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.

Just when you thought things were going well for Newcastle United, out comes a revelation that two of the Geordie lads at the club have been involved in a bit of a bust-up. Steven Taylor has a suspected broken jaw while Andy Carroll is said to have damaged his hand.

Newcastle have sensibly kept schtum about the incident, preferring to deal with the matter internally. Alarmingly, wor Andy is becoming known to the national media for being in the headlines for all the wrong reasons – having recently been accused of assault in a Newcastle nightclub. In a small twist of fate, the ever provocative Joey Barton comes into contention for Tuesday’s game against Doncaster Rovers having not played since September.

We could do without this off the field nonsense, whether it’s kept behind closed doors or not. Nothing need distract us from the task at hand – making Newcastle United a Premier League club once more.

Newcastle, guilty of missing some great chances to put the game away, ended 2009 firing blanks. There was plenty of endeavour, and arguably we’ve played worse and won, but the match against Derby was one that won’t be remembered fondly by many NUFC fans.

Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, and Nile Ranger were the Newcastle players who failed to take their chances.

However, I reckon that we can take some positives out of the game. Yes, West Brom gained some ground on us, but if someone had offered you the position we’re in now at the start of the season, would you have taken it? I know I would. After last season left a bitter taste in my mouth all summer, it’s great to have the promotion job half done.

One thing that should be recognised though is that we need to bring in a couple of players to strengthen the first team. We’ve been fairly fortunate with injuries and still have Joey Barton to return, but there’s just over four months of hard work to come and we’re going to need some reinforcements.

An attendance of 47,505 were on hand to see the game. A Championship game which was shown on the telly, played in bitterly cold conditions, and right after Christmas. Best fans in the country? By a country mile.

After what seems like an age since we last played football, Newcastle United were back in competitive action tonight as they faced Preston North end in the Coca Cola Championship. With a win, Newcastle could return to the top of the league – a draw would mean that they would end up a point behind West Brom.

Newcastle were due to start with Ryan Taylor but lost the player during the warm-up because he was still getting over a virus. Big Toon striker Andy Caroll was also under the weather but was deemed fit enough. Marlon Harewood replaced Taylor in the NUFC lineup.

When Newcastle have played away, they’ve often been under the kosh for the majority of the game. Such is life in the Championship – they players may not beat you with their skill, but they’ll battle and fight for every ball. The Toon almost got off to a perfect start though as Steven Taylor put a diving header just wide.

Neill Mellor, the former Liverpool striker was Preston’s main threat throughout the night and had several chances, one of those coming in the first-half as the striker brought a comfortable save out of Steve Harper. There were several chances for both teams (no surprise, Jonas missed one) and NUFC’s Alan Smith received a yellow card. The game went in at half time nil-nil.

A collision between Preston defender Youl Mawene and his goalkeeper saw the defender replaced at half-time by Liam Chilvers who struck a shot just wide. Christ Hughton replaced Any Carroll around the hour mark with young striker Nile Ranger. The Newcastle youngster almost made an immediate difference and forced Preston’s keeper into a smart save. Newcastle’s goal came from Kevin Nolan, who turned and fired home from about 10 yards. That makes it 8 goals for Nolan who was clearly delighted with the strike. The 3,500 travelling Newcastle fans weren’t half pleased either!

There were disappointing performances from Jonas, Carroll and Harewood, but a win is a win and another three points in the bag. We now sit atop the table clear of second-placed West Brom by two points.

It certainly feels like a long time since we last had something to write about. No progress on the takeover and no Championship games has meant it’s been a pretty boring two weeks. Fear not though, the real football is back!

Newcastle’s caretaker boss Chris Hughton has some decisions to make regarding the fitness of certain players and their inclusion in the squad for tomorrow depends on their passing a fitness test today.

The players in question are Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini. Should these two Newcastle players not make it, Zurab Khizanishvili and Tamas Kadar would be more than willing to step in. Jonas Gutierrez, fit from national team duty with Argentiaa, will be a welcome return. Hopefully he’ll be in the same vein of form and help the Toon carve open the Forest defence.

