ChronicleLive - Blog on the Tyne - Newcastle United Blog

Number 37 - Your time isn't up just yet.

2013-05-16T10:51:15Z

When Steve Harper was handed the chance of a farewell game in front of a full house against Arsenal in a game that will be watched by a worldwide audience - it was almost as if it was written in the stars for the long-serving stopper.

And even if it did come at the expense of Rob Elliot after his red card at QPR, the chances are deep down the former Charlton Athletic man won't begrudge Harper a fond send off he will probably never forget.

Harper has seen it all down the years at Newcastle but fans or journalists don't always see the other side of life at the club.

For instance, they don't see the blood, sweat and tears at the training ground or the extra work that certain professionals put in to up their game.

For Steve Harper, the extra work he has afforded to some his younger keepers also shouldn't be dismissed.

The reality of the situation is that Newcastle United are parting company with 20 years of experience when Harper walks out of the door for one last time.

Nothing lasts forever in football but the truth is that another club will benefit from that next season and not Newcastle whether we're talking about playing or coaching.

For now, United fans get the chance to raise the roof for Harper in what will be an emotional send off against the Gunners.

Show ambition United - or face more nights like last night at Wigan

2013-05-08T16:03:21Z

When the final whistle at the DW Stadium sounded in Wigan's game against Swansea City it was very much a case of relief all round for Newcastle United fans.

But while Premier League safety is everything to Newcastle right now the facts of the matter are they should not be anywhere near this situation.

Pats on the back and praise were the order of the day just 12 months ago with United flying high and back in Europe.

Now it is a different picture to the jubilant scenes at the end of last term.

No team has a divine right to be successful in the Premier League and despite having such a fantastic fanbase and having crowds over 50,000 home fans for most games this season sadly it doesn't guarantee what happens on the field

It has already been accepted that the inquest comes later for Newcastle this summer when some serious questions have to asked of management, the board and the players.

For now it is about survival.

But that doesn't mean that Newcastle should not make at least a mental note of the last couple of days.

And having to rely on other teams is far from where a club the size of Newcastle should be.

It is a sad state of affairs.

We've witnessed in the past just how this club can snowball and expectations can rise.

Yet letting the club slip to such a precarious state shouldn't be acceptable.

Fans have their opinions on where it has gone wrong.

Some blame the manager Alan Pardew.

But on a day when some Manchester United fans were embarrassed by a flag that read: "Three years of excuses - and it's still c*** - Tara Fergie", others will be prepared to see what he can deliver when given more backing during a summer transfer window.

That didn't happen last year and that's why other fans feel the buck stops with the board.

I've always made it clear of my thoughts that Newcastle should not be just happy to exist in the Premier League.

A club with a fanbase as big as Newcastle has a responsibility to challenge - and needs to be backed to the hilt by the owner.

Of course, you have to be sensible to avoid being the next Rangers or Pompey.

Although, you also have to speculate to accumulate and if you are asking season ticket holders to cough up you have to show ambition, not just now and again, all of the time.

Fans will expect to see more movement in the transfer window this summer and the mistakes of last term avoided.

And hopefully the days of hoping Swansea scrape a win against Wigan will be well and truly behind everybody.

Because nobody that genuinely cares about Newcastle could have enjoyed that.

Now isn't the time for a post-season inquest for Newcastle United

2013-05-01T10:31:26Z

You can do two things in football when things aren't going well.

You can either sulk and look for excuses.

Or you can work around the clock to find a solution to put wrongs right.

For Newcastle United the hard work continued this week.

Sources close to the dressing room have revealed that the Magpies hit rock bottom against Liverpool in what has been a torrid season.

Yes, there have been injuries.

Yes, the squad wasn't strong enough to cope during a long hard winter.

And yes, the worst away record in Premier League history with the poorest defensive record to go along side it is totally unacceptable for Newcastle fans.

But sitting around sulking and dwelling won't solve any of that the United players.

Newcastle's position in the Premier League table isn't just because they have played badly of late either.

It's the results throughout the season that mean they are in the relegation dogfight with three games to go.

