Here’s Matt this fine Thursday…

Howay and welcome back to Latin Newcastle, where it’s always samba time.

Well, that’s not strictly true, as we’ve had our ups and downs over the past two seasons, but we ended last season as FA Cup Winners, so as we prepare for season 3, will it me a new dawn or more fog on the Tyne?

Maradona retired in the close season, and I’ve been begging Freddy for some more firepower:

Freddy – ‘Who do you want to replace Diego? Batistuta?’

Me – ‘He went to Liverpool’

Freddy – ‘Tino?’

Me – ‘He went to Man United’

Freddy – ‘Well who then?’

Me – ‘We could try Diego’s regen?’

Freddy – ‘What’s regen?’

Me – ‘Well, it’s like a reincarnation of Diego, only younger. A version 2 if you will.’

Freddy – ‘Version 2? I don’t like the sound of that. Ain’t going to sell many shirts is he?

Me – ‘I guess not’

While the search for striking options continues, we start the season where we ended it, at Wembley against Man United.

Tino comes back to haunt us and Chilly fluffs his lines when the game goes to pens

It’s a shaky start to the league campaign when the Samba club face the Crazy Gang, but own goals and red cards help us to 3 points.

It’s a struggle away to Everton, but Geordio is off the mark in the league and hopefully things can only get better

The other side of Liverpool is a sterner test. Batistuta is denied by Chilly but McManaman settles things late on

We’re seeing more red cards than goals at the moment, but fortunately this one is in our favour

Belgrade will be our first destination in Europe this season

This is a good win, even if Sheffield united are bottom

This is an even better result, cruising at 3-0 before Emerson gets his marching orders we manage to hang on for a decent three points

Red cards, own goals – our matches are nothing if not entertaining

Our European adventures happen on a Thursday now, and it’s straight forward in Belgrade with no need for red cards or own goals for once

Thursday evening games away also mean less time to recover. Something that Arsenal take advantage of

The other side of London is easier to handle, even if my boys left it late to settle matters

The return match against Belgrade is a decidedly dull affair. Moving on….

Chilly follows up his clean-sheet with a penalty salvo against Boro

We can’t be relying on Chilly for all our goals so Freddy lets me splash out on Gustavo’s cousin, Claudio. I tried to get Ortega, Edmundo, even Sonny Anderson, but they all turned me down

Claudio is off to a flyer against Sunderland and that’s a great win against the Mackems.

Claudio is unavailable for Europe, but that’s no bother as Geordio steps up with a hat-trick

It’s another European hangover in the league though and it’s a sluggish 1-1 against the Wanderers.

Still, it’s not as sluggish as being knocked out of the League Cup by Rotherham!

Things aren’t any better against Leeds

Still, it could be worse. We are second in the league, but only just

It’s not a bad start, but hopefully we don’t dip in the middle bit – join us next time for more ups and downs on the Tyne.