Bottom 10 Moments of the First Half

With the second half about to begin, let's look back at the best and worst moments of the first half. We'll start with the worst:

10. Newcastle Beaten By 10 Men at White Hart Lane, 28 December

I suppose you could take comfort in the fact that Tottenham Hotspur are a good team in good form, or in the fact that they beat Aston Villa the previous match with 10 men as well, but when you're down by a goal and the other side loses a player, you're expected to dominate possession, not give up another one.

9. James Perch's Own Goal, 26 September

Sometimes when a player scores an own goal, you feel bad for them, especially if it's some fluky, weird deflection. Sometimes, though, a defender heads in a corner with 5 minutes to go to lose the game against Stoke City, and you don't feel sorry for them one bit.

8. Charles N'Zogbia Scores 2, 16 October

It hurts when seemingly the only good player on the other team beats you for two goals. It hurts even more when that player used to be one of your own.

7. Andy Carroll's Off-the-field Exploits

Two assault charges and orders from a judge for the top striker to bunk with his captain dominated the headlines this fall. It got to the point that false rumors from one publication about a "drug-fueled orgy" at Captain Nolan's house wasn't even the worst of it. On October 21, Carroll's car was torched and Nolan's garage door covered with graffiti following the release of Nolan's address in the media.

6. Tim Krul's Howler, 26 December

You can't just give goals away in the Premiership, least of all to Manchester City, but that's exactly what Tim Krul did in the second minute of the second meeting of the two teams. Three minutes later, the Blues added another, which ended up being all they really needed.



5. Bolton Wanderers 5, Newcastle United 1, 20 November

A 5-1 loss is bad, no matter how you slice it, but this one featured two goals for the opposition off of penalty kicks plus a red card for Fabricio Coloccini. Colo was sent off for aggressive play against Johan Elmander. Mike Williamson was later suspended for a separate incident involving Elmander, but the striker didn't seem to mind as he also scored two goals on the day.

4. Joey Barton Suspended, 10 November

Joey Barton had been having a relatively quiet season by his standards before he reversed course in a 2-1 loss at home against Blackburn Rovers, punching Morten Gamst Pedersen in the chest and earning himself a 2 game suspension. The club struggled without him, tying with Fulham at home and then being decimated by Bolton.



3. West Bromwich Albion 3, Newcastle United 1, 5 December

This match would have made the list even if it weren't the impetus for getting Chris Hughton sacked. Here's how RKW reviewed the match:

"It can be described in so many words, but bluntly it was nothing short of horrendous. Fundamentals were flawed, leaderships was lacking, execution exited the building, passion took a pass, the offense was (pardon me) offensive, the defense deplorable. Our Magpies couldn't pass, possess, shoot, cross, clear, tackle, or keep the ball out of their own net. Other than all that they didn't play very good football either."

Following the match, Chris Hughton held an hour-long meeting with his players which was reported to be less than pleasant, but it didn't really matter, as the players were motivated in a much different way 24 hours later.

2. Nigel De Jong breaks Hatem ben Arfa's Leg, 3 October

Hatem ben Arfa was the object of an extended chase by Chris Hughton over the summer. For weeks the Toon Army was subjected to rumor after rumor of the status of a possible transfer for the talented young midfielder, so when he finally arrived at St. James' Park he was already something of a folk legend. Few expected him to live up to that billing, but in the few games that he played before getting injured, ben Arfa exceeded even the loftiest of expectations. The Magpies finally had their creative playmaker who was to lead them to the promised land of survival. In the blink of an eye, Nigel de Jong, who has built himself quite a resume as a dirty player, came in with both legs and snapped both the tibia and fibula of young Mr. ben Arfa, putting not only the season in doubt but also bringing forth the question of whether or not HBA will ever play again on Tyneside, given the conditions of his loan. Here's hoping the reports earlier this week that he will sign a permanent deal are true, and that he really can be ready in early February. The squad's survival may depend on it.

Click for link to video

1. Chris Hughton Sacked, 6 December

Football fans the world over were shaking their heads when Mike Ashley made the ill-advised move of sacking popular manager Chris Hughton. Hughton had led Newcastle back to the Premiership, made several improvements to the club despite limited funds, and gained the respect of his players, but rumors had persisted for several months that the relationship between Hughton and Ashley (and Derek Llambias) had grown frosty. Still, it was a shocking move that disrupted the players as well as the fans. Replacement manager Alan Pardew has only been around for three matches, so the jury is still out on him, but the effects have already been far-reaching in terms of personnel, as Sol Campbell has stated unequivocally that he wants out. For his part, Hughton treated the ignominy in his usual classy manner and has been linked to several vacancies (and a couple that aren't even vacant yet). He will latch on somewhere, and when he does, I will be jealous of the team that's lucky enough to land him.

