Ashley's Promise [A Newcastle United MM Diary]

[Baddar]

Ashley's Promise

On May 24th, 2009, Newcastle United were sent into dire straits. A 1-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa on a sunny afternoon at Villa Park saw The Magpies relegated to the Football League Championship.

Afterwards, club owner Mike Ashley initially put the club up for sale, citing that he had made many bad decisions during his time at the club, and set a price tag of £100m.

With the end of June approaching, no satisfactory bids had been made and fans were left wondering what the state of their club would be come the start of the new season. Within the next two weeks, they were given peace of mind, but the majority were left outraged, as Mike Ashley publicly announced that he would be taking the club off sale and vowed to put right the wrongs of last season. He said:

"I will do all I can as an owner and more importantly, a Newcastle United fan to get this club back into the England League where they belong. I admit that many of the problems of last season were my own doing and I sincerely apologise for that. I now have the challenge of finding the right manager to take things forward. It isn't something that I want to rush into, but with the transfer window opening shortly, I hope to have somebody in soon."

When asked about the possibility of temporary manager Alan Shearer taking over the club in a permanent role, Ashley remained relatively quiet on the idea, stating that it was "one of many possibilities."

Three weeks passed and whilst numerous names were being thrown around St James' Park, the fans clearly wanted only one man. Club legend Alan Shearer. Many were still furious that Mike Ashley would remain in control of the club, but others were grateful for his apology and visible desire to drive the club onwards. Whenever media outlets were able to get word from Shearer himself, he always played down the idea, saying that taking over the job on a permanent basis would be "unlikely".

But on July 20th, 2009, news crews from BBC, ESPN and Sky Sports rushed to St James' Park, as word spread that Alan Shearer had arrived at the ground for talks with owner Mike Ashley. Four hours later, a smiling Shearer left the stadium without answering any questions. This caused many fans to wonder whether or not they would be getting their man. Within fourty-five minutes of this happening, a Newcastle United club statement read:

"An announcement regarding the management situation will be made tomorrow afternoon in the form of a press conference held at St James' Park."

This was it. The fans had got their man. Alan Shearer was confirmed as the permanent manager of Newcastle United the following day. The press conference ended with Shearer and Ashley shaking hands, a sight many thought they wouldn't see again.

Shearer, the man who failed to keep Newcastle in the England League, re-took control of the club with immediate effect under a two-year contract. By this time, the squad had undergone some changes, with Damien Duff being a notable absentee.

The Squad

Goalkeepers

1. Steve Harper

26. Tim Krul

With Shay Given leaving for Manchester City last season, Steve Harper has finally been able to solidify himself as the Newcastle number one. It would be Krul to give that spot to anyone else.

What? ¬_¬


Defenders

2. Fabricio Colloccini

3. Jose Enrique

12. Danny Simpson

13. Zurab Khizanishvili

16. Ryan Taylor

27. Steven Taylor

28. Tamas Kadar

35. Ben Tozer

Habib Beye and Sebastien Bassong both left the club and chose to remain in the England League during the close season, playing for Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, but most importantly Steven Taylor pledged his future to the club. They are relatively light on cover though, so Shearer may look into bringing in defensive reinforcements.


Midfielders

4. Kevin Nolan

7. Joey Barton

8. Danny Guthrie

11. Peter Lovenkrands

17. Alan Smith

18. Jonas Gutierrez

20. Geremi

22. Nicky Butt

25. Kazenga LuaLua

32. Wesley Ngo Baheng

47. Bradden Inman

The midfield is easily the strongest area of the squad and will be a vital part of the promotion push this coming season. It is arguably the strongest midfield in the division. Whether or not Joey Barton remains a Newcastle player by the time things get under-way is another matter.