Nobody can disguise that.

What's needed now is to get the results needed and pull clear of danger so that we can put this rotten Premier League campaign to bed.

As Bobby Robson once said: "The only way to hit back is through performance."

Positive results at West Ham and QPR are therefore the key for Newcastle United right now.

Of course, the meres sniff of the prospect of relegation has sent some media outlets into overdrive.

Talk of player cliques and unrest is rife.

But sources close to the dressing room say that there is only obvious deep disappointment about recent results and the league position.

However, more encouragingly there is a determination to put things right and get the job done before a summer of reflection and reorganisation.

It has to be said that was severely lacking the last time United went down.

Players like Michael Owen, Mark Viduka, Geremi, Habib Beye, Damien Duff and Seb Bassong were all unsettled and weren't committed to the cause - hence why they jumped ship shortly afterwards.

That isn't the vibe I get at the moment.

Obviously there was a devastated dressing room after the 6-0 hiding against Liverpool.

The performance wasn't in any way acceptable.

Now though some of the character is thought to be showing in a dressing room that - let's be fair - is still getting to know each other.

Home truths have been spoken by characters that previously didn't want to say too much too soon after just arriving at the club.

The likes of Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara and Mathieu Debuchy only arrived a few months ago.

And Vurnon Anita is also in his first season.

That's not making excuses for anybody.

But history tells us it took time for Jose Enrique and Fabricio Coloccini to settle in at Newcastle.

If Newcastle can get the maximum out from a clutch of players that have already shown potential, then who knows what can be achieved.

For now it is about sealing survival and that can't be achieved by starting the post-season inquest three games too early.

Beating Liverpool is worth much more than three points for NUFC

2013-04-25T10:05:46Z

Just a fortnight ago Newcastle United's clash with Benfica was quite rightly dubbed the biggest game at St James' Park for eight years.

In terms of stature it was the closest that United had come to the latter stages of winning a trophy since Graeme Souness' side had reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

We're always hearing football managers say that "every" match is a big one these days in the Premier League.

And from a financial point of view, they aren't wrong.

But with Newcastle knowing they can take a massive step to securing survival against Liverpool on Saturday, just where does this one rank and how much is it worth to the Magpies?

One thing is for certain and that is Toon tycoon Mike Ashley will have a face like thunder if Newcastle somehow manage to slip up against the Reds.

After all, if they do, you have to wonder just where the next win is coming from with tough away trips to West Ham and QPR coming up.

At the start of the season both of these fixtures would have been classed as winnable for the Magpies, but after a campaign of just one Premier League win on the road they can't be looked at in any other way than tough.

Without writing off three fixtures in a row no Newcastle fan wants to go through a last day of the season having to watch their side have to beat Arsenal to stay up.

Which is what makes the game with Liverpool so important.

Ashley knows that relegation this season could cost his club £60million in TV rights next term.

The Premier League is the place to be in terms of money in the next few years and Newcastle HAVE to be at the top table if their business plan is to continue to be a profitable one.

Quite simply they need to be in a position of maximum opportunity in order to press on.

Beating Liverpool would put them in a comfortable and stable position, easing any worries of the drop with three games to spare and cranking up the pressure on the likes of Aston Villa, Wigan, Sunderland and Stoke.

Few could have predicted that United would come anywhere near being involved in "Survival Sunday" this year.

A victory over the Reds would flatten the prospect of that.

And that's why the game with Liverpool is so big in terms of finance, stature and dreams of a brighter future for everybody concerned with Newcastle United.

Newcastle United owe their fans a performance at West Brom

2013-04-18T11:17:42Z

It's hard to believe that just a fortnight ago Newcastle United fans were still allowed to dream of heading off to the Europa League final in Amsterdam and the possibility of a top 10 finish.

But football moves fast, especially at St James' Park.

Suddenly Alan Pardew has found his role on the cast change from the man who could become the first since Joe Harvey to lift a trophy with black and white ribbons on it, to a man facing the fury of the Geordie public after losing a Tyne-Wear derby.

