Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has praised the character of his Newcastle squad tonight.
Alan Pardew after win – does he look happy or does he look happy?
Although Newcastle were outplayed in the first half at Ewood Park, the lads held on manfully and took an early lead when a right foot shot by Ryan Taylor was deflected by Scott Dan into his own net.
Ryan had been set up by Jonas Gutierrez, and then in injury time Gabriel Obertan ran from the half way line, as he was clean though and placed the ball past a helpless Robinson to make it 2-0, before acknowledging the Newcastle fans.
Blackburn only had themselves to blame in that first half as they missed chance after chance, but Newcastle were a lot more solid and organized in the second half.
Newcastle were without French International Yohan Cabaye, who was banned for three games by the FA earlier on Wednesday, for violent conduct, and Demba Ba, Papiss Cisee and Cheick Tiote were also missing.
This is what Alan told Sky Sports after the game:
“We had a bit of criticism about the Brighton game and we lost Cabaye, the two Senegal boys couldn’t make it, and we still won.”
“Great credit to the players and particularly to James Perch. I left him out even though he was excellent at Brighton.”
“But he came into the midfield for the second half and we looked a lot stronger in there.” “We’ve got such resolve in the squad.”
“To get a win on the back of Brighton was brilliant and we can look forward now to the end of the season.” “We’ve got a tremendous opportunity that we want to try and take.”
“We’ve gone up to fifth tonight – it’s an outstanding achievement from this football club.”
The 3 points took Newcastle one point above Liverpool and two points above Arsenal and into 5th place in the Premier League.
Next up for the Magpies is Aston Villa at St. James’ Park in the early game on Sunday afternoon, and Newcastle will have both Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse available for that game.
A win on Sunday, hopefully in front of another sell-out crowd, and we could even catch Chelsea – at least on points.
It was an excellent win for the lads tonight, and a gutsy performance when the defense was under great pressure for long stretches, but the lads managed to get their 9th clean sheet of the season.
It was also the fifth clean sheet in the last eight league games, which is not too bad at all.
Comments welcome.
170 comments so far
gorgonzola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:18 AM
Comment #1I think Guthrie was doing ok in midfield in all honesty but the lack of movement elsewhere and nervous passing is what outdoes us over an over again…Pardew needs to tell them to calm the hell down a bit…also noticing players not looking up where other players are just passing the ball blindly….
Spuggy
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:18 AM
Comment #2Well done pards! Your subs changed the game.
TemuriKetsbaia
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:18 AM
Comment #3Don’t want Hoilett anymore. He’s a cheat.
Spuggy
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:19 AM
Comment #4@ gorgonzola
I think pards tell them that every day in training.
Spuggy
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:21 AM
Comment #5Two massive pluses are Perch revelation as a decent DMF, and Obertans first goal and potential as our 3rd/4th striker.
gorgonzola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:21 AM
Comment #6I also think we should not get carried away and get our heads get all big as we tend to and get smashed down to earth the performance today was rather poor…
But Blackburn is showing what we lacked in the FA cup front teeth or the lack thereof. Their finishing was poor…. and we where saved…
Starting strikers at SJP got to be SISSE and BA surely….or HBA and BA or LOVEN BA not Shola again he was as dreadful as it comes…tonight atleast…
Sgt. Heagerty
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:22 AM
Comment #7lads we are bloody 5th in the league, unbelievabale. We have held out while our big guns went off to africa and find ourselves in prime contention to make an honest run into europe. Im talking europa league but if we get a good run and some results go are way who knows where we can end up.
On another note, over the last week or so ive been very disappointed with the banter on this blog. I heard people actually calling for our gaffer’s job, questioning his tactics, slating our own players, and things that have really brought shame to the toon army. We are the best supporters in the world. We have been delt a rotten hand over the last several years but finally since sir bobby left we are a top 6 club again not only in size but in reality on the pitch. Now of course the same people who have been slating obertan and trashing our gaffer are saying start obertan and pards is a genius. Some of you lads need to check deep down in your locker and get behind our club. Its Newcastle UNITED, lets all unite behind our club and push onto europe and stop all the trashing of our general and our troops. Thats all i got….Howay the lads, prettiest ugly 3 points i ever seen but you have to grind points like this to make it to europe….i can picture sjp packed on its first match back in europe and it gives me chills…..onward and upward for the club and us the supporters….Newcastle United for life!!!!!!!!!!!
bye bye Shola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:23 AM
Comment #8On Sunday how should we expose Villas weaknesses and take advantage of playing a crap team
Wardy
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:25 AM
Comment #9I think people need to realise that the most important gap for us to be looking at in the next 8 games is between were we are now and 8th place. Mackems play Stoke this weekend who are both joint in 8th and we have a winnable game against Villa. In perfect circumstances they will draw and we will win giving us a 10 point lead in a european postion. If we are still within the top 7 with 8 games to go then maybe we can dream about top 4. Why shouldn’t we be allowed? Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have been no better than average this season, but until the 30 game mark any kind of European football has to be our aim!
gorgonzola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:25 AM
Comment #10Look Perch was just not disastorous he didnt really CHANGE the game as such. All of a sudden the man is our saviour common, you got to look the bigger picture….
