Magpies help put Magpies to the sword

Paul's report on an, ahem, eventful match at the KC Stadium yesterday is to come, but in the meantime let's congratulate some of our loanees for enjoying unequivocally good afternoons.

At the New York Stadium, Rotherham racked up six goals without reply. James Tavernier and Haris Vuckic may be Magpies, but they showed little mercy towards birds of a feather Notts County. Tavernier opened the scoring with a classy free-kick, before Vuckic seized the opportunity afforded to him by a rare start, grabbing two goals (albeit both with the aid of considerable deflections).

There was also a goal for Conor Newton, who made the all-important breakthrough for St Mirren in their victory over Kilmarnock, but Shane Ferguson was again absent as Birmingham lost at Ipswich - not the ideal start to life without Terry Mac and Derek Fazackerley for Lee Clark.

Clark loses friends but influences people

Friday brought interesting news from Birmingham, Lee Clark's Championship strugglers having parted company with fellow former Toon employees Terry McDermott and Derek Fazackerley. The circumstances surrounding the pair's departure remain unclear, Clark insisting they hadn't been sacked but claiming to be unable to add any further information "for legal reasons". The Blues are currently such a basket-case of a club that one wonders if they've been released as part of a cost-cutting drive.

Clark can still count on the assistance of another ex-Newcastle man, his former team-mate Steve Watson, in the role of first-team coach, but no longer appears to have any time for the player he currently has on loan from St James' Park. Fergie was once again missing from the squad on Saturday, but given that Clark inspired them to a 2-1 victory at freefalling Blackpool, it seems unlikely he'll be back in favour soon. A real shame, especially in view of the positive loan experiences of players like James Tavernier and Conor Newton, both of whom have been able to enhance their claims for involvement with the first team on their return to Tyneside.

The boyo done good

Setting transfer window issues aside, congratulations to Paul Dummett, whose elevation to the Newcastle first-team squad has resulted in a similar elevation to the senior Welsh squad for the forthcoming international fixtures. Whether he makes his bow alongside the world's most expensive player remains to be seen.

Fellow left-sided player Shane Ferguson has been enduring a tougher time at Birmingham. Despite creating the opening goal for Matt Green with a delicious cross in the 3-2 defeat at Leicester, the Northern Irishman was dropped to the bench for Saturday's visit of Ipswich. Blues appear to have continued last season's form, much to Lee Clark's dismay, and the picture is even less rosy off the pitch, as detailed in a recent post on The Two Unfortunates.

Meanwhile, Mehdi Abeid scored a somewhat fortuitous goal for his loan club Panathanaikos at the weekend. Scoring is something that Adam Campbell wasn't given the opportunity to do on loan in Cumbria - he's already back on Tyneside, a clearly disgruntled Silver Fox commenting "That didn’t work out at Carlisle, and he won’t be going back there". He may only be back temporarily, though, with a move to hook up with Conor Newton at St Mirren a possibility.

Steve Davis may have talked up Brad Inman's future, but his recent past at Crewe has been far from encouraging. He played for 21 minutes off the bench as the Railwaymen lost to League One leaders Leyton Orient, and was then handed a start for the trip to Swindon last weekend - only for the home side to romp to a 5-0 victory. The identity of the Robins' first scorer? Inman's former club colleague the Lone Ranger.

On the subject of familiar faces, the Reserves were beaten 5-4 by West Ham yesterday, despite taking a three-goal lead through a Jonathyn Quinn hat-trick. You ain't seen nothing like the mighty Quinn? Well, the Hammers had - one Elliot Lee, who grabbed a hat-trick of his own, two goals coming from the spot. The onlooker with conflicted loyalties? That would be his dad, Rob Lee.

Pitch perfect for Perchinho

The Football League kicked off on Saturday, and Perchinho's Wigan debut couldn't have gone much better. Aided and abetted by a red card for Barnsley debutant Dale Jennings, the Latics romped to a 4-0 away win as they kicked off their bid for an immediate return to the top flight in fine style.

Danny Simpson's new side QPR have similar ambitions, and got off to their own winning start by beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1. Simpson's old St James' Park colleague ASBO was partnered in central midfield by Karl Henry, the pair apparently nemeses no more following a kiss-and-make-up session shortly after the latter's arrival from Wolves.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Shane Ferguson couldn't prevent Birmingham from opening their campaign with a home defeat - though Blues do at least have the consolation of knowing they're unlikely to be the last side to be beaten on their own patch by most people's promotion favourites Watford. In the sole fixture yesterday, there was a familiar name on the scoresheet for Blackburn, first-half substitute Leon O'Best popping up with an 89th minute equaliser at Pride Park. Good to see him back playing again.

