It only seems five minutes ago that Newcastle United secured fifth spot in the Premier League but today sees the Magpies return to action as they kick off their pre-season campaign.

After holding his first press conference of the season on Wednesday, manager Alan Pardew will now take his side to Germany as their preparations for the coming season begin to intensify.

In a pre-season programme which sees Newcastle face some of Europe’s regulars, it’s Chemnitzer of the German third division that will provide the first test for Pardew’s men when they meet at the Stadion an der Gellertstrasse on Friday evening.

Managing Expectations

After becoming the first manager to deliver a top five finish on Tyneside since Sir Bobby Robson, nobody will be more aware than the Magpies boss himself of the expectancy that now follows his side. With that comes excitement though, which makes this the most anticipated season at Newcastle in recent years.

Having qualified for Europe for the first time in six seasons, the Geordie faithful are eagerly anticipating new faces to bolster an increasingly-thin squad. The arrivals of Romain Amalfitano and Gael Bigirimana show the Magpies have one eye on the future, but with several departures already this summer supporters were hoping for more fresh blood before pre-season activity got underway.

The release of Alan Smith, Danny Guthrie and Peter Lovenkrands, plus the sale of Leon Best to Blackburn Rovers, indicates Newcastle are working on a number of targets to add to their ranks. Transfer dealings require a great amount of patience from all involved and interested, but recent history shows the Magpies fans can trust the current regime to attract the right names to Tyneside – even if it takes longer than most would like.

Pre-season plans

Following this Friday’s meeting in Chemnitz, Newcastle return to friendly action on Monday when they face AS Monaco in Landsberg al Lech. This clash will provide Pardew with a clearer indication as to the steady progress his squad is making, with the improvement of sharpness and match-fitness the focus at this early stage.

Newcastle then travel to Hungary where they meet Turkish outfit Fenerbahce on Saturday 21 July, before jetting to Portugal to compete in the Guadiana Torneo at the Algarve Stadium.

After Pardew revealed on Wednesday he hopes to make at least one new signing “over the next 14 days”, this tournament could be the first opportunity for Newcastle fans to see the new faces they crave. United face Greek side Olympiakos on Friday 27 July, before testing themselves against SC Braga of Portugal the following day.

Newcastle’s final pre-season clash is a little closer to home, with Cardiff City the hosts on Saturday 11 August. 

Return of the Premier League

After a brief excursion in the Welsh capital, Pardew’s squad will return to Tyneside as they begin for their Premier League opener at home to Tottenham Hostpur on 18 August.

There’s a much improved feeling that surrounds Newcastle in comparison to that of twelve months ago. With some labelling Pardew’s side as relegation candidates this time last year, Magpies fans are now confidently looking up the table rather than down as they plan their assault on another top flight campaign.

The return of European football to Tyneside adds another element to what will already be a challenging season. The stress a Europa League campaign can have on a squad can be detrimental to domestic success. However, if Newcastle desire to remain a permanent fixture with the league’s elite then it is hurdles such as these they must overcome.

In little over five weeks’ time United will host Spurs in a meeting of two sides that share similar aspirations. After being edged out of a top four finish by the north-Londoners last season this clash provides Newcastle with the opportunity to show their intentions for the coming campaign, and prove that last season’s success was only the beginning of a bright new era on Tyneside.

Eight years after last flirting with English football’s elite, last night saw Newcastle United secure a top five Premier League finish for the first time since the departure of club legend Sir Bobby Robson.

Fittingly, as was the case in Robson’s last full season in charge, it was a result at Anfield that sealed Newcastle’s fate. In May 2004 the Magpies clinched a UEFA Cup spot with a 1-1 draw at Liverpool, but it was Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat at the Reds yesterday which brought great celebration to Tyneside.

With a difficult final game away at Everton on Sunday it is a distinct possibility Newcastle will fall short of a Champions League place. However, no matter of Sunday’s result, it has been a remarkable season for a club who were playing Championship football only two years ago.

After a moving tribute to honour their former manager with a statue last weekend, it’s ever more fitting the club have now brought European football back to the ground Robson proudly called “the cathedral on the hill”.

It’s been a season that has restored the pride that Robson once instilled at Newcastle, with manager Alan Pardew, his backroom staff, the players, the scouting system and the board all deserving of great credit.

After lifting the Championship trophy in 2010 Newcastle secured their Premier League survival with relative ease last season with a 12^th place finish. Any improvement this season would have sufficed as the Magpies rebuilding process continued under Pardew. But, to finish in the top five in only your second season following promotion is an achievement beyond all belief and one that will hopefully gain the national recognition it merits.

For all he won’t admit it’s plaguing his thoughts before the end of the season, Pardew will already be contemplating how he can match, or even surpass, the achievements of this astonishing campaign.

It’s the responsibility of the board to show the club’s ambition by rebuffing approaches for their star performers. In order to continue their pursuit of Champions League football you would think the likes of Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote and Fabricio Coloccini will all have to remain on Tyneside. It may be the case that one, or even two, of the above move on, but if the club don’t hold on to its core then there is little hope of even equalling this season.

To take the next step owner Mike Ashley and Managing Dirctor Derek Llambias know that renewed investment is crucial. Rarely teams gain further success without player recruitment, something Newcastle will undoubtedly undergo during the close season.

The scouting system, headed by Graham Carr, has unearthed some truly hidden gems from Europe this season, and it will be his protocol to continue this great work which has brought Newcastle immediate success.

For now though the management, players and fans can enjoy and celebrate a season that nobody would have dared to predict. The Geordie public are once again excited by what’s happening at their beloved club, with talk of relegation and hatred towards club owners seemingly a thing of the past.

There is still a slight chance of a Champions League place, but even the most optimistic of supporter will admit it’s a long shot. Falling short of Europe’s elite competition is no failure, and fans should take heart that their club are even being spoken in the same breath as Champions League football with only one game remaining.

Irrelevant of this Sunday’s result it’s been an astonishing campaign for all concerned at Newcastle, and one that will live long in the memory. Returning to former glories and restoring pride and honour, everyone on Tyneside will have a summer to enjoy before planning their much anticipated assault on European football next season.

“He was the best person we could have got in to play the number nine shirt.”

That’s how Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish described the £35m capture of Andy Carroll shortly after the striker’s move to Anfield last year.

It was a deadline day transfer that surprised many. Despite an impressive start to his Premier League career with Newcastle, at only 22 a hugely inexperienced quantity became the most expensive British footballer in history overnight.

Carroll’s maiden return to the ground where he was once idolised was one of torture for the former Magpies talisman. Viewed by many on Tyneside as betraying his hometown club, the striker was subjected to torrid abuse throughout Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat on Sunday. An afternoon which epitomised the difficulties he’s faced during his short Reds career.

Carroll has endured a difficult and frustrating first year at Anfield, with Dalglish’s bold attribution of his number nine — one that he will look at with great embarrassment. Despite Dalglish’s backing at the time it was a transfer labeled as potential suicide, and 14 months on it is looking ever more just that.

But where has it all gone wrong for Carroll? He finished Newcastle’s top scorer in the Championship in his first full season with 17 league goals (19 in all competitions), and continued his form by netting a hat-trick against Aston Villa in the club’s first home game following promotion. His ability to find the net didn’t waiver, with the Gateshead-born striker scoring 11 Premier League goals last season before his move to the north-west.

After his arrival on Merseyside it has been a journey of unfamiliarity for Carroll. A severe dip in form has seen him score only eight times in 48 appearances in all competitions for the Reds — a stark contrast to the form that saw him touted as the next Alan Shearer only eighteen months ago.

Sunday’s return to St James’ Park brought ridicule and despair for Carroll. After a relatively bright start he was booked for a clear dive after rounding Magpies’ ‘keeper Tim Krul when it looked certain he would score. Then after being substituted in the late stages, to ironic cheers from the home faithful, he aimed a tirade of verbal abuse towards Dalglish as he stormed straight down the tunnel. A potentially scarring day that Carroll will see as the worst of his career, and one that brought further suggestions that ‘King Kenny’s’ crown is undoubtedly slipping.

