Liverpool’s failure to defeat Stoke at Anfield means that a Newcastle win against QPR on Sunday would see the Geordies move up to sixth in the Premier League. How much has Kenny Dalglish spent? How much have Newcastle spent? Oh yeah, and Liverpool have Stevie G. the world’s greatest ever midfield player (ahem).

Pardew will want the Newcastle players to push on after great results against Man Utd and Blackburn. All that hard work will be for nothing if the Toon don’t get a result this weekend. The QPR players will be looking to impress new boss Mark Hughes by showing them what they can do, and at what better place than St. James’s Park?

We last played QPR back in September when none other than Joey Barton made his QPR debut in a 0-0 draw. Newcastle didn’t exactly do themselves any favours in that game, so anything less than a win tomorrow will be seen as a disappointment.

The conundrum for Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is who to start on the right and what to do with NUFC’s strikers. Does Ameobi start up front with Hatem Ben Arfa playing just behind him? Or do we go with Best and Ameobi up top and Ben Arfa on the right? Obertan definitely hasn’t set the world on fire, so it would make sense that Ryan Taylor or Ben Arfa could be given that right midfield role, with Obertan dropping to the bench. If you were Pardew, what would your line-up be?

Whatever the line-up, the Geordie faithful will be hoping for a win tomorrow and continue their push for a top six finish.

As Newcastle United’s season continued to unfurl, and the winning streak continued to lengthen, accusations leveled at NUFC was that they hadn’t played ‘anyone’ yet – with ‘anyone’ presumed to be the top four (this despite Newcastle playing both Arsenal and Spurs and coming away undefeated).

Up until last weekend Newcastle maintained one of the last remaining undefeated streaks – and losing to Man City was the first Premier League loss sustained by Newcastle all season. So the fixture list in November / December of Man City, Man Utd, and Chelsea was deemed to be the time when Newcastle’s season unfurled. The loss against City was certainly not a foregone conclusion, and the performance against the billionaires earned some respect from pundits across the country.

A second visit to Manchester in the space of the week was looked on as too much for Alan Pardew’s men, but the players representing Newcastle United did so superbly on Saturday. The Toon frustrated Man Utd and few teams will match the dogged determination shown at Old Trafford by Newcastle. Justifiably, Pardew was proud of his Geordie heros and rightly so – they had something to prove. Demba Ba for cooly slotting away the penalty, Danny Simpson for stopping the ball on the goal-line, and Tim Krul for world class save after save.

The penalty awarded to the Toon by the linesman is a non-issue to me – Newcastle have had more than their fair share of those decisions not given, so what goes around comes around. Rio Ferdinand should have taken his own movement to heart #StayOnYourFeet.

No doubt the same people who made such a deal of Newcastle not playing anyone will say that the Toon were given a penalty which shouldn’t have been, but my answer to that is this – did you see Man United’s goal? The ball barely trickled over the line from Chicharito’s backside!

So, after all the games have been played this weekend Newcastle United remain in fourth with Chelsea to visit St. James’s Park on December 3rd, and Newcastle have every right going into that game in a confident mindset.

Alan Pardew sent out an unchanged lineup against Wolves, and Demba Ba continued his impressive scoring streak as NUFC moved up to third place in the Premier League (albeit temporarily), after defeating Wolves.

Demba Ba was in the right place at the right time as he headed home a corner, and Jonas Gutierrez slotted home a nice finish after dribbling past several Wolves defenders.

However, the Toon were rather fortunate with some refereeing decisions as Wolves had a very late goal disallowed for being out of play. Video replays were inconclusive (from the replays I saw anyway). Thanks also has to go to Newcastle ‘Keeper Tim Krul who capped a superb performance with a stunning double save to maintain Newcastle’s lead.

So, NUFC are now nine games without defeat in all competitions and it’s all looking bright for Alan Pardew –  who would have predicted this a few months ago? Ben Arfa and Davide Santon are still to start a game and with every player fighting for their place, and a great team spirit around the camp, it could be a while yet.

Howay the Toon.

According to Jim White, Sky Sports News presenter, the talk of last night’s game against QPR was all about Joey Barton. Barton, who had been handed the captain’s armband would turn out to be the least of Newcastle’s worries as a total of six players made their debuts for QPR.

The London club put Newcastle on the back foot right from kick-off as Taraabt and Wright-Phillips were running the show. Time and time again Wright-Phillips ghosted past Ryan Taylor as if he wasn’t there. It’s clear for all Newcastle fans now (if it wasn’t earlier) that the purchase of Davide Santon is now looking like a master stroke. Integrating the Italian defender into the team will be Pardew’s main task.

