PATIENCE NEEDED

Newcastle United will have to be patient in their search for a replacement for Demba Ba, who recently left for Chelsea in £ 7 million deal.

The Senegalese striker had a £ 7 million release clause in his contract, which led to rumours of a number of clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham being interested in his services. Due to the fact that Chelsea recently allowed Daniel Sturridge to leave the club for £ 12 million, they were left with only Fernando Torres up front. Due to the immediate need for a striker, the club has secured the signing of Demba Ba before anyone else.

The striker has agreed a £ 70,000 a week contract with the European champions. He has signed a 3 1/2 year deal with the London club. He is set to make his debut for the club in the weekend’s match against Southampton. His departure will mean that Newcastle United will have a major headache to replace him up front. This is because Cisse has not been at his best start of the new season. Only the goals from Demba Ba has helped Newcastle stay afloat in the Premier league so far after their impressive place finish last season.

“They’re not imminent, for sure. I’d be surprised if I got a striker over the line before Norwich, if I’m honest. But I’m hoping we take Debuchy, Yohan Cabaye and Steven Taylor there. Whether they all play, I don’t know. It would be nice to have them in and around the team. That’s what happens – one goes, and another comes to the fore. I think it wasn’t unexpected – we all knew it was a possibility – but the fact that it’s done leaves the door open for somebody else,” said Pardew, whose team will face Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup third-round.

PARDEW CONCERNED

The Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has said that he is extremely concerned about the recent form of the team in the league.

After impressing mightily in the Premier league last season, Newcastle United are finding it extremely hard to replicate the same form this time around. They finished in the fifth position last season narrowly missing out on the opportunity to play in the Champions League. However, this season, they find themselves closer to the relegation zone after a lot of defeats. They have also been unable to score goals as much as they did last season.

The top scorer from last season Papis Cisse is currently suffering from a crisis after going through the first 11 games of the season with just one deflected goal, whereas he scored 13 goals since arriving at the club in January of last season. Alan Pardew has tried to blame the Europa league by saying that the fixture list has become more congested than last season. Party recently signed an eight-year contract with the club. However, Newcastle have not been at the best since the match against Southampton. Newcastle now find themselves in the 14th position after having not won any match in the month of November.

“Of course I’m worried. We are Newcastle United, we have been resoundingly beaten and I have to try to lift the players. The intensity and energy that Southampton had on the pitch was a problem for us. We were second best. They got amongst us and did a good job, their tails are up and they’ve gained confidence from that victory last week [against QPR],” said the Newcastle manager after the 2-0 defeat against Southampton. They have the right to be concerned about relegation because they are only two points above the relegation zone.

Upcoming Games

The Premier League is one of the toughest football leagues in the whole world with some of the best teams in the world competing for the same trophy. It is a long season with many games to play before the winner is finally celebrated and just with every competition there are many teams that just can’t seem to find their way to victory often enough to be at the top but they are good enough to stay out of the relegation zone. This limbo can sometimes be as bad as being at the bottom of the table as you often get forgotten about and no one sees you as a real threat when matched up with you.

One team in this position is Newcastle Utd who is currently fifthteenth with only seventeen points to their name. They have had terrible away performances all season long with them not being able to pick up a single win. So a win would be welcomed with open arms, fortunately for Newcastle though their next up coming game is against Queens Park Rangers who are currently in second to last place. Newcastle have a decent squad and should be able to take the win however they have failed to secure many wins this seasons so it would not be much of a surprise if they drew or even lost as anything can happen in football.

Because of this the odds for Newcastle to win are not incredibly high as they have not played well enough to secure the bookies confidence. So instead of placing a bet on the football it might be a good idea to check out on one of our uk online casinos, betting on games such as roulette and blackjack can be great fun and easy too. So while you wait for Newcastle’s fortunes to turn you can still enjoy yourself. And let’s face it, with one of the biggest and most passionate fan bases in the country it would be good to see Newcastle turn the tables and climb the league!

ROONEY WAS THE DIFFERENCE

The Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has praised the Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney by saying that he is the difference between Manchester United being a top two club and a top four club. The former Everton striker joined Manchester United back in 2004 for a world record fee of £ 30 million for a teenager.

During this period, he has managed to lift numerous Premier league titles and one Champions League title as well. The Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has gone on to suggest that one of the main reasons for Manchester United being hugely successful during his eight years is due to the presence of Wayne Rooney.

The Newcastle United manager has also said that Wayne Rooney is without a doubt his favourite player and also has called him the best England international. Newcastle United will be taking on Manchester United during the weekend hoping to achieve a repeat of the 3-0 score that they achieve the last season. Pardew has said that it will certainly be tough because Sir Alex Ferguson will be aware of this and will make sure that his team are on their toes. Wayne Rooney has recently returned from injury and is expected to start alongside Robin van Persie.

