This year the Toon News will not be deleted after a few weeks. Instead it will be renewed monthly and the older months kept on this site !

Older editions so far are :-

February Fixtures

Blackburn 0 -1 Newcastle United

Wednesday 24th February sees the replay of the F A cup game at Ewood park.

Both Domi and Shearer are missing with flu, so GM Barton and little Louis Saha come into the first team . We play quite well in the first half, but another goalless draw looks like the likely outcome. That is until the 38th Minute when Laurent Charvet breaks down a Blackburn attack , he plays the ball through to DiDi Hamman, and depending on which report you read plays a 40, 50, 60 or even 70 yard pass over diagonally over the top of the Blackburn defence. It is wonderfully taken on the chest of Little Louis Saha. It bounces up onto his left foot and he hammers it past Filan.

Second half see Newcastle dominate ,without getting another goal, we have 3 good chances to score more goals, Saha misses an early chance, then Brady hit wide over the bar when it would have been easier to pull the ball back for kets who would have had an easy Goal. Then with 12 minutes left a Charvet found himself with an open goal ,and hit the post. At the other end Given had little to do against an understrenghth Blackburn team. It should have been 3 - 0 ,but no worries we got trough. next up is Everton a week on Sunday. if we continue to play the way we do they have no chance. Hope we get A London team in the semi's at OT and MAN U in the final. I have a feeling that TIOY.

So do our International team who invented a new song..can you remember it for the next round?

Riks ratings,I give them all an 8 except Brady and Kets (7) Saha gets a 9...hope to see him with Shearer in the starting lineuop on sunday.

Southampton 2 -1 Newcastle United

Newcastle visit the dell. a venue that we haven't won at for 27 years. Two changes since midweek , The injured Stephen " chicken Killa" glass is still injured , Gary Brady takes his place. Upfront Kets starts , Saha doesn't make the bench, he must have an injury. Rob Lee is back on the bench.

Todays full International line up is ;-

Subs :- Harper, Hughes, Barton, Georgiadis, LEE.

Graham poll is todays card happy ref and shows his authority after just 5 minutes showing Shearer a yellow card for a foul on Lumdickva,. 10 minutes sees Newcastles first chance of the game, Solano gets a good cross in for Shearer but he fails to trouble Dodds. A couple of minutes later Solano once again gets a cross in for shearer This time he hits the keeper and the rebound hits Dodds. Newcastle just don't seem to settle down and in the 16th minute an uncharacteristic poor back pass from Howey sees Beattie nip in to intercept and score past Given who had no chance. It's a comedy of errors for the rest of the half. they seem resigned to the fact that they are cursed at the dell and although Solano hits the crossbar from a free kick, we don't really look like scoring. just before half time the defence make another cock up, Domi slides in to stop Ostenstad, brings him down and a penalty is awarded . 2 - 0 to Southampton. thinks can't get any worse ....yes they can, almost immediately Southampton attack and Howey callously brings down kashoul. He should be sent off but Speed diffuses the situation by starting a fight with a Southampton player. Speed gets a card, the ref then goes to Howey and shows him a .......yellow card.

The second half sees Rob Lee replacing Solano who to me seemed to have created more than anybody. Why Brady or Ketsbaia didn't come off was a mystery. Although Lee doesn't have a bad game he doesn't crate the spark to ignite the newcastle united team. We do manage to get the ball into the net midway through the second half. Brady crosses from the left Shearer gets it into the net but is deemed to have foul the saints keeper. It looks like the game is going to fizzle out when with 4 minutes left Lee crooses into the box It is deflected off a defender and Hamman gets his head to it notching up his second goal for Newcastle. We have a good last few minutes but It is to little to late . The game ends with the saints putting an end to our unbeaten run. We stay 10th in the league as the teams all around us had poor days today. Blackburn were beaten 4 - 1 at home , We go to Ewood park on Wednesday night, Duncan Ferguson could well be fit by then.

Bobby's rating out of 10, (He was there I wasn't)

When are the saints going to move from that cursed place?

Latest League table and Fixture list

Newcastle United 4 Coventry 1

The line up

Subs Harper, Hughes, Brady, Ketsbaia, Barton.