Strikers

9. Marlon Harewood

23. Shola Ameobi

24. Andy Carroll

30. Nile Ranger

31. Frank Wiafe Danguah

42. Ryan Donaldson

46. Haris Vuckic

The loan signing of Marlon Harewood from Aston Villa will go some way towards making Newcastle a strong force going forward. Getting into the starting line-up won't be straightforward though, with Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll waiting in the wings.

OOC - The plan is to continue this for as long as possible. As long as MM don't self-destruct or in some way make the game unplayable for me, I should be fine to post regular updates. I'm playing the PS3 version with 6 minute halves on Legendary difficulty, with semi-assisted passing, shooting and crossing controls. I won't spend much time on the friendlies, but in the next post I make I'll write up a pre-season report, noting any changes to the squad. Wish me luck!

 

[Neo]

Looks good. I've been meaning to do one of these for a while, might give it a go if yours is a success.

 

[Bež]

Great intro mate, I'll stay tuned with this , and fingers crossed you gain promotion straight back up to where Newcastle truly belong..

If this diary succeeds with flying colours, then I may give it a go myself with Rotherham

 

[Baddar]

Pre-Season Report

It has been a busy pre-season for Newcastle on and off the pitch. Since Alan Shearer was made permanent manager of the club, players have both arrived and departed St James' Park.

The Magpies began with a 1-1 draw at home to fellow Championship side Watford. Jonas Gutierrez was slipped in by Danny Guthrie and the Argentinian made no mistake and netted his first goal for the club.

Following that match, Alan Shearer confirmed he'd reached a deal with Las Palmas to sign striker Marcos Marquez for a fee believed to be worth £1m. In the days after his signing, three players were on their way out. Ryan Donaldson joined Cardiff for £1.2m and Wiafe-Danquah put pen to paper on a 2 year deal at Leicester, which cost them around £700k.

The most notable exit came in the form of Joey Barton. The manager had made no secret of not wanting to keep the Liverpool-born midfielder at the club, and a £2.7m fee received from Roy Keane's Ipswich was enough to see him move south.

In the second friendly of four, super-sub Andy Carroll come off the bench to overturn a 1-0 deficit to defeat Derby at Pride Park. In more good news, much of the Barton money was spent soon after on midfielder Ivan Ergic. Ergic claimed he hadn't settled in at Bursaspor after just eight weeks at the club and wanted a move to England. £2.2m ensured he got his wish. The Serbian will be wearing the number 7 shirt during the 2009-10 season.

Shearer's last business in the transfer window before the Championship got under way come in the form of defender Giuseppi Bellusci. The 19-year-old centre-back was signed from Catania at a fee of around three quarters of a million pound.

Talking of Italian clubs, Serie A side Chievo visited St James' Park the very next day and won 3-0. Fabricio Coloccini put through his own net on sixteen minutes before Sergio Pellissier doubled the lead four minutes later. Newcastle pressed in the second half without creating too many chances, and the game was put to bed on 70 minutes when Pellissier scored his second with a free-kick from 25 yards.

The final game of the pre-season schedule came as Shearer's men faced a tough Marseille side at a rain-soaked Stade Velodrome. The Magpies dominated much of the match, but were undone by a wonderful cross from the right and looping header from Lucho Gonzalez on 65 minutes. But with only two minutes left on the clock, Marlon Harewood somehow sorted out his feet on the edge of the box and curled a shot in off the far post, with Steve Mandanda rooted to the spot in the centre of his goal to level the match at 1-1.

The result meant that Newcastle had played four, won one, lost one and drawn two going into the opening weekend of the Championship season, which will see The Magpies travel to Home Park to face Paul Sturrock's Plymouth.

Chances are I'll start the season tomorrow, so I'll post any updates here.

 

[Bež]

Good stuff man - can't say I've heard of the guys you've brought in, but I'm sure you've signed the right people Good warm up for your lads, and I look forward to your next update.

Keep it up :thumbsup:

 

[Baddar]

NEW BOYS ON TARGET AS MAGPIES START WITH WIN
Plymouth Argyle 1-4 Newcastle

Newcastle new boys Marcos Marquez and Ivan Ergic were both on target as Alan Shearer's men put on a confident display at Home Park, winning the match 4-1.

It was the away side who began strongest and their early pressure was rewarded with a goal when Steven Taylor jumped above his marker to give Newcastle a 1-0 lead on fourteen minutes after a Peter Lovenkrands corner. The lead only lasted eight minutes though. After a shot from Carl Fletcher escaped the grasp of Steve Harper, Alan Gow was on hand to equalise.

But on the half hour mark, Newcastle were back in front. Neat play in midfield between Kevin Nolan and Ivan Ergic led to Marcos Marquez being sent clear of the defence. The Spaniard confidently dispatched past the keeper to give his team what would be a 2-1 Half Time lead.

Plymouth rarely threatened after conceding a second and on 70 minutes, they fell further behind. Again, Nolan's incisive passing from midfield towards the front men allowed Marlon Harewood to find space from just outside the box and smash it into the left hand corner of the goal. By this time, Argyle's spirit had been lost and Newcastle added a fourth just two minutes later when Harewood slipped the ball to the edge of the box for Ivan Ergic to finish calmly into the bottom corner.

The result meant that Shearer's men go into the next game top of the pile.

Match Facts

Plymouth 1-4 Newcastle

Shots - 5-12
Shots on target - 5-9
Possession - 37%-63%

Newcastle - Harper, R. Taylor, S. Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique, Gutierrez (Geremi 63), Ergic, Nolan, Lovenkrands, Marquez, Harewood

Selected Championship Results

Cardiff 1-2 Leicester
Middlesbrough 4-2 Nottingham Forest
Reading 3-1 Peterborough
Sheff Utd 1-0 Derby

Good start. Was shitting myself after I scored, because I knew the AI throw everything at you after you score.

 

[Bež]

Great start to the season mate, having your first match of the season away from home can be challenging, but good to see you won comfortably - shame about the goal conceded, but hey you scored 3 more than they did

Good to see 2 of your new signings get on the scoresheet. They look like good signings already...hope they can keep it up.

 

[Baddar]

HARPER HOWLER GIFTS PETERBORO' DRAW
Newcastle 1-1 Peterborough

A goalkeeping error from Steve Harper gifted Peterborough an undeserving point at St James' Park tonight.

After a first half in which Newcastle controlled without testing the opposing goal keeper too much, Marlon Harewood made it two-in-two in the Championship. The ball dropped to him on the left hand side of the 18-yard box and he right footed it into the opposite corner to put his side one up on sixty eight minutes.

But next came the moment of madness. A through ball from substitute Keates deflected off the boot of Coloccini and headed towards the Newcastle goal. Instead of picking it up, Harper tried controlling it with his left foot, but it bounced off it and just about crossed the line.

The Magpies tried their best to press for a winner late on, but ultimately Darren Ferguson's team were happy to hold what they'd, somewhat fortuitously earned and went back home with a point.

Match Facts

Newcastle 1-1 Peterborough

Shots - 11-4
Shots on target - 6-1
Possession - 51%-49%

Newcastle - Harper, R. Taylor, S. Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique, Gutierrez, Ergic, Guthrie, Lovenkrands (Carroll 69), Marquez, Harewood.

Selected Championship Results

Barnsley 0-5 Middlesbrough
Nottingham Forest 1-0 West Brom
Scunthorpe 3-2 Swansea
Sheff Utd 1-2 Reading

Fucking hell, Harper. :/

 

[Bež]

:faceplm: I take it you told him off in the dressing room after? Did you threaten to drop him to the bench for the next match?

 

[Baddar]

NOLAN ON TOP FORM AS NEWCASTLE EASE TO THREE POINTS
Scunthorpe 0-2 Newcastle

With the disappointment of the Peterborough game out of the way, it took just six minutes for Alan Shearer's players to get on the scoresheet at Glanford Park.

In a makeshift Newcastle line-up, due to having two games in the space of three days, Nicky Butt made his first start of the season alongside Kevin Nolan in the centre of midfield, and the two combined for the first goal. Nolan beat the offside trap and Butt rolled back the years with an excellent through ball. The former Bolton player used his weaker left foot to hit the ball, but still managed to get enough power on it to beat a stranded Joe Murphy.

The Magpies made sure they kept possession of the ball well afterwards, learning their lesson from the previous match. And their dominance with the ball paid off once again on 42 minutes when Geremi's deep cross found an unmarked Marcos Marquez at the back post to head high into the net and double the advantage.

Despite having the lion's share of the ball in the second half, the black and white stripes failed to extend the lead further, but Shearer said afterwards that he was delighted to have come away without conceding.

The 2-0 win meant that it was the first time Newcastle had kept a clean sheet since Shearer took permanent charge.

Match Facts

Scunthorpe 0-2 Newcastle

Shots - 1-13
Shots on target 1-7
Poessession - 32%-68%

Newcastle - Harper, R. Taylor, S. Taylor (Bellusci 74), Coloccini, Enrique, Geremi, Butt, Nolan, Guthrie, Marquez, Ameobi.

I played my game before the rest of the league it seems, so there's no other C'ship results to post just yet.

Glad I finally kept a clean sheet, even if, for once, the opposition didn't come close to scoring.

Any feedback is welcome. Hopefully I'll be continuing with this later tonight.

 

[Baddar]

SHEARER CONFIRMS CARDENAS SWOOP

Newcastle United have confirmed the signing of winger Jose Maria Cardenas from Mexican outfit Santos Laguna. The Mexican will provide cover for Peter Lovenkrands on the left hand side of midfield.

After confirming the work permit was granted, Shearer announced that the transfer was worth around £1.5m and even thanked Mike Ashley for the money that has been available to him.

Cardenas becomes Shearer's fourth signing since becoming the permanent manager, following Marcos Marquez, Ivan Ergic and Giuseppi Bellusci to the club. Newcastle's spending has totaled £5.5m, but most of that money has already been recouped with the sales of Joey Barton, Ryan Donaldson and Frank Wiafe-Danquah.

Shearer hinted that there's more money to be spent, but will only use it if he needs to. Cardenas may make his debut in the upcoming Championship match this weekend.

Will post the next match report later.

 

[Baddar]

CARROLL OFF BENCH TO SAVE BLUSHES
Newcastle 1-1 Reading

Andy Carroll came off the bench to help prevent Newcastle from suffering their first defeat of the season.

In a quiet first half, it was The Magpies who came closest when Marcos Marquez's header went inches over the crossbar. Marek Matejovski could've given Reading a lead on 40 minutes, but his header was tipped around the post by Harper.

The visitors went in front on 66 minutes. With the ball bobbling around the penalty area, Shane Long reacted quickest to fire into the corner. Soon after came the substitutions of Andy Carroll and Alan Smith. Replacing Marquez and Ergic, respectively, they helped turn the tide in Newcastle's favour. Carroll's low shot just seven minutes from time somehow found its way past the 'keeper and had salvaged a point for the St James' faithful.

The match was somewhat marred by the late sending off of Fabricio Coloccini, who was adjuged to have fouled James Harper from behind in the corner.

Newcastle now face visits to both Sheffield United and Wednesday in the next couple of games.

Match Facts

Newcastle 1-1 Reading

Shots - 7-5
Shots on target - 4-4
Possession - 51%-49%
Red Cards - 1-0 (Coloccini)

Newcastle - Harper, Simpson, S. Taylor, Khizanishvili, Coloccini (S/OFF), Gutierrez, Ergic (Smith 66), Guthrie, Nolan, Marquez (Carroll 66), Harewood

Selected Championship Results

Coventry 0-2 Bristol City
Crystal Palace 2-0 Doncaster
Middlesbrough 7-0 Cardiff
West Brom 3-1 Barnsley

I've played two more games since this one. I'll get those up later on or at some point tomorrow.

 

[thenotsogood]

For the first time in my life, something involving Newcastle has entertained me

Good stuff

 

[Baddar]

HAREWOOD BRACE HELPS MAINTAIN UNBEATEN START
Sheff Utd 0-3 Newcastle

A brace from Marlon Harewood helped lift Newcastle into third place in the Championship.

That come after they put serious pressure on Sheffield United, who never really looked in the match. Newcastle opened the scoring courtesy of a Peter Lovenkrands corner met by the head of defender Zurab Khisanishvili after 29 minutes.

It looked as though it would go into Half Time at 1-0, until Jonas Gutierrez's brilliant ball over the top of the defence was eventually latched on to by Marlon Harewood, who expertly hooked the ball over the outstretched arm of the 'keeper and into the top corner.

Harewood didn't get his second until the fourth official put the board up for added time at the end of the match. Nicky Butt, a second half replacement for Jonas Gutierrez, played the ball through the middle and "The Hare" was on hand to bag his fourth goal of the season, getting pole-axed by the goalkeeper in the process.

The Magpies will return to Shefield in three days to face Wednesday.

Match Facts

Sheffield United 0-3 Newcastle

Shots - 4-13
Shots on target - 3-7
Possession - 40%-60%

Newcastle - Harper, Simpson, S. Taylor (Bellusci 83), Khizanishvili, Enrique, Gutierrez (Butt 60), Ergic, Nolan, Lovenkrands, Marquez (Carroll 83), Harewood.

Selected Championship Results

Cardiff 0-2 West Brom
Derby 1-1 QPR
Bristol City 1-3 Middlesbrough
Reading 1-0 Sheff Wed

The Championship Top 6 - End of August (5 games played)

1st. Middlesbrough 15pts
2nd. Reading 13pts
3rd. Newcastle 11pts
4th. QPR 10pts
5th. Blackpool 10pts
6th. Preston 10pts

More updates tomorrow.

 

[Baddar]

MARQUEZ SINKS SORRY WEDNESDAY
Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Newcastle

A 20th minute strike from Marcos Marquez succumbed Sheffield Wednesday to yet another defeat and sent them into the bottom three.

A neat exchange between Peter Lovenkrands and Marlon Harewood helped create space for the Spanish striker, who was left all alone in the centre of the penalty area and smashed it in to put Newcastle into a 1-0 lead.

It could've been so different though. Unlike their United counterparts, Wednesday provided a solid attacking threat throughout and almost took the lead after just four minutes when Mark Beevers' shot crept just past the post.

The were a couple of nearly moments in the second half as well, with Tudgay and Varney having chances to draw level.

On 63 minutes, Jose Maria Cardenas came on to make his debut for the club, replacing Peter Lovenkrands. This come just hours after Alan Shearer confirmed the paperwork had been finalised over bringing Catania left-back Marco Pisano to the club on a five-year deal.

Match Facts

Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Newcastle

Shots - 8-12
Shots on target - 1-5
Possession - 35%-65%

Newcastle - Harper, Simpson, S. Taylor, Khizanishvili, Enrique, Gutierrez, Ergic, Nolan (Smith 90), Lovenkrands (Cardenas 63), Marquez, Harewood.

Selected Championship Results

QPR 2-0 Preston
Middlesbrough 2-1 Watford
Reading 2-1 Blackpool
Swansea 1-2 Sheffield United

I can't guarantee that I'll be playing any more games today, but if I do, I'll update here.

 

[Bež]

Good stuff mate, I'm enjoying following this, so far, it's very good

 

[Baddar]

LEAGUE CUP 2ND ROUND DRAW MADE

Alan Shearer's Newcastle United face a trip to Gresty Road in the second round of the Carling Cup, with League Two's Crewe Alexandra their opponents.

