Demba Ba Thinking Of Leaving Newcastle

3:43 pm, Tuesday, September 18th, 2012 by Ed Harrison · 231 Comments

It seems to us that a mountain is being made out of a molehill today by Demba Ba’s representative, with the rather strange statement that if Demba Ba continues to be a substitute, then he will look to leave Newcastle.

Demba Ba – very popular on Tyneside

But this is unfair, and Ba was a substitute last night, and yes, that was a complete shock to most of us, but you can also overreact to the situation.

This is what his agent Alex Gontran is quoted as saying today, following last night’s draw against Everton, when Demba Ba was our man of the Match with two great goals and 74% of the vote:

“Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Demba doesn’t understand the management.” “If he continues to be a substitute all season, we’ll look at other solutions.” “Demba is happy at Newcastle.”

“He is playing in the Premier League, with lot of fellow French speakers and he loves the club’s supporters.” “He would like to start every game but he respects the choice of the coach, even if he does not always understand or agree.”

“How could you put your best striker with full confidence on the left wing? The choice to put Demba on the left last season was good for the club, because Cisse scored 13 goals.”

“But there was a lack of recognition for Demba. It is more difficult to play well when you don’t have the confidence of your staff.”

Demba Ba is a good player and he has a good future at Newcastle but it could be that Alan Pardew may be finding it hard to fit in the two strikers, so they help each other’s play, and help each other score goals.

So far this season Ba has three goals and Papiss has yet to get off the mark.

But it’s far too early to talk about Demba Ba leaving Newcastle, and after all he was the hero last night – and he reacted as he should of to being benched – by showing Alan pardew what he can do.

Ba’s a great player and we shouldn’t even mention him leaving Tyneside.

And it doesn’t seem like Demba is too worried about things as he tweeted this late last night from his Twitter account:

“Good night people. So proud for that 1,000th goal. I’m not a legend like people say, but nufc is a legendary club!!!”

Demba’s first goal – which was a beauty – was Newcastle’s 1,000th goal in the Premier League, and the Senegal striker seems happy enough.

But we all know what agents are like – and they get paid when their clients move on and get new contracts – so it could well be (yet) another case of an agent stirring it up again.

But it is a challenge for Alan Pardew’s man management skills, and he shown since he’s been at Newcastle they are excellent, and he can usually keep players happy at the club – we hope he can keep the big man happy.

What do you think?

You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com

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Tags: Demba Ba · Newcastle News · Papiss Cisse · Transfer News and Rumours

231 responses so far ↓

1 spitfire_ // Sep 18, 2012 at 3:46 PM

His agent speaks no sense whatsoever. Besides no one is bigger than the club… if he wants to be “my way or highway”… then highway to him… and his two leeches the brother and his agent.
2 ballerfan2 // Sep 18, 2012 at 3:50 PM

Wow, the media as you would expect have really pounced on this. Any excuse to destabilise their favourite fall guys NUFC. Pardew needs to sort it – NOW.
3 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 3:52 PM

If Ba sacked his agent it would be like a new signing.

In all seriousness, if Demba really does want to leave…See ya’ later Demba, godspeed and cheers for the goals but he is fairly easily replaceable, unlike Colo/Arfa/Krul. I would not lose any sleep if packed his bags in January.
4 magfly // Sep 18, 2012 at 3:53 PM

Well Ba has a point he was put on the left when he was the in form striker to accommodate Cisse after the ACON.
5 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 3:54 PM

I am not so worried about Ba to be honest, he stayed for a reason

But it is not the first time his agent (at least one of them) talks over his head. Ba need to sort out his house!
6 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 3:55 PM

I never believe a word from an Agent, they are only thinking about the £££! This is no different. Do I think Ba has been happy? Well, from what he said last night it’s pretty clear he’s not delighted, however, that doesn’t make what his agent said the full truth. He’s not going to play every game, it’s ridiculous. He’s not started one game (Incidentally, I believe Ba should have started as he has played better so far this season) and Pardew hasn’t played him on the left after Ba has said he didn’t want to, exactly why would he still be p*ss*d?

Anyway, I imagine Pardew is aware of what has been said and will sit down with wor Demba over a glass of strawberry syrup and work it all out. He is a great striker and I’d love him to stay around for a while, but as has been said already, no player is bigger than the club. He can be unhappy with the club for things, absolutely, and if plays like he did in that second half every time he pulls on a Newcastle shirt then I’ll support him all the way, even if he did decide to leave, that is his decision, but whilst he’s playing for the toon he needs to keep his head down and keep on (and keep his agent’s mouth shut).
7 estechco // Sep 18, 2012 at 3:55 PM

I think his tweet is all we need to consider.

Ignore his ‘supposed’ agents and the various other parasites who seek to either leech off him or to destabilise us with garbage journalism.
8 JDdubai // Sep 18, 2012 at 3:57 PM

All the agent said was if he was a substitute all season that they would look for other options. Surely if he was substitute all season then we dont need him so we would be happy for him to go.

All blown out of proportion to make headlines, Ed hasnt helped with his headline either.

Just shows how much of a dick his agent is, 1 game on the bench and he has to release this statement….my god we have 3 games this week, everyone will be rested at some point.

Also I think shola is a better partner for both the Senegal boys. Still loving that wonder-chest down for Ba’s 2nd..
9 lee1892 // Sep 18, 2012 at 3:57 PM

Haha so all of a sudden because Demba scored 2 he is a world beater again according to his agent…. He must have a short memory – no-one wanted Demba for a mere 7m in the summer. If he plays well he’ll start, if he doesnt he’ll get splinters in his arse like any other player. Cisse has been terrible this season too like. He has missed some chances!
10 walton1984 // Sep 18, 2012 at 3:58 PM

If he countiues too be a sub…. he has only played one game on bench!!!!!!
11 weg // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:00 PM

Lets not panic or get up in a tizzy about this! This just sounds to me that his representative or whatever is just looking for the slightest thing to fashion a possible move, resulting in a percentage for himself. Maybe a better contract for Demba Ba thus more money for himself too! Until we know that Ba is kicking up a stink, lets give him the benefit of the doubt. This will just be from his frustration at not playing from the start last night and from his being squeezed out to the left when playing 433!
I dont think much will come of this personally!
12 Ashton // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:02 PM

This just proves everything I have been saying. That the only reason we changed our 433 last season was because of Ba and that Pardew is gutless in a sense he placed the need and happiness of one player above the team. Do you understand now why we play 442??????
13 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:02 PM

For people worrying about Cisse just chill. Its not as if the lad is not getting chances he has just been unlucky. He nearly scored against Spurs, Missed a free header against Chelsea, should have scored against villa and could have bagged another 2 last night and could have 5 goals already with relatively poor service.

Also agents are the scum of the Earth like. They would sell their granny if it meant they could get a few extra quid out of a transfer.
14 veto // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:04 PM

after one game on the bench ?
i did say yesterday tho that ba should be picked ahead of cisse if he’s scoring and papis isnt .
the guy in form should get the start , either way tho this is bad crack from ba’s agaent after just 4 matches , ba’s only started as sub once .
but yeah rotate ba and papis
15 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:05 PM

Ibiza…my fellow NUFC support and worthy opponent in fantasy football

Have you been on premierleague.com lately
16 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:07 PM

How about Ba and Cisse put their petty rivalry aside, which is the root of all this nonsense; always evident when they’re playing as a 2 and is detrimental to both of them, no more illustrated by when they were literally jostling over a cross against Villa, on the penalty spot, with no Villa player within 5 yards of them.

Kind of ironic how this is panning out, given how Ba was raving about Cisse prior to us signing him. Did he not envision this could come about, with extra games, having someone like HBA in the team who also does his best work in advanced positions?

Always thought there was a tinge of jealousy there, when Cisse started getting the limelight last season.

Together, go and watch some footage of Yorke and Cole. Study how when working in tandem and driven by less selfishness, you will both blossom in a partnership, can share the plaudits and become synonymous like those 2, helping your team reach a new level.

If not, then somebody is going to have to explain to them in no uncertain terms, that they will be rotated and if either one doesn’t like it, they can lump it – no divas permitted in these parts.
17 rossrich // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:12 PM

Forgetting the fact his “agent” is talking shite, they should really not be allowed to give comments on footballing matters. WTF does he know. Mr Ba should tell him to STFU or give him the black bag.
18 Carryingcoals // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:17 PM

Demba Ba has a notoriously conniving agent. Pardew picks the team and knows best. Ba and Cisse upfront in 4-4-2 doesn’t work.
19 Ashton // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:18 PM

Every Pardew nuthugger should read this article and know that the only reason we changed the 433 in the last three games of last season was to keep Ba happy. Is that the sign of a great manager? compromising 4th place to make the horrifically out form Ba feel good about himself.
20 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:18 PM

Jesper….Ermmm…nope. Is it bad news? Have I been kicked out the league yet for my…ahem…amazing management skills?

