Guest guinness_fiend Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Simon-Bird-Newcastle-2010-review-Andy-Carroll-Chis-Hughton-Alan-Pardew-and-another-crazy-year-at-St-James-Park-article660563.html Promotion, punch-ups, court cases, a sacking and a thumping local derby victory... another quiet year in the history of Newcastle United. Is there any other club outside the regular trophy winners who attract so much intrigue and self-inflicted angst? At least this year turmoil was mixed with the joy of a club rediscovering some spirit, reconnecting with fans and climbing back into the top flight Rewind 12 months and Newcastle were strongly in the mix for automatic promotion, and manager Chris Hughton appeared to have brought previously elusive qualities to St James's Park - stability, dignity and respect. But this Christmas he's out of work and resorted to doing DIY jobs at his home. The seventh manager to be sacked in six and a half years, as United embark on another shake-up that has baffled fans. Thankfully before that baffling decision, there have been many high points and celebratory days for the Geordies this past year. They were far from promotion certainties in January last year, which led to the panic buying of Leon Best much to the annoyance now of the United hierarchy. But by the start of February, when they thrashed Cardiff at home, they became an unstoppable force in the Championship and romped home with the title, and a trophy to lift at last. Naturally, it was a Rocky road to promotion. Steven Taylor has his jaw broken on either side by team mate Andy Carroll in a dressing room scrap that the club did its best to hush up. In hindsight that policy, however morally questionable, worked. Carroll repaid the club, and his team-mates' loyalty, by finishing with 19 goals, and emerging on Fabio Capello's World Cup squad long-list. Taylor has just penned a new five year deal. The other star of the Championship season was Kevin Nolan, who pushed Carroll close for top scorer, helped knit together the squad and was key to creating some team spirit and solid values. Fears for what the Premier League held have so far proved unfounded, with United starting the season with some surprise results - a 6-0 home opener against Aston Villa, and a memorable 5-1 victory over Sunderland the highlight. But Hughton became insecure in his position when the club made it clear his contract, which ran to next summer, would not be extended until, as MirrorSport revealed he'd "proved" himself in the top flight. When No2 Colin Calderwood quit to boss Hibs, no replacement was appointed, and a run of poor results against supposed lesser teams, like Blackpool, Wigan and Stoke, plus a 5-1 hammering by Bolton undermined Hughton further he was axed. There was talk of protests, and Alan Pardew's appointment as the new boss, on a five year deal, was not greeted with much enthusiasm. But Pardew has handled a sensitive situation with players and fans, very well, and emerged from his first couple of weeks in charge with credit. The man of the season is undoubtedly Carroll. What a talent. What a tormentor of Premier League defences. He's now in the clear to concentrate on his football after he admitted common assault after a glass "slipped" out of his hand injuring a fellow drinker. And despite spending a night in police cells, there will be no charges over an incident with an ex-girlfriend. A big future awaits the big man, if he stays out of trouble and listens to the experienced heads around him. Expect him to become a big star for England... and a constant source of annoying transfer rumours linking him to envious top clubs. I may be a hopeless optimist, but Newcastle will survive this season and prosper, despite their knack for creating news. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGuv Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 He is a good journalist. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fried Chicken Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 He is a good journalist. JFK still thinks he's a cunt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Haris Vuckic Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 cunt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpie Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Far from being a cunt, and what's best is I think he's a big NUFC fan but is very fair in reporting on all of NE football news. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Insightful and original. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGuv Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 He is a good journalist. JFK still thinks he's a c*** He thinks everybody is a c*** tbf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JH Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 It's been a better year for him at least. A whole year without the Newcastle manager calling him a cunt. Well in Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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