The Newcastle United Blog

135 responses so far ↓

• 1 Dannyo // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:43 PM

  Buzzing

• 2 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:44 PM

  Carver stone and woodman also given new long term contracts great news!

  Catchy yes we are whats your point?
  Surely its better than bieng miserable 24/7!

• 3 Dannyo // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:46 PM

  @Ibiza
  On HBA, i think AP said early on this season that HBA would be a big game player, so he’ll want to keep hin fresh for those games.

• 4 TheToonKing // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:46 PM

  Great news. This is a good and big steo towards our future.

  I must say Ashley and Llambias have been doing an exemplary job since we got relegated. I love the mentality and the direction of the club at the moment.

  Haven’t been this comfortable, excited,happy about the club since ….well a loooong time.

• 5 Double Demba // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:46 PM

  8 years, bloody hell……

• 6 BelfastMagpie // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:46 PM

  Catchy

  Your the only muppet here..
  Go and throw some darts at your Obertan picture..

• 7 Double Demba // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:52 PM

  I guess that is stability, still he’s our best manager since Sir Bobby so I guess it’s WhooHoo…..

• 8 NUFCWill1986 // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:52 PM

  Great news

• 9 Kruls gloves // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:52 PM

  Good move in principle but 8yrs is an eternity in football. In two years time Pardew could be struggling badly and there could be calls for him to go, now MA has a lengthy 8 yr contract he won’t want to pay off.
  4 years would have been sufficient enough.

• 10 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:55 PM

  Did anyone else see that brendan ridgers has written to the professional referees association for an explanation as to why his team aren’t getting any decisions there way? He must not agree with 90% of people who believe its cos his team is full diving idiots!!!

• 11 Eastander // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:56 PM

  8years! I like Pardew but that is a long time! 8years ago Bobby Robson left, I’m all for stability but I really hope he’s not struggling in a couple of years time.

  But for now, onward and upward!!

• 12 BelfastMagpie // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:56 PM

  I’d assume there would be some sort of pay off agreement in the contract,so I wouldn’t worry about that..

• 13 catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:56 PM

  my point is pardew seems to ride the luck train rather than rely on good old fashioned coaching,

  we have 8 points on the board up to now, but we have mainly 2 players to thank for that, HBA and BA,

  pardews tactics baffel me, his team selections baffel me,

  i think its quite plain why cabaye isnt the same player , just like last year, pardew played him to deep , as another DMF, tha is not his game

  before all you jump down my neck, think first, look at jonas, for 2 seasons he was my fave player, but the 2nd half of last year and this year, he is not the same player, he does not run as much as he did,, he no longer plays left wing, he is playing DMF

  there is a huge gap between the front 2 and the rest, HBA out on the right is beeing wasted, he is our most creative player, and some games he hardly gets the ball ??? why

  obertan???? everytime sammy gets on, he is positive, runs at defenders, obertan tries it and loses the ball a lot, and he can not cross for toffee, and that is his job, but he still is infront of sammy or romain,, please remember obertan didnt even play for MAN U reserve team that much, yet he walks straingt into our team,

  pardew,, he has his faves,, he stands by them, when he should put winning first,

• 14 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:56 PM

  Its true about most of the big clubs having stability with long term managers such as Moyes,Fergie, & Wenger. And if our next 7 seasons are anything like last year I will be happy

• 15 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:58 PM

  Kruls gloves
  Maybe he’s not thinking about pay off’s but trying to instill stabilty to the club something which we haven’t had for donkeys years!
  Reading llambias statement its clear they see the road to success is by building a solid foundation and a stable platform to improve on

• 16 p // Sep 27, 2012 at 3:58 PM

  Interesting this. There is usually a financial ulterior motive with big Mike. Perhaps he thinks he has the right team (in terms of cost and benefit) here and wants to ensure whopping compensation in case anyone gets poached?

  8 years does seem overly excessive, why not 5 years?

• 17 Eastander // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:00 PM

  @16 because he can rack up more interest on his gambling debt in 8years

• 18 toonLYF // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:00 PM

  do all teams have fcuking brainless fans or are we just unlucky? Christ man, catchy + a load on twitter, Idiots. Remind me of a bunch of robotic sheep, stuck in the mentality of Ashley being clueless and Pardew being a puppet. Gotta’ feel sorry for them, either they’re boys trying to look like they have an opinion, or “adults” that have yet to fathom the ability of forming their own.

• 19 check the toastie // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:01 PM

  To compare Pardew to Wenger and Ferguson is a bit of a joke, dont know why Pardew wasnt just given a pay rise, stability over the rest of his current contract is cool with me but sort of says that Ashley is happy with the team currently, which to be fair is generally playing quite poor.

