In the last week we have read articles such as:
Alan Pardew: "We are in a relegation scrap, and we have to face that fact".
Kevin Nolan: "The result at Stoke has us looking at the relegation positions. It's not a nice feeling to have, but we are starting to feel the pressure."
Fabricio Coloccini: "We need six points to avoid relegation."
But assistant manager John Carver said this morning: “Nobody around the place is talking about relegation!"
John Carver: “We’re going to remain positive.
“Nobody around the place is talking about relegation.
“If you start talking about it, and everybody else talks about relegation, it gets to you.
“It can get you down, so we’ll keep positive, work hard, remain focused and look towards the Wolves game as an opportunity for us to show what we can do.
“Don’t get me wrong, we know we’re in a right battle, but so are 10 other teams in the division, so we’re not alone in that.
“Two wins will make all the difference, and the job for us now is to get those victories as soon as possible, starting with the Wolves game (on April 2).
“This is the strangest Premier League season I’ve ever been involved in.
“I’ve never known anything like it – normally by this stage teams are cut adrift – but there are something like six points separating ninth from 18th this year.
“So it might not be that comfortable for the teams involved, but it’s exciting, and it’s great for the league that it is like that.
“Everybody concentrates on the teams at the top and how good they are, but look at the bottom. There are no bad sides in the league this year.
“Take Wolves, for example. They’re in the relegation zone yet they’ve beaten Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United – three of the best teams in the division – this year.
“They’ve had a good run against those top teams but they’re still in trouble so it is unpredictable this year.”
STANDING SECTION AT ST JAMES' PARK?
The Premier League will oppose moves to reintroduce standing areas at top-flight matches ... but would YOU (as a supporter) like a standing area at St James' Park?
The Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) are to launch an online petition calling for the return of standing areas in the top two divisions of English football.
Terraces were banned following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 but the Premier League insist that all-seater stadia are safe and better for fans.
Premier League chief spokesman Dan Johnson said: "Our view is that the benefits of all-seater stadia far outweigh the return of standing areas.
"They have led to more women and more children attending the games and no matter how safe standing can be made, seating is always safer.
"We will not be encouraging the Government to change the law."
Safer? Personally, I have had my head split open twice at away games ... both times by flying seats.
Please vote in our poll:
http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/interactive/voting_polls.asp
STOKE CITY 4 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
STOKE: Begovic, Wilson, Shawcross, Huth, Higginbotham, Pennant (Whitehead 80), Delap, Whelan, Etherington (Pugh 60), Jones (Fuller 88), Walters.
Subs Not Used: Sorensen, Collins, Diao, Wilkinson.
NEWCASTLE: Harper, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell (Gutierrez 66), Jose Enrique (Ferguson 23), Simpson, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Lovenkrands (Ranger 61), Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Steven Taylor, Kuqi.
Att: 27,505
Alan Pardew got his tactics sadly wrong at Stoke on Saturday, going for five at the back because "the Stoke pitch is too small for wingers".
That meant Jonas Gutierrez was relegated to the bench and Sol Campbell was drafted into the middle of the defence.
Stoke scored four goals for the first time in a Barclays Premier League game as the Magpies crept nearer to a relegation place.
A week after securing a place in the FA Cup semi-finals, Tony Pulis' side cruised past the Tynesiders with a clinical display which moved them above their opponents and into the top half of the table.
Jon Walters opened the scoring after 28 minutes and the floodgates opened after the break with Jermaine Pennant, Danny Higginbotham and Ricardo Fuller completing the rout.
Newcastle have taken just one point from their last three games and may now start looking over their shoulders with only a four-point buffer separating them from the relegation zone.
It proved an unhappy return to the side for Sol Campbell, in for Steven Taylor in one of three changes to the team that lost to Everton.
Joey Barton was back after a thigh injury with Jonas Gutierrez stepping down while Shola Ameobi was preferred to Leon Best.
Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic returned between the posts for Stoke with Thomas Sorensen back on the bench.
