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Luke Edwards is Chief Sports Writer of The Journal and uses his blog to give a unique and entertaining insight into events at Newcastle United and Sunderland.

As well as football, Luke also regularly takes a wry look at the biggest sports stories from across the North-East and beyond. From cricket to rugby and basketball to boxing, some are criticised and some are praised.

Sometimes provocative, sometimes laugh-aloud funny, but always interesting Luke Who's Talking also gives you the chance to interact with Luke and have your say on all the major sporting issues.

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April 2007 Archives


A Relegation Battle And A New Stadium

Posted by Luke on April 2, 2007 12:49 PM

Isn’t that just typical of Newcastle United? Less than 48 hours after the team were booed off after another dreadful display against Manchester City and the stadium emptied faster than a bag full of condoms at a swingers party, the Magpies announce plans to expand the capacity of St James's Park to 60,000.

Erm, great idea, very ambitious and all that, but has it ever occurred to the powers that be that, at this rate, they are going to struggle to fill a 52,000 stadium? It’s all very well having a massive stadium to rival the big four, but ultimately, what’s the point when you can’t compete with them on the pitch?

Continue reading "A Relegation Battle And A New Stadium" »

Return Of The Mick

Posted by Luke on April 3, 2007 2:07 PM

As if the promotion run in was not going to be tense enough in the Championship this season, Sunderland have the added intrigue of Mick McCarthy's first return to the Stadium of Light this weekend to worry about.

Okay, worry is probably the wrong word and, given the club’s recent run of form, mildly concerned would also be an exaggeration, but McCarthy’s first appearance at the Stadium of Light since he was sacked in March last year will be an interesting sub-plot in what already promises to be a thriller.

For once, let’s forget the Roy Keane row with McCarthy which soured the Republic of Ireland’s 2002 World Cup Finals appearance. Others probably won’t and will drag it all up again in the next few days, but as far as I’m concerned it’s done, dusted and dealt with.

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Nerves Of Steel In The Steel City

Posted by Luke on April 5, 2007 1:57 PM

They call it the Steel City and Newcastle United are going to need nerves of steel in Sheffield if they are not going to be pulled into a relegation battle this weekend.

I couldn’t resist a little play on words there – I can be self-indulgent sometimes – but there is no doubt that, if Newcastle lose to Sheffield United on Saturday, they are in trouble.

I’m tempted to write that a win for the Blades would cut manager Glenn Roeder like a knife, but there isn’t any need to be clever when a win would leave Neil Warnock’s side – currently one place and one point above the drop zone – three points behind the Magpies.

Continue reading "Nerves Of Steel In The Steel City" »

I Should Have Played Water Polo

Posted by Luke on April 9, 2007 7:05 PM

With hindsight I should have gone with my original plan and opted for a game of water polo in the swimming pool but, try as I might, I just can't switch off from football that easily when there is a massive cinema screen in the hotel and Spanish television are showing Newcastle against Arsenal live at three in the afternoon.

Yes, that's right, I'm on holiday on the sun-drenched Spanish island of Tenerife, relaxing on a sun lounger, enjoying the all inclusive food and drink and attempting to forget about the trials and tribulations of the end of season run in.

Sadly, despite my best intentions, I simply can't manage to ignore it. No matter how hot the sun, how annoying the screaming kids, how gripping the book and how attractive the views around the pool my mind kept drifting to events at St James's Park.

Continue reading "I Should Have Played Water Polo" »

Motivation Is The Name Of The Game

Posted by Luke on April 16, 2007 12:24 PM

Hi everyone, I'm back from my holidays and things are pretty much the same as I left them. Sunderland are on a relentless march towards a Premiership return and Newcastle are stumbling and blundering their way towards the end of a dreadful season.

First things first, the holiday was great, long, lazy days by the swimming pool with the sun on my face and a cool beer in my belly. Just what I needed, although, by the looks of things, Newcastle’s players have also got one eye on their summer vacations given their performance against Portsmouth at the weekend.