  Ferguson and Wenger have been employed for ages as one they have won things and two they have their teams playing good attractive football. Fergies FA Cup win saved him from the sack, Pardew gets rewarded for yet again getting knocked out of a cup at the first hurdle. Anybody remember Brighton last year. Seems a needless long term contract for me.

• 20 ppb // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:05 PM

  what is the point in this?

• 21 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:06 PM

  Catchy
  Jonas is bieng converted because he’s lost a yard of pace and is ineffective now as i winger so he’s undergoing a transition to DMF vut in that statement you contradict yourself, how can cabaye, perch/anita and jonas all be playing CDM this season? They cant so its no wonder tactics baffle you

  As for obertan christ almighty how has he “walked into the first team”? One europa game (which romain also started) and one LC game??? As for sammy you may not of noticed but hes been out injured and is not back to fitness nothing to do with his favourites

• 22 ppb // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:06 PM

  8 years as a marionette for pardew. hope he likes his strings

• 23 p // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:08 PM

  @19 – I would see it more as a Moyes than a Fergie or Wenger.

  I think Mike is realistic about what he can achieve with Newcastle…

  A decent coaching team (no one can deny that those guys have done quite well), a good scouting system and a sensible pay structure/recruiting policy as some of the key components of a “well run club”.

  With this approach, he can have a relatively successful club that makes a tidy profit.without massive risks in respect to financial outlay.

• 24 catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:08 PM

  toonLYF // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:00 PM

  we must watch differet games,, and i bet your one of those idiots who say we go easy with kids,, there shall be no winners, only taking part counts,,

  pratt,, open your eyes,,, why sub BA when he is the one looking like he will score,, im a massive fan of cisse and he will come good, but lately,, BA has been the better play,,

  in the summer,, our bigpriority was a defender or 2, and a CF,, look what we got,, some good players,, but not what we needed

• 25 tequilamag // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:08 PM

  Catchy, perhaps if you had not described posters as “muppets” you may have had a less hostile reception.

• 26 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:11 PM

  @ Check

  Arsenal have not won anything for a good few years now but you don’t see Wenger being dumped any time soon. As for the team not playing well, we are still winning plus it is still early doors to say the least.

• 27 ppb // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:11 PM

  id say pardew actually likes sammy a lot. one of the first youngsters to make it into our squad under pards

• 28 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:12 PM

  And its not just pards signed up its the whole coaching team i fail to see how this is anything othet than good news coupled with carrs deal and the players we signed to new contracts last season

• 29 toonking // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:12 PM

  well although it is good to see pardew given a contract extension i think 8 years is still too much formanagers these days besides chris did superb getting us back in the league and had a good but but it was not long before he got sacked.
  i do think pardew is our best manager since robson but he still need to improve his timing of subs e.g. yesterday instead of making the sub right on half time he made two when we went 2-0 down so when cisse scored that goal we still needed another.

• 30 toonLYF // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:12 PM

  catchy – sorry, what are you talking about, and where is the relevance?

• 31 Dannyo // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:14 PM

  Settle for mediocricy?
  5th and Europe is mediocricy?
  Being the top 5 clubs in England last year is mediocricy?

  Someone forgot to attach the other half of the brain this morning.

• 32 tarie4 // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:14 PM

  I am happy with this news, and hope AP is manager of this club for more than the 8yrs. Along with his backroom staff…i feel this will allow him to put a stamp on this football club. Onwards and upwards!!! HWTL

• 33 catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:14 PM

  toonarmydownsouth

  well if you watch,, this seem to be the plan,, he is playing with 3 CDM, we now dont have a left winger,, santon is up and down,,
  marv and ferg are both better than jonas on the left,
  bigi and anita are better in CDM, yet he still plays abeid is better also in that possition

  obertan should not even be on our bench,, im yet to see what options he bring to the team

• 34 Thump // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:15 PM

  Excellent news. Glad to see the board looking at stability rather than the revolving door of old – now it’s up to Pardew to repay that faith.

• 35 Dannyo // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:16 PM

  @tarie4
  The REALLY good thing that will come of this is that AP now gets to losen up a bit, and not try to “keep his job” kind of.
  Much of was the feel from i thought last season.
  Good things are to come

• 36 ppb // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:17 PM

  wenger, saf, moyes. all long term managers who prove themselves time after time. pardew to join the ranks?
  5games in and ppl complaining we’re not winning. we are on the same points as spurs and arsenal (right?) 2 rival teams.
  we are picking up points even when playing below par. much like man u have done in the past. is that not the sign of the good team?
  you don’t need to hammer in 4 goals a game to be top 6

• 37 catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:18 PM

  tequilamag

  im sorry if i have ofended you,, but i have put up with shit from a lot of idiots on here for years,, they think its only there blog, and we should all agree with what there thinking,,

• 38 p // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:18 PM

  Dannyo – who said anything about settling for mediocrity?