Ruddy….There doesn’t seem to be much enjoyment between the two of them, which is frankly odd. Neither really come off as arrogant, but perhaps they hide it well and want all the headlines. I don’t know. I would hope they’ve been working on stuff together, trying to improve the partnership. They’re both wonderful strikers and would be devastating if they can work well together as a two manned strike force.
21 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:22 PM

Ibiza…no, but I think we both need to man up …haven’t you heard that one before lol

Ohh and it is Ruddy Jiz just so you know it!
22 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:23 PM

Ashton….Well, that is an assumption, isn’t it? Perhaps a likely one, but still, maybe we should go with the idea that Pardew took a team, tipped for a relegation battle and managed to get them to 5th in the Premier League and subsequently Europe. I’m pretty sure he picked up some manager of the year award too.
23 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:24 PM

Jesper….Oh goody, nothing better than chatting with Jiz

Man up? I don’t think i’m familiar with that to be honest. Oh alright, time to get serious. Who’s winning out of us so far?
24 WWYCD // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:26 PM

Which one of Ba’s ‘agents’ is this then? One of the ones hes never heard of no doubt
25 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:27 PM

Yo….Long time no see, been getting some therapy mate? Very true on the agent comment. Pretty sure we went through this recently with one of his “agents”.
26 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:27 PM

Ibiza…so far I am leasing with 12 points or something. Nothing to talk about really

I even forgot to bench Krul God I am worthless lol

I masterminded you by switching Cisse for Ba
27 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:29 PM

Yo…just wanted to say Yo

…where have you been locked up the past….how long has it been?
28 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:29 PM

Jesper…I left Krul in mine as well. Oh well, my relegation battle will be better with you around.

12 points, that’s nothing, some may say peanuts.
29 WWYCD // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:30 PM

Ibiza
Tried that therapy stuff lad didnt stick so am same old me mores the pity eh

Aye over the summer there was around 20 trying to get a pay day off the back of Ba and he publically stated he had no idea who half of them were
30 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:32 PM

Ibiza…so apparantly I am leasing 12 points now hmm…gonna bite me later I think lol

*should have daid leading as you probably have figured out B-)
31 Magpies-till-d3ath // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:33 PM

off topic, but if Santon could play like he did last night in more games, then I’d be extremely excited! Other than Ba, he was our best player #class!
32 WWYCD // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:33 PM

jesper
Haha just been keeping my head down mate had a few things going on and everytime I popped on here to have a look what the crack was I just got annoyed with foolish opinions and no NUFC news

Game last night brought back my love though haha
33 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:34 PM

Yo….If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I suppose after him robbing Everton last night, it was only right the press jump on it. Nothing like a bit of drama.
34 Ashton // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:34 PM

Ibizatoon

It’s a fact and not an assumption. Ba refused to shake his managers hand after being replaced and went straight down the tunnel and instead of dropping him for being in a horrific form and disrespecting him, Pardew changes our whole system/formation in order to accommodate Ba. It didn’t work and Ba was as awful in a central role as he was on the left and we lost three games in a row and lost the 4th spot.

Most people will call me deluded and crazy but that top four finish was ours and we lost it because of Pardews idiotic decision to change our formation.
35 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:35 PM

Yo…good to have you back

…mind you everything is back to normal (if there ever was such thing) lol
36 WWYCD // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:37 PM

Ibiza
Exactly my friend haha

And ur right there Ba stole 2 points from Everton last night ref was pathetic on multiple counts
37 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:38 PM

Jesper…..Hmmm…8 points, but 56 places to catch. Not looking good.

Magpies…..I’m really excited for him. It’s easy to forget how young he still is. Still time to improve and already a talented kid.
38 WWYCD // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:38 PM

jesper
Cheers mate and I hope so

I should be off to see our young guns playing in a u21 derby match tonight so I will aim to drop in some minor reports…if I stay sober enough to do so
39 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:41 PM

Yo…we will be looking forward to that

…and enjoy the game.
40 santonthenewmaldini // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:42 PM

Well Well Well!!What a great advert for the Premier League that game was last night had everything but a sending off which Everton could have had Phil Neville off and Felliani for swinging a punch at Williamson!!

I know we are missing Tiote but i think we are really missing Guthrie this season as Mr T or Cabaye will be injured or out of form at some point and Guthrie was able to slot in perfect last year and was quite all action which allowed us to put teams under pressure Perch provided that level of pressure in the 2nd half and his chipped pass for Cisse was lovely

Some thoughts on the game 442 can work with the right players on the right sides of the pitch Gary Neville was going on about the Pienarr and Baines partnership which is excellent well Santon and Arfa together could be just as good as the 2 of them kept Everton pegged back and were solid at the back for the 2nd half also it was never a free kick that led to the headed disallowed goal anyway!!

Also having 2 right footed players on the right worked as well in the 2nd half Anita should now be our RB with either Jonas or Obertan bombing down the wings and putting crosses in

Ba and Cisse CAN work in a partnership if Ba plays like that from the start of a game as he was unplayable when he came on and Cisse needs to work a bit harder as he does not move about enough yet although he might not be 100% fit yet

Seem to remember last season we were out of form and then beat Norwich at home which started the winning run and the great goals could it be the same on Sunday?

Europa team on thursday

Harper
Tav RB
Good CB
Perch CB
Ferguson LB
Obertan RW
Bigi DM
Amalfition AM
Marveux AM
Sammi LW
Shola CF

Would allow us to control the midfield and have Shola hold up the ball and set his brother up for the winner!!!
41 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:42 PM

Ibiza…what is 8 points these days

…look how far we have to go to reach the top 100 and it has only been four games lol
42 brklyngeordie // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:44 PM

This is sad if true that Demba would be so upset if he was reduced to the bench for 1 half of football on a Monday without realizing we play this Thursday and Sunday (Feels good to so we got a game on Thursday looking forward to it). I think Pards has the teams best intentions and looks out for players health when it comes to his selections and the fact that we used Ba for 45 mins and got a point is a good thing. As far as Ba not knowing his role it is simple but seems to be a problem for the modern day footballer DO WHAT THE GAFFER ASKS YOU TO SIMPLE and do it to the best of your abilities and th e reason we are as good as we are is because we have players that make sacrifice such as R.Taylor or Jonas who are asked to play diff. roles but always accept the challenge so please Demba do the same we love you no matter where you play goals or not because we know what he is capable of and are smart enough to know whether or not he is scoring or not due to his role but our opinion will always be the same he is brilliant! lets continue the fight this week as big a week in a longtime for us 3 fixtures and may we win them all I think were are right where we need to be after the games we’ve played and feel we will only get better as season goes on as long as we can stay injury and mutiny free. HWTL!!
43 transfer sage 2 // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:44 PM

the ref was one of the worst i seen i cant believe he didnt play advantage when ben arfa got tackled but was still standing and we were on the break even ben arfa was complaining
44 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:45 PM

Ashton….Not meaning to be confrontational, but yet again, you thinking something or witnessing a player refuse to shake his managers hand after being subbed does not make your opinion fact. I would tend to agree with your opinion to some extent, it is a likely scenario, but I have not seen the facts on this.

There is also nothing to say if we had kept with 4-3-3 we would have finished 4th. Definitely possible, but any game can be lost, with any formation. That’s football.

Yo….Don’t know mate, personally I thought the officials did a great job. On a separate matter, I wonder where our transfer money went?
45 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:51 PM

Jesper….Absolutely nothing.
46 nufc_eire // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:52 PM

Why dont we just play a straightforward 4-3-3 like we did for the second half last night. It would keep Ba happy and we looked so much more at ease with the ball.

——————–Krul———————-
–RB—-Saylor—–Colo—–Santon—
——Cabaye—Tiote—-Anita———-
——Ben Arfa—Cisse—-Ba————

We dont get players to the byline and whip crosses in so why play with out and out wingers? We usually play it long from deep and let the lads up front win it.

We should leave the three front lads up and defend with the other 7 outfield players. Then we could launch the ball out of defense up to them instead of trying to pass it around our 18 yard box like we did last night!

