Alan Pardew is not getting carried away with Newcastle’s high position in the league table.
James Perch challenges Peter Odemwingie on Sunday
We are trying to keep our feet on the ground too, but we have to keep pinching ourselves sometimes, like at half time on Sunday, when Newcastle had just ripped apart a decent West Brom apart and were leading 3-0.
Newcastle have a chance to get to 59 points this season, and that would be the highest points total since the great (the very great) Bobby Robson had us in 3rd place back in 2003, with a massive 69 points, behind only Manchester United and Arsenal.
Newcastle have four games left at home, and four games left away this season, and how many points we can get out of those 8 games is anybody’s guess.
Newcastle stand in 6th place in the league, and 8 points clear of Liverpool in 7th place, and that could be enough if either Spurs, Chelsea or Liverpool win the FA Cup to qualify for the Europa League next season.
That’s only one reason why it will be very important to beat Liverpool on Sunday, because then we would be 11 points clear of Liverpool with just 7 games to go, and if either of those three sides win the FA Cup, we’re in the Europa League if we finish 6th.
This is what Alan Pardew told the local press today, starting first with our injured captain:
“Coloccini is the one to worry about.” “I don’t think he’s going to make next Sunday against Liverpool.” “We have to really hope that it isn’t a bad hamstring pull.”
“He will certainly miss the next two or three games and that’s when you need somebody like Perch, who was phenomenal at left-back and then centre-back.”
“We’ve had a great year so far.” “But we still have the most important games to go. And we have to finish well.” “That’s the most important thing. It’s there for us and in front of us.”
“There are some good games on paper but you have to win them.”
James Perch is starting to make a name for himself at Newcastle, and he’s been a pleasant surprise this season, after some of us thought he just wasn’t good enough for the Premier League.
But his performances this year are proving he can more than hold his own in the Premier League, and in many different positions too, and he is consistent with his performances.
James is a great professional and now he has a chance to show Newcastle fans just how good he really is, and if he continues to shine, don’t be surprised if Alan Pardew extends his contract at Newcastle.
His current four year deal runs out in the summer of 2014.
For the record, James has appeared 20 times for Newcastle this season, and has picked up only one yellow crad.
That contrasts nicely with his 15 appearances last season, when he set a record of five yellow cards in his first five games in the Premier League, and ended up with 6 yellow cards in total, so he’s put some discipline into his play this season.
He’s a good lad is James.
Comments welcome.
20 comments so far
Alan_Pard_Who
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Comment #1CODARM are you not a general in optimism valley?
You may be taken out and shot for your slight negativity there!
I know what you mean though, if we do get into europe we need much more strength in terms of quality and numbers but I doubt we can sign anymore than 5 players?!
MUTINYbyLEMONS
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Comment #2Being in Europe will also give us a chance to give our kids some games with the first team. More rotation will mean kids improving and if they get really good as expected, we might really benefit from being in Europe. Also it will bring us more money and players like Tiote, Ba are more likely to stay and we will attract good players. Positives easily outweigh the negatives even if Europe may not be a priority next year.
Alan_Pard_Who
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Comment #3The thing I love about Perch is that when we signed him everyone (including me) went who? Then when he played we were like ‘he’s not good enough’, he’s been blasted nearly everyday on here and when he comes in you can feel an air of dissappintmet. After all these things we have done to him, to have the mental strength to put in those performances is amazing and to see the lad when he has confidence, I think, he will be even better.
Im not going to get carried away as it has been a run of games out of nearly 2 years but I think I know why we signed him now. Utility man he never baulks at a challenge and does things for the good of the club. Him and Raylor are what’s needed, not to quality but to bring heart into the dressing room.
Joey Barton thought it could be done by mouth, but it is done on the pitch!!
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Comment #4Re-port from last thread.
Ameobi…This season has been incredible really. I am one happy toon fan!