Further down the divisions, James Tavernier helped Shrewsbury keep a clean sheet at home to MK Dons, but it was a baptism of fire for Michael Richardson, whose Accrington Stanley side suffered a 4-1 spanking at League Two new boys Newport.

Brum deal done for Shane

Another day, another departure with no sign of any incoming reinforcements. Shane Ferguson has rejoined Birmingham on loan, this time for a full season - a good deal for the player and both clubs.

Elsewhere in the Championship, following the fortunes of QPR this season as a non-fan may just have become even more entertaining. ASBO is still on the club's books, with another loan spell at Marseille yet to be resolved, and so 'Appy 'Arry signing of Karl Henry on a free transfer from Wolves may just spice things up nicely. The pair really aren't very fond of each other at all. Expect reports of a training ground bust-up any day now...

Fergie helps shatter Crystal Palace

It was a very Good Friday indeed for Shane Ferguson, who made a vital contribution to Birmingham's resounding 4-0 win at Crystal Palace - all the more surprising given that the home side were unbeaten on their own turf for 18 league games. His corner was unintentionally converted by Palace defender Damien Delaney for the visitors' second goal, and he then curled in an icing-on-the-cake free kick to complete the scoring.

Of the Blues' current and ex-Toon contingent, the Northern Irishman was the only one to start, replaced late on by Darren Ambrose while Stephen Caldwell and Peter Lovenkrands kicked their heels on the bench - the same fate suffered by Palace's Peter Ramage, who you suspect may find himself back in the first team following that defensive display...

Shane helps put Smogs to the sword

This afternoon's fixture between Middlesbrough and Birmingham pitted loanees Little Big Lad and Shane Ferguson against each other - and it was the latter who came out on top as the Blues continued their recent revival and prolonged the Smogs' slump. Little Big Lad had been withdrawn and was watching from the bench by the time Fergie swung in a cross from the left that Nikola Zigic knocked home for the only goal of the game. That was pretty much the Northern Irishman's last contribution, with Lee Clark choosing to replace him with fellow Toon old boy Stephen Caldwell for the remaining few minutes. Needless to say, the Little Waster didn't feature for the Smogs - injured or just tired, no doubt...

Fergie's got the Blues

Another loan departure, and this time it's Shane Ferguson off to try his luck in the Championship with struggling, cash-strapped Birmingham, where he'll be lining up with no fewer than four ex-Toon players (Darren Ambrose, Steve Caldwell, Peter Lovenkrands and captain Stephen Carr).

The move also reunites the Northern Irishman with Lee Clark, one of his first coaches upon arriving at St James' Park. The Blues manager has apparently been pursuing Fergie for a while now, and is hoping he'll hit the ground running: "I think he will be a big favourite with the supporters."

For his part, the winger is already talking about the possibility of the loan deal extending beyond this initial month. First things first, Fergie - get yourself in the team and then you can try to impress.

Not-so-handy Andy

Incredible, isn't it, that managers should already be finding themselves handed their P45s. First to go was Toon old boy Andy Thorn, given the boot by Coventry. The Sky Blues were unbeaten under Thorn, though they did surrender leads to record draws in their three league fixtures.

Thorn generally comes across as glum and unenthusiastic in interviews (hardly positive attributes in someone who is supposed to inspire), but you have to wonder why the board were prepared to stand by the man who took the club down to League One and allow him the summer to try reshaping the squad, only to sack him four games into the season. The new man (who, if the Coventry board have even a shred of common sense, won't be the Poison Dwarf) will inherit Thorn's squad with no opportunity to make adjustments and additions of his own until January.

Incidentally, a Thorn-less Coventry defeated Championship outfit Birmingham in the League Cup to put more pressure on Lee Clark. His side have suffered a poor start to the campaign, picking up just one point in the league since the Cup thrashing of Barnet. Clark was downcast after Saturday's loss at Watford, demanding better performances from those he's brought in, and while Darren Ambrose helped Peter Lovenkrands to give Blues the lead at the Ricoh, it wasn't enough and his mood certainly won't have improved.

