Rob StylesRob Styles of Waterlooville in Hampshire takes charge of our televised clash with Manchester United at St James’ Park this evening.

Phil Dowd of Staffordshire was originally appointed to the game but after a major reshuffle Styles must make the long trip north on New Years Day for the second time in 3 years, for he was also the referee when we beat Birmingham City 2-1 on New Year’s Day 2005.

His last appearance on Tyneside was just last month, December 6 2006 as we defeated Reading 3-2. He awarded us a rather dubious penalty but equally dubiously disallowed what looked a perfectly good goal by Antoine Sibierski. If you’re looking for an omen, we’ve won every single game of ours he’s refereed here at St James’ Park, 6 out of 6, and each by the odd goal (2 1-0’s, two 2-1’s and a pair of 3-2’s).

Before we get too excited, his only Manchester United fixture of the season so far was their 4-0 win at Bolton in October, and he was in charge when we lost 2-0 at Old Trafford in March.