ChronicleLive - Blog on the Tyne - Newcastle United Blog

Gutierrez has to break free from FPP

2009-11-09T09:37:57Z

Has Jonas Gutierrez finally broken free from Final Product Phobia?

It might have been a long time in coming but finally Jonas Gutierrez was able to "celebrate" his first ever Newcastle United goal.

However, after scoring his maiden competitive strike for the Magpies with a goal that Diego Maradona would have been delighted with, the South American didn't produce his Spiderman mask and his face looked more like a slapped backside.

Afterwards it emerged that Jonas was upset with being linked to Serie A giants Roma and in protest he chose not to celebrate the goal - but there are deeper concerns from Toon fans.

Yet celebrations aside, Jonas' long wait for a goal was long overdue.

Haunted by the words "final" and "product", many Toon fans have often wondered exactly what Jonas does bring to the table.

His goal against Posh goes with two assists at Crystal Palace and his mere three assists last season in the disastrous Premier League campaign tell us a story.

So what should a creative player be chipping in with in terms of assists?

Well Ryan Giggs has created five goals and scored one for Man United this season.

Mr Creativity himself is Frank Lampard with six assists and four goals in 11 games for Chelsea and even a player at Newcastle who was also a victim of Final Product Phobia in James Milner has shone for Villa this term with five assists and two goals.

OK, OK we're not in the Premier League at the moment, we're on loan to the Championship!

But the benchmark at second tier level has already been set by Wayne Routledge with eight assists and two strikes for QPR as the second divisions best playmaker so far.

Chris Burke and of Cardiff and Graham Dorrans of West Brom have six apiece.

Then our own Danny Guthrie - recently axed by Chris Hughton - is up there with five plus his two goals in league and cup while Kevin Nolan, Nile Ranger and Ryan Taylor have all weighed in with three each thus far.

There's no doubt that watching Jonas gets bums off seats in the way that Ginola, Asprilla or Keith Gillespie did once upon a time.

But when it comes to down to the nitty gritty of life, it's football's stattos who will suggest that Jonas is not perhaps as effective as he should be.

Should Jonas be producing more?

Newcastle United 3 Peterborough 1

2009-11-07T12:00:00Z

NEWCASTLE fans were in strong voice at St James' Park this afternoon as United secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Peterborough.

It was an emotional atmosphere at the ground as fans protested about Mike Ashley's decision to rename the stadium.

Jonas Gutierrez scored his first goal for the Toon and an Andy Carroll header put Newcastle 2-0 up within 20 minutes. Danny Simpson got the third shortly after the break and despite a consolation goal for Peterborough it was a convincing win for the Magpies.

As usual I was at the game bringing you live text commentary as Newcastle United. Just click on the link below to replay my take on the match.

Newcastle United v Peterborough United

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What goes around may come around for Peterborough against Newcastle United

2009-11-06T09:23:54Z

You could say that Peterborough United had every right to enjoy their moment in the Carling Cup at London Road earlier this season.

After all their success starved fans had been through the mill enough in recent years before they won back to back successive promotions.

Not only did they have to put up with a Sky documentary which saw Ron Atkinson come in as a troubleshooter (almost akin to Joe Kinnear's stint at Newcastle) but also the ignominy of seeing their manager Steve Bleasdale resign in front of cameras just 70 minutes before a game with Macclesfield in the old basement division .

There is a feeling though that Posh's attitude against Newcastle was a bit over the top against a Toon team full of kids fresh from the reserves and the Academy and four debutants in the side.

Yes, by the end 10 men Newcastle did have Steven Taylor, Alan Smith and Kevin Nolan on the field and every single Toon supporter put their hands up and admitted we'd been licked by Posh.

Since then Peterborough have won just once ironically against another side who were happy to rub Newcastle noses in it rather than celebrate their own team's victory when the Magpies slipped to defeat in another football outpost against Scunthorpe.

And while they may well have been going on like they were world beaters against Newcastle reserves they couldn't do the same against in several other of their games when they failed to raise their performance and have since slumped to second bottom.

Funnily enough the same has happened to Scunthorpe so it is true that most opponents this season have played like their lives depended on it this season.

