Alan Pardew has given an interview in The People today, and he has taken responsibility for the poor attacking performance of the side last Monday night at QPR.
Alan Pardew – it was my tactics on Monday night
It seems that the manager and the coaches have reviewed the 0-0 draw at QPR, and decided it was the tactics they had used, more than anything, that kept the team looking like they would never score, even if they had played all night at Loftus Road.
Newcastle fans are only too well aware of the club’s abject failure to bring in a top striker to replace Andy Carroll in the summer, but the team played really well yesterday at Villa Park, and it was again Leon Best who came through with a goal, his third of the season in just five appearances.
As for Monday night, Pardew agreed it didn’t look like Newcastle were ever going to score a goal:
“Even I was sitting on the sideline thinking that we couldn’t threaten their goal at Queens Park Rangers on Monday night.”
“But I genuinely believe that part of that was my set-up of my team and the tactics that we employed. I take responsibility for that.
“However, no one has seen Sylvain Marveaux yet and we are getting him up to speed. He is going to create goals for us. He is finding his feet in the team and he has done some great things.”
“But there have been other times where we think he could do better and we could get more out of him.” “Demba Ba has been on Ramadan and he is going to get better.”
“And the creative flair of Hatem Ben Arfa has not been around the team since I have been here.” “So to have Ben Arfa back and to have that option of adding a new look to our front line is going to be important.”
“I think Ben Arfa can play off a big striker. I think for me he is a No.10 and he wants to play there.”
It will be good to see more of Sylvain Marveaux, who again made a late sub appearance for the side yesterday, and of course it will be just great to have Ben Arfa back.
The two central midfielders had top games yesterday, and the defense as usual was solid enough, although they were at fault for Aston Villa’s goal, scored by Gabriel Agbonlahor after 13 minutes.
As we had expected, Ryan Taylor put in a solid performance at left back, after having a hard time of it on Monday night, and we also thought that Gabriel Obertan had his moments out on the right wing, but his final pass was often poor after good build up play from him.
But hopefully Gabriel will improve and become a good player for the side, but Yohan Cabaye looked a class act already in the middle of the park, and almost scored towards the end of the game to give Newcastle all three points.
And it was good that Cheick Tiote also had an excellent game, and hopefully the Ivorian is now back to his best form, after an average start to the season.
The Tiote – Cabaye partnership could be a big winner for Newcastle this season.
We wonder if Ben Arfa will start on Tuesday night at Nottingham Forest in the Carling Cup, but it does seem certain that Pardew will play him as a withdrawn striker, and that’s where he wants to play.
That should help Newcastle get more goals too, so perhaps things are looking up for Newcastle?
We hope so, and certainly it was a very good team performance from the lads yesterday.
Comments welcome.
22 comments so far
theswaggersalon
Sep 18, 2011 at 9:41 AM
Comment #1First post on this blog…so… FIRST!
Dannyo
Sep 18, 2011 at 9:54 AM
Comment #2We look to be having some great news folk.
Pardew is HOPING to have Santon back by next weekend.
He’s drained his knee for fluids, and Pards hoping that should be it.
Otherwise he’ll have that minor operation and remove some scar tissue.
Time will tell, but very happy it wasn’t bad.
Stuart
Sep 18, 2011 at 9:54 AM
Comment #3Cant wait for HBA to be back. Not expecting fireworks straight away but I really want to see what kind of partnership Cabaye, Tiote and HBA develop.
Stuart
Sep 18, 2011 at 9:55 AM
Comment #4Where’d you read that Dannyo? I hope its true like!
PortsladeToon
Sep 18, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Comment #5If we can play like we did yesterday with the added bonus of HBA we will certainly be playing some nice looking football, can’t wait to see HBA back on tuesday
Davy Craig
Sep 18, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Comment #6I admire Pardew admitting that he got it wrong on Monday, not many managers would do that. I think he comes across as a genuine bloke and his credentials as one of England’s top coaches are coming through now.
