BREAKING NEWS - Graham Henry steps down as All Blacks coach

Graham Henry has just announced his resignation as All Black coach at the Auckland University club rooms at noon today. However, Henry has decided to stay in New Zealand in a consultancy position, mentoring future coaches. A new All Blacks coach will be announced before Christmas with former assistant coach, Steve Hansen, favourite to take over - Henry even endorsed him personally at the press conference today.

For more on who will replace him visit:http://www.superrugbytips.com/2011/10/graham-henry-stands-down-as-all-blacks.html

In other news, Newcastle United have strengthened their claims as the Premier League's latest force to be reckoned with following a 3-1 win at Stoke City. The Toon actually led 2-0 at half-time at the toughest place to win for an away team.

This means the Toon are now 6 points behind Manchester City in the title race, 1 behind Manchester United and 3 ahead of Tottenham and 4 ahead of Liverpool.

Of course, it's only November and there's plenty of life in this season just yet. But for the first time in 10 years, Newcastle United are being spoken of as a potential title contender and deserve to be respected.

Are the Glory Days Back at Tyneside?

Cheik Tiote - possibly one of the Toon's best signings in the last 2 seasons

Before the season started, most people would have tipped Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City to be in the mix for the top 4 spots in the Premier League. Even the most ardent of the Toon Army wouldn't have tipped their beloved Magpies to be at the top end of the table.



 
But 2 months into the season, Newcastle United find themselves in 4th place behind the Manchester clubs and Chelsea and ahead of Liverpool and Tottenham.

Yes, one must reiterate the fact that we are only 2 months into the season, but it is still an impressive performance by a side who sold their best player (Andy Carroll), let some of their best players go to other clubs (Kevin Nolan to West Ham, Joey Barton to QPR, Jose Enrique to Liverpool) and didn't really make any signings to replace those players.

Under Alan Pardew, the Magpies have now got the meanest defense outside Manchester in the Premier League - only 6 goals let in in 9 games, featuring the likes of the previously maligned Fabrizio Coloccini and Manchester United reject, Danny Simpson. Their attack isn't too bad either despite the loss of Nolan, Barton and Carroll - Ben Arfa and Lovenkrands are actually well-established internationals for France and Denmark respectively, Djemba Ba was excellent at struggling West Ham last season and then there's long-time club stalwart, Shola Ameobi.

Perhaps the loss of the big players has given the Toon a steel that hasn't been seen in a long time. Chairman, Derek Llambias, has come out saying that the days of Newcastle United signing big names to appease the fans are over and the club is looking to bring through more Andy Carrolls and Nile Rangers through their academy. Llambias also announced that the club was set to return to the black this year; even Man City and Chelsea can't claim that.

Alan Shearer: hero in the North East, wanker elsewhere

It is highly likely that Newcastle will be overtaken by the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal who have greater depth. Nevertheless, for a club that has often got the nickname "Newscastle" for all the wrong reasons, this is certainly a step in the right direction towards the days when Tyneside was challenging for the title with Alan Shearer and the late Sir Bobby Robson at the helm and hosting the cream of Europe at St James Park.