QPR’s three centre midfielders ran Tiote and Cabaye ragged. Tiote looked off the pace at times and struggled to get himself involved in the game (although he did put in an ‘enthusiastic’ challenge on Joey Barton – to which Barton referenced on Twitter). Cabaye showed moments of class playing one or two great balls to the front two, but that was about it really. He was often watching the ball fly over his head as Newcastle resorted to playing direct (read long ball) to the front pairing of Best and Ameobi.

Best did have a chance after a great turn but keeper Paddy Kenny thrwarted his effort and pushed it wide. Jonas Gutierrez arguably had the best of Newcastle’s chances as he sent one over from just a few yards out. Newcastle’s attacking options were somewhat thwarted though as we were constantly having to deal with QPR pushing men forward.

With that being said, thanks has to go to Danny Simpson and Steven Taylor who both made goal-line clearances. Even though we did nothing going forward, the Newcastle backline were resolute. Yes, Ryan Taylor did have a bit of a mare, but with Santon ready to come in that’s an area which will be improved upon.

This was a Newcastle performance to forget as many of our players were under-par. However, to leave Loftus Road with a point, remain unbeaten in the Premier League, and sit in fourth place is something to be satisfied with – and we haven’t even played well yet!

Thousands of Geordies breathed a huge sigh of relief yesterday as Newcastle United’s Premier League status was confirmed. The 2-1 win against Birmingham City at St. James’s Park meant that even if all the bottom three teams win all their remaining games, they still couldn’t catch Newcastle. Additionally, Newcastle’s goal difference of -1 is far superior to most of the teams below them.

However, the way the team has been playing, it looks like most of them have already gone on their holidays. Jonas, Steven Taylor, and Kevin Nolan looking like there was still something left to play for yesterday. Does Alan Pardew now play the youngsters to give them some Premier League experience, or does he stick with the first team players to finish as high as possible?

With Newcastle’s remaining games against Chelsea away and West Brom at home, there’s a definite possibility of a top ten finish, something we all would have taken at the start of the season.

Thanks has to go to Chris Hughton, who did so well to lead us back into the Premier League at the first time of asking, and who guided us to some memorable performances at the start of the season.

Newcastle United’s games against Spurs and Manchester City over the festive period were looked at as something of a bonus if we got anything from them. However, the games against Wigan, and tomorrow’s game against West Ham are definitely games we should be looking to win. Staying in the Premier League is vital for this club. Beating the likes of Arsenal is a bonus, but if we can’t beat the teams around or below us, then serious questions need to be asked.

Fortunately, thanks in part to the magnificent vocal support by the NUFC fans at the DW Stadium, Newcastle were able to record a vital win over a feisty Wigan side. Newcastle had chances to put the game beyond Wigan, but the rustiness of Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Ameobi was plain to see. Ameobi should have put Newcastle a goal up in the first three minutes after a fine cross from Danny Simpson, but managed to head wide – in what was arguably the best chance of the match.

Amoebi did manage to grab the vital goal though as a close range finish after a scrappy interchange in the box, and fine work from Joey Barton. Both Coloccini and Steven Taylor saw efforts denied by the crossbar as the Toon asserted themselves in the second-half. Without star man Charles N’Zogbia Wigan look a side destined for the drop – they very rarely tested Newcastle’s goal and ‘Keeper Steve Harper had little to do. There was even a sighting for Leon Best as he was given a chance late on in the game and almost could have cemented the win.

Victory for the Toon managed to take us into 10th spot and pull further away from the relegation mire. We have a chance to complete our first double as West Ham bring their band of merry cockneys to St. James’s Park tomorrow. Another crucial game against an inform Hammers side with three points being vital for NUFC’s future.

Newcastle United’s first game of 2011 against Wigan Athletic could go a long way in seeing the Toon stay in the Premier League. While not quite a relegation six-pointer, it’s a game you would hope Newcastle could get something from. Although that task has been made that little bit more difficult due to Andy Carroll’s absence with a thigh-injury – there is also news that the NUFC number nine could miss out on more games.

Everton’s defeat to Stoke City today meant that Newcastle moved up one place to 12th in the Premier League.

With Carroll missing from the lineup, it’s a chance for Shola Ameobi to prove himself to new boss Alan Pardew. With murmurings of Newcastle wanting to add to their attacking options, one can only wonder how long Ameobi has left at the club. Who would you rather have – Shola Ameobi or Robbie Keane? Thankfully, Kevin Nolan is available again after serving a one match suspension, and we can only hope that Nolan picks up where he left off – the Toon could surely do with a couple of goals from Nolan tomorrow.