James Perch A Flop?

Chris McQuade of EPLTalk posted his "Top 5 Transfer Flops of the Season, So Far" earlier this week, and one James Perch is listed at #5. I don't want to get into what McQuade's entire list should look like, but I disagree with Perch's inclusion.

I think the reason Perch was included is that his numbers simply don't look great. Much was made of the fact that he was forced to sit out after just 5 games due to discipline problems, and he had an own goal against The Potters of the "wrong place at the wrong time" variety, but we all know how those can be blown out of proportion. He has had a couple of games where he looked out of sorts - the Wigan match jumps to my mind immediately.

However, he has also been a solid replacement for Danny Simpson - a needed one. Can you imagine the back line without Perch? Simpson, Steven Taylor, and Sol Campbell have all gone down with injury. At times there has actually been competition for selection, but at other times there have been exactly 4 viable options at defense to choose from. I suppose you could argue that another transfer could have come in and done the job just as well or better, but for 1 million pounds, I don't see Perch as wasted money.

Offensively, the chemistry between Perch and Routledge (when he plays) has been critical in getting the ball down the right side of the pitch. The combination of playing a high defensive line and experimenting with different combinations of wingers on the right side could be the cause of Perch's defensive miscues - at times it looks as if he's unsure about how aggressive he's supposed to be. Does this make Perch a flop? Not in my mind.

In fact, I wouldn't even call Perch the biggest flop of the transfer window for Newcastle. That honor belongs to Sol Campbell, who couldn't see the field early because of match fitness and can't see the field now because of injuries. Sure, it's unfair to give him a grade that's anything but an incomplete, but how can you not be disappointed? Campbell was supposed to provide on the field veteran leadership, and has instead been an absentee. Perch is relatively young and has shown plenty of promise. To call him a flop when another defender from the same transfer window has had much less of an impact is simply unfair.

CHN Links: Gameday Edition

Good morning, Toon Army. The International Break is over! Match previews and last minute news after the jump.

This is a prank, right?
Photo courtesy of football.co.uk, no credit listed

CHN Links: Thursday Edition

Good morning, Toon Army. Back to the grind.

Stop crying.

CHN Links: Friday Edition

Good morning, Toon Army. It wouldn't be Friday if there weren't speculation about selection. That and more after the jump.

Whoever thought this was a good idea should be sacked.

CHN Links: Thursday Edition

Good morning, Toon Army. Be sure to look for our tactical review of the Blackpool match coming within the next two days.

Will one of these three crack the Starting XI this week?

Cheik Tiote says that Didier Drogba convinced him to join The Toon, according to the NUFC Official Site. He also says he is becoming fast friends with Hatem Ben Arfa. It's a pretty decent interview, so check it out.

James Perch told Steph Clark of The Northern Echo that he's not worried about a possible ban for too many yellow cards, saying that he will not hold back against The Toffees. He has to say this; is he supposed to say that he'll be tentative? You have to wonder if this will be in the back of his mind. This is why terrible officiating like that exhibited in Wolverhampton is not acceptable - it affects matches down the road as well.

CHN Links: Tuesday Edition

Good morning, Toon Army. Today is that weird day where we're still looking back while also looking forward.

The memory is starting to fade...

The Transfer Window, In Review

The transfer window is closed and the players are working out with their new teams. Manchester City has snapped up every player they could get their hands on, and the other three of the big four have spent their traditionally large amounts of money. Some clubs consider themselves haves and some have-nots, some owners are frugal and some are downright miserly. We who support NUFC started the transfer window with low expectations as Mike Ashley proceeded to repay himself a loan he gave the club that he owns. But, hope springs, with a bit of interpretation, that is, when we were told that the club’s approach to the Transfer Window would be a time of “Prudent Ambition.” Some read this as another way to say, “We aren’t going to be spending any money,” but I read it with a bit more optimistic tone. You can’t expect a club that has only just come back from relegation to break the bank to get back on top, but you’d like to see something be done about staying around in the Premiership, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s how I read it. We were set to look for quality and more than that value. It would take a deft touch and some sly maneuvering, and Chris Hughton would have to be on the very top of his game.

