Gianluca Vialli emerges as the 3/1 second favourite for the Newcastle job

Chelsea legend backed to take over at St James’ Park

An e-mail from Sky Bet dropped into the chickendinner inbox this morning revealing that Gianluca Vialli has emerged from nowhere to become the 3/1 second favourite to be appointed Newcastle’s new manager.

The former Chelsea boss hasn’t coached for seven years since an unsuccessful stint at Watford but long absences didn’t stop the Magpies from appointing Kevin Keegan and Joe Kinnear.

Reports in this morning’s papers suggested the Italian was being earmarked by potential owners to work as director of football in a “dream team” with director-of-football despiser Alan Shearer - who is still the 4/11 favourite.

However, perhaps sensing that Shearer wouldn’t be too happy about having someone operating above him, punters have backed Vialli for the main job.

Posted: July 9th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Newcastle are 16/1 not to win another match this season

Alan Shearer and Iain Dowie must negotiate a difficult run-in

Photo Credit: Anna Gowthorpe, PA Wire

Earlier today we revealed that Newcastle managers usually enjoy a successful start, which is why Sky Bet are offering a hefty 16/1 on Alan Shearer not winning another league match this season. While it’s very unlikely, here are eight statistical reasons why this is a possibility:

Chelsea (h)
Newcastle haven’t scored in their last three home matches against the Blues and have lost to them at least once in each of the last eleven seasons.

Stoke (a)
The Potters haven’t lost a home game to a side outside the top six.

Tottenham (a)
Spurs have lost just one of their 17 home games under Harry Redknapp.

Posted: April 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Newcastle managers normally get off to a strong start

Maybe Alan Shearer won’t be a complete disaster after all

Newcastle are 11 points shy of the magic 40 points mark that has been enough to survive in all but one of the last 13 seasons. To help figure out what chance Alan Shearer has of achieving that total, chickendinner decided to look at how well the last few Magpies bosses have settled into the role:

The positive sign is that seven of the eight took at least ten points although it is notable that the one exception was the big hearts-over-head appointment heralded as the return of a messiah to St James’ Park. In terms of the betting, Newcastle are now 2.3 on Betfair to be relegated, having been 2.12 before rumours of Shearer’s impending appointment started to circulate.

Posted: April 2nd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Newcastle are more likely to survive under Alan Shearer

So say Paddy Power, who have lengthened their relegation odds

Paddy Power believe that the appointment of inexperienced club legend Alan Shearer has boosted Newcastle’s chances of Premier League survival this season. The Magpies were 11/10 to be relegated at this point yesterday with the Irish bookmakers but have now gone out to 6/5.

The last man who stepped off the Match of the Day couch to replace an ill manager in a relegation battle was Trevor Brooking in 2002/03. “His club” West Ham ended the season unbeaten under him but still went down.

But while Brooking was successful in both of his stand-in spells despite lacking experience, Newcastle have got worse with every managerial appointment since Glenn Roeder, who had a win percentage of 45.83%. Sam Allardyce took over next and recorded 33.33%, Kevin Keegan then managed 28.57% before Joe Kinnear.

Click here to claim a free bet of up to £25 when opening a Paddy Power account

Posted: April 1st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Chelsea and Liverpool turn to Newcastle for a helping hand

Could Manchester Utd stumble? Here are some straws to clutch…

Last season it was treated as a surprise when a Big Four side stumbled but in recent months Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have tripped up so frequently that it was almost remarkable to see all three triumph last night. In fact, it was the first time in nine attempts since Boxing Day that Chelsea and Liverpool both won their league fixtures. Will Manchester United be unnerved by the fact their title rivals have finally applied some pressure? Probably not but here are a few reasons to believe Newcastle will put up a fight tonight:

» Newcastle have only lost one of their ten home league games since Joe Kinnear first took over, when Liverpool thumped them 5-1 in December.

Posted: March 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Chris Hughton’s Newcastle won’t roll over for Everton

Newcastle/Everton, Sunday 4pm, Sky Spts 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Chris Hughton’s first spell as Newcastle’s caretaker manager was disastrous, with the Magpies losing all four games under his leadership, However, the former Ireland assistant finally tasting victory a fortnight ago after filling the void again when Joe Kinnear fell ill before the West Brom match. Everton are on a bit of a roll but here’s why they are unlikely to win at St James’ Park:

» Newcastle have lost just one of their last nine home league matches.

» The Magpies have hosted five of the top ten so far this season and have only been beaten once. They took a point in the away game against Everton back in October.

Posted: February 20th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment