Posts Tagged ‘James Park’

Preston North End 0-1 Newcastle

The rebranding of Newcastle United continues apace. While renaming their stadium Sportsdirect.com@ St James’ Park has been widely mocked , Chris Hughton’s side are reinventing themselves as efficient winners. A fourth successive triumph was secured by Kevin Nolan, restoring his reputation as a goalscoring midfielder, and returned them to the summit of the Championship.

Recruited in January, Nolan’s most memorable contribution to Newcastle’s demotion was a shocking challenge on Victor Anichebe in February. Another Evertonian, David Moyes’ long-term assistant Alan Irvine, was hurt by the Liverpudlian last night as he condemned the Scot’s Preston side to defeat. After an uneventful game – all quiet on the Preston front, perhaps – Nolan roused Newcastle with an expert finish, steering a shot inside the far post after meeting Danny Guthrie’s cross andturning adeptly. It was his ninth goal of the season and, among midfielders in the Championship, only Cardiff’s Peter Whittingham has proved more prolific.

“When the game is as tight as it was and it was heading for a 0-0, Kevin has a great knack of being in the right place,” said Hughton. “Once he gets there, he has got composure.”

That calm meant Newcastle reaped the maximum return for a minimal threat. Nolan’s goal was only their second shot on target. “For large periods of the game we were the driving force, but they have got that quality,” lamented Irvine. Paul Parry had looped a header on to the roof of the Newcastle net in the first half and Neil Mellor shot into the side-netting in the second but Steve Harper kept a ninth clean sheet of the campaign.

A second consecutive defeat was less of a concern that the ligament problem defender Youl Mawene sustained. “Youl has got a knee injury that we fear will be quite bad,” added Irvine.

Newcastle’s increasing injury list amplified their pleasure at the result.. “We had our problems today and that makes the win even more satisfying,” Hughton added. “Ryan Taylor felt his calf in the warm-up; Andy Carroll was ill and probably shouldn’t have started.” Circumstances were a mitigating factor, but his side didn’t excel.

“They are capable of winning games without being the better team,” Irvine said, a former academy director on Tyneside. Yet if the ability to prosper while playing badly is the hallmark of champions, Newcastle can plan for Premier League football next season.

‘Newcastle correct to sell naming rights’

• Would-be buyer backs Mike Ashley’s controversial move
• Increasing revenue more important than fans’ view

Barry Moat, the businessman who has been keen to buy Newcastle, claims he too would consider selling the naming rights of St James’ Park if he were in charge of the club.

Moat tried to achieve a takeover of the Coca-Cola Championship side this year but the owner, Mike Ashley, has taken the club off the market after he could not find anyone willing to meet his £80m valuation.

Since then Ashley has taken the controversial decision to rename officially the club’s home sportsdirect.com@St James’ Park in an attempt to attract sponsors wishing to attach their brand to the ground, with Sports Direct being the sportswear firm owned by himself.

It was another generally unpopular move by Ashley in the eyes of supporters but the Newcastle businessman Moat says it is something most clubs have to consider.

He told Sky Sports News: “I think you have to explore things like naming rights. Unfortunately we live in a world where football is big business and the gap between the Championship and the Premier League is getting bigger all the time.

“So you have to do things to close that gap. We need to get back up to the Premier League as quickly as possible. I think if you have to do some of those things, by taking the commercial benefit of a sponsor, as far as I’m concerned, if that gets the right players on the pitch, gives you the right entertainment on a Saturday, then where do I sign?”

Newcastle’s stadium rebranding

St James’ Park gets a free rebranding from you, the reader

Hughton admits interest in Campbell

• ‘He still has a lot to offer’ says St James’ Park manager
• Defender’s registration being withheld by Notts County

Chris Hughton today admitted he is keen on bringing Sol Campbell to Newcastle United. Hughton, the Newcastle manager, coached Campbell, who has a home in Northumberland, at Tottenham Hotspur and is trying to persuade his board to sanction a deal.

Campbell is currently unable to play anywhere as he claims that Notts County are withholding his registration in protest at his walk out from Meadow Lane in September. This stalemate should, however, be resolved on 10 December, when a Football League disciplinary commission convenes to deliberate Campbell’s situation and is expected to clear him to join a new club.

“Sol is one signing that might possibly happen here,” Hughton said. “He’s still got a lot to offer the game and, although he’ll get a lot of offers, I wouldn’t rule him coming to Newcastle out.”

The 35-year-old played just once for Notts County this season and Hughton admitted: “I wouldn’t expect Sol to be fit enough to play again until after Christmas.”

Campbell, whose fiancée is from the north-east, was close to a move to St James’ Park in the summer when he was seen at Newcastle’s training ground, but, with the club then up for sale, it fell through and he opted instead for Notts County.

The former Spurs, Arsenal and Portsmouth defender has made his desire to be reunited with Hughton plain. “I would be very interested in a move to Newcastle,” he said. “Newcastle are a very big club and could well be heading back to the Premier League. I’ve been approached by a few clubs, Newcastle are one of them, and I have reasons for wanting to go there.”

First, though, he must regain his registration. “I’m happy big time the Football League will hold the commission,” he said. “All I want to do is play again – sooner rather than later.”

Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen stars

The defender features as the Terminator, Shrek and the world’s third most famous Belgian. Now send us your takes on St James’ Park’s new name