James Perch -

Perch transferred in from Nottingham Forrest (there’s a Robin Hood gag somewhere in there, but I’m not digging it out) for a nominal £1.2M fee, signed immediately to a 4yr contract; and, over the first three games in the Prem, proved to be a quality signing. That’s before you even consider that the player’s versatility. He’s only played Right Back (played it well for that matter) for the Magpies but he is able to play across the back four, Defensive MF and Right MF. Except against Manchester, when the side was frankly run ragged, the defense has looked great, and James Perch has been a big part of that. Have to give Hughton high marks for this one. Grade: B+

Dan Gosling –

While he’s recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, Hughton was able to snap him up as a free-agent and sign him to a four year deal. We have to reserve approval until we see how he holds up after the knee heals, but we can also say how confident we are that he will return to form, and when he does we will be impressed as he continues to grow into the player that his career thus far has foreshadowed. Also we can give CH more high marks in not only the signing but in the high road attitude he took after the Everton brass started whining and bantering at Gosling’s agent. Hughton was quoted saying, “We are one-hundred per cent sure that we’ve done everything appropriately,” which just goes to show, if you work above board as a rule, then you never have to answer for shady dealings. Grade: A-

Sol Campbell –

A 35 year old veteran signed on a free transfer. For most a first glance says, “Meh, let me know when the real signings start,” but hear me out. In almost every sport I am a fan of signing a veteran who’s just shy of over the hill and has experience in winning. In any sport the players have to be students of their game to play at the highest levels. They start by learning the basic skills, then, as they master those, they pick up an understanding of strategy and style, and so on. But, one of the major subjects of study that is often overlooked is the subject of winning. A player must learn to win, and it is always good to have teachers around that know how to do it. That said, signing the veteran just shy of over the hill, carries with it the risk of walking beside him over it. Some would have you think that this is the case with Sol, proved by his lack of fitness to start the season, but let’s give the fellow a break; he is just off his honeymoon isn’t he. He’ll be fit soon and he will bolster the defense and he will play the season satisfactorily, mark me on it. Another piece falls into place and the critics’ numbers start to dwindle, resorting to the laughable position of calling poor Sol fat of all things. Grade: A

Cheik Tiote –

Tiote has come from Twente for somewhere around £3.5m, and it kind of came out of nowhere. The rumor news had been about a striker, the ongoing Ben Arfa story, and turning attention toward Manchester City’s leftovers. Then, bang, Cheick Tiote on Tyneside for a medical. I know hardly anything about this cat, as the Eredivisie is not on my regular viewing schedule, but what I have been able to find out is that he is a Defensive minded Midfielder that brings a strong physical presence to the pitch. That will spell Alan Smith at DMF, who’s really more crafty than imposing at any rate, so it’ll be nice to have someone in midfield that people don’t want to cross. At this point we’re starting to think that the Transfer Window is shaping up nicely, and we’ve only spent £4.5-5m as far as we can tell from reports. Looking pretty good CH. Grade: A

Hatem Ben Arfa –

Finally on the 28^th of August, the team site confirmed officially that we had indeed captured a loan deal for Hatem Ben Arfa from Olymipque de Marseille for £5m, with the added stipulation that if he plays 25games then he’ll be bought outright for around the same price paid again. This signing is brilliant and we have been of the opinion that it would indeed end up the way it has. It’s our theory that OM was feeding stories to the media about alternate interests to drum up a market for the player and drive up his price, Hughton and company, showing unequaled deftness, simply didn’t flinch. It helped that the player himself decided to have a hold out to force the move. At any rate, Arfagate is over and the player is in Newcastle. He’s been billed as an attitude problem, but CH is confident in his ability to manage all the personalities on the club. As far as playing goes HBA should bring just the type of creative spark the MF needs to be effective offensively. From videos I’ve seen he’s certainly a greatly talented ball handler, and seems to have a good nose for where to be and when. With this signing in just before the Wolves game, CH had seemed to be fast winning the respect of the Toon Army, and all that came to a head with a respectful chant of “One Crissy Hughton” from the small delegation to Molineux. Grade: A+

Then, while Hurricane Earl rolled into our eastern coast, the window closed, unceremoniously to be frank, and the hurricane whirlwinds that we expected turned out to be more like breezes. The Magpies were said to have been in on a few players at day break, and of course rumored to have players checking into hotels in Newcastle and such, but here at the end none of them quite panned out. As it turned out Robbie Keane didn't really want to come to Tyneside, and if that's the case, we're better off without him. Wolfswinkle decided to stay home, so we'll be pushing forward with the existing Striker crew. Which is fine with us, we don't see any merit in all the grief that Shola Ameobi is subjected to. We we're hoping for cover for Jose Enrique, but loans could certainly sort the LB cover out. As we look back on the Summer Window, we can't help but be pleased. One Chrissy Hughton is showing us all what he's made of, and it's good stock if you ask us.