Although Carroll received much of the attention following another disappointing afternoon for Liverpool, that masks the true severity of the club’s problems. Dalglish is seeing the consequences of vastly over-spending on a core of players who aren’t of the quality to meet the club’s aims – Champions League qualification. Something he will, of course, never admit, but unfortunately for him a harsh fact.

With the team’s present struggles it looks increasingly difficult for Carroll to recapture the form that was the catalyst for his record-breaking transfer. Some believe this will be the striker’s only full season at Liverpool, with it unlikely that the club will fight to keep him should a bidder come forward this summer. For all their problems the football club aren’t stupid and know if an offer is made it may be time to cut their losses and move forward.

There was a rumour a cut-price £10m return to Newcastle was a possibility in January, but with the arrival of Papiss Cisse it was a suggestion surely shrouded in mischief. And with the Magpies new number nine netting more league goals in seven games (7) to that of Carroll’s last 35 appearances (5), a St James’ Park return now seems even more unlikely.

Following Sunday’s nightmare afternoon on Tyneside, focusing on football and rebuilding his career must be Carroll’s priority. He has youth to his advantage and has proven that he is a threat to even the best Premier League defences when at the peak of his powers. That’s what potential suitors will gamble on if he becomes available, no matter of how embarrassingly unsuccessful he has been at Anfield.

It’s his responsibility to recapture the form that saw him described as one of England’s best young strikers. Otherwise he is in danger, rightly or wrongly, of being dubbed one of the greatest flops of all time.

Having enjoyed a fantastic season on the pitch, Newcastle United fans have more reason to be optimistic after the club announced a vast improvement of their finances today.

The Magpies revealed figures for the financial year ending 30 June 2011, with the club announcing they were functioning at a hugely improved operating loss of £3.9m. Twelve months prior the club’s balance sheet showed they lost £33.5m, a slight improvement on the £37.7m loss published the year before.

With the club now operating at almost break-even, Newcastle also revealed they are now rid of any third party debt. Despite this the club still carries debt in the form of a £140m interest free loan to owner Mike Ashley, something that shouldn’t be overlooked when reviewing these figures.

But, today’s announcement is evidence of the progression made under Ashley. Newcastle has been guilty of over-spending on lavish stars in the past with little reward, undoubtedly contributing to the club’s debt from previous seasons.

The current regime’s transfer policy has been of benefit to the club both on and off the pitch. The captures of young, affordable talent coupled with the astute signings of players like Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse has allowed the club to flourish in all departments. Ashley showed in the January window he is willing to fund manager Alan Pardew, but he stands firm on not spending excessively and his methods are proving successful.

It takes a brave Newcastle fan to back Ashley given some of his questionable decisions since buying the club in 2007, but is the tide slowly turning? Where there was once severe hatred towards his so-called ‘Cockney Mafia’, supporters may now be tempted to adjust their views given their club’s on and off-field standings.

It’s doubtful Ashley, along with Managing Director Derek Llambias, will ever gain solemn trust of the supporters though. Their habit of upsetting and misleading fans is what prevents people from backing their regime, with the renaming of St James’ Park the most recent decision to cause uproar on Tyneside.

From a business viewpoint if the club sold the naming rights to an external party for financial gain then it could be contemplated. But, all it seems Ashley has done is rename the stadium to benefit his own business ventures, something that was never going to sit well with the Geordie public.

The sacking of Chris Hughton only months after he guided the Magpies to the Championship title was an unfavourable move. However, given the performances following Alan Pardew’s appointment, it’s difficult to criticize no matter how unfair Hughton’s dismissal was.

Appointing Dennis Wise in 2008 still leaves a bitter taste. Four years on and it’s a decision that nobody can justify. The angst fans have towards Ashley stems from these moments of unexplainable madness, and their argument is ‘who’s to say he won’t do it again?’ A question that unfortunately cannot be answered.

However, it can be argued that the club is in a vastly stronger position than it was when Ashley first took up the reigns at St James’ Park. The most honest of Magpies supporters will admit that, but there’s too much history between owner and fans for them all to get on side.

For all that’s gone on, the most important thing for a fan is the security of their club – something Newcastle now has in abundance. Financially sound and fighting for Europe, everybody associated with the Magpies deserves praise for the positive strides the club is making.

Newcastle are a great example of how you can run a business without jeopardising the team’s chances of success. This time next season the club could realistically announce they are no longer operating at a loss, something few of their possible European opponents can boast.

It’s been almost two weeks since the Football Association accepted the resignation of Fabio Capello as England manager. Yet they seem no further forward in their attempts to appoint his successor.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is still the unanimous choice to take up the reins from the Italian. However judging by his relaxed attitude following his side’s 0-0 draw in the FA Cup at Stevenage yesterday it is apparent that an approach is yet to be made.

Whether it be managers, players or fans, the whole of the English game expect Redknapp to be appointed England manager in the near future, a role that many see would be the perfect finale to a successful managerial career.

Given his success at club level, more so in how he has transformed Spurs into Premier League title contenders, it seems Redknapp is right for England. This question must be asked though, is England right for Redknapp?

The former Bournemouth, West Ham, Portsmouth and Southampton boss is enjoying his best spell in management, with his side third in the league only seven points behind leaders Manchester City with 13 games remaining.

In just over three years at White Hart Lane, Redknapp has taken Spurs from the bottom of the league to the Champions League, with this season looking likely to be his best in charge of the north Londoners.

If Redknapp is given the opportunity to progress Spurs in the manner he already has then there is little doubt they will become genuine title contenders in the not too distant future. They have arguably been the most entertaining act on the Premier League stage this season, and will feel they are just about still within a shout of this season’s title.

The success the 64-year-old gains from his approach to the game and the manner in which his team play is what makes him right for England, but will the risk be worth the reward if he was to turn his back on Spurs to fulfil his lifelong ambition of managing his country? It’s very doubtful.

To describe the national job as a poisoned chalice may be a step too far, but it can’t be denied the media scrutiny that follows the England manager can almost make the position impossible. Would it be worth giving up what he has at Spurs for this? That’s for him to decide.

If Redknapp was to take the England job and succeed it will be seen as the perfect way to end his 30 year stay in management. However, how will his a reign as national manager be deemed successful? Without being pessimistic, it’s highly unlikely England can be guided to lift either the European Championships or the World Cup in the near future. The competition is currently too great.

It will almost be impossible for Redknapp to gain anywhere near as much success as England boss as he has at Spurs, and that’s another factor he must consider before walking out of White Hart Lane. He, of course, may disagree.

Nobody will be able to stand in his way if he decides this is the right step for the next chapter of his career. For every Englishman it is a dream to manage your country. And rightfully Redknapp is no different.

It’s only a matter of time before he receives the call from the FA, everyone is certain of that. From then it will be down to him to decide where his future lies, a decision he should make with his head and not with his heart.

In a week where Alan Pardew has been linked with managing England, the Newcastle boss takes his side to Tottenham Hotspur as they aim to continue their odds-defying season.

Following Fabio Capello’s resignation from the national set-up on Wednesday evening, Pardew was asked at his mid-week press conference about the possibility of him succeeding the Italian. A suggestion the Magpies boss strongly denied.

Given the remarkable season Newcastle have had thus far it was the news all Geordies wanted to hear, with all the media attention surrounding the national vacancy now solely aimed at the man who will sit opposite Pardew tomorrow.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is the front-runner for the England manager’s position, a move that could scupper the north Londoner’s chances of making the Champions League. Redknapp is yet to be approached by the FA, but anyone with a football brain will realise it will be a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ he receives the call.

With the top two performing English manager’s meeting at White Hart Lane tomorrow it was a match that already attracted a more than usual dose of attention. Third place Spurs still have faint title dreams, as they sit seven points behind leaders City with 14 games remaining. Newcastle currently occupy fifth spot in the Premier League and are just one point from a Champions League place, a position nobody would have predicted at the start of the season.

Tomorrow’s meeting will be the test for Pardew to see how far his side have actually come. Having already taken a point from Spurs and Arsenal this season, plus four from Manchester United, there is no reason why Newcastle can’t add to the tally they’ve accumulated against the league’s elite.