• 39 Eastander // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:19 PM

  ppb, you do if you concede 3… purely an observation

• 40 cyprus // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:19 PM

  Good points Catchy,
  but to his credit, I think he’s learning. And he talks the talk these days: e.g. Newcastle always play to win (cool top 4 style statement). Not sure why he got an even longer contract than the already long contract he has. Things can go belly up with coaches and your Wengers and Fergies have earned their stripes. Anyway, more importantly, give big fat long contracts to your HBA’s, Ba, Cisse, Tiote etc, now. That’s stability.

  On Obertan, hope he realises he needs to improve. Despite being lively, he did not take on (dribble past) a player yet, at least in a game I’ve seen. But, I do have hopes in him. Finally, he said he’ll be happy with a point nex game, I won’t.

• 41 catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:19 PM

  Dannyo // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:14 PM

  il put a bet on with you right now,, that we are no where near 5th this year,

  it was a large slice of luck that got us there

• 42 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:20 PM

  All you need to do is look how many managers we have had in the last 6 years and how far it has gotten us. Answer mid table mediocracy and relegation. It obviously does not work and long term manegerial stability could be the answer, hopefully last season being a taste of what is to come

• 43 xmindcrimex // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:21 PM

  love it!

• 44 ppb // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:21 PM

  did anybody spot obertan spotting passes through their defense to shola/vuckic/cisse on many an occasion. no great crosses but got the ball to a mans feet in the box loads.

• 45 tequilamag // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:22 PM

  Catchy I am pretty thick skinned. Not so much offended as bemused as to why you think insulting other posters is going to help your argument. 8 years is a long contract and it could backfire on us in the future. But on balance I think Pardew has done a much better job than anyone could have anticipated.

• 46 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:22 PM

  Catchy
  ????
  We’ve played 442 for most the season so no we havent had 3 CDMs and know your statement complaing about jonas not playing on the left you now want to drop him for marv who had been pretty poor so far this season? As for ferguson, like sammy he’s also been injured

  Abied is not a cdm either and no ones seen enough of him at a competitive level to know how good he is

  As for your opinion on obertan you maybe right but im still failing to see how he has “walked onto our first team” who would you have put on the bench then bearinh in mind our injuries?

  Oh and yeah i do watch our games try have you noticed or something that way you dont sound so condescending

• 47 Dannyo // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:23 PM

  @P
  catchy did.

• 48 tarie4 // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:23 PM

  Dannyo

  Right U are hahaha right U are. I mean no matter what Ashley and del boy do, they will still get criticized. Now look at it this way carver, stone, pards, woody, and carr all given long term deals. That’s the foundation of a successful club. And allows them to stamp their identity on the team. Be it the first team to the under 18s. And this also shows the board trusts them enough to take the club forward.

  toonking
  U will see Cisse was getting ready at 1-0 he was already coming on, very unfortunate they then scored.. But yeh he does take tym with his subs, but with more high level matches etc he will get better and better. Remember HOOTS was also terrible at them.

  But hey. Toon fans are hard to please. I think more than the Liverpool fans and thats saying alot

• 49 hotdog // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:23 PM

  Got to agree with Catchy – Its as plain to see as the nose on your face that we needed reinforcements at Centre Back and we failed. Plus my be went out of the window last night. All this talk of players being tired is complete bull. Liverpool used 15 players and played every sat and wed int he 80′s.
  Lets say it was March and we had a Semi final Europa game on Thursday and a Premier game v Spurs on the Sunday would we completely change the team then i wonder. Great opportunity missed again. 42 years and counting!

• 50 ppb // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:23 PM

  @eastander. git lol

• 51 estechco // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:24 PM

  “a vital clog in the Newcastle United wheel” …

  You been watching too much Shexy Dutch football Ed? )

• 52 gstadt // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:25 PM

  Think its great news up the premiership we go ….

• 53 catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:26 PM

  tequilamag

  you see no matter how i phrase things,, i always get abuse, so i stopped being polite, and act the way they do to me,,

  yes it may back fire,, but it wont,, this is the best squad of players since98,, but he dont know how to use them,, we have great attac minded players, but he plays them to deep,,

  pardews so called under studies, get the ball down and play good football. we dont

• 54 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:26 PM

  So that’s why Pardew was ‘happy to go with what we’ve got’, knowing the cash would be funneled in his direction instead.

