Ahead of this weekend’s important clash at St James Park, VMC’s Skoorb caught up with Talk Of The Tyne’s Mark Robson…
Name the best and worst things about being a Toon fan…
‘The best thing about being a Toon fan will probably apply to any other die hard at any other club. You feel part of it. You go through every emotion and when they win, there’s no better feeling in the world…We are a unique club to start with, with a massively untapped potential. That ‘holy grail’ once any potential is achieved will set us off differently from the majority of other big clubs.
‘The worst thing is the never ending roller coaster of things happening here. Just when you think you’re riding the best climb there is, you know just round the corner awaits a massive fall. Currently, we’re searching for the next climb. Another thing that grinds the gears is the media attention or the stereotyping that applies to the supporters. We’re not demanding or craving trophies and have only ever asked for a team that tries 100% on the pitch. Surely not too much to ask for the years of loyalty?’
Who is your favourite Newcastle United player of all time and why?
‘A very difficult question to answer as we’ve had many world class stars including the brilliantly raw Gazza in his youth, Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, David Ginola was brilliant when he was here as well as many more great names or legends but the time when we signed Kevin Keegan as a player was just something else.
‘The buzz felt off the aura that he had was indescribable. You’d have to be in the ground at least an hour before kick off to guarantee a place in it and when he played, it was if he had magic powers which seemed to rub off on any surrounding team mates. A proper legend up here.’
If there was one player in the Newcastle Utd squad that you would want to keep above all others who would it be and why?
‘Again, a difficult question, but at this present moment in time, it would have to be Hatem Ben Arfa. Just because he ticks all the boxes of what us fans up here, like in our player. The unpredictability, the magician like skills, the ability to unlock a defence. A genuine ‘edge of the seat’ player. Probably one of our only creative players at the minute.’
If you could pick one player from the Manchester City squad who would it be and why?
‘A bit like football manager asking that question. Mmmmm decisions, decisions. If pushed I would probably opt for Sergio Aguero. The main reason because he’s the closest player to one of my favourite ever. Peter Beardsley. The ability to do all the things to create chances and take chances. He has all the skills needed as well as a great commitment and attitude to the game. Strikers and good ones should always be first on any list in my opinion. I like Vincent Kompany as well. A cracking player with a cracking attitude, probably not credited enough about it.’
Where do you think Newcastle will finish in the Premier League this season?
‘If this question was asked 4 months ago, I think most of us would have said top 8 but we’re peeved that the club never invested on squad strength to really have a go at gaining top 4 status.
‘Now, I reckon we’ll do well to finish top 10 with the possibility of relegation impossible to rule out due to the unpredictability of the game. I don’t think we will go down and I certainly don’t worry about it but it has to be a concern. January is important to do the jobs that should have been done in the Summer with regards to the 3 or 4 players that we need minimum.’
What do you think of the decision to give Alan Pardew an 8 year contract?
‘A surprise to say the least and a very odd decision, if I’m being honest. Long contracts are always prone to being abused in some way as there’s not really any pressure on the person to perform properly as the security is there, but on saying that, we’ve tried many other ways to get success here and I suppose we have to give it a try. Also, if anyone wants him as their next manager (not really likely) then they’ll have to give the regime bags of cash as compensation.
What do you predict the score will be on Saturday?
‘This seems like an easy prediction of an away win but we’re a wounded animal at the minute. Are we capable of springing a surprise though? That’s the million dollar question. You only need to look as far as Bradford to see that shocks happen. Maybe this isn’t the case of David v Goliath but it’s a very difficult game to say the least.
‘If we play anywhere near to what we’re capable of and with a bit of luck we can win this but I think the best we can hope for is a scoring draw as we wont keep a clean sheet. I’ll be happy with a draw considering what we’ve had to put up with recently.
‘Heart predicts 1-1. Head agrees with VMC’s prediction of a 3-1 defeat.’
Very many thanks and respect going out to Mark and the Talk Of The Tyne team.
Click Here To Read Skoorb’s Interview With The Geordies!
UPCOMING FIXTURES:
all times East Manchester
Sa 15Dec 12h45 Newcastle, St James’ Park, PL
Sa 22Dec 15h00 Reading, The Etihad, PL
We 26Dec 15h00 Sunderland, Stadium of Light, PL
Sa 29Dec 15h00 Norwich, Carrow Road, PL
Tu 01Jan 15h00 Stoke, The Etihad, PL
Sa/Su 05/06 Jan TBC Watford, The Etihad, FAC
Su 13Jan 16h00 Arsenal, The Emirates, PL
Sa 19Jan 15h00 Fulham, The Etihad, PL
Tu 29Jan 19h45 QPR, Loftus Road, PL
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