It's bad, but you know how these situations can turn around, I'm pleased Santon is fit, but it is being reported Nile Ranger will be included in the squad, this speaks volumes.....I'd be over the moon with a draw, which is all I ever put us down for ever, I'm the club jinx, got the impression you might be your club jinx as well.
That's probably how Geordie fans feel about Barton. Forget Lambert, Ba and Cisse, getting rid of him was probably Pardew's best ever transfer deal.
Well from memory we picked him up at about 15/16, then he was convicted with involvement in an armed robbery from before he joined us and was sent to a Young Offender's. He was there for about 6 months and then we brought him back, but pretty shortly after we cut him loose. Then Dennis Wise picked him up for Newcastle, and since then he's had his troubles both criminally and disciplinary. Talented though.
Be afraid, be very afraid. So far my match threads have produced a win v QPR, and your lot to have nearly all your best players out!
I thought Ranger was on loan to a Sheffield team, or locked up. As a striker his goal rate is terrible, as a general pain in the arse during a game (Heskey with speed) he is fairly good. If you look at our acadamy players and our catchment area, we get very few tough little bastards from hard areas, we get the choirboys from rural areas and I believe there could have been abit of bullying from Ranger or he was deemed as a bad influence which is why he was released, same as Dyer but he has turned good
This is a bit like the brum match last season where we played them after a Europe match and all thought we would lose and then we won 4 1 I think it was. Could Europe help us again??
I think a lot of what is wrong with Ranger is down to the company he keeps, although I'm a great believer in taking responsibility for your own behaviour, he seems to have some shady friends, they appear to think 'Gangsta' culture is something to be admired. Massive waste of talent, one or two, myself included thought he was a better prospect than Carroll at one time.
Was there not a story of Ranger stealing from club stores, and the training kit etc? Read that somewhere...
Here's the report on Newcastle, few bits of analysis and stats for you. http://sfcplayerstats.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/newcastle-united-scout-report/
I expect NUFC to line up like this: Krul Simpson Williamson Taylor Santon Marveaux Tiote Anita Gutierrez Ba Cisse It is 8/11 of our strongest line up. It's a shame the three missing are 3 of our most influential players. I think both teams will score. 2-1 to you guys. Although Ranger back in the first team and returning to his old club to score the winner. That does sound like the kind of thing that could happen in football. At least I hope so.
It's Pardew, he only plays 4-4-2. Its surprising as last season we played 4-3-3 in the last 10 games and we went on an amazing run which led to finishing 5th. Now he has gone back to 4-4-2, we have played awfully in every game bar 2 (The derby and Bordeaux at home) yet he doesn't change the system. He claims the 4-4-2 is to suit Demba, but the rest of our players suit 4-3-3. Its crazy. Pards may have an 8 year deal, but some fans are already growing restless. Don't get me wrong we don't want him out as we are a walking advert for not sacking managers. If we lose to you and Stoke away, some fans will call for his head sadly.