So we came to the first game of the Pre Season Friendlies, 2 easyish Matches followed by 2 tough matches, I would be happy with 6 points from the 4 games, Our Oppenents were Gillingham, Exeter, Napoli and Cordoba.
First up was Gillingham of league 1. I know that Gillingham blow hot and cold, they can be either very very Hard to break down or very very easy to break down, so I was in confident mood. The Line up that I announced was:
GK - T.Krul
LB - T.Kadar
CB - M.Williamson
CB - S.Taylor
RB - D.Simpson
LM - W.Routledge
CM - N.Barazite
CM - A.Smith
RM - Jonas
ST - P.Lovenkrands
ST - S.Ameobi
The game Started off Brilliantly with Ameobi hitting 2 quick goals in the 1st and 7th minutes, We looked comftable, however, Josh Gowling managed to pull one back in the 21st Minute to keep us on our toes, however, Lovenkrands managed to finish a wonderfull team goal from Kick off, and we had gone from 2-1 up to 3-1 up in the space of a minute. And that is how it got to half time, 3-1.
We came out the second half trying our best to score a 4th, however, would it come? Would it hell! And then things got very very Nervy in the 82nd minute when Mark Bentley scored a wonderfull Free Kick to make it 3-2. I then had no nails left in the last 10minutes, it was a friendly but Phew, I was so nervous, I wanted to get the lads used to winning was, thats what our aim was and we started with a wonderfull 3-2 Win.
Result: Gillingham
2-3
Newcastle United
L.Sweetman's Record - 1-0-0, GF 3 - GA 2 - GD +1
--
Our next match was against another League 1 team, Exeter City, however, I had managed Droylsden against Exeter, so I knew how they would line up, so I fancied a change, and changed the whole Starting XI. It Looked like this:
GK - S.Harper
LB - J.Enrique
CB - F.Hall
CB - F.Coloccini
RB - R.Taylor
LM - F.Coentrao
CM -J.Barton
CM -K.Nolan
RM -F.Pancrate
ST -L.Best
ST -M.Borriello
We started the stronger so I was positive that we could get something out of it, and Pancrate scored a wonderfull 20 yard shot after only 8 minutes, and I knew we would win the match from there on, Exeter had there chances, but they just couldn't take it and Best scored after 19 minutes to give us that extra Breathing Space. The Game was a really really dull affair, but after 64 minutes Coloccini managed to pop up from a corner to head in the 3rd goal of the game.
Result: Exeter City
0-3
Newcastle United
L.Sweetman's Record: 2-0-0, GF 6 - GA 2 - GD +4
--
We then returned back up To Newcastle for our first home game of the Pre Season, however, this one was a much tougher one in the shape of Italian Serie A side Napoli. They had been rocked as Hamsik moved to Manchester United for an ?11,500,000 fee, However, I knew this would be a real test of our skills. I would be happy with a point. The Starting XI looked like this:
GK - T.Krul
LB - J.Enrique
CB - S.Taylor
CB - F.Coloccini
RB - D.Simpson
LM - F.Coentrao
CM - K.Nolan
CM - J.Barton
RM - Jonas
ST - M.Boriello
ST - A.Carroll
We were well and truly on the back foot from the start of the match, and I knew it wouldn't be a good game for us, however, in the 17th Minute we had a Goal Disallowed for Offside, Something I wasn't too happy about, but there is nothing I could do, it was Scrapped, We then had a wonderfull chance to make it 1-0 after 39 minutes when Nolan had the chance to score from the spot... He Missed. The keeper made a wonderfull save. I knew Lady Luck wasn't going to be on our side today. I would be happy with a Draw. That wasn't too be. In the 47th Minute Arsenal target Fabio Quagiarella popped up and slotted past Krul, then, in the 78th Minute, Chelsea, Real Madrid & Manchester United target 24 year old Ezequiel Lavezzi scored a wonderful 25 yard drive to make it 2-0. There was no way back and it ended 2-0.
Result: Newcastle United
0-2
Napoli
Lee Sweetman's Record: 2-0-1, GF 6 - GA 4 - GD +2.