It was Newcastle who were the first to show with Ameobi turning quickly in the fifth minute and firing a shot into the body of Begovic.
Five minutes later Ameobi won a free-kick out on the left after he had been tripped by Marc Wilson.
Barton delivered the ball into the area but it was easily cleared to safety.
Stoke responded in the 12th minute and Wilson got clear of his marker only to head wide of the post from Pennant's corner.
Then Rory Delap launched a long throw into the area in the 17th minute and Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper took no chances, punching the ball clear.
It was an even game at this stage and Jose Enrique scampered forward for the visitors four minutes later but his delivery was poor and Ryan Shawcross cleared comfortably.
Enrique seemed to pick up a knock and was immediately replaced by Shane Ferguson.
Stoke took the lead in the 27th minute when Newcastle failed to deal with a cross from Pennant. Walters was the first to react and send a header over Harper for his eighth goal of the season.
However Newcastle made a spirited response and Barton fired a free-kick narrowly over the bar.
The visitors kept up the pressure and Kevin Nolan carved out a good opportunity moments later. His cross took a deflection and looped over Begovic but the keeper managed to get a hand to it and divert the ball away.
Nolan was then dazed following a challenge by Walters but soon recovered.
Newcastle were beginning to look dangerous as half-time approached and Ferguson got in a good header only for Begovic to be equal to it.
Stoke extended their lead just a minute into the second half thanks to a string of defensive errors by Newcastle.
Harper failed to clear properly and Matthew Etherington eventually swung a cross in from the left.
The ball took a deflection and Campbell back-headed it but only into the path of Pennant, who made no mistake.
Former England defender Campbell was left shaking his head in disbelief at making such a basic mistake.
Three minutes later Stoke made it 3-0 with Newcastle again all at sea at the back.
Higginbotham drove a free-kick straight through the wall and past Harper who was rooted to the spot.
Pardew by this point was out in his technical area with a look of bewilderment at how the game had suddenly unfolded.
Newcastle hit back and Ferguson skipped past two defenders in the 66th minute but saw his effort blocked by Begovic.
Campbell was then replaced in the 66th minute by Gutierrez as Newcastle tried to get some kind of hold on the game.
Newcastle were determined to save face and Barton whipped in a free kick after 78 minutes and Begovic did well to turn away at the post.
However Stoke were content to sit deep and let the visitors come onto them near the end of the game.
Stoke completed a convincing victory thanks to a fourth goal from substitute Fuller in stoppage time. Fuller got on the end of a pass from Walters to thump a shot beyond Harper.
MAGPIES IN EUROPE
The book comes out in two weeks time, and if anyone would like their name (or a family member) mentioned on the back page, please contact me: Kevnumad@fsmail.net
There is no charge or any obligation to buy the book.
It is a "thank you" to all NU-Mad readers.
NEWCASTLE UNITED FIXTURES
Saturday 02nd April 2011
Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00
Sunday 10th April 2011
Aston Villa v Newcastle United 16:00
Tuesday 19th April 2011
Newcastle United v Manchester United 19:45
Saturday 23rd April 2011
Blackpool v Newcastle United 15:00
Sunday 01st May 2011
Liverpool v Newcastle United 12:00
Saturday 07th May 2011
Newcastle United v Birmingham City 15:00
Saturday 14th May 2011
Chelsea v Newcastle United 15:00
Sunday 22nd May 2011
Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion 15:00
NEWCASTLE UNITED 2010/11
PREMIERSHIP
STOKE 4 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell (Gutierrez 66), Jose Enrique (Ferguson 23), Simpson, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Lovenkrands (Ranger 61), Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Steven Taylor, Kuqi.
NEWCASTLE 1 EVERTON 2 (Best)
Harper, Steven Taylor (Ferguson 65), Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Ameobi 43), Simpson, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Kuqi 85), Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Perch, Richardson.
NEWCASTLE 1 BOLTON 1 (Nolan)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez (Campbell 87), Lovenkrands (Ranger 64), Best (Guthrie 75).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Perch, Ferguson, Kuqi.