“Is that just against us? Well, it doesn’t surprise me and he’s probably got that record against most teams. He’s a fantastic player, one of my favourites. I love him in terms that he is passionate about the game and the way he plays it with a toughness. He’s England’s best player and I think changes the game for them, he changes Manchester United. He changes them from a top-four team to a top-two team. That is how powerful he is,” said Alan Pardew ahead of the match with Manchester United during the weekend.

WE WILL RECOVER

The Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has said that he is confident that his team can recover from the 2-0 defeat suffered at the hands of Chelsea during the weekend. Chelsea have made a great start to the season after winning the opening three matches.

The arrival of Eden Hazard has transformed the fortunes of the European champions. They are now more attractive to watch and are extremely threatening in front of goal. As a result, the Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew said that he had no complaints about the defeat. He has said that any team would struggle to play against this Chelsea team, which has so many great players.

Chelsea have been one of the two clubs in the transfer window, despite winning the Champions League title last season for the first time in the history. The club has spent close to £ 80 million on several new players. One of the outstanding amongst them has been Eden Hazard, who has created a lot of goals for Chelsea in these three matches. He was once again at his best, as he created a goal for Fernando Torres and also scored a penalty to mark his first goal for the club.

“They have spent £80 million since May. Eden Hazard is a massive player for them and there are others. Anybody who comes here, even Man United and Man City, will be in trouble. They have a lot of great players here. The fixtures we have are tough, Saturday-Thursday-Saturday – I think we’ve done well. I can’t really fault my players. We could have done better on the goals really. But in the second half we showed real guts,” said Alan Pardew, whose side started the season with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham on the opening day of the season.

PARDEW NOT WORRIED

The Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has said that he is certainly not worried about the lack of arrivals at St James’s Park in the summer, though the team are odds on to land old-boy Andy Carroll according to the Liverpool news website.

Newcastle United had an extraordinary season last season when they finished in the fifth position. It looked like they would almost grab the top four spot and consequently the Champions League football. However, they faltered right at the death to finish in the fifth position, which is not bad for a club that was promoted only two seasons ago. They were expected to push on in the summer, but Alan Pardew has had little arrivals to contend with at the club in the summer.

The former West Ham United manager, though, has said that he is not worried about the lack of transfer activity.

Newcastle are showing interest in a number of players, but are struggling to finalise the deals. One of the main players on the eyes of the board is the former striker Andy Carroll, who is available for around £ 20 million. The club, though, are only willing to sign the player on a loan deal, which would then be made permanent. In the meantime, West Ham have agreed a deal to sign Carroll, although the player does not want to move to London.

“Whether we’ll get the guys we want in time for the season, I don’t know. I’m relaxed as these guys did a great job last year and I’d have no problem picking from the group we have now. Obviously I want to strengthen, but patience is the key. I’m out of it now really, I’ve made my selections of who we think will take the team forward,” said the Newcastle United manager. The club has finally relaxing over the position of Demba Ba, whose release clause was not activated within time.

KEEP ON WINNING

Newcastle United need to have an intense winning mentality next season if they are to improve on the fifth place finish that they achieved last season according to defender Mike Williamson.

The defender was one of the key numbers of the Newcastle United squad that finished in the fifth position last season, while they also came agonisingly close to finishing in the top four. Even though, in hindsight, finishing in the fourth position would not have provided them with Champions League football, it has breathed a new life of confidence within the team. Mike Williamson is hoping that the club better the result achieved last season.

However, he has stressed the presence of a winning mentality if they are to finish ahead of the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool on the table. Only the top three are guaranteed a place in the Champions League group stages, while the fourth placed team will have to play a qualifying match. The fourth placed team will also not get the opportunity to play in the qualifying matches if a team from England wins the Champions League, as Chelsea did last season. Newcastle lost the last three matches of the campaign to finish in the fifth position.

“It’s about physically and mentally getting up to scratch, but everyone wants to get into the winning mentality – that’s the way we work. The gaffer wants us to breed that. We have to be looking to win every time we step out on the pitch, regardless of whether it’s a friendly or a competitive fixture. Everyone is vying for places at the moment and trying to impress the manager – this is a big few weeks for the players,” said Mike Williamson ahead of the start of the new season. Newcastle have the ability to qualify for the Europa league group stages.

Expert view – England

It’s most perturbing to be a Englishman this summer. After years of watching teams packed with dormant talent performing wildly below their potential, I don’t really know what to make of this lot.

They’re not really very good at football, but they do seem to try hard and that’s all I’ve ever asked as a supporter. It’s actually a lot like watching Leyton Orient, this.

