was for us today. It’s worth mentioning that Palace’s loss at Liverpool puts them just 1 point ahead of us now, so there’s several teams in the mix – and we’ve got a good lead over the likes of Huddersfield (10 pts) and Fulham (7 points) now.
Next up we’ll face Watford in the FA Cup a week today, followed by yet another home game against the champions, Man City:
- Watford (H) *FA Cup*
- Man City (H)
- Tottenham (A)
- Wolves (A)
- Huddersfield (H)
A huge win for the team and one that was thoroughly deserved.
There’s a long way to go and tougher challenges await, but today could be the turning point in what has been a dismal season so far at St James’ Park.
HWTL!
Olly – it may not have been a classic, but this was a difficult fixture without a doubt.
Cardiff have been playing well recently and picking up points – and we haven’t – momentum was definitely with them going into today.
Couple that with all the off field goings on – and them having the positive effect of new signings, whilst we were counting injured players – I worried for us today.
But that is the best home performance I have seen from us in a long time. Again I agree with your player ratings mate, but I thought Longstaff bossed that midfield again today. Maybe I’m giving him extra credit coz of his age and lack of experience – but I’m really impressed with that lad.
If we can play like that week in week out, we may not win 3-0 every week, but I think we’d pick up enough points to avoid relegation for sure.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think Rafa has to be a bit ruthless this window and cut Kenedys loan short.
I think Atsu is doing enough to be ahead of him right now. We have other options in Murphy, Roberts and Muto when he returns – and if we could get a LWB in this window, I’d move Ritchie back up there too.
It seems pretty certain that Ashley will do the bare minimum in this window and will invest as little as possible – I get that, he is trying to sell the club after all, so I wouldn’t expect him to spend big.
But that being the case, that loan spot that Kenedy is filling at the moment could be vital.
That may seem harsh or disloyal, but he’s not our player, and unlikely to ever be (hopefully), so his only loyalty should be to NUFC.
Get shot of Kenedy and bring a more effective loanee in imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Arsenal look head and shoulders better than Chelsea – but I can’t believe they are allowing Ramsey to go to Juve on a free transfer like. He’s one of their best players by far and will take a huge amount of money to replace him imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
A very satisfying win for many reasons summed up by Sharpy.
Groucho(Quote)
Great win. We deserved it and we’re much better than them. Reckon three players and we’re a top 12 side easily.
I see Jabba met Rafa after the match. What can he possibly have said? “Hi Rafa, not selling up now. Sorry it’s effected transfer business but we’re full steam ahead now.” “Can I have Almiron”? “We’ll try. Bye now I have to go.”
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – I agree mate. Replace Joselu and Kenedy and bring in a proper LWB and we are mixing more with those 7-12 placed teams rather than the relegation battling ones.
When you consider we still have the likes of Shelvey, Ki, Muto and Dummett to come back into the squad – and with a proper LWB you can then move Ritchie back into the final third. I’m not saying he’s brilliant, and I do think we miss his creativity up there. I would argue he’s better than Atsu or Kenedy and even Perez for that matter – or certainly more consistent than Perez.
Sharpy17(Quote)
How Wise were the anti Ashley protests? They are more likely to stiffen his resolve to hang on.
Leckworth(Quote)
If someone comes in with £300m he’ll be off … but it’s a big IF.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Watching us on MOTD again reminded me – we didn’t take one stupid short corner today – and looked dangerous from each and every one.
With 3 CBs, Rondon and Longstaff & Hayden both 6ft plus – set pieces could be a real weapon for us – especially with Ritchie or Shelveys delivery (when Shelvey comes back).
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharply watching the match at the match we did take a short corner. It came to nowt though.
Leckworth(Quote)
Jabba and Rafa meeting this week. Why? He will ask him to sign a contract and Rafa will ask him to back him in the transfer window. Neither will budge so rinse and repeat!
There’s 11 days left until the windows closes and he decides now to speak to the manager. It’s hilarious it really is. The incompetence of the man.
Stuart79(Quote)
I must have missed that one mate, but they should have been shot for it!!. Only joking, but any corner or freekick we get where we can should see that ball going into the box for our big lads to attack.
Leave Yedlin and Atsu further back incase of a counter attack, and the rest can focus on converting that set piece into a goal.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stuart mate, it is hilarious only to the extent that it is a farce. I don’t really get why Rafa has not been more outspoken about lack of funds. We know he plays the political game but the fans would be right behind him if he called Ashley out. Why not, what does he have to lose?
