Newcastle overcame a slow and sluggish start last night, to create some decent chances, some of which we probably should have converted, but the lads came away with a good 0-0 draw at a place where it’s very difficult to get a result.
Alan Pardew – on the sidelines last night in Madeira
And Alan Pardew is sticking to his guns, and playing a lot of our younger talent in these games, and we saw some good performances from many of them last night.
This is what Alan told the local press today:
“With the injuries we had before this game, I’m hoping that will be the weakest we will be this season. I hope so.” “We have had three or four injuries that have been costly to us. Having said that, the performance of the team was outstanding, I thought.”
“I don’t know what Dan Gosling’s meterage was, but I would suggest it was over 13km, because he was just everywhere.” “He and Bigi were terrific in there, Sammy Ameobi came on and looked like he was going to open the door, so we had some real bonuses in terms of those young players.”
“I know Dan is not classed as a young player here, but he is still a young player, and so is Gabby Obertan, and I thought he played well, he threatened that right side.” “I am very, very pleased with the experience – have young Adam Campbell here experiencing all the dynamics of this game is invaluable to us. It a great experience.”
Gael Bigirimana was the star of the game along with goalkeeper Rob Elliot – who put in a terrific performance between the sticks for Newcastle last night.
Here’s the latest results of our Man of the Match poll – and an opportunity for you to vote, if you haven’t already done so.
Comments welcome.
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You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com
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64 comments so far
Rotonda heights
Sep 21, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Comment #1but why no Abeid, one of our best youngsters who did exceptionally well in pre-season?
Abeid should be way ahead of Gosling
cupiddstunt
Sep 21, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Comment #2I think someone already said it but to play the “B” team away and use more of the “A” team at home with the intention of three home wins is not a bad idea
Big Pappa Cissé
Sep 21, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Comment #3@ Rotonda
I agree
MUTINYbyLEMONS
Sep 21, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Comment #4Why is there NO GOSLING in the list???????
IITianToon
Sep 21, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Comment #5I dont think defensive or central midfield is where Gosling likes to play… he is always at least looking to get into the box, so maybe better used as an AMF. Thats the only plus I see in him.
mindshaft
Sep 21, 2012 at 11:53 AM
Comment #6No Gosling ??
Carryingcoals
Sep 21, 2012 at 11:53 AM
Comment #7cupiddstunt
Exactly, that’ll see us through the group.
Having seen Bordeaux’s 4 goals from last night I’m looking forward to the game in two weeks time. Some dangerous players but not the best side, with a good amount of first teamers we should take the three points and see a good game too.
G
Sep 21, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Comment #8What’s the format for EL games now. Do 2 teams progress from each group, or only 1?
Carryingcoals
Sep 21, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Comment #9G
The top two teams in each group advance to the round of 32, where they are joined by the eight third-place teams in the Champions League group phase.
G
Sep 21, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Comment #10Cheers @ post 9. I must have dreamt it, but I was convinced that every game was must win now in order to progress as top of group. If we are playing with the kids throughout the tournament, I will be happy enough with 2nd, although the extra kudos of coming top would be nice.
cupiddstunt
Sep 21, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Comment #11G @ # 10
I think there is some theoretical advantage like homeground advantage or some such in coming top of the group but like all things seeded it is just theoretical.
Transfer Sage
Sep 21, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Comment #12Must be something going on with abeid
He featured heavily in pre season and looked good, probably as good as bigi did in thine games.
I wonder if he has ha some problems recently with his attitude or something as I thought he would have had much more game time.
Rotonda heights
Sep 21, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Comment #13sage
It makes you wonder. Trouble is when you fall out with pards that’s usually curtains. As he’s still young hopefully he’ll get a second chance
Rotonda heights
Sep 21, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Comment #14gosling may have run a bit, but what does he do exactly?
check the toastie
Sep 21, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Comment #15Abeid upset Carver last year with his attitude, maybe it has happened again this?
Rotonda heights
Sep 21, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Comment #16check
I hear his attitude was a bit dodgy in france too but I thought a change of scene had knocked it out of him. obviously not then.
cupiddstunt
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:05 PM
Comment #17Must admit to hearing similar stories.
So by rumour he appears to be another talented youngster that thinks they are a lot more than they are.
Grafton83
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:11 PM
Comment #18Here is a question, not including Tim Krul the banner at the top has ten players to the right and left or Pardews head.
Which side is better left or right side (not including Tim Krul as he is the only keeper)
I’m voting left but it’s close
cupiddstunt
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:23 PM
Comment #19Grafton83 @ # 18
A nice aside I think the left has the better defence but the right has the better mid.
I think the right just shades it for me.
But as you say hard to choose from.
For an easy solution email pards and ask him to set up a training game with the sides as per the banner. 😉 😆
Ian Toon
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:23 PM
Comment #20Ed – I wanted to vote for Gosling last night but he isn’t listed. I thought he really worked hard and clearly he’ getting back his overall fitness. With being sidelined he ‘d bulked up and that had an impact on his general short sharp movement . Still some improvement needed.
Vuckic has the same problem which is why fans constantly criticise him for being slow and lethargic. The areas of the field both play calls for better balance/ movement. Watch. Brad Inman who’s clearly worked on that part of his game.
jamesnufc86
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:25 PM
Comment #21I didn’t really see what all the fuss was about surrounding Bigi until I watched him last night. He really was very composed , never misplaced a pass, and often got his head up and looked for direct passes rather than the old Barry back pass. He was terrific , what a prospect we have on our books
Grafton83
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Comment #22@cupidstunt
I went for left as it has HBA, Colo and Ba.
I appear to have lost Pardews number but if someone could send him a text on my behalf I’m sure he wouldn’t mind giving this a go.
