When Allardyce was sacked by Newcastle United last week, Nigel Pearson was asked to take charge of the team. Since then he has the pain of a 6-0 defeat under his belt, and he’s not too happy about that.
Nigel Pearson – in charge of the team again tonight
Nigel said today:
“I’ve done this before and possibly that helps me deal with a difficult situation, but I would like to say I don’t enjoy it and wouldn’t choose itâ€
“Ultimately, it means my boss has been removed, which I take no pleasure from. ” “It is not easy, but it is a responsibility that needs to be addressed. I take that on because it needs to be done.”
“All I would say is that the situation being resolved, sooner rather than later, is in everyone’s interest. It’s not about me, it’s about making sure the club recovers.â€
Pearson was stung by the capitulation of the Newcastle players in the second half at Old Trafford last Saturday. A repeat of that performance just cannot happen tonight – it’s the disaster scenario. But it’s not just up to Nigel to ensure that – but the players themselves. Those are the guys at the club who earn those huge wages. Let’s be honest here, most of them have hardly deserved their wages this season – at least so far.
Nigel continued:
“After Saturday, our professional integrity has to be called into question,â€. “Nobody likes to be on the receiving end of that sort of result, it hurts.†“Preparation was very difficult because of what happened. It affects the players in different ways and I don’t want to elaborate on that, but it makes everyone unclear on where they’re at.”
“Although we’d suffered a spell of games where things weren’t going our way, the spirit was very good, there is no question about that.†“The events of last week came as a surprise to us all and it had an effect on everyone because there are a lot of uncertain people here now, people who don’t know whether they will still have a job, players and staff.â€
“All I would like to say is that the emphasis this week is to make sure, when we take the field against Stoke, we get a good performance. The bottom line is getting into the next round of the cup, even if the situation we are in doesn’t make it easy.” “We have to be professional; it’s about being a professional footballer.â€
This is an uncomfortable time for everyone associated with the club, but Nigel has the very difficult job of making sure everyone is focused on beating Stoke tonight. Nigel continued about the manager selection process ongoing at the club:
“My views on the matter are irrelevant,†“I have no idea who’s coming in, they’ll have their own ideas about that which have nothing to do with me.” “They haven’t asked me for my opinion or given me any indication as to how long it will be before an appointment is made.â€
“ Whatever my feelings are on my future are basically irrelevant. I know it sounds blunt, but I’m not even at this moment in time thinking about that. It’s about getting through this next period which is the game against Stoke and perhaps Bolton at the weekend.â€
“A timescale has not been spoken about. It’s in everyone’s interest to be as soon as possible, whether it’s before the weekend or not, I don’t know, but it would be beneficial.” ” A couple of months? I would expect it to happen quicker than that. It needs to. There’s no point giving you false answers.”
“There’s a number of names being bandied about. I can’t give you any idea on how accurate that is, or who is in the frame.” “That’s not my concern. My concern is the staff and players.” “It’s not right to share my views on who would be the appropriate candidate. Regardless of my feelings on the whole episode, I have to be neutral as possible.â€
Nigel is a good man and a very good football coach. But he cannot feel sorry for himself tonight, or let the players feel sorry for themselves – because of the current situation at the club.
Their job tonight is to be professional, and get Newcastle through to the next round of the FA Cup. After Saturday’s disaster, the payers owe the fans a win – and every Newcastle fan is expecting they can do just that – with no excuses.
Comments welcome.
17 comments so far
Willowtoon
Jan 16, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Comment #1We all expected 3-0 loss. Which it was with 5 mins to go. The players gave so much in the first half they ran out of steam. Remember Arsenal in Carling cup. 0-0 for 80 mins then……..
Tonight will be a united win. Just need some luck in front of goal.
Bosck
Jan 16, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Comment #2Team for tonight should be:
———————Given————————
Edgar——–Taylor—–Cacapa——-Enrique
Milner——-Emre——N’Zogbia———Duff
————–Viduka———-Owen————–
Though i expect carr will start at right back.
Interestingly have just noticed that team would also mean 3 left footers in our midfield and 4 in the team in total, doubt there many teams that could claim to that many.
