New Wolves manager Terry Connor believes his side’s fightback to claim a draw at Newcastle could be a turning point in their relegation fight.

Connor was named as Mick McCarthy’s replacement

on Friday

and saw his side battle from 2-0 down to

earn a point thanks to Kevin Doyle’s goal.

“The result could set us up for the rest of the season,” Connor said.


Wolves boss Terry Connor

 

Connor enjoys “vital” draw at Newcastle

“I told the players at half-time if they believe and have confidence, hopefully things will turn your way.”

Wolves surprisingly turned to Connor – who was assistant to Mick McCarthy – after Walter Smith, Alan Curbishley and Brian McDermott ruled themselves out.

But the former Leeds and Brighton striker believes his knowledge of the players helped to mastermind the comeback, which saw Wolves climb out of the bottom three.

Connor said: “With a new manager [from outside of the club] there is a settling in period. It takes a while for the players to know what he wants and understand what’s required.

“The players did it for themselves. It’s been a very stressful week.”

Connor also revealed that McCarthy had been heavily in contact ahead of his managerial debut.

“Mick has been in contact most days this week,” Connor said.

“He sent me a good luck text and had the courtesy to give me a call and say I deserved to go for it.

“To do it yourself was strange but I thought it went really well today.

“I didn’t enjoy being 2-0 down, but I enjoyed it then [when Wolves made their comeback].”


Newcastle boss Alan Pardew

 

Only ourselves to blame – Pardew

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew acknowledged that the new manager had made an immediate impact.

He said: “We’ve seen Terry [Connor] go in there and has changed the style a bit, now they pass the ball more.

“[The comeback and performance] was for the players and for him [Terry Connor]. They go home with full credit.

“It was a little bit for Mick [McCarthy] as much as Terry.

“They did their best for him.”






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TEAM NEWS

Newcastle welcome back Cheick Tiote, who has returned to the club after the Africa Cup of Nations.

Yohan Cabaye is available after serving a suspension, and Ryan Taylor has recovered from an ankle injury.

Wolves boss Terry Connor is hopeful that striker Steven Fletcher will be fit despite missing training earlier this week because of a virus.

Karl Henry could play after completing a three-game ban, while Michael Kightly may return from a back injury.

MATCH PREVIEW

What an extraordinary fortnight it has been for Wolves both on and off the pitch. It’s further evidence of the rollercoaster nature of life in the Premier League. It doesn’t seem too long ago that we witnessed a smiling Mick McCarthy at Loftus Road after what he described as a “huge win” at Queens Park Rangers.







Given their recent turmoil this would be one of the last fixtures Wolves would have chosen






Just one game on, and a heavy defeat at home to their fiercest rivals brought to an end his five and a half years in charge. However, the events since the capitulation to West Brom might have been even more painful for Wolves fans to witness; the board promised a quick appointment to be in place for this fixture, so it has been remarkable to see the list of names mentioned on an almost daily basis since.

After all the reports and speculation, McCarthy’s assistant Terry Connor has been asked to take charge for the remainder of the season. He must now demand a rapid response to their derby drubbing. This is owner Steve Morgan’s first managerial appointment since taking charge and it’s proved far from straight forward.

His counterpart at Newcastle, Mike Ashley, has seen six men in the Magpies’ dugout since he bought the club and even he couldn’t have predicted the success this season under Alan Pardew. However, like Wolves, they are looking for a reaction having conceded five goals last time out, when they were blown away by Tottenham.

Given their recent turmoil this would be one of the last fixtures Wolves would have chosen. Newcastle have lost just twice at home all season and have taken 24 points from a possible 36 on Tyneside.

Add to that the full home debut of Papiss Cisse and the return of Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye, and this could be another long day in an uncomfortable couple of weeks for Wolves.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

  • Newcastle are chasing a third successive win against Wolves. They are unbeaten in their five previous Premier League matches against the Molineux outfit (W2, D3).
  • The last time Wolves won a top-flight match away to Newcastle was on 7 February 1959 – the day former manager Mick McCarthy was born.

Newcastle

  • The Magpies have won all four of their league and cup home games in 2012.
  • Newcastle’s 5-0 defeat at Tottenham was their heaviest Premier League loss since a 6-0 reverse at Manchester United in January 2008.
  • Alan Pardew’s men have yet to come from behind to win a Premier League game this season – Manchester United are the only other side with that record.

Wolves

  • Wolves kept two clean sheets in their opening three league games, but have not recorded a shut-out in their subsequent 22 matches.
  • They have won one of their last 11 top-flight games.
  • The Molineux side have recouped 13 points from losing positions this season, the best record in the division.









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17 February 2012
Last updated at 03:58 ET











Graffiti was daubed at Newcastle United’s ground hours after the St James Park signs were removed.

On Thursday the letters were removed after November’s announcement of the name change to the Sports Direct Arena.

The removal sparked anger among many fans and the words “St James” were written in white paint at the ground before being removed on Friday morning.

The club says the change is a temporary measure to “showcase” the sponsorship opportunity to “interested parties”.