• 55 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:26 PM

  Ppb@36
  Well said

• 56 p // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:27 PM

  @ 49 – you know the deal, they will not pay above market.

  I think they tried for a CF and defenders but were quoted prices too high for their liking.

  I reckon Debuchy or someone may come in January

• 57 Dannyo // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:28 PM

  @catchy
  Do tell me your estimation on the table then. And do please add the reason why.
  And if i disagree, i’ll give mine too.

• 58 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:28 PM

  @ Hotdog

  Since when did pardew wright the cheques and pay for our transfers ? . For all we know he could have wanted Douglas, De Jong and Debuchy but Ashley & Llambiad couldn’t agree terms. It has been well documented Pardew and Carr come up with a list of players they want and then it is up to the powers that be to get a deal done for the targets at a set price, if not its on to the next one

• 59 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:30 PM

  Write rather

• 60 Thump // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:30 PM

  Lads, Catchy isn’t the most eloquent lad but he makes some bloody good points and encourages debate – he’s not having a go, he’s just giving some fair and justified criticism.

  For what it’s worth, Catchy, I completely agree. Our midfield and forward line doesn’t seem to link up and I suspect that it’s largely due to the style of play which is a tad on the defensive at times. I get the whole “attack as a team, defend as a team” set up and I enjoy it to be honest, but when the midfield is trying to look for that one pass through to the forwards, it almost always fails or they start again – as we saw last night.

• 61 toonLYF // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:30 PM

  in this time of divided thoughts on the future progress of our club, i think one song from the terraces of St James Park is very relevant.

  This club is my club,
  made out of two clubs,
  to form united;
  oh what a great club.
  We’ll always be there,
  win, lose we dont care,
  we are the Geordies of NUFC.

• 62 JackButler // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:31 PM

  Could it be that we are finally going to have the stability that we need???

  Brilliant news that not only Pardew gets and eight year deal but his back room staff as well

• 63 Thump // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:32 PM

  RE: Pardew’s new contract, I’m not sure if it is a straight 8 year deal. Knowing how Ashley handled Nolan and Barton’s contract (and likely Simpson’s too), it’ll be an extension once the current contract goes to an end and if my maths is right (highly unlikely!), he has 3 years to see out and then this 5 year extension will kick in.

• 64 p // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:32 PM

  Catchy, I think we have a decent squad of players but I think as fans we perhaps overrate them.

  At the end of the day, who are big boys coming in for and bid $20m, $30m?

  No question that there is some serious talent in there (HBA in particular) but I still think the squad punches above it’s weight and you have to give some credit to the coaching staff (and hence tactics) for that.

• 65 hotdog // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:32 PM

  Its all ifs and butts – I agree that we dont pay over the odds for players but there are plenty of good centre backs and we should have brought one in. It will cost us this year if we dont move in January.

• 66 Thump // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:33 PM

  @toonLYF: Bloody hell, haven’t heard that one in a while mate!

• 67 ppb // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:33 PM

  i genuinely see us 6th-8th this year. can anybody name 8 or more teams they think could finish above us? i can’t

• 68 tequilamag // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:34 PM

  Catchy, everyone has opinions as to who should play and how we should play. Yours is just as valid as anybody else. I would just say that nobody on here knows the full picture. Perhaps some of the less than great form can be down to injuries to some our players plus fatigue from the euros rather than mismanagement from Pardew. Its early days still.

• 69 Dannyo // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:34 PM

  I think u should all take note that Carver is a born and bred Geordie, and he’s just signed an 8 year deal for this club, cause he wants to bring it stability and he bleeds black and white more than the most of us.

  Are u really that daft that u think he, John Carver, would do such a thing if Carver thought that the great club that is Newcastle United, would settle for mediocricy?
  Or that he thought MA would not be good for this club?
  Do u think he likes the SD more than we do?

  Carver signed cause he has belief in this, his fellow coaches, Pardew, MA and his club.
  Use your heads for once.

• 70 cyprus // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:35 PM

  @64,
  I disagree. Many top teams are eyeing HBA, BA, Cisse and Tiote, they will swoop, we must be ready…

• 71 catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:35 PM

  top

  man c
  man u another close one
  chelsea
  ars
  spurs
  everton
  liverpool
  if we are lucky 8th fighting fulham and swansea

• 72 tarie4 // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:36 PM

  catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:19 PM

  Dannyo // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:14 PM

  il put a bet on with you right now,, that we are no where near 5th this year,

  it was a large slice of luck that got us there

  some supporter U are catchy… Some supporter you are..