--
So this was it, the last chance for us to get into form before the first game of the season against Blackburn Rovers, and we played Cordoba away. I was looking to finalise my starting XI for the Premiership game with a look at a few of the players that featured in this. The Starting XI was:
GK - S.Harper
LB - T.Kadar
CB - F.Hall
CB - M.Williamson
RB - R.Taylor
LM - W.Routledge
CM - A.Smith
CM - K.Nolan
RM - N.Barazite
ST - L.Best
ST - A.Carroll
The game was a pretty dull affair yet again, with few chances between each side, and In the 4th Minute Nolan slotted home past the keeper to make it 1-0. I was impressed. It got better in the 16th Minute when Young Ryan Taylor scored a magical curling shot from the edge of the area. I was speechless! Raul Banos pulled one back for Cordoba in the 54th Minute, But Andy Carroll wrapped it up in the 89th minute to make it 3-1.
Result:
Cordoba
1-3
Newcastle United
Lee Sweetman's Record: 3-0-1, GF 9 - GA 5 - GD +4.
So after a more than positive Pre Season we did better than what I thought and come away with 3 wins, banging in 9 goals and Conseding 5. That was the first part over with. Now. The Premiership begins....
A very well written and greatly presented update on an interesting pre-season. With the only set back being Napoli, I believe you have a great chance of doing well! Two tough games to start of with though against Blackburn and Sunderland but you could also get 6 points out of them two games and be top of the table.
Great update mate, KUTGW!
This was it... After all the Hard work through the Pre Season, all the extra hours on the Training Ground, this was it. The first 90 minutes of a season that could be very good, or very bad. It was just down to the lads on the Pitch. I was quietly Confident we could get something out of this game. Here are the Starting XI's:
Newcastle United (4-4-2)
GK - T.Krul
LB - T.Kadar
CB - S.Taylor
CB - F.Coloccini
RB - D.Simpson
LM - F.Coentrao
CM - J.Barton
CM - K.Nolan
RM - Jonas
ST - S.Ameobi
ST - M.Boriello
The Game started off in Perfect fashion with the lads springing together 18 passes without Blackburn having a touch then Ameobi curled a lovley shot past Robinson into the top left hand corner of the net. The Crowd went mad, and so did I. This is what Dreams are made of. The chances for us just kept coming and coming, Both Borriello, Ameobi, Kadar and Barton all keeping Robinson on his toes, and at half time, it was 1-0 to us.
The Lads kept pushing after half time, however, 1 lack of concentration and Blackburn had the ball in the net, Thankfully the Ref had blown for an offside. Phew!! However, The next time, we weren't so Lucky, Emerton, Reid and then Basturk laying it on the plate for Kalinic to slot past Krul and Make it 1-1. I was gutted. However, Just 3 minutes later, Borriello was released 1 on 1 with a lovely pass from Barton, and he easily placed the ball past the keeper to make it 2-1. Cue Celebrations! The game was settled in the 89th minute when Ameobi yet again scored a curling shot, from the edge of the box past Paul Robinson, the Whistle then went. What a start!
Result: Newcastle United
3-1
Blackburn Rovers.
Lee Sweetman's Record: 4-0-1, GF 12 - GA 6 - GD +6.
After the amazing win during the first game, the Lads were really really up for this match against Sunderland in the Local Derby, however, they smashed Blackpool for 5 in the first game of the season, so we knew that they were looking forward to the game as Much as us. Here are the Starting XI's:
Newcastle United (4-4-2)
GK - T.Krul
LB - T.Kadar
CB - S.Taylor
CB - F.Coloccini
RB - D.Simpson
LM - F.Coentrao
CM - J.Barton
CM - K.Nolan
RM - Jonas
ST - S.Ameobi
ST - M.Boriello
Sunderland (4-4-2)
GK - C.Gordon
LB - G.McCartney
CB - P.Da Silva
CB - M.Turner
RB - A.Hutton
LM - J.Absalonsen
CM - L.Cattermole
CM - L.Cana
RM - S.Malbranque
ST - D.Bent
ST - Benjani
The game started off just like a derby would. 3 Yellow Cards and a couple of hard tackles in the first 5 mins! I could see this being a hell of a Fiesty one!! However the loud crowd here at Saint James Park were silenced after only 11 minutes when Benjani's flick on from the corner was prodded into the net from England Hopefull Darren Bent, to score his 3rd goal of the season. Not the start I had wanted! We managed to get closer and closer, Both Boriello and Ameobi Testing the keeper from the 6 yard box and the penalty area, I could sense a goal coming! However, when we got to half time, it was still 1-0 to Sunderland.