There has been valid criticism on tactics, set-pieces, mindset of the players and the manner of the defeat.

You just wonder how many players have listened to any of it?

It is something that Pardew must take on the chin, learn from and come back stronger.

It is 13 years since a Newcastle manager endured the type of negative emotions that have swept Tyneside this week.

There are no excuses and - while some have done so through gritted teeth - there have been plenty of Newcastle fans who have given their bitter rivals credit where it is due.

Out of everything that has been levelled at Pardew and his team this week, the one thing that has been a recurring theme all season is that Newcastle were always going to have some tough battles on their hands at St James' Park this season.

Having finished fifth this season those who finished below United last season were always going to raise their game against the Magpies on home turf.

And so it unfolded on Tyneside on Sunday as Sunderland lifted their game to end a nine game streak without victory.

Just like 13 years ago, Newcastle fans have simply got to move on.

They will need to see more hunger and desire from their team at West Brom and hopefully a bit more when it comes to a game plan from Pardew at the Hawthorns.

Then it will be about securing a top 10 finish for Newcastle - something that is still up for grabs.

If they achieve such a task they will have done so with the odds stacked against them.

Just one away win all season, an inability to even threaten from corners and set-pieces and a clutch of players who look they are crawling over the finishing line to end what has been a poor season overall, does not bode well.

They say that for every action, there must be a reaction.

Well, we'll learn much more about this set of players come teatime on Saturday night.

Only then we will know if the players have listened to some of the things fans have had to say this week.

Europe? It's been emotional for Newcastle United

2013-04-11T23:24:31Z

Newcastle United fans can be proud of themselves and their team after a European campaign that has put them back on the football map this season.

They may not have reached the pinnacle of the Europa League itself.

But they have bolstered their European history with a nine game haul and a nine month run in Continental competition to take their overall tally to 134 games - a record that supporters of most clubs would love to have.

You might argue that being in Europe has come at a cost when you look at the Premier League table.

But if it means that Newcastle now know the circuit and now know exactly what it takes to compete both domestically and abroad, then it hopefully it has been worth it.

The fact that supporters were posting their European highlights via social networking sites to mark United's exit against Benfica suggests that many have enjoyed the ride.

There's been ups and downs along the way but from Athens to Madeira from Brugges to Bordeaux and from Kharkiv to Moscow before last week's visit to Lisbon, it has been a pleasure to see so many Geordies enjoying their Euro jaunts.

Once again Geordie fans have behaved themselves throughout and been a credit to their club.

In the end it was class that told against Benfica.

You could argue that United didn't get much luck in either leg against the Lisbon giants.

Posts were struck at the Stadium of Light by Papiss Cisse in moments that would have changed the complexion of the tie.

Alan Pardew had indicated he'd be happy to get to 70 minutes at 0-0 ahead of the second leg.

And when his side went ahead a minute after to cut the gap to just a goal, it looked like it was going to plan.

Only a lack of sharpness and a lack of luck in front of goal in the remaining moments after Cisse's strike prevented the roof coming off and Newcastle finishing what would have been a job well done.

Reality kicked in when Salvio equalised.

And that was that, after almost 18,000 miles of travelling, 10 goals, some great moments and some great performances - it was all over bar the shouting.

It was a typically crushing end in the life of a Newcastle fan.

The highs - like last season's top five finish - are high.

The lows, always seem gut wrenching, not least after coming so close to flooring Benfica.

That seemed to be the case at 1-0 on the night and Ben Arfa running at Benfica for fun.

To sum up the quality of Newcastle fans, Benfica's equaliser wasn't met by groans or even people leaving the stadium.

Instead it was spontaneous applause around St James' Park as they showed their appreciation for a side that had probably reached their limit.

By the end all that was left to say was, here's to game 135.

Papiss Cisse's late strike means much more than three points

2013-04-08T10:32:13Z

For a moment on Sunday it was easy to forget that Papiss Cisse's injury time winner had only earned three points at St James' Park.

Given that Cisse could have had good reason to claim being tired (considering cramp victim Sylvain Marveaux was lying on the floor unable to move) he didn't half find the energy levels to leap into the Gallowgate End!