BIRMINGHAM 0 NEWCASTLE 2 (Lovenkrands, Best)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez (Campbell 87), Lovenkrands (Ranger 64), Best (Guthrie 75).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Perch, Ferguson, Kuqi.
BLACKBURN 0 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Simpson (Perch 76), Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Kuqi 90), Lovenkrands (Ranger 77).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Guthrie, Ferguson.
NEWCASTLE 4 ARSENAL 4 (Barton 2 (2 pens), Best, Tiote)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Guthrie 89), Lovenkrands (Ranger 73).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Perch, Ferguson, Richardson.
FULHAM 1 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Best (Lovenkrands 72), Ameobi (Ranger 13).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Perch, Ferguson, Richardson.
NEWCASTLE 1 SPURS 1 (Coloccini)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Guthrie (Perch 74), Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Lovenkrands 65), Ameobi (Ranger 88).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Xisco, Ferguson.
SUNDERLAND 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Nolan)
Harper, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Smith (Guthrie 37),Gutierrez (Gosling 90), Best (Lovenkrands 88), Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Routledge, Perch, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 5 WEST HAM 0 (Best 3, Nolan, Lovenkrands)
Harper, Simpson, Steven Taylor (Williamson 46), Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez (Ferguson 66), Lovenkrands, Best (Ranger 64).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Routledge, Perch.
WIGAN 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ameobi)
Harper, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan (Smith 86), Tiote, Gutierrez, Ameobi (Best 77), Lovenkrands (Routledge 70).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Williamson, Perch, Ranger.
TOTTENHAM 2 NEWCASTLE 0
Krul, Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Perch, Tiote (Lovenkrands 79), Barton, Routledge, Simpson, Smith, Gutierrez (Ranger 67), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Williamson, Xisco, Best, Kadar.
NEWCASTLE 1 MAN CITY 3 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ranger 60), Barton, Tiote, Gutierrez, Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Williamson, Guthrie, Perch, Smith, Best.
NEWCASTLE 3 LIVERPOOL 1 (Nolan, Barton, Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Barton (Routledge 90), Nolan (Smith 87), Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 63).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Perch.
WEST BROM 3 NEWCASTLE 1 (Lovenkrands)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ranger 74), Guthrie (Smith 73), Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Lovenkrands 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Perch, Best, Kadar.
NEWCASTLE 1 CHELSEA 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Guthrie, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 77).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Perch, Smith, Best, Kadar.
BOLTON 5 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 71), Nolan, Smith, Gutierrez (Campbell 77), Carroll, Ameobi (Lovenkrands 72).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Perch, Steven Taylor, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 0 FULHAM 0
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 76), Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Carroll, Lovenkrands (Ranger 76).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Smith, Xisco, Steven Taylor.
NEWCASTLE 1 BLACKBURN 2 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote (Routledge 88), Gutierrez, Carroll,Ameobi (Ranger 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Lovenkrands, Smith, Steven Taylor.
ARSENAL 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 82).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Smith, Steven Taylor.
NEWCASTLE 5 SUNDERLAND 1 (Nolan 3, Ameobi 2 - 1 pen)
Krul, Jose Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Simpson,Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Ameobi (Ranger 86), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
WEST HAM 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Nolan, Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Guthrie, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 2 WIGAN ATH 2 (Ameobi, Coloccini)
Krul, Perch (Ranger 89), Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 66), Tiote, Barton, Gutierrez, Lovenkrands (Ameobi 60), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Kadar.
MAN CITY 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Gutierrez)
Krul, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini (Campbell 36), Jose Enrique, Ben Arfa (Routledge 7), Nolan (Carroll 76), Tiote, Barton, Gutierrez, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 1 STOKE CITY 2 (Nolan pen)
Krul, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Ben Arfa (Gutierrez 62), Barton, Tiote (Ameobi 74), Routledge, Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Ranger.