These two sides boast two of the best central midfield pairings the Premier League has to offer, but unfortunately for Newcastle theirs remains absent. Yohan Cabaye’s untimely suspension and Cheick Tiote’s ACN participation means Pardew will again turn to Danny Guthrie and James Perch to try and combat the threat of Luka Modric and former Magpies captain Scott Parker.

The home side’s attacking threat will be somewhat dented given the absence of injured Rafael van der Vaart, with Louis Saha able to make his home debut against one of his former clubs.

With Senegal striking pair Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba both back from the African Cup of Nations and on target last week, the visitors will feel they have every chance of finding the net at White Hart Lane.

It’s defensively Newcastle need to be careful. Mike Williamson and captain Fabricio Coloccini will be at the heart of the Magpies back-line, and how they deal with the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor will decide which way this one swings.

Spurs have reached the next level under Redknapp this season and it would take a calamitous end to the season for them not to reach the Champions League.

Newcastle on the other hand will be grateful for any European place come the end of the season, as they have continued to surprise everyone in the Premier League.

Spurs will go into tomorrow’s match as favourites, but given Newcastle’s habit of upsetting the odds don’t be surprised to see them escape unscathed from White Hart Lane as they continue their push for European football.

When retirement approaches, many footballers begin their plans slightly prematurely. A significant number believe their natural progression is to begin a coaching career with one eye on management. Others view life in punditry and the media as their way to remain attached to the game.

Since 2003 though, former Newcastle United defender Olivier Bernard has been working for anti-racism group ‘Show Racism The Red Card’ (SRTRC). After having his career cut short with a hip injury in 2007, the Frenchman has continued his anti-racism work in the community, with the focus on stamping out racism in both football and society.

Over recent months English football has had a barrage of negativity thrown at it following the recent racially-led incidents to engulf our game. In October England captain John Terry was accused of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in a Premier League match at Loftus Road. It was later announced in December that our country’s skipper would face a criminal charge for his actions.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is another player to find himself at the centre of a racism row, following an incident with Manchester United defender Patrice Evra on 15 October – the Uruguayan is now serving an eight-match ban and was fined £40,000 by the Football Association as a consequence.

A recent incident occurred at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup when a Liverpool supporter allegedly used racist language towards Oldham Athletic’s Tom Adeyemi. A 20-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.

Former left-back Bernard admits there is clearly a problem with racism in England. However he believes the reaction of the police and the FA show how serious we as a nation view such offences.

“I’m not the FA but any sort of racism has got to be punished,” said the 32-year-old. “It doesn’t matter if your intentions are right or wrong, it’s illegal and I think people tend to forget that it’s against the law.”

For all the Frenchman is complimentary of the FA for the way they’ve reacted to these recent cases, he, like many, is critical of the manner in way Liverpool supported Suarez following his charge.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish and his squad wore t-shirts with a picture of Suarez on the front and his name and number seven on the back for the warm-up to their 0-0 draw at Wigan on 21 December 2011 as their way of backing their player.

It was a move which brought great criticism towards the Anfield club and Bernard admits he disagrees with their method and says they should have acted more responsibly.

“The t-shirt was wrong. Wearing that t-shirt was a show of support that nobody really understands. They (Liverpool FC) should have come out and said they are strongly against racism, which I know they are, and they don’t accept what Suarez did, but they didn’t release a statement.”

Despite criticising Liverpool’s backing of Suarez, Bernard says the club have acted in the appropriate manner with their decision not to appeal the Uruguayan’s sentence.

“As a club you have to support your players but what we are condemning are his (Suarez’s) actions. We are not at any point saying Suarez is a racist person but he has used racist language which has to be punished because it’s against the law. He had to be sentenced and I’m pleased the club didn’t appeal it.”

Suarez pleaded his lack of intent to cause offence through a statement he released on 3 January 2012, claiming ‘In my country, ‘negro’ is a word we use commonly, a word which doesn’t show any lack of respect and is even less so a form of racist abuse.’

Bernard though says a player must be aware of his surroundings before using such language, but also believes the matter should now be drawn to a close.

“It all comes down to lack of education and lack of knowledge. Let’s not call the man a racist. He’s made a mistake. He’s been punished and that should be the end of it.”

Bernard is highly passionate about helping eradicate racism from our society, and says organisations like SRTRC are vital in providing youngsters with the necessary education.

“I took part in a club event (with SRTRC) whilst playing for Newcastle in 2003 and it was a wake-up call for me. There was a lack of understanding so I wanted to give something back and make sure it doesn’t happen to others because I have suffered from racism.”

Bernard speaks openly of the abuse he received as a player, but admits he was never taunted while playing on English soil.

“In England it rarely happens in the stadiums anymore. There’s a policy and everybody follows it, which shows racism is being taken seriously. I got the monkey chants a couple of times while playing in eastern Europe. It was difficult but as a group and a club I had a lot of support. There were a few black players at the club so as a group we helped each other,” said Bernard.

Eleven years on after signing for the Magpies the former Southampton and Rangers left-back looks back on his time in the north-east with great fondness. Not just because it provided him with the platform to play the best football of his career but also the relationship he has developed with the Geordie public. Bernard and his family are happy and settled in the area, with his two daughters both born in Newcastle he now calls the north-east his ‘home’.

“I love the area and people think I’m mad because it’s the north and there’s not much sunshine, but the people give you that warmth,” claims Bernard.m“When I came to Newcastle I was a forward but they told me if I wanted to play I had to adopt the left-back position. I think I did well enough to be recognised as a decent left-back and I had a great relationship with the fans so it was a really exciting time.”

Bernard is also extremely grateful to the man who brought him to Tyneside — Sir Bobby Rosbon.

“It was really good working under him, he was bubbly and always trying to make you laugh and he understood players. Bobby Robson was one of the best English managers. The success he had at Newcastle was unbelievable with players like Alan Shearer and Gary Speed, clever, experienced players surrounded by young, fresh, dynamic players and it gelled really well.”

Bernard expects the current Newcastle side to continue their steady rise up the Premier League and believes their success is down to the club’s ethos of recruiting young talent — a strategy that saw the Magpies reach the Champions League under Robson.

“I’m glad to see the policy is back to where it started with the growth of the club and you can feel they are eventually finding their feet and looking forward to a good era. Newcastle United as a starting eleven can beat anyone, but in terms of strength in depth we are lacking. This could be the start of something immense. If the recruitment is good and the money is there you could see Newcastle back to its best.”

“We’ve got to look at ourselves. If that’s the level they expect this football club to play at, then they won’t be here long.” These were the words of Kenny Dalglish after a humiliating defeat to Bolton at the weekend. David Johnson, a former Liverpool striker who enjoyed much success with the club in the 70’s and 80’s commented, “I’ve played beside Kenny, I know Kenny and that’s the worst I’ve seen Kenny in terms of how a game’s affected him.”

As a football fan, I have supported Kenny’s rebuilding philosophy, transfer policy and the players themselves, all season. I admit at times, I have given them more favor then perhaps they deserved but I would like to think not so much as to clearly contradict well reasoned judgments based not only on what has occurred this season at Liverpool but judgments based a lifetime of watching football, avidly.

However, after Liverpool’s performance away to Bolton, after wholeheartedly consistently backing Kenny’s philosophy and the players, I personally felt it was all thrown back in my face. As I reflected on how I felt, I tried to comprehend the pain Dalglish must have experienced after months of putting his faith and encouragement in players, which was often against the strong flow of criticism from the masses. The players had no excuses, their bad performance lies solely with themselves.

Henry Winter of the Daily Telegraph said, “This is unprecedented. It’s unprecedented for Dalglish and it’s pretty unprecedented for Liverpool, who like to do their talking on issues like this, team matters, in the dressing room.” Nobody who has followed Liverpool FC would disagree. The public threat of terminating players contracts is something not only unprecedented for Liverpool but something which is rare in top flight football as a whole. Such was the magnitude of Dalglish’s reaction.