The number 9's reaction as he jumped into the crowd probably said it all as the Geordie crowd celebrated wildly before Alan Pardew also instinctively turned to the Toon faithful to make the most of the moment.

But the celebrations went on long after the final whistle and when Sunderland's result from Stamford Bridge also crackled over the PA system both Steven Taylor and Tim Krul - spotted hugging each other - were very much on the same wavelength as fans, knowing a huge step to survival had been taken.

All of it had been a far cry from the scenes at half-time after a second half that did little to lift spirits from a Newcastle point of view.

At that point with Sunderland ahead and Newcastle failing to break down Fulham it was looking like a day to forget.

Instead, this will be a game that people will look back on as a turning point of the campaign.

Pardew had admitted that beating Fulham was key to the games with Benfica and Sunderland.

Even with tired bodies in the camp after a long, hard season, winning football matches can give players new levels of energy.

It will be energy that must be carried into Benfica but in all truth as the players still celebrated on their way out of SJP on Sunday night and fans headed to their favourite watering holes to celebrate, had the Europa League game been announced to be played there and then - nobody would have complained.

Suddenly Newcastle United aren't tired any more.

Indeed, "Bring on Benfica" was the phrase used during the aftermath of the win over Fulham!

Alan Pardew feels Benfica clash is a case of "Mission Possible"

2013-04-03T17:08:18Z

It's a well known fact that football managers sometimes use media criticism to aid them in their team talk.

Down the years managers have pinned up paper cuttings in the dressing room and sometimes left their team talk at just that.

And for Alan Pardew here in Lisbon, he must have been rubbing his hands when Portuguese newspaper Record ran with a headline reading "Mission Impossible" when referring to United's chances of victory against Benfica.

The subject was raised in Pardew's Press conference today when he suggested the local papers had been "bullish" in their assessment of Benfica's chances.

The Portuguese papers were at it again today when one front page boasted: "On route to Amsterdam" when discussing how getting past United would be another step on the road to the final showpiece next month.

Pardew though was in confident mood at today's Press conference and clearly feels that Benfica won't offer as big a test as Manchester City, despite their dominance of the top flight here.

When asked whether Benfica would cut it in the Prem, Pardew said the would finish between eighth and 10th.

On current form that makes them either a West Brom, Swansea or a Fulham!

Regardless of Benfica's fantastic form and illustrious history, Pardew is clearly trying to keep their threat in context.

Newcastle United looking to beat the bookies again in Europe

2013-04-02T19:37:02Z

Newcastle United will have the tag of underdogs yet again when they take on Benfica on Thursday night here in Lisbon.

The Magpies have been second favourites in both of their last two ties against Metalist Kharkiv and Anzhi Makhachkala.

And they go into the game with former European champs Benfica unfancied by the bookies.

Benifca are 1/2 to win at home with Newcastle 6/1 shots to get a victory at the Stadium of Light.

The bookies don't even fancy the Magpies to qualify over two legs with Newcastle quoted at 13/8 by some and the Portugal side 4/9.

That hasn't counted for much in the last two rounds for Alan Pardew's side and if anything can be used as motivation.

Newcastle players were clearly hurt after being beaten heavily by Manchester City at the weekend.

But they arrived in good spirits in Lisbon tonight for the big clash with the local TV cameras waiting to greet them.

Pardew has clearly tried to instill a collective team spirit by including non-playing members of the squad like Ryan Taylor and Yoan Gouffran.

And he will be hoping that can at least keep the tie alive for the second leg.

Pardew is hoping for a full house when Benfica come to Tyneside and if a similar atmosphere can be served up as the game with Anzhi, the Geordie supporters can help overturn any odds.

A bit of Fergie time at Birmingham is no bad thing for NUFC

2013-03-30T13:41:33Z

We've always known that Newcastle United have an excellent prospect in the shape of Northern Ireland international Shane Ferguson.

The only problem has been ensuring the 21-year-old gets enough game time on a first team stage.

