Alan Pardew, John Carver, Steve Stone & Andy Woodman Handed EIGHT-Year Contracts

Newcastle United have today extraordinarily confirmed that manager Alan Pardew, assistant manager John Carver, first team coach Steve Stone and goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman have all agreed new eight-year contracts with the club.

Gaffer Alan Pardew had four-years left on his previous deal, but club owner Mike Ashley has chosen to reward the 51-year-old for his efforts since taking over the club in 2010 by handing him an eight-year contract.

Since controversially replacing the popular Chris Hughton in December 2010, Pardew won both the LMA and Premier League manager of the year awards last season as guided the club to a outstanding 5th place.

Managing Director Derek Llambias told the club’s website:

“If you look at clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have shown that stability gives you the best platform to achieve success and that is the model we wish to emulate here.”
 
“We’re looking to build on the success we had last season and these new contracts are aimed at keeping the Club progressing on and off the pitch, as we have done since returning to the Premier League in 2010.”
 
“Alan has done a fantastic job over the last couple of years and has proved what a great Premier League manager he is. I have total respect for him in all football matters and have an excellent relationship with him which I think benefits the club enormously. Alan also has one of the best backroom teams in the country and I would like to thank John Carver, Steve Stone, and Andy Woodman for all their combined efforts.”
 
“We hope this announcement will be great news for the fans, whose support and commitment to this club over the years has been fantastic.”

Newcastle United Team Photo 2012/13

Man of the Match Poll: Manchester United 2-1 Newcastle United

Manchester United vs. Newcastle (Capital One Cup 3rd Round) – Match Preview

Newcastle United tonight begin their hunt for their first silverware in 43 years as they travel to Manchester United in the Third Round of the newly named Capital One Cup, formerly Carling Cup.

Both managers are likely to rotate their squads with Saturday fixtures against Spurs and Reading respectively, with Newcastle also hosting French side Bordeaux a week Thursday.

For the hosts, Scottish midfielder Darren Fletcher is in line to make his first start for the club in 10months since overcoming ulcerative colitis, Angelo Henrique, Nick Powell, Alex Buttner and David de Gea are all also due for inclusion.

For the visitors on the other hand, Alan Pardew is likely to mix fringe players with experienced players, with the starting line-up expected to be similar to that of the side which face Maritimo.

Youngsters including Romain Amalfitano, Dan Gosling, James Tavernier & ex-Red Devil Gabriel Obertan could all start and Pardew is also expected to continue keeping faith in misfiring striker Papiss Cisse as he looks to end his 6-game goal drought.

Most significantly however, influential duo Cheik Tiote and captain Fabricio Coloccini are both set for comebacks, while the fixture is too soon for ex-Manchester United defender Danny Simpson who remains sidelined, and Tim Krul also misses out.

Manchester United Squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Johnstone, Rafael, Evans, Keane, Vidic, Buttner, Valencia, Anderson, Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Fletcher, Powell, Cole, Lingard, Vermijl, Tunnicliffe, Hernandez, Welbeck, Macheda, King.

Newcastle United Squad: Harper, Elliot, Tavernier, Ferguson, Perch, S. Taylor, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Anita, Bigirimana, Gosling, Marveaux, Obertan, Vuckic, Abeid, Amalfitano, Sammy Ameobi, Ba, Cisse, Shola Ameobi, Campbell.

“It’s Another Football Match That You Want To Go And Win” – Carver Hopeful Of League Cup Run

Newcastle United Assistant Manager John Carver has today told nufc.co.uk that Newcastle are going to Old Trafford this evening with the intention of setting off a league cup run and try and end the clubs trophy-drought  which now stretches to 43years.

“It’s another football match that you want to go and win.”

“It’s a cup competition where you might have a chance of winning the competition so you’ve got to go prepared for it.”

“We’ll not do anything different; we’ll do what we always do and we’ll prepare for the game and let’s see what result we can bring back with us.”

“The games are coming thick and fast but you can’t start thinking two, three or four games ahead,” 

“It’s a cliche, but you’ve just got to look after the next one.”

 

“It’s Been A Dream” – Gael Bigirimana Speaks Ahead of Newcastle’s League Cup Clash vs. Manchester Utd

Newcastle United teenage midfielder Gael Bigirimana has spoken to SkySports.com ahead of Wednesday evenings tie against Manchester United and admitted it would be a “dream come true even to just play five minutes, 10 minutes at that stadium”.

“I just keep saying it’s been a dream because it’s been ridiculous the way things have gone – in a good way – playing as many games as I have.”

“Thanks to the manager, he has put his trust in me, and the staff and the players, and I have just got to trust in the manager for the decisions he makes.”

“He knows what’s best for me because he has already given me the chance to play the games I didn’t think I would play, so I have just got to trust him and keep working hard.”

“When we heard that we were drawn with Manchester United, it was a really good draw. The club is just massive and the stadium is like a dream for every kid, so I just hope the manager will bring me on or start me.”

“If I come on for five minutes, it will be a dream come true – even to just play five minutes, 10 minutes at that stadium.”

VIDEO: Curtis Good Speaks To The World Game About Life On Tyneside

VIDEO: Curtis Good Speaks To The World Game About Life On Tyneside

TWG caught up with ex-Melbourne Heart defender Curtis Good, making a name for himself at Newcastle United.

Click Here For The Exclusive Interview

Man Of the Match Poll: Newcastle 1-0 Norwich City

POLL – Rob Elliot or Steve Harper To Start vs. Norwich?

Newcastle vs. Norwich – Matchday Preview

Former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton returns to St James’ Park for the first time since he was dubiously sacked almost 2 years ago with his Norwich City side still searching for their first Premier League win of the season. 

Popular Chris Hughton will undoubtedly be given a hero’s welcome on his return for his part in guiding Newcastle to an immediate return to the top flight of English football.

While the popular Hughton travels in hope of securing his first league win of the season as Norwich manager, his successor Alan Pardew serves the second of his three match touchline ban and continues to juggle his squad who will play their 3rd game this week.

Pardew who made seven changes for his sides Europa League draw with Maritimo on Thursday evening, is likely to revert largely to the side that drew 2-2 with Everton on Monday.

Team News

Duo Papiss Cisse and Cheik Tiote are both set for welcome returns, Cisse who missed Thursday’s Europa League visit to Maritimo suffering from illness  should be eligible for selection and Tiote has reportedly shook off the calf injury he sustained on the seasons opener against Tottenham Hotspur and will once again be available for selection.

Captain Fabricio Coloccini will continue to watch from the sidelines, after being ruled out with a hamstring strain suffered whilst on international duty, but is due to return to training with his Newcastle team-mates on Monday.

Full-back Danny Simpson is also expected to miss out as he continues to battle with the hamstring injury he picked up in the draw against Aston Villa, Perch will continue to fill in at right back in Simpson’s absence.

Trio Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez and Demba Ba, who were rested against Maritimo, as well as Hatem Ben Arfa, who has now completed his European ban, will all rejoin the squad.

Likely Line-Ups

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Elliot; Perch, S. Taylor, Williamson, Santon; Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Tiote/Anita, Gutierrez; Ba, Cisse.

Norwich City (4-4-2): Ruddy; R. Martin, Bassong, Barnett, Javier Garrido; Snodgrass, Howson, Johnson, Surman; Jackson, Holt.