Newcastle FC FAN CLUB, Newcastle upon Tyne (2026)

15/04/2013

Alan Pardew said it was an ugly day for Newcastle today in our defeat to Sunderland -and that’s putting it mildly – it was simply a devastating day for Newcastle fans around the world.

Paolo Di Canio – low key celebration at St. James’ Park

This is what Alan said after the game today:

“It’s an ugly day for us. We played like a team that looked tired mentally and physically against a fresh team.” “Nothing went right for us today – nothing.”

“First half, we were disheveled and not really great, and they nicked the goal that we should have done better on. Second half we came out and looked okay.”

“And we had a great opportunity for the equalizer which should have been given, and really I have to say that’s a massive turning point.”

“You get 1-1 there, we get a lift – we get an energy lift as much as anything and a mental lift that we can go on and win the game.”

“But that got taken away, they slowed the game down with all the tricks in the book and then smashed a second in.” “We lose Tim to a dislocated shoulder.”

“You can rattle them all off. It was one of those days and I don’t want to have too many of them again.”

Advice to Alan Pardew – deal with the problems you have – that’s part of your job – and don’t feel sorry for yourself..

It was the first defeat at home to Sunderland in 13 years, and the biggest defeat to the Black Cats for 34 years, since we were beaten 4-1 at St.James’ Park in 1979.

source: http://www.nufcblog.com

12/04/2013

upcoming newcastle fixtures epl - sunderland vs newcastle 14 april .

12/04/2013

Pardew – I’m Proud To Be Manager Of This Football Club

Alan Pardew came up with the perfect match plan lat night to try to get a 2-0 win against Benfica, and progress to the semi-finals of the Europa League – and his Newcastle side almost executed the plan perfectly – almost.

But we couldn’t get that second goal after Papiss Cisse had again put us ahead after 71 minutes, and then two minutes into stoppage time Benfica scored to save the game – but at least we broke their winning streak – and we almost kept them goalless – almost.

This is what Alan Pardew said on nufcTV after the game:

“It was a great night, and in a lot of ways you can’t take much more out of a defeat than that,” “We put everything at risk tonight and forgot about the Sunderland game on Sunday.”

“We tried to go for it.” “In the first leg in Benfica they exposed us by cutting through our wide players, but we wouldn’t let that happen tonight.”

“Once we got them on the backfoot they got very nervous, and we are so unlucky not to be in the semi-final, for sure.”“I’m proud to be manager of this football club. What a credit we have been to this competition and to Europe.”

“And I’m not just talking about the team, I’m talking about the whole club, the fans and the way they’ve conducted themselves on this little European tour of ours.”

Those are great words from the Newcastle manager – who still had his critics – but he did everything right last night and he did everything right last Sunday.

And hopefully we can finish off our five games in 15 days run, with a nice win on Sunday against Sunderland – when we should have a very strong starting eleven and a strong bench.

It was great to see Ben Arfa back for Newcastle in that second half last night – and congratulations to Massadio Haidara, who played very well, and didn’t flinch once in the tackle.

It takes courage and character to do that when you’re coming back from a tackle like the one he received from Callum McManaman of Wigan – Massadio was great last night and we expect him to start against Sunderland..

And Mike Williamson – in from the cold finally – also had a very solid game last night, on his return to the Newcastle first team.

The lads didn’t do it last night – but we’re still so proud of them.

source:www.nufcblog.com

12/04/2013

One down and one to go
Cisse the scorer and Ben Arfa after Newcastle’s goal

1-1 in this game does not tell the real story of this game, as Newcastle went ahead with another headed goal from Papiss Cisse after 71 minutes, and almost had Benfica on the ropes, as the lads went for the all important second goal, and then a couple of minutes into stoppage time as Newcastle pressed forward, the Portuguese side had a quick breakaway that caught Newcastle short at the back and and they scored to kill the game.

And to be honest a breakaway goal was always on the cards throughout the game for Benfica – but near the end of the game Newcastle simply had to risk everything to go for glory – and the lads just missed out – after a magnificent and courageous performance from the Newcastle players.

And credit has to go to Alan Pardew and the Newcastle coaches too, as they had the perfect game plan, and it was very nearly executed to perfection.

Here’s how we saw the game as it happened – and I aged another couple of years.

===========================

On three minutes Tim Krul had to block a shot from Lima as Benfica started the game quickly, and then after five minutes Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal had to claw away a left wing cross that was going in just under the cross-bar.

So two good save from Tim Krul in the first five minutes of the game.

Then on 13 minutes a through ball found Papiss Cisse free in the inside left position, but he couldn’t control the ball and it went out for a goal kick. Newcastle were finding it a bit difficult to get going, and it was obvious their number one purpose was to keep the game very tight at the back.

On 28 minutes Krul went for a ball on the right hand side of the penalty box, but he had to release the ball when he went outside the box, and Lima put the ball inside to Gaitan who took a shot at goal.

But it was Massadio Haidara reading the situation brilliantly who got back to kick the ball away as it was going in – that was a let-off for Newcastle.

Then on 34 minutes as Newcastle were coming more into the game, a good move found Yohan Cabaye free on the right wing, but the Frenchman ballooned his cross behind for a goal kick.

And then a breakaway from Benfica started when they dispossessed Cabaye in midfield, and 20 year-old Salvio headed just wide of Tim Krul’s left hand post – a close call for the Magpies.

On 42 minutes Sissoko made one of his powerhouse runs down the left wing, and brought the ball inside to Bigirimana, but the 19 year-old shot tamely and straight at the goalkeeper.

Gael looked a bit lost on the right wing – and he was lacking experience for such an important game.

As Newcastle were pressing as the half came to an end, a left wing cross saw Cisse put the ball in the back of the night – but he was a yard offside.

