Former Newcastle tough-tackling midfielder Tommy Cassidy has urged Alan Pardew to play his strongest team in tonight’s League Cup tie with Gillingham at Priestfield.
The two clubs have not met in a competitive fixture since Cassidy scored in a 2-1 Newcastle League Cup triumph in 1976 the season after United played in the final at Wembley against Man City.
Newcastle beat the Gills, Stoke City 3-0, then were hit for seven by Man Utd, who won 7-2 at old Trafford.
Tommy Cassidy: “The big trophy to win was the FA Cup, but the League Cup was very, very important to clubs when I played.
“The Gillingham game is a good chance for Newcastle to progress, if Pardew plays a strong team.
“I don’t expect the strongest team to be put out, though.
“When we played, we always fielded our strongest team in cup competitions.
“The game has changed a lot, and certainly not all of it for the good.
“I remember the game against Gillingham vaguely – it was a midweek game, dark, and it took us hours to get there.
“Everything was against us, and we won 2-1.
“I got the second goal from just outside the box – I wasn’t quick enough to get in the box!
“No matter who you play, if you win you are in the next round and you’re one step closer to Wembley.
“Gillingham have nothing to lose, because if Newcastle win, people will say ‘So what?’
“Anything else, and people will have a go at Newcastle.
“I think Alan Pardew has done a decent job under a little bit of pressure.
“I think the guy who owns the club dictates everything – it’s his club and his money.
“I think Alan has done a good job, but there are so many things that might go on behind the scenes that you wouldn’t know.
“If he won a cup, though, he would be a God.
“First he has to make sure they beat Gillingham, and if they can do that and go a step closer to Wembley, that will excite the fans.”
LEAGUE CUP SECOND ROUND
Burton v QPR
Port Vale v Cardiff
Middlesbrough v Preston
Stoke v Portsmouth
Huddersfield v Nottm Forest
Swansea v Rotherham
Watford v Doncaster
Millwall v Southampton
Bournemouth v Northampton
Brentford v Fulham
West Brom v Oxford
Scunthorpe v Reading
Derby v Charlton
West Ham v Sheff Utd
Swindon v Brighton
Leicester v Shrewsbury
Crewe v Bolton
Birmingham v Sunderland
Gillingham v Newcastle
Norwich v Crawley
Bradford v Leeds
Aston Villa v Leyton Orient
Burnley v Sheff Wed
Walsall v Crystal Palace
MK Dons v Man Utd
Priestfield Stadium
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed on one side of the Brian Moore Stand (on the Medway Stand side) where around 1,500 supporters can be accommodated. Like last season the stand is of the temporary variety i.e. the type that you would see around the 18th hole at the British Open Golf Championship, although it is of a good size and height (you can get some great views of the surrounding area at the very top of it), plus the views of the playing action are fine. Unlike most temporary stands though the facilities are surprisingly good, being of a permanent nature behind the structure. However it is uncovered, so although the Club hand out free rain macs if it rains, still be prepared to get wet! The absence of a roof also dampens the atmosphere somewhat, even considering that the end is shared with home fans. However supporters in this area do try to make some noise by stamping on the metal rows of the stand. One unusual aspect of visiting Priestfield Stadium is that away supporters have to walk down a very narrow terraced street to reach the away entrance, or if coming from adjacent streets down very tight alley ways. However, there is never normally any problems with this although after the game the Police sometimes close of some of the surrounding streets to keep fans apart.
Where To Drink?
A handy pub for away fans is the Livingstone Arms on Gillingham Road, which is a five minute walk from the away turnstiles. The atmosphere within the pub is normally warm and friendly. This pub which also has a beer garden, is popular with both away and home supporters and as you would expect it gets rather busy on matchdays. There is a handy fish & chip shop, situated across the road from the pub. Robert Phipps a Gillingham supporter advises away fans 'to avoid the Cricketers pub in Sturdee Avenue'.
