Europa league

A cold February night in Kharkiv, Ukraine was the scene for the latest chapter in Newcastle United's Europa league campaign. After a first leg scoreless draw Newcastle headed to Eastern Europe with a point to prove after two very questionable offside calls left this tie very much in the balance. Pardew picked a strong team while also showing the flexibility in our squad. Taylor, Tiote and Santon missed out while Haidara, M'biwa, and Anita showed they are more than capable of stepping into the first team. Newcastle showed they are taking this competition seriously which is very refreshing as over recent years the Europa league has been treated as an inconvenience.

United started well and bossed the early stages with relative ease. Colo and M'biwa looked very solid and our Midfield was full of energy and composure. the much maligned Shola Ameobi started as our central striker and put in one of his most impressive performance this season. His physical assets were in full effect and he bullied the Metalist defenders and was able to hold up the ball and feed passes into Cisse and Sissoko.

I have never been a big fan of Shola - I love his commitment to the club, he is one of us, a fan who made it. For me he cannot be counted as a potential premier league starter, his role must be an impact sub which is a role I believe he does well. Maybe the Europa League is his level also as he certainly seems to unsettle defenders on the European stage.

One area where Shola currently has no equal is from the penalty spot. Last night Shola calmly slotted home a spot kick and registered his 15th European goals for NUFC, secondly only to club legend Alan Shearer.

Penalty KIng

This secured our passed into the last 16 of the Europa league where we will face Anzhi Makhachkala. Anzhi although based in Dagestan play their home games in Moscow and having visited the Russian capital a few years ago I am sure the Toon Army will enjoy the trip behind the Iron curtain. i see no reason why we cannot press on and have a really good run at this competition just as Boro and Fulham have done in recent years.

After a night full of many positives it was worrying to hear that Tim Krul could potentially miss up to 5 weeks of action after picking up an ankle knock last in last nights game. I have a feeling it is too early to make such assumptions and I am sure the club will wait right until the last minute before making a call on Krul's injury.

Sunday will soon be here and hopefully we can take the confidence from the Metalist result into the Southampton game. For the first time this season Pardew has some big selection decisions to make. M'biwa or Taylor, Anita or Tiote, does Shola start? I am sure this is a headache that Pardew does not mind having. Sunday might also see the return of our most gifted individual Hatem Ben Arfa and what a boost that would be for the team.

Onwards and upwards