The Toon skipper refused to be pushed on the subject and stuck to more simple matters ... our position in the Premier League.
Fabricio Coloccini: “Sometimes we have not done well against the teams who are down near the bottom of the table.
“Maybe we have thought it was going to be easy. That is dangerous.
“Against the big teams your motivation and concentration are always high, but we need to be at the same level.
“We have shown we can compete with the best teams in the Premier League, but now it is up to us to keep our performances at that level.
"We all want the same, Newcastle to be playing well and back in the top ten.”
1 Arsenal 12 28
2 Liverpool 12 24
3 Chelsea 12 24
4 Manchester City 12 22
5 Southampton 12 22
6 Manchester United 12 21
7 Everton 12 21
8 Newcastle United 12 20
9 Tottenham Hotspur 12 20
10 Swansea City 12 15
11 West Bromwich Albion 12 15
12 Aston Villa 12 15
13 Hull City 12 14
14 Stoke City 12 13
15 Cardiff City 12 13
16 Norwich City 12 11
17 West Ham United 12 10
18 Fulham 12 10
19 Crystal Palace 12 7
20 Sunderland 12 7
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday November 30
15:00 Aston Villa v Sunderland
15:00 Cardiff City v Arsenal
15:00 Everton v Stoke City
15:00 Norwich City v Crystal Palace
15:00 West Ham United v Fulham
17:30 Newcastle United v West Brom
Sunday December 1
12:00 Tottenham v Man Utd
14:05 Hull City v Liverpool
16:10 Chelsea v Southampton
16:10 Manchester City v Swansea City
Tuesday December 3
20:00 Crystal Palace v West Ham United
Wednesday December 4
19:45 Arsenal v Hull City
19:45 Liverpool v Norwich City
19:45 Man Utd v Everton
19:45 Southampton v Aston Villa
19:45 Stoke City v Cardiff City
19:45 Sunderland v Chelsea
19:45 Swansea City v Newcastle United
20:00 Fulham v Tottenham
20:00 West Brom v Manchester City
We have FIVE copies of our new book "Magpies In Europe - Harvey To Pardew' to give away in our new competition.
Simply answer these three questions:-
a) Joe Harvey
b) Kevin Keegan
c) Kenny Dalglish
2) We played Benfica last season. What country are they from?
a) Spain
b) Greece
c) Portugal
3) When we beat Barcelona 3-2 in the Champions League which NUFC player scored a hat-trick?
a) Alan Shearer
b) Tino Asprilla
c) Shola Ameobi
Send your answers to: Kevnumad@fsmail.net
The competition will run until December 2nd - winners will be announced on December 3rd).
NEWCASTLE 2 NORWICH 1
NEWCASTLE: 1. Tim Krul 13. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa 6. Mike Williamson 2. Fabricio Coloccini 3. Davide Santon 7. Moussa Sissoko 24. Cheick Tiote 4. Yohan Cabaye 68' 11. Yoan Gouffran 83' 23. Shola Ameobi 74' 14. Loic Remy
Subs: 8. Vurnon Anita 68' 9. Papiss Cisse 74' 10. Hatem Ben Arfa 83' 19. Massadio Haidara 21. Rob Elliot 25. Gabriel Obertan 28. Sammy Ameobi
NORWICH: 1. John Ruddy 2. Russell Martin 6. Michael Turner 24. Ryan Bennett 23. Martin Olsson 4. Bradley Johnson 89' 22. Nathan Redmond 89' 8. Jonny Howson 10. Leroy Fer 12. Anthony Pilkington 49' 11. Gary Hooper
Subs: 3. Steven Whittaker 5. Sebastien Bassong 14. Wes Hoolahan 89' 16. Johan Elmander 49' 19. Luciano Becchio 20. Carlo Nash 31. Josh Murphy 89'
Loic Remy's eighth goal of the season set Newcastle on the road to a third successive Barclays Premier League victory as Norwich's troubles on the road continued.
The France international headed home Yohan Cabaye's corner from close range with just two minutes gone, remarkably the Magpies' first strike from that particular set-piece since October 2011.
Compatriot Yoan Gouffran wrapped up the win seven minutes before the break, converting from close range after keeper John Ruddy had saved Shola Ameobi's header, and Leroy Fer's 80th-minute header ultimately counted for little in the 2-1 result despite sparking a rousing fightback.
Norwich, who lost 7-0 at Manchester City in their last game, had first-half chances of their own with Anthony Pilkington, who was later carried off on a stretcher, sending a 32nd-minute header across the face of goal.
