Newcastle didn’t look solid last night in defense, and that may be an understatement.
An unhappy Alan Pardew after the game last night
West Brom don’t usually do very well and don’t usually win on Tyneside, and in fact last night was the first win for them at Newcastle since way back in 1977, when I was only just past being middle-aged. :D.
And a frustrated Alan Pardew talked to the local press today:
“We are disappointed – we cannot hide that.” “It was a game we wanted to win and get ourselves 30 points before our Christmas dinner, but it did not happen.”
“Their front two unsettled us a little bit, and made us edgy.” “We lost a bit of discipline in our shape, which was unusual for us.”
“We still did some marvellous stuff and came back twice.” “Haris had a fantastic debut as a 19-year-old. There were positives, but in all honesty we should have done better.”
“We are not sure about Davide. He had just come into the team and settled in. It is disappointing.”
Davide Santon has suffered a knee injury, and we have to think it’s the one he’s had trouble with before.
Davide had fluid on the knee a few months ago, and it’s an injury that troubled him while he was at Inter-Milan.
The good news is that the Italian was seen leaving St. James’ Park without a limp last night, and he looked fairly comfortable according to local reports, so we have to hope he was brought off as a precaution, and not too much damage was done.
Davide will be looked at this morning by the Newcastle medical team, and we have to hope he can start at Bolton, because this lad looks a good player at left-back for Newcastle.
It will be another test of Newcastle’s character on Monday afternoon, and of course the first goal will be all important, as it was last night.
But Newcastle must use their team spirit and keep fighting whatever happens on Monday, because the next thing on the agenda for Newcastle this season is to turn this bad slump around.
That’s the next challenge for this team, and there are always ups and downs in life and in football.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and in this case it’s how our lads rise to the challenge that’s right in front of them.
Howay The Lads!!
192 comments so far
Shorzy
Dec 22, 2011 at 1:20 PM
Comment #1We never play well at Bolton either so Im shitting it. Kevin Davis will throw Perch all over the place so we need to hope Williamson is even half fit. What does Pardw see in Perch that no one else can??? Is he just being stubborn over Tamas Kadar? I just can’t get my head round it.
planb
Dec 22, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Comment #2Owen coyle must be saying thankyou lord another 3 points off NUFC. then its LiverpoolThe scenes set for Andy carroll the balls will be put out to Bellamy on the left downing on the right and all carroll has to fend off is Perch the the Mr Bean of centre halves and the goals will flow again for him Daglish must think its xmas!
colwell
Dec 22, 2011 at 1:31 PM
Comment #3F##k it just play Shola at the back we need some height in there he can’t do any worse then he does up front or like last night on the wing.
CaptainGeordie
Dec 22, 2011 at 1:38 PM
Comment #4Why can’t we performance against lower qaulity teams within the Premier League,it is has been happeing since Sir Bobby was fired,I would rather win against lower qaulity then stealing a point from like of Arsenal,Chelsea,Man City and Man United. I dont know if I’m being picky and restless of these poor results against lower qaulity teams.
drongo
Dec 22, 2011 at 1:40 PM
Comment #5Mad Kenny will play AC against us for sure. Especially if we still have a CB problem.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 22, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Comment #6Sorry for the repost but does anybody else think its a coincidence that this seasons team spirit has been affected since the stadium name change,the Tiote for sale rumour and the fact that Collo and Simpson are stalling with thier contracts.
CaptainGeordie
Dec 22, 2011 at 1:53 PM
Comment #7Jail For Ashley, not at all ! This is how Mike Ashley and co work,It has been happening since he has bought the club.I think Liverpool’s game will be Tiote’s last game for us.
Magickit
Dec 22, 2011 at 1:56 PM
Comment #8How many goals is needed from Demba Ba to secure us a win in a match ???
drongo
Dec 22, 2011 at 1:59 PM
Comment #9@ Jail No
I think it has to do with injuries mounting up, suspensions kicking in. Finishing 3 games on the spin with 10 men, playing 3 of the best sides in Europe back to back.
