Duo – Both Steven Taylor and Hatem Ben Arfa are important corner figures

Newcastle United’s delivery from corners has become something of a joke. As we highlighted after our 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on the 2nd of September (just three games into the EPL season). Still, we are in the first week of January 2013, and Newcastle United are yet to still pose any decent threat from a corner. Yesterday’s defeat to Swansea was a bitter pill to swallow considering we were much the better side overall, and controlled possession for the majority of the game which deserves credit, however, this article is not going to discuss our defeat to Swansea, you can find plenty of match reports out there. Below, I will be hoping to [Read more →]

Metalist – Not be underestimated when they visit St.James’ Park

One would almost forget about Newcastle United’s European campaign as Pardew’s men attempt to stave off the threat of relegation, but on Thursday, Ukranian outfit Metalist Kharkiv visit St.James’ Park in first leg of the knockout phases of the Europa League. Metalist have been on vacation following a winter break and their European adventure is likely to be a priority for them as they sit snug in fourth spot in their domestic league. NUFC on the other-hand linger in 16th, and could do without such cup runs if I’m being honest [Read more →]

Pardew – Facing arguably the biggest challenge of his managerial career

When Newcastle United began the 2012/13 Premier League campaign, the world ‘relegation’ would not have existed in the same sentence. As we near the half way mark of January 2013, every single tabloid, broadsheet and blog is talking about the real possibility of Newcastle United finding themselves in the bottom three of the Premier League come May. With Demba Ba – NUFC’s leading goalscorer – departing for Chelsea, and the well documented unhappiness of captain Fabricio Coloccini all coming to the fore at the start of the New Year, Alan Pardew has [Read more →]

Pardew – Tactical inefficiency costing Newcastle United for 3rd game running

As I am sure you know by now if you have read my blog for any considerable length of time; I’m probably one of the most optimistic Newcastle United supporters you’ll met. Optimistic, not unrealistic. However, today’s performance away at newly promoted Southampton was nothing less than depressing even for the most hopeful of us. We were truly atrocious. In fact, I have never seen such a poor performance since the season we were relegated back in 2009, but the less we talk about that, the better. I find it quite funny the sudden change in morale at a club, from supporters all the way to the players on the pitch after a positive result. Southampton’s [Read more →]