  Ferguson has had the biggest share of luck any manager has ever wished for. I mean if U want to talk about lucky, look no further than man U… How many games have they played poorly and still won, against 10men Liverpool they were outplayed. If pards is as half lucky as that red nosed fellow. Then wow, we are in for a good season AGAIN

• 73 JackButler // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:38 PM

  catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:35 PM

  top

  man c
  man u another close one
  chelsea
  ars
  spurs
  everton
  liverpool
  if we are lucky 8th fighting fulham and swansea

  ———————————————————

  Sorry mate but Liverpool will not get close to the top 7/8 in the league, I think we will be fighting it out with Everton for 5th place, maybe Spurs

• 74 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:39 PM

  @ Cathy

  I agree we had some slices of luck but beating Man United 3-1 and Chelsea 2-0 was hardly lucky it was hard work & effort from the players and managers alike.

• 75 p // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:39 PM

  Dannyo – well they are trying to emulate Arsenal.

  It’s the smartest strategy in times of Oil Sheiks and Russian oligarchs.

  Like Arsenal, some fans at some times will question stuff and think the solution is to splash the cash on new players, sack the manager etc but that is inevitable.

• 76 tarie4 // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:40 PM

  hotdog // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:23
  . All this talk of players being tired is complete bull. Liverpool used 15 players and played every sat and wed int he 80?s.

  Yes in the 80′s but I am sure we are In 2012… The game has changed and is way faster now. Dnt U agree??

• 77 catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:40 PM

  as this fifa fair play thing kicks in prperly, i dont see many spending like they did,, but this want stop them selling our good players for good money,,,

  lets face it,, on paper we are not making much money, but we all know that we have to be making more than they say,, huge stadium full every match,, selling thousands of shirts, and yet they report, swansea make more money than us hhmmmmmm

• 78 ppb // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:41 PM

  @catchy i can’t disagree with that league table too much. like i said 6th-8th

• 79 p // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:41 PM

  cyprus – same deal as Andy Carroll right?

  Works for me – they can have any of those for $35m a pop.

• 80 toonLYF // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:42 PM

  Thump – i’ve noticed it’s crept it’s way back onto the terraces recently, it’s my favourite one to hear echoing round the Gallowgate.

• 81 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:43 PM

  @ Catchy

  I think that will have alot to do witn Swansea being the only team from wales in the Premier League TBH like

• 82 t00ntime // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:44 PM

  @p 20 or 30mil wont be happening much anymore for our players, not because there bad but other then santon our best players are all 25+ and with the new rules from uefa coming in the ‘big boys’ will want the top of the top or 20/21 year olds. We have great players but there are better out there

• 83 ppb // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:44 PM

  @jb just like i said we can’t judge our team after 5 games i believe the same goes for Liverpool. they may start gelling soon. everton might drop in form

• 84 Constanstine // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:45 PM

  The 5th place is definitely up to snatch, Liverpool is down while Spur isn’t as good as they was last year. At this point of time I see Everton as our only main thread.

• 85 catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:45 PM

  tarie4 // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:36 PM

  come on,,,

  fergie is lucky, we all know that,, but he gets his teams playing football,, the right way,, even when his squad,,isnt as good, he is still up there every year,, thats no luck,, but good managment

• 86 Dannyo // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:45 PM

  @Catchy

  Top
  Man Utd
  Man City
  Arsenal
  Chelsea
  Newcastle
  Tottenham
  Everton
  Liverpool

  I think we’ll have our hands full with Everton, but remember their squad is as small as ours even. Tottenham, i can’t see AVB getting them run fluidly and Liverpool u can forget. Directors, staff, amangement, it’s all been replaced. Gonna take 1-2 season to get back up and running.
  And they need to sell now.

• 87 ppb // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:48 PM

  everton struggle when they have 2 players injured or banned. outside the first 11 they’re quite average

• 88 catchy in norway // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:48 PM

  Dannyo

  we have the players,, i just doubt pardew,,,

  we play poorly to often, we never look like we will thrash anyone,, scoring goals always looks hard for us,, and it shouldnd be,,

  im not saying we could chalenge top 4, but with the right manager, we would be up there,, and 8 years is way to long for him

• 89 p // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:50 PM

  Toontime – that was my point.

  Catchy said we had the best squad in years and implying it was Pardew and co’s inept management that meant their true potential was not being realized.

  I don’t think that is necessarily true that we have the best squad in years in terms of individual players.

  I think the team as a whole, the spirit, the coaching etc as well as significant talent are making us a formidable force in the EPL.

• 90 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:50 PM

  My top 9

  1. Man City
  2. Man United
  3. Chelsea
  4. Arsenal
  5. Spurs
  6. Newcastle
  7. Everton
  8. Liverpool
  9. Fulham

• 91 cupiddstunt // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:56 PM

  toonLYF @ # 18

  I’m inclined to go with your comments there.

