Alan Pardew will experience in the next two weeks what it’s like when Newcastle lose two games in a row.
Alan Pardew – looks worried yesterday
Alan’s record on Tyneside is played 15, won 4, drawn 5 and lost 6, and that includes the Stevenage defeat.
So in the Premier League Alan has 17 points from 14 games, which is not great but not too bad, but the win percentage is just hopeless at 26.7%.
In the last three games Newcastle are in a bit of a slump, with just a single point from their last 3 games, but two of those games were at home to Bolton and Everton.
The Bolton game came after the good win at Birmingham, and at that time we were all talking about Europe, but 3 games later and we are nervously looking over our shoulders at the relegation zone, where a number of those teams are starting to pick up points.
And since Newcastle are still to play Wolves, Birmingham and WBA at home, the results of those games at St. James’ Park will decide if Newcastle manage to stay up this season.
After looking at the video this morning once again of yesterday’s game, the defense was just diabolical and every single one of the four goals were defensive mistakes made by Newcastle.
And none more so than the two immediately after half time, which essentially lost the game for Newcastle, and that started with the terrible error from the usually safe Steve Harper.
No doubt Alan will be concentrating on the defense over the next two weeks, and we hope we can get some injured players back like Stephen Ireland, but we understand he could still be doubtful for the Wolves game.
We have no idea how badly hurt Jose Enrique is, but he shouldn’t have started the game yesterday, and there must be something wrong with the fitness test he passed before the game, because he should have failed it.
But Joey Barton made a difference yesterday, and if we can also get Leon Best back, then he could put a few goals in against Wolves, and if he can do that – he’ll be a hero on Tyneside, that’s for sure.
Newcastle need a win against Wolves, which would only be our second win in 11 games, and that’s all that really matters right now.
We are probably only two wins away from being safe this season.
Comments welcome.
86 comments so far
GAZ09
Mar 20, 2011 at 4:35 PM
Comment #41i would like to see this line up for the Wolves game
Harper
S Taylor Williamson Colo Simpson
Guti Barton Nolan Ferguson
Ireland
Best
WWJBD
Mar 20, 2011 at 4:43 PM
Comment #42after reading this am starting to think we are more like liverpool fans than I feel comfortable with
G
Mar 20, 2011 at 4:48 PM
Comment #43GG @ 26. It isn’t the fans who are saying it’s the managers fault mate, it’s the looks on the players faces for the last 3 second halves of games that says it. It really does look like AP has lost the dressing room, and with those tactics and selections, can we honestly say thats a surprise?
t00ntime
Mar 20, 2011 at 4:59 PM
Comment #44Well he should be under pressure, because his tactics were once again awful . Newcastle are an offensive team always have been and always will be. So to start in a pretty defensive formation is just plain stupid. Also every time Newcastle take away the 4-4-2 formation we fail gain points, surely someone must notice this and decide to keep a 4-4-2 formation all the time.
another problem is he doesn’t seem to understand that if a player is declared fit to play it doesn’t mean he has to play ( jose enrique ).
I can’t see Newcastle beating anyone.
P.S he also has to stop pointing the finger at someone else. the day after a big defeat ” well i listen to my captain’s tactics” ( wtf doesn’t every manager ) and ” it’s ok if they have a drink on friday” ( uhh why doesnt he just say what was in his head when made stupid choices intead of saying he is going to talk to the 3 players on monday) maybe the fans should have a talk with pardew telling him why he is a failure in English football..!
chuck
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:05 PM
Comment #45The couple of bright spells in the Stoke game, were a few plays involving our two youngsters Ranger and Ferguson.
Ranger as usual caused some panic in the Stoke defense and Ferguson showed he has a future as a winger.
On saying that, his matador defensive plays have convinced me has no future as a LB, in which case we need either a replacement for Enrique or a decent backup.
I can see a long future as a left winger for Ferguson, which was where he played most of his short career, so stop trying to convert him to a LB and give him some time on left wing.
GeordieGerman
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:06 PM
Comment #46G, it’s the pushing the blame here and there that bugs me. When CH was here the people that are calling Pardew a puppet are the same that were calling CH a puppet. When we lose it’s Pardew’s fault, when we win it was the fans. It’s Ashley’s and Pardew’s fault that Carroll went. I thought Nolan told him to go? This thing with Carroll going for Nolan’s agent seems to confirm that. I’m pissed of with the lot of it. I just want to see that we survive this season and want to see what happens in the summer, if we do, without being called names.
AndyMac
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:09 PM
Comment #47As I said before Hoots was shown the door prior to Fatman selling AC in the January window. Fatman knew Hoots wouldnt accept it and certainly wouldnt have put up with no replacements so he brought in Pardwho to do as he was told. F”k the the team so long as the balance sheet looks OK.
As for 3-5-2 against Stoke I would simply ask why ? Stoke, for most of this season, have played 4-4-2 at home with defenders helping out at set pieces so it wasnt a change in formation that was required but merely a plan that would allow their “big men” to be marked by our big men.
You cannot expect players to slot into a new formation easily and yesterdays abject performance showed why. If you want a back three then Colo should be the central “libero” and two players on either side of him but with Simmo and Jose (later Fergie) blocking the channels on the wings. What we got yesterday was a lack of understanding and cohesion and I’m sorry but that was Pardwho’s choice.
chuck
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:11 PM
Comment #48Well it seems THUMP-GEORDIE GERMAN and THE PICT are convinced both Pardew and Ashley are doing a great job.
Deluded ? think so !
Toon XI
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:12 PM
Comment #49What scares me is how many goals are Blackpool going to hang on us?
G
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:22 PM
Comment #50GG, fair enough, for what it’s worth, you have a few fair points. I never wanted CH for our manager, but he convinced me through merit that the job was rightfully his. AP is not the man I wanted to succeed CH (I use the word succeed begrudgingly) and I have never rated him as a manager or motivator. After a brief honeymoon period we can see AP for what he clearly is. An ignorant idiot, doing a big mans job (Very badly it has to be said). If he doesn’t get it right in the next 3 games the damage he does to his own position will always be untenable regardless of what he does from then.
GeordieTwo
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:24 PM
Comment #51Playing 3-5-2 against Stoke was lunacy. Our defence looked lost and Campbell has completely lost any form or mobility. This is what smacks of managerial incompetence, much as putting Tiote in against Stevenage to get a card when that match was already lost. These are the types of decisions which I would criticize. I’m happy to praise Pardew if I see smart moves from him but there have been very few of those. Surely Pardew can see Peter is hopeless. He had no impact whatsoever against Stoke or against Everton in the previous game. Why on earth is he starting games? Use Ranger from the beginning. This shows the lunacy of an owner who didn’t recognize that we have needed a striker since long before Carroll left. Who will replace Tiote now that he is out for another 2 games? We have no depth thanks to the fat clueless one.
oldbobaycliffe
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:25 PM
Comment #52thepict disagree with your comment about ashley if he knew what he was doing he wouldn,t have sold carroll without a very good replacement instead he saw the pound signs and grabbed the money.what good will the money be if we get relegated one thing for sure pardew or his replacement wont get a penny if we get relegated
G
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:29 PM
Comment #53See a lot of banter on facebook and twitter is encouraging the fans to start the ‘Taxi for Pardew’ chant at all remaining home games. Not a very constructive contribution in my opinion, and yet, I couldn’t honestly condemn it either.
GeordieToon89
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:34 PM
Comment #54will yous stop saying wer 4 points off Europe when we are 13 points off it and tottenham hav a game in hand..!!! youve got to finish 5th this season to qualify which is why if u watched the liverpool game the other day it was keep saying looks like no european football for them next year.. Birmingham and either Bolton or Stoke will be playing in europe next season with Birmingham… even if birmingham get relegated tha still play in europe it was only when pompey got relegated they couldnt because they didnt fill out they financial forms in time as they wer basically into administration
chuck
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:47 PM
Comment #55“Deja vu all over again”
Eight games to go and a tenuous grasp on a mid level spot, with every side scrabbling hard for points and no one below sixth place certain of survival.
Beginning with the cup defeat by Stevenage our record against mainly bottom half sides has been painfull.
And I gotta bad feeling, looking at the side it`s the same body language and obvious lack of any strategic plan that existed under the other Alan.
Some on these blogs have mentioned we look better defensively under Pardew.
On the contrary, Hughton was a defensive player and spent his non playing career as a defensive coach, so thats just nonsense, but we sure looked totally inept with this recently introduced lineup from Pardew.
Gotta say i will be happy not to repeat the same scenario of two years ago but certainly would`nt put any money on it !
AndyMac
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:51 PM
Comment #56The only good news at the moment is that the Makems are below us in the form table but those that we play soon are way above us.
http://www.premierleague.com/page/FormGuide
Wolves are two wins better off than us, so next match isnt a home banker as some seem to think. If I were Pardwho I would start thinking about my team for that game now and get them used to playing together so they dont look like total strangers on the day. Plus we have to find a “Tiote” for the next two games.
thepict
Mar 20, 2011 at 5:52 PM
Comment #57Ok Chuck we’ll have Fat Fred back and go out of existence simples
solano
Mar 20, 2011 at 6:00 PM
Comment #58HALLELUJAH MIKE ASHLEY!,MIKE ASHLEY! Pict….you’re a first class prick……we were struggling but administration was not imminent under Fat Fred…..he was no saint but he would have been strung up if he had done what MA has done…..WAKE UP!!!!
chuck
Mar 20, 2011 at 6:07 PM
Comment #59THEPICT sez, Ok Chuck we`ll have fat Fred back and go out of existence simples.