The Peterborough and Scunny fans who enjoyed jumping around like they'd won a trophy in beating Newcastle and made special DVDs and commemorative mugs at the time could well be getting shortchanged as their sides seem to have the ability but can't reproduce in other games.

Of course you can't win every week but it's an interesting point, first raised and used by Sir Alex Ferguson when he claimed other teams used to try harder against Man U in 1996 to help Newcastle win the title.

Ah how times change!

Tomorrow though Newcastle will field a side of senior players who will try to stay at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Memories of Newcastle's hammering of Luton Town during the Gazza era do start to come back when revisiting Posh.

That day United, who were reeling from a defeat at Kenilworth Road when the Hatters had been over zealous in rubbing it in, gained revenge at St James' Park.

Geordies will recall keeper Gary Kelly playing keepy uppy and Kenny Wharton sitting on the ball.

It's clear we owe some team a stuffing this season and after the antics at London Road earlier this season - it could turn out to be brilliantly timed with a dish served best cold possibly awaiting struggling Peterborough.

Another farce@St James' Park

2009-11-04T09:56:25Z

There are some things that money just can't buy - and one of them is the name of St James' Park.

As previously stated, it's accepted that it is a common practice to name a brand new stadium with the backing of a sponsor just like Tottenham Hotspur are currently in the process of doing and like Arsenal and a host of others have in the past at home and abroad.

Yet to call it anything but St James' Park including Sports Direct.com@St James' Park heaps more pain and more misery on Newcastle United fans.

And when those concerns are getting as far as The House of Commons who made fresh "calls" for the current ownership to leave history alone, it has to be considered as serious as it can get in football terms.

Once again this does nothing but attack the identity of Geordies everywhere and surely does not do the current team any favours whatsoever in attracting adverse publicity.

So far the squad of players have worked miracles to be top of the table in November and getting back to the Premier League is still the main aim to get back to the top flight.

Long may that continue.

But for now ill advised statements over ways of raising money for the club and talk of jumbotron screens rather than putting together a capable team of the field, does nothing but turn fans completely cold.

Newcastle United ace Andy Carroll is starting to come of age

2009-11-03T14:45:53Z

Ever since Andy Carroll burst on the scene as a raw teenager from the streets of Gateshead he made it clear that reputations would not put him off his game.

The big lad - who Newcastle almost let slip through their fingers after fielding him at left-back of all places at their Academy - may well have a long way to go when it comes to his goal tally.

But if, like at Bramall Lane, he helps Newcastle win football matches like he did against Sheffield United there won't be too many complaints about him not pulling his weight.

Chris Morgan is a player that I appreciate in the way he's an old fashioned centre-back who likes to get stuck in and has a gruesome reputation.

I guess you could call him, a proper bloke and one that the Alan Shearers of the world would love to have a tussle with in the same as he used to with a Neil Ruddock or a Tony Adams.

Carroll is quickly learning how to be a centre-forward but one thing he has always had in his locker is the ability and the bottle to take the knocks.

Earlier in his career I remember Italian superstar goalie Gianluigi Buffon almost taking off Carroll's head in a friendly with Juventus at St James's.

Some of the modern or softer characters in the game would not have continued.

Carroll brushed himself off and got on with the game.

Even earlier in his career, Carroll came up against Scotland and Rangers tough nut David Weir during is time at Everton in a reserve game at Kingston Park on a freezing night on Tyneside a few years ago.

Carroll again didn't shirk the physical challenge and emerged unscathed, not only that but Weir left KP asking: "Who the hell was that?"

On the back of setting up one and scoring another against Donny, it's great to see a Geordie lad coming of age and long may it continue.

Sheffield United 0 Newcastle United 1

2009-11-02T16:00:00Z

NEWCASTLE United climbed back to the top of the Championship but needed a lucky own goal from Sheffield United skipper Chris Morgan to do so.

Morgan inadvertently deflected Ryan Taylor's low 25-yard shot past stranded Blades goalkeeper Ian Bennett in the 54th minute to hand manager Chris Hughton a telling win in his first game since being given the job on a permanent basis.