A fairly predictable line up,for todays game. Speed had recovered from his knock and the team is starting to look a lot more settled.

It didn't show in the first half, we showed them too much respect it took a goal from Noel Whealan to wake newcastle up. What an awakening it was. the 18th minute saw Whealan score past a shaky looking shay Given before Shearer took the Bull by the horns and from the kick off played a one two with Saha to level the scores almost immediately.

From that moment on It was all Newcastle.

Although we didn't manage any more goals in the first half we were without doubt the better team. Other than Darren Huckerby who outpaced Nick the Greek back after a 3 match ban , Coventry were no threat.

It took just 10 minutes in the second half to re born Gary Speed to put us into the lead after being set up by our influential captain Alan Shearer. he just seems to be getting better after every game, as do all then lads. new loan signing Luis Saha opened his account 3 minutes later with a wonderfully taken header at the near post from a NOBBY Solano header and the tie was all but over. From then it was just a matter of how many would we get. Alan Shearer got his second and Newcastles forth with 11 minutes to play despite the efforts of Coventry's man mountain Mo Konjic. Ketsbaia came to get another game under his belt bringing his work permit application a step closer. Saha was given a great reception as he must now be considered our No 3 striker.after he showed some good skill .

 The down side of the evening was the injury to Stephen "Chicken Killa" Glass. who was stretchered off and replaced by Gary Brady late on. Gary Speed was also given a standing ovation when he was substituted for warren Barton in Injury time.

the game ended 4 -1 , we look like European hopefuls Coventry look like relegation fodder.

Riks ratings...and individual assessment

Shay Given . Not one of his better games, didn't have much to do his distribution was poor tonight. I give him a Bonus point for being "Geet Canny " at the "signing session in the city centre on Thursday night RR = 7

Laurent Charvet.....Previously played better at right back than at centre back but today was the exception ..looked uncomfortable. R R = 6

Didier Domi..Settling in very well A really good buy, shows more confidence than Carl Serrant , more pace than Stuart Pearce and more heart than Alex Pistone. Mind you so do most of the players R R =8

Nicos Dabizas...No mistakes tonight, was out paced by Huckerby on a couple of occasion. I am docking a point from him for being a miserable Git at the City centre "shop " on Thursday night....Howay Nik get a smile on yer face. R R = 6

Steve Howey, The rock in our defence, must be regarded as our best defender. I think an England call up ain't too far away. RR = 9

Nobby Solano (or Alberto solano as the daily star call him)... gets better and better week by week. may not be a true winger but the team look dangerous when he is in possession. RR = 9

Didi Hamman. I wish I knew what he really thought about being at Newcastle, Does he really hate it here or is it all paper talk? He could be a real Toon Hero when some of his free kicks start to find the back of the net. RR= 8

Gary Speed...At long last is justifying his transfer fee. I hope some of you readers will start to give him the odd vote in my toon favorites page, as he is the second most improved Newcastle player this year. RR =9

Warren Barton ...The most improved player of the year, has great spirit . came on for the last few minutes but was brimming with confidence RR = not on for long enough to rate WB.

Gary Brady. Another player that looked a real duff buy earlier in the season, out of position on the left tonight but coped well. A good sub....R R= 7

Stephen Glass...Not one of his better games , but not one his worse, lets hope the injury sustained wont keep him out for long RR = 7

Temuri Ketsbaia. . Always a threat, always gives 100 %,always gets a smile on the fans faces when he gets his head down and attacks the opposition. Has one main theory about football, If you don't shoot you don't score.... A cult figure, don't let us lose him R R = 7

Louis Saha. 3 rd game for newcastle and his first goal. Certainly needs some more games to assess him. If he continues to improve then could end up as our Nik Anelka. Good performance R R =8

Gateshead born Alan Shearer .(as the Daily Star refer to him) is a load of crap,we should sell him...NO WAY, the guys brilliant what would we do without him , deserved a hat trick, perhaps we will get one on Saturday. R R =9 and man of the match..again

Newcastle United 3 Blackburn Rovers 0,

Match deemed void by the F.A. To be replayed at Blackburn 24th Feb

The line up

This match will surely be remembered for a long time , not only for the quality of football , but for the Bizarre incident in extra time.

