Is Blackpool The Inspiration We Needed?

Last updated : 15 August 2010 By Footy Mad - Editor

NU

If Blackpool can show the Premiership that promotion sides CAN stick the pace, why should a visit to Old Trafford be such a daunting task?

Blacpool legend Jimmy Armfield has admitted his former club are living a Tangerine dream after their jaw-dropping start to Premier League life.

Armfield spent his entire career at Bloomfield Road and saw Blackpool's staggering 4-0 victory over Wigan.

Armfield: "If someone had asked me 10 years ago, I would have said it was impossible for Blackpool to enjoy those times again.

"We were in the bottom division for half a century, getting crowds of 2,000.

"What has happened over the past few months has come as a surprise to everyone. Even in March, after a draw with Crystal Palace, I thought that was it and at least we had established ourselves in the Championship.

"But we went on an incredible run at the end of the season, enjoyed a dream day at Wembley in the play-off final and after Saturday, you would have to say the dream is continuing."

NU

NEWCASTLE UNITED 2010/11

Pre-season: CARLISLE 0 NEWCASTLE 3 (Best, Ranger, Vuckic)
Harper (Krul 46), Tavernier (R Taylor 46), Coloccini (S Taylor 46) (Henderson 81), Williamson (Perch 46), Enrique (Ferguson 46), Inman (Routledge 46), Smith (Barton 46), Nolan (Guthrie 46), LuaLua (Vuckic 46) , Carroll (Best 46), Lovenkrands (Ranger 46).

Pre-season: NORWICH CITY 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ameobi)
Krul, Taylor (Routledge 45), Tavernier, Coloccini (Williamson 45), Diaz (Ferguson 57); Ranger (Xisco 45), Barton (Smith 45), Nolan (Guthrie 45), Vuckic (Edmundsson 72); Best (Lovenkrands 45), Carroll (Ameobi 45).

Pre-season: NEWCASTLE 2 PSV EINDHOVEN 2 (R.Taylor, Best)
Harper, Perch, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Guthrie, Nolan, Smith, Ryan Taylor, Lovenkrands, Ameobi. Subs: Carroll, Xisco, Best, LuaLua, Krul, Vuckic, Ranger, Donaldson, Tavernier.

Pre-season: DEPORTIVO 0 NEWCASTLE 0 (NUFC win 5-4 on penalties - Lovenkrands, Nolan, Carroll, R Taylor, Barton)
Harper (Krul 46); R Taylor, Perch (Tavernier 52), Coloccini, Enrique; Routledge, Barton, Guthrie (Nolan 46), Xisco (Gutierrez 46); Carroll, Best (Lovenkrands 73). Subs (not used): Smith, Ferguson

Pre-season: RANGERS 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Lovenkrands)
Harper; Perch (Tavernier 81), Coloccini (Ferguson 81), Williamson, Enrique (R Taylor 56); Routledge (Xisco 83), Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez (Lovenkrands 69); Carroll (Ameobi 46).