Otherwise, the ground is walkable from the town centre, where there are a fair few pubs to be found. Paul Kelly a visiting Preston fan adds; 'we have used the 'Will Adams' in the town centre. The pub is in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and does good cheap food. Plus a very friendly crowd of football locals happy to indulge in friendly banter - the landlord is a Gill fan too!' Robert Donaldson recommends the 'Southern Belle' opposite the railway station, which also has a cafe located next door.
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Leave the M2 at Junction 4 and take the A278 towards Gillingham, going straight across two roundabouts. At the 3rd roundabout turn left onto the A2 towards Gillingham town centre. At the traffic light junction with the A231, turn right into Nelson Road and passing the small bus station take a right turn into Gillingham Road, the ground is down on your right.
Alternatively Roger Blackman provides an alternative route from the M2; 'At the start of the M2 keep left and follow A289 towards Gillingham. Continue towards Gillingham and go through through the Medway Tunnel (Priestfield Stadium is signposted from here). Continue on the A289 ignoring the turn off for Gillingham town centre, until you reach the Strand roundabout after about a mile. Turn right at this roundabout and up the hill and over the level crossing. Take the second left past the level crossing into Linden Road and the ground is along this road on the right'.
There is a residents only parking scheme in operation around the ground, so if you want to street park, this will mean driving a bit further away to do so. Chris Bell a visiting Northampton Town fan adds; 'There is a cheap pay and display car park (£1.40 for four hours) on Railway Street near Gillingham station, which is less than 10 mins walk from the ground'.
Post Code for SAT NAV: ME7 4DD
By Train
The ground is about a ten minute walk away from Gillingham railway station, which is served by trains from London Victoria (every 15mins), Charing Cross (every 30mins), St Pancras and Stratford International (both located on the same line, every 30mins). It is worth noting that the quickest trains leave from St Pancras (journey time around 45mins) and Stratford International (journey time 37mins).
Robert Donaldson provides the following directions; 'Turn left out of the station and follow the road until you come to a crossroads. Go straight on into Priestfield Road. The visitors turnstiles are at the far end of Priestfield Road. Allow ten minutes to get from the station and into the ground'.
To get to the home areas, turn right at the crossroads and then first left into Gordon Road for the Gillingham End Terrace home area, the Gordon Road Stand and the Rainham End. For the Medway Stand or an alternative route to the Rainham End, turn left at the crossroads and then first right. At the far end the road turns right and then left.
Newcastle United Fixtures
Sunday August 17
NEWCASTLE 0 MAN CITY 2
Krul, Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Colback, Anita (63' Obertan), Cabella, Sissoko, Gouffran (74' Aarons), Riviere (83' Perez).
Subs: Haidara, Elliot, S Taylor, Abeid
Saturday August 23
ASTON VILLA 0 NEWCASTLE 0
Krul, Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Anita (70' de Jong), Colback, Cabella, Sissoko, Gouffran, Riviere (77' Perez - 90+2' S Taylor).
