let's hope ameobi stay injured lol

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Added on September 26, 2011, 10:42 pmisn't this image just nice to look at ?

is not that i dont wan to visit SJP but then always planning while nobody among my group support or wish to go there...

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Added on September 27, 2011, 10:52 amanyone of u being to newcastle before this?

Newcastle’s wings not clipped despite not splashing the cash

RETROSPECT
BY LOGANATH VELLOO
HOW high can the Magpies soar? Or rather, a better question would be how long can the Magpies remain in the air before falling to the ground?

Unlike the new English Premier League campaign’s other two surprise stories – Stoke and Queens Park Rangers – Newcastle did not splash the cash during the transfer window.

In fact, the Toon Army sold their best players – Andy Carroll, Jose Enrique, Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan – leaving pundits and columnists to forecast a season of struggle and doom.

The unpopular club owner Mike Ashley did not direct the mountain of cash from the players’ sales to strengthen the squad with big signings.

Instead, manager Alan Pardew had to make do with bargain buys like Demba Ba (West Ham), Mehdi Abeid (Rennes), Gabriel Obertan (Manchester United) and Yohan Cabaye (Lille), none of whom cost more than £6mil.

But the Tynesiders proved the naysayers wrong and have looked anything but relegation candidates thus far. They maintained their unbeaten start with a 3-1 victory over Blackburn on Saturday. Ba’s hat–trick allowed Newcastle to stay above Liverpool in the fourth and final Champions League qualification berth.

Two factors can be contributed to Newcastle’s mercurial start to the season.

Senegalese forward Ba and his strike partner Leon Best are a revelation, with both having scor­ed three times each in the six league matches.

Ba had proved he can adapt to the Premier League environment during his short spell with the Hammers last term (seven goals in 12 appearances) and can be counted on to deliver the goals for the Toon.

But it is Best who has impressed everyone. The 25–year–old, who had cut his teeth with lower league clubs like Southampton and Coven­try, failed to gain much playing time during his top–flight debut with Newcastle last season.

But the sale of Carroll to Liverpool paved the way for the Ireland international to finally come of age.

Newcastle’s current lofty position can also be attributed to a very kind fixture list.

With the exception of the 0-0 draw against QPR at Loftus Road on Sept 12, a match which the home side should have won hands down, the Magpies had not faced much trouble in their five other outings.

They also have yet to face a big team (sorry Arsenal, but you don’t count any more). Anyway, Newcastle drew 0-0 with the Gunners.

Wins over Sunderland (1-0), Fulham (2-1) and Blackburn does not exactly strike fear into those eyeing the position currently occupied by Newcastle.

The resurgent Tottenham, who are increasingly looking like a serious contender for the fourth spot, could burst Newcastle’s bubble at St James’ Park on Oct 15.

And with matches against Stoke and Everton also coming up ahead, Newcastle’s good fortune would have been cashed out by the time they face the league’s big three – Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea – in consecutive matches in November.

Compared to Newcastle, I predict the other two surprise packages – Stoke and QPR – to have a prolonged stay in the top half of the table.

QPR continued their steady climb since the Tan Sri Tony Fernandes renaissance began on Aug 18 with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday and are now up in ninth spot in the standings.

The Potters are a lofty seventh after becoming the first domestic side to stop the United juggernaut this season in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Peter Crouch got the equaliser for the Potters, and in the process became just the sixth player to score for six top flight English teams. Crouch has played for Aston Villa, Southampton, Liver­pool, Portsmouth, Tottenham and Stoke.

CM: Cheik Tiote (Newcastle United)

Demba Ba’s treble against Blackburn made the headlines, but Newcastle’s rise to fourth spot in the table is down to a strong work ethic. Nobody embodied such an outlook more than the midfielder. Was productive in his use of the ball and seems to be forming a progressive partnership with Yohan Cabaye at the heart of Alan Pardew’s improving team.

this guy is our weak link, and has been all season ............. this isnt cricket, where you can carry a player for his captaincy skills .......and sadly, you get the impression that hes undroppable in BFS eyes :?

Couldn't agree with you more. Not once did I see him gee up the squad. Captaincy skills ? Maybe in the dressing room but certainly not on the pitch - leaders normally lead !!

Of the games I have seen him live - Cardiff, Leeds, Millwall, Portsmouth, Peterborough and Ipswich he has been quite bad in all of those; looked miles off the pace and like he was playing in no mans land.

Keeps berating other players when he is making the mistakes.

He was no where to be seen again. How many more games are we going to give him....

I did a 15 minute 'Nolan watch' tonight following some of the comments on this thread. I was surprised at how immobile he was and how he spent much of that time walking around the pitch.

Long and short of it is if this bloke isn't scoring goals he is contributing nothing.

Granted he is a great captain but he is a passenger at the moment.

Without commenting on his footballing ability, since when did shouting at others, pointing, kicking advertising hoardings or mimicking the opposition keeper, make you a good captain and an inspirational leader?

Steve Potts did none of the above. What he did do, was lead by example. Perhaps something that Nolan should start concentrating on...?

He has been rubbish for us this season, certainly looks fat and unable to control a football.

is not that i dont wan to visit SJP but then always planning while nobody among my group support or wish to go there...

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Added on September 27, 2011, 10:52 amanyone of u being to newcastle before this?

I think Pardew is an intelligent manager in terms of when to play his players and when not to..u look at Marveaux..fantastic player..but because of his injury problems for the past year, he is only coming off the bench evethough most would say he should start..

Same goes to Ben Arfa and Santon..Santon could have played in that QPR match but Pardew decided otherwise..so I think he is being smart in not doing everything that seems pleasing on the eye..

Hopefully Pardew won't be making wrong decisions again

How about Tevez join NUF who previously work under Pardew at WestHam? 

Great player Tevez is and we know Pardew has managed him before..but?

Our team is free of any prima-donnas..trouble-makers (except for Ranger)..

We got rid of Barton..we have a team who work for each other and is strong as a team..Tevez is an individual..selfishly thinks of himself so no thanks

anyhow we surely couldn't afford his huge wages

tonight there's no live telecast on tv for our match against wolves, but it's shown in http://www.astro.com.my/stadiumastro/