And we all know what we need as well. We need a number 10 to at least provide competition for Perez. I have watched Almiron quite a few times and think he is worth the risk at 20 million. Bayern are considering 35 million for Hudson-Odoi FFS.
And then it is a left wing/back because Dummett has the dodgy hamstrings and for when we play 3 centre-halfs. The hamstring problems seem to reoccur. Not just Dummett but with Gayle. Seems like when you get that problem it doesn’t go away it sort of goes into a remission.
That would probably be enough to keep us up, although another central midfielder would be nice.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Monumental is a bit strong Olly. They are the worst team we’ve played in years and will definitely get relegated, probably with Fulham and Huddersfield. Rondon and Schar were terrific and I love the way Longstaff has settled into the team. He’ll get better and better. I’m not writing off the Spurs and Wolves games either like most people. We can get something like Watford and Everton away. HTL!
georgio(Quote)
In fairness, other than Cardiff getting Niasse on loan, has any club done any business yet??
(I know they are negotiating a deal for an £18m forward, but that’s not been finalised yet).
The conversation has to be had. It never going to go smoothly or how Rafa or us want it to go, but it has to be had so some form of middle ground can be found.
The fans and Rafa want NUFC to grow and improve – Ashley wants to sell us. So £20-25m on Almiron was never going to happen with Ashley.
But that doesn’t mean to say we can still get the 3 players in needed to improve the squad. They may not be of the quality to get us 7-10 but maybe 11-14 and comfortable and safe in the PL.
That’s not ambition, but we aren’t going to get ambition under Ashley – that’s going to take new ownership and there is nothing we can do about that sadly.
People say he could reduce the asking price, but he has 4 ‘interested’ parties at £300m. Kenyon has paid money on lawyers to look over the books – so that would be seen as genuine interest, and it’s up to Kenyon to come back with exclusivity now.
But in the meantime – and to use the house selling analogy – Ashley has to maintain his asset. You wouldn’t spend £30k on a new fitted kitchen in a house you are looking to sell – but you may spend the money on a bit of a facelift to make it more attractive to buyers.
That’s the conversation Ashley and Rafa need to have for me.
Sharpy17(Quote)
With Longstaff doing so well in the first team – should Rafa be promoting and giving Sorensen a chance now?
The lad as 17 goals in 17 games now and 21 for the season.
I know that doesn’t mean he will definitely score at a much higher level – but what more has the lad got to do to get a chance??
It’s not like we are flush on forwards, and other than Rondon, those we do have are low on form and confidence – so what’s lost by having Sorensen on the bench and giving him 15-20mins.
He should have played against Bburn for me and I felt even more so after the Joselu performance in that game!!.
I still think we should be getting another forward this window – make no mistake about that.
I just think one positive recently is how well the likes of Sterry, Roberts and Longstaff have done when given the chance – and Sorensen should be given a chance too imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree on Sorenson Sharpy. Nothing to lose there especially as a chinese club are sniffing around Joselu. I’d wheel him there myself!
georgio(Quote)
Mate if we could get half the £5m we spent on him back, I’d snap there hand off!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
I don’t think buyers are struggling to pay £300m for us, after all he said he wanted proof of funds first. No way would be buyers get to look at the clubs books without proving they have the cash first, just like agents want proof a buyer for your house has funds in place before any real work starts on a sell of it.
Most likely goal post have been moved by Ashley like wanting to keep signage at ground and merchandise rights ( Rangers anyone ).
From a buyers point of view that’s c rap, as you loose out on potential revenue. Factor in that he has likely asset stripped other bits from the club and sold of stuff to companies he has a finger in and it gets worse.
You then have to factor in player investment , ground updating and training ground revamp and all of a sudden it looks like you are buying a shell not a club, a doer upper as they say.
The true cost is huge, much more than £300m i’d say.
I have said he is a reluctant seller but i actually do think he wants out but wants to keep his finger in the pies too, ergo, we are stuck with the leech.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I would give him away and pay his business class ticket to get there . One way of course…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
https://news.sky.com/story/ashley-aims-for-right-note-with-rescue-bid-for-ailing-hmv-11612905
Well he does like everyone dancing to his tune i suppose 🙄
How about a player or two for one of your other businesses Mike.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – they aren’t even at that stage of negotiating yet. To get to that point Kenyon (not Ashley) would have to ask for exclusivities – it’s at that request Kenyon has to prove he has the funds.
