Alan Pardew is delighted at the way his strikers have stepped up to the plate in recent weeks.
Steve Stone and John Carver with Alan Pardew on Saturday
And Alan Pardew thinks some of that is because of all the news that’s been surrounding a new striker being brought into the club to replace the departed Andy Carroll, but that hasn’t happened yet, and will not happen for at least another three months.
And that’s plenty of time for Demba Ba, Leon Best and others to show they can get the striker job done on Tyneside.
Alan Pardew thinks the competition for places at the club has also been a factor in the good form of so many players at Newcastle this season:
“I haven’t laid down a challenge to my strikers, but if you’re a player at a football club and you read about new signings, it does raise your game,”
“I had it at Crystal Palace and if I was going to get replaced, it makes you think, ‘What about me?’ That’s good and you step up.”
“Managers are always looking to replace players with better ones and you’ve got to prove yourself when you step up a division like Leon has done.”
“Leon was very unlucky not to score against Blackburn. His replacement seems to have been on his way here for 16 months, ever since we got promoted. It hurts you into proving people wrong.”
And we mustn’t forget the performance of Peter Lovenkrands on Tuesday night at Nottungham Forest for the two goals he scored, so that in the last five games Best, Demba Ba and Lovenkrands have scored 8 goals between them – not too bad.
Demba Ba has had a slow start to his Newcastle career, and at times in pre-season he’s looked disinterested, but that certainly was not the case on Saturday as he has come to life over the last couple of games, in which he has put in two very good performances.
But it’s not just scoring the goals that has impressed the Newcastle manager, who has hailed the Senegal International’s all around play:
“Maybe the mistake on my part was putting him in too early,”
“They were not typical goals from Demba. He is a poacher. I’m really pleased for him because it’s not easy being a striker at Newcastle, whether you’re a big name or not. There is huge pressure to deliver.”
“I talked a little bit about the pressure when he signed, because it’s different to West Ham, where there’s a different type of pressure.”
It seems to us that Leon Best just revels in the pressure of being a Newcastle United striker, and it’s the same for Demba Ba.
It’s clear that the two strikers will be given their chance and any thoughts of using Ben Arfa as a withdrawn striker will be put on hold, at least for the foreseeable future
Comments welcome.
35 comments so far
magpiebop
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Comment #1It’s good to see everyone step it up this season. Our team spirit is just unbelievable!
alec6247toon
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Comment #21st
alec6247toon
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Comment #3damn! but more importantly its great to see the team coming together and performing well, lets hope it continues.
JimmyToonToon
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Comment #4I think Ed is right, maybe we don’t need to put HBA in as a withdrawn striker. If Besty and Ba keep this up I can see a’lot of goals for the Toon this season.
Will be interesting if we go back to 5 in the midfield against Wolves, who will he drop up front?
HWTL
liam85
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:10 AM
Comment #5I can’t wait for Cabaye to score his first goal! I’m sure he will score at least one fantastic goal this season. if not more! (he came so close at aston villa) 😀
~~San-Toon~~
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Comment #6@jimmytoontoon.
I don’t think we will revert to a 5 midfield against wolves. Ben Arfa to start on the Bench again, Im sure Pardew doesnt want the Thug Henry injuring Arfa.
PHOENIXNIGHTS
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Comment #7I was well impressed with BA at the weekend – he is prepared to come deep take the ball and run at the defenders normally pulling a centre half with him and creating a bit more space. I thought we were excellent throughout with some slick passing football. Hope it continues with confidence at a high (November will be difficult mind you) I am a happy chappie at the moment.
Keep the faith
geordie.In.Taipei
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Comment #8yeah i have to agree. I also dont think we will revert to a 5 man midfield at wolves. Though, i do foresee the wolves game being tricky. They are a physical team, i almost dont want arfa to play in it cos of what they may do to him. That aside, i hope Santon is back for it. As i was not impressed with some of Ryan Taylors passing on Saturday, and simpsons wasnt too hot either at times.
~~San-Toon~~
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Comment #9@8
To be fair tho, Ryan Taylor did do some brilliant pieces of defending. The commentators during the game waxed lyrical about it.
1. When he slid in and put Hoilett off the shot.
2. When he got a head on the ball and knocked it away from goal with an oncoming player.
~~San-Toon~~
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Comment #10Pardew will most likely set the team up in a similar fashion to the QPR game, meaning a more withrawn role for Cabaye. Then on the counter attack we release the ball fast and counter attack down the wings using Obertan and Gutti/Marv’s pace.
PapaToon
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Comment #11loverkreands is no way near deserving of the credit like the other two. He scores only against champion ship sides.
against PL hes got no chance really, gets knocked off the ball too easy and seems to run away from where ever the play is on the field, yet i would still prefer him to Ameobi by a whisker!
cestriasteve
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Comment #12I dont know about not having 5 in midfield, it might be the trick, they have lost 3 on the bounce and were unlucky against a slow midfield that liverpool put out. Tiote might be a bit busier next week and might need some support, dont know who I would put in there. Wasnt at the match on Saturday but I heard Taylor wasnt that bad.
norwichmag
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Comment #13Steven Taylor will be on Talksport at Midday talking about the start of the season. They’re currently bigging up Pards and Cabaye, Andy Gray reckons (as he has done since the summer) that Cabaye is gonna turn out to be one of the signings of the summer : )
AMEOBI
Sep 26, 2011 at 10:52 AM
Comment #14Gotta be the same team we played blackburn against wolves
Troleibusiukas_LTU
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Comment #15taylor was good, made couple of mistakes,but everyone makes.His game was really good,defended well,put some nice crosses. i would prefer to give RB position for Raylor, he earned it. P.s RB is RAYLOR’S natural position.. even guttierez said that Rayan is RB.