It was all going so well for the lad from Derry in the early part of the season with Ferguson building up his experience with a cameo roles in the Premier League and his fair share of action in the Europa League - and there was evidence of the damage he can score with that sweet left foot.

However, when injuries ravaged Alan Pardew's squad in the first part of the season it all started to take its toll on the likes of Ferguson.

Putting in one or two youngsters when the side is doing well like last season is one thing.

Yet when four or five fringe players are plunged in at the deep end it can begin to have a negative effect on youngsters.

In fact when fringe players coming through begin to carry the responsibility of results in the first team it can scar them for the rest of their career - you only need to look at players like Paul Huntingdon to see that from Glenn Roeder's stint in charge six years ago.

Therefore, Ferguson getting out on loan at Birmingham - alongside the trusted figure of Lee Clark - could not be a better scenario.

Clark knows only too well what Ferguson needs to make the grade at Newcastle and as a Geordie he will be doing everything he can to help the club he represented with so much pride as a player.

Ferguson is guaranteed first team football and the chance to build his experience rather than being in the reserves one week and being thrown into battle in the Premier League.

Clark is keen to renew his loan stint again next season too.

And that might not be the worst situation in the world for Ferguson either.

Because if he can master his trade on the left hand side of the field and continue to make the most of his magic wand of a left peg, it can only benefit the Magpies in the long-term.

Hatem Ben Arfa is worth the perseverance for Newcastle United

2013-03-29T11:23:12Z

Hatem Ben Arfa is regarded as one of the best players of his generation in France, of that there is no doubt.

At times in his career he's been hot-headed and at times he's been difficult to manage for the likes of Didier Deschamps and Laurent Blanc.

Throughout his career he's had bust-ups with Abou Diaby, Sébastien Squillaci and Djibril Cissé too.

He's endured injury problems and taken a few whacks from defenders living in fear along the way.

But given his sublime skill levels and ability to turn a dull game into three points all by himself, there's no doubt, he's worth the trouble and worth the perseverance.

He's what you could call a special player.

And while that doesn't always mean that he has to have special treatment, what works for one player doesn't always work for another.

In the Guardian's list of the world's best 100 players, Ben Arfa came in at 92.

He was way behind the big boys like Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta, Falcao and Van Persie and many will see that as more than fair, but when it comes to raw ability, he is the type of player the Geordie fans love to see.

To them he can be the main man on Tyneside in the same way as a Gazza or Peter Beardsley.

How do you get the best out of the best though?

Having a strict disciplinarian outlook with HBA clearly doesn't work, as Blanc and Deschamps have found out.

In truth they haven't been able to handle him.

Behind the scenes he isn't destructive like some players have been in the past.

The key with Ben Arfa is being able to prise out the abundance of talent he's got at his disposal.

That all comes down to man-management and patience.

It certainly worked last season when Ben Arfa was one of the keys to a top five finish with an amazing run of form that resulted in six successive wins.

The fact the start of Newcastle's injury issues and loss of form this season arguably began with Ben Arfa's hamstring trouble against Maritimo in the Europa League.

Hopes he could play a part again were raised as he returned to the fray in Moscow against Anzhi, only to be ruled out.

Now on the news that he does not require an operation on his hamstring, there is a slim hope he could be involved again this season - who knows even in Amsterdam for the Europa League final depending on your optimism.

The process will involve treatment in France and then a return to training on Tyneside.

Alan Pardew is erring on the side of positivity too.

And if Ben Arfa can get back to his sparkling best in the final chapters of this season and lay the foundations for next season, then the steady persistence and approach of United will all be worth it.

The Wee Club could not be facing Manchester City at a better time

2013-03-28T10:12:54Z

Newcastle United will go into Saturday's away day at Manchester City with massive odds of 12/1 to win hanging over their heads.

The bookies rarely get it wrong but there is belief in the Toon camp that this could not be a better time to play the fallen champions.

Once Man City began trailing their bitter rivals Manchester United, I thought that we'd see the wounded animal come out in the Citizens and try to claw back some pride.