Also gutierrez needs to be dropped for a bit. Lots of industry but no help to the team offensively. He isnt winning all the fouls he used to get either.
47 Geordiedoonsooth // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:56 PM

What a load of rubbish he should sack his agent. He’s only been sub the one game
48 magpie6699 // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:56 PM

Mystic Mag’s prediction – Ba will come out and say that he’s very happy here, that of course he’s annoyed if he doesn’t start OR he gets subbed but he recognizes the manager’s right to do it and respects Pardew and has no plans to leave blah blah blah…….
49 Ashton // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:58 PM

Don’t you think it’s a coincidence that after that particular indecent Pardew changed our formation?? I mean can’t you conclude or think for yourself a bit?? And if this article (which has direct quotes) doesn’t prove my point I don’t know what well!!
50 Magpies-till-d3ath // Sep 18, 2012 at 4:59 PM

Guys, anyone know if Yven Moyo is close to the 1st team or not? And if so, will he get any chances in the Europa League?
51 Ashton // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:00 PM

nufc_eire

Ba doesn’t want to play out wide is the only reason mate. Just read the article if you don’t believe me.
52 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:01 PM

Also Perchy is playing in a particuarly……cultured way, nowadays.

Dreamboat.
53 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:06 PM

Aston…I don’t believe I said you’re opinion was wrong, in fact that I agreed to an extent, but it wasn’t fact. Yes, I can think for myself and do form an opinion. I am also aware that everything isn’t as straight forward as it seems. Also, the direct quotes are from his agent, not Ba. Ba said he had been unhappy at with recent events (Not a direct quote, can’t be bothered to look it up again. He also went on Twitter (I presume his real account) and said what a great club Newcastle is.
54 rwpoynter // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:14 PM

Yet another example of greedy agents stirring to unsettle players. Why do we need these people sucking huge sums from our game? How many of your expensive season tickets are needed to fund one agent’s fee? Answer… far too many.
On last night’s game, we were pretty clueless in the first half and yes, we were far better in the second but in all honesty, a point was lucky. The decisions were pretty awful for Everton. If ever there was a case for goal line technology then this was it. I am not going to blame the officials. There brief is clear. If you cannot see it then you cannot give in favour of it. Neither the ref or the linesman could have seen what was definitely an Everton goal. We the punters have the benefit of hindsight (known as TV replays) but they don’t. The luck will even itself out over the season for sure.
As for the game, I think the much maligned Mike Williamson, handled Felaini pretty well,Vernun Anita grows in stature with every game, Cabaye was nearly back to his best self, and it shows how much better his game will be when Tiote comes back and he can move back up front to feed the front men. Much as I love the mercurial talent of Ben Arfa who is a huge threat in the opposition’s half, he can be a bit of a liability in his own, Marveaux simply had an off day, don’t for heaven’s sake write this guy off. All in all, a point at Everton ( and after their win against Man Utd, where I thought they looked class) cannot be bad whether or not it was lucky. We have had a tough start to the season in terms of fixtures and there are two away games at Man Utd soon. With the injuries we have had, I think we have done very well so far.
55 Ashton // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:16 PM

Ibizatoon

His agent works for him. He represents him and gets paid by him so there is no way he would say those things without any basis or correlation.
56 Super Magpie // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:18 PM

I was on here last night during the first half and everyone was just slating our players and moaning. So I lost patience and left.

Still, I’m very happy with a point after yesterday. I didn’t think we’d get any and probably shouldn’t have if it wasn’t for bad officiating.
What people forget is the free kick leading upto the ‘goal that never crossed the line’ was never a free kick. Of course the media see as Everton as another team to arselick and us as a team to dislike.

Also, I have sympathy for the linesman because it’s very hard to see a player to see of the ball crossed the line. And it was a blink of the eye decision for the onside goal that never counted. I was abit annoyed when the referee pulled it back when we were 3v1 but I think there would’ve been more controversy if we had gone up and scored straight after, although I would find quite funny.

If you’ve managed to read this far, well done.

Now, the people who are criticising the people for saying we should play 4-5-1 ( including me). We didn’t play the right players and I think it was more of a mentality and belief thing rather than tactics.
I hope we play 4-3-3 on Sunday against Norwich.
Also, our defence is very very weak. We more or less conceded 4 goals yesterday. ( I knows it’s our 2 string Defense).

We were very lucky in the first half and even in the 2nd half we conceded 3 goals even when we played well.

Anita continues to impress me at RB, more so than in CM.
Hopefully once we get key players back our defence will shore up abit.

This is probably the longest ever post I’ve done and if you’ve managed to read this far then… You get nothing.
57 Ashton // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:19 PM

Agents are not gods! they are the players employees!! If a player is totally happy and content with his club his agent won’t come out of the blue and say his player isn’t happy and that he is looking for other “solutions” That’s not how it works!!!
58 nufc_eire // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:20 PM

Ashton

I meant that they could play as essentially three forwards. No one would have to play wide and track the full back etc. Just play as a narrow three and they could rotate. Thats what it looked to me like they were doing last night. Ba and Ben Arfa could come deep if they wanted for the ball and Ben Arfa and Cisse could run the channels for the ball. I think it could really work.
59 Pushy Pardew // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:22 PM

Ashton
It’s Pushy Pardew not indecent-LOL
60 Magpies-till-d3ath // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:23 PM

Can’t wait 2 see Chris Hughton’s reception on Sunday! Brilliant manager and brilliant man! #legend
61 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:24 PM

Ashton….I must be having a confused day then, so we’ll go with you’re definitely right on this. Don’t know what I was thinking doubting an agents motives.
62 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:24 PM

Ashton – i haven’t seen your name on this blog too often, but everything you post seems to cover a negative topic. I understand a blog has to have both positivity and negativity to be realistic, but our mindsets are influenced by topic, and you seem too keen to talk about bad things as apposed to the good; which there is plenty of.
63 Ashton // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:26 PM

nufc_eire

It won’t work. No team in the world plays with three complete forwards. Even two forwards are becoming rare nowadays. The reason why it won’t work is because we need cover on the flanks and without that cover we would get slaughtered!! our three man midfield won’t be able to do that because they would get outnumbered every time.
64 tarie4 // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:29 PM

ahhh see Ashton is back.. I thought after last night we wudnt see him for a bit…i see he is back at criticizing our manager, wow some people
65 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:29 PM

When has anyone said he was totally happy? Bit of an extreme example. It’s clear something has been up with him, as has been discussed on multiple occasions, that doesn’t mean though that is the reason Pardew switched to 4-4-2 last season is face, even if it is a likely scenario, is that not what we were discussing?
66 Ashton // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:31 PM

toonLYF

Don’t read my posts if they negatively affect you that much. It’s just my opinion and I’m genuinely worried about my team and I’m projecting it accordingly through valid points and thoughts.
67 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:34 PM

Ibiza – curiousity, are you from Newcastle and moved to Ibiza? Or from Ibiza, and just had the sense to follow the mighty mags…

it’ll probably end up being neither…
68 Super Magpie // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:37 PM

I see none you Cba to read my gigantic post.
I do it all the time tbh.
69 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:37 PM

LYF……I am from the south of England and moved to Ibiza. Family from Newcastle, but was deprived of a decent upbringing
70 Ashton // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:37 PM

Ibizatoon

That was an example and it wasn’t meant for you to take it literally.

And I don’t know why we are arguing if we are both agreeing on the fact that the reason we changed 433 was because of Ba and his happiness. For you it’s the most likely scenario for me it’s the only one. We are on the same boat here basically.
71 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:41 PM

Ashton…We’re not arguing anymore. However, I was trying to discuss the use of fact, that is what we were discussing. At the end of the day we’re all on the same boat, we support Newcastle. That’s why we’re all here. Some worried, some not so worried, that is normal. Don’t want to be accused of bullying with optimism and hope that isn’t how you feel, just throwing opinions out there.

Let’s try and look forward to the next two games and see what new ideas we have to thrash out
72 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:42 PM

Agents are players employees. uh no, not quite that simple. Players do employ agents – to run their careers, make decisions in their ‘best interests’ and so on. In other words people who employ agents delegate their business and devolve most of their contractual affairs to such a ‘professional’. They may not be ‘gods’ but they are virtually mum & dad to their players (Sometimes they are actually their dads…) .

Demba may have professional pride and like most players, thinks he knows better than coach sometimes, so after a bit of a grumpy convo with his blood-sucking leech, said legless animal thinks ahead to January and puts out the vibe to all & sundry in search of a long-overdue payday. Krug aint cheap, and the bentley wont fill its own tank.
73 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:45 PM

yep ashton – hang in there, youre only a half dozen terrible defeats from being proved right.
74 Super Magpie // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:46 PM

Agents are Tw@s. simple as that.
All they want is big pay day. You can’t blame them for that.
It’s the way they manipulate players into thinking they’re better off elsewhere; Which in most cases isn’t.