Dalglish’s clear love of the club and respect for the fans, highlighted in incidents like this, is something that has endeared him to the supporters over the years and something that provides him with more time and support that not many other managers would be afforded after such spending and such a bad performance — a performance that many would argue has been coming to the boil for sometime now. In a previous article entitled “Where is Liverpool Lacking On The Pitch”, I suggested that Liverpool’s problem’s lie not solely with a clinical striker but rather went through the midfield positions as well. That judgment was vindicated against Bolton.

I define what people refer to as a “small” or “big” club by it’s ambitions. Most, if not all of the players Dalglish brought in over the summer have never felt the weight of expectation and ambition that is now upon their shoulders. What separates world class players from the rest is not simply a question of technical ability but also the mental attitude to perform at their highest level consistently, whether the occasion be big or small.

Opinion is divided over whether the Liverpool player’s bad performance against Bolton was simply a temporary flaw in attitude or whether it was more a permanent flaw of quality. Without generalizing or mounting the moral high horse, the attitude of the players against Bolton brings rise to the question, “How in touch with the fans is the modern day footballer?” With wages that clearly create an abyss between them and the ordinary working class fan, players must learn to respect fans and appreciate the gift they have. Creating comradery among players is crucial but the comradery must extend to the supporters, to avoid a type of elite, men’s social club which is exclusive to the players. The level of respect and connection players have to their fans will be measured in their performances and interactions with supporters. I do not wish to condemn or judge the Liverpool players nor suggest they lack respect. There are many troubles connected with such a famous lifestyle that ordinary people will never understand and that one match against Bolton has been the exception rather than the rule this season. However the question is still a valid one.

Many people of the PlayStation generation, when it comes to their views on rebuilding teams and building legacies, have a philosophy of quick fixes: Bringing in the world’s most expensive players at a prime age to solve a club’s problems.

However no team that can boast of a legacy. An extended period of winning elite competitions was never built overnight. There are fundamental principles of attitude that must be instilled not only into the players, but fans also. There are patterns of familiarity among players that takes years to build, principles of a certain playing philosophy that takes years to instill and patterns of patience in the growth of young players that must be achieved, players that are now inconsistent but who one day could become the leaders of lethal football teams. In the history of Liverpool, Ronnie Whelan and Lucas Leiva are two of many examples.

The Barcelona of today, admired around the world, was not built overnight and was not always winning trophies. In 2007 in the Champions League, Liverpool beat a Barcelona side which included Valdes, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi. Champions are something built as a slow burning ember not an instant explosion.

The upcoming week for Liverpool will be a critical time for the club under Dalglish and will give supporters a measure of the players that have been chosen to create a new glorious period for Liverpool. If Dalglish’s condemnation of the player’s attitude against Bolton is not enough to rile them for the second leg of a semi final cup tie and an FA Cup encounter with Manchester United, nothing ever will and Dalglish himself will have to shoulder the blame.

However if they rise to the occasion, it will be a turning point for them in the league and the future that lies ahead. If they manage to win a trophy, they will rid themselves of a monkey that has been on the club’s back since 2006. More importantly however, it will breed confidence and belief in the players, the players belief in themselves but also the players belief in their manager’s philosophy. Something that is a critical component of any successful side.

The coming week will either make or break many Liverpool supporters and players current belief system.

There is most definitely a spring in the step of Newcastle United fans at present and rightly so.

Tuesday’s capture of Senegal international striker Papiss Cisse coupled with the Magpies occupying a top six spot is daring the Geordie faithful to start dreaming again.

With Newcastle pushing for a European place you quickly forget this was a club playing Championship football just over 18 months ago.

Alan Pardew’s side will climb to fifth in the Premier League with a draw at Fulham tomorrow, with Arsenal hosting Manchester United on Sunday. However, don’t for one second think Pardew will be aiming for one point at Craven Cottage when his side have proven this season they are capable of going away and picking up maximum spoils.

Given Newcastle’s form they will be slight favourites in this meeting, but with fellow Europe chasers Liverpool and Arsenal both losing at the Cottage this season it is by no means a foregone conclusion.

After a difficult start to life back in London Martin Jol’s side were starting to find form, only to be beaten by a 10-man relegation threatened Blackburn last weekend.

The Cottagers currently sit 14th, but with this the first of back-to-back home league games Jol will know this is a great opportunity to climb the table.

Inconsistency has been Fulham’s achilles heel this season, but after a defeat last week it would be typical of their campaign if they were to pick up three points against yet another side with European aspirations.

Newcastle are looking for a third consecutive Premier League win but won’t want reminding of this fixture last season. Following the sale of Andy Carroll just days prior it was arguably the Magpies’ worst performance of the season, with Damien Duff scoring against his former club in a 1-0 victory for the home side.

Much has changed on Tyneside since that miserable evening in west London with the club now deservedly competing with the country’s elite.

One contributing factor to Newcastle’s rise is the form of Yohan Cabaye in his debut season in English football. The Frenchman however is a doubt for tomorrow’s trip so Pardew could revert to the three of Danny Guthrie, Ryan Taylor and Jonas Gutierrez as he did against QPR last week, with Hatem Ben Arfa and Leon Best on either side.

Without his African trio of Demba Ba, Cheick Tiote and new-boy Papiss Cisse, Pardew’s squad is thinner than he would like, but with a 100% winning record since the departure of said players Newcastle will no doubt be full of confidence.

Craven Cottage can be an intimidating place to go and Fulham will want to take full advantage of that. They have proven that on their day they can be a match for most in the division, but it will depend on which Fulham turns up tomorrow that could determine this encounter.

Newcastle United legend Malcolm Macdonald says the club’s central midfield partnership of Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote is the best in the Premier League.

French international Cabaye is enjoying a successful first season in English football following a summer move from Lille for a reported £4.3m. Ivorian Tiote joined the Magpies in August 2010 and has made a big impression on Tyneside.

Macdonald believes the pair have proved they are the best in the division, and he says their differing styles complement each other’s game.

“You look at Manchester United at the moment and they can’t find a pairing that suits them,” claims Macdonald.

“Chelsea are also chopping and changing and Arsenal’s midfield now isn’t as good as it was a season or two back but Newcastle’s is absolutely brilliant. He [Cabaye] and Tiote have forged the most fabulous midfield partnership and Newcastle know when one of them is missing. I would take these two any day of the week. Cabaye makes goals, he scores goals, he gets both widemen playing, they both give brilliant coverage to the back four and I don’t think there is a better central midfield pairing.”

The Magpies are currently without Tiote and top goalscorer Demba Ba, both of whom are on international duty at the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast and Senegal respectively.

Macdonald netted 138 times in 257 appearances for the Magpies between 1971-76, and he says owner Mike Ashley must keep players like Ba if the club want to build for the future, even if that means he offers the striker an improved contract.

“When you’re scoring goals on a regular basis like Demba Ba you pay them more because they’re rare,” says Macdonald – nicknamed SuperMac for his own goalscoring pedigree.

“It’s a matter of going with the market rates. If you don’t go accordingly then you’ll keep losing your better players.”

Ba has surprised Macdonald with his 15-goal haul this season, form which SuperMac believes makes him a serious contender to win the PFA Player of the Season award.

“When the PFA get all their members to vote I would expect Demba Ba is the one who has impressed all the players round the country the most. He had a phenomenal 2011 when you consider what he did at West Ham who were bottom of the table and now what he’s doing at Newcastle. I would love him to score another 15 and hit that magical figure of 30. It’s a very high target and very few players get there, but if you’re going to be hugely successful in football you have to set your targets ridiculously high.”

When Newcastle United signed Senegal international Demba Ba on a free transfer in the summer, it was naturally deemed an astute bit of business by the Magpies hierarchy.

Following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship last season, the 26-year-old striker was allowed to leave Upton Park for nothing with Newcastle the first in line to take full advantage.

During his short time in English football with the Hammers, Ba proved his goalscoring worth, netting seven in 12 appearances during his brief spell in east London.

However, it is his goalscoring form this season on Tyneside that has made the rest of the Premier League take note, with him surprising many throughout the first half of the campaign.

