Magpies March on in March
A small month for Beresford and his players, but three very tough games would mean that they could very well drop this month. Games against Man City, Everton and Chelsea would provide Newcastle with on of the toughest months they have had.
An away trip to Goodison Park was first, and a very hostile crowd met Newcastle and Beresford, even some Newcastle fans were jeering and booing their own team. Newcastle were out to prove everyone wrong, and in the first half, they absolutely dominated, they pushed every man forward, every man back, but they couldn't find a goal. It was almost as if Total Football had been reinvented at St.James' Park and brought to Merseyside. The lack of a goal did not dishearten the Toon, and in the second half they came out even stronger, and eventually they did get their goal, although no one on the Newcastle side scored it. Marouane Fellaini sent the ball past Tim Howard after a Ben Arfa free kick, and the Toon had their goal. The rest of the match was played out differently as Everton pushed forward, and they tried to get a goal, but Ochoa saved Newcastle,
again, and Newcastle held on for the win.
A home game against Man City was next, and it looked as though Newcastle were a complete different side from last week. Man City dominated and they pushed, but Ochoa Heroics saved Newcastle, for the first 10 minutes. In the 15th minute, Carlos Tevez broke the deadlock, but that didn't change anything, Man City still pushed on forward. A rare counter attack from Newcastle brought a chance for Andy Carroll, and you wouldn't believe it, it was 1-1. It took Man City 5 shots to get past Ochoa, only one for Newcastle to get past Joe Hart. The rest of the game was the same, as Man City kept pushing forward, but still never finding a way past Ochoa, who was putting in a Man of the Match performance, and not for the first time this year. The match ended 1-1, and the Toon walked away with a valuable point.
Another tough away trip, this time to the fortress known as Stamford Bridge, only two home losses all year for Chelsea. A Landon Donovan goal in the 7th minute gave Newcastle a taste of what they were in for, beautiful through balls, exquisite off the ball running, and finishing to die for. Another Landon Donovan goal the other side of the break looked to have sunk Newcastle, but an Andy Carroll goal with only 5 minutes left gave Newcastle a little hope. A Didier Drogba injury time goal gave Chelsea the sure three points, but a solid match for Newcastle, they just can't measure up to the table toppers.
Even after a good month, Newcastle still sit in 11th position, dropping two places from last month. They can not be relegated now, with 6 matches left they can only finish in 5th through to 17th. Newcastle have avoided relegation this year, and their fans must be happy, but now they fight for a mid-table position, can they do it?
View attachment 108197
Hatem Ben Arfa gets his first Man of the Month award, and with only 3 months left on his loan contract, surely Beresford can't not buy him. Even though Riquelme is on his way, Ben Arfa's contribution in assists can not be overlooked, and if he keeps performing like he did this month, Beresford will have some thinking to do.
View attachment 108196
Should Beresford sign Ben Arfa, or just let him return to Marseille? If you are a Newcastle fan, why not tell us what you think. Email us a
[email protected] or text us 'YOUR NAME' followed by 'NEWCASTLE' and then your message. Gary will read several out on Saturday's MOTD.
No problem 
