FEBRUARY
With no extra additions to the squad, although tried and failed, I’m going for the rest of the season with the players I have.
Saturday, 6th: Newcastle United 3 : 1 Cardiff City –
Ebi Smolarek (69), Jonas (74), Mark Kennedy O.G. (90+1) Kevin Nolan sent off (53) : Michael Chopra (88)
With the odds heavily stacked against Cardiff, it was a great chance to get a few goals against them and increase our goal difference. A disappointing start as Cardiff came close a few times, even having a goal disallowed. After the break, I’m forced to make a change as Kevin Nolan gets sent off and Nicky **** picks up an injury. Ebi Smolarek gets a goal 20 minutes from time to go 1-0 up. An incisive breakaway after shutting up shop gifts Jonas a goal with 15 minutes to go. Danny Simpson makes an immediate impact after coming on by getting himself booked (sarcasm). Chopra gets a goal back 2 minutes from time to put them back in the game for a minimal time. A corner in the first minute of injury time deflects off a Cardiff back and puts us 3-1 up. A great result against a team I hate personally
Average rating: 7.20
Man of the Match: Jonas (Newcastle), 8.2
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Newcastle players name in Team of the Week
Steven Taylor and Jonas were selected for the Coca-Cola Championship Team of the Week first eleven.
Tuesday, 9th: Derby County 2 : 2 Newcastle United – Steven Davies (pen 45+3, pen 77) :
Shola Ameobi (6 (six)), Steven Davies O.G. (72)
Crunch match! Derby have the upper hand this time as they are home. They are threatening automatic promotion, following Bristol City closely. A defensive 4-4-2 is all I’ve got to offer them. 5 minutes into the match and Ameobi puts us one-up. A harsh decision gives Derby a penalty, which Steven Davies converts. A change at half time is what was needed as Geremi picked up a knock. Derby scorer Davies scores an own goal to put us in the lead again. Parking the bus with 20 minutes left. The referee gives Derby ANOTHER penalty! I can’t believe this! I feel I’ve been harshly robbed of this match, and will probably lead me into criticising the referee.
Average rating: 6.54
Man of the Match: Steven Davies (Derby), 8.0
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Yep, I was warned by the FA after moaning about penalty decisions and yellow cards. Pah, who gives? At least I won’t be seeing the referee next season
Saturday, 13th (FA Cup Fifth Round): Newcastle United 1 : 2 Derby County –
Andy Carroll (65) : Dean Leacock (57), Giles Barnes (pen 62)
A rematch with the Rams, but this time I’m not really bothered about the outcome. A confident performance in the first half by the reserves and under 18s. 0-0 at half time. Dean Leacock puts the visitors ahead, then – guess what!? – Derby get a penalty. Andy Carroll replies with a well-struck volley. Final whistle goes, good, I’m out of the FA Cup. The league has full concentration now.
Average rating: 6.86
Man of the Match: Dean Leacock (Derby), 7.8
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Wednesday,17th: Newcastle United 3 : 2 Coventry City –
Ebi Smolarek (38), Tamas Kadar (75), Joey Barton (90) Steven Taylor sent off (78) : Anton Peterlin (28), Elliott Ward (64)
A game that we have to win as Coventry are sitting at 18th in the league. Anything less than a win will be an embarrassment. Argh, Coventry strike first on 28 minutes. 10 minutes later, Smolarek gets an equaliser. Coventry go back in front with 25 minutes left. Smolarek has to come off with an injury, which gives super sub Ameobi a chance to shine. Kadar equalises a minute after Ebi goes off, then Steven Taylor gets himself sent off. Bad boy Joey Barton scores the winner on 90 minutes, a 30-yarder! I can’t express enough how happy I am to win this match after the performance.
Average rating: 7.11
Man of the Match: Tamas Kadar (Newcastle), 7.9
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News has come in that Ebi Smolarek has sprained his ankle, which will see him being sidelined for around 5 weeks, much to my frustration.
Saturday, 20th: Newcastle United 3 : 1 Preston North End –
Jonas (37), Adam McGarry O.G. (42), Shola Ameobi (50) : Ross Wallace (56)
Resting a few players as Swansea are hosting us in 4 days time. A goal from Jonas and an own goal sees us 2-0 at half time. Lovenkrands has picked up a knock, but I hope it’s not too serious; LuaLua replaces him. 5 minutes after the restart, Ameobi puts us 3 goals to the good. Wallace replies after a great counter attack by Preston.
Average rating: 7.20
Man of the Match: Jonas (Newcastle), 8.2
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Argh, Lovenkrands has a twisted knee, out for two weeks!
Newcastle players named in Team of the Week
Tamas Kadar, Jonas and Joey Barton were selected for the Coca-Cola Championship Team of the Week first eleven.
Wednesday, 24th: Swansea City 0 : 3 Newcastle United –
Shola Ameobi (4), Jonas (18), Ryan Taylor (82)
Swansea are doing well this season and it’s important I break them down in this match. An early goal was key in this match, and Shola Ameobi struck first within 4 minutes. They saw themselves punished as Jonas took advantage of a slack back pass by Swansea. A great first half, and I don’t expect the performance to drop. Ryan Taylor strikes a third late on to secure the win. A fantastic performance and a tremendous result!
Average rating: 7.46
Man of the Match: Jonas (Newcastle), 8.2
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Thankfully, Bristol City lost their game-in-hand, which sees us 11 points clear at the top
Saturday, 27th: Watford 1 : 2 Newcastle United – Fabricio Coloccini O.G. (73) :
Shola Ameobi (23), Ryan Taylor (60) Joey Barton sent off (68)
This is going to be a tough test for the lads as Watford are progressing nicely recently. The only change I make is Steven Taylor coming back from suspension in place of Tamas Kadar, who drops to the bench. Oh by the way, I played a reverse asymmetric system against Swansea, and I’m sticking to that formation. It seems to work as Ameobi strikes first on 23 minutes, but that was the only thing worth noting, although we have bombarded the Watford half. Another Jonas assist sees Ryan Taylor poke one in the back of the net on the hour mark. Joey Barton gets another red card for the season, and that’s starting to frustrate me. They keep playing into the empty space down the middle and force Coloccini to score an own goal. A good result away from home against Watford.
Average rating: 6.87
Man of the Match: Ryan Taylor (Newcastle), 7.8
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This is an extract from Joey Barton’s profile – take a look at his yellow and red card records compared to the amount of matches he’s played. This is probably normal but something’s got to be done about it, and I’ve decided to fine him a week’s wages. Maybe that’s not harsh enough... lol
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With Derby only drawing and Bristol City LOSING again, I think it’s worth looking at the end-of-February league table:
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Updates very very soon. Keep checking back