We were wrong yesterday, because Demba Ba did not score a goal.
Ba in action yesterday – those orange shirts looked good
But his Senegal team-mate Papiss Cisse showed he is more than adept at scoring, with another two goals in that first half, which were both set up by the mercurial Frenchman Ben Arfa, who had one of his best games for the club.
He set up Cisse in the 6th and 34 minutes from the left wing, and scored a goal himself after 12 minutes, for a great all around performance.
Newcastle played in an unfamiliar 4-3-3 formation yesterday with Ba, Cisse and Ben Arfa up front and they ran riot in that first half, with some slick passing when they broke rapidly from defense.
It was all too much for the West Brom defense and Newcastle has a 3-0 lead at half time.
It was only a mistake between goalkeeper Tim Krul and Mike Williamson after 52 minutes, that prevented Newcastle from keeping a second successive clean sheet.
After the first half Newcastle defended stoutly without Coloccini, who sustained a hamstring pull, and the display of James Perch at center-back gives us confidence we can stretch our winning streak to three games against Liverpool next Sunday afternoon, in another top game for Newcastle.
Demba Ba talked on the Newcastle web-site after the game, and said it was great to play in such an attacking way:
“It was nice. With three forwards, you have one striker on each side, and it just allowed us to be more dangerous.”
“But then in the second half we defended well and we had to, because we knew they were going to come back with another mentality. So we just kept our shape and our discipline.”
“This was right up there.” “We’re very happy. We had a good game plan which we needed to stick to in order to win, and now we have 50 points with eight games to go still.”
“Now we’re just looking forward to next Sunday and trying to get the win so we have even more points between Liverpool and us.”
The away win was similar to Newcastle’s great 3-1 win at Stoke City last year, when Demba Ba got a hat-trick, and we wonder how many goals we can score in some of our remaining games, once Ba hits the goal trail again?
We could do with some big wins to improve our goal difference which is now +2, but is still the lowest of any side in the top eight.
We want to see more performances like Newcastle gave yesterday at West Brom – it was a joy to watch.
Comments welcome.
11 comments so far
Ian Magpie
Mar 26, 2012 at 9:57 AM
Comment #1Have been waiting to see 4-3-3 since we signed Cisse and thi swas it in all its glory! Attacking at pace with good support from midfield, a kind of hunting in packs. Devastating and only changed when Colo went off! We now have a golden opportunity to put some real pressure on the others at the top now. United are back!!!!!
Alan_Pard_Who
Mar 26, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Comment #2Amazing to think that if we had the experience that our newly formed team lacks and the quality in depth we all demanded then I expect we could be 4th if not higher.
3 games stand out for me where we have been let down by lack of experience or/and depth. Wolves at home (throwing away. The 2 goal lead), Fulham away (1-0 at half time and thought we could cruise to victory) and West Brom at home (should’ve settled for the draw).
With that added experience we would have another 7 points and be 4th but it is not something you can buy so I hope we add depth in the summer and with the added experience the sky is the limit next season!
HWTL
Colo-Sus
Mar 26, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Comment #3PLEASE IGNORE BOB, TED, BILLY, ERIC and PLAN B
Ian Magpie
Mar 26, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Comment #4Hatem Ben Arfa—————– a genetic cross between David Ginola and Peter Beardsley!
martoon
Mar 26, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Comment #5Alan_Pard_Who @2 – You can’t look at it with such a simplistic view. We have also picked up points where we had no right e.g. against Manure away & Blackburn we were battered but somehow came away with points. The old adage about luck evening out over a season is true.
sholasupporter
Mar 26, 2012 at 10:11 AM
Comment #6I’ve been reading Ed’s good work for quite some time but have never commented!
After watching Newcastle in action yesterday I think the 4-3-3 has helped so many players actually show what they can do in terms of getting the ball down and playing. Cabaye imo was a revelation to his performances recently and HBA was even better than I thought he could ever be. I also think that Jonas has found his role within the team, working tirelessly but still able to make an attacking impact on the game. Without needing to cross I bet his pass % was greatly improved!
hope AP sticks with this new philosophy!
HWTL
MagpiesFlyHigh
Mar 26, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Comment #7COLO-SUS
Previous thread comment….
Sounds like the second coming post next seven days at 17:00 will be Beattie at it again. He always had a very high opinion of himself
MagpiesFlyHigh
Mar 26, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Comment #8On the 4-3-3 yesterday the best thing for me was seeing Ben Arfa linking up with Cabaye and looking for the counter at the edge of the area when they were attacking.
ArtyH
Mar 26, 2012 at 10:51 AM
Comment #9IMHO Pearch was impressive yesterday and although not quite as effective as Colo he did a great job. Pity Saylor was not ready yet.
geordiejamie89
Mar 26, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Comment #10Good performance, I’d like to see the same front three next week, and the three to get a goal each. Worried about Suarez on Williamson though, he’ll tear him a new one, just like Van Persie did.
Demba deserves a goal he’s due one.
I wasn’t convinced by the formation before the game but it worked a treat! I think Liverpool aren’t defending too well and we should go at them to stay out of our half, and our defensive players will have less to do. If we play high up we can use Santon and Simpson to help cover and Suarez and Carrol aren’t the fastest which would help us.
Pigott93
Mar 26, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Comment #11team i think will play against Liverpool and would like to see playing
===================Krul=================
Simmo========Willo========Perch======Jonas
===================Tiote=================
===========Cabaye===========Guthrie=======
==Ben arfa===========================Ba==
===================Cisse==================
4-3-3 seemed to work well against west brom and i think we could get alot of goals from this formation but im slightly worried bout our centre backs, in a weird way im more worried bout williamson than perch