More than enough has been written about those ‘two banks of four’ for me to give tactics a wide berth this week. England’s strength – and I’m being serious here – is their mental fortitude. No, really. To come back from 1-2 down to Sweden when I believed them to be down and out was genuinely impressive.

They don’t panic, they don’t crumble and if they carry on like this, forging decent results in the white heat of pressure, they might just secure the pre-tournament aim of a dignified quarter-final exit.

Of course, the last two matches will mean nothing at all if they lose to Andriy Shevchenko and his cronies in the final game. It’s certainly going to be a risky encounter, especially with that home support.

That said, I’m starting to feel an odd sense of confidence in Roy Hodgson’s mob, a weird vibe that they might be able to stand in front of tens of thousands of baying hostiles and hold the line. I realise, of course, that believing in the English football team is a phenomenon that almost always precedes a crashing disappointment and weeks of self-loathing, but what the hell.

Yes, The Three Lions can get the draw they need to progress to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals. In fact, sod it, they can sneak a 1-0 win. There, I’ve said it. Oh God, what’s become of me?

Score prediction: England 1-0 Ukraine
England to win at 2.05; England 1-0 at 8.00; Wayne Rooney to score first at 5.75.

Ukrainian perspective
The equation for Ukraine is simple: beat England and qualify for the quarter finals or fall at the first hurdle. Without wanting to sound obvious, the key to making that prospect a reality is one man – Andriy Shevchenko. Without the quality of service that the former AC Milan star received in the 2-1 win over Sweden, the Ukrainians looked tame opponents.

Wide men Yarmolenko and Konoplyanka saw little of the ball and when they had the opportunity, their service was woeful. Even so, Shevchenko created his side’s best chances, almost from nothing, and the co-hosts’ fans will be desperately hoping that the national hero isn’t struggling for fitness after two games in a week.

Assuming his captain and main threat is fit, Oleh Blokhin may well be considering some changes in personnel ahead of this match. Andriy Voronin was far from effective against France and might lose his spot in the team to the more physical Artem Milevskiy.

CAN WE REPEAT SUCCESS

Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini has said that he is hoping that the club can replicate the success they have had the last season in the next season as well. It has been a tremendous season for Newcastle United, as they very nearly secured a place in the top four.

It would have been unthinkable a few seasons ago when they were relegated to the Championship. However, diligent transfer policy coupled with a great manager has transformed their fortunes in recent times. The arrival of Cisse in the January transfer window almost propelled them to the top four finish.

However, three defeats in the final four matches of the campaign ensured that they had to be content with a fifth place finish as supposed to a fourth place finish.

Newcastle United are once again expected to be busy in the transfer window when it comes to both buying and selling players. Despite losing a number of high profile players like Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll in the past one year, Newcastle have been able to challenge for the best prize of all. Fabricio Coloccini reckons that the club can do the same once again next season, even if they lose some of the top players like Cisse.

“I enjoyed it, especially because we got qualification for the Europa League. For me that was very important. Overall, it was a consistent season. I think a lot of teams found it tough to beat us and that was important. Next season, we will try and do the same,” Coloccini said in a recent interview. Newcastle have made their first step in bringing in new players in the transfer window after announcing the signing of Romain Amalfitano from Reims. “I am very happy to be a Newcastle player. I have seen a bit of the city already and it is a change from France, but one I am really looking forward to,” said Amalfitano.

NEWCASTLE NEED TO REGROUP

Newcastle United defender Danny Simpson has said that the club should be quickly recover from their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Wigan Athletic during the weekend in order to realise their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Newcastle United have been the most surprising club this season after they have managed to stay in the top five for most of the season. However, a slump by Tottenham during the last few weeks has meant that Newcastle have had the opportunity to seal the fourth position in the table, which would have been amazing given the spending they have done in the transfer market in comparison with the contenders.

Yet, the club suffered a horrible defeat at the hands of Wigan during the weekend. It was totally out of the blue for Alan Pardew and his men, as they slipped to a 3-0 score within the quarter of an hour against Wigan.

Franco di Santo then ploughed on the misery for Newcastle after scoring a sensational goal from outside the box. The 4-0 defeat was especially painful for Newcastle given the way they have been playing in the last few weeks. Newcastle came into the match against Wigan on the back of six straight victories.

“We don’t want it to be a good season, we want it to be an excellent season. We’ve still got a great chance to kick on and surprise a few people. We’ve got to bounce back, as players, fans and staff and go to Chelsea on Wednesday to do our best. We can’t get too negative and disappointed, because we’re still in the mix. We’ve come a long way up to now and we’ve got to put it behind us,” the 25-year-old Simpson said ahead of the meeting with Chelsea on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge.