Merry Christmas to our readers! Talk On The Tyne http://thetotty.wordpress.com/ Friday 21 December CRUNCH Toon close in on CLASH Remy – Page 3

Exclusive: Carroll’s take me home plea – Page 5

Ba could face fine

THE toon face a huge game tomorrow when they face after revealing off against QPR at St James’. The Hoops may be in the relegation zone but have had a mini revival of late under new gaffer Harry Rredknapp. Arsenal ‘dream’ – Match preview page 6 Back page HOWAY THE LADS Page 2 21 December 2012

Inside this week’s TOTTY The TOTTY says: Christmas party cancelled

Page 4 We must beat

QPR – or face a

Toon draw Metalist Kharkiv in the very miserable Europa League last 32 Page 5 Christmas

WHEN the fixture list was published who came 5th last season. last summer, few would have Losing this game will have serious Players visit RVI hospital anticipated just how huge repercussions for the toon, with Man Page 7 Newcastle’s last game before Utd and Arsenal (both away) to come Christmas would be. next. The toon, along with QPR were Those tricky games are then followed tipped for top half finishes in July, so by a home match against Everton in it is a surprise to see both sides at the what could be a dreadful Christmas wrong end of the table. and New Year for Newcastle fans. Pic of the week th Page 8 Newcastle currently sit in 15 place With four games each in 11 days, the on 17 points, whilst QPR are 19th on can change very ten. quickly and without the cushion of However, it’s The Hoops who go into three points tomorrow, defeats at Old this clash with the better form. Trafford and the Emirates are likely Want The Totty sent to your email every Since Harry Redknapp was appointed to plummet the toon into the gaffer in late November – replacing relegation zone. Mark Hughes, QPR have been The Totty is pleading to fans to make Friday? unbeaten (three draws and one win). St James’ a cauldron of noise They got their first victory last tomorrow as the players need our weekend, beating Fulham 2-1 and so help more than ever. Email [email protected] with the Harry Redknapp’s great escape plan It’s going to be a very testing few seems to already have the wheels in weeks for our threadbare squad and subject subscribe, and have your copy sent motion. all we can do as fans, is give the The Magpies however, have lost six teams the support it needs. of their last seven, a dreadful and straight to you! uncharacteristic run of form for a side Howay the lads. Pardew: “We should have signed more players”

ALAN Pardew has admitted the club to learn from it. Myself, Graham, Derek made a mistake by not signing more and Mike needed another player in and players in the summer. we did not get him. Newcastle’s hierarchy held talks with “But it is not Graham's fault, Derek's several players but only secured one fault or Mike's fault or mine - it is a signing – Dutch midfielder Vernon collective thing and we have to take that Anita. on the chin. We got that wrong.” Moves for Lille full back Mathieu Pardew revealed he hopes to sign at least Debuchy and FC Twente pair Luuk de one player in January but does not want Jong and Douglas failed to materialise to lose anyone from his squad. despite several bids for each of them. “It is a difficult window, but I think we Pardew is now regretting the club’s would like to get - definitely - one player failure to bring in at least one more in and not lose anybody," he added. recruit, with the toon languishing in the “It could be we lose a player, you never bottom half of the league. know. I lost in this However, the gaffer doesn’t blame window, and in a situation that was not owner Mike Ashley, managing director too dissimilar to what I am in now two Derek Llambias or chief scout Graham years ago - maybe it was a bit better. Carr. “However, if that is the case, then we Pards said: “Myself, Mike and Derek all need two players, and if we lose two, agree we should have bought one more then we need three. That will be difficult senior player in here. For whatever in this window. reason, it did not happen. “I cannot see two players leaving, but “We have learnt from that, and that is you can never count on that.” what comes from the luxury which is the security of the owner. Who do you want to see “The owner has great faith in my ability Newcastle sign? Email and I have to reward that with what I [email protected] or Clockwise from top: Debuchy, de Jong and Douglas were all think when we make an error and say we tweet us @totty_nufc_news with targeted by Newcastle last summer have made a mistake. your January wishlist! “He accepts that and as a team we have