What can be done though?
The players don’t see it because in the end they get paid more too.
75 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:48 PM

i feel sorry for you then, personally, i’m absolutely loving being a fan of a stable, hard-working, ambitious club, with an up-coming team with many full international players, young one’s too, aswell has having a very very solid core and even some Geordie roots in there still. Few clubs in England can claim a status with as much prospect as ours.

brighten up, man.

Ibiza – shame, although i’m sure life over there isn’t all bad. Did you get to go to a match during your time living in Inglaterra?
76 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:55 PM

LYF….Well occasionally I manage to crack a smile. Only ever seen the team play once…and that was at Upton Park sitting with the West Ham fans – We did win though, luckily I was quite young, so no one took much notice to me jumping around the place, not sure I’d be allowed to walk out these days
77 NUFC_LEAZES END // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:56 PM

i can tottally understand where his agent is coming from like, but this is a total over reaction, just because he didnt start 1 game?!
78 Ashton // Sep 18, 2012 at 5:57 PM

Tsunki

Ba wasn’t happy playing out wide last season and he showed that. He looked miserable and disrespected his coach and at the end of the season he kept tweeting ” i luv san antonio SPURS!!” multiple times and now his agent says he is not happy and wasn’t happy playing out wide last year etc….

You are ignoring all these things and hoping that they are lies or miscalculations and that Ba is happy and he had nothing to do with our teams formation and how we changed it just to make him happy. I mean that’s too much optimism if you ask me. You don’t see the glass half full you see the whole city half full and that’s not healthy.
79 Ian Toon // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:02 PM

Super Magpie- I enjoyed reading your post. It’s good to have a different slant on performance/ formations. Most fans ( so called) on here think that Pardew is fixated with formations. He mentioned to a friend at Goodison last night that with the size of the squad and players currently available for selection he needs to adapt to the way opposition sides are likely to play. Ideally though he wants to use the creative players in a system that will present problems for other teams.
Rather than let them take the initiative. He mentioned the work that had been undertaken in 5 a side games in training designed to sharpen
players. He did not mention any player by name but has a vision of a midfield displaying speed , ball skills , passing ability and vision. He
Made a point of saying that these were exciting times for Toon fans..
My mate who’s not easily impressed was full of a five minute encounter. Well I am off to SJP and hopefully a victory over the Mackems.
80 josh // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:02 PM

@ ketsbia. Make me be careful what I say, I did not give you a death threat, I suggested it. If you think it totally unnecessary then how about your bullcrap whining about the same players regardless of performance, that’s totally unnecessary. Tw@
81 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:04 PM

haha, aslong as it’s only occasionally mate. Ah, “tha faacking a-irons”…i’d say i envy you as you still are yet to feel the feeling of walking up out of the access and into the ground, but to be honest, the feeling is there every time.

gonna’ get a petition going, if every (or majority of) poster(s) would give £1 each, you could go to the Arsenal match at SJP final game of the season.
82 bollance // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:08 PM

Ba upfront 1st half of the season then Cisse 2nd half??

On a serious note RVP has sat on the bench once this season i recall and probably more time yet he Man U’s top scorer by far this season.

The reason having Ba on the bench was good was because we had 4 players (Cisse, HBA, Marv, Cabaye) knowing if they did not perform then Ba would come on for them. Marv was ok in possession but woeful defensively so he came off.

As pardew said sometimes u need to make these guys a bit angry so they play with more passion because that 1st half performance lack passion and fight. We were second best to everything.
83 FatmanJoe // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:08 PM

I can understand why Ba is frustrated to be honest but it’s not healthy for a club rebuilding their reputation to have players refusing to come on and sulking players. I’m afraid the manager has to make the decisions otherwise there’s no point in him collecting a wage. I don’t think he is gutless – he proved that at half time yesterday. I think our players sometimes need a rocket up their arse to get moving and he certainly put something up their arses at half time coz they were much more fluent in the second 45.
84 Super Magpie // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:11 PM

Ian Toon

I could say I was one of those fans that said Pardew was fixated on 4-4-2.
But not once did I say that Pardew was clueless, or say I knew better…like others.
It was nice to see us try something different and like I said, I think it was more of a belief thing rather than tactics for our very poor first half display. I still think we should play 4-5-1 away. We’ll get much more space against Reading than against Everton.
85 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:12 PM

LYF….I need to get their soon, hopefully before all our players leave due to them being so miserable. Will the last game of the season be quick enough, or should we be fearing January?
86 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:13 PM

there* Oh dear, oh dear.
87 josh // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:14 PM

This is why I think Ketsbia’s opinions are the most total load of big betty swollocks iv ever heard, from the previous thread he wrote that xisco has potential. Do I need to continue?
88 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:15 PM

you’ll have to ask Ba’s agent mate, he knows everything
89 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:16 PM

Josh…Potential to improve? I don’t think I could argue with that like. Better than Shola though? Please. Shola is more effective when injured than Xisco from his records and what i’ve read.
90 JAMSHA // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:19 PM

f***k the agent….. ba needs to sack his d*** off
91 Super Magpie // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:20 PM

Josh

It’s kets, there doesn’t need to be an explanation.
92 FatmanJoe // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:23 PM

Josh. I wouldn’t fret about that burke. He says really daft comments to get a rise out of other bloggers. He constantly slates Williamson, Shola, Simpson, Gosling, Bigi and others but talks about how incredible Xisco, Marveux and Abeid are. Don’t get me wrong – sure they’re decent players (Xisco, hmm) but he clearly hasn’t ever seen them play. He lacks any real understanding of how football works.

But I digress – he doesn’t blog for the conversation, he does it to get a rise as it gives him some perverse pleasure.
93 josh // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:23 PM

I know he said potential to improve but the moral of the story is he’s a knob.
94 josh // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:25 PM

Is certainly give him so perverse pleasure with my fist, and it wouldn’t be going up his arse.
95 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:27 PM

Ibiza…by the sound of it I think you need to move quickly (sorry to just wallow in like that )
96 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:29 PM

Jesper…..I think you’re right. They’ll all be gone by January.
97 89Norcal // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:30 PM

1 game on the bench and he’s considering leaving…please.

Ba’s agent needs to shut his trap, loose lipped idiot stirring the pot and trying to get another paycheck. It was a tactic by Pards to fire up his strike force. Even though Ba was the one on the EPL scoresheet, he can’t alienate Cisse by tossing him aside, he needs to score as well and he conceded that playing just one of them at a time works.
98 check the toastie // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:32 PM

I think last night was a bit of a one off in a certain respect. Everton already full of beans from a good start had the extra incentive of paying respect to hillsbrough victims with a full blooded performance swept us away in a great 1st half performance.

Gotta remember Anita, and Marveuax were as good as playing their debuts in the PL, a baptism of fire they have had, Ben10 was off colour for me and as such we struggled to contain them, Everton are a good team make no mistake, and we showed tremendous character to fight back.

Think we could still persevere at times with 4231, but it will need to be tweaked appropriately fo different teams, imgine playing that team of midgets against Stoke away, dont think Anita and Marveaux are used to people constantly up their bum, kicking them.

Marveaux will show how technically clever he is on thursday, think it might be a while until he starts again in the PL though, he was a little startled by the pace of the game.
99 niafron // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:33 PM

Bonsoir messieurs.

I hope you don’t miss me yesterday, but i seen the game in a coffey with some drunken suburb’s lads.

And they all think Everton deserved to win!
100 89Norcal // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:33 PM

Btw a nice little team fact I found for the Europa game on Thursday v Portugals Maritimo. Might be interesting for younger supporters:

“• Sir Bobby Robson – who ended his career with a five-year spell as coach of Newcastle, the club he supported as a boy – enjoyed a successful spell in Portugal, leading Sporting (1992-93) and then winning two titles and a Portuguese Cup at FC Porto (1994-96). During that time, José Mourinho was his assistant and he gave a first break in football to another up-and-coming coach, André Villas-Boas.”
101 niafron // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:37 PM

This game was awfull.

The first half was terrible, and the second a bit worrying for the future.

For when Pard noticed the team was unable to play, he simply decided to don’t even try.

Who the hell said Kick and rush was dead!

