Steve Mcclaren’s Derby. Apparently, according to McClaren’s cheerleaders and the anti United media, Derby could catch us. We beat them fairly comfortably to go 16 points clear of them with 17 games to go. 05 Feb - I wouldn’t normally comment on TalkSport a station which trolls fan bases to hopefully incite them to call in. However after the Derby win the Jim White show lead on Newcastle United and how Rafa Benitez should ‘quit whining’ about lack of funds and ‘get on with the job’. The same station, the very next day, leads with the exact same topic on the evening show. This is a club by the way, that no one cares about of course. At the time of writing only three clubs have ever had more points of this stage of a Championship season than Rafa’s NUFC. I believe the club, or at least those www.true-faith.co.uk
close to Ashley, are briefing the media against him. It’s sickening. 08 Feb - Myself and the editor spoke to respected local journo George Caulkin about the Rafa situation. Listen to it here. 10 Feb - United play 3 of the bottom 6, as well as Norwich City before our mental run of three away games against the top three clubs we can play. Norwich is the most difficult of the four games coming up and realistically we need a minimum of eight points from them to put ourselves into a good position starting with Wolves. We don’t want to be heading into Brighton away not in the top two or with a bit of cushion. A big month ahead... 12 Feb - We get this run ff to a winning start at Wolves. Mitrovic scores and then is hooked at half time as he’s a danger
to himself and his team mates. Regardless of your opinion of him as a player, he’s having a stinking season. Paul Lambert is angry about stuff but his team hardly registered a shot on target. That tends to lose you games, Paul. 14 Feb - The games are coming thick and fast for us. This time we pick up a creditable draw with Norwich when it should have really been all three points. Another two goals gifted to our opponents. This has got to stop, but overall a good result. Huddersfield win again with a 92nd minute winner at Rotherham. They can’t keep stealing points like this, but it’s a worry we’re not further ahead of them considering our tough run of games. 17 Feb - Matz Sels admits he needs to leave the club to improve at this level. Credit to him.
19 Feb - We play Villa and then Bristol City in the next week as United look to pull clear of third place before the Brighton game at the end of the month. I hate Villa. Some people agree, others don’t. Regardless we need to win the game to increase the lead to Huddersfield to eight points (albeit they have another game this week). Come on United. 20 Feb - Villa are brushed aside two nil and all is well with the world. We put in a professional display and won comfortably despite being largely poor on the night. Gallowgate Flags introduced their first surfer flag, which looked fantastic and overall it was a good night to be a fan of Newcastle United. I get the feeling many of the games this season will be scrappy, dour affairs. It’s good that the side has the ability to get through games like that unscathed. We know have tf 7