21 December 2012 Page 3 Remy, set, go! Toon in for French forward

NEWCASTLE are reportedly set to sign French international striker Loic Remy for £10m. The six foot forward, who has been linked with Tottenham, West Ham, Liverpool and Stoke has been identified by Pardew as the club’s key transfer target. Ashley is expected to back the gaffer this January and a swoop for Remy would be nothing short of sensational. Remy, 25 (26 on Jan 2), has been a regular in the French squad for the past three years and has netted 27 goals in 68 games for Marseille. He visited Stoke last January for an interview with the club’s board but was unimpressed by their plans. Something that is not a problem with Remy in Champo League action for Marseille the toon. Remy said: “Newcastle are a very good team. They’re a big club with good players, very good Earlier this week Pardew said he only wishes to bring Wikipedia quickly reversed the false changes, which fans and a nice stadium that’s always full. one player in next month, an understandably also stated the Magpies had bought Sissoko and “The window opens in January, and there’ll be conservative statement as he doesn’t want to over Debuchy, with Marveaux joining Marseille. speculation from now until the window closes – inflate prices. if I have to leave then all parties must be happy. I However, it is possible he will look to bring in a Would Remy be a good signing have a contract so let’s wait and see.” defender as well as a forward, with fringe players The French contingent at Newcastle is also a expected to leave permanently and on loan. for Newcastle? Have your say on magnet the club’s top brass could use to their In other news a barmy toon fan edited Loic Remy’s twitter @totty_nufc_news advantage as Remy is great mates with le wizard Wikipedia page, so it read he’d already signed for Ben Arfa. Newcastle. Other players linked with a January move to Newcastle

Jamie Mackie – QPR Emmanuel Rivière – Toulouse Lacina Traore – Anzhi MACKIE is highly rated at QPR and would Toulouse would consider bids of about £7m for the The Totty exclusively revealed last month that command a transfer fee of about £3m. frontman, similar to the price Ba would be sold for. Newcastle were interested in the giant striker. The 27-year-old forward is noted for his extreme With Pardew expected to carry on recruiting in Traore, 22, is six foot eight inches tall and has work ethic and high tempo performances. France it is understood Rivière is on his radar. been in impressive form since he signed for Anzhi He scored eight goals in QPR’s promotion The 22-year-old has been in impressive form this in the summer. campaign in 10/11 before suffering a double season wreaking havoc among ’s defences. Newcastle and Liverpool are both interested but tibia/fibula break in an FA Cup tie. Standing at six feet tall, the forward’s versatility the striker idolises toon legend Alan Shearer. Newcastle were keen on signing him in January appeals to Pards as he can operate in a central role or He would come at a huge price though, with the until he suffered the injury. on the wings. toon needing to fork out around £18m for his He would be a very useful acquisition for the toon The pacey Frenchman has also been tipped to make signature, however Ba could be used as a make as he can play as a frontman or a right forward. the step up into the French squad soon. weight.

Page 4 21 December 2012

Any special requests? Email [email protected] Christmas party and we’ll see what we can do! Follow us on Twiiter: cancelled out of @totty_nufc_news respect for fans But supporters fear truth could be entirely different

PLAYERS and staff have cancelled their Christmas bash this year in the hope of finding form. However the move has backfired as toon fans fear the real reason behind the cancellation is due to dressing room bust ups. Newcastle were swatted aside by Man City at the weekend and have now lost six of their last seven Prem games. Supporters have blamed dressing room problems for the poor run of form and the cancellation of Christmas has only added to their worries. However, Pardew (right) said earlier this week: “It's out of respect to our fans and what we have served them this year. There's no party for us, and the same for the staff. That's how it should be. “Trust me, there have been horrible things said about our group and our staff, but we are together, and we are fighting and trying to put it right. “The fans have to realise this isn't just a game to us, it's our livelihoods and our profession. It pays our bills. Not only that, we have to have a certain pressure of entertaining our fans, who pay good money to come and watch. “Looking at all those factors, we have not done enough this year. That's why I think it's right we called it off.” The Totty can’t help but think a bit of festive fun may have cheered the group up a bit but instead they go into this weekend’s crunch match partyless.

