And so it is finally here, the first home game of the 2008/2009 Premier League season. And with it comes our first of many Who The F*** Are…? articles, this time only to be published for our home games. So then, this Saturday will see visitors from Bolton bring their best XI out onto the green grass of St. James’ Park. Both teams confident after achieving a good result in their first fixture of the season. Newcastle drawing at Old Trafford, and Bolton beating Premier League new boys Stoke. Based on both teams performances, we could expect to see an entertaining match at St. James’ Park that comes almost with a guarantee for goals. Though, as history will show, Bolton are a very difficult team to face when they are away. They tend to defend themselves great and make the home sides have difficulties starting their play. Though, then again… (more…)

Everything is set and ready for a six-point match when Newcastle United welcome Fulham FC to St. James’ Park this Saturday. Both teams need the three points to try and get out of the relegation battle, which might make the match either a fight to the death to get the points, or a match where both teams are afraid to try and get in front from fear out of getting one against them instead of taking the lead. Though, if Keegan makes his men play the style he’s known for, the match will probably not have that problem. Though, Roy Hodgson’s men have gotten a boost in their defensive ranks with the signing of Norwegian international Brede Hangeland, a player Newcastle was linked to pre-season, and for a Newcastle that’s not scored too many goals in recent times, the defense of Fulham FC might be a tough nut to crack. But then again…
(more…)

History

Whereas Newcastle United supporters have the weight of several decades of under achievement on their shoulders, Birmingham City fans can point to a full 133 years of the same.Sharing the city with Aston Villa and (putting aside disputes about where the political boundary of the city lies) West Bromwich Albion , Birmingham City’s role has traditionally been that of always the bridesmaid, never the bride. And not even chief bridesmaid, with the club’s achievements lagging far behind those of both her neighbours.

The club began life known as Small Heath Alliance, named after the part of the city in which they were formed, in 1878. Twenty seven years later, they adopted the name of the city itself, and became Birmingham City. (more…)

Lawrie Sanchez’s side have had a bad start to the 2007-08 season and they are looking for a win to jump a few positions up the table. Saturday the 15th of December they are facing a Newcastle side that seems to be on the on and up after a long period of miserable performances. The position on the table should speak for itself when it comes to which side should be the favourite before the game, though Allardyce himself has said that Fulham are a team better than their league position says. Without any doubt, the game will be interesting to follow for the fans, as both sides are seemingly in desperate need of another three points. Though for all but the same reasons. Allardyce’s lads to easen up on the pressure the press has heaped onto them over the past weeks. And Sanchez’s side are all-in for the points to start getting clear of the relegation positions rather than falling down into one. But then again…

(more…)

The Tyne-Wear derby is one of the biggest highlights in the season for a Sunderland or Newcastle supporter. And on the 10th of November it is time for yet another derby as the teams will run out on the pitch at the Stadium of Light. Who will get the mocking rights until the next derby, and who will be the ones to be mocked? We will find out tomorrow, and on that note, even though there is probably no supporter of either team that does not know much of each others history, just who the f*** are Sunderland?

(more…)

Portsmouth were formed in 1898 and their first league match was played in 1899 against Chatham town (currently in the Isthmian League First Division South) who were also West Ham United’s first ever opponents.

(more…)

After a tremendous first top flight season where they finished in eight place, Reading FC are now facing one of the worst things in the world of top flight football. The second season after staying up. Reading have by many been tipped as a favourite for the relegation battle this season, or at best finishing with a mid-table position come May 2008. Though, with a decent enough start to the season seen with the eyes of The Royals, they find themselves in a 12th place as they host Newcastle this Saturday. Though, what have the Royals done before they got into the top flight? What are their achievements? Just who the f*** are Reading FC?
(more…)

Monday the 22nd October Newcastle will face off with an opponent quite similar to themselves in many aspects, that opponent is Tottenham Hotspur. The club that said before the 07/08 season that they would finally break into the top four. Things have not went as well as they thought though, and the match against Newcastle might either be the match where Tottenham turn things around, or the match where Newcastle make it clear that they are finally reaching what the supporters have wanted for quite some time, consistency. But I dare ask, just who the f*** are Tottenham Hotspur FC?

(more…)

This Sunday’s early kick off sees Newcastle play their sixth game of the season against East London outfit West Ham United. The Magpies will be looking to bounce back from Mondays dismal showing against relegation favourites Derby.

(more…)

The upcoming fixture against Wigan Athletic Football Club will be an interesting match-up for Newcastle United. A club with heavy traditions against a “newborn” club on the hunt for their first proper silverware has always been bound to be a proper match. And even though Newcastle are the undoubted favourites beforehand, every club has to be on top of their game before facing Wigan in case Wigan are on the top of theirs.

(more…)

The Toon start their Carling Cup campaign on Wednesday night against Championship side Barnsley. Barnsley were founded in 1887 and their present ground is called Oakwell and their nickname is ‘The Tykes’. (more…)

Newcastle’s third fixture of the season against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium sets the scene for the first north east derby of the season. Newcastle looking to maintain their current unbeaten run in the Premiership and Boro looking for their first home victory of the season.

(more…)

Saturday’s lived televised game brings Aston Villa to St James’, in Newcastle’s first home game of the season, in what should be an intriguing encounter between two clubs who have recently changed ownership. In the run up to this clash between two of the most storied English clubs, we ask just who the f*** are Aston Villa?

(more…)

Newcastle starts the 07/08 season facing off against Bolton Wanderers away at Reebok Stadium, a match that promises to be beyond interesting for both teams as the pre-season finally ends. Both teams have new managers and many new signings. And the fans of both clubs are hopeful when it comes to the new season.

(more…)

Newcastle’s pre-season friendly with Sampdoria represents a match up between two sides with striking similarities. Both clubs have come off disappointing seasons, both clubs have looked to new managers and both have a derby to look forward to next season after their closest rivals promotion to the top flight for this coming season. Although Sampdoria’s standing in football has taken a few backwards steps in the last decade, it will still be considerable scalp for Sam Allardyce’s men if Newcastle can come out on top against a side who’s season has already started, thanks to the Intertoto cup.

(more…)