But it was another miserable result for opposite number Kevin Blackwell, whose injury-hit side were denied by Toon goalkeeper Steve Harper's world class save in the closing stages and have now lost their last four league matches.

The Blades slipped to 15th place, leapfrogged by arch-rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, and the former Leeds and Luton manager will now fear renewed pressure from the impatient Blades faithful.

Blades defenders Jordan Stewart and Andrew Davies returned to the starting line-up, while Fabricio Coloccini, Danny Simpson and Alan Smith were back for Newcastle.

Darius Henderson should have fired the Blades ahead in the third minute when springing the offside trap, but pulled his left-footed effort wide.

At the other end Newcastle striker Andy Carroll's shot was superbly blocked by Walker, but the home side set the early pace.

A sweeping Blades move ended with Henderson teeing up Keith Treacy, but the Irish winger's snapshot whistled over the crossbar.

Henderson then crossed for Stephen Quinn to shoot first time off target as Blackwell's side built up some momentum.

Newcastle midfielder Taylor later curled a right-footed free-kick high and wide and another last-ditch challenge from Walker denied Coloccini.

Blades striker Ched Evans was inches wide with his angled shot after bustling on to Bennett's long clearance as a highly-combative first period - Morgan and Newcastle pair Carroll and Taylor were all booked for fouls - ended goalless.

A more purposeful Newcastle twice went close to breaking the deadlock within eight minutes of the restart.

Nolan's curling shot was pushed away at full stretch by Bennett and Carroll's hanging header from Taylor's cross hit the woodwork.

But then Newcastle took the lead in fortuitous circumstances in the 54th minute.
Referee Friend adjudged Nolan's thumping challenge on Walker to be fair and with the defender prostrate, Taylor pounced on to the ball in space 25 yards from goal and unleashed a low right-footed shot that took a big deflection off Morgan to wrong-foot Bennett and nestle into the goalkeeper's bottom left-hand corner.

Walker limped off five minutes later and was replaced by Ryan France.
Treacy's quality cross was headed over by Stewart in the 61st minute as the Blades, roared on by most in a crowd of 26,536, battled gamely in search of an equaliser.

Evans' low free-kick was hoofed clear by Butt and visiting goalkeeper Harper blocked Henderson close-range effort.

Harper finished strongly - smothering Treacy's shot in injury time and then brilliantly denying Henderson's point-blank header as Newcastle held on.

I was at the ground to bring you all the colour from the stadium, and you can click below to read my live blog.

Sheffield United v Newcastle United

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"We need to make Coors Light Park a fortress"

2009-10-28T10:52:29Z

The above title of this blog entry are the words that are enough to send shivers down the spine with the latest outrage of Tyneside the bright idea to rename St James's Park - to even imagine a future Toon player uttering such words will make many physically sick.

You can see it in years to come perhaps a more experienced Haris Vuckic saying: "We need to make Coors Light Park a fortress."

It's been clear for months that Newcastle were struggling to find a buyer for the club and on the day that Chris Hughton was appointed as boss, it might have been an idea for the current board to let people get their heads around how things will pan out between now and the end of the season.

Renaming St James's Park is simply bad taste in the eyes of most Geordie fans - and many will feel that even the injection of silly money to do it will do nothing to make up for another piece of heritage being ripped away from the Tyneside streets.

On the back of Newcastle Broon being brewed in Tadcaster, this is another slap in the face for Toon fans.

Had Newcastle built a super stadium before they decided to rebuild St James's Park in the 1990s perhaps there would be no complaints when it came to naming a new building and cashing in the situation.

And there have been many stupid names for football grounds such as the Emirates, the Madjeski Stadium, The DW Stadium, Reebok, KC, the Walkers Stadum and the
Fitness First Stadium - the USA it's common place with Pizza Hut Park, Dick's Sporting Goods Park and Toyota Park all on the list of your average MLS fan.

Yet they are all brand new stadiums.

You just could not see big clubs like Barcelona, Man United, Real Madrid or AC Milan even contemplating changing the name of their current home.

Even little York City got stick for renaming Bootham Crescent to KitKat Crescent but that's a club that is on its knees financially.