Wigan will be without the suspended Charles N’Zogbia after the winger was given a straight red card for a so called headbutt (replays show N’Zogbia merely pushing his head in the opponents direction). Considering that N’Zogbia scored both of Wigan’s goals against us at St. James’s earlier in the season, our defenders should be thankful.

As has been pointed out by pundits across the country, NUFC have as many points at this point in the season as they did when they were relegated. The major difference this time around is the spirit and togetherness within the camp – there are no mercenaries now, it seems every player wants to play and fight for the cause.

No doubt about it, the next two games against Wigan and West Ham are crucial, and they may look easy on paper. However, we all know that everyone is beating everyone in the Premier League this season, and that’s why I’d settle for 4 points against those two sides.

Due to the recent heavy snowfall, there is doubt that the game against Chelsea will go ahead. One of the important issues that gets looked at when making decisions like this, is regarding the area in and around St. James’s Park. Fortunately, that area is accessible, so as long as the playing surface is okay, then we should be good to go.

More news on this as we get it.

Newcastle United went into yesterday’s game against Blackburn in confident mood after defeating West Ham, thrashing Sunderland, and performing very well against a full strength Arsenal side. NUFC’s winning run though was brought to an end after Jason Roberts capitalised on defensive errors which meant that Sam Allardyce left St. James’ Park with the full three points.

It was Roberts’ second goal in as many games as he put Newcastle to the sword. It wasn’t all Roberts’ doing though, as Morten Gamst Pedersen got Rovers off to a flyer in the third minute. Man of the moment Andy Carroll managed to grab an equaliser for the Toon with a towering header on the 47th minute mark.

Sam Allardyce’s game plan was clear from the outset – be very hard to break down and fight for all the 50/50 balls. It worked like a treat as Newcastle lacked the creative spark of Ben Arfa – they have the graft and guile, but when teams put up shop and play five across the back, we struggle.

However, the night won’t be remembered for the football, but for what Joey Barton managed to get himself into. TV cameras caught Barton jab Pedersen in the ribs, and Pedersen’s way over the top reaction drew more attention to the matter than was probably needed. Pedersen did stick out an elbow which caught Barton, but Joey has got to be smarter than to get caught up in the heat of the moment and react.

The annoying thing about this situation, is how quickly the Football Association have jumped on this and handed out a three match suspension. What about the tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa by Nigel De Jong – where are the repercussions for that? That was potentially a career ending tackle, but Barton digs Pedersen in the ribs and he’s suspended for three matches?

What about the stamp by Tom Huddleston on Bolton’s Johan Elmander? Where’s the action by the F.A for that? Yes, Barton made a bad decision, there’s no denying that, and any punishment that comes his way is justified, but let’s have some consistency here. If the Football Association want the support of the Geordies for the World Cup bid, they’re going the wrong way about it.

After all is said and done, Newcastle are still fifth in the league, six points ahead of 18th place. Our target for this season has to be a 17th place finish. The good form we’ve shown recently has gotten the Geordie faithful in a confident mood, but we’d be ignorant if we didn’t remember where we were last season.

If it wasn’t for our away from, we’d be much lower than we are right now, and surely Chris Hughton’s primary task is to sort the home form out. If we are able to play against Arsenal at the Emirates and come away with a win, why do we roll over for teams we are expected to beat at St. James’s Park? Only Chris Hughton and his players can answer that one. Let’s hope the answer comes sooner rather than later.

Sam Allardyce brings his merry band of thugs to St James’s Park in his first reappearance since his dismissal by the Newcastle hierarchy back in 2008.

Blackburn could be without a number of first team players with Diouf, Nzonzi, Keith Andrews, Vince Grella and Benjani all doubtful.

Gosling, Ben Arfa, Harper, and Leon Best are all definitely out for the Toon, while the injury Shola Ameobi sustained against Arsenal on Sunday has yet to be determined (publicly). An interesting tidbit to acknowledge, of all the players Big Sam signed during his stint as Newcastle manager pie eater, only Barton and Enrique are likely to start, with the former definitely being the more vocal in wanting to get one over on his former boss.

Needless to say, it would be a shame to let our recent form go to waste against a Blackburn side who are there for the taking. Make no mistake though, Blackburn wont be pushovers, and the Newcastle United players will have to show the same dogged determination and tenacity if they’re to come away with the three points. Four Premier League wins in a row would be the result should Newcastle defeat Blackburn, something which hasn’t occurred since Glenn Roeder’s time in 2006.