But having sat through their away game with Everton, which the Toffees triumphed 2-0 in an easy win, all that most neutral observers witnessed was a Man City side going down without a fight.

It's interesting to think what the mentality of a Man City fan must be like these days.

Because if there is any set of fans that must have suffered during the Premier League years then it has to be City.

Years of being the laughing stock in their own city while Man United celebrated trophy after trophy must have been tough to take and many City fans must have had no choice but to grow an extra layer of skin.

When City did win the title and scored an injury time winner to hand Man City the title last May, from a sporting point of view I was delighted that the Citizens finally had their day in the sun and had got one over their rivals.

It must have been a sweet, sweet summer for the blue half of Manchester.

As far as the here and the now is concerned though, Man United are paying them back with interest.

The title is gone and it will be Sir Alex Ferguson grinning again in May.

There's every chance that Alan Pardew can do Fergie a favour at Eastlands on Saturday too.

But the "wee club" need to do it for themselves.

Geordie fans have never walked away from Eastlands with a victory since first going to the stadium in 2004.

Back then, Newcastle were the team that were fighting for the top four and Man City were still getting used to being in the top flight after being on loan to the Championship and the third tier in the years building up to their switch to Eastlands.

Bearing all that in mind, those odds of 12/1 seem even more mind boggling.

However, if there is a time to play Man City then surely it is now.

Mancini has a face like a smacked backside of late and every day we pick up the paper to a different big name wanting to leave Man City.

Even the uncontroversial James Milner went against the grain recently and suggested that life is mad when it comes to playing for the Citizens.

The top and bottom of it isNewcastle can go to Eastlands and have a go, knowing they have very little to lose.

Newcastle haven't won at one of the top four clubs this season.

They were cruelly denied at Old Trafford after going down 4-3 in the dying stages against Man United.

They were beaten by Gareth Bale in the 2-1 loss at Spurs.

And they went down 2-0 at Chelsea back in August against the European champions.

No matter when you play Man City it is always going to be tough these days.

But with City limping around like a team in crisis when it comes to living up to their new reputation as a big club challenging for trophies, this could be the time for Pardew's boys to strike.

Steven Taylor's England call can lighten the mood for Three Lions

2013-03-20T11:49:12Z

When John Beresford won a call-up to the England squad to face Turkey in 1993 the recognition was hailed by Kevin Keegan as a reflection of the whole club at the time.

Of course, Newcastle were flying high at the top of the old First Division and knocking on the door of the recently formed Premier League - but nevertheless Beresford's recognition for the Three Lions at that time was a novelty for the Magpies.

Yes in the days of the Second Division talk of an England call-up at Newcastle would have been dismissed as a sick joke, unless Mike Bassett had have been appointed of course.

Beresford didn't win a full cap sadly - and one of his most famous lines at his excellent talk-ins is a tale of Gazza having a best with the rest of the squad that he could eat four family size boxes of Coco Pops in one go!

Bez's call-up though was the start of a string of international honours for Newcastle.

Later Peter Beardsley was recalled and there were call-ups for Barry Venison, Rob Lee, Steve Howey and others.

Steven Taylor's elevation to the England squad this week was also good to see and after a few seasons of what feels like a host of international snubs from the Three Lions, it brought back memories of the afternoon that Beresford's England call flickered up on to the old Ceefax pages back in the day.

Only Andy Carroll has won an England cap since Newcastle were promoted back to the Premier League in 2010.

Of course, United have French caps coming out of their ears at the moment.

But for Alan Pardew he will be pleased to see Taylor in the mix once again.

Pardew has stood by Taylor since being appointed.

He was the man who finally sorted Taylor's contract out just days after being appointed as boss in Toon.

And recently he has been rewarded with some fine displays from the Whitley Bay lad.

Overall, it has been a season of ups and downs.

Yet in 2013, Newcastle have been much better in the Premier League and ended up in the last eight of the Europa League.

Taylor's call-up - even though England have had defensive issues - is a reflection of that form.

He must now wait to see if he gets the nod against San Marino.

If he does, England might just get a few extra viewers too.