Renaming St James's Park to Coors Light Park, Bwin Park or even the McDonalds Arena shows that Newcastle's top brass have again got it so seriously wrong.

United no longer for sale as Hughton appointed boss

2009-10-27T22:13:12Z

NEWCASTLE UNITED were tonight removed off the market as Mike Ashley handed Chris Hughton the manager's post on a permanent basis.

The Chronicle revealed earlier this month that Ashley intended to hand Hughton full control of the team after making a great start to the season which currently sees the Magpies top the table.

Ashley spent the day on Tyneside after arriving by helicopter at lunchtime before watching a behind closed doors friendly at the club's Benton base, which United lost 3-2 against Celtic.

A club statement revealed tonight: "The Club had been trying to broker a deal with a number of prospective buyers in recent months however none of those deals came to fruition.

"With regard to the possible sale of the Club to Barry Moat, that particular bid has now fallen through due to the cash price of £80m not being met.

"In confirming the news, Mike Ashley stated that he is totally committed to the future success of Newcastle United and will be focusing on gaining promotion back to the Premier League. Mike will put a further £20m into the Club this week.

Derek Llambias, Managing Director of Newcastle United, said: "We are delighted that Chris has accepted the post of full time manager.

"He has done a terrific job this season and we wish him every success for the rest of this season and beyond.

"He will continue to receive our full backing and support."

And Chris Hughton added: "It is a very proud day for me to be named as the manager of this magnificent football club. I thank Mike and Derek for their support and will be doing everything in my power to get the Club back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

"Having the unequivocal backing of the players has helped me enormously and I would also like to thank Colin Calderwood, Paul Barron and the rest of the backroom staff who have never been anything but tremendously supportive to me this season."

The statement also said: "Whilst confirming these two matters, Newcastle United now aims to move forward on and off the pitch.

"The Club aims to maximise its commercial revenues; this includes renegotiating its Club sponsor and kit deal, which expire at the end of this season, as well as welcoming offers for the stadium naming rights for next season."

Ranger and Carroll strike force seems so right for Newcastle United

2009-10-27T09:20:29Z

Andy Carroll and Nile Ranger may not know it but their progress this season could well be vital to the future of Newcastle United.

With the days of big money buys gone but not forgotten for now, Ranger - a freebie signed last summer after being booted out of Southampton - and Carroll an Academy product who once ended up playing left-back for the youth team seemed to be the people's choice when things started to go pear shaped against Doncaster.

Each time that Ranger warmed up he was roared on and his arrival on to the field was met by rip roaring approval by the 40,000 home fans.

It's amazing to think he has yet to even score a goal for the Magpies but surely that is only a case of where not if.

Ranger probably still has a bit to go in terms of physical presence but has already shown he can be a handful for Championship defences.

Alan Shearer was certainly ready to unleash had he been in charge this season and that must be a major boost for young Ranger.

Then you have Andy Carroll a player who is gradually starting to show he can be a future number 9.

Carroll's left foot was demonstrated once again when Donny came to Toon and he showed his unselfishness when playing in Nolan for the winner.

United still have Shola Ameobi to come back from injury and Marlon Harewood still on their books until January 1 next year.

Yet there won't be too many complaints if the team sheet has the names Ranger and Carroll on against a Sheffield United side leaking goals at the moment with 16 conceded in the last six games something any young striker should be rubbing their hands at.

Donny win is essential to avoid one of the worst weeks in history of Newcastle United

2009-10-23T08:56:31Z

Cast your mind back to the night we beat Juventus 1-0 to keep our Champions League hopes alive back in 2002.

Had somebody then told you that in seven years time we could end the same week with defeats to Scunthorpe and Doncaster within days of each other you probably would have laughed in their face - or accused them of having one too many!

But after a disastrous week so far we are in danger of stooping to a new low and possibly one of the biggest low points in United's history.

Upset Scunthorpe fans felt that some of the things said from a Newcastle viewpoint were disrespectful to their side, especially when comparisons were made when talking about how low the Toon had slumped in the last 13 years.

But Newcastle fans are now becoming immune to getting stick.

