I'm such a creature of habit. For instance, have you noticed how often I blog on a Saturday morning? Its becoming part of my weekend ritual (and far more pleasurable than many other mundanitites - is that a word? if not it should be - of my Saturday mornings, like doing the washing, cleaning etc.) I seem to need the framework of routine in order to get things done.
One of my 'habits' is to give up booze for the month of January. There are some sound reasons for this :-
1. The need to dry out after the excess of the festive season
2. To prove that I can
3. To save cash as a result of number 1
4. To break the habit of looking at the football scores and immediately reaching for the Merlot/Lager/Southern Comfort/Bleach (delete as appropriate according to the atrociousness of the result)
Normally this isn't too much of a problem - however I never quite make it to the end of the month, as some party or event crops up where you are expected to toast the happy couple/new offspring/divorcee (again, delete as appropriate).
The downside of this is that I always have to 'cope' with the demise of another year of Newcastle United's hopes of winning something stone cold sober. I had to suffer the game against Hull via t'inteweb Radio Newcastle - and even the partisan commentators couldn't put anything much positive on the game. There seemed to be such an air of inevitability about the game, it was only ever going to get settled by one goal - and it was unlikely that Newcastle would score it. Hull are a poor team - but they were better than Newcastle on Wednesday. Depressingly true and I can't even seek solace in the bottom of a pint pot at the moment.
Oh well, another day, another game. Blackburn this afternoon, a chance to put one over Allardyce. As ever travelling more in hope than anticipation. Just had the phone call confirming that their are tickets for me and the Favourite Nephew - looking forward to catching up with everyone. Meeting in Blackburn at 2.00pm.... in the pub. Doh!
Howay the lads
Showing posts with label FA Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FA Cup. Show all posts
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Saturday, 16 February 2008
Motivation
Well, its a football free weekend for the Toon, the FA Cup juggernaut trundles on, with Newcastle left in an Arsenal inspired wake... So, news has been a bit thin on the ground this week, with one exception - Charles N'Zogbia has said that he's "homesick" and wants to leave the Toon.
This bad news for a couple of reasons - the first is that ever since he came to us from Le Harve he's been one of our best performers. Always whole hearted, quick (both on foot and in the head) and adaptable playing either left wing or left back. Secondly, its bad news because if this "Keegan Second Coming" (copyright Evening Chronicle) is going to stand a chance of working then we'll need wingers. To me, Milner and Charlie Zog will fit the bill perfectly.
After reading a bit more into the story (which has surfaced a couple of times) it transpires that he's actually homesick for London and not France... Odd that, seeing as Spurs keep being quoted as being interested in him.... Now I may be being cynical but to me London isn't that much easier to get to Harfluer from than Newcastle is. So, another money (or agent) inspired move is on the cards.
I could understand it if he'd been treated badly by the club, but he has just signed a new contract at the start of the season (presumably with improved terms), he plays most weeks, he's a favorite with the fans (Zog on the Tyne chant is testament to that) and he's just starting to break into the French national side. So why do we have trouble hanging onto players? Is it geography? Unlikely. Lack of funds? Almost certainly not. The absence of European football will be having an effect, and this may be the cause. However, I'd guess its more to do with the economics that are involved in a transfer - a dollop of money to an agent, a dollop to the player and hey presto contract broken.
As an aside - why do the Toon have such difficulty with French players? NUFC.com have pointed this out some time ago - but Goma, Boumsong, Bernard, Distin, Guivarc'h, Robert have all been either complete wasters or do well for a while and then implode. The finest example of this was David Ginola - wonderful player - when he could be bothered. Re-built his career at the Toon and then upped sticks for Spurs (hummm... maybe a theme here) and left in a galic huff when Kenny Dogleash arrived.
So I really hope that Charlie Zog decides to stay in Newcastle - for one thing if he does move one of my favorite bits of football trivia this year will not be as relevant.... "Which tennis grand slam finalist has a cousin that plays for the Toon?" I wonder if he and Charlie have had a go on the courts on Nuns Moor Road - like I did as a kid??
