Times are changing on Tyneside
The close season was filled with an all too familiar feeling of dread and despair for Newcastle United supporters, but their fine start to the season has changed the mood completely as Alan Pardew’s men look to bring European football back to St James’ Park. After the departures of Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique, all for inexplicably low prices, it seemed Newcastle were looking at a mid table finish at best, Pardew knew better though and he conducted his business quietly early doors in the summer transfer window bringing in hard working, honest players. Demba Ba came in from West Ham and has excelled at leading the line with the much maligned but often explosive Leon Best. Yohann Cabaye has formed a very good understanding with Cheik Tiote and the pair of them sit in front of what has been the best defence in The Premier League so far this season. Steven Taylor has marshalled the back four well and Tim Krul is arguably the most improved goalkeeper in the league.
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Newcastle fans feared the start of another decline when they lost Andy Carroll to Liverpool in January, and those fears proved founded when Kevin Nolan was strangely sold for a paltry £1.5m to Championship side West Ham, and Joey Barton let go on a free. However, Pardew’s business so far looks to have been conducted very well and he is getting the best out of inconsistent players such as Taylor, Danny Simpson and Jonas Gutierrez, who has been rampant down the right hand side all season. Gabriel Obertan is also showing signs of the form that completely eluded him in his dire couple of seasons with Manchester United and all in all things may finally be looking up in the North East.
Sceptics argue that The Magpies have yet to face a real challenge in the league, having not faced Chelsea, Liverpool or either Manchester club, yet draws against Arsenal and Tottenham cannot be sniffed at and while their side remain unbeaten, Geordies will remain upbeat and hope that this form will stick not just for this season, but for many years to come.
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