Subs: Haidara, Elliot, Obertan, Abeid
Saturday August 30
Newcastle United v Crystal Palace
Saturday September 13
Southampton v Newcastle United
Saturday September 20
Newcastle United v Hull City
Monday September 29
Stoke City v Newcastle United
Saturday October 4
Swansea City v Newcastle United
Saturday October 18
Newcastle United v Leicester City
Saturday October 25
Tottenham v Newcastle United
Saturday November 1
Newcastle United v Liverpool
Sunday November 9
West Brom v Newcastle United
Saturday November 22
Newcastle United v QPR
Saturday November 29
West Ham United v Newcastle United
Tuesday December 2
Burnley v Newcastle United
Saturday December 6
Newcastle United v Chelsea
Saturday December 13
Arsenal v Newcastle United
Saturday December 20
Newcastle United v Sunderland
Friday December 26
Man Utd v Newcastle United
Sunday December 28
Newcastle United v Everton
Thursday January 1 2015
Newcastle United v Burnley
Saturday January 10 2015
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Saturday January 17 2015
Newcastle United v Southampton
Saturday January 31 2015
Hull City v Newcastle United
Saturday February 7 2015
Newcastle United v Stoke City
Tuesday February 10 2015
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
Saturday February 21 2015
Manchester City v Newcastle United
Saturday February 28 2015
Newcastle United v Aston Villa
Wednesday March 4 2015
Newcastle United v Man Utd
Saturday March 14 2015
Everton v Newcastle United
Saturday March 21 2015
Newcastle United v Arsenal
Saturday April 4 2015
Sunderland v Newcastle United
Saturday April 11 2015
Liverpool v Newcastle United
Saturday April 18 2015
Newcastle United v Tottenham
Saturday April 25 2015
Newcastle United v Swansea City
Saturday May 2 2015
Leicester City v Newcastle United
Saturday May 9 2015
Newcastle United v West Brom
Saturday May 16 2015
QPR v Newcastle United
Sunday May 24 2015
Newcastle United v West Ham United
SKY SPORTS GAMES
AUGUST
Sun 24: Hull City v Stoke City (1.30pm)
Sun 24: Sunderland v Manchester United (4pm)
Mon 25: Manchester City v Liverpool (8pm)
Sat 30: Everton v Chelsea (5.30pm)
Sun 31: Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool (1.30pm)
Sun 31: Leicester City v Arsenal (4pm)
SEPTEMBER
Sat 13: Liverpool v Aston Villa (5.30pm)
Sun 14: Manchester United v Queens Park Rangers (4pm)
Mon 15: Hull City v West Ham United (8pm)
Sat 20: West Ham United v Liverpool (5.30pm)
Sun 21: Leicester City v Manchester United (1.30pm)
Sun 21: Manchester City v Chelsea (4pm)
Sat 27: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (5.30pm)
Sun 28: West Bromwich Albion v Burnley (4pm)
Mon 29: Stoke City v Newcastle United (8pm)
OCTOBER
Sat 4: Aston Villa v Manchester City (5.30pm)
Sun 5: Chelsea v Arsenal (2.05pm)
Sun 5: West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers (4.15pm)
Sun 19: Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool (1.30pm)
Sun 19: Stoke City v Swansea City (4pm)
Mon 20: West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United (8pm)
Sat 25: Swansea City v Leicester City (5.30pm)
Sun 26: Burnley v Everton (1.30pm)
Sun 26: Manchester United v Chelsea (4pm)
Mon 27: Queens Park Rangers v Aston Villa (8pm)
NOVEMBER
Sun 2: Manchester City v Manchester United (1.30pm)
Sun 2: Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur (4pm)
Mon 3: Crystal Palace v Sunderland (8pm)
Sat 8: Queens Park Rangers v Manchester City (5.30pm)
Sun 9: West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United (1.30pm)
Sun 9: Swansea City v Arsenal (4pm)
Sat 22: Arsenal v Manchester United (5.30pm)
Sun 23: Crystal Palace v Liverpool (1.30pm)
Sun 23: Hull City v Tottenham Hotspur (4pm)
Mon 24: Aston Villa v Southampton (8pm)
Sat 29: Sunderland v Chelsea (5.30pm)
Sun 30: Southampton v Manchester City (1.30pm)
Sun 30: Tottenham Hotspur v Everton (4pm)
BT SPORT GAMES
AUGUST
Sat 30: Burnley v Manchester United (12.45pm)
SEPTEMBER
Sat 13: Arsenal v Manchester City (12.45pm)
Sat 20: Queens Park Rangers v Stoke City (12.45pm)
Sat 27: Liverpool v Everton (12.45pm)
OCTOBER
Sun 5: Manchester United v Everton (12pm)
Sat 18: Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (12.45pm)
Sat 25: West Ham United v Manchester City (12.45pm)
NOVEMBER
Sat 1: Newcastle United v Liverpool (12.45pm)
Sat 8: Liverpool v Chelsea (12.45pm)
Sat 29: West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal (12.45pm)