The graffiti was written on one of the walls at the ground below where one of the St James Park signs had been.

Workmen later arrived to remove it.

Many Newcastle fans have said they will continue to call the ground St James Park.

The club’s managing director Derek Llambias has said stadium rebranding could generate up to £10m a year.



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Newcastle United midfielder Haris Vuckic has joined Cardiff City on an initial one-month loan deal

The 19-year-old is expected to formally complete a temporary move to the Bluebirds on Friday in time for Saturday’s Championship game at Leicester.

The Slovenian Under-21 international joined Newcastle from NK Domzale in January 2009.

Vuckic has made five appearances for Alan Pardew’s side this season.

He will be available for all of Cardiff’s Championship games up to an including the trip to Bristol City on 10 March

However Vuckic will be ineligible for the Carling Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley on 25 February.

Vuckic made a substitutes appearance for Newcastle in their second round

win at Scunthorpe in August.






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Newcastle manager Alan Pardew believes Papiss Demba Cisse’s match-winning performance against Aston Villa will have had Magpies fans purring.

The Newcastle number nine,

who signed from Freiburg last month for a reported £10m 

, fired in a spectacular goal on his debut to

give his side a 2-1 win 

.

“It was boys’ annual stuff, that goal,” Pardew said.

“Any Magpies fan would’ve been nudging their mates and saying, ‘We’ve got a good ‘un here, he looks all right’.”


Continue reading the main story


If you are going to wear that jersey at Newcastle, you need a good start, and Cisse has had that



Newcastle manager Alan Pardew


The 26-year-old Senegal international was the most expensive signing of the transfer window although he, like striking partner Demba Ba, had been on Africa Cup of Nations duty during January.

“In my career, I have been lucky with strikers in debuts, and that’s struck again today,” added Pardew.

“I am really pleased because it’s a big investment for the club.

“While Mike Ashley sanctioned it and Mike is the owner and [managing director] Derek Llambias had to see the deal through, it’s fans’ money.

“I have got to spend fans’ money here – if we don’t get anyone coming into the stadium, we haven’t got any money, so I like to spend it well.

“We have worked hard on that, we have taken our time and we hope we got it right. He has had a great start today, but that’s all at the moment.”

Cisse began on the bench but was brought on to partner Ba after forward Leon Best had to be helped off the pitch with a knee injury early in the first half.


Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish

 

Newcastle an example to Aston Villa – McLeish

“People are under a misapprehension that they have this partnership that’s formed – it’s not, they have hardly played together,” continued Pardew.

“But they are going to complement each other well because Papiss wants to go in behind and Demba wants to come short, so you have got a nice balance there, as Villa’s balance was nice today too.

“If you are going to wear that jersey at Newcastle, you need a good start, and Cisse has had that.”






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70:55

The assist for the goal came from Jonas Gutierrez.

70:55 Goal scored

Goal – Papiss Cisse – Newcastle 2 – 1 A Villa Goal scored by Papiss Cisse from the edge of the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Newcastle 2-1 Aston Villa.

70:41

Unfair challenge on Fabricio Coloccini by Darren Bent results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Fabricio Coloccini.

69:48

Inswinging corner taken by Barry Bannan.

68:59

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Robbie Keane by Fabricio Coloccini. Stiliyan Petrov restarts play with the free kick.

68:44

Stephen Warnock crosses the ball, Darren Bent takes a shot. Blocked by Mike Williamson.

67:59

Papiss Cisse challenges Robbie Keane unfairly and gives away a free kick. Carlos Cuellar restarts play with the free kick.

67:04

Danny Guthrie takes the direct free kick.

67:04 Booking

Booking Darren Bent is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

66:58

Foul by Darren Bent on Danny Guthrie, free kick awarded.

65:43 Substitution

Substitution Charles N’Zogbia goes off and Emile Heskey comes on.

64:59

The ball is crossed by Danny Guthrie, comfortable save by Shay Given.

64:43

Shot by Gabriel Obertan. Robbie Keane gets a block in.

61:40

The ball is delivered by Danny Guthrie, Close range headed effort by Papiss Cisse clears the crossbar.

60:30

Free kick awarded for a foul by Barry Bannan on Jonas Gutierrez. Danny Guthrie crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, clearance by Richard Dunne.

60:18

The ball is sent over by Jonas Gutierrez, Carlos Cuellar makes a clearance.

59:07

Richard Dunne challenges Demba Ba unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Demba Ba.

58:36

Danny Simpson delivers the ball, Richard Dunne manages to make a clearance.

56:57

Centre by Gabriel Obertan, clearance by Barry Bannan.

56:14

Robbie Keane produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.

54:47

Effort from the edge of the area by Gabriel Obertan goes wide of the right-hand post.

54:26

The ball is sent over by Charles N’Zogbia, clearance by Mike Williamson.

53:11

Danny Guthrie produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.

52:08

Stiliyan Petrov delivers the ball, clearance by Mike Williamson.

51:43

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Stiliyan Petrov.

49:20

The assistant referee flags for offside against Danny Guthrie. Shay Given restarts play with the free kick.