So the half time whistle came with the score 0-0 with Benfica being the slightly better side in that first half – but Newcastle would have settled for 0-0 at the break before the game – and Newcastle were still right in this game.

At the start of the second half Alan Pardew brought on the experienced Shola Ameobi for Gael Bigirimana.

On 50 minutes a nice move between Simpson and Ameobi saw Shola beat his man on the bye-line and get a corner – which came to nothing.

And then six minutes later another quick move by Benfica had Gaitan in the penalty area, and he pulled the ball back to Lima, who then hit his shot over the bar – Benfica were dangerous on the break.

On 62 minutes an almighty roar from the Geordie crowd saw the introduction of Ben Arfa for Vurnon Anita, who had put in a good shift for the Magpies, and it was clear Alan Pardew and the Newcastle team were going for goals, but Benfica were still dangerous.

Three minutes later a cross come shot by Ben Arfa was headed for a corner, and then on 66 minutes Papiss Cisse had the ball int the net again as a cross from Yohan Cabaye was headed onto Cisse who headed it into the net – but he was a yard offside.

Cisse argued with the officials and it got him a yellow card, and then Sylvain Marveaux replaced Massadio Haidara as Newcastle went all out for a goal – and all three attacking substitutions had been made.

And then Newcastle got the goal they wanted – as the ball was played down the right wing and Shola Ameobi crossed the ball from the bye-line and Papiss Cisse was there to head home from a few yards out – as the Newcastle crowd went absolutely crazy.

Newcastle started to pile forward, and Ben Arfa was creating chances for the Newcastle forwards, and on 78 minutes Shola had a chance just outside the penalty area, but he slipped just as he was shooting, and the goalkeeper collected the ball easily.

The game was end to end as Newcastle pushed for a second goal which would see them through, adn newcastle were swarming forward and seemed to have Benfica rattled a few times, and it was not unlike the last 20 minutes against Fulham last Sunday.

And then on 89 minute Ben Arfa had a decent chance but he blazed the ball over the bar from a good position.

It would be four minutes added for stoppage time, and Newcastle got a promising free kick just outside the penalty area, and Yohan Cabaye took it and the ball deflected off the wall, but the goalkeeper saved low to his right.

But then would you believe it – Benfica broke away and caught Newcastle short at the back – and it was Salvio who scored rather easily – and Newcastle had to score three goals in the final two minutes.

We didn’t do it.

But this was a well planned courageous performance from a Newcastle team that just never gives up, and we’re going to be a team to be reckoned with next season.

Teams:

Newcastle (4-4-1-1): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara (Sylvain Marveaux 67); Gael Bigirimana (Shola Ameobi 46), Yohan Cabaye (c), Vurnon Anita (Hatem Ben Arfa 64), Jonas Gutierrez; Moussa Sissoko; Papiss Cisse
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Dan Gosling, James Perch, Adam Campbell

Benfica (4-3-3): Artur; Andre Almeida, Luisao (c), Ezequiel Garay, Melgarejo; Eduardo Salvio (Jardel 90+3), Nemanja Matic, Enzo Perez; Ola John (Rodrigo 76), Lima (Oscar Cardozo 72), Nicolas Gaitan
Subs not used: Paulo Lopes, Maxi Pereira, Pablo Aimar, Andre Gomes

Referee: Ivan Bebek (Croatia)

11/04/2013

Newcastle vs Benfica – Match Preview

It’s all or nothing tonight at St. James’ Park, when Newcastle will try to overcome a two goal deficit (1-3) in the second leg of the quarter final against top Portuguese side Benfica.

And since Papiss Cisse scored in Lisbon last Thursday night, the easiest way we can get through this tie is to win the game 2-0, but it will be difficult to contain Benfica tonight, and we’ll have to do it without center-back Steven Taylor, who picked up a knee injury in training yesterday morning, and will miss the game.

But it seems as far as injuries go that Massadio Haidara is available tonight, after recovering from the knee injury he picked up over three weeks ago at Wigan, and we’re sure the 20 year-old will get a great reception from the home fans.

The fans sent the young Frenchman multiple get-well messages of support after he suffered that knee injury, following the gruesome tackle from Callum McManaman.

And it seems James Perch is also available, and James could start at the back in place of Steven Taylor.

In his meeting with the press yesterday, Alan Pardew said that Ben Arfa is also available for this game, and he will probably make a substitute appearance at some stage in tonight’s game, and it will be great to have Ben Arfa back.

With Taylor not being available, it seems that James Perch will partner Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa at the back, and both of them played very well in Moscow against Anzhi, and helped keep a clean sheet on March 7th.

The only thing that worries us a little bit is the lack of height in defense, when we are up against 6’4″ Oscar Cordozo, which is why Alan Pardew could spring a surprise and bring in 6’4″ Mike Williamson to partner Yanga-Mbiwa tonight.

Davide Santon, Mathieu Debuchy and Cheick Tiote are out injured, although the last two will be available for Sunday’s vital derby game against Sunderland. and are likely to start that game
.
This is the probable Newcastle side tonight:

Krul
Simpson Perch Yanga-Mbiwa Haidara
Marveaux Anita Cabaye (c) Gutierrez
Sissoko
Cisse
Subs: Elliot Williamson Bigirimana Gosling Ben Arfa Obertan Ameobi (Sh)

Newcastle’s defense must play well tonight, and hopefully be able to keep a clean sheet against a side who have now won 12 successive games in all competitions, and it helped that we kept a clean sheet against Fulham last time out.

That’s really the key – and it doesn’t matter if we don’t score early – as long as we keep Benifca scoreless we are always in with a chance of getting a couple of late goals, that can see us in the final four of the Europa League.

And 60% of readers think we can do it tonight.

source : www.nufcblog.com