Prediction:

I think this one will be tight. 1-2 in favour of Newcastle.

Newcastle United go into the international break three points clear at the top of the Coca Cola Championship. That lead however could, and should, have been extended to six points today.

Bristol City goalkeeper Dean Gerken had an absolute blinder and had one of his upright’s to thank after Marlon Harewood shot against the post in the opening stages.

The keeper was only playing after Bristol’s first choice keeper – Adrano Basso was injured during the warm up. Danny Guthrie, Kevin Nolan, and Steven Taylor all had efforts either saved by Gerken or hit the woodwork.

We’re bound to have days when we throw everything at teams who play at St James’s Park, but the ref’s refusal to give a stonewall penalty after Marlon Harewood was felled in the box is just something that can’t be accounted for.

Fortunately, West Brom also drew meaning that Newcastle’s lead at the top stayed at three points.

Thanks to a late goal from new loan signing Marlon Harewood, Newcastle United managed to avoid defeat, and with it, go three points clear at the top of the Championship.

It wasn’t all plain sailing though and QPR proved they were no pushovers. They went in front on the 7th minute after a mistake from Jose Enrique allowed Ben Watson to slide the ball past Steve Harper. After 19 minutes Newcastle were gifted a chance to equalise from the penalty spot. Steven Taylor took a shot which hit the arm of Damion Stewart and the ref had no choice but to give Newcastle a penalty. Up stepped Danny Guthrie to put the ball home only for his weak shot to be easily palmed away by ‘Keeper Radek Cerny.

This gave the Toon the impetus to push forward and once more Guthrie was involved as he chose to shoot wide rather than play in striker Andy Carroll. The big striker then almost had one for himself as his shot was cleared off the line. However, Newcastle’s efforts went unrewarded as they went in one goal down at half-time.

The second half brought to life the Toon’s glaring lack of pace. Gutierrez came on to replace Butt to give us some width but failed to make much of an impact. It was either a stroke of genius or touch of desperation when Harewood was brought on to replace Nile Ranger in the 61st minute. The new signing made a great impact after getting on the end of a cross to put the ball home.

After the emphatic 4-0 victory over Ipswich, this was always going to be a tougher test as the R’s came prepared to have a go at Newcastle. Fortunately, even though the lads didn’t play particularly well, we managed to to maintain our unbeaten home run, extend our lead to three points, and we currently have the best goal difference in the league. Crisis? What crisis?

After the Toon crashed out of the League Cup to Peterboro at London Road Steven Taylor apologised to the fans who traveled down to watch the game. He needn’t have done, but it was nice of the lad.

Perhaps he realises after all we’ve been through, we deserve a little transparency. Despite our deluded tag that other supporters have thrown at us, I think every Newcastle United fan realises that the league is our top priority this season. I’m sure the lads and lasses traveling down to London Road, were well aware that we would be fielding a very youthful eleven. It’s to their credit that they backed the youngun’s to the hilt.

Newcastle United climbed up to second place in the Coca Cola Championship after their 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle. Newcastle made hard work of this win though and were very lackluster in the first-half. Going in 1-0 up at half-time thanks to a Steven Taylor header, Argyle came out for the second half like a team on a mission.

Determined to put their bad start to the season behind them (and where better to do it at St James’s Park?), they started the second half much the stronger and finally got the equaliser thanks to a Karl Duguid strike. After the defeat in midweek Toon boss Chris Hughton decided to give both Alan Smith and Geremi a start in our midfield – apparently Chris doesn’t think much of pace, a snail could have outran our midfield.

The game turned on it’s head though as Ranger and Guthrie came on for the disappointing Barton and Lovenkrands. The subs clearly provided the impetus we needed as their direct running caused the Plymouth defenders all kinds of problems.

Nolan then put Newcastle ahead with a header at the far post thanks to a great ball from Danny Guthrie. New father Andy Carroll then cemented the win with a cracking finish in the 84th minute.

The win leaves Newcastle second in the table, one point behind West Brom who put five goals past the Smoggies at the Riverside.