Together with teams figuring out what we’re about and having game plans to play against us.
Do you think that if we called it SJP we would have put Norwich to the sword?
Or if Real Madrid change the Bernebau to the Pedigree Chum Dome they will all of a sudden lose to West Brom?
drongo
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:01 PM
Comment #10@ Magickit at least 3 until we sort out the centre half issues
Magickit
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:03 PM
Comment #11@drongo : i cant imagine if African Cup begins. it would be a nightmare without Ba …. who can stand-in and score ?
Magickit
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:04 PM
Comment #12btw, cabaye + tiote centre-mid combination is still unbeaten? isnt it ?
CaptainGeordie
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:04 PM
Comment #13If we gonna blame it on the injuries we could blame the pervious seasons on that aswell,lets not look for a escape goat.
colwell
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Comment #14Nicky maynard has been transfer listed, could be worth a punt similar to Long.
09nufc09
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Comment #15Jail… I think it has more to do with the fans getting on players backs about 5 mins into the game and making both the crowd and the players nervous. Add tothat the fact injuries and suspensions and their you have it, the reason for the poor form of late…
Toon_Jock
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Comment #16Thanks god for the good start to our season – I’ll leave it at that 🙂
Ameobi No.9
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Comment #17You are a happy bunch today… before the manc games you were all talking about the possibility of getting into the Europa League. now the most positive thing I have read is Tiote is getting sold next month..
@1 did not see much of the match last night because of bad streams, but Perch’s tackling was fantastic in the opening 20 minutes, he made a couple in our area on got them absolutely spot on, maybe you have scape-goated him for our problems of late but you have to give credit where it is due. He may not be the best player in the universe x100 but for gods sake he is no where near as s**t as some of you give off.
It is quite interesting how a lot of you guys slate perch for putting 100% into each game, yet a large number of you dont even mention Obertan and his lack of interest to do anything productive. not once this season have I been impressed with him and not once has he played a ‘decent’ 90 minutes for us. He has the odd game where he tries for 30 minutes then becomes Ameobi (Shola) for the rest of the time he is on..
lets just hope we buy Hazard, Messi, Iniesta, Ronaldo, Hulk and Falcao in January otherwise we are going to get relegated then die forever and ever. oh and COCKNEY MAFIA OOT MAN, YIS ‘AV GOT NEE IDEA LIKE PET!!
that last bit is just making fun of the typical crap you people write when the club is going through a bad spell (with a slight exaggeration on the transfers)
drongo
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:15 PM
Comment #18I think the best way we can set ourselves up with who we have available for Monday would be
————-Krul
Simmo—Willo —Colo—-Sanno
———Cabbo—-Toto
Jono—-Vuko—Bennyo
———–Bo
With the front 4 reasonably interchangeable. Vukic Jonas and Tiote all can tackle and win the ball. Gives Cabaye a bit of time and space to pull the strings. Both fullbacks can get up and down. Both CMs can cover a full back if someone gets caught out.
3 of the front 4 can all shoot, cross pass, and they can all dribble and beat a man.
Just call me Jose
MacToon
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:16 PM
Comment #19The back four or 5 if including the keeper play as a unit, they know when they have cover or when they don’t, they form an understanding, understand the strengths and weaknesses of those in that unit.
Later than expected but Newcastle has been forced into changing a winning back 5 and that new unit is not working, maybe it’s a case of not working YET or maybe there are players who cannot fit into that unit succesfully.
One thing for sure though, the vast majority on this blog knew as soon as Willo was injured our back line had little cover from the bench for the long season ahead let alone starting the season without a recognised left back at the club.
As a fan there is very little I can do to alter performances, Ashley and Llambias are obviously responsible for squad depth, the squad quality is a shared responsibility, Carr, Pardew and probably many others. The performance is down to the players and manager who sets up the formation, tactics and preperation and obviously the players must follow these instructions and play atleast to their best ability or better.
