Wednesday evening sees a repeat of the League Cup round of 16 fixture from just under a year ago in which the eventual champions overcame a resilient Newcastle side in injury time, after the profligate hosts failed to take any of their many chances before being undone late on. This time the defending champions play host and will look to make it seven straight defeats for Newcastle at The Etihad, a venue we’ve yet to taste victory at; our last away win over Man City came in our second last game at Maine Road (30 Sep 2000), and eight years without Newcastle making it to the quarter finals.

Earlier in the season if I had said that going into this game one team would be undefeated in October, while the other comes in on the back of a loss and a draw, you’d probably expect Newcastle to be the latter. However since the return of Cissé against Hull, Newcastle have had an upturn in results, including seven points out of nine in the league this month.

This fixture comes in the middle of a congested run for Man City; the fourth of seven matches in 22 days, thanks to Premier League matches being interspersed with Champions League and League Cup involvement. Despite this the champions of both the Premier League and League Cup will enjoy an extra day’s buffer either side of this match. As with Newcastle, their last victory came against Tottenham, although they have since drawn with CSKA Moscow mid-week, and lost to West Ham on Saturday.

Each team will likely have one eye on the weekend as both sides are currently behind where they’d like to be in the league; City are six points adrift of leaders Chelsea, Newcastle sit four places below their minimum goal of tenth. The hosts have a derby on the horizon against one of the other “Uniteds”, while Newcastle welcome Liverpool. Continue reading →

Newcastle United, Opposition Fans' Thoughts

Man City Fans’ Thoughts on the Match

29 October 2014 Yacob

Click here to go to the discussion thread by Yacob

I returned to the Bluemoon forum to ask the questions ahead of the Capital One Cup tie and the questions used were:

1 – With big matches coming up in the league and the Champions League, how important is your Capital One Cup tie against us?
2 – What line up do you expect?
3 – Would getting knocked out of this competition be a blessing in disguise for Pellegrini?
4 – To what extent is Milner under-rated? Do you want to see him extend his deal?
5 – Mangala has been coming for for a lot of flack since he made his debut. Do you think this criticism is justified or is it a typical case of the British press hammering a foreign player after a few dodgy performances?
6 – After watching your side to date, what needs changing for you to challenge Chelsea?
7 – Do you expect business to be done in January?
8 – If you could pick any ex or current footballer to live in your spare room, who would you choose and why?
9 – What are your views on Newcastle United at the moment?
10 – Score prediction?

Aguero93:20

1 – With big matches coming up in the league and the Champions League, how important is your Capital One Cup tie against us?
Every trophy is important mate and we’d like to hang on to this one, don’t expect a first choice XI but we’ll still put out a very strong side

2 – What line up do you expect?
See above

3 – Would getting knocked out of this competition be a blessing in disguise for Pellegrini?
Not really, it’s easy to think it would but we have a big squad and everyone wants to play

4 – To what extent is Milner under-rated? Do you want to see him extend his deal?
Very underrated, especially by a certain Mr. Hodgson. Hard working, home grown, whats not to like, of course I would

5 – Mangala has been coming for for a lot of flack since he made his debut. Do you think this criticism is justified or is it a typical case of the British press hammering a foreign player after a few dodgy performances?
He’s a tremendously talented kid, give him time and he’ll be world class

6 – After watching your side to date, what needs changing for you to challenge Chelsea?
Nothing really, we’re just clicking into gear slowly after long world cup campaigns for some key players and a shortened pre-season

7 – Do you expect business to be done in January?
Never do any really so no. Maybe a squad midfielder to replace Lampard

8 – If you could pick any ex or current footballer to live in your spare room, who would you choose and why?
Roy Keane so I could hit the c**t in the face with a brick every morning

9 – What are your views on Newcastle United at the moment?
In for a long hard season unless the new signings can deliver consistently

10 – Score prediction?
2-0 to City

Continue reading →

Match Previews, Newcastle United

Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle Utd – 26/10/14

26 October 2014 TJR

Click here to go to the discussion thread by TJR

We head to White Hart Lane on the back of our first win of the season; a 1-0 home win against Leicester thanks to Gabriel Obertan’s second half strike. We should go into this fixture with a bit more confidence after securing our first 3 points, however we also have to be wary that Tottenham will cause us more problems than a subdued Leicester side did last weekend.