HBA had a poor half but he was by no means worse than any of them first half…he ran created a few dribbles…. etc… He lost the ball one one occasion saw him run back pressure the man, BB lost the ball the chance was created…. have a look any of you if you can….
its not AH Perch comes on we won 2:0 doesn’t work like that in fact I think that was a poor sub…what saved us was LUCK and two subs that where late in coming in all honesty….
Spuggy
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:26 AM
Comment #11Well said Sgt.
Wardy
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:27 AM
Comment #12@ 7 Sgt. Heagerty
Got it spot on with what youve said!
YankToonFan
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:27 AM
Comment #13I predicted a loss last night – glad to eat my words!!!
Fantastic win, I don’t care if it was ugly or lucky – 3 points is 3 points and we have such a chance in front of us.
HWTL!!
warwick
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:27 AM
Comment #14So glad obertan got a goal today.
I think maybe the kid is better more direct in the middle than out on the wing.
Maybe in a few years when he has improved.
Tsunki
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:28 AM
Comment #15Sorry I’m the Lord of Re-Posts tonight but I saw Sgt Heagerty’s comment and besides I have an agenda. My raging rant is as follows ha ha ha ha ha ha….
I wonder what this team has to do to earn any praise? blackburn are a talented but tragically underacheiving side that are desperate to sty in the prem and threw everything at us, a bit like we were a couple of years ago. This blog was filled with all the Ameobi-bashers (and by them I mean the ones that parrot offensive insults but offer absolutely no other input, preferred solution or value of any kind) prior to the game, like every other game. yet I will say that Ameobi had a reasonable game, solid not fantastic, he did a job, and was no worse than most of the rest of our makeshift mob, who collectively . . . WON. Now I don’t want to stifle free speech, but it’s not free speech to be offensively and irrationally abusive with no other input, its just trolling. So please, I ask of you, go away and start your own evil mob. Otherwise have something constructive or relevant to add to your half-wit ravings.
Spuggy
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:28 AM
Comment #16@ gorgonzola
I must have seen a different game.
HBA was abismal, he did nothing apart from get into some good positions a few times but then completely wasted the opportunity.
Perch was good, played simple passes which is what we needed. We looked a different team beginning of 2nd half.
gorgonzola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:28 AM
Comment #17warwick I am glad too, but middle where do you see him in the middle he needs space and lots of it to do his runs…one goal and now he must be in the middle?
gorgonzola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:30 AM
Comment #18“HBA was abismal” Abismal…. then what was Ameobi? Best?
“Perch was good, played simple passes which is what we needed. We looked a different team beginning of 2nd half.”
hheheheh what game did you watch have you seen the possession second half its even MORE in favor of Blackburn…. you really make a silly comment…
Spuggy
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:30 AM
Comment #19HBA is a long way of PL standard. He must learn when to play simple and when to take a risk.
I admire him and love watching him on a good day. But a long way to go with him.
bye bye Shola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:31 AM
Comment #20On Sunday Perch for HBA, Ryan Taylor on the right. Obertan or Lovenkrands partnering Ba
gorgonzola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:31 AM
Comment #21Mate if that’s the way you feel for HBA hate to see your opinion on Shola tonight…..
warwick
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:32 AM
Comment #22I dunno man maybe your right, I’m just drinking thinking celebrating the win and imagining the dude as henry or something.
Great finish and I was never one of the people to get on his back.
GeordieToon89
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:32 AM
Comment #23We bought the lad from Germany , CISSE , CISSE , He’s always loved the toon army , CISSE , CISSE , He dreamt of playing for the toon and drinking wor Newcastle broon , PAPPIS CISSE NEWCASTLES NUMBER? 9!
Spuggy
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:32 AM
Comment #24I said beginning of 2nd half gorg. Then they came back into it.
Shola was poor, Best was ok, worked his socks off.
Why are you always sooooo negative?
gonufc
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:33 AM
Comment #25So…. Ober-can….
Boom.