This bad news for a couple of reasons - the first is that ever since he came to us from Le Harve he's been one of our best performers. Always whole hearted, quick (both on foot and in the head) and adaptable playing either left wing or left back. Secondly, its bad news because if this "Keegan Second Coming" (copyright Evening Chronicle) is going to stand a chance of working then we'll need wingers. To me, Milner and Charlie Zog will fit the bill perfectly.
After reading a bit more into the story (which has surfaced a couple of times) it transpires that he's actually homesick for London and not France... Odd that, seeing as Spurs keep being quoted as being interested in him.... Now I may be being cynical but to me London isn't that much easier to get to Harfluer from than Newcastle is. So, another money (or agent) inspired move is on the cards.
I could understand it if he'd been treated badly by the club, but he has just signed a new contract at the start of the season (presumably with improved terms), he plays most weeks, he's a favorite with the fans (Zog on the Tyne chant is testament to that) and he's just starting to break into the French national side. So why do we have trouble hanging onto players? Is it geography? Unlikely. Lack of funds? Almost certainly not. The absence of European football will be having an effect, and this may be the cause. However, I'd guess its more to do with the economics that are involved in a transfer - a dollop of money to an agent, a dollop to the player and hey presto contract broken.
As an aside - why do the Toon have such difficulty with French players? NUFC.com have pointed this out some time ago - but Goma, Boumsong, Bernard, Distin, Guivarc'h, Robert have all been either complete wasters or do well for a while and then implode. The finest example of this was David Ginola - wonderful player - when he could be bothered. Re-built his career at the Toon and then upped sticks for Spurs (hummm... maybe a theme here) and left in a galic huff when Kenny Dogleash arrived.
So I really hope that Charlie Zog decides to stay in Newcastle - for one thing if he does move one of my favorite bits of football trivia this year will not be as relevant.... "Which tennis grand slam finalist has a cousin that plays for the Toon?" I wonder if he and Charlie have had a go on the courts on Nuns Moor Road - like I did as a kid??
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Thats all folks
Well, the end of the season has happened and its SNAFU for the Toon... Its another season in the wilderness of mid table; another season without a shiny pot for the trophy cabinet; another season when the Brasso budget doesn't have to be increased.. And this year we almost made it into February with a flicker of hope.
The predicted defeat came at the Gunners, with Emmanuel Adebayor scoring against us...again. He's rapidly becoming one in a long line of players who love scoring against us - step forward Poyet, Owen (before he signed for us) and Paul Scholes. They always seemed to pop up and score at least one against us every time they see the black and white shirt in front of them. Apparently the display yesterday wasn't the worst and a bit of character and fight was shown - but we still ended up loosing.
So, as the transfer window starts to close, we have nothing to offer any potential new players in terms of being able to win something. However, does that really matter to those players who are likely to be pulling on the shirt in the near future? Nah - its just the size of the weekly armored car drop at the bank that attracts players to any Premiership football club. Its only the fans that care.
So, Kev, my request still says the same, buy us a decent left-back. At least you've stopped playing Charlie Zog there - but Jose Enrique isn't up to the job.. A monumental waste of Ashley's cash. So get rid and get someone else in.
The predicted defeat came at the Gunners, with Emmanuel Adebayor scoring against us...again. He's rapidly becoming one in a long line of players who love scoring against us - step forward Poyet, Owen (before he signed for us) and Paul Scholes. They always seemed to pop up and score at least one against us every time they see the black and white shirt in front of them. Apparently the display yesterday wasn't the worst and a bit of character and fight was shown - but we still ended up loosing.
So, as the transfer window starts to close, we have nothing to offer any potential new players in terms of being able to win something. However, does that really matter to those players who are likely to be pulling on the shirt in the near future? Nah - its just the size of the weekly armored car drop at the bank that attracts players to any Premiership football club. Its only the fans that care.