People were aware of Ba’s goal threat before his move to English football a year ago. He starred in the 1899 Hoffenheim side that were promoted to the Bundesliga in 2008 and then led the German top flight in their debut season at the Christmas break. Ba’s Hoffenheim finished in a respectable seventh that season, with the Senegal striker adding 14 more goals to his already impressive tally in Germany.

Ba quit the Bundesliga for Upton Park in January 2010, leaving Hoffenheim with a record of 40 goals in 103 games in all competitions.

His reputation was fast growing but following the striker’s performances in black and white this season many will admit they didn’t realise quite the player he could be.

Wednesday’s destruction of the Manchester United defence was the latest example of what Ba offers a team – strength, close control, sharp movement, an aerial threat and an eye for goal.

After scoring the opener at St James’ Park against the champions in mid-week Ba took his tally to 15 Premier League goals for the season, making him the league’s second top scorer behind Arsenal’s Robin van Persie (17).

If it’s possible to take a sour note from a resounding victory over a title contender it’s that it was Ba’s last game for Newcastle before he leaves for the African Cup of Nations, a competition which could see the striker absent from Tyneside for a month.

A manager obviously respects a player’s wish to represent his country, but that won’t help Alan Pardew when he’s left to pick a team without his leading marksman.

With respect to Senegal, Pardew will without doubt be hoping they fail to qualify from their group, which would end Ba’s participation in the tournament prematurely and see the Magpies striker return to Premier League action early.

Ba’s absence leaves the goalscoring burden very much on the shoulders of Shola Ameobi, Peter Lovenkrands and Leon Best, who worryingly only have four league goals between them.

The Geordie faithful have taken to their new Senegalese hero very quickly during his few months in the north-east. They will all offer Ba the best of luck during his African excursion but will have everything crossed he returns in peak condition, allowing him to continue where he left off on the scoring front.

Ba has been a short-term revelation on Tyneside and if he continues this form for the rest of the campaign and beyond, he will not only be a contender for the best signing of this season but will also have the platform to become a Newcastle great.

Torres was a name that struck fear into opposition hearts not long after joining Liverpool. With 33 goals in all competitions in his first season at Liverpool, no one could doubt his pedigree. By the time he left for Chelsea in a big money transfer in 2011, he had scored 81 goals in 142 appearances.

However any savvy football fan will know that unless you’re playing with your mates down at the local park, it is rare that you will see one striker taking on an entire team, create his own chance and finish it.

It is not necessary to look at every season Torres played at Liverpool but looking at his first season in 2007, he was supported by a midfield that included Mascherano and Alonso holding and Gerrard playing in the hole behind him. A force no doubt. In the 2007 season, Gerrard scored 21 goals, Benayoun 11 and Babel 10: all midfielders. Kuyt was brought in as a striker but was deployed more often as a right sided midfielder by Benitez. In that season Kuyt netted 11 goals. That’s 53 goals from players other than the main striker.

The opposition will always be more wary of a team that has goals in it from a variety of positions. Midfielders feeding off of second balls, running from deep, making intelligent runs, wingers cutting in and the main striker occupying defenders and so on are some of the things that defenders have to worry about when it comes to conceding goals. Quality midfielders and quality strikers complement each other. Their impressive records whether it be assists or goals is because the team works as an effective organism working together in unison and complimenting each other around the pitch. One player’s strength is utilised fully only because another teammate’s strengths has complimented it and vice versa.

When Torres left, Liverpool made the controversial move to sign Andy Carroll. Controversial not because of the player but because of the reported £35 million price tag attached to him.

Anyone who watched Carroll before he joined Liverpool cannot doubt his quality. In his first season in the Premier League with Newcastle before falling to injury, he netted 11 goals in 19 appearances. He had a left foot that could put balls through brick walls, arguably the best aerial threat in the league. He had the strength of an ox, pushing defenders around like they were schoolboys and not grown men. His heart, drive and determination to win were unquestionable. Defenders feared him.

It is hard to see how someone who could do so well in the best league in the world can turn to muck overnight. It just doesn’t happen, not permanently anyways. After his big move to Liverpool, there were big expectations and unfortunately we have failed to see Carroll reproduce the same form that was so lethal at Newcastle.

Without surprise he has amounted his fair share of critics, Liverpool fans and otherwise, who have written him of as a mistake and a waste of money. But I would suggest that now, perhaps people are starting to see that Andy Carroll’s failures are more a reflection of the weaknesses in Liverpool’s starting 11 than in Carroll himself.

Downing was brought in by Dalglish for a reported £20 million. After 20 games in the League, he has 0 assists and 0 goals. Anyone who has watched Liverpool this season would have seen he has had more than his fair share of chances to tuck goals away. He has fantastic pace and brings natural width to the team but if Liverpool want to be chasing England and Europe’s top honors, they will want more from Downing.

Adam has shown signs of promise, though he has failed to impress over the last few games. He has good vision, a fantastic left foot and his right foot can cause harm too. However his set pieces have come nowhere near the level they were at, at Blackpool. He is by no means a lazy player and statistically covers just as much ground as any other Liverpool player but his pace and mobility are not listed among his strengths. Played alongside an out and out holding midfielder in Lucas or Spearing, Liverpool’s central midfield threatens little in terms of runs from deep into the box and goals from open play. However if Liverpool’s front two and wide players can add goals , Adam can still play a key part in a successful Liverpool side as even Alonso is not put into a starting 11 for his goal threat but his range of passing, vision and ability to start attacks from deep.

Liverpool are definitely on the ascendency but their lack of clear cut chance creation(they create a lot of chances statistically but a volley set up from the half way line will be noted as a chance and shot) and goals from players like Downing is costing them dearly and it has cast a bad light over players like Carroll. Thankfully for Liverpool Gerrard is returning at a good time and in his short cameo against Newcastle it was clear to see how midfield players can cause damage by making runs into the box made possible by the defence’s preoccupation with the strikers. Even Andy Carroll looked like a new man or should I say looked like the man he was at Newcastle when he was getting quality delivery in from Gerrard.

Unfortunately Liverpool fans are going to have to wait 7(correct at time of writing) more games before they can see Gerrard and Suarez get a run together and surely that partnership will be damaging. In the meantime people are looking to strikers as the solution for Liverpool, Bent among others being touted to solve their problems in front of goal.

However I would ask the question would an out and out striker, a player like Bent solve Liverpool’s lack of goals from the middle of the park and wide areas? Will it solve the lack of quality from wide areas? I am not saying a new striker will not improve Liverpool and give them more variety nor am I saying players like Carroll do not have to improve, all players do. However I am trying to assess where their problems truly lie on the pitch.

One thing is definite, it is going to take more than an out and out striker to make the necessary tweaks that Liverpool need to be sorted in order to achieve a top four finish and make their way towards dominance in England and Europe.

Follow Dominic Allen on Twitter @dominic_allen

People may have questions about Liverpool’s goal scoring record and their top four ambitions, but there is one thing that is clear for all to see: Liverpool are the top dogs when it comes to defending.

When a relegation threatened team like Blackburn, currently sitting in 19th place, have managed to find the net more times (23) than Liverpool (20) and yet sit 13 places behind them, you would be hard pressed to find a better illustration of the importance of a good goalkeeper and solid defence.

The fact Liverpool has been creating enough chances in the majority of games they’ve played, to score more goals than they have and are playing some good passing football (5685 successful passes, only 5 teams having a higher number) is a contributing factor to their defensive record. The more you have the ball and the more the opposition is defending, the lower the risk of conceding.

Having the best defensive record in the league is testament to a team that has been well coached and defends as a whole consistently. Manchester City has scored more goals than anyone this season. And when City went to Anfield the team only managed a meager 3 shots out of 7 on target.

Players are obviously the key components in any records set on the pitch: Lucas, before his injury, was the League’s top tackler with 68 successful tackles and a 76% success rate. The Skrtel/Agger partnership has conceded just 3 goals in 7 matches and has kept 4 clean sheets in the process. Enrique was a shrewd signing, solid defensively, good going forward and the solution to a left back problem that Liverpool had suffered for years. On the other side there’s Glen Johnson, the man who offers a lot going forward and his strengths in all defensive areas i.e. ground duels, aerial duels, interceptions and so on, is not as bad defensively as many people make out. Put them all together in front of a keeper who is no stranger to the Golden Glove and you have the foundation of what is proving to be fortress.