  Children who have yet to develop maturity and be able to form inteligent opinions regularly go for the negative as it’s easier to say “that/they/him/her are sh*t rather that build a constructive comment that need a bit of thought.

  Same goes for some “adults” although I use the term adult loosly here.

  I remember the “asset stipper” title that someone on here attatched to MA and the flock of sheep that followed trumpeting the term time and time again, when all it did was show how mornic they were and how they had not one clue as to what the term atually meant.

  And in answer to your question, no we are not just unlucky, I think most teams have their share of f*****g brainless fans, I think the only prob with NUFC is our morons are a little more deluded.

• 92 Big Pappa Cissé // Sep 27, 2012 at 4:57 PM

  @ Catchy

  Maybe Pardew is still assembling his best team ?. We know Ashley is not going to buy all the players Pardew needs in one transfer window and for all we know he will play Tiote,Cabaye & Anita in midfield. It is obvious he wanted Debuchy, another CB and a striker but it was not up to him at the end of the day. I still think in a season or two so long as we have the same squad with a few more Graham Carr gems we will see Pardew’s true intentions

• 93 Dannyo // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:00 PM

  @catchy
  I see what you’re saying mate.
  Fielding all our best players, do u see them playing for the CL? I dunno, i think it’s close, but i think AP got the most out of his side last season.
  Now injure 4 of the key players? How far are we slipping away?

  If it’s down to anything, it’s not AP, it’s the man with the money.
  And i’m not gonna add too much fuel to that fire, cause i support the structure we’ve set up.

  Best thing to say is we’ll see at the end of the season. I think we’ll be battling top 6, and the reason for that is cause AP values the league the most.

• 94 kingkilkline // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:01 PM

  This is great news. We need a stable club and with Carr signing too it’s a good day didn’t see the game last night. Reads as though we played well. HWTL

• 95 GeordieTwo // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:03 PM

  As far as the 8 year deals go it doesn’t make sense to me. All it might do is introduce complacency. Does this mean Llambias will get an 8 year deal as well (shudder)? We have done well in the league for 1 season, that’s right 1 season. Let’s see how we do over the next 2 or 3. If we slide this season because of lack of depth where does that leave it? Pardew does seem to be a good man manager but tactically I’m not so sure. I still think we are headed for a 7th or 8th place finish this season. Do you reward a whole manager/coaching group after 1 fairly successful season? I imagine it has something to do with what they are getting as wages more than how we are going to do.

• 96 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:09 PM

  Catchy
  In all fairness we havent had our starting 11 available to us since the spurs, if we get a couple of wins that winning mentality will return and mote confident and attractive performances will follow

• 97 bollance // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:09 PM

  Does this mean other clubs are looking at pards?

  With a long term contract it will cost a lot to prize pards away now.

  Manager of the season last year so he is doing something right.

  Instability got us relegated (how many mangers that year?). Our club is pioneering but 8 years takes a lot of pressure off pards. Arguably pards has excelled under pressure.

  Will that be a good idea?

• 98 kingkilkline // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:11 PM

  I imagine the 8 year deal is to put off potential suitors, like the bin dippers, spuds etc

• 99 arroeben // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:12 PM

  Dont understand people. Pardew on new 8 year contract more with us, people arent happy. Saying ashley is just looking to sell.

• 100 GeordieTwo // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:29 PM

  Why not do this 8 year contract thing at the end of this season if we play well and finish in the top 5 again? What happens if we slump because of the extra games and injuries? If we finish 8th for example will people still be happy with an 8 year deal for the manager? Where does this leave Llambias? Is Ashley going to extend his contract as well even if the squad remains thin in talent? It’s not as if every incoming player has been brilliant. Obertan has been anything but. Williamson has been just adequate but will not take us up the table. Marveaux is still a big question mark. This doesn’t make sense to me. Stability would be fine if we were an established top 4 side for the last 2 or 3 years but what are we actually stabilizing? We don’t know yet as far as I can tell.

• 101 Ruddy Marveaux-lous // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:36 PM

  Where’s Shola’s new eight-year deal?

• 102 bollance // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:39 PM

  For anyone interested

  Adam Armstrong (striker) & Freddie woodman (gk) both 15 and play for u18 team are starting for England u16 tonight 7.35pm (bst) vs northern ireland.

