You cannot give gift goals away and expect to do well in the Premier League, and that was the message Chris gave his troops after last night’s surprising 2-1 defeat against Blackburn.
Chris Hughton – at last night’s game
Mistakes by Cheick Tiote and Mike Williamson were enough to give Sam Allardyce’s side all 3 points after Newcastle had secured three successive wins, and it burst Newcastle’s bubble – but the lads were just too vulnerable in defense, and we now expect either Steven Taylor or Sol Campbell to get a run-out on Saturday afternoon against Fulham.
Chris was obviously frustrated with the two very poor goals given away, and talked after the game:
“It is very frustrating on the back of three wins,” “There is no doubt there is confidence there after our victories but they came, stifled us and defended very, very well.” “We had to show more guile and unfortunately we couldn’t do that.”
“We lost to two bad goals. We got ourselves into the game and then got done with a sucker punch,” “You know what a tough game it is going to be against Blackburn. They are a very physical side, they know how to play the game and get a result. They know how to get as much out of the referee as they can.”
“But you can’t afford to make the mistakes we made and get away with it. We pushed and pushed and pushed in the second half – they defended well and played on the counter.”
We were so disappointed after the game last night, because the lads again threw points away at home, and although Newcastle didn’t have much luck last night, you don’t really deserve much of that, when you make simple mistakes at the back.
We were hard on Blackburn last night, but in retrospect they came with a game plan and they executed it well, and it just shows that there are no easy games in the Premier League – none at all.
Cheick Tiote started the rot very early when he tried to dribble his way out of the penalty after two minutes had elapsed, and the Blackburn players pounced on him, won the ball, and Pedersen gratefully slotted the ball into the net. Oh no – what a mistake – it was just unbelievable for Newcastle fans.
Cheick has been great for Newcastle this season, but he has to cut down his dribbles when in a dangerous area, and Chris will no doubt be drumming that into the Ivorian.
Andy Carroll scored with a brilliant header from an excellent Joey Barton free kick after 47 minutes , and he will have done his England chances no harm with that goal, as England fans around the country are starting to see Andy as a potential huge player in England’s future.
And then on 82 minutes a long ball was played downfield and produced a goal and you know there’s something very worrying when that happens.
Jason Roberts out muscled Mike Williamson to the ball, and Mike fell to the ground, presumably injured, as Jason finished off what was a good goal for Blackburn. Mike has to get stronger in these challenges, and maybe a few more visits to the weight room will allow him to be able to do that when he needs to.
Cheick Tiote picked up his 5th yellow card in the first half last night and will therefore miss the Fulham game, and with such a strong squad, and a relatively poor performance last night, we’ve got to think Hughton will make at least 3 changes for the Fulham game.
We are still conceding too many goals, and since we have experienced Steven Taylor and Sol Campbell on the bench, we would expect at least one of these players to start on Saturday.
Between the two of them they’ve made just two appearances this season.
But it’s hard to have much sympathy for Newcastle last night, they basically deserved what they got, and of course the two players who made the big mistakes are playing in the Premier League for the first time, so they will learn form last night.
It’s not that we played really badly either, and if the defense had been stronger, we could have still got all 3 points – so no time to panic about anything – and the lads will learn from last night’s game.
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
Purely Belter
Nov 11, 2010 at 10:03 AM
Comment #1i just think that its such a disappointing result against a very average team at home. it was a missed opportunity to carry on the good work done against the better teams and now it seems like we have undone most of it.
plus i get angry thinking that big sam probably feels justified in playing the way his teams play.
big sam is a manager with no lofty amibitons of ever winning anything and just seems like to be in it to just do enough and survive
tom tomb
Nov 11, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Comment #2It’s all my fault! I was praising Tiote and Williamson and Joey Barton for keeping his cool these days!!
I take full responsibility and will never praise players before a match again. Also I have given myself 100 lines to do. I am a tw@- and I should shut my big mouth!
Solaidback
Nov 11, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Comment #3Why would CH drop Willo after just one incident? he kept Perch on the pitch for loads of games after he made quite a few errors!!
Also, Willo lost out in a tackle so how can that goal be down to him alone, where was Colo & Krul while Willo was handle by Roberts???