Loven the first degree for Clarkie

Best of luck to Peter Lovenkrands, who has joined Birmingham following his departure from St James' Park. The Dane - Lee Clark's first signing since being appointed Blues manager - may now be 32 and lacking the sort of pace he had when marauding down the flanks at Rangers, but he retains a reasonable eye for goal and a canny footballing brain and so should still have plenty to offer at Championship level. And, if Raylor's to be believed, plenty to offer his new teammates from his washbag, too.

Another story on the BBC site to catch my eye today concerned Junior Hoilett, out of contract at Blackburn. Steve Kean is likely to be disappointed if he thinks the winger-cum-striker will stay on at Ewood Park, but if Hoilett is to leave then it's worth noting that compensation will be required due to his age. We were repeatedly linked with a move for the Canadian earlier in the year, but the trail has gone strangely cold over recent months. Might we perhaps now be hoping that the sale of Leon O'Best will help to curry favour if, as I anticipate, any move for Hoilett quickly descends into a bunfight between a clutch of rival clubs?

Out with the old (boy), in with the old (boy)

Congratulations to Lee Clark, back in work at Birmingham following his sacking by Huddersfield in February. He's stepped into the shoes of ex-Toon boss Chris Hughton, who left to join Norwich, and has wasted no time installing his familiar backroom team of Terry Mac and Derek Fazackerley.

Clark inherits a difficult situation at St Andrews, with Blues having been placed under a transfer embargo by the Football League for failing to submit their accounts on time. Jordan Mutch has already been sold off to raise funds, Ben Foster looks to be on his way to West Midlands rivals West Brom, and Nathan Redmond, Jack Butland and Curtis Davies are all potentially bankable assets. Clark faces a tough task in trying to repeat Hughton's feat of a play-off berth - perhaps a season of consolidation both on and off the pitch is a more realistic target.

Update: It seems the news of Clark's appointment was broken in a rather unusual way...

Job done

Newcastle Utd 2 - 1 Birmingham

At the end of a week during which our new home shirt was revealed, an unspectacular St James' Park victory over Birmingham brought confirmation that it's sleeve will carry the official Premier League badge into the 2011/12 season.

Despite the manner of last weekend's defeat to Liverpool, Alan Pardew made only one change to the side, and that was enforced. Mike Williamson broke his arm during the week - supposedly during training, though given his Anfield horror-show I wouldn't be surprised to learn he decided to spare himself further humiliation and sought out an angry swan. It turned out his replacement Steven Taylor was to be at the very centre of the action.

The first half hour was largely a non-event which only threatened to flicker into life when Taylor's elbow connected with Cameron Jerome's mug but went unpunished (so presumably also unseen) by Chris Foy. It wasn't as cut and dried as Match Of The Day's sofa referees claimed, not least because our man seemed to have eyes only for the ball and not the man - but it's not the first incident of this kind and he needs to learn to stop his elbows from flailing. Alex McLeish grumbled afterwards: "If we don't stop that sort of thing players will end up with noses like mine."

Foy did however spot and punish Liam Ridgewell for not one but two goalline handballs. Ben Foster had set the tone for the afternoon, making excellent saves from ASBO and Sideshow Bob, but amidst an almighty scramble the Birmingham defender twice knocked the ball away with his arm. So, an early bath for him and a penalty for us, which Big Lad tucked neatly into the very bottom corner despite Foster guessing right.

The visiting 'keeper did magnificently to deny both Peter Lovenkrands and Kevin Nolan when his defence gave them the freedom of the six yard area, but couldn't do anything when Taylor met ASBO's corner with a firm header. Sebastian Larsson, stationed on the line, could only slice the ball into his own net - good to know that if he does join us this summer he already knows where the Gallowgate goal is... Taylor galloped the length of the pitch in celebration, no doubt a release of pent-up energy and frustration at having been kept sidelined for so long.

So, a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead - or it would have been had Sideshow Bob not switched off, misjudging Foster's punted clearance down the middle. He made amends by tackling Jerome as the striker took the ball past Tim Krul, but then deflected Lee Bowyer's follow-up shot over the Dutchman's dive and into the net. Thankfully injury had spared us the sight of Obafemi Martins doing backflips, but Bowyer - who once scored what turned out to be the winner for us in a 2-1 home win over the Blues - had an irritatingly good game on his return to the club for whom he so often underachieved.

