Well I certainly wonder at times, listening to the shit some of them come out with.
Most have an eye on their former club and at least know the ins and outs, but when it comes to someone else's club ... they suddenly become an authority on something they know nothing about.
Take John Hartson last week on the BBC talking about Yohan Cabaye: "He didn't go to Arsenal but he never made a fuss about it, and didn't sulk, and I like that about him."
EXCUSE ME! He went on STRIKE for three games and only returned to playing because French coach Didier Deschamps told him: "Nobody gets into my squad who refuses to play for their club."
Arsene Wenger shrugs off claims by 'Match of the Day' pundits Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer that Arsenal will fail to win this season's Barclays Premier League title.
The Gunners have established a four-point lead at the summit of the table but Hansen and Shearer are among those who suspect they will be unable to maintain their challenge.
Every man is entitled to their views, and Wenger accepts that.
Arsene Wenger: "Sometimes I watch it (Match of the Day), sometimes not.
"I have enough experience to analyse what we do and how well we play. I don't need someone else to tell me. I'm not upset by that at all.
"I take anything from anybody. I just try to analyse whether he has a point or not.
"Sometimes it's just someone saying their opinion without an argument on something that makes sense.
"If it's something based on hate or love, or just gut feeling then I just say 'OK, it's an opinion - he might be right, he might be wrong'.
"Often he doesn't sustain his opinion by some work he has done to support that argument.
"If you just say 'Arsenal will win the championship or Arsenal won't win the championship because they haven't won it for eight years', then I think it's just an opinion.
"When I arrived here people explained I couldn't win the title as I'm foreign. Everybody has their own logic. I just think you win the title through your quality.
"If we didn't win for eight years it's because we weren't good enough in the important moments of the season.
"We have a good opportunity to show we're good enough so let's take it."
Tuesday December 320:00 Crystal Palace 1 West Ham United 0
Wednesday December 419:45 Arsenal v Hull City19:45 Liverpool v Norwich City19:45 Man Utd v Everton19:45 Southampton v Aston Villa19:45 Stoke City v Cardiff City19:45 Sunderland v Chelsea 19:45 Swansea City v Newcastle United20:00 Fulham v Tottenham20:00 West Brom v Manchester City
Premier League 1 Arsenal 31 2 Chelsea 27 3 Man City 25 4 Liverpool 24 5 Everton 24 6 Newcastle 23 7 Southampton 22 8 Man Utd 22 9 Tottenham 21 10 Hull City 17 11 A Villa 16 12 West Brom 15 13 Swansea 15 14 Norwich 14 15 West Ham 13 16 Stoke City 13 17 Cardiff 13 18 Fulham 10 19 Crystal P 10 20 Sunderland 8
SWANSEA CITY - The Liberty Stadium How To Get There By Car or Coach & Where To ParkLeave the M4 at Junction 45 and take the A4067 towards the City Centre (sign posted A4067 South). Stay on the A4067 for around two and half miles and you will reach the stadium on your left. Car parking at the stadium is for permit holders only and most of the immediate residential areas around the stadium now have 'residents only' parking schemes in place. However away mini buses and coaches can park behind the North Stand in a fenced compound, at a cost of £20 per coach and £10 per minibus. Don't be tempted to park on the nearby Retail Park as you may well end up with a ticket, or worse still, clamped for your trouble!
Away Fans Park & Ride FacilityAway supporters are being encouraged to use the Park & Ride facility located at the Felindre old steel works site, which is signposted off Junction 46, shortly after leaving the M4. The cost of parking there including transport by bus to and from the stadium is £6 per car. Away supporters have their own separate buses to and from the stadium, with the buses waiting outside the away stand at the end of the game to take supporters back to the car park. Simon Wright a visiting West Bromwich Albion fan adds; 'The park and ride is located in the middle of nowhere, but curiously has a high fence. Apparently the facility is also used as a park and ride for the DVLA so the fencing may be for the benefit of their staff. There are toilets on the site although they do look rather ancient. All the staff were friendly and the buses frequent. After the game has ended, the park and ride buses leave the compound with the away coaches for fairly obvious reasons. In my case, this meant a wait of around 20 minutes'.
There is also some street parking to be had. If coming from the M4, you pass the stadium on your left and continue straight on towards Swansea, then after going under a bridge, then there are a number of roads on the right, where on street parking is available. It is then around a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium. However, please note that after the game has ended the Police close the A4067 road running past the stadium, meaning that you can't go back up to the M4 that way. You need to instead go back up to the stadium and where the road is closed turn right at the roundabout onto the A4217. At the next roundabout turn left continuing away from Swansea City Centre. At the junction with the A48 turn right and this takes you up to Junction 44 of the M4.
Andrew Bartlett a visiting Southampton fan adds; 'I intended to use the park and ride and followed the signs but found the site to be desolate wasteland with flooded potholes, not very inviting at all. Instead I drove on to the stadium and despite the dire warnings found free on street parking only a few minute's walk away and almost traffic free after the match. The level of security and large Police presence was completely unnecessary for such a low key game'.
Post Code for SAT NAV: SA1 2FA
By TrainSwansea Railway Station is on the main line route from London Paddington. It is about two miles from the stadium. Regular local bus services (every ten minutes: routes 4, 4a, 120, 122, 125, 132) and taxis (around £6) are available from the train station to the stadium. Otherwise if you have time on your hands and wish to embark on the 25-30 minute walk, then as you come out of the station turn right and go up the High Street. At the traffic lights turn right into Neath Road. Proceed straight along Neath Road and you will eventually reach the stadium on your right. Thanks to Tom Evans for providing the directions.
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?Away fans are housed in the North Stand at one end of the stadium. Up to 2,000 fans can be accommodated in this area, although this allocation can be reduced to 1,000 for teams with a smaller following. The views of the playing action from this area are excellent as there is a good height between rows and the leg room is probably one of the most generous of any stadium that I have visited. The concourses are spacious, with food and beverage outlets, plus a number of television sets, for pre-match and half time entertainment. As you would expect from a new stadium the facilities are good. Away fans are separated from home fans by two metal barriers, with a line of stewards and Police in-between. Interestingly, the main singing contingent of home fans, have, in the traditions of the Vetch Field, situated themselves along one side of the pitch in the East Stand, rather than at the South end of the stadium.
David McNeil informs me; 'As a West Brom fan on holiday in Swansea, I visited the new stadium for the first League game against Tranmere. The stadium is very impressive and the facilities inside the stadium are excellent. Large concourse and great views from the stands. The atmosphere generated by the Swansea fans was excellent throughout the 90 minutes and it will become an intimidating place just as the Vetch used to be. Pre-match entertainment was enjoyed by my kids especially the antics of Cyril the Swan. Great day out, would love to visit the ground again when West Brom play there'.
Tickets will not be sold to away supporters by Swansea City on the day of the match, so do not travel unless you already have a ticket from your own Club. It is also worth bearing in mind that the Swansea fans are passionate about their club and this can make for an intimidating atmosphere. Exercise caution around the ground.
Steve Griffiths adds; 'On the nearby retail park, there is a KFC & Pizza Hut – within 5 minutes walk. Opposite the stadium is a very nice chippy called ‘Rossi’s’. As well as the usual chips with fish, pies, sausages, etc.. they also do salads and jacket potatos'.
Where To Drink?Phil Weston a visiting Stoke City fan informs me; 'The Liberty Stadium is a lot more friendly than the old Vetch Field. Stoke fans were drinking in The Harvester and Frankie & Benny's just outside the ground and a couple of the pubs just up from the stadium'.
Otherwise it a choice of a drink on the way to Swansea, go into the city centre or drink inside the stadium. Merv Williams informs me; 'There are a number of pubs on Wind (pronounced as winding a watch) Street in the centre of town, such as Yates, the Bank Statement and the No Sign Bar (the latter being listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Ask for Castle Gardens, and you'll see Wind Street'. Mick Clarkson a visiting Preston North End fan adds; 'After leaving the train station we proceeded up the High Street and went into the Full Moon public house. The locals both young and old were very friendly and we had a good laugh with all in there both before and after the game. Basic pub with pool table and Sky Sports and a Leeds fan for a landlord and excellent cheap beer'.
Alcohol in the form of Carling (£3.20 a pint) and Worthington (£3.20 a pint) are served within the stadium. The Club open the turnstiles 90 minutes before kick off, so that fans have the option to eat & drink within the stadium itself.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Tuesday December 320:00 Crystal Palace v West Ham United
Wednesday December 419:45 Arsenal v Hull City19:45 Liverpool v Norwich City19:45 Man Utd v Everton19:45 Southampton v Aston Villa19:45 Stoke City v Cardiff City19:45 Sunderland v Chelsea 19:45 Swansea City v Newcastle United20:00 Fulham v Tottenham20:00 West Brom v Manchester City
IDEAL FOR CHRISTMAS MAGPIES IN EUROPE - HARVEY TO PARDEW The new version of "Magpies In Europe" is available NOW. Although NUFC are not talking to the Chronicle or Sunday Sun ... we are! And the full story is expected to be in newspapers this week. The official new title is "Magpies In Europe - Harvey To Pardew" and is an up-dated version of "From Antwerp To Zurich" - which includes the 14 Europa League fixtures we played last season. The 280-page book features match reports from the 134 European matches Newcastle United have played, starting with the memorable 4-0 win over Feyenoord in 1968 on our European debut. Included are stats and the figures you would expect, but also each away fixture has the remarkable experiences of individuals who travelled to watch the matches. Introduction by "Big Bad" John McNamee, part of the Fairs Cup winning team of 1969. It is a fascinating history that every Newcastle United fan will enjoy. And with a limited print-run, make sure you order a copy. Mail order: Send a cheque for £10.45 made payable to K.Fletcher to: K Fletcher, 5 Dunelm, Sacriston, Durham DH7 6NU Include your own address. ON SALE NOW AT: M&M City News; 140 Northumberland St, Newcastle NE1 7DQ. The Flower Shop, Spennymoor, Co Durham. RRP: £10.95 if you want to order, contact us:- Kevnumad@fsmail.