So, Kev, my request still says the same, buy us a decent left-back. At least you've stopped playing Charlie Zog there - but Jose Enrique isn't up to the job.. A monumental waste of Ashley's cash. So get rid and get someone else in.
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Backlash
Hey, its been a (fairly) quiet week on the Toon front... well, as far as the media is concerned anyway. Just a bit of sniping that the Keegan bubble has burst - well, he didn't manage to win his first game 8-0 therefore he must be a failure and that's about it... Phew, situation almost back to normal.... And then one of those things happens that you just know is going to have ramifications for Newcastle United.
This momentous event? Spurs beating Arsenal in the League Cup (how old school am I?) semi final. Not only is this the first time that Spurs have beaten their local rivals for the first time since the invention of the floodlight, but they thrashed them 5-1. To compound this Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner decided to do a Bowyer/Dyer and start scrapping with each other (interesting how they haven't had bans or were sent off - consistency huh?).
So, why is this going to impact us? Well, we've got two games against Arsenal in the space of a week, the FA Cup 4th round and the League... and I just know that we are going to be the Gunners whipping boys in revenge for this aberration of the natural order of things. I fear for what will happen to us, but I wouldn't be surprised if the goals against column is in double figures... Gulp.
The other thing that has alarmed me is the rumors that we are interested in buying Woodgate - again. Whilst I've always said that he was one of the best defenders that I've ever seen in a black and white shirt... he spent more time in the sick bay that little Micheal Owen (he plays for England you know..) I hope we've got plenty of spare beds and nurses to cope with him.. Also, it really is taking the bringing back old faces thing too far... It will be Killer back next....
This momentous event? Spurs beating Arsenal in the League Cup (how old school am I?) semi final. Not only is this the first time that Spurs have beaten their local rivals for the first time since the invention of the floodlight, but they thrashed them 5-1. To compound this Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner decided to do a Bowyer/Dyer and start scrapping with each other (interesting how they haven't had bans or were sent off - consistency huh?).
So, why is this going to impact us? Well, we've got two games against Arsenal in the space of a week, the FA Cup 4th round and the League... and I just know that we are going to be the Gunners whipping boys in revenge for this aberration of the natural order of things. I fear for what will happen to us, but I wouldn't be surprised if the goals against column is in double figures... Gulp.
The other thing that has alarmed me is the rumors that we are interested in buying Woodgate - again. Whilst I've always said that he was one of the best defenders that I've ever seen in a black and white shirt... he spent more time in the sick bay that little Micheal Owen (he plays for England you know..) I hope we've got plenty of spare beds and nurses to cope with him.. Also, it really is taking the bringing back old faces thing too far... It will be Killer back next....
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Whoops I did it again...
Blimey....
Not only do we manage to score 4 goals in a single match...but we've got a new (or should that be slightly used?) manager. Still stand by my comment a few days ago, its probably as mistake for him to come back, but hey... its better than getting Mark Hughes.
So, King Kev returns, SJP has sold out again and we have made it to the next round of the FA Cup... Its been an odd day. I just hope that we don't end up with Killer Kilcline back at centre half as well...
James Richardson on the excellent Guardian Football Weekly podcast described Newcastle as the Britney Spears of the premiership. I might have been offended if I hadn't been laughing so hard... There is such an element of truth in what he says, the question is will Keegan be our rehab or is he leading us off the rails again. One thing is for sure, supporting Newcastle is never dull.
Oh - and we can kiss goodbye to any sensible substitutions for the foreseeable.
Not only do we manage to score 4 goals in a single match...but we've got a new (or should that be slightly used?) manager. Still stand by my comment a few days ago, its probably as mistake for him to come back, but hey... its better than getting Mark Hughes.
So, King Kev returns, SJP has sold out again and we have made it to the next round of the FA Cup... Its been an odd day. I just hope that we don't end up with Killer Kilcline back at centre half as well...