However, Alan Pardew's side were deserved winners on a day when they played well enough to take the points, but did not have to be at their very best in front of an appreciative crowd of 51,328.
There were impressive individual displays from Cabaye and Remy, who helped France book their place at next summer's World Cup finals in midweek, and Shola Ameobi, who will hope to join them in Brazil with Nigeria.
The mood within the camp was understandably buoyant as a result of those international successes and morale-boosting victories over Chelsea and Tottenham, and Newcastle's afternoon could hardly have got off to a better start.
Less than two minutes had gone when Cabaye, for the second time in the game, sent in a left-wing corner which was allowed to travel across Norwich's six-yard box to the far post.
Midfielder Bradley Johnson found himself caught in two minds and in the event did nothing to allow Remy to head into the back of the net.
The Canaries responded to the early set-back to enjoy their best, albeit brief, spell of the half.
Nathan Redmond perhaps should have done better after being played in over the top by Michael Turner with 11 minutes gone, but he blasted high over with the Magpies' defence waiting in vain for an offside flag.
The visitors went close once again two minutes later when Ryan Bennett turned Pilkington's deep free-kick towards goal to prompt a block by keeper Tim Krul, with returning skipper Fabricio Coloccini blocking Fer's follow-up and Ameobi mopping up.
However, with Cheick Tiote and Cabaye dominating in midfield and Ameobi and Remy stretching the Norwich defence, Newcastle gradually established a momentum.
Moussa Sissoko should have extended their lead 14 minutes before the break after Ameobi had carved the City defence wide open with a slide-rule pass, but he dragged his effort wide.
Norwich were very nearly level within seconds when Pilkington looped a header back across goal, only for the ball to drop just wide with Krul fatally wrong-footed.
However, Pardew's men increased their advantage with 38 minutes gone when Ameobi once again produced a fine pass to pick out Remy, who fed Sissoko to float in a teasing cross.
Ameobi climbed highest to forced a save from Ruddy, but Gouffran was on hand to tap home the rebound.
Ruddy had to dive to his left to beat away Ameobi's piledriver in stoppage time, and the home side headed for the dressing room happy with their lot.
The visitors' woes increased within four minutes of the restart when Pilkington was carried off after apparently damaging a hamstring in a challenge with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
Johan Elmander took his place, but it was Gary Hooper who might have changed his side's fortunes from the resulting free-kick when Newcastle failed to clear their lines and he prodded a shot just wide.
Ameobi created a shooting chance for himself with some neat footwork, but then wasted all the good work by scuffing his attempt straight at Ruddy.
But Norwich were making a concerted push to get themselves back into the game and the Magpies found themselves having to defend, if with few scares, for an extended period.
Newcastle were content to try to hit the Canaries on the break, which they did to good effect on more than one occasion, but the precision of their first-half performance was sadly lacking.
The relative comfort of their position persuaded Pardew to withdraw the tiring Cabaye and Ameobi and replace them with Vurnon Anita and Papiss Cisse as time ran down.
However, Fer set up a tense conclusion when he headed Redmond's corner firmly past Krul with 10 minutes remaining, although the Magpies held firm.
IDEAL FOR CHRISTMAS
MAGPIES IN EUROPE -
HARVEY TO PARDEW
Although NUFC are not talking to the Chronicle or Sunday Sun ... we are!
And the full story is expected to be in newspapers this week.
The official new title is "Magpies In Europe - Harvey To Pardew" and is an up-dated version of "From Antwerp To Zurich" - which includes the 14 Europa League fixtures we played last season.
The 280-page book features match reports from the 134 European matches Newcastle United have played, starting with the memorable 4-0 win over Feyenoord in 1968 on our European debut.
Included are stats and the figures you would expect, but also each away fixture has the remarkable experiences of individuals who travelled to watch the matches.
Introduction by "Big Bad" John McNamee, part of the Fairs Cup winning team of 1969.
It is a fascinating history that every Newcastle United fan will enjoy.
And with a limited print-run, make sure you order a copy.
Mail order: Send a cheque for £10.45 made payable to K.Fletcher to:
K Fletcher, 5 Dunelm, Sacriston, Durham DH7 6NU
Include your own address.
ON SALE NOW AT:
M&M City News; 140 Northumberland St, Newcastle NE1 7DQ.
The Flower Shop, Spennymoor, Co Durham.
RRP: £10.95
if you want to order, contact us:- Kevnumad@fsmail.net
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NEWCASTLE UNITED 2013/14
PREMIER LEAGUE
NEWCASTLE 2 NORWICH CITY 1 (Remy, Gouffran)
Krul, Yanga-Mbiwa, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye (68' Anita), Gouffran (83' Ben Arfa), Shola Ameobi (74' Cisse), Remy.
