Toon Fans

 

Should be given an award for service to the community.

 

I just google map-ed our old home and we were about 1.5 miles away from SJP.  Alas I was too young at the time to be aware of the fact and it was before I started supporting the club (which ironically happened after we moved back here).  As an aside I was aware that the alley at the back of our house ran to a brewery...

 

 

I'm not sure that either part of that is right.  Cabaye strikes me as more of a regista (what's awkwardly translated as a "deep-lying playmaker), if a combative one.  A gallic Paul Scholes, if you will.  Insisting that he try to play between the lines would seem like a waste of his long passing, may be something of a gamble on his movement, etc.  If there is a problem with Cabaye, it's the lack of attacking movement in wide areas.  (Clearly, Obertan & Marveaux were intended to help solve that, but neither has come right yet.)

 

I reckon he'll have a fantastic second season.

 

 

 

Whose the Geordie Boot Boy who hangs out in the Fever Zone?  Mostly heard during "Ricky Herbert's Yellow Army".

 

 

 

All I really have to say is: good old Shola.  He'll still be in contract at seventy if he keeps up the knack of scoring goals in this fixture.

 

True story.

 

Perhaps a bit tame these days, but in 2009 we only knew about Balotelli as a high potential striker on Football Manager.

 

I suppose everyone should feel grateful: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/mar/08/newcastle-united-losses-fall?intcmp=239

 

Are we entering into prolonged stability? http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1032606/newcastle-midfielder-ryan-taylor-signs-new-deal?cc=3436

 

 

 

Ashley & Llambias come across a bit like Pierpont Mauler and Slift in this piece.  "They may have to be as they are, but they do not have to be."

 

Assuming that the Guardian is correct about those teams, the positional battles are:

 

Central midfield: Tiote & Cabaye against Song & Arteta & Rosicky - honestly, this only looks even at 2 vs. 3.  If Rosicky tries sitting between the lines he won't see much of the ball.  Song's task will be particularly difficult.  While Ramsey's return gives Wenger a combative substitute, I don't fancy the Welshman stamping his mark on the game against Tiote.

 

Newcastle's left:  Jonas & Santon against Sagna & Walcott.  It looks like Pardew will set up his left to hold off Arsenal's main attacking zone, and it doesn't look too bad. 

 

Newcastle's right:  HBA & Simpson against Gibbs & Oxlade-Chamberlain.  This will probably break down into one on ones.  It's difficult to predict - the Ox is a great prospect, but has not been playing at a high level for very long.  I think Ben Arfa will tend to get the better of Gibbs.

 

Newcastle's defence:  Coloccini & Williamson against RVP & Rosicky.  Barring a masterclass by his countryman, the Dutch striker is going to score.  The question is, "how many?"

 

Newcastle's attack:  Ba & Cisse against Koscielny & Vermaelen.  Again, I think the question is not, "will they score?" but "how many will it be?".

 

Hislop's law:  It's all about the goal-keeper.  Krul is better than Szczesny, and his fans find it easier to spell his name, too!  

 

I say: Newcastle to edge it in an action-packed game.  Controversy guaranteed, manager shouting-match likely.  Final score 2-3.

 

It seems like Pardew intended to match Arsenal 3 v. 3 in the central zone (with Obertan picking up Song).  That wasn't too bad, but it meant that the Gunners had no need to restrain the fullbacks.  Sagna provided a lot going forward on the right and the strain definitely told on Santon.  Wenger's retort, of course, was to throw yet another body into the middle with the Ox coming inside.  Rosicky played very well in that crowded zone, and Arsenal pressed very effectively to shut down Newcastle's options.

 

A tight and iinteresting Financial Fair Play derby - and to be honest, one that Arsenal deserved to win.

 

I look forward to seeing him once he's comfortable in the League!

 

Anyway, 3 valuable points and staying in the Europa "zone", athough it would be nice if Pardew can inspire the team to get a bigger trophy this season.

 

 

Really, we can rest on our laurels.

1.  I kinda hope that we only qualify for the Europa League.  Champions League football would be grand and all that, but it could lead to a bit of madness.

 

2.  Ba & Cisse are Super Demba Brothers.  I don't think there'll be any issues there.

 

3.  Handball appeal seriously over-rated.  It looks a bit that way from an angle that no official would have seen - from cameras closer to what the ref would have seen, the ball seems to strike Simpson's chest.

 

Edit: And of course it would be nice to have a trophy to go along with our Teresa Herrera.

 

 

 

Don't get me wrong, the Euros would be good for the club.  I just see it as more likely that the club can handle a tilt at the Europa League (playing young guns against the weaker clubs) without getting carried away and losing track of domestic duties.  We've had the glorious dabbles before, steady progress is the order of today.

 

2009/10: Championship winners

2010/11: 12th EPL

2011/12: 4th EPL

2012/13: UCL semi-finalists and FA cup winners

2013/14: New owner (Cheryl Tweedy anyone?)

 

 

Steady progress with Teresa Herera would be OK, too.

 

 

It's the booby prize.

 

 

Also note that social media-based football pundit Erik Pieters is now supporting Newcastle.