The competition, in which Manchester United currently hold the trophy, is said to be high on Shearer's priority list for the season, given The Magpies' long wait without silverware.

Fellow promotion chasers and Championship leaders Middlesbrough are away at Chesterfield, while Bristol City and West Brom meet in an all-Championship clash.

Before beginning their cup campaign though, Newcastle face an in-form Blackpool, who have lost just one of their last five games, at St James' Park.

Other Selected 2nd Round ties

Burton vs. Arsenal
Peterborough vs. Cardiff
Southampton vs. Man City
Southend vs. Swansea
Stockport vs. Reading

I'm knackered, but may attempt to play the next league game and then the cup game in a bit.

 

[wrathchild_uk]

What happens when all of your players leave cus of the contract bug thing?

 

[Baddar]

ERGIC GIVES NEWCASTLE FIRST HOME WIN
Newcastle 1-0 Blackpool

Newcomer Ivan Ergic scored on the stroke of half time to help his side to their first home win of the season.

Blackpool offered little attacking threat, and it always seemed like any result other than a home win would be considered points lost. The only goal came when Jonas Gutierrez opted to pull the ball back to Ergic when cutting in from the right, instead of crossing it to Harewood who was unmarked on the back post. His decision proved to be a good one, as Ergic scored his second goal in a black and white shirt with the resulting shot.

In the second half, Marlon Harewood should have made it 2-0. Ivan Ergic, who was declared man of the match at the final whistle, saw his shot parried by the goalkeeper, leaving the goal gaping for Harewood, who somehow shot over the bar from six yards.

A Jason Euell effort that flew inches over the bar was the closest the visitors came to scoring an equaliser.

Marco Pisano made his debut for the club and put in a decent performance, despite not being overly tested. He is also in line for a start in the Carling Cup game against Crewe.

Match Facts

Newcastle 1-0 Blackpool

Shots - 14-3
Shots on target - 10-2
Possession - 61%-39%

Newcastle - Harper, Simpson, S. Taylor, Coloccini, Pisano, Gutierrez, Ergic (Smith 90), Nolan, Lovenkrands (Cardenas 66), Marquez, Harewood.

Selected Championship Results

Bristol City 2-2 Ipswich
Cardiff 3-1 Crystal Palace
Plymouth 0-1 Middlesbrough
Watford 1-0 West Brom

The next match has been played and I'll post that when I can/the automerger thing has passed.

 

[Baddar]

UNDER-STRENGTH MAGPIES ADVANCE
Crewe 0-1 Newcastle (Carling Cup 2nd Round)

An under-strength Newcastle team ran out 1-0 winners at Gresty Road tonight.

Alan Smith, who partnered Danny Guthrie in the centre of midfield, put in a stupendous shift for The Magpies, perhaps staking his claim as to why he should be in the first eleven more often.

It was Smith's pass that led to Andy Carroll scoring the only goal of the game. A pinpoint ball to the right of the back-tracking centre back set the Englishman free and he made no mistake from just inside the box, firing low past Collis.

Left back Marco Pisano almost scored in only his second game for the club, turning in from the left and using his weaker right foot, he tested Collis to the full, as the 'keeper just managed to tip the ball over the bar.

After the match, manager Alan Shearer said that he was happy with the performance and hopes they can take that into the next round.

Match Facts

Crewe 0-1 Newcastle

Shots - 5-10
Shots on target - 2-4
Possession - 41%-59%

Newcastle - Krul, Simpson, Bellusci, Khizanishvili, Pisano, Geremi, Guthrie (Butt 84), Smith, Cardenas, Ameobi, Carroll.

Selected Round 2 Results

Burton 0-2 Arsenal
Bristol City 0-1 West Brom
Chesterfield 1-2 Middlesbrough
Grimsby 0-6 Everton
Stockport 3-0 Reading

Chances are the next updates won't be made until the weekend.