James
Jan 16, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Comment #3Advice to wingers – stop dribbling with your heads down and CROSS THE BALL. If we whip the ball into the box Owen will score.
thelongshanks
Jan 16, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Comment #4given
taylor,cacapa,rozenhal,enrique
duff,emre,nzogbia,milner
owen,viduka
Im just glad emre is starting he has what we have been missing.I think rozenhal is gettin very brambley.
Bosck
Jan 16, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Comment #5longshanks – exactly…. you think rozenhal has been a bit dodgy recently so why move the man who has been our best central defender this season along with faye to right back (and who saved us last time round against stoke) whilst playing the two cb who are still coming to terms with the football over here in the centre.
Better to have taylor as the main man in the middle and risk either carr or roz at rb if we must.
Bill f
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Comment #6I wonder if we will have the unveiling of our new manager tonight to gee up the fans and team. (although it could be counterproductive).
And how about given the following team a bit of a run, can’t be worse than we have seen.
Given
Tozer-Taylor-Edgar-Duff
Milner-Lua Lua-Emre–Nzogbia
Owen-Carrol
Should score some goals if nothing else.
Edd Case
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Comment #7I’m certain we will win and win well tonight.
Our players are much better than Stoker players, however, they have to play as a team and not individuals.
I sincerely hope Emre starts and has a fantastic game.
I still think nerves will get the better of our defence and I mark us down for a 3-2 win and for once this season, an entertaining game.
Howay the lads.
big pea ov the weab
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Comment #8i dont think we will win tonight a think this is the begining of the end for the toon . we need some flair in the team sunderland hav got us in there sights if they finish above us it will just top off the worst season ever in the history ov the toon come on lads sort it out plz plz plz plz plz
Bosck
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Comment #9billf thats an allradyce style team with duff out of position and tozer out of position. if you were gonna do that you’d at least pay tozer lb and duff right (seeing as tozer is solely a lb, whereas duff can play on either left or right wing)
Bosck
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Comment #103-0 to the toon tonight as long as midfield is milner emre zog and duff.
hadrian
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Comment #11honest pearsons whole attitude stinks , he gets payed well enough, step up !!
never mind all this vulnerability nonsense
Bill f
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Comment #12Bosck, OK, I wasn’t sure that Tozer was primarily a LB and Duff can play either side otherwise what do you think.
geordie down south..
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Comment #13going back to the manager vacancy..
just been watching ssn..and watched about capello.. it showed capello and stuart pearce sat next to each other and the madejski stadium in reading to watch reading v spurs.. okkai were not going to get one of those 2 but if u look behind capello..im sure it is chris mort..he wont be there for ramos .. btu steve copell maybe.. hes a good english manager.. dont think he would suit the toon job thou.. neways thts it lolz
xx
Froggyjohn
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Comment #14Did anyone notice against Manure that every goal that went in, there was only one player trying to stop or block shots while the rest were just watching and that was taylor. get a team with more geordies ,at least there ‘ll be more .passion
Bosck
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Comment #15bill f – not bad but would rather stick with more experienced players tonight in midfield than lualua, he definately has talent and one for the future, but i think with duff and milner both fit, it is an opportunity to use zog and emre in their prefered position in the middle of the park.
would have edgar in my side but at rb as would stick with more experienced cacapa against stokes front pairing as they are quite experienced, and that barkin or parkin is a lump that i would more back cacapa against.
and finally dont really see why you’ve left out enrique, young highly rated and will only get better if we play him consistently in the side and give him a run of games.
but apart from that yeah i’d say its a great side!!! 😉
Black and White Blood
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Comment #16We must be a laughing stock for all…
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2008/01/16/con-air-toons-loonmaster-general-takes-a-private-jet-to-training/4614.html
Why is it always the club I love..?
Adrian Swall
Jan 16, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Comment #17Hadrian. You are dead right. He is ASSISTANT manager, not assistant TO the manager. Imagine at work saying “Sorry, my manager’s left and I don’t know what to do”. It makes you wonder who supervises these people.