Losing to Scunthorpe was really bad but compared to some of the things that have happened in the last year, it was perhaps inevitable but by no means acceptable.

Now with Doncaster Rovers heading to Toon only a convincing win will calm the waters on the Tyne.

Was Scunthorpe the moment that Newcastle United hit rock bottom?

2009-10-21T12:22:15Z

Losing to little Scunthorpe United may well feel like Newcastle United have hit rock bottom but unless there is a dramatic response to this unacceptable defeat for the Magpies there is every chance there is more pain to come for the long suffering Toon fans.

Furious United fans stormed out of Glanford Park last night with every reason to be annoyed.

It isn't just the humiliation of losing to Scunny and the magnitude of such a result, it's the way it all unfolded.

Firstly, the lack of depth and investment in the Toon squad meant that we had a 5ft 9in full-back in Danny Simpson in the heart of the back four alongside another player who isn't even ours in Zurab Khizanishvili.

The pair aren't bad players but the fact that we have to cobble together a centre-back pairing that don't even belong to us shows how far we've tumbled.

After the game when chatting to ex-Toon coach John Carver he raised the point that no squad should go into a season without at least four established centre-backs.

Throw into the fact that the Academy system and transfer policy of bringing in quality overseas youngsters appears to have come to a standstill and we really do have a mess on our hands.

Should Chris Hughton had a bit more conviction to play Ben Tozer or Tamas Kadar?

Or is Tozer completely scarred by the London Road experience?

Then we quickly move on to the selection of Geremi?

The Cameroon midfielder looked out of his depth at Glanford Park and that has to be a worrying sign.

Surely Nicky Butt (rested for the trip) would have been a better option and at least would have had some understanding of the situation.

Many have slated the decision to play the 4-4-1-1 formation but it was poor finishing that let United down.

With Doncaster Rovers next there is a superb chance to erase memories of this shocking loss.

Failure to do so will almost certainly see the alarm bells ringing even louder at St James's Park.

Which gets me back to the point, is rock bottom still to come for Newcastle United?

Blog on the Tyne at the Scunthorpe match

2009-10-20T15:00:00Z

AS usual I've taken the long trip down to Glanford Park to bring you all the action from United's match against Scunthorpe.

After the disappointing 1-0 defeat away at Nottingham Forest, the Toon face another testing clash away in Lincolnshire looking to keep up the pressure at the business end of the Championship table.

The Baggies leapfrogged the Magpies at the weekend on goal difference and the Toon players know getting back to winning ways is vital if they're to have any chance of getting promotion at the first time of asking.

And with the news this week that Chris Hughton has been offered the manager's job on a permanent basis, there's going to be plenty to talk about.

I'll be bringing you all the colour from the ground, and there'll be a chance for you to comment on the action.

To get involved, come back here from 7.30pm or click below to set a reminder.

Scunthorpe United v Newcastle United

Note:

1. The Football League have certain restrictions about when I can write about the match action.

2. We cannot publish links to illegal streaming sites, so don't even bother asking.

3. Thousands of you log on each match, and we cannot publish every comment we receive.

4. Sorry, this service is not available to mobile phone users

5. Enjoy the game!

The little ground of football horrors awaits at Glanford Park

2009-10-20T12:48:00Z

There can't be too many manager who would be handed the manager's job at Newcastle United on the back of a beating by little Scunthorpe United - but that could well be the case for Chris Hughton after tonight's tricky clash with the Iron.

Since the last days of summer sunshine at Ipswich on a tearful day when we said goodbye for one final time to Sir Bobby Robson at Portman Road in a 4-0 win the former Barcelona boss would have loved, things haven't quite been the same for the Magpies.

There was a warning shot against Peterborough in the Carling Cup when our "shadow squad" took on the Posh and were bundled out of the competition in sobering fashion.

Then there was the reality of how tough teams are prepared to make it at St James's Park against QPR and Bristol City with the Rs going for the going for the jugular and trying to nab three points then the Robins parking the bus in front of the goals.

Forest was simply awful with ghosts of last season beginning to come back into Newcastle's play.