James Richardson on the excellent Guardian Football Weekly podcast described Newcastle as the Britney Spears of the premiership. I might have been offended if I hadn't been laughing so hard... There is such an element of truth in what he says, the question is will Keegan be our rehab or is he leading us off the rails again. One thing is for sure, supporting Newcastle is never dull.
Oh - and we can kiss goodbye to any sensible substitutions for the foreseeable.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
Give us a break!
Stoke City 0 Toon 0
Well it was a grim night in the Potteries on Sunday - no goals, no class, no invention. Just a blood and guts (well, to be more accurate mud and rain) cup tie. The Toon got just what they deserved from it - nowt.
As usual Taylor gave his all, Faye was the best defender in black and white. However, Owen was hopeless and Viduka clueless. A damning indictment of his contribution is that Andy Carroll came on for him with 10 mins to go and won more headers and made more of an impact than Viduka did in the whole game - from a player who has spent most of the season so far on Preston North End's bench.
So its a replay - at least we've got further this season than the mackems... So what has been our 'reward' for this - if we get past Stoke in the replay (and that's not a given, remember Birmingham last year?) we get Arsenal, away in the next round... Jinxed or what? Still I suppose its better than going out to Oldham or Huddersfield.
Another interesting by product of not loosing to Stoke is that Allardyce is still in a job - and is starting to buy players... Albeit youngsters - so the Ashley purse stings have been loosened to an extent.
Easy game on Saturday - should be 3 points.. only Manure away to beat....
Well it was a grim night in the Potteries on Sunday - no goals, no class, no invention. Just a blood and guts (well, to be more accurate mud and rain) cup tie. The Toon got just what they deserved from it - nowt.
As usual Taylor gave his all, Faye was the best defender in black and white. However, Owen was hopeless and Viduka clueless. A damning indictment of his contribution is that Andy Carroll came on for him with 10 mins to go and won more headers and made more of an impact than Viduka did in the whole game - from a player who has spent most of the season so far on Preston North End's bench.
So its a replay - at least we've got further this season than the mackems... So what has been our 'reward' for this - if we get past Stoke in the replay (and that's not a given, remember Birmingham last year?) we get Arsenal, away in the next round... Jinxed or what? Still I suppose its better than going out to Oldham or Huddersfield.
Another interesting by product of not loosing to Stoke is that Allardyce is still in a job - and is starting to buy players... Albeit youngsters - so the Ashley purse stings have been loosened to an extent.
Easy game on Saturday - should be 3 points.. only Manure away to beat....
Saturday, 5 January 2008
Ronnie Radford
Or as he is more commonly known on Tyneside "Ronnie Bloody Radford". Ever since that fateful day at Edgar Street in 1972 (aka Nightmare on Edgar St) when the Toon were dumped out of the FA Cup by a non league team, we've been hoping for a similar result that would take the pressure off us. Needless to say, despite numerous other 'upsets' on FA Cup 3rd round day - nothing seems to have eclipsed that day (although Shrewsbury beating Everton in 2002 came fairly close). That Radford goal is trotted out at this time every year - along with the annoying commentary from Motson (how many other Geordie's hearts sink at the sound of him saying "Tudor's lost it....."?).
So in the current climate of media induced madness the FA Cup game against Stoke is being viewed as Allardyce's last stand. If we get thrashed (or even draw) then I think that I'll be him looking for another job soon. It really is a no win situation for the team - if we win (ha!) then it'll be expected, if we loose then the clucking media will ensure that we are the laughing stock again. Mind you, if we don't get through then the season will be over for us - by the 6th Jan... Not a pleasant thought. One thing for sure, it won't be pretty. I'd guess at a scrappy game and hoping for a lucky goal to get us into the next round. I'll be there to witness it at fist hand - I really do pick my matches don't I?
One thing for sure though, we won't be playing in that hideous all red strip like we did when Hereford beat us... What were they thinking???
