Back in the day, a chance office conversation somehow led to Chris Tait and Mark Jensen producing the very first copy of The Mag. Via his ‘Sweet Left Foot’, Chris has produced some of the most admired and appreciated articles in the magazine, combined with his duties as Deputy Editor.

NUFC’s Demba Ba and Demba Rodney

by Chris Tait on Thursday 19th January 2012

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Robert Lee, Alan Shearer……Michael Owen…….Albert Luque… were all statements of intent (ok, I didn’t say it always worked out did I?).

Hopefully the arrival of Demba Rodney to partner Demba Ba is a firm response to Sky’s dismissal of our right to challenge the top 6.

Some Clubs Are Bigger Than Others

by Chris Tait on Wednesday 11th January 2012

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Paul Merson, kicked off the debate last week by suggesting in all seriousness – or what passes for seriousness when you have the IQ of a table-lamp – that perennial mid-table flounderers Aston Villa are a, “bigger club”, than Newcastle United.

Lessons Learned

by Chris Tait on Wednesday 4th January 2012

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Things we have learnt so far this season; Chelsea can’t have anybody sent off for any reason, Dalglish and Liverpool will defend their players no matter what they’ve done….

….and nobody is interested in Newcastle United.

Sour Carroll-ine

by Chris Tait on Friday 30th December 2011

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What chance do Newcastle United ever have of breaking back into the higher reaches of the Premier league if they can’t even rely on their own?

If Carroll scores tonight will he kiss the badge, maybe he won’t if we pay him enough….

Don’t Dream It’s Obertan

by Chris Tait on Tuesday 20th December 2011

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Still early days for Obertan but the jury is sitting in judgement.

As Chris Tait says though, ‘After all, what does that smelly old tramp from Old Trafford know about players? He signed Michael Owen didn’t he?’

…But I’m Not Down

by Chris Tait on Monday 12th December 2011

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So Krul to Spurs, Cabaye to Arsenal and Tiote to Man.U….

Do the rules actually allow us to have any decent players?

A Proper Footballer

by Chris Tait on Friday 2nd December 2011

Gary Speed was a modern football dream, total commitment and not much ‘fannying around’.

Chris Tait uses his ‘Sweet Left Foot’ to go back in time and see how Gary Speed, the footballer, evolved.

Do You Remember The First Time? (Part 2)

by Chris Tait on Saturday 26th November 2011

Do you remember your first ever match watching Newcastle United?

Alternatively do those hazy memories get brought together by reading the stats years later?

The Singing Civil Servant (Part 1)

by Chris Tait on Saturday 26th November 2011

When your dad isn’t into football how likely/unlikely are you to get into football.

Sweet Left Foot investigates and fine tunes the answer.

Gannin’ alaang the FIFA Road…

by Chris Tait on Saturday 19th November 2011

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Chris Tait’s Sweet Left Foot investigates the inequal battle of Ferdinand v Blatter. As racism appears to jump out from every football stone at this moment in time, Chris Tait reflects on local heroes such as Sir Leslie Ferdinand who made a difference. Will John Terry and Sepp Blatter survive…