So we get out of the game ( and i haven’t any idea of how it happened, but i will maybe turn in a religious man after that) with a point, but also full of doubt.
102 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:37 PM

Bonsoir niafron

they were probably right! but we did play the better second half.
103 t00ntime // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:38 PM

Demba ba and cisse need to stop being selfish, both keep going for hard shots to try and prove they are the better striker (thats what it seems) if they just passed it to each other and helped create chances for each other newcastle wud be much better of, and fans wud like them both more.

On many occasions i can see an easy pass for a tap in, but either demba just goes for glory if they cud learn to be happy together, we cud have
double demba with 40goals a season (20each) now wudnt that be something?
104 niafron // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:39 PM

@Jesper

Yes…

But this first half. It looked like Barca vs Oulan bator united!
105 bollance // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:40 PM

Magpies-till-d3ath

Moyo came to the club as a left winger. I think on his debut he got injured against man U reserves and missed the whole season. Not a great start. But since then we have been playing him left back and i have only seen him a few times. He looks skillful but against Liverpool and vs Sterling at the end of last season he was poor.

Sterling does look very good though. I suspect Moyo will not come through with us. He is only 18-19 so still young but i think by the time he is 20-21 we will have an 18-19 of the calibre of Bigi coming through. Hope i am wrong and he comes through though!!
106 niafron // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:41 PM

Was surpirsed of Pard’s choice.

I would have picked up Ba over Cissé, cause he seem more fit since the begining of the season.
107 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:43 PM

niafron…:-) lol

I honestly don’t know what happened in the first half, but I was jsut glad to see that it was some kind of glitch
108 jesperfuglsang // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:44 PM

I think most of us would have picked Ba over Cisse on current form
109 bollance // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:46 PM

naifron

Pardew said he picked Cisse ahead of Ba because of the goal he scored vs Ivory Coast.

Have u seen it? definitely worth a look

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWWefU5L30Q

Enjoy!
110 NUFC STEVE // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:48 PM

DEMBA BA is out best striker.Cisse looks to have been a one off season?
111 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:48 PM

Niafron – I wouldn’t look too far into that first half, we started in a formation that was vulnerable to Baines/Pienaar’s threat, paired with the fact we had two players out of position on that side with Marv and Perch. Once they started playing well on around 2 minutes, we were always gonna be on the back foot. It was a combination of many things; personally i don’t think Everton will play as good as that first half they played, many times this season.
112 bollance // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:48 PM

Maybe the question should be why did Pards play Marv ahead of Ba?
113 niafron // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:49 PM

@bollance

I seen it already. But i doubt Pard was totaly honest. It was a tough choice, so he had to say something.

Players are proud, so it was hard to just say:

“I think Papiss is a better choice.”
114 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:49 PM

Bollance…Did Pardew say that? Prior to Cisse’s goal for Senegal I would have picked Ba all day long, but when Cisse scores goals like that you do have to consider him. There are three games this week, surely Ba doesn’t expect to start them all? I do think this story has been given a lot more credit than it’s probably due.
115 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:51 PM

@ NUFC Steve

Juat look at Cisse’s scoring record and you’ll know it was not a fluke
116 niafron // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:51 PM

@bollance

Well, i was for the 1 striker option, so i will not criticize him on that point.

I was happy to see Marv. But i must admitt now he don’t seem fit enough for the PL.
117 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:52 PM

Just rather
118 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:54 PM

Steve…I think it’s more likely he just hasn’t clicked yet this season than he’s just a one season wonder. The guy has some serious talent, even the best get knocked off the pace from time to time.

Bollance…Marveaux generally looks a good player. He couldn’t seem to beat his man last night, but I thought it was a good line up prior to the game. Ba or Cisse should have been rested, which one is the debate really imo.
119 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 6:57 PM

“He then managed to score his 12th and 13th Premier League goals in a 2–0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 2 May 2012, the second of which he curled the ball with the outside his foot from thirty seven yards out. Cissé described the goal as the best of his career”

Could resist sniggering at how ridiculous the last sentence sounds. What a player man, what a player. The time will come when him and Ba are collectively in form and tearing the Premier League apart, god help the other 19 teams in this league when that time comes.
120 bollance // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:00 PM

I think this is an interesting point and in response to what his agent has said..

NUFC will never sell Ba.

– Stoke pulled the plug after the medical.
– Hoffenheim desperate to sell so got £1m from West Ham
http://www.skysports.com/football/player/0,,11678_355256,00.html
– We paid £2m (to agent) to sign him
– No club will risk paying much more then we paid becuase of the risk.
– NUFC will not sell for peanuts, why wounld we, he is prem class!
– Ba’s contract runs out 2014 (2 years from now)
– Ba will leave again on a free and receive another big pay day.

Don’t beleive anything his agent says. How can his agent manufacture any kind of move given the above circumstances!!
121 euanpolo // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:03 PM

I’d like to see his representatives find him a bigger club than Newcastle where he won’t ever be benched.
122 toonking // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:05 PM

i read posts and the story
demba ba might be unhappy with being left on the bench and being played on the wing last season after cisse arrived but i do not believe for one second that it means he wants to leave, what i think is starting to happen is the agents, who are the real greedy dicks are trying to stir things up and cause problems with the club just for the sake of getting the players to leave so the agent can gain more money. in some ways i think it was bas agent who told rednapp about the buy out clause and asked him to annouce it. on saturday there was stories that santon would have been more happy back in italy, and during the transfer window cabaye seem to be getting distracted with transfers.

i bet ba himself knew pardew was trying something different and so as soon as he was given the chanc he said watch and learn pardew i this is why i want to start and scored twice. truely upset players would do tevez or bowyer and refuse to come on or if they did come on they don’t show much spirit. but never would a player play like he did yesterday after coming on.
123 niafron // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:07 PM

Anyway, it’s hard to say ill of only one or two lads, the whole team was awfull.

I don’t like players pesonal ratings, but this time, no one would have a reason to be jealous. So:

Harper: Well, he made what he could. Maybe could he have stop the first goal, but wasn’t easy.

Santon: Bring almost nothing forward, on a defensive point of view, the danger don’t came of his wing, so i guess this is not so bad.

Saylor: the second goal is for him, he was totaly outmatched man to man on the action.

Williamson: the first goal is fir him, his position was bad, so he was out of reach to stop the shot.

Perch: He bring nothing forward too AND the danger came of his wing, so i guess this pretty bad, but his teamates didn’t help.

Jonas: Killed in action past season.

Anita: He ran alot. Maybe he’s still runing? Without the ball i fear…

Cabaye: May a good set up save a whole game? No.

Ben arfa: His worst game since alot of time. It is certainly good for his ego to witness the fact the whole team is going down when he make such a game, but i really hope he feel bad today. We need him to be far better.

Marv: This guy is trying to save his carreer of injuries. So he deserve we shut up about his game yesterday.

Cissé: What are the words of the song? “One chance, only one chance!”
Pappis got only one chance yesterday. But last season, he would have scored.
124 Novocastrian66 // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:10 PM

Demba look a bit sick last night when interviewed. He has the most effective of the two so far, even before last night.
Pardew’s challenge is to make both Cisse and Ba become an effective pair. There were signs last night thT they can click.
125 FatmanJoe // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:15 PM

Niafron I think your ratings are a little bit harsh actually. The players looked lost and unsuited to the formation of the first half and I think your right about the midfield lot but you really have failed to highlight the positives from yesterday. Perch and Anita swapping and playing successfully in their switched roles? Santon did have pressure at times and sustained it well – hence everton attacking mostly through their left side. Ba was obviously excellent, shola looked determined and Williamson was solid almost entirely throughout. Mustn’t get to the point where we’re gettin too down on players. Everton away a tough place for anyone. Yes, first half we looked like mugs but a change in the second really showed some promise.
126 niafron // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:18 PM

@FATMAN

Yes, a bit harsh.

But well, i was really Knockdown after 45 minutes.
127 check the toastie // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:21 PM

It wasnt that Marv couldnt beat his man last night it was th efact he picked up the ball in deep areas and quite clearly didnt want to be caught in possession, we simply couldnt get into the game.

Unless you have supremely technical defenders who are so brave and confident on the ball, away from home you need somebody to keep the ball, hold it up or a player who simply retains possession by his sheer ability, we had neither last night and it is clear why Pardew wanted Big Andy so much.

Yes in hindsight you could say Ba should have been playing, however for me he hasnt been doing enough, a kick up the arse may get him out of his ego driven sulk. Ba’s agent is the only one making noises and personally unsure whether this is with or without Ba’s blessing.

I said in the summer i would have had him swapped for Carroll and i stand by it, we lack presence away for home, should have signed a big aggressive CB (Douglas) and Andy C, ideally Mr T would have been playing and then fill in the holes with our technical players. Perfect

The PL is all about winning the battle first and then play your football after, thats why Man City, Man Utd and Arsenal drop so many points away to Stoke and Everton who are always AT IT.