Spuggy
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:33 AM
Comment #26Anyhoo see ya chaps,
Sick of this negative banter and people not acknowledging what they see with there own eyes.
We won, and can’t wait to see the demba’s!
HWTL!!!!
gorgonzola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:34 AM
Comment #27“HBA is a long way of PL standard”
You wait and see…. he has done enough for me he needs games he had like what 3 games straight whilst NOT BEIGN SUBBED or being a SUB Shola has had 10x the amount of games this lad has and he has done what exactly? score 1 goal against spuds…?
In fact I wont go there its ridiculous….
anyhow great unexpected win…. lets see the proper NUFC come Sunday…
bye bye Shola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:34 AM
Comment #28Screw the media no serious praise coming our way just snide comments. I hope Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea fail miserably and have to sell their best players
Tsunki
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:34 AM
Comment #29Spuggy – looked a different team in the 2nd half? A different kind of getting hammered was it? 🙂 Perch helped us knuckle down and firefight a constant threat, fair enough, but we didn’t go all barca when he came on did we ha ha. Pardew realised that the gamble of playing an overtly offensive midfield was making us truly vulnerable and shored up. But we did look a different team at the end when Loven and Obertan came on.
gorgonzola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:35 AM
Comment #30“Why are you always sooooo negative?”
Please READ CAREFULLY my posts before you repeat other peoples garbage…
besides you said HBA was ABISMAL…you are being a troll…
boater
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:35 AM
Comment #31Gorgonzola – your post at no.10 is a classic example of bloody minded denial. You are so enamoured by Ben Arfa regardless of his performances, that you are unwilling to even acknowledge the reality.
We all want Arfa to do well – he’s our star player. But we have to be able to adjust our system to give ourselves the best chance of success in each game. Of course Perch didn’t grab any headlines but he was playing a defensive, more conservative role in front of the defense – that was the point behind the switch.
gorgonzola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:36 AM
Comment #32Tsunki…. point I was trying to make with the kid…but no use…Perch saved us according to him…
Level 7 Hero
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:36 AM
Comment #33@gorgonzola
Are people not allowed to say perch had a good game like?
Didnt see any posts saying he was the saviour?
mra
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:36 AM
Comment #34Have to say well done Taylor….. not standing for cheat on the pitch.I would have reacted the same way.
bye bye Shola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:37 AM
Comment #35I don’t mind how we play away from home as long as we keep on picking up points. I would like us to control the game more and dominant at home more especially against poor teams like Aston Villa.
Level 7 Hero
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:38 AM
Comment #36@mra
Agree, and R.Taylor went about it the right way, just letting Hoillett now he was in the wrong, unlike Joey Barton who was lucky to stay on the pitch with Gervinho- Extremely similar incident handled in different ways.
gorgonzola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:39 AM
Comment #37boater…
you are a LIAR…
as written by me:
“gorgonzola // Feb 1, 2012 at 10:36 PM
Well todays performace is hardcore worrying possibly the luckiest game we ever played…
Whats the bet Pardew will start with Ba and Ameobi come Villa then sub Ba for Cisse…. I wouldn’t put it past him…
Luck was on the side of Pardew today as the Fulham game his poor decision making cost us. Obertan was a brilliant sub but came waaaaaaaaaay to late and so did Loven..,. We easily could have been 3:1 down by then.
I think they should draw up a petition to never play Shola Ameobi again now that Cisse is here. Wonder what the result would be…
Loven was the surprise winning balls playing well opening space and passing a hell of a pass to Obertan, why hasn’t Pardew played him before is beyond me….
I reckon summer time ship Best he has had some great chances at the Fa cup clash and scoring 0 out of four solid chances…. He is not a finished, would do the same with Shola but since they extended his contract nothin we can do.
I hope Pardew shows some patience with HBA as he does with Oba, he wasn’t PISS POOR today he over did it once but that nearly could have been a second goal. Its obvious him and Guthrie where doing the attack today…”
Wardy
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:40 AM
Comment #38At the end of the day 7 more wins in the last 16 games will take us to 60 points, and if you look at the remaining fixtures we have i’m sure you could all pick out atleast 7 winnable games? If we can get to 60points we will have had an outstanding season and can be proud of what our club will have achieved. Yes i’m getting ahead of myself but on this blog the positive and negative balances out, 3 points was all that mattered tonight.
bye bye Shola
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:40 AM
Comment #39Ryan Taylor is a humble and honest proffesional player it is an ashame that more players are like him that is why he is one of my favourite players
gonufc
Feb 2, 2012 at 12:40 AM
Comment #40mra – only seen the second half on football first, what did Taylor do?