I find it difficult to fault the players in general as I mostly see them playing atleast to their best ability, therefore I believe the problems lies elswhere.
Ramble over!
Ponderous Pardew
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:16 PM
Comment #20Consume gluttonous amounts of alcohol, to lift the Christmas gloom, is my advice. I’m out of here ’til Boxing Day, have a good one folks!
Magickit
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Comment #21I think next match will be better. We have Cabaye + Tiote again
We need to build up the defense first with Cabaye + Tiote. Plesase dont gone crazy attacking. Play like the first 11 matches (stay deeper for 1st half) and no more long ball to Besty ….
09nufc09
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:19 PM
Comment #22Ameobi no.9… Perch was our best defender yesterday, he got us out of a whole a few times with his pace, something that colo couldnt do yesterday, but one bad game dosent make you a bad player and tiote, krul and colo will be back to their best against bolton (fingers crossed).
Im still happy we are only 3 points behind big spend title/cl contenders liverpool who have just lost their best player to an 8 game ban and have paid 35 million for a player with a worse first touch than ameobi. Things are still looking good for this season and the jan transfer window is coming at the right time for us because our lack of depth is starting to show.
Magickit
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:20 PM
Comment #23@drongo
————-Krul
Simmo—Willo —Colo—-Sanno
———Cabbo—-Toto
Jono—-Vuko—Bennyo
———–Bo
this lineup seems very very interesting ! good def n good attack, but AP wont do that, we all know
jimmymagpie
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:20 PM
Comment #24You lot who are always slagging off Perch, please tell me the last time that aptain Wonderful won a ball in the air under pressure across his own area, and last night he was even skinned for pace by Shane bloody Long. Loof where Colo was when they scored from the free-kick. He’s so weak in the air under pressure they don’t even line him up in the ‘danger area’, leaving Simpson and Tiote at the back post tells you how much confidence they have in Colo in the air.
CaptainGeordie
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Comment #25In all serious,I think we can still win the league if other results go our way….. 😉
drongo
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:23 PM
Comment #26No, he wont – we will very likely persist with Best/ba, then when Ba goes it will be Best/HBA
Does anyone know when Marveaux is due back? Is he properly cattle trucked?
drongo
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:26 PM
Comment #27@jimmy Captain Wonderful has been one of the top CBs in the league this season. Hed get into any starting 11. Better than that fascist terry thats for sure.
He did have an off day – but maybe he was tired from goosing everyones missus.
Need to get him a new song.
scottoon
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:27 PM
Comment #28We can blame Perch all we want but I think that fails to recognize where we broke down yesterday. All three WBA goals came on the counter when we lost control in the midfield. Young Haris certainly looked the business, but the truth is that Tiote looked a little lost without his mid partner Cabaye. Yohan is so good at disrupting teams through the middle and we missed that last night. First WBA goal Brunt breaks us up near centre and slips a great ball through. Second was a foul conceded by Ba as he tracked back because the midfield had lost shape. On the third, Raylor too far forward and Collo had to cover on the flank. OK so that one we might blame on Perch as he was marking the penalty spot it seems.
Bottom line is it is too easy to blame Perch but the reality is that their goals were created well up the park because our midfield had lost shape, and did not have its usual bite. Haris was exceptional in a more advanced role but he left Tiote a little exposed, and add to it the fact that Cheik seemed a little off the pace…Haris would be great at the top of a diamond in a 4-5-1 but Pards wants us playing 4-4-2 and for that we need Cabaye and Tiote in the middle.
Having said all of that, Perch is still not good enough. Saylor is such a huge miss.