The second half was a very quiet one after the first half, the only real major talking point was Lee Cattermole being sent off in the 75th minute for his second yellow of the match. Could this be the chance we needed? We had the ball in the back of the next straight from the free kick Lee conseded, however, the ref blew for a foul on Gordon by Jonas. I could see Lady luck wasn't on our side, We also hit the bar with the last kick of the game, but it just wasn't meant to be.
Result: Newcastle United
0-1
Sunderland
Lee Sweetman's Record: 4-0-2, GF 12 - GA 7 - GD +5.
After the game against Sunderland The lads were in good spirit, Sunderland were dangerous, but so were we. We could do this, we were sure. Here are the Starting XI's:
Tottenham (4-4-2)
GK - Gomes
LB - B.Assou-Ekotto
CB - S.Bassong
CB - L.King
RB - V.Corluka
LM - L.Modric
CM - W.Palacios
CM - T.Huddlestone
RM - A.Lennon
ST - P.Crouch
ST - R.Pavlychenko
Newcastle United (4-4-2)
GK - T.Krul
LB - T.Kadar
CB - S.Taylor
CB - F.Coloccini
RB - D.Simpson
LM - F.Coentrao
CM - A.Smith
CM - K.Nolan
RM - Jonas
ST - S.Ameobi
ST - M.Borriello
The game didn't start how we wanted it with Roman Pavlychenko dashing through our defence and smashing a lovely right for volley past Krul in the net. The lads heads went down, so I was lookig for them to bounce right back, and bounce right back they did. Shola popped up in the 11th minute to slot past Gomes at the near post, to make it 1-1. This is just the responce I had looked for, It got better after 27 minutes when again Shola scored, this time, Nolan with a lovely through ball and he chipped Gomes and made it 2-1. I was in Heaven. What a start! And thats how it finished at Half time. 2-1 to Us.
In the second half we were looing to either make it 3-1 or hold on and keep the shock 2-1 score line we had. But it just kept getting better and better as Jonas cut inside the defence from the wing and slotted a lovely curling ball past Gomes to make it 3-1. We were in Dreamland, This was a brilliant Score line for us! Alan Smith was sent off in the 83rd minute for his second yellow card, I thought it was harsh, but I watched the replays and I think the ref got it Right. Result!
Full Time: Tottenham
1-3
Newcastle United
Lee Sweetman's Record: 5-0-2, GF 15 - GA 8 - GD +7.
After an amazing result in the league yet again, this time the focus was on the league cup, against a tough League 1 team in Southampton. So after 3 games un-changed in the league, I decided to switch it around a bit for this game. Here are the Starting XI'S:
Newcastle United (4-4-2)
GK - S.Harper
LB - J.Enrique
CB - F.Hall
CB - M.Williamson
RB - R.Taylor
LM - W.Routledge
CM - N.Barazite
CM - J.Barton
RM - F.Pancrate
ST - A.Carroll
ST - L.Best
Southampton (4-4-2)
GK - M.Pollitt
LB - G.Roberts
CB - C.Perry
CB - J.Fonte
RB - G.Murty
LM - A.Lallana
CM - M.Schneiderlin
CM - D.Hammond
RM - K.Pavey
ST - L.Barnard
ST - R.Lambert
We knew that Southampton would be after our scalp in this cup as they wanted to make a big impact on League 1 and the rest of England, after after only 33 Minutes they looked like they were nearly there when Lee Barnard smashed them into a 2-0 Lead within 35 minutes, I was well and truly ticked off, the Boys just fell asleep and they punished us in the worst way with 2 goals, I was looking for an immediate Responce. And Did I get it? Yes I did. From a corner Mike Williamson popped up with a header to score his first goal for Newcastle to make it 2-1 in the 43rd Minute. Then in the 45th minute, with the ref just about to blow Leon Best stepped up and scored a magical goal from the edge of the box, so from 2-0 down after 35 minutes, we found ourselfs going into the second half at 2-2.
