Earlier this year Kevin Keegan said that Newcastle United were “a million miles away” from challenging the top four of the Barclays Premier League. How right he was – hopefully those words are now ringing in Mike Ashley’s ears with a large amount of gusto.

Liverpool outplayed and outclassed the Toon in every department today. Were it not for Shay Given, the  scoreline at half and even full-time would have been far different. The final result was a conservative reflection of Liverpool’s dominance. They picked us off at will and have to be seen as contenders for the title.

The midfield display of Gerrard and Alonso were outstanding with the pair both contributing goals, Gerrard bagging two. We couldn’t even blame the ref.

So what happens now? I think we all have to hold our hands up and be realistic. Those of us still wearing our black and white tinted glasses need to put them away, it will be years before we can challenge the top four again, let alone get close. It’s our chance now to show the world what dedicated followers we are of our football club. Let’s back the lads who are on the pitch 100% – they sure need all the help they can get.

Howay the Toon.

A thoroughly dejected Newcastle United trapsed out of the JJB yesterday having not won a game on Boxing Day for the past seven years.

Ryan Taylor continued his uncanny escapade of scoring against us, the opener being the third time in succession. However, it was Lee Cattermole who incurred the wrath of the Toon fans when his wreckless challenge on Habib Beye saw the full-back leave the game and Steven ‘Oops’ Taylor take his place.

A performance worthy of the stage was done by Emile Heskey who was clearly fouled outside of the box but managed to tip-toe his way in and promptly fall over. The referee gave the penalty even though the linesman had flagged for the free-kick.

With Bassong’s sending off you would think that Newcastle were on the rocks and would succumb. But no, they actually made a meal of it in the last fifteen minutes. Andy Carroll was felled in the box and a penalty was awarded by Mike ‘Respect my Authority’ Dean. Guthrie stepped up and slotted the ball away. In the dying minutes Newcastle had a penalty claim turned down, even though it was more of a penalty than the one that was actually given, and Damien Duff managed to miss a sitter from 12 yards. It’s never boring supporting the Toon is it?

The referees shockingly bad performance only papers over the cracks. The fact of the matter is we should be beating the likes of Wigan hands down. No disrespect to them because they got the job done, but putting in such a classless stint on the pitch should be a wake up call for all Toon fans. We’re not out of danger yet, and, until JFK spends a good few bob in the transfer window next month, we’ll be looking over our shoulders all the way until May.

Next up? The small fixture of league leaders Liverpool coming to St James’s tomorrow…

‘Arry Redknapp brings his merry band of cosmopolitan cockney barrow boys to St James’s Park tomorrow to continue the decent run of form (although of late it’s been pretty patchy). Unsurprisingly, there will be no Jonathan Woodgate or Jermaine Jenas as they both prefer to be on the treatment table than actually earn their money.

The Toon on the other hand are without long-term absentee Alan Smith and will give Obafemi Martins a fitness test. If it was me making that decision, I’d think I’d let him sit out this game and rest up for the busy Christmas period. Knowing our luck he’ll pass his fitness test and then do himself more damage during the game. Think sensible Kinnear, we can wait until next week for Oba.

A win over Spurs could lift us as high as ninth if other results went in our favour. A defeat is not worth thinking about to be honest, we have to start taking three points at home. Nee excuses!

Three excellent second-half goals from Newcastle gave them an unexpected win over Portsmouth. Fratton Park is not the easiest place to go, but Newcastle turned up and were determined to give it a go.

Goals from birthday boy Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, and a last minute strike from Danny Guthrie made sure of all three points. Make no mistake, had Portsmouth been more clinical infront of goal, this may have been a different result. But all credit to the lads in black and white shirts, a thoroughly deserved victory.

The win moves the Toon up to the dizzy heights of fourteenth place. We leapfrog Man City, West Ham and Tottenham (who we play next Sunday).

The Toon go into tomorrow’s game against Pompey not having won at Fratton Park since 1991. Records are there to be broken though and a win on the South Coast would be a fantastic tonic. We’re getting to be quite the draw specialists in the Premier League and in any other situation a draw wouldn’t be a bad result. However, results have gone against us today with Sunderland and Wigan both getting results.

At some point down the line (no pun intended) these draws have got to start turning into wins.