Wow – that was long.
128 FatmanJoe // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:22 PM

Yea I think pardew was right tho – awful team performance, worse ive seen them play under him in te first 45 and lucky to come away with anything (anyone ever seen or heard of 3 disallowed goals in one game by the way?) but in games like that you can’t highlight individual errors as it’s a collective fowl up. Certainly can’t use those errors as ‘evidence’ for future moaning about players (I’m talking about those player haters who in a years time will be bitching about Williamson and co and using everton away as evidence)
129 niafron // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:22 PM

Time to eat something, got to go.

Bonne soirée messieurs.
130 p // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:26 PM

The only positive I saw from yesterday was that we had luck back on our side.

We really missed Colo and Tiote.

Though Ba has his shooting boots back on, it’s worrying that Cisse has not.

I would have preferred Bigi from the start to be honest, with Anita at RB.

Marv, though out of position did seem out of his depth last night so perhaps Obertan may have been a better starting choice.
131 FatmanJoe // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:31 PM

Ba getting two goals? Perch’s passing? Santon looking solid, finally starting to look reliable? Anita putting baines in his pocket? Cabaye starting to exert authority in games? Shola’s presence up front?

We played a solid team on form and came away with a point. We were lucky to have 2/3 goals disallowed but we also showed determination and team spirit to get a point.

If our second half team turn up against Norwich we could see a high scoring game.
132 joeytoon // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:33 PM

what demba ba”s agent really means is ,if demba doesnt play then I WANT HIM TO MOVE ,so that i can suck more money out of football, his and most other agents are greedy pricks who dont give a toss about their client or football,only how much they can mug the game and players for , kick these leeches out of the game
133 p // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:37 PM

130 – these are fairly minor positives.

We should have lost 4-2 really and that would have been a fair result in my opinion.

We did play better in the second half but I would not necessarily say better than Everton on balance.

It was a good point on paper but I am concerned about the teams lack of cohesion.
134 FatmanJoe // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:40 PM

Agreed about the cohesion but they were playing a new formation so expected really. When they reverted back to familiarity it worked better.
135 p // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:45 PM

Well I hope this is a turning point in our season.

Someone made the (good) point that this season we have only lost to the European champions thus far and that has been playing quite badly on the whole and with key injuries.
136 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:52 PM

OK been away but Ashton if you are still there your comment @78-where did you get the idea I am concerned whether Ba is happy or not, or whether he stays or goes? All I am picking out of your running commentary over the last couple of days is that you are fishing for instances of Pardews’ determination to drag the club under with his ineptitude. You have the whiff of gratuitous negativity even though you make many valid points. That is all.

niafron – never thought you would make such a dodgy assessment, never mind, cant all be perfect. Perhaps you only watched the first half?

P – the only positive was that we had luck? Shaky shaky heady-weady. We went to a tough place where Man U got no change recently, on top form in spite of a hiccup lately, with a rejigged team to deal with their strengths with the players at our disposal. Manager sees problems, changes stuff at half time, we dominate 2nd half. OK they had 2 offside goals, but they get disallowed all the time. Over the line goal? ok, but was it a free kick anyway? would cisse and benny score on any other day? Definitely. You make your own luck.
137 Novocastrian66 // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:53 PM

@P. We shouldn’t have lost 4-2. We were good value for the draw on the second half performance. Your logic is based on the rest of the events remaining the same if Felliani’s “goal” stood. This is of course nonsense.
The one fact is the final score was 2-2. Each event during the game resulted in the final score. If Felliani’s “goal” stood the following course of events that did happen would not have happened. Therefore nobody knows what the score would have been Nd your statement is based on speculation and not fact.
138 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:58 PM

well said @ 136
139 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 7:58 PM

P – Your forgetting the two best chances that fell to Hatem and Cisse and the one they cleared off their line. I missed the first 15mins when we were poor but i thought we deserved a point – just
140 p // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:05 PM

Ifs and ands, pots and pans. Sure events change other events but on that basis you could argue that any minor incorrect decision – like a throw in or free kick – can change drastically the outcome of a match.

We did have a better second half and we did get some good chances but apart from the goals we did not put those chances away which is important in football.

In contrast Everton had 2 goals disallowed which you have to concede were bad decisions. 1 incorrectly disallowed goal is part and parcel and football, 2 is very bad luck.

As I said, decent result on paper but shite cohesion.
141 MagpiesFlyHigh // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:06 PM

We were the first side to score at Goodison since the Gooners at the end of March….and we scored twice.

Even after a horrendous first half we still managed to keep the score competitive… okay there were odd decisions that worked in our favour but this’ll average out over the season.

And a striker of Cisse’s quality will be banging them in again shortly.. All strikers have barren patches and his career average is excellent
142 p // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:09 PM

Well you can delude yourselves but, I think general consensus of the world outside of Newcastle was that we were very lucky to get a point there last night.
143 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:12 PM

Andy Carroll’s Bebo page he made at the age of 16, hahahahaha
144 toonLYF // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:14 PM

http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=4957197631
145 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:16 PM

ok lets play the ‘If’ game and say we had our 3 injured first choice players so we had parity with Everton, and say we went there and played all the game like we did first half? think we would have lost or drawn then? the fact Everton got at us with a couple of rare forays in the 2nd half is only an indicator of a 2nd choice back line, and a shortage of tank-like cdm. No more. Take all the crap line calls and over the line hoo-ha out of it and read the result. That helps. Ring your alarm bells in february when we are rooted to the bottom of the table and Ba, HBA and Cabs have moved on. Then you will be satisfyingly right.
146 Novocastrian66 // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:19 PM

@P. Everything that happens in the game effects the final outcome. I have witnessed goals scored through incorrectly awarded throwins, corners and freekicks. Indeed Anichibe’s phantom goal came from a debatable freekick. He could have been sent off for the challenge on Harper, late two footed and high, that happened before he scored.
Everything effects the final result.
I have seen “goals” not given at all levels for similar goal line clearances. More often than not they’re not given because the officials are not sure the ball crossed the line. The CF should have avoided all the speculation and buried the chance.
If he did there may have been a different final score. We may have won 3-2!
147 check the toastie // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:24 PM

Gareth Barry what the fcuk, that lad has made millions from other players making him look average instead of the shit player he is, wish i could get a game passing five yards to world class talented players, winds me up.
148 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:25 PM

Thought i would just check an Everton Fan’s view on the game last night and here is his last comment –

“The Ref didn’t go down to well tonight and took stick but I thought we still had the chance to win it despite him but for our own shortcomings and if truth be told they could and maybe should have taken all the points—we gave them the chances—so maybe a point is ok after all.”

From Toffeeweb Fanzine
149 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:27 PM

P – general conscensus of SSN and everton blogs. Not wanting to go down the ‘real fan’ route but I cannot see how any mag could be unhappy about the result last night, the rub of the green and the fightback that showed we have real spirit when we were being written off before a ball was kicked.
150 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:28 PM

hotdog – well dug out mate. Sense reigns after all.
151 magpiebop // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:28 PM

Bringing on Ba for Marveaux and switching Perch wii Anita were Pardew masterstrokes. Perch looked good in midfield and Anita is a rightback. Ba was great and had him backed for a £5er last goal at 8/1, unbelievable odds! Ameobi needs a mention also for his assist, the bloke is a monster now and knows it!
152 p // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:31 PM

Playing the if game is pointless, that was the point I was making. I know you can apply that to the disallowed goals but they are quite a bit different from the other twists of fate.

I am not like many others on here who worries about who stays and who goes. Just look at Arsenal, does not seem to matter who they sell…

I am more concerned about how the team plays as a unit.

We have some technically gifted players like Ben Arfa + Cisse and Ba who can save our bacon – which is what happened last night and against Villa.

But you have to say our overall play was poor.

I think we have been sussed out a bit; pressure us deep in our own half and we result to hoofball from the keeper.

I don’t think we will be anywhere near bottom this season but I do think we need to improve as a unit (as well as being a bit luckier on the injury front) if we are to reach the lofty heights of last season especially when competing in Europe.

Missing out on Debuchy seems like a real f-up in retrospect now.
153 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:31 PM

hey check-I out forward the motion some time back that he was not only aveage but dull and should never have pulled an England shirt on, but of course I got ‘gets selected to play in Citeh’s star-studded team every week’ chucked at me. Too exhausting to argue about.
154 magpiebop // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:34 PM

We were shit 1st half wii 4-3-3 and good 2nd half wii 4-4-2. Explain!
155 will190780 // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:34 PM

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12606_8088697,00.html

I’ve watched this video of Ba a couple of times. The part I find strange is that he says “I hope the people that decide saw that” referring to his performance and goals. Eh? Why does he not say the manager. He hopes they saw that. Makes me wander if he isn’t implying that Pardew isn’t making the decisions?

Plus we all like a smiley Ba. Was he pissed he didn’t get a hatrick?
156 FatmanJoe // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:35 PM

Interesting that you point out cisse and Ben arfa as two players that saved our bacon. Interesting. And wrong.

They were both completely ineffective last night. I agree we looked lost last night but old Newcastle would have completely fallen to pieces going down to everton at goodison but instead we fought back. As long as we learn for the next game, history will only look at the points gained.
157 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:35 PM

P – We know we need to improve but we hve had a tough start and injuries to contend with, take Everton for example who were at full strength.

My only real disappointment from last night was Marveaux as i really rate this kid. I know he wasnt on his favoured left wing but Phil Neville ran away from him at one point, what’s all that about??
158 p // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:36 PM

No, I am pleased with the result. I just saying we were very lucky and did not really deserve a point.

I concede there were some minor positives other than then result but overall we do not look like a cohesive unit with a plan beyond long kicks from the keeper.

With respect to hotdog, if you looked at most media sites the words Everton robbed appears pretty dominantly.

Of course, everyone sees the same football match differently so sometimes you have to agree to disagree.
159 p // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:42 PM

Fatman Joe, yes I was talking generally, not last night specifically.

Of course Cisse is a worry for me, consensus is he will hit form but that needs to happen sooner rather than later because he has been a passenger this season.

Ben Arfa would normally put the one on one with the keeper away – I expected him to do a delicate chip but he is what he is; sometimes outrageously good and sometimes a little anonymous.
160 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:43 PM

p @ 151 I agree with your last two sentences to a degree. But the ‘how the team plays as a unit’ and ‘overall play’ averages the whole game pretty cruelly. And I thought we bought those players to save our bacon?
161 Novocastrian66 // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:43 PM

Our first half performance was woeful. The second half was excellent and we were good value for the draw. Everton blew it in the first halfwhen we should have been dead and buried. Nowt to do with the ref or linesman.
We dug in and turned it around. A draw was fair. I would have been a bit sick if we had been on the end of those decisions, but nobody and I mean nobody in that stadium would have been sure they were wrong until the replays. They weren’t obvious howlers until analysed on replays.
162 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:43 PM

ahhh P – thats because there is a media witch hunt against the toon

will – I think he means the “Management” ie Carver/Stone as they will all have an input in the team.

See Ronaldo is playing against his new employers!!
163 clinath@ed // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:44 PM

Headline tomorrow: demba says he loves the toon….mark my words.
164 will190780 // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:48 PM

Yeah good point hotdog. I do think that Demba is responsible for his agents and should sack them and sign a new clause free five year contract. He should also shut up and play where and when he is told to.
165 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:48 PM

Oh and EVERY team that is hounded the way we were first half ends up going back to keeps and hoofing the ball upfield out of imminent danger. HBA’s glorious opportunity wasn’t hoofed up to him, nor Ba’s first, or cisse’s volley. If you want to count Ba’s 2nd as a result of hoofball, then I say keep that going lads! I really thought the hoofball argument went out ages ago.
166 Lee Dodd // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:50 PM

What a load of shite. we have loads of games coming up Europa -League cup and premier league . ALAN PARDEW IS just saving his players so we dont get to Burned out. Ba is not bigger than the NUFC if he is then he can go !!!
167 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:52 PM

Of course I will say w still have a problem of having two no 9′s who both want to start in the same position. This one will run.
168 check the toastie // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:53 PM

Tsunki – he has been the scurge of our national side for years, truly shit, reckon i could give him a game, i definately have more energy. Hope to meet up with him one day in the over 40s league
169 p // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:54 PM

We will have to agree to disagree.

You are not going to persuade me that we were not lucky to get a point last night and although there was a fightback, we were still disjointed for the entirety of the match.
170 matt11_25 // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:55 PM

The agent is mainly trying to protect his client’s rep…it’s unfortunately part of his job and part of the game… some of the blame goes to all the supporters tho, those who were giving Ba a rough time when he stopped scoring last season. It was clear to any knowledgeable supporter that he was not playing in a striker role
171 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:56 PM

Tsunki – It wont mate Ba will be in again against Norwich. Pardew will be over the moon with his reaction to being benched. Whether Cisse starts is a tricky one but agianst Norwich i would go with both of them up top.
172 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:57 PM

Must say though I agree with P that I was about to put my house, wife, kids and all the crap in my garage on Benny chipping the keeper. I bet even he is mystified as to why he didnt do it, the keeper virtually sold it to him. Dammit.
173 check the toastie // Sep 18, 2012 at 8:58 PM

I have a good solution to Ba and Cisse battling for the top man spot, play Shola and Sammi against Norwich and tell them to shut the fcuk up. For me Cisse seems as happy as a pig in shit, he would have been brilliant with Carroll and remember Ba would have fooked off if someone had improved his contract only 6 weeks ago.

We are the biggest club Ba has played for and ever will, its about time he started pulling in the same direction as our management, getting a little too big for his boots, keep him on the bench i say, play Shola and Cisse.
174 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:06 PM

P – I’ll have one last go

Its Hyperthetical yes, like your goals that were not given but Phil Neville was on a Yellow Card last night and went flying into one of our advancing players which for me looked like yellow card all day long. IF he did get it they were down to ten men then what…… all ifs and buts but the fact is we drew 2-2 were crap the first half and much better the second. I refuse to accept “we should have got beat”

Did that work
175 p // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:10 PM

No, I did notice that during the game and I did think Phil Neville should have been off but that decision was always going to be an unlikely one.

Overall the officiating was not good last night – stopping the advantage when HBA was breaking after the disallowed goal was more bewildering than either of the disallowed goals.

But on balance, we were still lucky.
176 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:11 PM

Dzeko – City 1-0 first chance haha
177 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:12 PM

P – Damn im normally very convincing, well done for sticking to your guns kidda
178 check the toastie // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:13 PM

Leave Ba on the Bench and play Shola and Cisse against Marotima for me, think he is getting a little big for his boots.

It seems everytime he scores a few goals he is looking for a move, cant remember his agent mouthing off when Pardew played him for around 15 games without a goal,

Cisse played nearly as many minutes as him over on the left funny how he scored a shit load of goals, difference is Cisse isnt ladened with a massive EGO,

Ba has never played for a club as big as NUFC and never will if he leaves, he needs to support what the club is doing instead of thinking he can influence its journey, if he continues to be moody get rid for me, cash in on him and get Big Andy back in January, you cant beat pride in the shirt.
179 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:13 PM

Nice goal from City that like, can’t believe Dzeko doesn’t get more playing time. Also is there a better center midfielder than Yaya Toure other than the obvious Barcelona duo ?
180 Novocastrian66 // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:19 PM

Anyone know how the U21s are getting on against the sad lads? I know they were winning 2-1 at half time.
181 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:19 PM

Check – Some valid points but id rather that response than sulking on the pitch. It proves he wants his place in the team. You know better than to listen to agents spouting off and his comments after the game were probaly unwise but he was frustrated at being benched.
182 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:24 PM

Novo – last i heard 2-2
183 Novocastrian66 // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:24 PM

Doesn’t matter. Finished 2-2.
184 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:24 PM

I wish Simspson could do half the things that Marcelo can, great goal
185 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:26 PM

Christ Pappa – dont start off a simmo debate

Where is Ibiza – this cant be right he is normally on here 24/7 – he aint dead is he
186 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:27 PM

city 2-1 kolarov
187 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:29 PM

thats quality 2-2 benzema
188 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:30 PM

2-2, this last 20 minutes has been crazy
189 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:30 PM

cracking game this – Hotdog your typing to yourself, no one is listening, stop it

ok
190 Novocastrian66 // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:31 PM

Cheers Hotdog.
191 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:32 PM

cant help it ronaldo 3-2 what a second half
192 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:32 PM

Madrid vs city
WHAT A FCUKING GAME!
193 check the toastie // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:35 PM

Anyone playing for the reserves tonight wont feature on thursday from the start, thats Sammy, Fergy, Campbell, Abied, and Gosling, pleased gosling played tonight i must say, its about time we seen Amalfitano, europe should suit him.