Dannyo
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Comment #16I think a 5 man midfield is the way to tbh. Wolves are a bit more bullying team, and can easily get people sent off. Starting Marveux, Cabaye and HBA would give allot of late tackles our benefit.
It’s going to be a gritty game and Saylor and Tiote are the only ones with that.
We should use our accurate passing to frustrate them and play em out of the game. They’ll leave holes all ove the place and we’ll use them with some wonderful passin play.
SincerelySamuel
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Comment #17i dont think we need a 5 man MF with Besty and Ba dropping in from time to time id say exact same starting line up slightly diff bench wid Santon on there who is our spot kick taker now coz the order was Shola JB Loverman then who hopefully Cabaye although poss Raylor duz ne1 kno 4 sure who it is
WWJBD
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Comment #18Lets face it the team against Wolves will be the same as the one against Blackburn they dominated the game so why would Pardew change it up until something stops working
I would expect Santon on the bench and for him to get some game time (with HBA and Marv)
SincerelySamuel
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Comment #19http://bleacherreport.com/articles/858711-premier-league-top-15-money-penalty-takers-and-why-theyre-so-reliable#/articles/858711-premier-league-top-15-money-penalty-takers-and-why-theyre-so-reliable/page/13 100% success rate with pens in ligue 1 id go for Cabaye then 🙂
Dannyo
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:17 AM
Comment #20@WWJBD
I think u’re right, but i don’t like it 😛
Clearly, we can improve our passing game with Marveux and HBA on the pitch, and Santon should be getting a run out soon.
Just cause we’re winning doesn’t mean all our players are doing great.
Troleibusiukas_LTU
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Comment #21MY LINEUP FOR WOLVES GAME:
================KRUL==================
R.TAYLOR====S.TAYLOR==COLO=======SANTON
================TIOTE==================
OBERTAN========CABAYE==========MARVEAUX
===============DEMBA BA===============
================BEST==================
SUBS: SAMMY, JONAS, ARFA
NOT USED: HARPER, SIMPSON, GOSLING
AMEOBI
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Comment #22Danny,
Who wouldn’t you say isn’t playing great? Only Raylor but that’s not his problem, for me everyones put in a solid performance for the last 3 games
WWJBD
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Comment #23Dannyo
I agree but at the same time HBA Marv and Santon are all coming back from injuries and I am happy that they are slowly coming into the team
And true what your saying doesnt mean they are at their best but they are all doing enough to get us through….even Raylor which is shocking 😉
AMEOBI
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Comment #24Wow how can u put Santon in LB?! He hasn’t even played first team yet geez!
Stuart
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Comment #25Haha, you suggesting we start him up front to get him used to the first team like AMEOBI? lol.
WWJBD
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Comment #26*Insert “He’d be better than Shola” joke here*
AMEOBI
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Comment #27Stuart haha nah just not to start, at least some reserves games then 15mins at the end of a match? So like maybe 3-4weeks before first team imo
SincerelySamuel
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Comment #28the unfortunate thing about never having played for the first team is that its probably hard to change without being given a game
+idrather give him his first game vs Wolves than throw him in against Bale and Lennon if we can hold off til wigan at home tho that wold be perfect but raylor will be shredded by Lennon and Bale so id go with the Wolves game for mr Santons first start
Stuart
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Comment #29Haha I agree to be honest, maybe not a month til his first start though. Just wanted to make a joke lol.
He should get two sub appearances in the next two games then start the 3rd. So he’d be starting his first game vs Wigan, a game that is definately winnable like.
AMEOBI
Sep 26, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Comment #30Yeah spot I’m on that too, Wigan at home will be an easy debut for Santon 🙂 but I’d like keep him and HBA and marvaeux to subs for the next game at very least, maybe start against tottenham for ben arfa and marv? Sounds good to me!
GeordieToon89
Sep 26, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Comment #31we could quite easily get 7 out of 9 points in our next 3 games providing we play like we can and did against Villa and Blackburn could even get 9 cos weve gota pretty decent record against Spurs
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Sep 26, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Comment #32at 21 drop jonas and simpson why? havnt done antin wrong in last couple of games if it aint broke dont fix it!
Dannyo
Sep 26, 2011 at 12:37 PM
Comment #33@AMEOBI
There’s improvement to be had at LB and RB, Raylor is not an LB, that is obvious, and Simmo, i always shiver a tiny bit when he has the ball, and when a winger comes at him, he NEVER closes down, giving room for the cross too easily.
Gutti doesn’t have a final ball, but he’s great at taking players on, Marveux seems to have both.
Fielding Santon is too soon, i agree ofc, but if he plays like his rumour has it, then it’s and improvement to Raylor.
HBA has a good foot on him, just as good as Ba or Best imo, and he’d improve our passing play + chances further.
Yes, they are all coming back from injuries, we’ve yet to see Santon in action, but it seems to be common knowledge that Marveux and HBA would improve the team given starts.
Mind, i’m not saying we’re doing crap, i’m saying we can improve.
Tom_Toon
Sep 26, 2011 at 2:20 PM
Comment #34Same 11 as v Blackburn.
Toon_Jock
Sep 26, 2011 at 3:30 PM
Comment #35Ain’t broke, don’t try and Fix it!
Same starting 11 as against Villa/Blackburn – Subs also the same, maybe coming on sooner depending if we ahead on goals or not?!
Can’t wait for Sat 🙂 TOON TOON