However one of the most influtenial figures in Liverpool’s defense is not on the squad list.

When Steve Clarke was appointed Dalglish’s first team coach in Janurary 2011, Liverpool had conceded 27 goals in 20 games. In the remaining 18 fixtures while he was assistant manager and defensive coach, they conceded only 17. An obvious improvement in a short period of time. This season, the fruits of Clarke’s defensive work are more obvious: 13 goals conceded after 16 games.

Clarke played as a defender for St. Mirren and later Chelsea. He went on to coach at Newcastle and then perhaps in a defining period of his career, was promoted from youth team coach to assistant manager of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in 2004, where he won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two League Cups. Jose Mourinho is renowned for his defensive and counter attacking style and to say Clarke picked up some invaluable insights at his side would be a safe bet, to say the least.

Having a well decorated and experienced manager, who has a god like status at the club, reinstated was something that brought immeasurable joy to many Liverpool fans. But as the saying goes, “a sign of a good leader, is good delegation” and surely in Steve Clarke  Liverpool has an assistant manager whose past and current record make him a delegation by Dalglish that few would argue against.

Though Liverpool are clearly rising from the ashes of the past two seasons and currently have the best defensive record in the league, they have a few more areas to correct before they can realize their ambitions. As Dalglish himself has recently said, “Some of the smallest steps are the biggest ones to take.”

Liverpool had a much welcomed victory against Aston Villa over the weekend, bringing them to 6th place, equal on points with Arsenal. However the win might not be that convincing for some. Aston Villa had conceded more goals from corners than any other team, Liverpool having won more corners than any other team prior to the game. Both Liverpool goals coming from corners was no surprise.

With the ambitions Liverpool Football Club have, they cannot solely rely on goals from set pieces, which won’t come as easily as they did against Villa. Defense is the foundation of any successful team and Liverpool are schooling the league in how it’s done. Along with City, Liverpool are  the only team not to lose at home. However they have dropped 10 points at Anfield with 5 draws this season. With those extra 10 points they would be sitting in 2nd place right now.

However, ifs and buts don’t win trophies. Liverpool will have to be more ruthless and have a higher turnover of goals from open play if they are to build upon a strong foundation and aim for a Champions League place and more. Only QPR (35%), Villa (36%) and Stoke (37%)  have a worse shooting accuracy percentage than Liverpool (40%) who have one of the worst shots to goals ratio (9%) in the league.

Liverpool fans are hoping for a top four finish. It’s only a lack of clinical finishing that’s holding them back.

There are a lot of Liverpool fans talking about the need to purchase a striker in January, to bring some rain upon a very sun scorched and drought ridden chance conversion rate. In fact, 15 games into the season, Liverpool has the worst chance conversion rate into goals in the league: a feeble 8.9%. However the question remains: Do they need to purchase a new striker to keep their Champions League ambitions alive or, considering the amount of goals they were scoring under Dalglish last season and taking into account the fact they have their skipper to return in the next few weeks, perhaps the goals are already in them and as Dalglish keeps saying, “It’s just a matter of time before their luck in front of goal changes.”

If you were to ask Liverpool fans about their most desired transfer targets, headline grabbing names such as Cavani of Napoli, Higuain of Real Madrid and Mario Gomes of Bayern Munich would be touted. However if there is one thing Harry Redknapp has taught us in his 2 years at Tottenham, it’s that you can get your team into the top four on a modest budget: Tottenham having spent approximately £107 million under Harry’s tenure.

Bob Paisley was renowned for offloading players well before their twilight years. In fact he would offload them while they were still in their prime, timing it so that when they left they might have a season, at best, left in them. However two of Liverpool’s current strikers, namely Kuyt and Bellamy, are 31 and 32 respectively. Bellamy has shown fine form since coming in on a free transfer, while Kuyt has failed to show the same form of the past few seasons.

Liverpool is building for the future and they need younger strikers to be competing for places in the starting 11.

One name that is catching the headlines is Steven Fletcher with 6 goals in 10 games.

He may not have the tanned foreign name or the flare that most fans would expect to see as a transfer target but he knows the Premier League. He’s only 24 with virtually no injury record and his goal record from 2007 with Hibernian to the current season with Wolves speaks for itself: 1 goal in every 3 games on average and there is the added bonus of him and his family being avid Liverpool fans.

His heading ability is his most obvious strength. He likes to play short passes and flick-ons. Many would argue “Why buy another striker whose main strength is his heading ability when you have Andy Carroll?”  But Fletcher is in fine form at the moment and goals are something Liverpool can’t afford to wait for them to happen.

Whether Mick McCarthy would let his top goalscorer go from a relegation battling Wolves remains to be seen. This week he has reiterated Fletcher is not for sale. However money and transfer requests may give rise to a different response. Would Kenny Dalglish even consider such a target?  Goalscoring record in itself will not be the only thing considered and the question of whether a player like Fletcher would be able to cope with Liverpool’s style of play and the clubs ambitions remains to be seen.

Last season Fletcher averaged about 1 in 3 overall. This season he has 3 goals in every 5 games.

• Suarez is 4 in every 9.
• Andy Carroll is 3 in every 11.
• Craig Bellamy is 1 in every 4.
• Kuyt is 1 in every 16.

Fletcher has a better scoring ratio than any of Liverpool’s current strikers so far this season. Only time will tell if Dalglish is looking to buy a striker in January or if he would even consider Fletcher, but one thing is sure: If Liverpool do not correct their problems in front of goal soon, they will fall outside of the top four this season.

At the beginning of the season Newcastle United would have, with respect, viewed a trip to Norwich City as a maximum three pointer. Almost four months on, it’s fair to say circumstance has forced the Magpies to reassess this weekend’s fixture at Carrow Road. The Canaries’ impressive start to life back in the Premier League on top of Newcastle’s defensive injury crisis has set up a potentially very difficult afternoon for the visitors in East Anglia.

The untimely news of Steven Taylor’s need for a season ending achilles operation was a huge blow in itself, but with captain Fabricio Coloccini rated doubtful Newcastle could be fielding a very make-shift back four on Saturday.

With third-choice centre-back Mike Williamson also ruled out, it’s anybody’s guess who Alan Pardew will turn to in his attempts to fill the void left by the impressive Taylor and Coloccini. James Perch is certain to fill one spot in central defence but as for who will partner him, it remains a mystery, with everyone on Tyneside keeping everything crossed it could still be Coloccini.

The Magpies midfield is also wearing thinner with every game as Danny Guthrie was this week ruled out for between four and six weeks, whilst Cheik Tiote is still absent with a groin injury.

It’s expected Dan Gosling will replace Guthrie in centre midfield, with Jonas Gutierrez also likely to return to the starting XI following his one-game ban.

Offensively Newcastle are still strong with Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa likely to line-up against a Norwich back-line that has been guilty of some questionable defending at times this season.

Despite that slight criticism of the Canaries’ defense, Paul Lambert’s side have been hugely impressive, currently sitting joint ninth with Aston Villa. After playing League One football only two seasons ago I wouldn’t bet against Lambert completing the fairytale by leading Norwich to safety come the end of the season. It would be the only achievement to rival City’s back-to-back promotions and one that I believe is a realistic aim.

If Coloccini misses out at Carrow Road this could be a difficult 90 minutes of football for Newcastle, who are looking for their first win in four following a difficult run of fixtures. A point at Old Trafford was sandwiched by defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea, so the Magpies will see this game as key in their attempts to re-find the form that took them to third spot earlier in the season.

A 1-1 draw at Anfield in October shows Norwich’s credentials, but its how an injury-hit Newcastle defence deals with physicality of Steve Morison or Grant Holt that could determine this encounter.