I rang the changes and brought on the deadly in-form Shola Ameobi and the Loanee Marco Borriello. And they struck within 15 minutes of being on, Boriello played a lovely through ball and Ameobi who placed the ball past the keeper at his near post. What a turn around! 3-2 up from being 2-0 down. Things got better then as we got into the last 10 minutes, with Jose Fonte sent off for a vicious foul on Ameobi, he got a straight red. Surely we had this in the bag? No we didn't was the answer, as Morgan Schneiderlin (Who I am Scouting) managed to score a header from the penalty area and silence Saint James Park. It was 3-3! The Whistle went and took it to Extra time, Extra was a dull affair with no real major Chances, so Penalties it was!!
Peter Lovenkrands Scored (NU 1-0 SO)
Rickie Lambert Scored (NU 1-1 SO)
Fabrice Pancrate Scored (NU 2-1 SO)
Lee Barnard Scored (NU 2-2 SO)
Joey Barton Missed (NU 2-2 SO)
Graeme Murty Missed (NU 2-2 SO)
Marco Boriello Scored (NU 3-2 SO)
Kenny Pavey Scored (NU 3-3 SO)
Shola Ameobi Scored (NU 4-3 SO)
Lloyd James Scored (NU 4-4 SO)
Nacer Barazite Scored (NU 5-4 SO)
Morgan Schneiderlin Scored (NU 5-5 SO)
Fitz Hall Missed (NU 5-5 SO)
Joseph Mills Missed (NU 5-5 SO)
Mike Williamson Scored (NU 6-5 SO)
Gareth Roberts Scored (NU 6-6 SO)
Jose Enrique Scored (NU 7-6 SO)
Dan Harding Missed (NU 7-6 SO)
Phew! I had no nerves left after we managed to win 7-6 on Penalties!
Result: Newcastle United
3-3
Southampton
(Newcastle Win 7-6 on Penalties)
Lee Sweetman's Record: 5-1-2, GF 18 - GA 11 - GD +7.
Games Coming Up:
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DPRA added 5 Minutes and 33 Seconds later...
Butt Leaves Newcastle United.
It was today announced that Long serving Midfielder Nicky Butt has been released by Newcastle United via Mutual Termination.
It is rumoured Butt and Lee Sweetman had had a fall out, however, Newcastle have said that he didn't fit in Lee Sweetman's Plans for the Club.
Both Lee Sweetman and Nicky Butt were Un-avaliable for Comment at the time of going to Press.
The lads were in amazing spirits after our Morale Boosting victury against Southampton on Penalties in the cup, Now we returned to the Big Stuff. The Premiership. Wolves were our Opponents, so here are the Starting XI's:
Wolves (4-4-2)
GK - W.Hennessey
LB - G.Elokobi
CB - C.Berra
CB - R.Zubar
RB - K.Foley
LM - A.Surman
CM - N.Milijas
CM - D.Jones
RM - M.Knightly
ST - S.E.Blake
ST - K.Doyle
Newcastle United (4-4-2)
GK - S.Harper
LB - T.Kadar (Now an Arsenal & Man Utd Target)
CB - F.Coloccini
CB - F.Hall
RB - S.Taylor
LM - P.Lovenkrands
CM - J.Barton
CM - K.Nolan
RM - F.Pancrate
ST - M.Boriello
ST - S.Ameobi
We knew that Wolves would be a tough team as they don't takanything for Granted and they never give up on anything they set there sights on, they came out of the blocks right at us, and after 21 Minutes our guard was broken as the Speedy S.E.Blake broke through the defence and placed the ball past Steve Harper in the goal, there was nothing he could do differently as it was just a magical goal. Boriello, Ameobi and then Barton all came close, but none of them were on target, and Wolves managed to get to half time 1-0 up.
