Football unites in wake of Gary Speed tragedy

A great manager once said: "Football isn't a matter of life and death, its much more important than that."

Whether a serious comment or a clever piece of tongue-in-cheek wit, it has become one of the most infamous fallacies ever uttered in football history.

The talking points and controversies of the weekend's round of Premier League matches the dominated phone-ins and highlights shows of Saturday evening, but by the following morning, they had faded into insignificance, as the football world learned of the death of Wales Manager Gary Speed at the age of 42.

Speed's death has understandably sent the football world into a state of shock and universal mourning, with an array of players and managers from across the footballing landscape paying tribute to the former Welsh international midfielder, who enjoyed a storied career with Leeds United; Everton; Newcastle; Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United.

It is not right to discuss the circumstances of Speed's tragic passing out of respect to his family, but it is right that the game of football remember one of its most faithful servants in the right way.

Thankfully this is something that football as a sport, despite all its ills, knows how to do, floral tributes have been laid and books of condolence have been opened at the clubs where Speed plied his trade. At Newcastle United, the hierarchy are actively communicating with those who knew Speed best in order to decide how to properly remember him this Saturday when they welcome Chelsea to St James' Park.

The world of football can, at times, be a cold unforgiving place, but in times of tragedy it tends to rediscover its soul.

Indeed, this has proven to be the case yet again; Leeds; Everton: Newcastle; Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United stand together, united with the rest of the footballing world in mourning for their fallen friend.

Football isn't a matter of life and death, and it certainly isn't more important, but the one thing it can do, is unite diverse groups of people and give them the strength to carry on in even the darkest of times.

So this weekend, at grounds up and down the country, the world of football will stop to remember one of the sport's true nice guys. Perhaps the best tribute it can pay is to persevere, and play the game Gary loved so much with the passion and spirit that he did throughout his career.

When Sir Bobby Robson passed away Heaven gained a great manager, now it has its Captain.

Rest in peace Gary, don't forget your armband.

Ashley and Llambias set for another PR disaster?

The contents of this blog were strictly confidential, until a national newspaper journalist allegedly committed a cardinal sin and broke an embargoed story on twitter, and that is perhaps the bigger story. Still its been a while, but obviously messrs Ashley and Llambias just couldn't help themselves, so yes folks its time for another Newcastle United public relations farce.

The twittersphere, yes I used that wonderfully stupid word, is abuzz (another daft word) tonight with the news that the club's hierarchy have elected to rename St James Park, here goes.... The Sports Direct Arena. 

It is not publicly known whether the news is 100% true - though the noises coming from both local and national journalists suggest that it is - but if it proves to be correct it will be yet another unnecessary and avoidable fiasco from a regime that seems to revel in annoying its own customers. 

No matter what Ashley's intentions, whether to attract sponsorship for the stadium or just to advertise his business, there can be no denying that the Sports Direct Arena is an absolutely awful name. 

Now over my many years as a Newcastle fan I've learned lots of things, a couple spring to mind: (A) You don't drop Alan Shearer ahead of a Tyne-Wear derby clash when you're in the bottom three and (B) You don't mess with the stadium, well unless you know, happen to own it. 

Ashley does own St James Park, and, sadly, can do whatever the hell he likes with it. Still it goes without saying that this decision, if it does come to pass, will go down like a lead balloon on Tyneside. (Sorry for the cliche, analogies aren't my greatest strength).

What will probably reduce the impact of this move is the fact that Newcastle do not play another home game till December 3rd against Chelsea, a game that the Magpies, taking into account Chelsea's unpredictable away form, will probably be looking to win. 

Newcastle's current lofty league position will also help stem the tide of discontent that this decision will most likely induce. Because, when it comes down to it, football is all about what happens on the pitch. If things are going well, then the fans will remain happy regardless of what happens in the boardroom.

Times have rarely been better for Newcastle than they are at the moment, and although Ashley and Llambias seem unable to avoid another PR slip up, they may well escape heavy criticism. The team is still unbeaten and  currently basking in the glow of the Champions League places. As a result,  Newcastle's much maligned  owner may get off lightly.

