November Update
So with October ending with some positive results and performances, the players were on a high. Sure, we have to shore up our backline (I would prefer not to win every game 3-2!) but things are looking up on Tyneside. The return of Hatem Ben Arfa to first team football had definitely provided a much needed creative spark. That said, November's fixtures contained two of the league's heavyweights in Chelsea and Manchester United, and since we hadn't played well in our previous games against top clubs, I wasn't too optimistic.
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6/11/2011 H vs Chelsea 
2-2
Yohan Cabaye Olivier Giroud Nicolas Anelka Fernando Torres 19/11/2011 A vs Man Utd 
1-0 Rafael Tolói26/11/2011 H vs Bolton
3-2 Olivier Giroud(2) Steven Taylor El-Hadji Diouf Kevin Davieshttp://www.programmemaster.com/football/admin/logos/NEW%20CARLING%20CUP%20BANNER.JPG
30/11/2011 H vs Blackpool 
2-3 after extra time Mike Williamson James Tomkins Neal Eardley (pen) Gary Taylor-Fletcher
Markus HenriksenMixed feelings... from a league perspective, this month has been an absolute success. Held Chelsea to a draw and got an unbelievable win at Old Trafford, which we built on by beating Bolton too. However, a very disappointing defeat in the Carling Cup quarter final to Blackpool leaves a sour taste, even if it was only a reserve line-up out there.
On that win at Old Trafford, Rafael Toloi put us in the lead very early on, with a near-post header from a corner. In all honesty, Manchester United could and should have won this game, but Wayne Rooney was unbelievably wasteful for them on the day. Tim Krul was again the hero too, making saves from Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez. I should also point out that Manchester United had a goal by Rooney disallowed, although he was offside.
The Blackpool loss, although hard to take, isn't the end of the world. Mike Williamson's opening goal was excellent, a diving header at the far post, but Blackpool just proved too experienced for the kids, and we eventually went down to 10 men, with the injury bug striking after I'd made all my substitutions! The fact that we were able to take it to extra time is testament to the players' spirit and hard work.
Our other two games provided positives too, with us more than matching Chelsea, and deservedly scoring a late equaliser through Olivier Giroud and a dominating performance against Bolton, and despite a misleading 3-2 scoreline, we were always in control, leading 3-1 until the closing minutes.
Player of the Month
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OLIVIER GIROUD
After a slow(ish) start to his career on Tyneside, Giroud has started to play well and the goals have come too. 3 in 3 for the month of November, including the equaliser against Chelsea, and a brace against Bolton to put us in the driving seat.