Erm, why would that happen and why are you informing me ?
solano
Mar 20, 2011 at 6:15 PM
Comment #60Chuck…..unfortunately there’s a few “SIMPLES” around here who don’t know their arse from their elbow……
AndyMac
Mar 20, 2011 at 6:16 PM
Comment #61The biggest fault with Fatman’s strategic plan is that he insisted on converting the financial black hole he inherited into a repayable loan.
Most takeover bids clear the debt of the club so that the club moves forward without the burden of a hefty financial millstone around the neck.
Fatman cant sell the club with his “loan” incorporated into the sale price as no one is prepared to pay for his initial stupidity in not investigating the finances thoroughly. So he has to make money out of the club first and foremeost which is never likely to happen unless he sells players for megabucks.
So in the chase for profit, the club is left to founder and we end up in the Championship once again. It just beggars belief 🙁
GeordieGerman
Mar 20, 2011 at 6:17 PM
Comment #62chuck, @ 44. Who the hell are you to say/know what is in my mind? Do I like Ashley? No. Do I like Pardew as manager? I’ll make my mind up in May. I’ll step back and see what happens. I won’t abuse you for your opinions, don’t abuse me for mine. As my opinion is not yet formed, but it is my nature to be an optimist. Is that so bad?
solano
Mar 20, 2011 at 6:18 PM
Comment #63AndyMac……have a cigar……..you got it kid!
Oleg G
Mar 20, 2011 at 6:32 PM
Comment #64From the last 6 games in the league.
POSITION TEAM POINTS
1 Chelsea 13
2 Liverpool 13
3 Everton 13
4 Arsenal 12
5 Tottenham 11
6 West Ham 11
7 Wolves 11
8 Bolton 10
9 Man U 9
10 Fulham 9
11 Man Cit 8
12 Wigan 8
13 Stoke 7
14 Birmingham 7
15 Newcastle 5
16 A.Villa 5
17 Blackpool 5
18 WBA 4
19 Blackburn 2
20 Sunderland 1
Look at Sunderland, W.Ham, Wolves.
wynsleap
Mar 20, 2011 at 6:33 PM
Comment #65This season is looking like a straight repeat of the last time we went down. Teams below us scrapping away and overhauling a decent lead until we are the in the mire. Getting into a run of defeats and eventually running out of ideas, steam, willingness to work hard and the ever present list of injuries.
I know I’ve been classed among the doom mongers on here but I said on this blog at the time when Pardew was appointed that The Toon were only going one way and that the appointment of Pardew would ensure they got there even quicker.
Unfortunately the club is full of incompetent dross from players to managers to owners.
Would you ever imagine a club like Liverpool, Chelsea or even Everton employ Pardew as a manager or continue to play “gems” like Ameobi, Campbell and Lovenkrands or even attempt to purchase people like Perch and Kuqi.
The owner of our club does not care about the
team or its fans. Forget the grand “plans”, the promises to make us self sufficient and all the other business nonsense. Football is meant to be entertainment for the masses but we’ve all become engrossed in wage structures, plans, maximising publicity etc while the excitement (on the field) has been totally removed.
Whatever Ashley has in mind or for however long he stays this is what we have to look forward to.
God help us all.
Rotonda heights
Mar 20, 2011 at 6:53 PM
Comment #66geordie toon 89
glad you pointed that out, i was wondering where the hell he got 4 points off europe from !!he’s as bad as the guy who said pardwho won the FA cup with West Ham.
Rotonda heights
Mar 20, 2011 at 6:57 PM
Comment #67G
pardwho’s position should have been untenable before he ever came here. But it’s the same morons who appointed JFK. when will it ever end ??
Rotonda heights
Mar 20, 2011 at 6:59 PM
Comment #68chuck
you’re right ferguson has to be played as a winger, despite that idiot pardwho wanting him to be a left back.
Wyn’s leap
excellent piece there
chuck
Mar 20, 2011 at 7:25 PM
Comment #69Rotonda
Nice to know someone agrees, with some of the crap i write.
Most dont !
chuck
Mar 20, 2011 at 7:27 PM
Comment #70Soh! where the hell is Rotonda Heights, sounds like the west coast ?
Thump
Mar 20, 2011 at 7:29 PM
Comment #71chuck // Mar 20, 2011 at 5:11 PM
Well it seems THUMP-GEORDIE GERMAN and THE PICT are convinced both Pardew and Ashley are doing a great job.