I understand people hate Ashley – I can’t stand the bloke either – but I can’t blame him for Kenyon slowing the process down.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I also don’t think he’d jeopardise a £300m deal over signage. Not when that money is needed for his high street empire.
I also won’t give a **** if the signage stayed – providing he was paying the going advertisement rate. I’d rather it wasn’t – but if it’s the deal breaker, then pay up and hang your signs – only not that big one on the top of the stand … that one MUST go!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, Ashley himself said that the sell of the club was further advanced than at any other time, even going as far as to say it ‘ might ‘ be done by january. If what he said was true, then proof of funds must of been known. And would you let someone look at your accounts if you hadn’t seen proof they could buy your business ?
The whole thing stinks like a fish shop, someone isn’t telling the whole truth here and i’m more inclined to think it’s jabba than Keynon coming up short. Just look how he’s f ucked over Rangers with just a 10% share of them. I want a clean break, no fingers in pies and defo no shitty signs left behind.
How can you have so many failed sells ? Seriously, the man moves the goal post or wants to keep stuff it’s obvious now.
It’s his cash cow .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well, we could certainly do with Spurs waking up.
Stuart79(Quote)
Spuds miss Kane, he brings others into play, much more than just a striker.
Fulham much improved on when i last watched them.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Definite penalty in the 1st half for Mitro not given. Then another marginal one not given. Good for us but typical of Refs being biased in favour of the top 6.
Commentators are as well. It has to be a dead cert to be deemed a penalty against the top 6 and Salah can be knocked over by a feather and they will support a penalty call.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Be nice if we could turn it on v Spuds like Fulham have. Best time to play them right now without Son and Kane. Wonder if Son will be back from Asian cup by feb 2nd .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Spurs are struggling here against Fulham. We could just get a result against them if they continue to play like this, however, I hope they win today. ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
See Mitro’s still got that short fuse like
KIMTOON(Quote)
All kicking off now… Mitro could’ve seen red there
Dubai Toon(Quote)
😉 scores ha ha
KIMTOON(Quote)
That’s luck when your’e down there like.
KIMTOON(Quote)
possibly no Ali, Son or Kane hopefully when we play them.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well, that’s a great result for us. I wouldn’t wish injury on any player, but happy if Ali is out as well as Kane and Son. These fine lines are what might keep us up…
some decisions there in the penalty box that would’ve been given to Mo Salah… ??
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Kim – what I do know is that it’s only the buying party that can process the negotiation to a stage of exclusivity – where you enter into a period to iron out the finer points of any deal without another party ‘gizumping’ Kenyons offer.
It’s not beyond the realms that Kenyon isn’t playing silly games too – allowing the fans to **** Ashley off so he comes back with a better offer for a quicker sale, or us getting to a point where relegation looks certain and Ashley wants rid at a lower price, or even waiting for Ashley to desperately need that money freeing up to buy Debenhams or something like that – he’d be playing Ashley at his own game – but us suffering as a result.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Quite a good weekend for us. Is it 1 from 5 now?
I see Jabba wants to buy HMV. Are Newcastle United the only struggling business he doesnt want to help?
Stuart79(Quote)
FFS
http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=news&view=article&news_id=1069108
KIMTOON(Quote)
I cant see what Ashley sees in HMV. Even the musicians realise there is no money in CDs anymore and can only survive by charging extortionate prices for live gigs. It is all too easy to duplicate, down loan on line or get a free streaming service. I just can’t see any model where it could make money. I uploaded all of my CDs and sold the originals to a 2nd hand music store.
Unless it is a property play I just don’t see what he is doing. He better watch out because even his main business is renowned for being profitable for decades and a few false moves and that could be in trouble.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Madness to continue to play Ki when he was carrying a hammy injury 👿 now he’s not fit to play at all, just typical .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kimtoon: I still don’t get how Spurs were able to get a delay to send Son and we couldn’t do the same for Ki.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric there was an agreement between Spuds and SK over Son because he played more at the WC or something he was given leave to stay at Spurs longer this time as i understand it.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Eric, i had it wrong 🙄 doh, it’s this
Spurs struck a deal with Korea at the start of the season whereby they agreed that Son could play in the Asian Games, which is not on FIFA’s official calendar, in August as long as he missed their international friendlies in November and the first two group matches at the Asian Cup in United Arab Emirates against Philippines and Kyrgyzstan.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I thought he’d linked up earlier with the WC Squad or something.