I see Glenn Roeder has delivered (another) dressing room dressing down after the 2-1 defeat and, according to well-placed sources, has apparently “spoken the strongest words of his time as manager.”

Continue reading "Motivation Is The Name Of The Game" »

Who Cares About The World Cup?

Posted by Luke on April 18, 2007 10:56 AM

With the sort of impeccable timing which tends to escape England's one day batsman the domestic cricket season begins today, just 24 hours after the national side's World Cup challenge came to a humiliating end in the Caribbean.

Oh well, it was to be expected really wasn't it? And at least nobody can blame Steve Harmison for the embarrassment this time because he's down here in Worcester with Durham and didn't even bowl a ball - at second slip or otherwise - in the World Cup!

Continue reading "Who Cares About The World Cup?" »

Rocky, Roy Of The Rovers and Mountain Biking

Posted by Luke on April 19, 2007 1:21 PM

So Roy Keane has taken Sunderland's player's mountain biking as part of a team building exercise. Team building? Sounds more like team injuring to me!

I wonder what's next for the Black Cats' apparently fearless squad? How about base jumping off the tallest buildings - and there aren't many - in the North-East? Home-made bungee jumping? Or how about boring old shark diving?

Continue reading "Rocky, Roy Of The Rovers and Mountain Biking" »

Michael Owen's Fitness Part 29

Posted by Luke on April 20, 2007 11:28 AM

If I may, I'd like to to borrow from the self-obsessed RnB artist Craig David. Michael Owen, he was playing against Chelsea on Sunday, rated as 50-50 on Wednesday, not playing by Thursday.....

Obviously this would sound a lot better with music but after days of speculation, Newcastle United's recording signing, speaking during a trip to Newmarket to watch the races - does he ever do anything else with his spare time? - has confirmed he will not be playing against Chelsea this weekend.

Wow, there's a shock, I didn't see that one coming, given the fact he wasn't deemed to be fit enough to play in a reserve game against Middlesbrough earlier in the week! No competitive matches, no run-outs for the second string. Yep, everything looked in place for a comeback against the reigning champions, honest!

Continue reading "Michael Owen's Fitness Part 29" »

I Can't Believe I Just Said That

Posted by Luke on April 23, 2007 1:32 PM

In light of Jose Mourinho's rant after the goal-less draw with Newcastle about it being against the rules to award Chelsea a penalty, I'd like to ask the question, is it also against rules for Chelsea to fail to win gracefully?

I never thought I'd say it and I'm sure neither did those Newcastle fans who chanted it on Sunday, but I’d rather Manchester United won the title this season. There, I've said it, I feel a little dirty now, but I've said it and it’s true. I can't cope with a third-successive Premiership title for Chelsea.

Continue reading "I Can't Believe I Just Said That" »

Take That Tactics Board!

Posted by Luke on April 25, 2007 2:15 PM

Did you know that Roy Keane knows a few karate moves? It's true, apparently when he isn't happy with the way his players have performed he does the whole ninja thing and kicks the ink out of the tactics board! Whatever happened to the good old days of plate throwing eh?!

Keane's temper tantrum was revealed by Sunderland's goalkeeper Darren Ward and if you aren't surprised by Keane's impression of the Karate Kid you will probably be surprised by the fact he has only done it once since he became manager.

That, though, is of little comfort to the unfortunate tactics board which has never been seen again after Keane's vicious assault!

Continue reading "Take That Tactics Board!" »

Would You Sell Kieron Dyer?

Posted by Luke on April 27, 2007 2:22 PM

So Tottenham Hostpur are interested in signing Kieron Dyer, but Glenn Roeder isn't interested in selling and "rubbishes" - interesting word but not in the English dictionary - stories which suggest the England international will be leaving the club this summer.

It is clear Roeder doesn't want to lose Dyer, but does the player want to stay? Will Tottenham be put off by this declaration of intent not to sell, or will they see it simply as an attempt to raise the asking price? But, perhaps more importantly, it raises the question, if you were in charge at Newcastle - nice thought I know - would you sell Dyer?

Continue reading "Would You Sell Kieron Dyer?" »