Jokes of the week: Shearer’s punditry slammed THE Totty are fed up of big mouth toffs slamming super Shearer for his Match Of The So it's the end of the world in next few Day punditry. hours? I hope I'm sitting next to Fergie Every Saturday, keyboard warriors flood social when it happens, he'll get 10 minutes networking sites criticising the legend’s analysis. more than everyone else. Big Al,(right) the Premier League’s all-time top scorer is apparently ‘not qualified for the job’ Podolski going back to Munich, Ronaldo because he is too ‘thick to understand football.’ going back to Manchester and Aguero The Totty is outraged that whiney plebs feel a man with 260 Premier League goals to his name going back home after training. isn’t qualified to talk about footy. Balotelli was at a chemist & asked for 12 In school, like most footballers, Shearer was not the most focused. condoms, two girls behind him laugh. He In his autobiography he states his only O level turned around & looked them in the was English, which he only managed because he eyes & said "Make it 14" rambled on about his love of the sport. But if he were to take an exam in footy 2012 taught me that even if you’re a knowledge he would thrash everyone. rubbish player you can still win Euro12, With more Premier League goals than Thierry Champions League and the FA Cup. - Henry, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Andy Cole, . Shearer is perfectly qualified to lecture us all on the beautiful game.

Keep it up Big Al and let the true football fans judge you.

