Clik here to view.
Is this Formation the Answer to our Tactical Problems?
(Author’s note: I drafted this blog before Cissé’s super strike against Southampton, the reappearance of Tiote as how he used to be and what, in my mind, was Debuchy’s best game in a black and white...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Tactical Shift: what we can learn from the best
Following on from last week’s article about a potential 3-3-2-2 formation, today we’re going to have a look at several other options which we believe would structurally fortify our game. Spain won the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Personal Memories of Players On and Off the Field: ‘Wor Jackie’
I first shook Jackie Milburn’s hand in the Spring of 1956. I was 4 years old. My dad ran the Newcastle Hotel in Rothbury, in the heart of Northumberland. (By then, ‘Wor’ Jackie was a Newcastle legend....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Personal Memories of Players On and Off the Pitch: Paul Gascoigne
The first time I can recall seeing Paul Gascoigne don a first team Newcastle shirt was as a substitute. He came on against Spurs at St James’ Park in May 1985. He’d made his debut the month before,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Psychological Analysis of Newcastle United
I committed to write a blog on the journey back South after the Sunderland game. I left it a couple of hours to allow the emotion and disappointment to acquiesce. In fact, I didn’t finish until Tuesday...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Ugly, the Daft and the Wonderful at Newcastle
The Luis Suarez biting incident at Anfield probably means he won’t be playing at St James next Saturday which although is good for Newcastle isn’t good for football entertainment. Right now, 3 points...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When a ship is sinking, you plug the leak before you hold an inquiry
I’ve read a mountain of articles about Newcastle’s plight; who should be picked/dropped; who should be blamed…. One specific article claimed that blaming the new/old French guards is “lazy journalism”....
View ArticleClik here to view.
A New Castle to Build On
I had a feeling we’d draw at West Ham and with long-overdue goal-line technology, we might have won. Cissé has been unjustly judged six times this season. He has scored 6 rule-abiding goals which have...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Rollercoaster Season: the denouement
First and foremost let’s make this Sunday, Stevie Harper Day. The most loyal of loyal Newcastle players signs off after 20 years at Newcastle in what will be his last game. I felt as if the gods were...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Joe Kinnear – an alternative viewpoint
I have a slightly different take on Joe Kinnear’s appointment. No one really knows for sure the why’s and wherefore’s of what’s happened, apart from Kinnear, Ashley and Llambias – even Pardew seems to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Cabaye??? Buy! Buy! Buy!
I can’t believe how isolated journos are from reality. Cabaye for 10 mill? Don’t make me laff. That wouldn’t buy the toes of his weakest foot. Look back in history. Ashley = profit. Carroll = £35M…....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Newcastle United: The Arrogance Index
Last April I wrote a psychological profile of Newcastle blog that included the equation… Effectiveness = motivation x confidence x competence x curiosity E = MC3 (tain’t rocket science) After...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Part 1: Inside the World of Mike Ashley and His Friends in the North
Part 1 – Don’t Look Back in Anger I don’t know Mike Ashley. I’ve never met him. I’ve written to him several times without reply. So to write about MA is as a distant observer, informed by the media and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Swansea 3-0 Newcastle – Five things we learnt
Newcastle’s four-game winning streak finally came to an end in a 3-0 loss to Swansea City. Heading into last night, Newcastle were on a four-game winning streak. Thanks to those victories, we were...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Part 3: Inside the World of Mike Ashley and His Friends in the North
Mike Ashley doesn’t have any pals left does he? He might be a money-spinner but I don’t know anyone (who cares about quality football) that has anything credible to say about his executive leadership...
View ArticleClik here to view.
S.A.R.A.H: The Toon is Still In Shock Therapy
As humans, we go through a five-step psychological process when we get unwanted/unexpected news. Meet SARAH. Shock Anger Resentment or rejection. Acceptance – of current situation Help – or willingness...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Part 4: Inside the World of Mike Ashley and His Friends in the North
Lunacy is…. doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result – Einstein You’re in a pickle, I suggest, Mr Ashley. The past is but a dream. 17:00 hrs, Saturday 7 December 2013...
View Article