It matters not, in the eyes of myself and all fans, it will always be St James Park. No commercially motivated decision will ever change that. 

An addendum: The news has now made the back page of Thursday's Times, this is, for all intensive purposes, confirmed. 

International break good timing for unbeaten Newcastle as injuries hit

Injuries, sooner or later every side suffers them, the mark of a good side is whether they can overcome them.

On Saturday, Newcastle United did just that, grinding out a 2-1 win over Everton despite Cheick Tiote's continued absence and further injuries to Yohan Cabaye and Sylvain Marveaux.

The win briefly moved Alan Pardew's side up to 2nd place in the Premier League table, Manchester United's 1-0 victory over Sunderland soon demoted the Magpies back down to 3rd, but their prolonged stay in the top four continues to amaze and dumbfound pundits and commentators across the land.

Newcastle, unsurprisingly brimming with confidence, made an excellent start as they took the lead after 12 minutes, Johnny Heitinga deflecting Danny Simpson's near cross past Tim Howard and into his own net. The home side's advantage was doubled inside of the half hour mark with a typically spectacular goal from Ryan Taylor, the hero of the August's North East derby powering a delicious volley into the top corner from 25 yards out.

At 2-0 the game looked beyond Everton, but injuries on either side of Half Time to Cabaye and Marveaux respectively began to stretch a small but spirited Newcastle squad.

Jack Rodwell reduced the deficit just before the interval with a fine header from Royston Drenthe's corner and the visitors maintained the momentum well into the second half as they pressed for an equaliser that may well have been deserved given the amount of possession and territory they enjoyed.

The fact they didn't is both an indictment of Everton's toothless attacking display and a testament to Newcastle's defensive organisation and strength. Dan Gosling and Sammy Ameobi filled in for Cabaye and Marveaux, and produced admirable displays. Gosling competitive in midfield and vigilant in protecting the back four, while Ameobi provided a threat on the counter with his pace and drive.

Everton continued to be stifled despite going forward despite Newcastle's reshuffle and in the end Pardew's men were able to hold on for the win with relative simplicity. The only moment of controversy coming when the visitors had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Gosling appeared to deflect a Louis Saha strike with his hand.

That incident should not overshadow another fine performance from Newcastle's back four, the two full backs, Simpson and Ryan Taylor, dealt with the substantial wide threat of messrs Coleman, Baines and Drenthe excellently. Though praise must again go to Jonas Gutierrez for another excellent and determined display from the Argentinian wingman.

Newcastle's centre-back pairing had a somewhat easier task, as Everton suffered from the loss of Apostolos Vellios in the pre-game warm up, leaving David Moyes without a physical threat to test Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor, both of whom continue to enjoy excellent campaigns.

Moyes should be encouraged by the performance of Louis Saha, who caused Newcastle problems on a number of occasions and was unlucky not to add his name to the scoresheet, but it will be precious little comfort to Toffees fans as they now find themselves staring over the shoulders in an uncomfortable 17th position.

Newcastle on the other hand continue to dream of a return to European competition, and with their total of 25 points from 11 games it is an aspiration that can be considered achievable. However, Pardew and his troops know that the toughest test of the season is now just around the corner.

Indeed Newcastle now face an unenviable run of fixtures, first travelling to Eastlands for a battle of the two remaining unbeaten teams with Manchester City, before making the trip across Manchester to meet Manchester United. A bruising three game stretch is capped off with a home game against Chelsea.

These three games that will provide the best insight into just how far Newcastle can go this season, it is good timing then that prior to these fixtures is an international break. Pardew and his staff will be grateful for this brief interval to the Premier League campaign. As it is one which gives the likes of Tiote; Cabaye; Marveaux and Gabriel Obertan - who missed Saturday's game with a toe infection - a  chance to recover from their respective injuries.

Even the most casual of observer knows that Newcastle will stand a much better chance of gaining positive results from their next three fixtures with a full strength side. However, with 27 games left of a long, arduous season, Pardew and the fans can take great solace in knowing that Newcastle - as they demonstrated in Saturday's game - do possess strength in reserve.