21 December 2012 Page 5

Andy Carroll hoping for Shorts

winter homecoming United’s Italian job

FOR the second time in three years the Striker told he has toon’s youngsters will take part in the prestigious Torneo di Viareggio in no future on Tuscany at the beginning of 2013. The competition is one of the most famous Merseyside as West youth football tournaments in the world as top clubs from Italy compete against sides Ham look to offload from South America and Europe. Inter Milan, Juventus, AC Milan, Spartak EXCLUSIVE Moscow, Napoli, Nordsjaelland, Roma and Anderlecht have already signed up. FORMER local hero Andy Carroll In 2011, a young Magpies squad including could be left high and dry in January Haris Vuckic, Paul Dummett, Conor as West Ham consider terminating his Newton and Bradden Inman were knocked loan. out in the group stages after losing 3-1 to Carroll has only made 10 appearances eventual finalists Fiorentina and drawing for the East End club, scoring just one with Club Nacional of Paraguay and Italian goal. outfit Lecce. His £80k a week wages are proving United - who are the only English club in costly for The Hammers, who believe next year's competition - also entered in they can survive without him. 2005, when they reached the quarter-finals Carroll’s time in has been before losing to Inter Milan and in 2006, plagued by injuries. He missed six with the likes of Fraser Forster, Andy weeks earlier this year with a Carroll and David Edgar all involved as hamstring strain and is currently out they were beaten by Treviso in the last 16. until the end of January with a knee Reserve Team Manager Willie Donachie problem. said: “It's an invaluable experience for a Andy still regularly visits his native Carroll faces an uncertain future but would love a move to toon young player. North East and a source close to the “You can't teach somebody about foreign hit man revealed he longs for a return. If West Ham do decide to send the The source added: “Everything has games and different styles of play without The source told The Totty: “Andy forward back to Liverpool in January, gone wrong for Andy since he left. He going and playing it so they're playing misses playing at St James’ every it’s very possible he could be used in knows if he’d stayed at Newcastle he against different styles and it's fantastic for week. It’s his home town club. a straight swap deal with . would be a better player for it.” them. You just can't buy that. “When he left two years ago he didn’t Brendan Rodgers is on the lookout for West Ham’s vice-chairman Karen “It doesn't really matter about results, It's really consider missing home, it all another forward and has already Brady was said to be appalled at Andy about the players getting the experience happened so fast and it didn’t help stated Carroll won’t be anywhere near Carroll’s behaviour on a player and learning from it.” when he wasn’t given a fair chance at his first 11. bonding trip to Dublin this month. Liverpool. One thing for sure is the Geordie will Carroll downed cocktails, pints and City ticket slump “He’s playing some good football at not be a Liverpool player on 31 jagerbombs before allegedly ST JAMES’ Park saw a 4% decrease in fan West Ham but is pushing for a return August 2013 but what happens thumping a cameraman when he left a turn out for the Man City game this season to Newcastle in January or the between now and then is anyone’s club. Check our website for a video as opposed to last. summer.” guess. of Carroll’s toon goals. The stadium packed out (52,000) on 6 May this year to watch the toon lose 2-0 to the eventual champions. Toon draw Metalist Kharkiv in last 32 However, despite season ticket sales at a high, roughly 49,000 turned out for the LITTLE is known about Newcastle’s last 32 game last weekend. opponents but make no mistake, they are a If Newcastle had been up against a force to be reckoned with. mediocre side ticket sales may have Metalist Kharkiv currently sit 4th in Ukraine’s dropped even more. Premier League with 36 points from 18 games Some fans have blamed the early kick off and have finished 3rd in the division for the past but it is saddening to see support drop for five years. the big games. Last season they reached the last eight of the Having said that, the attendance was still Europa League, thumping Rubin Kazan 8-0 on the second highest in the league last aggregate before beating Olympiacos on away weekend. goals (2-2). The Totty hopes the stadium is packed to They were undone in the quarters by Sporting the rafters for tomorrow’s clash with QPR. Lisbon, who scraped through, winning 3-2 over both legs. Riley makes loan move Their danger men are Jonathan Cristaldo the Cristaldo in action this season Argentine striker, and Cleiton Xavier the MICHAEL Riley has joined Blyth Brazilian midfielder. The players have scored Spartans on a work experience loan until eight and seven goals this season respectively. Full round of 32 draw: January 6. You may remember their stadium from Euro The young full back joins reserve team 2012, it played host to some classic games BATE vs Fenerbahce, Inter Milan vs CFR Cluj-Napoca mate Marcus Maddison at Croft Park. including Germany’s 2-1 victory over Holland. Levante vs Olympiacos, Zenit St Petersburg vs Liverpool A work experience loan allows both Holland’s other two matches were played there, Dynamo Kiev vs Bordeaux, Bayer Leverkusen vs Benfica players to play for Blyth and Newcastle’s a 1-0 defeat to Denmark and a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle vs FC Metalist Kharkiv, VfB Stuttgart vs Genk under 21 side over the busy Christmas Portugal. period. Atletico Madrid vs Rubin Kazan, Ajax vs Steaua Bucuresti It is a tough draw for Newcastle who will have Paddy Atkinson’s side are away to to be at their best to qualify. Basle vs Dnipro, Anzhi Makhachkala vs Hednesford Town on Saturday before If the toon get through, they play Anzhi Sparta Prague vs Chelsea, Borussia M'gladbach vs Lazio hosting Whitby Town on Boxing Day and Makhachkala or Hannover 96 in the last 16. Tottenham vs Lyon, Napoli vs Plzen Ashton United on 29th December. They then travel to North Ferriby on 1st January.