For a side still looking nervously over their shoulders, and especially one reduced to ten men, it's not surprising that Birmingham didn't show a great deal of conviction on the attack - but more urgency might have been expected. As it was, their only real second half opportunity to equalise came when Krul flapped at a cross and Larsson, reacting instinctively, ballooned the ball way over the bar.

At the other end, meanwhile, Foster continued to excel, saving from substitute Nile Ranger. Big Lad was flattened by a defender as he tried to reach the rebound and ASBO was foiled by Foster, but both were offside. When Foster was finally beaten again by a clever lofted shot from Big Lad, Roger Johnson had retreated to head off the line, so 2-1 it remained.

Mr T waited until stoppage time to pick up his 14th yellow card. He's already helped set one Premier League record in his first season on Tyneside, but this saw him matching Lily Savage's markedly less impressive achievement and will probably rule him out of Pardew's plans for the final two games.

The result, which sealed our second and last double of the season, will be greeted with relief rather than jubilation, and certainly it wasn't a vintage performance. But our target was always safety first, and we can sleepwalk into next weekend's shellacking at Chelsea knowing that ultimately our mission has been accomplished with two matches to spare.

Other reports: BBC, Guardian

Swashbuckling Spidermag helps put Second City strugglers to the sword

Birmingham 0 - 2 Newcastle Utd

We could have been forgiven for feeling sorry for ourselves. The Fulham blip aside, four fine performances had gleaned no more than a solitary point on each occasion. But no, we tried, tried, tried again and - at the sixth time of asking - claimed the win we've so richly deserved.

Having suffered only two home defeats all season and boasting two eye-catching loan signings in the shape of David Bentley and Obafemi Martins, Birmingham were never likely to be a pushover. Martins lined up alongside two other Brum players no doubt intent on proving a point: captain Stephen Carr, allowed to leave St James' Park having repeatedly failed to impress, and Sebastian Larsson, a January transfer target whom we felt wasn't worth the terms he was demanding. And with Lee Bowyer and ex-Mackem Rat Boy Phillips lurking menacingly on the Blues' bench, it looked like a scriptwriter's dream.

So credit to us for introducing a very early and unexpected plot twist. Alan Pardew had kept faith with the same front pairing that drew a blank at Ewood Park, and that faith was repaid handsomely within two minutes when Spidermag teased in a delicious cross for Peter Lovenkrands to finish neatly.

Spidermag had capitalised on good work from Jose Enrique, who picked up where he left off against Blackburn by skinning Carr. But our Spaniard looked equally dangerous in defence, allowing himself to be pickpocketed by Martins. The Nigerian set up Peter-Crouch-on-stilts striker Nikola Zigic, who was only denied by a superb Steve Harper save.

The Serbian beanpole was always going to be difficult to keep quiet, but we were doing an admirable job. Though the home side gradually started to assert themselves, particularly through underrated midfielder Craig Gardner, we remained calm and assured, keeping them at arm's length and making it through to the break with our lead intact. That's now a half-time clean sheet in each of our last seven away games of any description - which just serves to make the Arsenal result all the more extraordinary.

Stick or twist - that was the question as the second period began. And once again we twisted with the half only a few minutes old. Spidermag again supplied the ammunition from the left, Leon Best delivering the headed finish from close range - just desserts on a night when he led the line as well as we could have hoped. Big Lad might yet have trouble reclaiming his starting place.

If it was a relief to see Martins depart before the hour mark, expressions in the away dugout and stand were grimmer when the lively Lovenkrands' evening was curtailed by injury. Zigic continued to threaten on occasions, but Roger Johnson spurned the Blues' best opportunity, heading straight at Harper from a corner. Meanwhile, Johnson and his defensive colleagues were kept on their toes by some snappy Newcastle breaks, Spidermag scything down the flank and Best and Cheik Tiote both trying their luck with shots on goal.

With 15 minutes remaining, Best was afforded a standing ovation as he left the pitch. Birmingham, desperate to weasel their way back into the game, turned appropriately enough to 37-year-old Rat Boy. Thankfully, though, our sometime scourge made little impression - and neither did fellow substitute Cameron Jerome, other than a fluffed effort as the clock ran down, leaving the sizeable Toon contingent of a crowd 6000 larger than witnessed the Second City derby last month thoroughly satisfied at a job well done.

We're now unbeaten at St Andrews in seven visits in all competitions and have closed the gap on 5under1and to just two points. More importantly, though, we've given ourselves eight points worth of breathing space over 18th-placed Wigan. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, Whelan.

Other reports: BBC, Guardian