48:51

Outswinging corner taken by Danny Guthrie from the right by-line, clearance made by Richard Dunne.

47:25

The ball is sent over by Jonas Gutierrez, clearance by Carlos Cuellar.

45:48

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Tim Krul.

45:12 Substitution

Substitution Barry Bannan joins the action as a substitute, replacing Stephen Ireland.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:00 +6:04

The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +4:36

Assist on the goal came from Charles N’Zogbia.

45:00 +4:36 Goal scored

Goal – Robbie Keane – Newcastle 1 – 1 A Villa Robbie Keane finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Newcastle 1-1 Aston Villa.

45:00 +3:50

The ball is sent over by Charles N’Zogbia, Davide Santon manages to make a clearance.

45:00 +3:09

Centre by Danny Guthrie, Header from deep inside the penalty area by Papiss Cisse goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

45:00 +2:38

Danny Guthrie takes the inswinging corner, Alan Hutton makes a clearance.

45:00 +2:29

Shot by Davide Santon. Blocked by Ciaran Clark.

45:00 +1:32

Danny Guthrie crosses the ball, Header from close range by Papiss Cisse misses to the right of the target.

44:32

The ball is delivered by Robbie Keane, Tim Krul makes a comfortable save.

43:35

Corner taken by Charles N’Zogbia, Danny Guthrie manages to make a clearance.

43:27

A cross is delivered by Charles N’Zogbia, Fabricio Coloccini manages to make a clearance.

41:01

Stephen Ireland produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the target.

40:19

Unfair challenge on Alan Hutton by Jonas Gutierrez results in a free kick. Stiliyan Petrov crosses the ball in from the free kick.

39:14

Effort from deep inside the area by Charles N’Zogbia misses to the left of the goal.

38:21

Free kick taken by Tim Krul.

38:21 Booking

Booking Richard Dunne goes into the referee’s book.

38:15

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jonas Gutierrez by Richard Dunne.

38:02

The ball is crossed by Gabriel Obertan, Stiliyan Petrov makes a clearance.

37:38

Direct free kick taken by Stiliyan Petrov.

37:38 Booking

Booking The referee shows Danny Simpson a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

37:26

Danny Simpson concedes a free kick for a foul on Charles N’Zogbia.

36:54

Jonas Gutierrez delivers the ball, save made by Shay Given.

35:33

The ball is delivered by Stephen Warnock, save by Tim Krul.

34:17

The assistant referee signals for offside against Darren Bent. Indirect free kick taken by Tim Krul.

32:57 Substitution

Substitution Gabriel Obertan comes on in place of Ryan Taylor.

29:27

Assist by Ryan Taylor.

29:27 Goal scored

Goal – Demba Ba – Newcastle 1 – 0 A Villa Demba Ba finds the back of the net with a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Newcastle 1-0 Aston Villa.

29:25

Ryan Taylor produces a drilled right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

27:16

Darren Bent takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Tim Krul makes a save.

28:21

Charles N’Zogbia sends in a cross, blocked by Danny Simpson.

27:43

Effort from 20 yards by Robbie Keane. Save made by Tim Krul.

27:16

Shot by Stiliyan Petrov. Save by Tim Krul.

26:58

Alan Hutton produces a cross, clearance by Fabricio Coloccini.

26:28

The ball is crossed by Danny Simpson, clearance by Carlos Cuellar.

25:35

The ball is crossed by Ryan Taylor.

22:28

Davide Santon crosses the ball, Stephen Warnock manages to make a clearance.

20:33

Corner taken by Ryan Taylor played to the near post, Darren Bent makes a clearance.

20:21

Effort on goal by Demba Ba from 30 yards. Blocked by Richard Dunne.

18:20

Effort on goal by Ryan Taylor from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

18:10

The ball is delivered by Danny Guthrie, Richard Dunne manages to make a clearance.

17:24

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ciaran Clark on Davide Santon. Free kick crossed by Ryan Taylor, clearance made by Darren Bent.

16:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Davide Santon by Charles N’Zogbia. Direct free kick taken by Tim Krul.

15:50

Papiss Cisse takes a shot. Save made by Shay Given.

14:47

Charles N’Zogbia takes the inswinging corner, comfortable save by Tim Krul.

14:38

The ball is delivered by Robbie Keane, clearance by Fabricio Coloccini.

13:19 Substitution

Substitution Papiss Cisse replaces Leon Best.

13:07

Stiliyan Petrov takes a shot. Save made by Tim Krul.

12:40

Shot by Darren Bent from 12 yards. Save by Tim Krul.

10:25

Leon Best takes a shot. Blocked by Stephen Warnock.

6:23

Effort from outside the penalty area by Charles N’Zogbia goes wide left of the target.

5:33

Ryan Taylor fouled by Stephen Warnock, the ref awards a free kick. Ryan Taylor takes the free kick.

1:22

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Danny Simpson by Charles N’Zogbia. Tim Krul takes the free kick.

0:59

Davide Santon sends in a cross, clearance by Richard Dunne.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.

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