Honest Magpies

IT has been said honesty is always the best policy – and it is one that is serving Newcastle United well, according to goalkeeper Rob Elliot.

Newcastle’s flying start to the season was extended after a 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers which ensured the Magpies remained unbeaten going into this week’s international break.

Given the supposed ‘turmoil’ the club was meant to be in this summer with sections of the Magpies support expressing disappointment over the board’s prudent transfer policy, United have answered their critics in style – and they occupy a Champions League spot.

Admittedly, some work still needs to be done to remain there and May’s finishing post is still some way off – but all the same, this is not a bad platform to be building from.

Team spirit no doubt goes a long way to building a winning side, but manager Alan Pardew has been vindicated thus far that he does have an eye for a player.

The likes of Yohan Cabaye and Demba Ba no doubt have an abundance of talent – but as fellow new signing Elliot says, honesty can take a player and a team a very long way.

“I just think you have a bunch of honest lads who are also very good footballers,” said Elliot, signed from Charlton Athletic in the summer.

“There are no big-timers, just a group of lads who are all working hard and giving a hundred per cent every week – and that includes the lads who are not involved.

“That filters through to Saturday for the eleven who do go out onto the pitch and they are producing.

 

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died at 10:11 in the year of our lord 2011

 

Well he's certainly not a big timer, a donkey maybe, but not a big timer.

 

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IT'S ALIVE

 

Threadshitting your own thread takes a new kind of class

 

why thank you

 

If anything the paintball session proves spirit is great heres hoping it continues

 

i believe this is connected to the barton thread and the demise of the player power in the dressing room and can only be a good thing imo

 

I was one of the vocal detractors about the transfer policy and while it's obvious we've bought quality I thought we could and should have got more bodies in. While I didn't expect us to struggle like so-called 'experts' said, I never envisaged the start to the season we've had and I'm delighted to have been proved wrong so far.

Much respect for Pardew so far too, I thought he'd crash and burn but he's done a great job especially considering the pressure put on him from the start by people like me.

Most of all well done to the players who put in 100% every week. I think 99% of Newcastle fans are happy as long as all 11 men on the pitch are giving their all and they're doing us proud. Howay the Lads.

 

The harmony between fans and players is definetly bourne out of honesty. When we went down we all had gripes with players who weren't pulling their weight. Its soul destroying on a Sat watching players go through the motions. Anger is bound to rise because folk are paying good money and love their club. Since Nolan/Barton/Smith etc pulled the squad together, it has never come apart. This is because harsh words can now be spoken without egos being knocked. You need that and while I was worried we'd lose it with the transfer policy, it has remained. Of course it will be tested more in tough times but I suspect it'll still be tight. 100% is now the norm and if you don't give it, you'll feel like a leper. That for me is a good thing because it means the fans get to see the minimum they expect every week.