And all of it has coincided with the arrival of Marlon Harewood with only Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood knowing why the ex-West Ham United man was handed the honour of wearing a Toon shirt.

Suddenly that great team spirit began to erode...

Now at Scunny rock bottom awaits if United tumble to an unthinkable defeat at the hands of former physio Nigel Adkins side.

Fair play to Scunthorpe United fans, they really make it a fortress at Glanford Park and while it isn't Galatasaray (although Doncaster Road on a Friday night does come close) it's certainly effective.

Newcastle players could end up in the crowd tonight if they don't oil their brakes as a northern town moves in for the kill.

Be warned United.

Be warned.

Ashley: I'm not an expert

2009-10-18T12:02:45Z

Mike Ashley's tenure in charge of Newcastle United continues to go from bad to worse.

Once again using the Sunday Times to do his talking rather than local newspapers or local radio, Ashley has hinted he is ready to stay on as owner as Newcastle and appoint Chris Hughton as boss.

But even though by his own admission he reveals he is not an expert in football he will be the man who has the final say on buying players, no doubt with help from outside influences.

Well if those influences are anything like those of Tony Jimenez or Dennis Wise, then United fans could be set for more pain.

In Ashley's latest interview, he said: "I have to put £20m a year into the club -- I spend more than every other fan put together puts into the club each year. If you can't pay up front to buy the club, you can't afford it.

"Chris (Hughton) deserves a shot at the title -- he has done a great job. But if I keep the club I will have the final say on players. I am the one who has to fund the club.

"Of course I regret it (buying NUFC).

"I never said I was an expert in football clubs. I tried my best. But I accept my best was woefully short."

Oh, and anybody wondering where we are in terms of the latest regarding the sale towards the club it has emerged that Barry Moat needs £40million more very quickly in order to do so.

Ashley also said over the weekend: "Barry Moat has been driving me mad for two years. If he wants to buy the club, he has got a one off opportunity to come up with the cash, £80 million up front."

Nottingham Forest 1 Newcastle United 0

2009-10-17T13:00:00Z

NEWCASTLE United slipped off the top of the Championship as Dexter Blackstock's first-half goal secured victory for Forest.

Blackstock struck just before the interval to knock the Magpies off their perch - they are level on points with West Brom but trail the Baggies on goals scored.

The hosts had Blackstock's goal to show for a dominant first-half display and then held off a spirited fightback after the break to register their fourth successive win.

Newcastle had a Kevin Nolan goal disallowed but otherwise struggled to create chances and, following their fine start to the season, are now winless in three games.

In-form Forest, by contrast, came out flying from the first whistle and Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper adjusted quickly to claw away Blackstock's third-minute header before keeping out Radoslaw Majewski's curling effort.

The home side continued to dominate and came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 13th minute when Majewski's corner was headed against the post by Blackstock.

Newcastle almost went ahead against the run of play when Ryan Taylor delivered a teasing cross and former Forest striker Marlon Harewood sidefooted his effort against the post from six yards.

Andy Carroll fired wide and Harewood headed over, but the Magpies laboured in front of goal while Forest were doing everything but score at the other end.

Paul Anderson was denied by Harper and fired another opportunity wide, with Nathan Tyson and Blackstock also missing the target.

But the goal Forest deserved came on the stroke of half-time when Majewski played a through-ball which split the Newcastle defence and Blackstock beat the offside trap to lift the ball over the advancing Harper before seeing it trickle into the net.

Peter Lovenkrands should have done better with Newcastle's first chance of the second half, blazing over the top after being teed up by Kevin Nolan.

Harewood, desperate for a goal on his return to the City Ground, then turned sharply in the area but was denied by a fine block from Kelvin Wilson.

The visitors were denied an equaliser in the 69th minute when Taylor's cross was flicked on by Alan Smith into the path of Nolan.

The former Bolton midfielder stretched out a leg to turn the ball past Lee Camp but his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

Toon boss Chris Hughton threw on substitute Nile Ranger, but the youngster missed the chance to earn his side a point when he put a simple header over the crossbar.

I was at the City Ground as Newcastle United went down 1-0, and you can replay my live blog by clicking below.

Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United