Newcastle Away- The Pre-Match Psyche and Interview with ‘KevinAndAndy’





The game I always say I’ll go to one of these days, but then don’t because I’d take months of flack from the missis about not taking the baby somewhere where she’ll have no conception of what’s going on instead. The Zoo, for example. But where will baby be if I want to raise the issue of animals in captivity versus our increased understanding and awareness by having them so readily accessible? Asleep after excessive pointing and clapping is where. It’s a minefield, I’d be far more use on a northern terrace.

A reasonably busy week for us then. Stevie Pii completes his move after briefly flirting with the Chavs, and we’ve managed to make a bit of sell-on clause dosh out of our former hot shot forward Darren Bent’s transfer kafuffle. Reports on the grapevine suggest this could spark a bit of a transfer merry-go-round. On potential departures, Honest Bob, who we know is sticking business cards up in various phone booths in the vicinity of any London based club, may be joined by our patchy Russian, who’s been told that he can have a look around because we will definitely be getting in a striker, and his chances will be limited as a result. Suarez and our summer crush, Fabiano, are the names being bandied about by those claiming to be connected to the higher reaches of the club.

A deal involving star striker for this weekend opponents, Andy Carroll is another transfer rumour that’s resurrected every couple of days. Conspiracy theories abound that his latest ‘injury’ is a line being fed to the media while we continue to iron out a deal and prevent any damage he might inflict upon his potential new employers on the pitch. Or he might just be injured. Either way, the Toon have ruled him out for our visit.

Rather than hack my way through trying to analyse this weekends opponents, I’ve pinned down someone who actually knows what they’re talking about. James Mitchell, author of the fantastic KevinAndAndy (named after possibly the funniest bail arrangement in the history of football/crime) Newcastle United blog agreed to answer a few hastily composed questions.

Rio: How have you enjoyed your return to the Prem? What have been the highlights?

James KAA: The return to the prem has felt a little like vindication, with good results and performances against Arsenal and Chelsea I think we've shown that we do belong in the league. We've only scored 2 less than City with all their riches so we're good value for the neutral as well. The highlight has to be the 5under1and game! But Arsenal away was great as it showed we can mix it with the big boys as well.

Rio: How was life in the Championship? A much needed wake-up call, or just a bit annoying?

James KAA: It was gutting. I was at Villa when we were relegated and it was slightly surreal. It was a little annoying as it soon became clear we were going to go straight back up, and games like Peterborough away felt like a bit of a nuisance. That said it probably did wonders for the club, a lot of dead wood was cleared out and the team spirit we've come up with is fantastic. 

Rio: What were your thoughts on the sacking of former Spurs hero Chris (Cockney-Mafioso to hallowed martyr) Hughton, and what do you make of Pardew?

James KAA: Like almost all Toon fans I was gutted when he was sacked, but not surprised, the writing had been on the wall for a while. I could write an essay on Hughton's sacking but it's been done before. I think Pardew has won over some cynics by tying down some promising players to long term contracts and coming in and getting on with things in a quiet sort of way. He's also a better manager than people have given him credit for, his teams always tend to play attractive football.

Rio: Despite the protestations, the hacks continue to link Andy Carroll with a move to ourselves. How highly is he rated by the Newcastle fans, and what would it mean IF he were to leave?

James KAA: A lot of the stories have been regurgitations, it seems that Redknapp has said he's a good player, but he's out of reach, and Pardew has said we won't sell him. So a lot of papers are making 2+2=345. He's very highly rated and rightly so, he is a very good player. He's quicker than people give him credit for and he brings others into play very well. His goal against Liverpool showed he's not just a Duncan Ferguson type as well. IF he were to leave Ashley would do well to jump in his helicopter quickly and get out of the country. 

Rio: Joey Barton has recently claimed to be THE in-form player in the country. Is he being a bit of a silly-billy or does he have a point?

James KAA: He has been in very good form, he's playing wide right and his delivery has been exceptional, but he's also been bossing games from a wide position which is a bit of an art. I think people will always cast cynicism on anything he says because of his problems, but I think he has a point, at least where English midfielders are concerned anyway. By way of comparison he gave the much hyped and recently capped Jordan Henderson an absolute lesson in both games against Sunderland.

Rio: Any other good young players coming through at Newcastle ? The lad Ranger has taken a bit of stick for that shocker of a miss, but from the other bits I’ve seen, he looks a good prospect.

James KAA: He looks better than Carroll did at the same age, he's strong, tall and quick but seems to lack a bit of composure and technique. I think the jury is very much still out on how he'll develop. Other than that there are high hopes for attacking midfielder Haris Vuckic, and one who slipped in quietly under the noses of Manchester United, Yven Moyo, a left winger.

Rio: The hot topic for us Spursers surrounds our potential move to the Olympic Stadium in the East. As an outside observer, what do you make of it all, and how would you feel if your club moved to an area outside of Newcastle ? Still pretty close, but, you know, not geographically Newcastle ?

 
James KAA: I'm opposed to the idea where any club is concerned, it strikes me that more money could be spent improving transport links to White Hart Lane. A move away seems too drastic.

Rio: What have you made of our season so far?

James KAA: I've loved watching Spurs this season,  although the media hype has been frustrating, 'footbale' has been one particularly amusing summation of the hype surrounding Spurs. But I always look at it this way, if you moved to the country and were completely ignorant of football, you'd never heard of any of the clubs or any of the players, and you watched football for a few weeks, who would catch your eye as an exciting team? Spurs would. That's why I support Newcastle, because when I grew up Newcastle were so exciting to watch despite not winning anything, they were irresistible. 

Rio: If you could take only one of our players, who would it be?

James KAA: ... Bale. Purely because we have players who can play in Van der Vaart's position, (Nolan, whilst clearly not as good, has a credible 10 goals so far this season) and a winger like Bale is such an exciting prospect every time you watch a game. Modric is fantastic as well, he was actually at Newcastle's training ground then dashed to London to sign for Spurs, which was gutting. He does such a good job in the engine room, but we do have the monster Tiote who's been a revelation this season.

Rio: Finally, your score prediction for Saturdays game?

James KAA: I'm gonna stick my neck out and say 2-1. We have a lot of players missing, but I think Spurs are due a little dip in form, or at least I hope they are! I'm crap at predictions though...

A massive thanks to James. Any of you wanting to read a bit more into Newcastle United, KevinAndAndy is well worth a read.