Newcastle bounce back from cup defeat in emphatic fashion

I can't hear you: Ba celebrates his opener against Stoke

It still hasn't happened. I've still not had to write about a Newcastle loss, and obviously, just like any Newcastle fan, I don't want to.

Ok, so technically Newcastle have suffered one defeat, a 4-3 Carling Cup extra time thriller at Blackburn Rovers last Wednesday. Gael Givet finally giving Rovers the win after injury time strikes from Danny Guthrie and Yohan Cabaye had sent the game to extra time.

That result has been Newcastle's only disappointment so far this season, and they maintained their unbeaten run in the league with arguably their best result of the campaign on Monday night, as Alan Pardew's side comfortably dispatched Stoke City by three goals to one to move up to 3rd in the Barclays Premier League table.

This was undoubtedly one of the finest Newcastle United away performances in recent memory, and
like many of Newcastle's successes this season, this was a result born out of the side's defensive strength. The Magpies hold the best defensive record in the league, and they proceeded to show why as they blunted Stoke's much famed aerial attack with dogged, determined defending from their back five.

Any threat Stoke may have offered in open play was also neutralised by Newcastle's energetic and persistent midfield, who closed down at every opportunity, effectively cutting off the supply line to forwards Jonathan Walters and Peter Crouch.

Newcastle's defensive task was made considerably easier inside 12 minutes when Demba Ba nodded an acrobatic header into the top corner of the net after Gabriel Obertan had latched onto a Leon Best flick on to deliver a perfectly placed delivery into the box for Ba to give the visitors the lead.

The often raucous Britannia Stadium crowd were silenced by this early strike, and this enabled Pardew's charges to take a firm grip on proceedings as they continued in the ascendancy, Ba twice denied by an onrushing and alert Asmir Begovic following two excellent through balls from Cabaye and Guthrie respectively.

Senegalese international Ba did eventually grab a deserved second goal five minutes before the break, strike partner Leon Best again involved -  the former Coventry striker demonstrating superb technique to control a deep left footed cross from Fabricio Coloccini and fire a volley across goal - providing Ba with the simple task of prodding into an empty net with Begovic stranded at his near post.

The inevitable Second Half fightback game as the Potters bombarded Newcastle's box from set pieces and a string of predictably well delivered long throws from Rory Delap.

The visitors rearguard stood firm until the 75th minute when Stoke were awarded a dubious penalty after Ba was adjudged to have bundled over Crouch during one of many 2nd half goal line scrambles. Walters smashed home the resulting spot kick to give the home fans hope. It was hope that soon evaporated however,   as Referee Mike Dean awarded Newcastle a chance to seal all 3 points when he ruled that Robert Huth had fouled Best inside the six yard box.

Ba duly stepped up to fire in from 12 yards, capping off a wonderful hat-rick and extending Newcastle's unbeaten Premier League sequence to 13 games, their longest such run in the top flight for 61 years.

The result represented a complete turnaround from the heavy 4-0 defeat the Geordies suffered at the Britannia in the corresponding fixture last season, and although stats suggest otherwise, this was indeed a dominant and confident display from Newcastle, and one which re-affirmed the togetherness within the side, considering that it was achieved in the absence of key midfielder Cheick Tiote.

It truly was a night where everything went to plan for those in Black and White; Pardew's ploy of using Obertan to combat an uncompromising but sluggish Stoke backline worked to perfection; and the excellent defensive record was conserved with a committed team display. A special mention should go to the efforts of winger Jonas Gutierrez however, the Argentinian was exceptional and tracked back at every opportunity as he helped stonewall any hope Stoke had of penetrating Newcastle's left side.

Stoke are often a team that frustrates and infiltrates the mind of opposition sides, on Monday night everything Newcastle did - from Demba Ba scoring a hat-rick against the club he almost signed for, to Danny Simpson using Rory Delap's trick of drying the ball before throw-ins - frustrated and angered Stoke's supporters and players. Simply put it was a night where Newcastle out-Stoked Stoke.