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      OPPOSITION VIEW - NEWCASTLE UNITED Q&A

True Faith fanzine editor Michael Martin gives us his thoughts ahead of Sunday's trip to St James' Park where 6th place Baggies take on 11th place Toon.

Why Newcastle?

I was born and bred on Tyneside. Everyone around me was a Newcastle supporter, so there wasn't a great deal of a choice to make. We do not choose, we are chosen.

How long a fan?

I went to my first game in 1971 with my Dad. I started going with my mates in the mid-70s and started going home and away since the early 80s in my late teens.

Highlight of supporting the club?

Well, I've never seen us win anything but there are several highlights. Beating Barcelona, Juventus, Feyenoord in the Champions League were wonderful experiences but being with 15,000 fellow supporters in the San Siro when we got a 2-2 draw with Inter Milan in 2003 was something else.

Favourite current United player?

Our Capitano, Fabricio Coloccini. Newcastle United's most important player and the heart and soul of our football club.

Favourite all-time United player?

I loved Shearer but I'd have to say Peter Beardsley ... the Magpies Messi. He is the player I've absolutely lost the plot watching for his array of simply outstanding skills. Others - Bob Moncur, Supermac, Kevin Keegan, Gazza, Chris Waddle, Terry Mac, Robert Lee, David Ginola, Andy Cole, Sir Les but I really do adore Colo and its possible Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye could join the Hall of Greats in my head.

Thoughts on last season, what were the main reasons behind you having such a good season?

Well, the signings we made just seemed to click and we really avoided any serious injuries. We got off to a great start and never really had a terrible run. We didn't have much of a  Cup run to distract us and the entire focus was on the league.

Can you repeat last season’s top five finish and can you achieve success in Europe?

Its unlikely. We didn't really strengthen in the summer and that will cost us. The extra pressure of the Europa League will place a burden upon us. Top eight would be a success for us. I think with Europe its one step at a time. I'd be surprised if we didn't qualify from the group but after that its difficult to say. I think its best to try and just take it one step at a time as the cliche goes. But a Europa League Final in Amsterdam is just too fantastic a prospect to contemplate. Its dream-time stuff. 

Happy with Alan Pardew? What do you make of his eight year deal?

Yes. Ithink he "gets" the club. He's a very committed and professional manager. He's a scrapper I think. Nothing has been handed to him on a plate with his career from being a player in non-league to now working his way up in management and coping with a few set-backs. Those failures haven't destroyed him, they have strengthened him. I think he's the right manager at the right club. He's grown into the job. He's not a Joe Harvey, KK or Sir Bobby type figure yet but if the world went mad and he did manage to win something for us then he quickly would. I take the eight year deal as a statement of intent of what the club is about nowadays, namely stability. I don't imagine his contract isn't full of escape clauses and his payments will be heavily incentivised. That's how Ashley runs his businesses and I don't doubt he's bringing that into Newcastle United. I hear his piss was boiling when he had to find big pay-offs for Allardyce and KK.

What do you make of Newcastle’s start to the season? 

Not bad. We got a good win over Spurs at SJP. We have got away points at Everton, Reading and Sunderland. We have been well beaten by Chelsea and Man Utd, two sides who will likely be in the top three at the end of the season. Our only really disappointing result was not beating Aston Villa at St James' Park. They behaved like real pricks when we ended up being relegated at Villa Park in 2009 and its not easily forgotten. They are absolutely shit and I'd hate to think we have missed an opportunity to throw soil on to their coffin.

Who’s been your best player so far?

Hatem Ben Arfa. A marvellous footballer. The right player at the right football club playing for the right manager. 

Anyone been a let-down, anyone been particularly poor?

Papiss Cisse hasn't really recaptured the form of last season but that's to be expected really. Form is temporary and class is permanent etc.

Any particular memories of Albion v United games that stand out?

In recent years travelling to The Hawthorns after we'd just been relegated and when we went a goal down I think many of us thought ... here we go. But we equalised, regarded that as a great point and then grew in confidence. That was a really important game for us. Albion have a decent record at SJP. I thought you were the better side than us in the Championship and I think you are strong opposition. Hodgson pulled something from you and you are definitely no mugs.  

Prediction and thoughts for Albion’s season?

If we want to do anything this season we really do have to beat West Brom at St James' Park. Its a hard call.  

Albion player you admire?

I like Shane Long. Always seems to do well against us.

Premier League Champs?

Some club bankrolled by a Russian or an Arab or some glory-hunting pricks from Devon.

Three teams for the drop?

I'd love to see Villa go down and that could happen. It’s hard to see Southampton staying up. Swansea will have a hard time as will Norwich City and Wigan.

Prediction for Sunday’s game?

We are due a win. But it will be very, very tough.


Michael Martin, true faith, Newcastle United Fanzine also at www.true-faith.co.uk

 

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