  Live on skysports 2 or

  http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=171992&part=sports

• 103 ITUNDERASHELL // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:40 PM

  Ashley is protecting his assets. It also creates a stable environment so Pardew does not feel he needs to buy players who can slot straight into the first team squad to obtain short term results.
  Instead players like Bigirama and Good can be brought in to develop under our guidance over the medium term.
  The future for our club will be to pickup the best Carr can find , probably below 21or thereabouts and not costing silly money.
  Pardew and his coaches/scouts need this to develop teams over the longer period, Arsenal ans Man United have been doing this for years.
  The difference this time is we have a cetain Graham Carr on an 8 year contract. so expect many more like that fabulous young lad Bigirama who will be a regular by the end of the season and clubs like Man United will be bidding for him big style in the summer.

• 104 Jamesthefirst // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:42 PM

  Brilliant news. Finally after all these years Ashley has made a statement of intent that we are going to have stability at the club.

  Yes there might be times when we struggle but at least we know he will back the manager through it.

  And the worst thing is if we improved on last year and someone tries to poach Pardew.

  An 8 year contract means two things:

  1) A club has been making enquiries about taking Pardew
  2) Ashely is here for the duration.

• 105 Jamesthefirst // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:47 PM

  Not to mention the boost this will give to the dressing room. We are going to build something here and make the club great again.

• 106 GeordieTwo // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:47 PM

  Well thought out ITUNDERASHELL @103. It makes a lot of sense thinking about it that way but in many cases young ones don’t work out no matter who selects them. It’s a high risk strategy but Ashley will make money out of it even though we may never win anything under him. He probably likes it because it is high risk. I think we will finish around 7th and not be playing in Europe next year. We will be no closer to Champions League football, in fact farther away. Will Ashley be concerned? No because the really big TV revenue begins next season and his pockets will begin to fill in earnest.

• 107 toonLYF // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:48 PM

  GeordieTwo – yes i would be happy with 8th under those circumstances. No manager in the world can help injuries, or fixture congestion. All you can do is buy more back-up players, which i’m guessing MA has pretty much granted Pardew due to making him a long term figure.

• 108 joe // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:53 PM

  Regarding Vuckic, somebody mentioned that it might be our tactics that made him unable to shine and for the record I completely agree.

  My guess is that shining in the defensive midfield position with only 1 player coming to close you down occasionally is much easier than doing well in the attacking midfield position where you’re being closed down by both the midfield and the defence. Our style of play doesn’t make it easier also, as we are very direct (we had to against Man Utd) and a lot of times the game just passed Vuckic by. In this type of game, the only way someone can really shine is if he is of the Kevin Nolan mould, ie doesn’t really look to get on the ball but gets in the box and back. It’s no surprise that Ben Arfa has also failed to shine in the CAM role in our team!

  Vuckic is infinitely more skillful and a better footballer (not necessarily player) than Bigirimana, but the way he plays, he looks to drop deep to receive the forward pass from the midfield rather than doing a Nolan, which is to get forward to support his striker, similiar to what Ben Arfa does. In essence, he plays like a continental CAM (which he is) rather than an English CAM. However, because of that he needs close support from our midfield and wingers and strikers, which he isn’t getting. Instead, you see them running away from him looking for the pass in behind rather than running towards Vuckic to support him. The best I’ve ever seen Vuckic play is that game against Liverpool, for a 10 minute period in the 2nd half where we were dominating possession and Vuckic was linking the team effortlessly from the CAM position.

  So in conclusion, I don’t yet know if Vuckic can adapt his game to suit the style Alan Pardew wants to play. He definitely has the potential to make it, but maybe just not at this club. He has vision, ball control, and passing ability, and the intricacy to play one-twos and in triangles, but we just don’t seem to want to do it at this club. Vuckic isn’t like Kaka, who can burst forward launching counter attacks, nor is he like Nolan, who looks to get into the box as much as he can. If I were to liken him to one player it would be Ozil, and tbf Ozil will suffer in our team as well. What he needs is a high pressure game where the defence presses high up, and the midfielders constantly move and look to receive the ball at feet, like Arsenal do. Until we have that movement I’m not sure he’ll make it at Newcastle.

• 109 GeordieTwo // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:53 PM

  Maybe you’re right toonLYF. I think only time will tell but 8 years in football is an incredibly long time. I just don’t see this as sensible or necessary. For me a 3 year improved deal with performances incentives would keep Pardew much hungrier. Keep him lean and mean as with the players!

• 110 cupiddstunt // Sep 27, 2012 at 5:57 PM

  check the toastie @ # 19

  Just goes to show how your upbringing and character colour your outlook, you see the AP contract as

  “but sort of says that Ashley is happy with the team currently which to be fair is generally playing quite poor.”

  Yep we generally play quite poor which is why we only got 5th last season, such a failed season (dam should learn to do better)

  You are obviously a glass half empty person who suffers the agonies of disaster long long before the disasters actually happen if indeed they actually do happen.