Likely team for Thursday

Harper
Tav Perch Willo Jonas
Obertoon Bigi Amalfitano Marvaeux
Vuckic
Shola

Bench – Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba, Gosling, Eliot, Anita, Fergy

Not a bad little reserve team that.
194 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:35 PM

The strength in depth Madrid has is scary, bringing of the likes of Ozil, Benzema & Modric. Cracking game thar
195 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:37 PM

bringing on rather
196 check the toastie // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:38 PM

I agree Pappa, Simmo is lacking in almost every department , pleased he is injured currently as he takes a little enjoyment away in watching the toon for me, harsh but its just how i feel.
197 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:38 PM

For all your reality needs, how would we have fared against Real tonight ha ha?
198 hotdog // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:38 PM

Ive got to say i love watching the top teams in the Champions league. It is where the cream of the players are. Will we ever get back there i wonder – on that note im off folks goodnight
199 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:39 PM

Check
Yeah wouldnt mind seeing that team thursday
200 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:45 PM

Must say I felt sorry for Marveaux you could see he was worried by the pace and commitment of a team like Everton at home. He now knows what is expected of him, I hope he has the confidence and commitment to step up to it soon, otherwise all those pennies on surgery and physio will have been wasted.
201 futurefanbaseofNUFC // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:47 PM

anyone who doesnt want to be at NUFC. send them packing. i’d rather have Carroll back if we are going to play with hoofing the ball up field. and look for a targetman. cause from what we saw in the first half at everton, Cisse really cant do that job. Also that Everton game seemed like an off game for Benny in my opinion couple very poor touches which resulted in us losing the ball & let Everton get back into pressuring our defence. but on the plus side. he seems to play very well with Santon providing support to him on the wing. i think this season those two will have a very big season.
202 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:48 PM

BTW, seeing as Benzema is one of Ketsy’s targets, maybe he is right we should sign him. Think he would fly into Newcastle in January for 40k/week and a semi in darras hall?
203 check the toastie // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:53 PM

Maybe Benzema has a 7million release clause, worth a go, i mean why wouldnt he want to join the french revolution.
204 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 9:58 PM

check –

Not Hatems best game. Seemed to take some time bedding in to that left hand slot but improved as the 2nd half wore on. On any other day would have had 2 goals, barring not chipping the keeper and being pulled back by the ref. I recall him losing the ball when he collected it from Harps but I was more impressed by the fact he went back to ask for the ball than anything else. He wants to play and thats fine by me. I agree that him and santon started to gel, but it remains to be seen whether he will be on that side again soon.
205 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:02 PM

Anyone else notice that both Perch and Anita’s distribution upped remarkably when switched?
206 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:03 PM

Anyway, leave it for the night shift, I’m off. Night lads.
207 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:04 PM

….and lasses. Sorry.
208 LGFUAD21 // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:11 PM

Re: Benny

Firstly I think Marveaux left us more vulnerable at the back than him. But you have to expect our wingers to be loosing balls and putting us in those situations.

The problem is that we lack any attacking ambition from the centre of the park so we always feed balls to Benny quite far back to attack from.
209 WWYCD // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:24 PM

Reserve match was decent tonight ended 2-2 without many complaints. Sammy looked a cut above, new AC is very quick but I dont think he will make it in the PL if am honest atleast not as a striker but time will tell, Fergy was good but played more of a LW role when he was at LB so caused a few issues for our defence, Inman was eye catching though first time I have seen him and he looked the part.

Abied played RB which wasn’t great but what he did he did well and had a few good runs. Good was ok at CB but has a way to go before being PL quality imo and the other CB was pretty poor (cant recall who it was pretty sure they are normally a CM tbf to them he was very ginger if that helps), Gosling was alright but should really of looked much better considering the level he was playing

Alnwick was very good though he impressed me

Those are my humble opinions on the match if anyone cares
210 Tsunki // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:33 PM

I know I said I was going but when did ED remove the ‘- what?’ from the article title? I smell sensationalist media coverage

ED keep this up and they will be criticising you for making up stories
211 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:34 PM

YO
Micheal richardson?
212 GeordieToon89 // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:39 PM

Really want us to sign Tom Ince in January like cracking player..

Also Jordan Rhodes is proving he can cut it at a higher level than league 1, looking a very good signing for Blackburn him and Nuno Gomes formiddable haha
213 WWYCD // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:41 PM

toonarmydownsouth
Aye thats the lad I think got stretchered off late on as well not sure how bad his injury was. Whats the general thought on him? Just a off night for him or he just filling a shirt for now
214 Jail for Ashley // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:46 PM

WW…
Where you’ve you been,I almost stopped posting since you left,did you go and watch the reserves ? Last nights game was a cracker eh !
215 GeordieToon89 // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:46 PM

See Curtis Good was captain tonight, he must be impressing if he’s been given the armband so soon after his arrival
216 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:48 PM

YO
Personally haven’t seen much of him but he had a loan spell with leyton orient a while back, at the time one of my mates was a video coach for orient so i was always bugging him on what he was like, the general opinion was nice lad, bit lightwieght but overall probably not gonna get to a PL level and it didnt seem orient were to bothered about extending his loan
Having said that orient do have a shite coaching set up!
217 WWYCD // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:51 PM

JfA
Just been staying clear of the blog for a while mate too much crap was over powering the good comments and I got sick. Aye 3 quid on the door was pretty good well worth the money Id recommend it. Aye was a fantastic 2nd half Everton were robbed though haha. How u been mate?
218 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:53 PM

GT89
Would love to see us go for ince but cant see it happening apparantly they rejected a £4 mil bid and then holloway was saying he noticed joe allen went for £15 mil and thats a fair price for young british players and thats something hes taken note of that!
219 WWYCD // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:53 PM

toonarmydownsouth
Oh didnt know he went away on loan is he a CB? I fully agree on light weight was over powered constantly tonight
220 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:57 PM

YO
No i think he’s a CM by trade apparantly got a decent pass on him and think he got a goal for orient in a league cup game but my mate reckons he was overwhemled in midfield in a competitive game
221 Jail for Ashley // Sep 18, 2012 at 10:57 PM

Anybody who associates target men with hoofball or longball as I’ve always known it as needs to.look at some of the wider options of the beautiful game imo like.
222 Jail for Ashley // Sep 18, 2012 at 11:00 PM

Aye,canny but have been very disheartened with the blog of late you’ve done well to stay away,I almost quit but sometimes you have to chip in !
223 WWYCD // Sep 18, 2012 at 11:01 PM

toonarmydownsouth
Ah might be why he was so poor at CB shows how crap our depth is in defence though we had 2 CMs in our back 4 tonight and no one on the bench

I really doubt we will see him in the senior squad though Inman though I will be watching out for
224 WWYCD // Sep 18, 2012 at 11:02 PM

JfA
Aye mate was the match last night I couldnt stay away any longer haha

Anyway gents I must be off have a good un
225 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 18, 2012 at 11:49 PM

Target men can be very effective with good support. Just look at Mario Gomez for Bayern, he would not get half the goals he does if it weren’t for Robben & Ribery
226 jawballsaswallwell // Sep 18, 2012 at 11:50 PM

The long ball tactic definitely has its merit in any approach to football and Newcastle have benefited immensely from the tactic over the years. Shearer, Ferguson, Sir Les, Carroll, Shola even Bellamy with his pace have all thrived on the long early ball with thrilling effect. This is a side that wants to keep it on the carpet and knock it around at pace but who also use the option of the long ball and that’s exactly how I like to see them play.
227 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 18, 2012 at 11:55 PM

Bayern are my team on Fifa like and Gomez is a beast
228 iggystinger // Sep 19, 2012 at 12:43 AM

Ba should be startin ahead of cisse up front anyway on current form why start marveaux whos no form no started a league game and drop one of our most if not the most inform player in the team weird decision
229 Szarka // Sep 19, 2012 at 7:20 AM

Sack the agent, if theres a problem, talk to the coach or the board, but not pressure them in the press.
Who is in better form should play. Aldo I think Cisse is better then Ba, Ba should play now as hes in better form.
If it can be solved, and is better for the club, play them both. But first the club, then the player.
230 eoinridley // Sep 19, 2012 at 9:32 AM

For the amount of money footballers earn a week, to question a managers approach to the game is outrageous! Its Pardews decision what he thinks is best for us, and it his decisions that seen us finish in 5th place last year. Demba’s agent has overreacted and has now caused a problem out of thin air, things like this will ruin team spirit, the one trait this team has built up over the past 3-4 seasons.
231 numba9 // Sep 19, 2012 at 10:35 AM

Agents stink simple and plain