Despite a 2-0 defeat on the day, Norwich’s trip to Old Trafford proves they are capable of creating clear-cut chances. Pardew will have this noted and knows whoever takes to the pitch at Carrow Road in his defence on Saturday must be on their game if they want to escape unscathed from this one.

A difficult test awaits the Magpies but if they get it right defensively there’s no reason why they can’t get back to winning ways and continue to mix it up with the Premier League big boys.

The Premier League pace setters, Manchester City, against the season’s surprise package (Newcastle United) is one of a number of mouthwatering ties on offer this weekend.

Norwich v Arsenal, Chelsea v Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa are all promising. However it is the clash between the league’s only unbeaten pair at the Etihad Stadium that will attract more attention than your regular 3pm GMT kick off.

Manchester City host Newcastle United on Saturday. Two sides that merit their achievements thus far, but two teams whose realistic ambitions remain streets apart.

City top the table ahead of their Manchester rivals United by five points and six ahead of third place Newcastle. No matter the impressive start of both sides, even the most of optimistic Magpies fan will admit his club won’t be occupying a Champions League place come the end of the season. City, however, are expected to remain at the business end of the league, making them obvious favourites for this weekend’s clash.

After being taken over in 2008 by the Abu Dhabi United Group, it has been a patient rise to stardom for City, but this is the year that many feel they will make their most significant title charge to date. Twenty ten’s fifth place finish was bettered last season with a top three triumph, so who’s to say 2012 won’t be the year City lift the Premier League title?

Newcastle too are a club on the rise but of a whole different perspective. After playing Championship football only two seasons ago it’s a remarkable turnaround to find the Magpies sitting with the country’s elite. This will only be temporary, but it would be deemed catastrophic if Newcastle weren’t to better last season’s 12th place finish; showing how far the club has come since regaining their top flight status.

Despite their differing transfer budgets and wage bills, these two clubs do have their similarities. They both are protecting unbeaten starts to their league campaigns and both opted to sell the naming rights to their ground for commercial gain. More interestingly they also both played at Wembley in May 1999, and it’s this fixture at the home of football that scales the true measure of City’s meteoric rise to the summit of the English game.

On 30 May 1999 City overcame Gillingham in the Division Two play-off final, only a week after their north-west rivals United lifted the FA Cup at the expense of Ruud Gullit’s Newcastle. Eleven years on and City find themselves favourites for the title and playing Champions League football for the first time in their history, with the taste of Football League promotions a distant memory.

Players like Sergio Aguero and David Silva could tell you little about City’s history and heritage. However it is the likes of these players that will determine the future of this club.

Newcastle too are a team very much looking to the future. Manager Alan Pardew has built a side ready to establish itself in the top half of the league, with thoughts of fighting relegation again firmly put to one side.

This weekend’s meeting will be the toughest fixture to date for Newcastle. However if City show any complacency the visitors have proved this season they are ready to take full advantage.

Last season Newcastle were unfortunate to leave Eastlands empty handed, adding to the misery of Hatem Ben Arfa’s horrific leg break early in the game. This season though will be a different encounter. Both sides have fresh personnel and both look a lot stronger outfits than those that fought out that 2-1 City win last October.

With City currently the league’s highest scorers and Newcastle boasting the top flight’s tightest defence; the neutral will hope something has to give between two teams looking to preserve their unbeaten league records.

On the back of arguably their best result of the season so far, Newcastle United host Everton tomorrow (in the early kickoff) in their bid to make it 14 unbeaten in the Premier League.

The Magpies climbed to third on Monday evening with a 3-1 away to Stoke City, condemning the hosts to their first home league defeat of the season.

A different type of pressure will face Alan Pardew’s men tomorrow though as they will go into the game as slight favourites over their Merseyside visitors. The Toffees have lost five out of their nine league games this season, so to claim victory at St James’ Park against an unbeaten Newcastle will be a tough ask for David Moyes’ men.

It’s the Magpies significant improvement in defence which has provided a platform for their success, conceding only five league goals in open play this season.

A thankless list of fixtures awaits Newcastle following tomorrow’s game, putting extra importance on claiming three more points. Consecutive away days in Manchester face Pardew and his players, before they return to Tyneside to host Chelsea in early December.

Tomorrow’s lunch time clash with Everton may be on paper the easier of Newcastle’s next four fixtures. However despite a lack of investment in recent seasons the Toffees are still a force to be reckoned with.

Their lowly league position of sixteenth is no representation of the players Moyes has at his disposal, with a mid-table finish a more than achievable target.

With the financial restraints at Goodison Park holding Everton back from breaking into the top five, people forget the quality the side still boasts. Players like Royston Drenthe, Jack Rodwell, Louis Saha, Marouane Fellaini (suspended) and Leighton Baines are all of international pedigree, so to think a home game against the Toffees will be easy you’ll be very much mistaken. Tim Cahill is another threat for Everton. However he’s doubtful with injury.

This should be an exciting game for the neutral. The two sides with similar ambitions for the season meet in the first live game of the weekend.

A win for Newcastle will see them temporarily climb above Manchester United. However the Red Devils can re-claim second spot with a win over Sunderland at Old Trafford later the same day.

Newcastle will go into this game favourites to claim yet another victory, but any hint of complacency from the home side will be punished by a side desperate to get their season up and running.

The Magpies will be without winger Gabriel Obertan because of a toe infection, so an opportunity could fall the way of fellow Frenchman Sylvain Marveaux. Cheik Tiote, meamwhile, is doubtful for the game due to injury.

Everton were the last side to win at St James’ Park but a repeat of last season’s 2-1 victory will be a difficult ask as the hosts look to make it 11 league games unbeaten this season.

After surrendering the only unbeaten record in English football to Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday evening, Newcastle could be forgiven for seeking an easier task than a trip to the Britannia Stadium for their next outing.

The Magpies went in to the mid-week Carling Cup tie at Ewood Park the only English club unbeaten in all competitions this season. Conceding in the final minute of extra time saw to that though, as Alan Pardew’s side went down 4-3 in what was a lively encounter.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Newcastle after recovering from a two goal deficit, however it is that never say die attitude that boss Pardew will require from his team when they travel to Stoke City on Monday evening in the Premier League.

Barring current title favourites Manchester City, the Magpies are the only side that remain unbeaten in the top flight, sitting alongside Chelsea in fourth spot on 19 points.

Monday’s trip to Stoke could prove to be Newcastle’s toughest test of the season so far, with no team yet to win at the Britannia in the league this season.

If the Magpies aim to extend their unbeaten league run to 13 games they will have to match Tony Pulis’ men for physicality, as well as deal with the electrifying atmosphere the City fans provide. Better footballing teams than Newcastle have come away from the Britannia empty handed in the past; making it imperative the Magpies are equal to their hosts in all departments.

Pardew will be hoping he can call upon both Steven Taylor and Cheik Tiote, both of whom are doubtful with a broken nose and a knee problem respectively.

Newcastle won’t want reminding of last season’s demolition at Stoke, as the Potters completed the league double over the Magpies with a 4-0 win. A tighter affair is expected this time out though, with the visitors currently boasting the tightest defence in the league – conceding only six goals.

Even the most of optimistic Newcastle fans couldn’t have predicted this start to the season, however it is tough trips to the likes of Stoke that will really show Pardew what his side are made of.

If Newcastle cope with the physical side of Stoke’s game then there is no reason why they can’t continue their unbeaten league run. Much has been made of Newcastle’s team spirit this season, and that will no doubt be called upon in what will be a thankless 90 minutes of football.

Pardew’s men have remained unscathed from whatever the Premier League has thrown at them this season, so confidence will no doubt be high within the visiting camp and the travelling support.

Approximately 4,500 Geordies descended on Blackburn in mid-week and it is their unquestionable support that Newcastle will look to as a 12th man to combat the increased noise the Potters’ fans never fail to provide.

Stoke’s impressive home form stands in the Magpies’ way. A tough test will no doubt ensue, but it’s how the visitors respond which will determine the outcome of this game.

If Newcastle are up for a physical battle there is no reason why they can’t come away with at least a point in what will be one of their toughest games of the season.

As the dust settles on yet another disappointing outing in the Premier League for Sunderland, fans on Wearside have lost patience with boss Steve Bruce.

