Newcastle United - Lifting the Fog on the Tyne

October Update

So after a tough ending to September, with an away game against Liverpool, we started October with an equally tough home encounter with Tottenham. The team hadn't been playing brilliantly, though there were flashes of brilliance here and there, with Xherdan Shaqiri looking bright, Olivier Giroud having scored his first goals for the club and Steven Taylor and Rafael Toloi forming an increasing understanding at the back together.


03/10/11 H vs Tottenham Hotspurs 0-1
Emanuel Adebayor

15/10/2011 A vs Fulham 0-2
Clint Dempsey
Andrew Johnson

23.10.2011 A vs Sunderland 3-2
Olivier Giroud
Hatem Ben Arfa
Demba Ba
Craig Gardner
Vegard Forren

29/10/2011 H vs Swansea 3 - 2
Olivier Giroud
Xherdan Shaqiri
Hatem Ben Arfa
Ashley Williams
Nathan Dyer

Carling Cup 4th Round
26/10/2011 H vs Ipswich 6-0
Shane Ferguson(3)
Yaya Sanogo(3).

Disappointing start to the month. The Spurs loss was expected to be honest, but the performance away at Fulham was utterly dire. Perhaps it was just the long trip to London following the international break, perhaps Fulham just outplayed us? Either way, a poor return to Premiership action.
However, the month ended well, with 3 wins out of 3, with Hatem Ben Arfa returning from injury in stunning style, scoring the winner against Swansea, and turning the game against our arch-rivals Sunderland in our favour.
For the cup, I was really impressed with what we were able to do. Rested some first team players, but I never expected the youngsters to play as well as they did, thrashing Ipswich well and truly. Left winger Shane Ferguson impressed, scoring a hat-trick, including a header to open the scoring, a real feat for such a small player! Young Frenchman Yaya Sanogo also announced himself, grabbing himself a hat-trick also! I simply can't decide who deserves the match ball, fight amongst yourselves boys!



HATEM BEN ARFA
HBA really made a great return from his horrific leg break. Inspiring the team to two wins in the Premiership, scoring in each game. Honourable mention to Olivier Giroud who has been in good form also, though HBA pips him for his sheer impact after coming on twice to inspire us to wins.