Bottom Of The Table But Encouraging Signs

Last updated : 20 August 2014 By Footy Mad - Editor

16 Queens Park Rangers  1 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1 
17 Stoke City                     1 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1 
18 West Ham United          1 0 0 1 0 1 0 -1 
19 Burnley                         1 0 0 1 1 3 0 -2 
20 Newcastle United          1 0 0 1 0 2 0 -2

We lost to Man City on our own patch but there were ncouraging signs from Newcastle United’s opening fixture.

But they must be turned into decisive actions in Saturday’s match against Aston Villa if the new look Toon are to fulfill their promise.

Alan Pardew's new signings made a good impression on the Toon Army.

Villa Park

United matched City across the park but the visitors won the fixture because they were clinical in the areas that matter most.

United huffed and puffed, and no fan could doubt they gave anything but 100% effort, but the final ball is what wins matches and they came up short.

The spotlight will be on United once again this weekend as they kick-off Saturday’s matches in the early televised game against Aston Villa.

Villa have been busy signing up the who’s who of Premier League stars from seasons past, including Joe Cole, Phillippe Senderos and Kieran Richardson – John Arne Riise may not be far behind – and although the Midlands club have bought experience ... they are no Manchester City.

Villa Park is a happy stadium for the traveling Toon Army too and the club have won more Premier League away games there than anywhere else.

Powerful and pacey Emmanuele Riviere showed his strength to hold up the ball and shrug off defenders in his frequent attacks but failed to test City keeper Joe Hart.

Remy Cabella

Tricky winger Remy Cabella has bags of skill with the ball at his feet and he will be looking for a more productive final ball against the Villans.

The Toon Army will be hoping to see more of Ayoze Perez and highly rated winger Rolando Aarons whose late introductions almost turned the game.

Argentinean loan star Facundo ‘Chuky’ Ferreyra, who joined the club in a late deal from Shaktar Donetsk, is expected to add his experience to the Toon attack against on Saturday.

The 6ft striker burst onto the scene in an U21 match earlier this week and grabbed two goals in a 3-3 draw against Bolton.

Alan Pardew has bought himself time with a busy summer of signings but if they don’t transfer to results on the pitch, starting on Saturday, it won’t be long before the Toon Army are calling for his head once again.