It was shocking in the first three minutes of the second half last Saturday, when Newcastle gifted two soft goals to Stoke City – and the match with it.
Kevin Nolan – in action last Saturday challenging Dean Whitehead
And after that Newcastle played very much like they did in the second half against Arsenal, trying to take the game by the scruff of the neck and moving forward all the time, but it needed a goal to ignite Newcastle, and it never came.
So in the last two games we’ve done what poor teams do, and have allowed a team below us in the league to beat us, and thereby jump ahead of us in the table – it was certainly criminal in the defense on Saturday.
Newcastle now have another two weeks to live (stew?) with this shocking result, and it will not be easy – we suppose it shouldn’t be easy either.
But it’s the same as happened against Everton over two weeks ago – and when you have a two week break, this time an International break, it’s always nice to have a win before it, and it’s the exact opposite when you lose – especially by 4-0.
This is what the Newcastle captain, Kevin Nolan said about the display:
“We have a two week break now which is the last thing we want,” “We are certainly not happy about this. We will start to work it out on the training ground on Monday.”“Never mind being dragged into the relegation fight, we were never out of it. Simple as that. We were never getting carried away.” “Anyone can put together a two or three game winning run and that is what teams have started to do.”
“We have had an unfortunate run with a few bits and bobs, but we know the position we are in.” “We were unlucky to be one down in the first half to just about their only chance. We handled their strengths very well, and I thought we controlled the first half.”
“But when you come out as sloppy as that, and gift any Premier League team such sloppy goals, you are going to get punished.” “From there, there was never going to be another Arsenal comeback. That only happens once every blue moon.”
“Conceding those goals at the start of the second half was criminal and absolutely killed us. People have already held their hands up to individual mistakes, but it is a collective responsibility.”
“I am very disappointed and it is a very disappointed dressing room. I’m devastated for the fans who have travelled all this way and seen that.” “I can only apologize and hope we can put it right against Wolves in a couple of weeks.”
“We are all big enough and accountable, there is not one man who is going to take the blame on his own. We are in it together, We hope the fans stick with us. It is going to be tough.”
“We have had a few scrapes and heavy defeats, but the fans are going to be key to us staying up. We were concerned before the game and we are concerned now.” “We were never out of the scrap we knew that. If you do not win games, you are going to get sucked into it. We never got carried away. We just make sure we keep a level head.”
“We’d like to put this right straight way, but now we have a two-week break which is incredible considering at Christmas we were playing four or five games.” “We are only playing two games in the whole of March.” “It is really weird and needs to be looked at.”
We have 8 games to play this season, and not 7 as the Newcastle Journal has said today – we’ve played 30 games and since there are 20 teams in the league we play 38 games.
Next up is Wolves at home, and Newcastle still have to play Birmingham and WBA at home, and away the lads have Aston Villa after Wolves, and Blackpool as two of the road games, and those are all games we have to stand a good chance of winning. That’s 5 games against relegation sides of the eight that are left.
For the record the other games are Chelsea and Liverpool away, and Manchester United at home.
Winning and not drawing those five games is key, because we’ll gain 3 points on those sides, who are all fighting relegation.
The Newcastle side should make the 4-0 defeat last Saturday a turning point in the season, and the game was even going quite well for Newcastle until those two sloppy goals, one of which was a terrible individual error.
It’s hard to do anything about errors, other then torture the player after the game – whoops did I say that – just kidding.
Obviously the lads have to try to cut them out, and let’s hope that Newcastle start to play like we know they can play – and very soon too.
If we continue our error strewn ways of Saturday, then Newcastle will get themselves into deep deep trouble, which none of us want – it;s just too hard on the old nerves.
The only thing that matters for Newcastle now is to beat Wolves – that’s really all that matters right now – nothing else – and the Newcastle fans at that game will be so important to cheer the lads on to what would be a fabulous win – and a little relief for us all.
Comments welcome.
16 comments so far
G
Mar 21, 2011 at 9:40 AM
Comment #1Well said Nolan, but if any team can put together a 2 or 3 game winning run, how about we do it? Just a thought.
roy cropper
Mar 21, 2011 at 9:46 AM
Comment #2the next 3 games are wolves/home then villa & the donkeys away – if we lose them then you better get prepared for JFK giving us a wave from the steps of SJP.
desperate times.
Shot Bru
Mar 21, 2011 at 9:47 AM
Comment #3Centre Back is definitely a position that needs strengthening in the summer along with many others…Sol Campbell was woeful on Saturday he should never pull on a black n white shirt again….how could Pardew even think of playing him ahead of Saylor is anyones guess..in fact Pardew offers no confidence at all during the game, he is always 10 minutes behind the play which is represented in his decision making when using subs or changing tactics….Just as well we have points in the bag which will hopefully keep us up…but if he remains for next season we WILL go down for sure.
kakaobi
Mar 21, 2011 at 9:59 AM
Comment #4I should be thanking Kevin Nolan it’s made my mind up not to go for the 10 year deal on the season tickets. I’ll just renew yearly untill thing get really bad
Lynxie
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Comment #5I fully agree with Shotbru,
pardew was like a rabbit in the headlights after the second then third goalss flew in. Just when you need someone to stand up and make the type of decisions his ‘superior tactical awareness and record’ (wasn’t that what Llamsarse said the day Hughton was binned?), you instead get someone who cant see the plain facts staring him in the face.