It started off with a confident looking Newcastle laying into Blackburn from the moment Dermot Gallagher blew his whistle to get the match underway. The first goal came in the 5th minute A poor kick-out from goalkeeper John Filan gifts the ball to Nolberto Solano who sends a tantalising cross for Temuri Ketsbaia who nods the ball past a hapless keeper. Indeed Ketsbaia almost gets a second just 2 minutes later he tries his luck from long range but it sails wide of the posts. lackburns first attack came in the 13th minute, Ashley Ward latches onto a flick-on by Sutton and unleashes a delightful lob which ricochets off the bar with Given stranded. Two minutes later and it's 2 -0to the toon, 14 min: Domi sets up Glass who drills a scintillating first-time volley which beats Filan clatters the crossbar and into the net 2 - 0 in the first quarter hour and it looks as if it's gonna be a landslide. just Minutes later Ketsbaia releases Glass down the wing again and Jeff Kenna manages to win the ball but it breaks loose to  Ketsbaia who goes on a mazy run to slide the ball to Solano who is denied by a diving Filan. Newcastle take there foot off the pedal somewhat and the match enters a lull with Newcastle trying to  work the ball through midfield half way through the half Speed gets a couple of good chances firstly Ketsbaia rolls the ball to Speed who smashes a first-time shot which is deflected  but Filan is untroubled by the effort. Then Glass forges down the wing and sends in a cross which leaves defenders trailing and Shearer attempts to fire a low shot in before Speed again tests Filan's hands  with a cracking long-range effort. The two newcastle old boys playing for Blackburn were getting mixed receptions. Peacock was getting a gentle applause on the occasions that he stop a surging Newcastle attack. however Gillespie was getting an un characteristic boo from the Newcastle fans whenever he got the ball. This was understandable after recent interviews with the press regarding his time spent on Tyneside. Peacock was playing better than Gillespie, who on the half hour mark attempts to alleviate some of the pressure off his back-line but Domi ensures his run down the flank  ends with a crunching tackle. this was followed quickly by Shearer collecting the ball out on the wing before  jinxing into midfield and finding Ketsbaia who hits a  scorching drive just wide of the post. Just before half time Newcastle have another couple of good chances to make it Three.Firstly Speed launches another searching cross into the  box but Shearer can only guide the ball into Filan's hands  from a tight angle.Then on the stroke of half time Shearer tries to release Solano but Gary Croft  intervenes to send the ball out, before Newcastle eventually secure another corner. This is directed towards Speed who majestically into the air and powers a  bullet header but Filan clings onto it .

The second half starts with a rather strange incident when Sutton fouls Solano in the air and Gallagher initially raises a red card before admitting a mistake and brandishing the yellow with a smile. Newcastle are all over Blackburn and despite them making 3 substitutions in the second half they can't stop the Newcastle onslaught. It seems to be just a matter of time till Newcastle get a third. It almost comes in the 54th Minute when Glass shows his blistering pace when he latches  onto a Domi flick but Filan rushes out from the line to  smother the ball just as the winger was about to strike. he third goal finally arrives in the 70th minute Barton chases a loose ball to the corner flag  before sending in a cross over his head which Shearer  knocks down for Glass who thumps the ball into the net.

The 76th minute sees man of the Match Gary Speed strechered off with what looks like a broken leg. He is in a lot of pain as Suttons studs fly into his knee. Luckily it is later revealed that it is only badly bruised and he may well play in the next game. Brady is brought on as sub and does very well for the remainder of the game. Newcastle continue to pressure Blackburn. As the final whistle approaches Ketsbaia is looking very tired and Saha starts to warm up to replace him. Then the strangest thing of all happens which I am sure we are never likely to see again.