EVERTON 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ben Arfa)
Harper (Krul 35), Perch, Coloccini, Williamson,Jose Enrique, Routledge, Tiote, Barton,Ben Arfa (Gutierrez 84), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Campbell, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 0 BLACKPOOL 2
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ameobi 81), Smith (Lovenkrands 62), Barton, Gutierrez (Ben Arfa 73), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Ryan Taylor, Tiote.
WOLVES 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Harper, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Barton, Gutierrez, Nolan, Carroll (Ameobi 81).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Kadar, Vuckic, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 6 ASTON VILLA 0 (Barton, Nolan 2, Carroll 3)
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ameobi 76), Smith (Ryan Taylor 76), Barton, Gutierrez (Xisco 80), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Vuckic, Tavernier.
MAN UTD 3 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Nolan (Ameobi 71), Barton,Gutierrez (Xisco 80), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Vuckic, Ranger, Tavernier.
FA CUP
STEVENAGE 3 NEWCASTLE 1
Krul, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Simpson, Barton, Smith (Tiote 58), Nolan, Routledge, Lovenkrands (Airey 78), Best (Ranger 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Guthrie, Kadar, Ferguson.
CARLING CUP
NEWCASTLE 0 ARSENAL 4
Krul, Perch, Williamson, Kadar, Ryan Taylor, Routledge (Gutierrez 56), Guthrie, Smith (Barton 71), Vuckic, Lovenkrands (Carroll 57), Ranger.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Tiote.
CHELSEA 3 NEWCASTLE 4 (Ranger, R Taylor, Ameobi 2)
Krul, Ryan Taylor (Tiote 63), Campbell, Coloccini (Williamson 63), Ferguson (Barton 90), Ranger, Gutierrez, Vuckic, Smith, Ameobi, Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Nolan, Carroll, Ben Arfa.
ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2 NEWCASTLE 3 (Ryan Taylor, Ameobi, Lovenkrands)
Krul, Ryan Taylor, Kadar, Tavernier, Ferguson, Ranger, Donaldson, Vuckic (Nolan 90), LuaLua, Ameobi,Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Williamson, Barton, Routledge, Perch, Smith.
PRE-SEASON
CARLISLE 0 NEWCASTLE 3 (Best, Ranger, Vuckic)
Harper (Krul 46), Tavernier (R Taylor 46), Coloccini (S Taylor 46) (Henderson 81), Williamson (Perch 46), Enrique (Ferguson 46), Inman (Routledge 46), Smith (Barton 46), Nolan (Guthrie 46), LuaLua (Vuckic 46) , Carroll (Best 46), Lovenkrands (Ranger 46).
NORWICH CITY 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ameobi)
Krul, Taylor (Routledge 45), Tavernier, Coloccini (Williamson 45), Diaz (Ferguson 57); Ranger (Xisco 45), Barton (Smith 45), Nolan (Guthrie 45), Vuckic (Edmundsson 72); Best (Lovenkrands 45), Carroll (Ameobi 45).
NEWCASTLE 2 PSV EINDHOVEN 2 (R.Taylor, Best)
Harper, Perch, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Guthrie, Nolan, Smith, Ryan Taylor, Lovenkrands, Ameobi. Subs: Carroll, Xisco, Best, LuaLua, Krul, Vuckic, Ranger, Donaldson, Tavernier.
DEPORTIVO 0 NEWCASTLE 0 (NUFC win 5-4 on penalties - Lovenkrands, Nolan, Carroll, R Taylor, Barton)
Harper (Krul 46); R Taylor, Perch (Tavernier 52), Coloccini, Enrique; Routledge, Barton, Guthrie (Nolan 46), Xisco (Gutierrez 46); Carroll, Best (Lovenkrands 73). Subs (not used): Smith, Ferguson
RANGERS 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Lovenkrands)
Harper; Perch (Tavernier 81), Coloccini (Ferguson 81), Williamson, Enrique (R Taylor 56); Routledge (Xisco 83), Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez (Lovenkrands 69); Carroll (Ameobi 46).