KIMTOON(Quote)
For all of the stories in the press about transfers and takeovers ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAS HAPPENED!!!! The Chronic put out 10 stories a day written by like 7 full-time “journalists” and they may as well have published blank pages for the last month.
How many games have we played now, 23? That’s 115 things that Chris “the intern” Waugh has learned and I feel like he has learnt nothing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Why couldn’t we strike the same deal for Ki, he was at the WC? Why hasn’t the Chronic with their 7 crack reporters ever brought this up?
Why do we have no idea why Hayden wants away? Again, the Chronic bring it up and all they say is that it is for family reasons. Then bring your girlfriend and kid to Newcastle then. I am sure that Schar misses his family in Switzerland or Ki his in Korea or Muto in Japan. It is like Hayden is the first player ever to be away from their family home. WHY IS IT SO BAD FOR HIM AND NOT OTHERS? Come on Chronicle tell us. Does he have a sick kid or something. They have had a year to find out and if that is the case we may have sympathy for him instead of thinking he is a pu$$y whipped wimp.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, see my second link, it wasn’t the WC it was the Asian games .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Article saying positive news re Almiron. Atlanta have already signed his replacement and NUFC are only £4m away ??♂️
Do they realise that’s the average fee we pay for a player?!?!?!!!!
Also that £4m is supposedly agents fees – we know Ashley doesn’t like paying agents, so I don’t see him paying ONE as much as £4m.
They might as well say we are £20m!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I don’t want to be too grumpy or criticize too much a cause that I agree with – to get Ashley out of NUFC, but this Magpie Group could not organize a p!ss up in a brewery. I applaud the effort, but seriously, what are they thinking?
They want a sit-in AFTER the Man City game which takes place on a cold Tuesday January night and would start at about 10pm. There are so many problems with this but the first is that most fans will not know what is going on. I am guessing the Magpie Group are seated all around the ground so as a few remain dotted around they will not even be noticed in the general rush to get home. It just opens themselves up to failure and ridicule.
And it is City. We never beat City. I have watched a few of their recent games against strugglers and they have been 3-0 up by half time. Unless we play out of skins half the ground will be empty on 75 minutes with people wanting to get up for work the next day.
And the transfer window is not closed by then meaning that NUFC fans will still have hope of a last minute deal. The real discontent will not kick in until and if we realise that nobody any good was brought in. The timing is stupid.
My question for them is – is it better to do nothing for the City game and wait or do something that is set up for failure and make yourselves look incompetent?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Why are we due Ki g about with loans when we have the money in the bank? I mean, honestly – what on Earth is the point in a football club having a load of cash in the bank but not wanting to spend it?
Stuart79(Quote)
I agree on the sit in Eric. I’d have thought home games against Burnley and Southampton would have been better. Also away games too. Just stay there and hope the club charge NUFC for the extra resources they used looking after the fans for an extra hour or two
Stuart79(Quote)
There is a lot to dislike about Saudi Arabia – to name a few: their human rights abuses, I still don’t think they let women drive, stirring up trouble and funding it in the Middle East, using their contacts with the Bush family to smuggle 9/11 conspirators out of the country when there was a total air ban…
But, if they defeat Japan tomorrow night we can have Muto back. He has to be better than Joselu on the bench for the FA Cup. C’mon Saudi Arabia.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It has got to a sad point where I am cheering on Saudi Arabia so we can get Muto back, who hasn’t exactly pulled up trees for us. They know the injury and Asian Cup situation so why no loans? They have had 21 days FFS and are only talking about loans now!
And does anybody really believe that Joselu to China story? Whoever made that one up had a vivid imagination.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ashley may be in denial of PL economics. He just bought House of Fraser for 80 million and gets a 100 year old company with prime locations and their rent deals voided, plus all of their delivery and warehousing infrastructure. What would he get in the PL for that – a Lukaku or 1 and a half Callum Wilsons.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Their policy on driving is one of their plus points, Eric! ?