Page 6 21 December 2012

Last 4 results between the teams

An in depth look into this weekend’s clash with QPR Newcastle 1-0 QPR – 15 Jan 2012 Best 37’ The London team have no new injury worries ahead of the clash and are expected to name the same side that beat Fulham last weekend. Bobby Zamora is still out with a hip problem NEWCASTLE face a must win home game despite revealing he may return sooner than QPR 0-0 Newcastle – 12 Sept 2011 against QPR this Saturday before a busy expected. Christmas schedule takes control. The dazzling form of Adel Taarabt will be key The toon travel to Man Utd and Arsenal after for The Hoops, who haven’t won on the road all this fixture, grounds where points are very hard season. to come by. History: QPR 0-1 Newcastle – 2 May 2010 QPR have had a mini resurgence under new Newcastle are unbeaten in their last four games manager Harry Redknapp and The Hoops will be Lovenkrands 71’ against QPR, only conceding one goal in the looking to add to their first win of the season process. against Fulham last weekend. Back in 2009 when both sides were in The The form of Adel Taarabt will frighten Newcastle 1-1 QPR – 30 Sept 2009 Championship, Newcastle drew 1-1 at home and Newcastle in what will be a close game and in 2010 beat QPR 1-0 on the last day of the Harewood 70’ Watson 7’ could be decided by whose strikers are on form. season. Demba Ba will need to be on hand again if the Last season’s results were a 0-0 draw at Loftus toon are to get anything from this one. Road and a 1-0 win at St James’, so traditionally Newcastle: these matches are not high scoring affairs. Utility man James Perch is Pardew's only new Prediction: concern ahead of this game. This is a tough one to call with both sides at the Perch has a minor neck problem, but is expected QPR’s key men: wrong end of the table. to be available, while midfielder QPR have had a little run of form but have still is fit after working his way back from toe only won one game all season. surgery. The Hoop’s confidence will be fragile and if the However , Steven Taylor (both home crowd get behind their team, it could be a hamstring) and (groin) remain on long afternoon for the London club. the sidelines. An early goal for either side will set the mood, If Perch is fit, Pardew is expected to name the especially if it goes to the toon as QPR’s fragile same 4-3-3 line up as last weekend. The gaffer confidence will break. was impressed by his side’s second half rally so The Totty says: Can’t see QPR winning this one feels no need to tinker with the team. but Newcastle cannot keep relying on Ba to win QPR: them matches. 1-1.

Pardew says: Taarabt: The playmaker has been in inspired form and “It's going to be one of those days we must win. can turn a game on its head in an instant. “Usually, reporters say it's a must-win game - I'm telling you it's must-win. That's what we need to do. “We're going to have a lot of pressure this week. “QPR will be expected to lose, so they can come and play with a little bit of freedom. “Not us, we're going to have to play under monster pressure. It needs to be full up. They need to be right on our side, whatever happens - even if QPR go 2-0 up.”

Totty’s tip:

Draw 5/2 with Betvictor

Cisse: Hasn’t scored as many goals as expected but is always a danger when the ball goes in the box.

Newcastle QPR

Krul Green

Simpson Williamson Coloccini Santon Onuoha Hill Nelsen Traore

Anita Tiote Perch M'bia Faurlin

Mackie Taarabt Wright-Phillips Cisse Ba Gutierrez Cisse 21 December 2012 Page 7

Players lift spirits on ward NEWCASTLE players visited the Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital last week to give children a Christmas to remember. The toon stars played with the children, posed for pics and answered questions. Young striker Adam Campbell tweeted: “Just had an amazing experience visiting the kids in RVI, absolutely lovely kids and great families #honoured.” Leanne Pearce, one of the children’s parents said: “They lifted the spirit on the whole ward.” Clockwise from left: Coloccini, Ben Arfa, Bigirimana, Xisco and Cap Campbell pose with Leanne’s child

This is our feature where you guess what the players are saying. This week’s pic is of Man City’s first goal against Newcastle last Saturday. Every week we will have a new picture and you must email us at [email protected] with your guess. They can be as funny, serious or as crazy as you like! We will publish the best ones in the following edition!

To the left is our guess!

This is our feature where we look over the past 1,2,5 and 10 years.