On Thursday night Tottenham were in Europa League action at White Hart Lane. They entertained Greek side Asteras Tripolis and ran out comfortable 5-1 winners. A rabona goal from Lamela caused a lot of hype, however the star of the show was England U21 international Harry Kane who put the Greeks to the sword with an impressive hat-trick.

In rather comical fashion Kane also provided what was probably the highlight of an entertaining night, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saw red after Spurs had made all three changes. The hat-trick hero was elected to go in goal and his first piece of goalkeeping action was to fumble the ball into his own net for his 4th goal of the game. It was certainly a night that will live on long in the memory of the 21 year old striker. Continue reading →

Newcastle United, Opposition Fans' Thoughts

Tottenham Fans’ Thoughts on the Match

26 October 2014 Yacob

Click here to go to the discussion thread by Yacob

I went over to Spurs Web this week to ask the questions. There was a decent response, including one who alluded to our young striker Ferguson. The questions were:

1 – Where do you think you’ll finish this season? What about Newcastle?
2 – New signings you think will make the biggest/smallest impact for both clubs?
3 – What young players could make an impact?
4 – What do you think your squad lacks to become a top four team?
5 – If you could have one football player, past or present, live in your spare room who would it be and why?
6 – Will Soldado ever come good?
7 – If your club was a biscuit, what biscuit would it be? And why would it be that biscuit?
8 – Are you pleased with the appointment of Pochettino and how do you rate his performance as manager so far?
9 – What are your thoughts on Newcastle United as an outsider?
10 – Scoreline prediction?

hodgy

1 – Where do you think you’ll finish this season? What about Newcastle?
Spurs 5th Newcastle – 15th

2 – New signings you think will make the biggest/smallest impact for both clubs?
Pocchetino, no idea for you guys

3 – What young players could make an impact?
No idea

4 – What do you think your squad lacks to become a top four team?
A poacher,a centre half who can tackle

5 – If you could have one football player, past or present, live in your spare room who would it be and why?
Rachel Reilly played football years ago although possibly would not keep her in the spare room

6 – Will Soldado ever come good?
Yes if he moves away

7 – If your club was a biscuit, what biscuit would it be? And why would it be that biscuit?
Jammy dodger because it has a soft middle.

8 – Are you pleased with the appointment of Pochettino and how do you rate his performance as manager so far?
Yes and 6/10

9 – What are your thoughts on Newcastle United as an outsider?
Too many french

10 – Scoreline prediction?
3-0

Continue reading →

Match Previews, Newcastle United

Preview: Newcastle Utd vs Leicester City – 18/10/14

18 October 2014 Yacob

Click here to go to the discussion thread by Yacob

The international break has been and gone, despite what Alan Pardew tells you it does affect all Premier League teams, therefore it shouldn’t impact on this weekend’s fixture. There have been no fresh injuries from internationals, although Emmanuel Riviere has picked up a knock at the training ground, showing it may be beneficial to get away from the club in this period.

The pressure on Alan Pardew has become an afterthought in the press, with Mike Ashley’s desires for Rangers becoming more central in the story of Newcastle United’s season. It will be interesting to see the reaction to Pardew this weekend, with the Hull match being underwhelming after the talk of a major protest. If there is an atmosphere similar to that of last season’s Cardiff game and the side fail to get their first win of the season, it could become a foregone conclusion that a managerial change will take place, especially if Newcastle lose at home for the second time this season.

The side has looked poor since the sale of Yohan Cabaye and the players brought in have yet to have any sort of impact. Siem de Jong and Remy Cabella have struggled settling in due to injuries and poor form respectively, which has seen the impetus placed on Gabriel Obertan, a player Pardew wanted to sell in the summer. Newcastle fans who are wishing for a good season will hardly be motivated when they see Obertan take his place from the start tomorrow. He has started the season well, but he should be nowhere near this side.

Leicester have started the season well, with wins over Stoke and Manchester United showing they can be a threat at this level. Their last away match saw them lose at Crystal Palace, and Newcastle should look at that for confidence, but the longer they go without a win, the harder it will become. Nigel Pearson will be returning to the club that employed him as a coach, before a short reign as caretaker manager. The likes of Esteban Cambiasso and Leonard Ulloa have brought class to the squad, with both likely to start at St James’ Park this weekend.

Newcastle should be looking at this fixture as a must win, with a trip to Spurs to follow next weekend, they could be going into November without a win, which would be a disaster for a team of Newcastle stature. An ugly win is needed to boost the squad and relieve some of the pressure building on Tyneside, but Leicester will see this match as a good chance to continue their great start in the top flight. Continue reading →