1. Lovenkrands is not a premier league footballer and couldnt score in a brothel with a diamond studded cock. He offers no goal threat whatsoever, disgrace that he gets chosen ahead of Ranger.
2. Steven Taylor or Sol Campbell.? I am sorry but if it were a scrap, I would want a geordie alongside me, any day of the week. Simple decision.
3. Jose Enrique? Has Pardew not learnt anything from the wasteful misuse of Tiote against Stevenage? Same mistake made here, as Jose was clearly not 100% fir. Shocking management.
4. Tactics? enter your own thought here, becasue I didnt see any. Running around like headless chickens being given the runaround by 11 journeymen, is NOT tactics.
Pardew, Shape up or Ship out.
Rotonda heights
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Comment #6nolan seems to be apologising after every match now
Shot Bru
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Comment #7The only bright spot for me on Saturday was young Ferguson…excellent attacking intent, always positive and just needs a bit more strength in those legs and he will be quality for us until the board decide to sell him to the highest bidder next year.
jimiley
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Comment #8Rotonda,
It would be better if he apologised before the game so that we dont have to turn up. We are going to be crap today. Sorry!!!! Better still, the team could just try harder and then no apology is needed. Constant apologies suck.
Shot Bru
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Comment #9Lynxie…you summed it up perfectly.
Selbymag
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Comment #10Im just working out how Pardew was to blame for Harper fannying around and costing the 2nd goal or for the free kick for the 3rd.
In my humble opinion yes he did make mistakes with selection on Saturday Campbell should be sent back to his retirement home and a less than fit Enrique should have been on his sofa at home.
A lot of people on Fri/Sat were screaming for the 3-5-2 formation, have you never watched newcastle ?? We can defend with 4 at the back FFS.
Whilst by no means a fan I beleive Pardew is a better tactician the Chris ever was and CH was lucky to have a fit and goalscoring Caroll which is something Pardew never had the benifit of.
I realise I will probably get slated for the above but hey ho. Im a 40 year old season ticket holder been there seen it all before.
Get behind the team. stop bleating once we are safe and May arrives we look at where we go from here. There is f*ck all we can do about Ashley or Pardew now.
PHOENIXNIGHTS
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Comment #11I must admit I did not expext anything from this game but the thumping was alarming. Pardew looked terrible at post match (I do not know why? he is guaranteed a job for 5 year! (or a massive pay out if sacked) Other than getting us on a sound financial footing (which is good business sense) Ashley and Llambias are gambling fools. Lets hope the players can find some of the grit and togetherness that got us promoted( ALL OF THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR WE HAD AROUND THE CLUB HAS GONE ! ) The shambles of the January window has destroyed us. Pardew is a puppet (a very rich one mind you) who will still be in a job when he has a record worse than Hughton. Did we not bring him in because he has a better transfer record than Hughton? He has brought in a crocked midfielder and an 18 stone has been. The sooner the current owners sell up and take Pardew away the better we will be. The main thing is that the club survives – it may be another painfull few months.
Keep the Faith
stuart no9
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Comment #12with AP failing to make any subs untill 15 mins after we went 3 -0 down , tells me he did not know what to do,and/or he had no confidence in the players on the bench, what was he waiting for?where did he think a goal was coming to come from? i have to say he is the worst manager i have ever seen at the club, in 45 years of supporting nufc he takes the biscuit .T pulis made a substitution when they went 3-0 up 2 or 3 mins BEFORE tw.tty bo..ocks woke up , talk about being a step ahead,totally outthought, and we sacked CH FOR HIM, heaven help us
Lee Dodd
Mar 21, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Comment #13No panic they all Know They Can Not And Must Not get Relagated as if they do we will not be there to support them This Time !!!!!!!!! No Way . The Writing was on the wall When Carrol Cleared off .
John
Mar 21, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Comment #14Campbell was terrible sat, Pardew’s here on a five year deal how much is he gona cost to get rid of down the line? I tink we got a great price for big andy but how does it do any good when we spend millions in compo on inept managers and back room staff never mind the millions on players that dont even make the bench on a sat things need to be sorted out. The night club lads can pack their bags and go home the club is dragged through the front pages again well done lads good job.
TimToon9
Mar 21, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #15He has a clause in his contract which states that he gets a small fee when/if the contract gets terminated. Nevermind if..
stuart no9
Mar 21, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Comment #16ive just got this feeling that a takeover is on the cards end of season,why else would you give a manager , sorry i didnt mean manager, AP 5.5 years contract, J mourinio wouldnt get that, nobody would now, why him? because it is ash s mate, if he sells the club, he dosnt have to pay him off, the new owners will, theh all walk away from the club , quids in, and we are left to start all over again, lets hope