Demba Ba has given a good interview to the local press this morning, and he seems to have hit the nail on the head about Newcastle’s performance on Saturday.
Tamas Kadar – is this player not better than Simspon or Perch?
Ba has said that we were missing our two center-backs and if the replacements had been big and massive and could have headed the ball away, it could have all been different.
That’s so true and what the synopsis of the match has been, because when we saw Simpson and Perch were in the team, we asked ourselves before the game where was the height in the middle and who was going to head the ball away.
Of course the answer was nobody, and we went down to a bad defeat simply because we don’t have a strong enough squad, once out best players are injured.
And I wouldn’t like to be Tamas Kadar today, because if the Hungarian is no better than either Perch or Simpson, then it seems he has no future on Tyneside, and what happened to Tamas is still a bit of a mystery.
And it’s not as if we are blaming Simpson (5’8″) or Perch (5′ 11″) either, because they are not center-backs, and were asked to do a big job on Saturday and they just couldn’t get the job done.
Yohan Cabaye couldn’t have done any better either, if Alan had played him at center-back, although maybe Davide Santon could have since he is 6′ 2″ tall, the same height as Kadar.
The season might start to unravel now unless we can get back on track against Swansea on Saturday, and this is what Demba Ba said when asked if indeed the season was starting to unravel:
“We’re not going to let that happen.” “We’ll make sure we will prepare our game and we’re going to go onto the pitch to win the game.” “We need to win.” “It’s difficult to get into the top four,”
“Have you seen the teams? They’re unbelievable. If we can make it into the top half of the table we’ll be happy.” “I don’t think we had a good game as a team, we could have been better,”
“We conceded the goals at a bad moment and those goals put our heads down.” “It was difficult coming into the match with so many injuries. We lost our best players last week in Coloccini and Taylor and started with a brand new defense.”
“If our center-backs were big, massive and could head the ball it could have been different. That was the key. They were playing long balls and it was difficult for Danny Simpson to compete against Grant Holt or against Steve Morison.”
“We have Williamson who is on his way back, we have Coloccini who will be fit for next week, Cheick Tioté as well. If we have our full squad – minus Marveaux and Taylor – we’ll be okay.”
“It could have been different with 11 on the pitch, it’s not easy – we learned that the previous week – but we just don’t know how it would have turned out,” “I don’t think I’ve been on a better run of scoring,”
“I had a good period in Belgium with Mouscron when I scored eight in ten games. I just try to enjoy it, keep working hard and enjoying playing football.” “I expected from myself to do well. I was prepared for that.”
“I was also prepared for the battles we will face as a team this season.”
Good words there from the 26 year-old Senegal striker, who’s been a tremendous capture for Newcastle and now has 11 PL goals in just 16 appearances this season.
Demba Ba looked simply great on Saturday and scored two opportunist goals, and they could have been the winners if Newcastle could only have defended anywhere near their best.
But we couldn’t, and it tells the Newcastle hierarchy that we need at least one new center-back and probably another defender, when the transfer window opens next month, in three weeks time.
Once we know who is brought in, it will give us all a clue as to how Mike Ashley will be backing Alan Pardew to strengthen the squad, and whether he is actually willing to spend any money.
Strengthening of the squad is obviously what’s needed, and the sooner the better.
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
Dannyo
Dec 12, 2011 at 9:16 AM
Comment #1I cannot fathom why Kadar was not on the pitch.
I wish some of the journous would be a bit critical of Pardew on this, and ask him a bit more direct questions on the matter.
Like; “Why wasn’t Kadar picked over Simmo and Perch, certainly he has the physical ability to do a job on set pieces and crosses”.
I mean, the lad captains the reserve teams and has been injury free for a long time now. I just don’t get it, i really don’t. He could’ve tried atleast, it wouldn’t be a worse result than what we got. Nothing lost on trying the lad.
daztoon
Dec 12, 2011 at 9:27 AM
Comment #2@Dannyo
A lot of what Pardew does i don`t get.Like why HBA wasn`t playing or even brought on Sat.90th minute and making subs 2-4 down why
Dannyo
Dec 12, 2011 at 9:32 AM
Comment #3@daztoon
Aye, the question can be asked, Pardew said after the match that we came there with the thought than we wern’t going to keep a clean sheet most likely, so we should be looking to outscore em. Shola had a decent match and took his own level up a bit in the 2nd half i thought, but wether HBA would’ve been better on the day we can’t know. But if u plan to outscore the opposition, one should field the most players that should would give u more offensive ability. So yeah, if i were to pick, HBA would be in that team.
All in all, i thought the selection on Saturday was wrong, Raylor, Obertan and Shola wouldn’t have been my starters. But the CB choice is what pissed me off the most. But what can you do?
WWJBD
Dec 12, 2011 at 9:37 AM
Comment #4Simplist answer lads Kadar wasent on the pitch because he isn’t good enough
As for HBA over Shola we needed to score more and HBA doesn’t score goals Best over Shola is a shout but don’t see the benefit of HBA playing. He also can’t defend and is short so would of been no help during corners whereas Shola is good in the air
geoff777
Dec 12, 2011 at 9:38 AM
Comment #5@Dannyo
Hard to understand the Kadar situation.
He didn’t even make the bench.
He plays for Hungary U21 and the reserves.
So he’s match-fit.
I have no idea why he wasn’t selected v Norwich.
daztoon
Dec 12, 2011 at 9:42 AM
Comment #6@Dannyo
For sure if they aint got the ball they can`t hurt us.Yeah Shola did ok but left his man Holt twice for his goals and even saw Simpson marking Holt at one point
wynsleap
Dec 12, 2011 at 9:42 AM
Comment #7“Big and massive” often means slow and cumbersome unless they come with talent and skill.
We need class replacements at centre half not just a six foot four or five stopper with the turning circle of the Queen Mary.
Ashley’s reluctance to spend money (which he still has)on filling in the defensive gaps may come back to haunt Pardew – I won’t say haunt Ashley because I don’t think he gives a toss either way.
daztoon
Dec 12, 2011 at 9:49 AM
Comment #8For sure had chance on both Situ and Ridgewell but guess they wern`t prepared to sign for minimum wage
jayphoto
Dec 12, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Comment #9Kader isn’t good enough! Why won’t people see this? He was shocking when he’s been sent out on loan! He’s not this demon in the air Ed seems to be making him out to be either, for his size, his physical game isn’t anywhere near what It should be!
ArtyH
Dec 12, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Comment #10I know its off the wall but Shola is a big and strong lad who could have played C.B and that would have let Best play up front. At least Shola has the build to be a C.B and can head a ball, would have been better match for Holt and Co.
Szarka
Dec 12, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Comment #11If Kadar is so bad as U say then why is he captain of the reserves? Why isnt he loaned out or sold if Pardew doesnt need him. It would be better for Kadar too. And after Norwich I dont think Kadar wanna stay .
Brutooon
Dec 12, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Comment #12Perch is SKINNY and CRAP