On 21 December 2011 Newcastle were Newcastle’s away game at beaten 3-2 at home by West Brom. Birmingham was postponed on 17 In a close game, The Baggies took the December 2010. lead through Odemwingie before Ba Snow and freezing conditions led to scored a belting free kick. games across the country being McAuley restored the West Midlands’ called off. side lead on half time but Ba levelled the The fixture was finally played in st scores again in the 81 minute. February 2011 with the toon Paul Scharner then sealed a surprise winning 2-0 courtesy of victory for the away side. Lovenkrands and Best. Frozen pitch at St Andrew’s Ba celebrates his second goal

On 23 December 2007 The mighty Mags performed one Newcastle could only draw at of their greatest comebacks to home to struggling Derby. beat Leeds 3-1 on 22 December Giles Barnes put The Rams 2002. ahead before Viduka made it 1-1 Bellamy put the table topping at half time. toon ahead before Bowyer, Kenny Miller then clinically Viduka and Harte gave Leeds a 3- finished to put Derby ahead 1 lead. again but Viduka came to the Goals from Elliot and Shearer toon’s rescue with a late levelled the scores before Solano equaliser. Viduka celebrates his second goal sealed the win in the 90th minute. Solano wins it for Newcastle

Page 8 21 December 2012

Ba faces fine after revealing interview

DEMBA Ba has dropped a big hint that his days at Newcastle may be numbered. The toon’s top scorer with 11 goals told Canal Plus: “Arsenal are one of these teams who make you dream.” The news will devastate the Geordie nation who idolise their star striker. Ba now faces the wrath of club owner Mike Ashley – who is planning to fine Ba (centre) has carried the team at times this season the forward for speaking out of term. Without the Senegalese international, Newcastle would be BOTTOM of the Premiership on nine points. wasn’t for Ba’s goals. open to a move to North London. Aguero and Rooney. Reading would have 11 points because With the Gunners struggling in front of Newcastle have not been able to tie Ba And with Senegal failing to qualify for they would have beaten the toon if it goal, Ba has suggested he would be down to a new contract and at present, the African Cup of Nations in January, the hit man has a £7.5m release clause interest in him is most likely to rocket. which has alerted many top sides. The ease of which a transfer could be Ba added: “Press know Arsenal needs completed is frightening for Newcastle another striker. And also know about fans. A simple £7.5m bid would allow my release clause. And make their any club to talk to Ba with the toon’s Pic of the week own mind about it. top brass helpless. “I have nothing to say about those Talks of unrest in the dressing room speculations. Nothing is about to have died down lately but it was happen. interesting to read Papiss Cisse’s “I’m not happy when the team does interview in Saturday’s (15 Dec) not create anything. match day programme. “Fans come to see the beautiful game When Cisse signed for £9m last with beautiful actions and not long January, him and Ba were billed as balls from the goalkeeper to the best buds . striker. His interview revealed he sits with “It is true Arsenal are a very attractive Romain Amalfitano and Vernon Anita club. in the changing room – so either the “I’ll do what I have to do in Newcastle pair have fallen out, or were never as and if I have to leave I will move all good friends as we were led to believe. my stuff out.” Their relationship was stretched last While it’s reassuring to hear Ba say season as Cisse was preferred to Ba as nothing is in the offing just yet, a bit of the club’s lead striker, scoring 13 goals reading between the lines reveals he in 14 games. A run in which Ba scored likes having the clause in his contract. one, and that goal came when Cisse To speak so openly about it and not wasn’t even on the pitch. mention a new deal at Newcastle is Ba’s representatives have often been heart breaking for fans. criticised for their role in enticing The Mags’ form has drastically slipped transfer bids, with them allegedly in recent weeks, losing six of their last desperate to secure a lucrative deal for seven games. their client to a big four club. They currently reside in 15th spot but A nervy month awaits toon fans and if without Ba it could be a whole lot Ba was to leave for £7.5m, who on worse. earth could they get to replace him for His goals have been crucial and he that kind of money? alone has won EIGHT of Newcastle’s 17 points. What do you think? Email Only Michu and Van Perise (both 12) [email protected] This week’s picture was tweeted by @H_atemBenArfa (a have scored more goals than Ba this with your view parody account on Twitter). It compares toon players season (11), meaning he’s notched appearance to animals! Part two next week. more times than Defoe, Suarez, Tevez,