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEWCASTLE UNITED 2013/14 PREMIER LEAGUE NEWCASTLE 2 WBA 1 (Gouffran, Sissoko)Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Sissoko (90+5' Cisse), Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran, Shola Ameobi, Remy (84' Anita)Subs: Ben Arfa, Yanga-Mbiwa, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi NEWCASTLE 2 NORWICH CITY 1 (Remy, Gouffran)Krul, Yanga-Mbiwa, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye (68' Anita), Gouffran (83' Ben Arfa), Shola Ameobi (74' Cisse), Remy.Subs: Haidara, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi TOTTENHAM 0 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Remy)Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Sissoko, Cabaye, Tiote, Gouffran (85' Obertan), Remy (75' Cisse), Shola Ameobi (60' Anita).Subs: Coloccini, Ben Arfa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi NEWCASTLE UTD 2 CHELSEA 0 (Gouffran, Remy)Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Sissoko, Cabaye, Tiote (53' Anita), Gouffran (85' Obertan), Shola Ameobi (62' Cisse).Subs: Ben Arfa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Tavernier. SUNDERLAND 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Debuchy)Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Dummett, Santon, Sissoko (45' Cisse), Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran (86' Sammy Ameobi), Ben Arfa, Remy (70' Shola Ameobi).Subs: Anita, Haidara, Elliot, Obertan. NEWCASTLE UTD 2 LIVERPOOL 2 (Cabaye, Dummett)Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Cabaye (78' Sammy Ameobi), Tiote, Gouffran, Sissoko (45' Dummett), Remy, Ben Arfa (78' Anita).Subs: Cisse, Elliot, Obertan, Dummett. CARDIFF CITY 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Remy 2)Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Tiote, Cabaye (86' Ben Arfa), Gouffran, Sissoko, Remy (71' Gutierrez), Cisse Subs: Anita, Yanga-Mbiwa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett EVERTON 3 NEWCASTLE 2 (Cabaye, Remy)Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa (46' Williamson), Coloccini, Santon, Tiote, Anita (69' Cisse), Ben Arfa (46' Cabaye), Sissoko, Gouffran, Remy Subs: Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett NEWCASTLE 2 HULL CITY 3 (Remy 2)Krul, Debuchy (86' Tiote), Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Cabaye (62' Gouffran), Anita, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, Cisse (73' Marveaux), Remy Subs: Williamson, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett ASTON VILLA 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Ben Arfra, Gouffran)Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Anita (74' Tiote), Cabaye (88' Sammy Ameobi), Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Remy (63' Gouffran), Cisse Subs: Elliot, Marveaux, S Taylor, Dummett NEWCASTLE 1 FULHAM 0 (Ben Arfa)Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Anita 65' (Cabaye), Marveaux 74' (Remy), Shola Ameobi 65' (Gouffran), Cisse Subs: Gosling, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett NEWCASTLE 0 WEST HAM 0Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Anita, Marveaux 66' (Sammy Ameobi), Shola Ameobi, Cisse 72'Subs: Gosling, Bigirimana, Elliot, Vuckic, Dummett MAN CITY 4 NEWCASTLE 0Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, S Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Sissoko, Tiote, Gouffran 45+4' (Dummett), Ben Arfa 65' (Sammy Ameobi), Gutierrez 44' (Anita), Cisse Subs: Elliot, Marveaux, Shola Ameobi, Obertan LEAGUE CUP NEWCASTLE 0 MAN CITY 2 (AET)Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara (45 Dummett, 80 Ben Arfa), Anita, Tiote, Gouffran, Sissoko, Shola Ameobi (66 Cabaye), CisseSubs: Remy, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi NEWCASTLE 2 LEEDS UTD 0 (Cisse, Gouffran)Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Gouffran (90' Vuckic), Anita (80' Gosling), Tiote, Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Cisse (71' Obertan).Subs: Ben Arfa, Yanga-Mbiwa, Bigirimana, Alnwick MORECAMBE 0 NEWCASTLE 2 (Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi)Elliot, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Good, Dummett, Bigirimana, Gosling, Marveaux 88' (Sissoko), Vuckic 46' (Shola Ameobi), Sammy Ameobi, Gouffran 71' (Ben Arfa)Subs: Santon, Anita, Alnwick, Streete Newcastle United Fixtures Wednesday December 419:45 Premier League Swansea City v Newcastle United Saturday December 712:45 Premier LeagueMan Utd v Newcastle United Saturday December 1415:00 Premier LeagueNewcastle United v Southampton Saturday December 2115:00 Premier LeagueCrystal Palace v Newcastle United Thursday December 2615:00 Premier LeagueNewcastle United v Stoke City Sunday December 2913:30 Premier LeagueNewcastle United v Arsenal Wednesday January 1 201415:00 Premier LeagueWest Brom v Newcastle UnitedSource: Newcastle United Mad
Source: FOOTYMAD