Carryingcoals
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:31 PM
Comment #23My thoughts on last night’s game
http://www.carryingcoals.com/?p=145
Jail for Ashley
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:33 PM
Comment #24Quite a lot of positives to take what seemed like a lacklustre affair not helped at all by the empty concrete stadium,but whats worrying me about the team, I’ve worked out who can cover who in different positions considering we’re playing two games a week till the end of the year but with Simmo, Tiote and Collocini out when are the two CBs going to get a chance to be rested,unless Curtis Good is going to start at Old Trafford I can’t see an opportunity to rest either of them.
cupiddstunt
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:35 PM
Comment #25Grafton83 @ # 22
Agreed a strong character in each zone but I think the midfield on the right swung it for me feeding a Shola Papis strike force. 🙂
Grafton83
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:42 PM
Comment #26Your right cupid but your side is pretty much a player down with Obertan there. End of debate I think
cupiddstunt
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:43 PM
Comment #27JFA @ # 24
As has been pointed out in another thread over the whole the defence generally covers less ground so should be able to play more games consecutively.
Funny you should mention manure as it was them that were used as an example of defences being used almost unchanged while the rest of the squad rotated.
Ian Toon
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:45 PM
Comment #28Carryingcoals- Excellent write up wouldn’t expect anything else.
cupiddstunt
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:45 PM
Comment #29Grafton83 @ # 26
Ha maybe 😆
Carryingcoals
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:49 PM
Comment #30Ian Toon
Thanks a lot mate, appreciate it
Shane
Sep 21, 2012 at 1:50 PM
Comment #31One of my all time favourite Newcastle players is Aaron Hughes. Dependable, consistent, reliable and versatile. Absolutely loved him.
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 21, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Comment #32Cupid
I think the only reason manure didnt rotate the back 4 much is because of long term injuries to vidic and frequent injuries to smalling and jones when all are fit to be fair they rotate heavily during cup competitions and even league matches depending opposition and champions league, they often had to use players like carrick and valencia in there back 4 and im pretty sure fergie blamed there injuries and not being able to rotate the squad as much on there CL exit
LGFUAD21
Sep 21, 2012 at 2:04 PM
Comment #33In response you your last article ed.
That was a nice insight into the inner workings of Ed Harrison.
1) You were clearly a grounded man even at 15 not choosing education over pursuit of football.
2) Pele was the greatest player I would literally sell my kidney to have ever seen.
4) Gascoigne never reached his full potential. Which is a shame because he was a brilliant player.
7) So happy you said Ronaldo and not Messi. On that debate, he is a much more rounded player than his often media placed rival.
Did not know we were interested back then either.
And you are right. one thing that also puts him above Messi in the “who is the best player at the moment?” is that he was great in the Premier League also.
8) Lambert is a great manager. Apparently very hands on too with the whole way the club is so not sure he would survive long at Newcastle. If it wasnt Pards I would have to say Brian Clough, that is providing that Mike is actually investing money into bringing back the dead rather than on players. I’d also have to say that I think Martinez could probably do a great job with some more funds. He has picked out a few good players that have gone on to success elsewhere. But mainly because under the set up with Carr, he could bring the technical side that we sometimes appear to lack.
9) While it would be nice to have some more success. I would personally feel no honour in having a rich owner buy it for us. Would rather build to it along the Arsenal approach.
13) Purely speculation but I think the board would agree and we will see some investment come January. Who knows, maybe some deals have already been struck.
16) That goal brought Maradonna to mind for me. I would agree.
18) I got shot down for being “anti-england” when I once proclaimed England will never win a major trophy in my lifetime. I hope I am proved wrong of course.
dave 1961
Sep 21, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Comment #34corporate hospitality seems to be booming at the moment, the clubs building 6 new boxes, £2,000+ vat per game or £25,000+ vat per season for a ten person box, wonder what the wife would say if i got her one for her birthday?
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 21, 2012 at 2:08 PM
Comment #35LFGUAD21 (what does that stand for by the way always wondered)
Yeah was a nice insight into the legend that is ED!
Personally if pards wasnt here my heart says clarky but my head says moyes
cupiddstunt
Sep 21, 2012 at 2:17 PM
Comment #36Tads @ # 32
You may have a point there we often only see what we want to see.
Or another way is we see what suits us at the time so do not look beyond it.
I read the comment and did not look beyond it as did not feel the need
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 21, 2012 at 2:32 PM
Comment #37Cupid
Dint get me wrong i get the theory in the fact the back four dont run as much during the games so should be able to play more etc. but when you look at our current back four santon should be ok the lads a proper athlete, perch is a great player but has he played often enough in the last 3 years to be physically up to playing 3 games within 7 days? Willo i’d say is solid but not really an athlete and stevie taylor is possibly the most injury prone player on the books and we could be pushing are luck playing him that many times in a week thought tav or good or fergie might of played to 90 last night
LGFUAD21
Sep 21, 2012 at 2:35 PM
Comment #38toonarmydownsouth
Moyes would be there if I didnt think it would be impossible to get him away from Everton.
LGFUAD is a song title from this band called Motion City Soundtrack. It stands for Lets Get F**k*d Up and Die. Which I understand sounds a little silly. You have to hear the song to understand it i guess. It’s not some emo “i hate my life song”.
The 21 is there because it’s my lucky number.
I picked this as a username for another site like 6 years ago, i have no idea why i thought it was a good name. and it’s stuck. I use it as my username for everything to keep things simple.
Really wish I could change it now.
Thump
Sep 21, 2012 at 2:42 PM
Comment #39So who’s the joker who voted for Willo?
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 21, 2012 at 2:43 PM
Comment #40LGFUAD21
Haha cheers mate no need to change it, makes ya stand out!!