The forth official hold up the 4 minute board signalling that there are 4 minutes to play. NUMBER 4 , Didier Domi thinks that he is being substituted and runs towards his french team mate. Saha enters the arena only for Gullit to explain to Domi that it is Ketsbaia who was to be substituted. Domi returns to the field, But by this time Ketsbaia and Saha are involved in an attacking move on the far side. Newcastle now have 12 men on the pitch. Brian kidd can be seen throwing his hands about arguing with both the forth official and Ruud Gullit on the touchline. The referee seems oblivious to the events. Brian Kidd signals to his team to leave the pitch. A number of them do including Goalkeeper Filan, who leaves the goal wide open for Saha to score. At this point The referee is made aware of the incident and decides to blow the final whistle to end the contest.

There are scuffles on the touchline with Shearer apparently involved in an incident with Keith Gillespie. We all presume that the last goal would be disallowed and that the 3 -0 scoreline would stand. The crowd filters out of the ground looking forward to the next round against Everton . Around 10 minutes after the game we are all sitting having drinks in the Strawberry when the Bizarre announcement is made on T V.. Blackburn protested to the officials who then approached Freddie Shepherd, who made the following Announcement "After much consultation with the coaches and players of both teams and with the Officials of the match, It has been decided by all parties that todays game will be Void. It will be replayed at Ewood park in 10 days time. we will be contacting the FA for their approval but can't envisage any problems ."

BIZARRE !

As for Riks Rating, I give them all an 8 and an extra one for Gary Speed who finally came good, but then got injured.

See the fans photos of the game on the

Leeds 0 - 1 Newcastle United

Newcastle come to Elland road looking for revenge for the boxing day beating that we took at St James's park. With Arguably our best 4 players out , Shearer and Dabizas suspended and Ferguson and Domi , both injured. A victory looks highly unlikely.

Better news is that Charvet and Griffin are back from injury and on loan Striker Luis Saha gets his first start after also being injured on his debut last month. Hughes is not 100% fit so Charvet partners Howey and Barton is in for hamstring injured Domi. We still manage 8 different nationalities in the side today (perhaps a good idea for a competition) with the arrival of Maric we could soon have 11 different nationalities and NO English players.

The line up

Subs Harper, Hughes, Brady, Anderson, Georgiados

From the start it was obvious that this would be no classic game. It was 25 minutes into the game before we had a shot at goal,and what a shot from the little Peruvian which almost broke the goal post in half. Next up to try to break the deadlock was Temuri Ketsbaia. He latched onto a bad back pass from Woodgate. Free in the box with only Martyn to beat, he blew his chance by unsuccessfully trying to round the keeper. Leeds didn't look much better than us, if they are the type of team that we must beat to qualify for Europe then it's certainly not beyond us. Our Internationals are slowly starting to gel and the individuals are starting to play like a team , we were as good a match for their youngsters. Saha looked unsettled and if it weren't for the great shooting skills of Nobby Solano and the safe hands of Shay Given, This is a game that could easily have been lost. In the second half we were on the defensive for most of the half,. Leeds had a number of chances to take the lead through Lee Bowyers long range shots . Hopkin and Woodgate also hit the target but Shay Given was having a good day and was intent on keeping a clean sheet. The only goal of the game came in the 62nd minute. Ketsbaia played a one- two with Didi Hamman, when Lucas Radebe made the tackle on Ketsbaia the ball was knocked into the path of the ever lively Nobby. This time his belter beat Martyn and nearly broke the net.

Although Leeds tried hard to break down newcastle defence, Howey and Charvet were superb. It wasn't a pretty game, indeed we picked up 5 bookings including one for Luis Saha near the end of the game. He didn't have a very good game managing a couple of flick ons and one poor shot at goal. At least we can give him back at the end of the season, unlike Adde who came on as his replacement for the last 5 minutes. This game will soon be forgotten as it was very nondescript. The points though were well earned by the Team, It takes us to equal 11th place, 5 points from a UEFA cup position and 11 points from the relegation zone.

It's Blackburn in the cup next week, Tickets are on sale monday morning, I'll have to sweet talk wor lass into queuing up for some , As for the team for next week? A straight swap of Domi for Barton and Shearer for Saha should be enough to see us go through to the next round.

. Riks Ratings in Red