Howay the Lads - I don't want anymore instability - so lets have that cup run.... and then collapse in the final like we usually do.
So in the current climate of media induced madness the FA Cup game against Stoke is being viewed as Allardyce's last stand. If we get thrashed (or even draw) then I think that I'll be him looking for another job soon. It really is a no win situation for the team - if we win (ha!) then it'll be expected, if we loose then the clucking media will ensure that we are the laughing stock again. Mind you, if we don't get through then the season will be over for us - by the 6th Jan... Not a pleasant thought. One thing for sure, it won't be pretty. I'd guess at a scrappy game and hoping for a lucky goal to get us into the next round. I'll be there to witness it at fist hand - I really do pick my matches don't I?
One thing for sure though, we won't be playing in that hideous all red strip like we did when Hereford beat us... What were they thinking???
Howay the Lads - I don't want anymore instability - so lets have that cup run.... and then collapse in the final like we usually do.
Thursday, 3 January 2008
Tired
Toon 0 Man City 2
Ho hummmm.. another night another defeat.
I didn't see the game, have read very little of the reports from the game, and haven't seen any of the 'highlights'. Why? Because I can't bare to look. I feel like a small child hiding behind the back of the sofa because Dr Who just got too scary to watch. The Toon train is coming off the tracks... again.
The press vultures are gathering for the crash which they fully expect to happen at Stoke in the FA Cup. BUT as the excellent Biffa said
To say that there's a groundswell of opinion against Allardyce is untrue - nobody was shouting much about anything tonight, least of all for Alan Shearer.
This apparent collective will to see Sam sacked and replaced by the local hero that fills newspaper columns remains an illusion - along with us preferring to lose matches in the name of entertainment...
However it's undeniably another blow for Allardyce - much more of this and at some point the towel will be thrown in by his corner, whether his guard remains up or not.
Take your pick: Barton's incarceration, recent refereeing decisions, the Nations Cup callups, Owen's miss tonight the banana skin cup tie up next, the visit to Old Trafford after that, or the ceaseless media attention.
Says it all really.... I'm tired of the press, tired of crap football and tired of watching over-paid under-caring players who don't care for the fans or the pride that should come with the shirt [how I wish that the newly released Barton would pay some attention to what I think of him]. I have pride in the job that I get paid for, I want to do a good days work and feel that I give my best for employer and my customers.... If only the 15 or so that play for the Toon cared as much....
I'll stop ranting now... but I'm damn tired of all this.
Ho hummmm.. another night another defeat.
I didn't see the game, have read very little of the reports from the game, and haven't seen any of the 'highlights'. Why? Because I can't bare to look. I feel like a small child hiding behind the back of the sofa because Dr Who just got too scary to watch. The Toon train is coming off the tracks... again.
The press vultures are gathering for the crash which they fully expect to happen at Stoke in the FA Cup. BUT as the excellent Biffa said
To say that there's a groundswell of opinion against Allardyce is untrue - nobody was shouting much about anything tonight, least of all for Alan Shearer.
This apparent collective will to see Sam sacked and replaced by the local hero that fills newspaper columns remains an illusion - along with us preferring to lose matches in the name of entertainment...
However it's undeniably another blow for Allardyce - much more of this and at some point the towel will be thrown in by his corner, whether his guard remains up or not.
Take your pick: Barton's incarceration, recent refereeing decisions, the Nations Cup callups, Owen's miss tonight the banana skin cup tie up next, the visit to Old Trafford after that, or the ceaseless media attention.
Says it all really.... I'm tired of the press, tired of crap football and tired of watching over-paid under-caring players who don't care for the fans or the pride that should come with the shirt [how I wish that the newly released Barton would pay some attention to what I think of him]. I have pride in the job that I get paid for, I want to do a good days work and feel that I give my best for employer and my customers.... If only the 15 or so that play for the Toon cared as much....
I'll stop ranting now... but I'm damn tired of all this.
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