Pard_who…I’m one of the founding Mayors 🙂 We don’t shoot people, just attack them with daffodils, of course. Not trying to be negative, honestly. Residents of OV must be objective and honest as well as optimistic. Otherwise we just give credit to those who think we’re delusional. I’m still optimistic, however to think we’ll do well in the league, Europe and possibly cups is a tad too far me thinks 🙂
MUTINYbyLEMONS
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Comment #5I am happy for Perch. Really annoys me when people don’t give players a chance. You would think after Colo and Enrique being not very good in their first season and then improving next season, people will be more open minded and more willing to give a chance. Same happened with Perch, didn’t like last year or most of this year but now he is coming good. Just some patience is required. Same is happening with Obertan. I say lets judge him at the end of next season. For now let him get better and let him progress.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Comment #6Mutiny…Completely agree. Will be great experience for the whole squad and def give the youngsters more game time, which can only help progress them. It will also help attract new and better players….all positive really
MUTINYbyLEMONS
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Comment #7I sure am glad that Pardew didn’t do what most fans I have spoken to read on various blogs wanted to do, which was going up to Perch and telling him he is not good enough and telling him he is not in his plans. Good man management by Pardew there.
AMEOBI
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Comment #8Mutiny,
That just sounds… lost for words 😉
Oh man Tavenier, Streete and the rest imagine that for their experience.. playing in europe for first team experience class on grass
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Comment #9Mutiny…Sounds like beattie style management that.
martoon
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Comment #10CODARM & Alan_Pard_Who – A good example of what you are talking about is Everton a few years ago. They qualified for the champions league and then had a dreadful season – close to relegation if I remember correctly. I’m not suggesting we would be the same but it does show the pressure it can put on your squad.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Comment #11MArtoon…Exactly. I just think we should use it as experience and to test some youth. Don’t throw the tournament out of the window mind, just be realistic and not sacrifice our league standing.
Teamstoof
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Comment #12Off topic!
I live in sweden and are surrounded by liverfool fans. For me one of the most importent game of the season is on sunday, and I wounder if we have any good chants about our JUDAS?
pls help me::)
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Comment #13Teamstoof. Not aware of any, however, I am sure comments along the lines of “£35 million well spent”, “I wish we still had Andy rather than Ba and Cisse who have only scored 21 between them” will do the job.
JDdubai
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Comment #14Who cares about Carroll, if he hadnt gone then we probably wouldnt be in the position we are so we definitely got the better deal so no need to whinge about it. Just be happy and look forward not back…..
Alan_Pard_Who
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Comment #15That Beattie was many things but I don’t think he ever asked for Pards to tell Perch he wasn’t good enough or anything like that.
He was always cautious saying that he would give Pards time and that players weren’t good enough.
I am nit in his fan club but he made good points.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Mar 27, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Comment #16Pard_who..was a joke mate. Beattie could be grumpy, but did make some good points and they were generally well put
ballerfan2
Mar 27, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Comment #17Perch’s experience should put a brake on those who are constantly slamming Simpson, Obertan and even Guthrie and Gutti (would you believe?) as well as others who from time to time are not at their best. As I have said many times, Pardew is the only one in the position to play any of these guys after seeing them in training. He would not pick them if, as some would have you believe, they are not up to standard. They are obviously the best we have and I have every faith in Pardew to change things if he feels the need. Well done to Perch. I would add that Simpson also had a good game on Sunday but has received little credit. Perhaps the lack of criticism is a very real reflection of how well he played.
check the toastie
Mar 27, 2012 at 1:44 PM
Comment #18Pardew says in one line he thinks he might not make sunday and in the nxt says he will miss 2-3 games for sure, oh my god , is he smoking soe seriously strong skunk or someink, hes contradicts his contradictions, bizarre.
ballerfan2
Mar 27, 2012 at 1:56 PM
Comment #19— covering all bases, that’s all. Pretty definite he won’t make Sunday and we know that they can’t say beyond that certainly until the results of today’s scan. Don’t see any problem with Pardew’s comments personally – unless you want to make an issue out of it.
geordiesteve520
Mar 27, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Comment #20Off topic, yes but still a very interesting article – sounds similar to the way our current incumbent is running the club at the minute.
http://tinyurl.com/codbgwu