The 2-1 defeat to top flight new boys Norwich City on Monday evening leaves the Black Cats 14th in the table and still seeking their first away win.

League positions in the table matter little at this early stage of the season, but it is Bruce’s tactical prowess, or lack of it, that Sunderland fans blame for their poor start.

As we all know in football, one good result can turn everything around so talk of a managerial casualty after only six league games is surely premature? As a football fan you would hope so.

One consideration must be the huge overhaul of players on Wearside over the summer. Bruce brought nine new faces to the club in a busy close season, so time must be given for such players to find their feet with their new employers. Some critics are of the opinion that time is up though, and with every failing on the pitch comes more pressure for the former Wigan boss to get it right.

After finishing in the top half last season Sunderland are aiming to establish themselves within the next tier of top flight teams. Of course it’s far too early to be writing off their chances of such an achievement, but a severe turnaround is required if a European challenge is to be a realistic target.

Despite the Black Cats’ 10th place finish last term, since the turn of the year they have only managed seven wins from a possible 27 in all competitions, drawing five and losing a staggering 15. It is such a stat that gives fans ammunition for their frustration.

Football fans in the North East can be hard to rival when it comes to craving success, and that is what is working to Bruce’s disadvantage at present.

After only six weeks of the new campaign sacking the former Manchester United captain could prove costly, as we all know bringing in a new manager doesn’t always guarantee you success. That said though, if poor results continue to mount up then owner Ellis Short and Chairman Niall Quinn will undoubtedly have a decision to make.

There’s always risk, and only sometimes reward, when sacking your manager. If the Sunderland board remain patient it’s not unthinkable for the club to have a successful season, given the players they recruited in the summer. On the other hand if the club’s fortunes don’t take a positive turn it could be better to act before it’s too late.

To many in the country it would probably be deemed a harsh dismissal, but as we’ve seen on numerous occasions football is an unforgiving industry. A difference in opinion will always arise with the dismissal of a top flight manager, but the only opinions that matter are that of Short and Quinn.

With the nature of Quinn don’t be surprised to see Bruce given more time to turn it around, however if results continue as they are there will unfortunately only be one outcome for the Black Cats’ boss.

Photo by blue_rat

It’s September 17, 1997 and Newcastle United are about to embark on their first Champions League campaign. La Liga runners-up Barcelona provide the opposition, boasting names such as Rivaldo, Luis Figo and Luis Enrique.

Newcastle were going into the unknown. After finishing runners-up in the Premier League to Manchester United the previous season, Kenny Dalglish’s side deserved their chance with Europe’s elite. Few gave the Magpies a chance, after all they were making their Champions League debut against the side who had won this competition only five years prior.

Without the injured Alan Shearer, and with the summer departure of Les Ferdinand to Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle were without a prolific goal-scorer. They had little in the way of an attacking threat.

Young summer recruit Jon Dahl Tomasson found himself with a starting role in attack, in what was the biggest game of his career so far. Tomasson had finished SC Heerenveen’s top scorer the season prior, but for all his goals in the Eredivisie he was completely inexperienced at this level.

That however didn’t matter, as his strike partner for the night was about to put on a show that even the most optimistic of Newcastle fans couldn’t have imagined.

Colombian striker Faustino Asprilla had obviously not read the script, as he went on to score a hat-trick against a world class opposition on a night that has gone down as one of the greatest in Newcastle United’s history.

Fourteen years on and I’m sat in a city centre cocktail bar, ready to meet Newcastle’s hat-trick hero of ’97. Given his laid back approach on the pitch it was no little surprise to me that he was running late.

Upon arrival I wasn’t surprised with his attire too; Torn, denim shorts and a plain run-of-the-mill Italia t-shirt. He cut the figure of a man who cares little for his appearance. Of course that doesn’t matter, but I found it humorous how one’s style of play on the pitch could be reflected so much in his choice of clothing.

“Thank you for welcoming me,” he said, before ordering a sparkling water from the waitress who is clearly unaware of the status of the man she is serving.

“I like coming to Newcastle, I try to come here as much as I can when I am nearby,” he explain3e via Carlos his interpreter.

The bar is relatively busy, but I doubt there is one drinker who has noticed the company I am in. It’s hard to believe that these people are in the presence of a man who provided the city of Newcastle with one of its greatest footballing nights, and yet he simply fades into the background.

After he explained to me he had simply returned to visit the area, it didn’t take long before we were on to the important stuff – that night against Catalan giants Barcelona.

Asprilla, or Tino as he’s better known in these parts, initially played down the achievement, yet it was still clear this was a highly regarded memory for the Colombian.

“It was a very good game, but it was just a normal game because it wasn’t like we won a trophy from it. It was though a very well played game by Newcastle,” he explained.

He is right to acknowledge his team-mates for their efforts on the night, but it was Tino who made the headlines. It was a night that is still talked about today, a special night that nobody associated with Newcastle will forget.

“Obviously I am very proud of scoring a hat-trick against Barcelona because it’s a well remembered thing and part of Newcastle’s history. Even though I only played for one and a half years I get a very warm welcome every time I come here, and it’s good to know the fans still remember what I did for the club,” says the former number eleven.

After arriving from Parma in February 1996 under Kevin Keegan, it was soon evident Newcastle had signed a somewhat interesting character.

After being limited to mostly substitute appearances initially, the sale of Ferdinand and Shearer’s lengthy injury lay-off gave Tino his chance for a regular starting place ahead of the 1997/98 season.

On the opening day of the new campaign Asprilla was partnered in attack for the first time with Tomasson, as Newcastle claimed a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at St James’. Tino netted both goals, two of nine Premier League goals he would notch during his time in the North East.

While Asprilla’s stay at Newcastle was relatively short, he still remains a fan’s favourite, deservedly so given his heroics against Barcelona.

A first half penalty followed by two headers gave Tino his treble, as Newcastle found themselves 3-0 up and in ecstasy. The visitors pulled two back, but Asprilla and his side held on to a result that sent shockwaves around Europe.

For that night he will always be remembered by the Geordie faithful. Inconsistency on the pitch unfortunately saw a premature end to Tino’s time at Newcastle, but he smiled as he explained his appreciation for the reception he still receives on Tyneside.

“It’s great to come back to a place where you know you’re welcome. It’s great for me to come to Newcastle and get admiration from people who may never have seen me play but still recognise me and know what I did,” he explained.

Now retired and residing near Bogota in his native Colombia, Asprilla gets little chance to follow his former club’s fortunes.

During his visit to the North East he had chance to watch the end of Newcastle’s season, as the Magpies clinched a 12th place finish in their return season in the top flight. After coming close to winning the Premier League title during his time at Newcastle, Asprilla finds it difficult to compare the club’s current side to that he represented in the nineties.

“It’s not very good to compare teams, but when you look at the team I played in it was fighting for the title and the team now are just fighting to survive in the middle of the table.”

Soon to be heading home to South America, Asprilla wished his former club well but wasn’t shy in giving his verdict on Alan Pardew’s side.

“Newcastle did well this season given the team that they have,” said Asprilla. “If they want to try and achieve and get higher up the table, they definitely have to bring three or four new faces that are willing to fight for the team.”

Pardew’s squad could have done with an Asprilla-like addition on Wednesday night as the transfer window slammed shut, but the Magpies fans were once again left disappointed by the club’s transfer activity.

Players like Asprilla bring frustration but with that comes the capability of providing nights like that of September 1997. It’s somewhat fitting that his hat-trick against Barcelona were his last Newcastle goals, three of nine he netted in Europe for the club.

In eighteen months Asprilla provided everything at Newcastle. Poor performances were overshadowed by moments of individual brilliance, and of course his trademark celebration of a cartwheel followed by three punches of the air.

Gone but never forgotten. The part Asprilla played in such a historic encounter warrants the admiration he still receives over a decade on. The little Colombian took the lead role in a show that could be argued as the greatest Champions League debut in recent history, a performance that will see him eternally idolized by the people of Newcastle.

Follow Martin Lindsay on Twitter at @martinlindsay11