Stuart79(Quote)
Has anybody seen the pic doing the rounds between Corbyn and Diane Abbott? Goes something like this:
Abbot “What about if we land someone on the sun”? Corbyn “They’ll burn to death you stupid women”! “Not if we do it at night”! Said Diane Abbott! 😀
Stuart79(Quote)
That is so old, my dad laughed so hard he fell out of cradle when he first heard it.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Well it tickled me
Stuart79(Quote)
I used to go to a lot of football matches when I was younger and I can hardly ever remember a minute’s silence. If the Chairman had died or there was some National tragedy. Now watching games on TV there seems to be a minutes silence/applause at just about every other game. Not limited to the official ones but by fans for a young cancer patient or similar. There was a minute’s silence at Old Trafford for the 25th anniversary of Matt Busby. He was a legend but this seems pretty arbitrary to me.
I am not against these tributes but it seems that there are so many and that anybody and everybody must be honoured otherwise it feels like a slight. I am pretty sure that the clubs now feel an obligation to honour something or other because that’s what is done now and they don’t know where to draw the line.
This is not a RANT. It is an observation of a trend and me wondering what is and what is not worthy. It would feel disrespectful if you didn’t go along with tributes, but is it? Who chooses that the dead at Tower Hamlets should be honoured and not a fire at a local hospital only killing 2 people?
It just feels like there are so many of these tributes and it is different. I don’t even know what I am getting at except there are a lot more of them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
* 25th anniversary of Matt Busby’s death
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Japan won so he is gone for a while longer. We cant catch a break with this stupid Asian Cup.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bloody hell, they reckon the £18m forward Cardiff were after was possibly in that plane that went down in the channel that they are search for ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aye I read that. Talk about bad luck. It doesn’t get worse than that.
georgio(Quote)
b loody hell, this don’t look good
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-emiliano-sala-missing-plane-13890171
KIMTOON(Quote)
It doesn’t look good at all for the new Cardiff player but the Guernsey police said there would be debris or oil if there was a crash and a life raft if they were able to do a landing at sea. So, fingers crossed.
BTW I wrote that stuff above about a minutes silence before this happened. I am sure this would be observed across the grounds if he is indeed dead. I would probably agree with that as it is similar to the Leicester chairman.
My point was more about the fact that there seem to be so many more of these pre kick off observations of something or other and who decided what is worthy.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
According to Luke Edwards, NUFC are set to receive a 55 million PL TV installment by the end of this month. Why wait, sign Almiron now. We made a profit of 20 million in the summer transfer window but this might be due in instalments. We probably only got 4-5 million up front for Mitro for example, with the rest spread over the rest of his contract. As we all know this is typically the way a transfer is structured.
But this TV money is cash in the bank and if Ashley wants a deal then try to do a FOR CASH discount with Atlanta and offer 20 million.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know that MLS is a 2nd tier league but I doubt it is much worse than the Croation or Czech leagues and better than the Scottish Premier League. They get a lot of Mexicans and South Americans now and are not reliant on the big names as much. The Rooney’s and Kaka’s are more for marketing.
Almiron was voted most valuable player in the league and that was with Rooney and Schweinsteiger, among others, playing. In the MLS Cup final he was the best player by some margin and that was against the best team from the other Conference, NY, who also have a lot of money to throw around. I watched both legs of that final so am not just passing on second hand information.
I think Stuart said that Almiron had also played in Argentina.
Is this lad a bigger risk than Solanke or Origi at 20 million? MLS is a higher standard than reserve football in England FFS!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
B’mth sign a CB for £12m from Brentford – Chris Mepham – good young player.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just read about the Cardiff player Sala… wow. Very sad. Hope they do find him alive and well.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ian-wright-offers-sympathy-newcastle-15715077
KIMTOON(Quote)
Very tragic news about the Cardiff player. Some supporters saying we should have a minutes silence. Why?
On a practical note, I wonder if Cardiff paid the transfer fee and if insurance pays out.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu: did you read what I wrote earlier before the plane was lost? I am not going mad am I, there are many, many more pre-game and in-game minutes silences and applause than there were 30 years ago when I went to a lot of games.
I probably watch 4 live games every weekend because they finish by 1 and I can have them on in the background. There seems to be a minutes silence in at least one of these every single weekend.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
so jabba does not trrust Rafa in transfer market,we put a thread up about it now they have taken it off???
icedog(Quote)
It’ll be back up soon. Had to take it down as there was an issue with it not showing up on some feeds.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
ok mate,hope there is a sauce
icedog(Quote)