09nufc09
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:29 PM
Comment #29Jimmy… Colo win nearly every cross from open play at the front post cos he is clever enough to know where the ball is going to go and gets there before the striker. One bad game dosent make him a bad player! Last i heard on marveaux was feb? Dont know if its changed since then tho.
jimmymagpie
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:30 PM
Comment #30Drongo – forget Marveaux this season, he won’t even begin light training until the end of February at the earliest. Possibly play a couple of reserve games in April, so forget him as regards the 1st team. They were looking very closely at Santon this morning, but I wasn’t privy to what they found. When you sign players with bad history of injuries these are the chances you take. We should thank our lucky stars that Ba is holding up, because without him we really would be in the sh-t.
jimmymagpie
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:38 PM
Comment #31Drongo and 09 – I’m not saying he’s a bad player, only that he has obvious deficiencies and when the more physical Saylor isn’t there, these are exposed even more. Look at the 2 Carling Cup games agsinst Forest and Blackburn – no Saylor 7 goals against. Perch wasn’t that bad last night, but I’m not saying he’s a good player, and by the same token Colo was crap, but that doesn’t make him a bad player, but we do have a very small, lightweight, defence and are suckers to the set piece – Pardew admits this, and we could do with a couple of big, strong, physical defenders. What is more worrying to me is the form of Tiote, because I don’t think he’s been at his best for some time – perhaps all the constant speculation is getting to him.
Magickit
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:38 PM
Comment #32sth a bit off-topic. Last time Ameobi is going to sign for Stoke city ? Why he cannot pass the medical ? whats is his hidden injuries ?
martoon
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:44 PM
Comment #33Drongo – I like your team but I somehow think AP will never move away from his 4.4.2.
Ameobi no9 – you talk a lot of sense and I particularly like your transfer targets – should be able to get most of them using the Carroll money 🙂
09nufc09
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Comment #34Jimmy… Or the fact he is coming back from a 2 month injury and we know from his previous time out that he takes a few games to get backto his best, againt spurs he was the best player on the pitch.
Magickitt… He had to have hip hips rebuilt a while ago and it was in an interview that he had to learn how to walk again after the op.
drongo
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:47 PM
Comment #35@jimmy
yep Colo plus Taylor was the perfect combination really. Old fashioned throw your body on the line stopper together with the clever ball player and game reader.
Similar to Ferdinand & Vidic, or Terry & Carvalho.
Like everywhere on the pitch its all good partnerships and combinations.
scottoon
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:49 PM
Comment #36Collo did not have his best, but teams win and lose, not individuals. We had breakdowns all over the pitch last night. I thought we played too much hoofball last night, and it was not until the intro of HBA that we started to properly link up with the ball on the floor. We certainly looked the team far more likely to score after he came on but we broke down on the third and got countered far too easily.
alex84
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:50 PM
Comment #37i have to kind of agree with Jimmy as much as Colo is class him and Steven Taylor were the perfect combo, they complimented each other so well, we miss taylor badly.
what did everyone think of Ben Arfa?
jimmymagpie
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:50 PM
Comment #38Magickit- Shola has had a problem for years in the pelvic area, because of his build and running style. This affects him in the back, hip, and thigh. He’s even had surgery in the past to try and cure the problem, without success. He’ll just have to play with it, the same as the great Milburn played with fibrositis in the neck area all of his career. Because earnings were made up more of bonuses in those days than they are today, players tended to play through the pain barrier more than the present lot, although i have to say that Shearer was one of the most courageous players when you think of the injuries that he overcame.
Zangwill_Ho
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:51 PM
Comment #39O25 and P2 are rubbish
drongo
Dec 22, 2011 at 2:54 PM
Comment #40At the risk of sounding like a neggar player basher blah blah
On the subject of Shola the thing that grinds my gears is how long it takes him to stand up. If he ever goes to ground the lad sits there for 20 secs or so before slowly climbing to his feet then gently has a look around to see where the ball/play is.
The lad has some incredible natural skills, and is a great physical presence, but seems like hes stoned most of the time.
He should be in every match day squad however, but used as a last 20 impact sub if you need a target man to relieve pressure.