Watching the Three Lions has proved to be a dull and at times painful experience in recent years.

And it would be just like Taylor to brighten things up a bit.

Llambias stunned by Dave Whelan comments

2013-03-19T15:52:18Z

DEREK LLAMBIAS has questioned Wigan supremo Dave Whelan after his comments surrounding Callum McManama's tackle on Massadio Haidara.

The Toon managing director was stunned when Whelan used the national media to insist the tackle was "as clean as a whistle".

In statement released after McManaman escaped an FA ban, Llambias said: "I have the greatest respect for Dave, who has been in the game for a long time as a professional footballer and now owner. I am also aware that Dave's career was cut short due to injury.

"I am therefore disappointed and surprised by the comments he made yesterday, in particular his assertion that the tackle by Callum McManaman "was a fair challenge".

"It is our strongly held opinion that the tackle on Massadio was extremely dangerous and is the type of challenge that has the potential to cause serious harm and such was the force, and reckless and dangerous nature of the challenge, even end a player's career.

"It was not a fair challenge.

"This view is shared by countless former players, referees and well-respected media commentators.

"Indeed it appears to be only Dave Whelan who takes a contrary view."

Newcastle were also fuming that they did not get a courtesy call from the FA ahead of their decision to ban McManaman.

Llambias said: "We are disappointed to learn that the FA is not going to charge the Wigan player.

"We were first notified of this decision by a national media outlet who received notification from the FA confirming the decision.

"This was prior to anyone from the FA having the courtesy to contact the club to let us know.

"It is clear from this decision that the current disciplinary procedures are not fit for purpose.

"Newcastle United, along with other clubs, have had players suspended for incidents reviewed after the game. Whilst not trivialising these incidents, they were not, in our opinion, of the seriousness of Callum McManaman's tackle on Haidara.

"Whilst we understand that the current procedures give the FA limited options, it cannot be correct that the most serious offences - those which have the potential to cause another player serious harm - can go unpunished, even if the original incident was seen by match officials.

"We will now be making a strong representation to the FA and the Premier League to see how a more appropriate, fair and even-handed disciplinary process can be introduced at the earliest opportunity to prevent incidents of this nature going unpunished in the future."

Llambias said all attentions now turn to Haidara and the MD said: "Our attentions at this time are firmly with Massadio.

"He only joined us in January, but in that short time he has impressed us immensely both on and off the field.

"Massadio was scanned yesterday and will continue to be assessed for the remainder of the week.

"He will undergo a further scan next week in order to determine the extent of the damage caused.

"Contrary to comments in the media, there is currently no timescale for his recovery.

"We would like to thank our fans for their heart-felt messages of support for Massadio.

"We are passing these messages on to him and we are sure they will help keep his spirits up."

McManaman NOT charged for tackle on Massadio Haidara

2013-03-19T15:39:09Z

CALLUM MCMANAMAN will NOT be charged for his two footed lunge on Massadio Haidara.

The FA have confirmed that no retrospective action can be taken because the incident was spotted by a linesman during the 2-1 defeat who opted not to take any action during the game.

Ref Mark Halsey did miss the incident but Wigan player McManaman will not be handed a three game ban.

The FA statement read: "The FA can confirm that no action can be taken against Wigan Athletic's Callum McManaman retrospectively following his side's game against Newcastle United on Sunday 17 March 2013.

"Following consultation with the game's stakeholders (the Premier League, the Football League, the Professional Footballers' Association, the League Managers' Association, Professional Game Match Officials Limited and the National Game) in the summer, it was agreed that retrospective action should only be taken in respect of incidents which have not been seen by the match officials.

"Where one of the officials has seen a coming together of players, no retrospective action should be taken, regardless of whether he or she witnessed the full or particular nature of the challenge. This is to avoid the re-refereeing of incidents.

"In the case of McManaman, it has been confirmed that at least one of the match officials saw the coming together, though not the full extent of the challenge.
"In these circumstances retrospective action cannot be taken.

"The principal objective behind the not seen policy is to address off the ball incidents where match officials are unlikely to be in a position to witness misconduct."