Straight after half time, we were level. Boriello scored a nice neat finish from the Penalty spot after being put through one on one from Pancrate. Just the Start I was after. Peter Lovenkrands then came off injuried after 71 minutes with what looked like a gashed leg. However, nothing too serious, and so we entered the last 10 minutes, with the game at 1-1 I was happy to take a point from Wolves as it was no easy place to go to, but we ended up getting 3, as Boriello scored his 2nd and what a lovely goal it was! It was a nice little volley from the edge of the area. Amazing result!!.
Result :
Wolves
1- 2
Newcastle United
Lee Sweetman's Record: 6-1-2, GF 20 - GA 12 - GD +8.
DPRA added 16 Minutes and 12 Seconds later...
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This was already the 5th game of the season, and I was very impressed with the start so far from the Lads, The table and Stats are Posted below. So here are the Starting XI's:
Newcaslte United (4-4-2)
GK - S.Harper
LB - T.Kadar
CB - F.Coloccini
CB - F.Hall
RB - S.Taylor
LM - P.Lovenkrands
CM - D.Guthrie
CM - K.Nolan
RM - F.Pancrate
ST - M.Boriello
ST - S.Ameobi
Fulham (4-4-2)
GK - M.Schwarzer
LB - N.Shorey
CB - A.Hughes
CB - B.Hangeland
RB - J.Pantsil
LM - D.Duff
CM - D.Etuhu
CM - D.Murphy
RM - C.Dempsey
ST - A.Johnson
ST - E.Neveland
Both teams made there intentions clear straight from kick off with Guthrie Testing Schwarzer and at the other end, U.S.A international Clint Dempsey testing Harper, however, both were easy for the keepers to get to, however in the 21st Minute the man in Deadly form at the Moment, Shola Ameobi scored a wonderful shot from 25 yards out and left Schwarzer rooted to the spot. Magical! 1-0 Newcastle.
The second half was a quiet affair, however both sides did have chances to score, but sadly, the finishing was poor throughout. However in the 76th minute, Fulham Center back Brade Hangeland jumped up to beat Harper in the air and make it 1-1.
Result:
Newcastle United
1-1
Fulham.
Lee Sweetman's Record: 6-2-2, GF 21 - GA 13 - GD +8.
So after 5 games here are a couple of Screenshots on how Were doing:
After our amazing start to the season, I was really looking forward to the game against Manchester City, who people have suggested will be right up at the top at the end, this would test us to our Max. Here are the Starting XI's:
Manchester City (4-4-2)
GK - T.Myhre
LB - W.Bridge
CB - J.Lescott
CB - K.Toure
RB - M.Richards
LM - M.Petrov
CM - N.DeJong
CM - G.Barry
RM - C.Bellamy
ST - E.Adebayor
ST - C.Tevez
Newcastle United (4-4-2)
GK - S.Harper
LB - T.Kadar
CB - F.Coloccini
CB - F.Hall
RB - S.Taylor
LM - P.Lovenkrands
CM - D.Guthrie
CM - K.Nolan
RM - F.Pancrate
ST - M.Boriello
ST - S.Ameobi
The game started out as expected... All Manchester City. Harper was the busiest player on the field as the pressure was just pumped up by Manchester City, however, the keeper stayed strong. However, Eastlands was well and truly silenced after 12 Minutes when Winger Fabrice Pancrate managed to score a screamer from the egde of the area which hit the post and then went in. Amazing start. We then had a second as Boriello scored, only to look up and see the Linesman flagging, and the replay's showed that Boriello was on-side when the ball was played and that the goal should have stood. Not a happy bunny! Carlos Tevez danced his way through our back line and scored a beaut of a goal in the 25th minute to make it 1-1 at half time.
The Second half started just like the 1st, all Manchester City, but we some how managed to score, with Boriello this time beating the offside trap and the flag stayed down, I was going mental, 2-1 up against Manchester City with recently promoted Newcastle! Things got better in the 81st minute as we looked to hold on when De Jong was sent off for his second yellow, but luck wasn't on our side and Adebayor popped up in the 87th minute to score from the edge of the area and leave us gutted.
Result:
Manchester City
2-2
Newcastle United
Lee Sweetman's Record: 6-3-2, GF 23 - GA 15 - GD +8.
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2-3
Newcastle United
0-3
Napoli
1-3
VS