Also Ed, I’m shocked you’ve not even mentioned the so-called punch that Barton is supposed to have thrown at Pederson, sending him to the ground, which wasn’t seen by any officials, so will probably be picked up by the FA, so much for Barton turning over a new leaf, I had a suspicion it wouldn’t last long & it hasn’t!!!
wibble
Nov 11, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Comment #4I get the feeling that we are struggling more against teams who maybe lack flair but are organised and close us down a lot.
Against West Ham, Arsenal and Sunderland that wasn’t so much the case as they tried to play football against us but teams like Blackpool, Blackburn and Stoke have caused us problems.
We need to be able to adapt when teams come to St James and get bodies behind the ball and play on the counter.
SpaceGhost
Nov 11, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Comment #5Learning curve for :
1. Tiote
2. Williamson
3. Hughton
I’m not too bothered with the results yday. I am concerned about Ameobi injury and the fact Ranger didn’t grab his chance with both hands.
Mostly I was sick in my stomach watching Barton punch Pedersen. Obviously the Real Madrid manager wannabe gave instructions to rile up JB. It could have been worse. He must be drop next game.
What is sad is watching an intelligent & talanted footballer, gave into his demons again. He lets the team down yet again.
Malaysia-RASHID
Nov 11, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Comment #6i know all of you very disappointed with home match, but we must realize that we fight for relegation, not for UEFA, but i we can get UEFA, its was bonus, i just can’t understand with you guys, when we win you say CH and player awesome and when we lose you critic like hell.
we must trust with team and manager.
Malaysia-RASHID
Nov 11, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Comment #7but our prediction always wrong, when we need win, we lose.
Alchemist
Nov 11, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Comment #8Surely going to be a three match ban for JB.. what was going through his heed!
I’d say start R Taylor on right wing next game, Guthrie and Smith CM. Nolan AM, Carroll on his own.
Ranger needs to work on his finishing/decision making. Where is Xisco? I think he would work well with AC
Raktim Sharma
Nov 11, 2010 at 10:51 AM
Comment #9Ok lost again. but SJP can still be a fortress, its just that we need to get tactically right, rather than prioritise free flowing football and audience entertainment.
And JB and AC combo working good! but we need midfielders scoring surprise goals often. like in Man U midfield..Park, Scholes, Giggs…anyone can score. So that goes to Jonas, Tiote, Barton too…and why not!
but yesterday was disappointing…i was thinking draw would be bad for us….and then getting defeated! sigh…
spiderpig
Nov 11, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Comment #10defo need to drop williamson for a game.give taylor a run now and keep competition healthy.wouldnt play campbell unless absolutely desperate.would love to see taylor at right back tho ,he loves going forward ,has good pace ,eye for goal,and good in the tackle.doesnt read the game aswell as our other cenre halves tho.
Mat
Nov 11, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Comment #11Rashid is right guys. we have only jest been promoted we cant get too ahead of ourselves. don’t get me wrong i was close to expecting a win last night as well but we have to tell ourselves this is not the newcastle team from 10 years ago… it has the potential to be but not yet. to stay up is the main aim.
the wins at everton and arsenal give us some breathing space with our home games (fortunately for us).
Hoots is doing a very good job, stick with it, support the team. we are still 5th, ahead of spurs, villa, liverpool etc……. with a 3rd of the season gone, we are way beyond what we expected before the season kicked off!
although i think he was slightly provoked i feel joey has let the team down a bit as its almost certain he will be suspended (its not like he is Steven Gerrard; that would be a different story!).
we got relegated from this league for having a weak centre. . the winning goal last night was pretty much the 1st sign of that weak centre again. Collo should have got the ball before it bounced but willo could have been stronger with the 2nd challenge; Campbell would have cleared that no problem. Can see Willo and Campblell at weekend.
chuck
Nov 11, 2010 at 9:56 PM
Comment #12Like i described them, BSA`S teams whether Bolton or Blackburn, are well drilled sides, who play a disciplined route one game and are difficult to break down defensively.
They are for the most part a physical side, with size also a priority.
Newcastle were unlucky having had the most of play, but a lapse of concentration by Tiote and a lack ofboth speed and muscle on Williamson`s part, allowed them ( take nothing away from Roberts) to steal the game, unprofessional !
Gotta laugh at the rumor Arry wants Williamson @ Spurs, reminds me of the old one liner, Take my wife ? please !
Yo Arry ! would take Bassong back in a straight swap for Williamson.