Cabaye was brilliant yesterday. He was more involved partially because we didn’t play that constant awful diagonal long ball forward which bypassed him on Monday.
Best and Ba, who played just behind, looked to move forward into space but didn’t quite get any reward. I thought we bossed Villa for much of the game although they looked dangerous on the break. The way the game played out you’d think we were at home and they were looking for scraps. Had it not been for Given we would’ve come away with 3 points.
I was impressed with the attitude whereby we came back from a goal down and looked to push on and win the game, not content to sit back and settle for a point.
I think Pardew may go for a diamond shape at home when Ben Arfa comes back with him roaming behind the front two. Perhaps Obertan will be the player sacrificed. I think he may go for Ben Arfa behind Best away from home with a 4 man midfield but who knows.
I like this new positive attitude and hope that the fans will adopt the same approach. We’re not going to be able to get rid of Ashley et al so do what we do best and get behind the team and look forward to an exciting rest of the season.
Come on!!!!!!!!
WLtoon
Sep 18, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Comment #7We as fans are obviously upbeat and optimistic at the minute and so we should be after all the shit we,ve had to put up with.
The only reason why im not getting carried away is because at the back of my mind we still have a greedy owner who will be waitng to see what miney can be made in the next window.
I hope im wrong.
Davy Craig
Sep 18, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Comment #8@WLtoon
I think that we all know that that will happen and will be surprised if one of our top players is not sold in January. That is not going to stop me going to games with my family and enjoying the football. I’ve seen some rubbish and some superb football since 1975 when I first started going but no one is going to stop me continuing to support my team on the pitch.
I hope we’re both wrong as well but as you say I’m not getting carried away.
Magforlife
Sep 18, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Comment #9This is not on !!!
Nothing to moan about, thought the lads did great yesterday. Sitting 4th way beyond my wildest dreams.
At this rate I might have to eat a lot of humble pie 🙂
But …..Its Newcastle and somebody or something will throw a spanner in it.
Davy Craig
Sep 18, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Comment #10Look at how many people are posting when we’ve played well and there’s nowt to moan about.
Not very many at all!
sirtoongospel
Sep 18, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Comment #11Fingers crossed lads that the pressure put on the board in recent weeks from the fans will let them know that they have to spend in January. Doesn’t have to be huge money, just strengthen us a bit. if not they will risk losing their manager which would be a disaster. I think he is the best all round manager we have had since Sir Bob
Davy Craig
Sep 18, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Comment #12@sirtoongospel
I totally agree and hope you’re right. I hope they do get a proven goalscorer (not going to happen) or manage to unearth a diamond from nowhere. It’s happened before with Malcolm Macdonald, John Tudor, Alan Shoulder, Chris Waddle, Peter Beardsley, Paul Gascoigne and Andy Cole to name a few and build for the future. We have to wait and see. At least it’s never boring!
Troleibusiukas_LTU
Sep 18, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Comment #13MY FORMATION
for Forest game:
===============ELLIOT================
R.TAYLOR===PERCH=====S.TAYLOR======FERGIE
====AHBEID======CABAYE====GOSLING======
MARVEAUX=========BEST=============SAMMY
OR GIVE CABAYE A REST (AHBEID==GOSLING==GUTHRIE)
AND TRANSFORM IT TO 4-5-1 THEN AFRA IS SUBBED IN:
===============ROB================
R.TAYLOR==PERCH==S.TAYLOR====FERGIE
========GOSLING===CABAYE*===========
MARVEAUX======BEN ARFA========SAMMY
================BA=================
*GUTHRIE
P.S I WOULD LIKE TO SEE KADAR IN ACTION TOO. COULD HE PLAY RB?
3-1 OR VICTORY FOR THE US.
Obafan
Sep 18, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Comment #14Great performance at Villa, a tough team to play esp at their Park. We should have won it, but a certain Given was brilliant…
It is also great that Pardew is open about his wrong tactics on Monday. Things are looking good ATM. Ben Arfa back and hopefully Santon his injury is not that bad.