Deluded ? think so !
This is truly one of the saddest things I’m seeing on this site. Can’t any of you simply support the team? As GG said, it’s all to do with pushing the blame here and there. Is he doing a great job? No. Has he improved our style of play? Yes. Is it working? No, for 2 seasons we’ve played route one hoofball.
You should all read back through some of your comments when Hoots was in charge. So many two faced plastics on this blog.
You’re all more interested in the drama than you are the results. F**king vultures.
Thump
Mar 20, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Comment #72And for the record, Fergie played left back because he noticed that there was a gap in play with Jose injured. He’s also played their once or twice for NI.
Learn the facts lads.
solano
Mar 20, 2011 at 7:59 PM
Comment #73Awakening Sunday…….Wynsleap………”The owner of our club does not care about the
team or its fans. Forget the grand “plans”, the promises to make us self sufficient and all the other business nonsense. Football is meant to be entertainment for the masses but we’ve all become engrossed in wage structures, plans, maximising publicity etc while the excitement (on the field) has been totally removed.
Whatever Ashley has in mind or for however long he stays this is what we have to look forward to.
God help us all.”……………..worth repeating that……….
nufc90
Mar 20, 2011 at 8:14 PM
Comment #74all the negativity is so frustrating just get behind the team and see what happens come may.
what do people want? pardew sacked? that would really destroy the team wouldn’t it, sacking managers every couple months don’t get you anywhere would of thought people would have learned that by now. give the guy a chance until may, there’s definitely 3 worse teams than us
stuart no9
Mar 20, 2011 at 8:20 PM
Comment #75i know this is stupid, and maynever happen,but we have a group of players in that dressing room, who are quite capable of getting us out of this mess we find our self in since AP arrived they are the same players we had when CH was here, what we havnt got now, is the spirit, the togetherness, cammeraderie we had in those early parts of the season ! now, we have a manager imo, has lost the dressing room, and who has no idea how to get it back. i was at the game yesterday, but strangely didnt get angry with lads, but felt sorry for them, they looked like if they could have crept off and had a good weep they would have done, they were totally deflated, what they need is a boost , something to ignite their belief, and make them realise that all CH good work over the last 1 1/2 years must not go to waste. singing howay the lads, and blaydon races , wont be enough, its past that now, we need something visable in the ground that will make the hair on their backs stand up, and inspire them. INSPIRATION is what they need, it may sound a long shot, but any ideas?
AndyMac
Mar 20, 2011 at 9:21 PM
Comment #76“we need something visable in the ground that will make the hair on their backs stand up, and inspire them. INSPIRATION is what they need, it may sound a long shot, but any ideas?”
Apart from Cheryl Cole naked and a whole bunch of crack cocaine……….. No 🙁
Nufc-83
Mar 20, 2011 at 9:40 PM
Comment #77Ha the funny thing is look at the pre match blog comments and loads of pple on here were praising the 352 selection and my memory is terrible but when we had a player sent off recently forgot who it was against but didnt we change to 3 at the back and continue to attack doing very well. The formation imo didnt work but it wasnt as clear before the game playing zimmer cambell was as clear as day though cant work that one out.
clinta2
Mar 20, 2011 at 9:41 PM
Comment #78@ Thump, still talking about Europe are we? lol!
chuck
Mar 20, 2011 at 10:58 PM
Comment #79Pardew under pressure !
And should he not be ?
With an abysmal record since arriving to match an equal abysmal career in management, whats to feel good about as a fan ?
An example was the introduction of a three man back line against Stoke, with the wing backs playing forward, i`m sure it confused Tiote who normally sits in front of the back four and both wingers who looked over their shoulder to see the wing backs a couple of feet away, Anyone who had never seen the side would have been convinced Ferguson was the left winger.
The entire side was confused and in the end resorted to playing long ball, because no one knew what the f**k was happening or where they were supposed to be.
Is this the guy you want to go into a relegation fight with, someone who changes the system overnight because we were playing fu****g Stoke ?
I really dont think so, we had a guy like him last time we were relegated, also called Alan and he also was tactically clueless and the same body language and looks are on the present players faces.
Hey ! it does`nt look good, but hopefully Pardew learned something from his tactical whatever and plays a system the side understands, back four with a stopper in front,
then three and two or four and one.
This is not rocket science here, its basically a simple game until you make it complicated.
Lee Dodd
Mar 20, 2011 at 11:06 PM
Comment #80We Just Need our Next Home Game and Smack Wolves and shut The Pratts Up That are Pulling Us Down !!!!!!!!! We have to get Behind the team Now and Keep us up . No Pissin about !!!! Get The Current squad fit !!!!!!!!!!! Simples !!!!!!!!