Subs: Haidara, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi
TOTTENHAM 0 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Remy)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Sissoko, Cabaye, Tiote, Gouffran (85' Obertan), Remy (75' Cisse), Shola Ameobi (60' Anita).
Subs: Coloccini, Ben Arfa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi
NEWCASTLE UTD 2 CHELSEA 0 (Gouffran, Remy)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Sissoko, Cabaye, Tiote (53' Anita), Gouffran (85' Obertan), Shola Ameobi (62' Cisse).
Subs: Ben Arfa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Tavernier.
SUNDERLAND 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Debuchy)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Dummett, Santon, Sissoko (45' Cisse), Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran (86' Sammy Ameobi), Ben Arfa, Remy (70' Shola Ameobi).
Subs: Anita, Haidara, Elliot, Obertan.
NEWCASTLE UTD 2 LIVERPOOL 2 (Cabaye, Dummett)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Cabaye (78' Sammy Ameobi), Tiote, Gouffran, Sissoko (45' Dummett), Remy, Ben Arfa (78' Anita).
Subs: Cisse, Elliot, Obertan, Dummett.
CARDIFF CITY 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Remy 2)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Tiote, Cabaye (86' Ben Arfa), Gouffran, Sissoko, Remy (71' Gutierrez), Cisse
Subs: Anita, Yanga-Mbiwa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett
EVERTON 3 NEWCASTLE 2 (Cabaye, Remy)
Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa (46' Williamson), Coloccini, Santon, Tiote, Anita (69' Cisse), Ben Arfa (46' Cabaye), Sissoko, Gouffran, Remy
Subs: Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett
NEWCASTLE 2 HULL CITY 3 (Remy 2)
Krul, Debuchy (86' Tiote), Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Cabaye (62' Gouffran), Anita, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, Cisse (73' Marveaux), Remy
Subs: Williamson, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett
ASTON VILLA 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Ben Arfra, Gouffran)
Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Anita (74' Tiote), Cabaye (88' Sammy Ameobi), Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Remy (63' Gouffran), Cisse
Subs: Elliot, Marveaux, S Taylor, Dummett
NEWCASTLE 1 FULHAM 0 (Ben Arfa)
Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Anita 65' (Cabaye), Marveaux 74' (Remy), Shola Ameobi 65' (Gouffran), Cisse
Subs: Gosling, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett
NEWCASTLE 0 WEST HAM 0
Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Anita, Marveaux 66' (Sammy Ameobi), Shola Ameobi, Cisse 72'
Subs: Gosling, Bigirimana, Elliot, Vuckic, Dummett
MAN CITY 4 NEWCASTLE 0
Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, S Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Sissoko, Tiote, Gouffran 45+4' (Dummett), Ben Arfa 65' (Sammy Ameobi), Gutierrez 44' (Anita), Cisse
Subs: Elliot, Marveaux, Shola Ameobi, Obertan
LEAGUE CUP
NEWCASTLE 0 MAN CITY 2 (AET)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara (45 Dummett, 80 Ben Arfa), Anita, Tiote, Gouffran, Sissoko, Shola Ameobi (66 Cabaye), Cisse
Subs: Remy, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi
NEWCASTLE 2 LEEDS UTD 0 (Cisse, Gouffran)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Gouffran (90' Vuckic), Anita (80' Gosling), Tiote, Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Cisse (71' Obertan).
Subs: Ben Arfa, Yanga-Mbiwa, Bigirimana, Alnwick
MORECAMBE 0 NEWCASTLE 2 (Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi)
Elliot, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Good, Dummett, Bigirimana, Gosling, Marveaux 88' (Sissoko), Vuckic 46' (Shola Ameobi), Sammy Ameobi, Gouffran 71' (Ben Arfa)
Subs: Santon, Anita, Alnwick, Streete
Newcastle United Fixtures
Saturday November 30
17:30 Premier League
Newcastle United v West Brom
Wednesday December 4
19:45 Premier League
Swansea City v Newcastle United
Saturday December 7
12:45 Premier League
Man Utd v Newcastle United
Saturday December 14
15:00 Premier League
Newcastle United v Southampton
Saturday December 21
15:00 Premier League
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
Thursday December 26
15:00 Premier League
Newcastle United v Stoke City
Sunday December 29
13:30 Premier League
Newcastle United v Arsenal
Wednesday January 1 2014
15:00 Premier League
West Brom v Newcastle United