Oh and Best is a EPL striker (look at his stats)!!!
moonraker
Sep 18, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Comment #15Davy Craig
Spot-on about the neggers with not a lot to moan about! where are they all?
Looks like Barton’s started his tweeting games again! that man is a total ars**le and I for one am glad we’ve got rid of him.
There is harmony in the squad and we have a manager thet’s doing the business.
Long may it continue
HWTL
moonraker
Sep 18, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Comment #16Anyone know what’s the true story with Steve Harper? Summat strange going on there I think!
BUDGIE
Sep 18, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Comment #17Great game yesterday, where has all the negativity gone. Support the team and the manager stuff the board it will take care of itself .
cgrizzly87
Sep 18, 2011 at 1:18 PM
Comment #18Soory Ed, but Tiote really wasn’t good enough yesterday… Someone needs to tell him to pass the ball quicker, and not do his stupid 180 turn like he’s playing FIFA on his xbox
toonbrother
Sep 18, 2011 at 2:08 PM
Comment #19According to Pardew Tiote and Cabaye were the star men yesterday. Good to know the manager has the common sense to recognize his best players even if certain moronic players dont
cupiddstunt
Sep 18, 2011 at 2:23 PM
Comment #20WLtoon @ # 7
Why do you call him a greedy owner when everything in his SD history shows him to be quite a generous owner and one that rewards performance?
Just because he refuses to be bullied by greedy agents and players and wants to get the club looking after itself financially how is that wrong?
There is absolutely no proof that he has pocketed one penny piece yet there is ample proof of the near one third of a BILLION that he has paid out since deciding to buy the club.
I stand to be corrected so if you can show me where he has taken money out of the club then fair point but until then in my mind I will just put you with the other clowns who bang the same (got no proof but if I shout loud enough some folks might start to think I know what I am on about) drum.
I happen to like this slow build, good foundations make for a better long lasting build, I have no problems if we end up selling some players although I do when they are not replaced.
I think we may very well get some offers that prove too good to refuse in Jan I just hope we only sell when a replacement is in place.
The team we have is not going to win the CL so players have to change we have most players on long contracts so any selling will be done at a good price for us, bodes well for the future.
WLtoon
Sep 18, 2011 at 4:21 PM
Comment #21@20
Mike Ashley is a businessman who is interested only in making money for himself.
He may of put a third of a billion quid since aquiring the club but he has,nt done that for the love of it.
He knows that,in time,he will recoup all of that money and a hell of alo more,by selling our best players time and time again while replacing them with far cheaper acquisitions.
There is nothing wrong with that to a certain extent,as long as we can see some sort of ambition,but Ashley has in the last 4 yrs, sold a team full of outstanding players and given whoever is in charge of the team,a pittance to replace them.
The Carroll deal is the perfect example of tha.
35 million is fantastic for the club if it was spent on good replacements but not a penny of it was given to Pardew.
Any money spent in the last window was generated by shipping out 4 if our best players,we all know that.
On top of player sales he has the tv coverage money season after season,which is huge.
I dont think Ashley will sell the club any time,soon because he has,nt made enough money out of it just yet.
Maybe a handsome offer from a buyer will tempt him to sell in a few years time,i hope so.
The team are doing ok at the minute,and the longer it stays that way the better it is for all concerned at the club but,while Ashley owns NUFC me and thousands of us will be looking over our shoulders.wondering who will be sold next for a quick profit.
You may trust Ashley,thats up to you mate,but dont knock other supporters who just wish he would go.
We are a selling club now,or have i missed something.?
YankeeToon
Sep 18, 2011 at 4:40 PM
Comment #22@ cgrizzly
I don’t know what game you were watching but Tiote look close to every bit the player he was last year which was great to see and hopefully he keeps improving.
Gotta say Simpson has been in good defensive form the last couple games, muched improved from the start of season.
Agree with Ed on Obertan, had the ball taken away to easy but didn’t have many foward options either.
Should have lost Monday, should of won yesterday. Great response yesterday, showing that Monday was just a bad day.