News on the line-up for tomorrow is that after some great performances in the reserves, Kazenga Lua-Lua could be set for a place in the starting line-up and at least a place on the bench. Doing this sends a message to the players – underperform and we’ll give your place to someone else who has the desire and passion to pull on the shirt.

Howay the Toon!

An efficient performance by Newcastle United in the first-half saw them going in at half-time looking very comfortable being two goals up with Michael Owen bagging a brace. Stoke City were very poor in the first half and were fortunate to not be more than two goals behind.

However, in true Newcastle style, we threw it away thanks to a former player. Like Titus Bramble in the last minute against Wigan, Abdoulaye Faye came back to haunt Newcastle and left us looking for our first win in three games. Our second-half performance was dreadful.

Things are looking very serious now for the Toon. Joe Kinnear’s rant for the free-kick given which led to Stoke’s second goal reeks of desperation. It’s not the ref’s fault or the linesman’s fault, the fact of the matter is this – if we can’t defend a last minute free-kick against a newly promoted Championship side, then things are not looking good for the rest of the season.

Another thing, just when will Kinnear realise that bringing on Viduka for Martins is not going to do us any favours? We need an outlet upfront, someone who’s quick and can turn his defender inside out, Viduka is not that, and nor is Michael Owen. If you’re going to sub someone, especially since Stoke bypass the midfield with their direct style of play, take off a midfielder and throw Viduka on.

The only positive thing going for us today is that the teams around us lost. Aside from that, I’m not exactly looking forward to the Christmas schedule with this lot. It’s going to be a long old season supporting the Toon, but what’s new?

So Stoke City and their rabble rousers bring their long throw-in to St James’s tomorrow. Joe Kinnear looks to field an unchanged side from the one that drew against the Smoggies which means Steven Taylor will again be warming the substitutes bench.

If we avoid a loss we go three games unbeaten and if we win, we’ll go above Stoke in the table. This is a must win game. If we can’t beat the likes of Stoke City at home, then we seriously have some problems.

According to Joe Kinnear, he invented the long throw during his stint at Wimbledon. He cited that Vinnie Jones was able to lob the ball in and they’d win the near post flick on. Aye, but howay Joe, this is Newcastle you’re talking about. We’re not exactly the crazy gang. Half of our lot would rather jump out of the way of the ball than stick their nut on it and get it clear.

Anyway, I’ll say a Toon win tomorrow: 2-0

Howay the Toon

Smoggies 0 – 0 Toon

Two clean sheets in two consecutive games could have you believe that we played well at Boro, but the fact is our midfield and forward line look bereft of any kind of creativity. As the smogside mist descended, so too did our chances of getting anything out of this game.

A bemusing decision by Joe Kinnear to bring off Obafemi Martins instead of Michael Owen (who looked two or three steps behind the pace) severely limited our goalscoring opportunities. Martins hit the bar, got behind the Boro defense on a number of occasions – Michael Owen did.. not a whole lot of anything.

Boro threatened in the second half with Alves becoming a thorn in the sides of Coloccini and Bassong and we rode our luck at times, but the constant marauding by the Boro wide men down our flanks is something that needs to be addressed. Downing seemed to have all day to pick out passes into our box, and on the other side, let’s just say we need a more stable left-back.

Credit to Joe Kinnear for choosing to remain with the Coloccini and Bassong partnership and putting Steven Taylor on the bench. His faith in Bassong saw the central defender put in another assured display at the heart of our defence.

Hopefully the well-earned point against Chelski has given us a bit of a confidence boost. It’s been three games since we last won -  but surely if we can go to Stamford Bridge and get a point, we can go to the Riverside and take care of business?

Kinnear has some selection problems ahead of the game this weekend. Performances by Bassong and Colloccini at the heart of our defence will see us with an unchanged back four. Steven Taylor should get a place on the bench, putting him straight into the side just because he’s up for selection will do Bassong no favours whatsoever.

Duff and Ameobi will both be out because of injuries they suffered in training. Are you watching Charles N’Zogbia? Take advantage of this situation and put in a stint that the Toon fans will remember. Bambi Ameobi being out is not big miss. Even though he’s scored a couple of goals, he shouldn’t be anywhere near our first team squad. Speaking of which, it’ll be nice to see Viduka get a place on the bench – on his day he can be a match winner.

My Toon Team for Saturday:

Given, Enrique, Bassong, Colloccini, Beye.

N’Zogbia, Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez

Owen, Martins