The Toon Army... having a nice time... so far
After eight rounds of matches in the EPL, Newcastle United and the two Manchester teams are sides yet to record a loss in the league so far. Who would have placed a bet on Magpies? No one!
Sunday’s game against one of the ‘top-six‘ side Tottenham Hotspur was another opportunity to assess Alan Pardew’s team – and they impressed again. The Londoners (Spurs) took the lead thanks to a Rafael Van der Vaart well converted spot kick after Steven Taylor’s foul on Manolito Adebayor and the scoreboard read one-nil at the interval to the visitors. The in-form Senegalese striker Demba Ba scored a poachers goal just as the second half began to restore parity. The ding-dong affair continued with neither side able to stamp their authority on the game but Harry Houdini Redknapp’s super sub Defoe shot Tottenham into the lead with about 20minutes left.
Alan Pardew shuffled his cards and brought on Shola Ameobi, Hatem Ben Arfa and debutant Davide Santon. Newcastle had to get something out of this game with Pardew barking instructions on the sidelines. Wave after wave of attack resulted in Ameobi’s goal to the delight of SJP. The Northerns pushed forward in search on a winning goal but it ended two all. A great game of football with genuine English passion.
Surprise manager of the 'surprise' team...
I am among the set of people who were shocked when NUFC sacked Chris Hughton last season and appointed Alan Pardew. I’ve never been a big Alan Pardew fan, I do not rate him highly but he appears to be erasing my doubts slowly with the performance his team has been producing this season. Although it’s still early days but Newcastle’s performance and form is one that makes me think Europe is not beyond the Magpies reach if this momentum can be maintained.
With the departure of high profile players like Joey Barton, Andy Carroll, Jose Enrique and Kevin Nolan, a lot of people expected this newly assembled Newcastle side to struggle in the Premier League. Fans and critics questioned the ambition of the Manager, and the Chairman, but it seems the new lads acquired by Pardew are settling in nicely in the big boots of the departed stars.
France international Yohan Cabaye who joined in the summer from Lille has fitted in, Man Utd flop Gabriel Obertan appears to be enjoying his football again, Demba Ba goals did not go down with West Ham. Ben Arfa is back while Slyvain Marveaux and Davide Santon taking their time to learn the Premier league ropes.
An impressive decision of Alan Pardew’s reign so far is installing Tim Krul in between the sticks ahead of old Harper. The Dutch international has the qualities required to be a good Premier league shot stopper with his good reflexes. The contribution of ‘old’ players like Coloccini, Guiterrez should not be overlooked too.
The heavyweight fixtures against the Manchester sides and Chelsea in the space of three weeks starting from mid-November is sure to be a defining period for Newcastle. Win or lose in those games, the quality and decent depth of Pardew’s Newcastle suggests that a top-ten finish should be the minimum expectation from the board and the fans but aspiring for a place on the continental wouldn’t be too much of a dream.
Who says those happy days are not back on Tyneside after the gloomy Autumn of 2009?
Lako's Football Blog 
Posted by harphyz on October 18, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Well its too early to tip new castle for a place in Europa league but a top 10 finish should make the players and manager proud….
Posted by victor akhidenor on October 27, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Well said the football belusconi as we usually call you another piece of quality from you who says you can’t get to the top of the league of aficionados you are edging closer by the day as you always nip your analysis in the bud we are proud of you even tommy smith wouldn’t have done any better