  So when they do not happen you have suffered the agonies for nothing, is that not a waste?????

  I see the new AP contract as they (the board) are happy with the direction of the club, which since the appointment of AP has been in general, upwards. Although history indicates that this may not last, although I am a believer in letting history SHAPE your future not let it SET your future

  Since NUFC’s entry into the Prem we finished like this
  93/94 onwards
  3rd
  6th
  2nd
  2nd
  13th
  13th
  11th
  11th
  4th
  3rd
  5th
  14th
  7th
  13th
  12th
  18th (relegated)
  12th (promo year)
  5th
  An average finish between 8th and 9th not exactly great is it? ( I wonder where the “up where we belong” that so many “fans” preach comes from.)

  another interesting fact we had 18 managers (acting and otherwise) in that time so maybe just maybe this 8 year deal could be the breaking of the mould that sees us yo-yoing up and down the league and actually allows us to make steady progress.

  But will you see that? Probably not, you along with so many others will only see and leap upon the occassional events you percieve as failures.

• 111 Jamesthefirst // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:00 PM

  @joe – best piece I have seen about Harris V, completely agree.

• 112 tequilamag // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:03 PM

  @Joe interesting thoughts on Vuckic. Could be if he got picked with technically better players like Tiote HBA and Jonas he would be showing more of the form we all expected from him. Tough call though to pick him ahead of Cabaye.

• 113 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:04 PM

  Missed a lot of the fun here lads.

  Saw a comment about the style of football Ferguson get’s his teams playing. That is true. However, he has been able to establish this over many years via stability. I’m a bit young to remember, but can someone tell me, when Ferguson took over Man U did this happen within 2 years? From the main team to the youth team? I doubt it.

  Pardew inherited a team, that had been passed between many managers. Hoots had done a great job at making us a team, something that had been lacking for a while. Pardew needs time to get the players playing some proper football. In the meantime, yes, he can be quite defensive, but overall it’s done us well, no? We have technical players, who are capable of good passing movement, but that doesn’t mean the “team” are ready for this yet.

  Eight years is a long contract, but surely it calms everyone involved? Contracts can be cancelled? Let’s not be foolish, if Pardew became too complacent and didn’t live up to his contract he’ll be gone, as with any employee in any business.

• 114 cupiddstunt // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:08 PM

  By the way I don’t know if it had been said but I think the 8yr deal is to pre-empt the possibility of England coming calling in the near future and offering AP the national post.

  He was mentioned as a possibility at the last posting and may be brought up again (pending Hodgesons performances) at the next so this means they will have to compensate the club well if they want to tempt him away

• 115 GeordieTwo // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:13 PM

  A good balanced debate with good points on both sides. It’s much better to be arguing about a successful team playing good football than the days of Roeder, Kinnear etc isn’t it?

• 116 toonarmydownsouth // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:19 PM

  Sorry to say although all the poibts made about vuckic are good points the position he plays doesnt detract from the problems with his game, the lad is lightwieght i’ve never seen a player crumple like he does under run of the mill challenges, he has no pace to play the triangle passing stlye because he just isnt mobile and to be honest i really dont think he has passibg ability he couldnt manage to find anyone last night his passes were short or behind his team mates and the worst thing for me, as a player trying to earn a place on the bench, trying to play his way to the senior team, he pulled out of every 50-50 and didnt challenge for any ariel balls and didnt make any attempt to close down the opposition or try and win back possesion for me thats a sin for any midfielder be it CDM CM or CAM

  For me harris is very far of the first team and is slipping futher behind the other youth players which is wrong seeing as how long he’s been at the club very slow progression

• 117 microbar // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:28 PM

  Is this to make up for the signings we missed out on ?…

• 118 beefman13 // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:31 PM

  cupid, the owner has handed 8 year contracts to all our coaching staff and chief scout, they all have a hunger a bond and a desire to do well for newcastle that goes for our players as well, i applaude the decision to award long contracts.

  We can keep moving forward, and why shouldnt we, the arsenal blueprint is perfect for us we have maybe best scouting system in the prem already.

  You build the club up from within itself and it can grow and grow I think we have found a formula that works for us and i see no reason why it should not continue.

  we have world class players and class players coming through the ranks, tavernier for me looked as good as any man utd youngin last night, a terrific kid who can play anywhere along the back four, quick and strong and skillful, big and fergie great kids, and amilafatano will show in europe that he is a fine asset as well.

  Hatem ben Arfa for me is the most skillful player ever to play for the toon, worth the admission alone.

  For me there is nothing to moan about whatsoever, we are doing really well and ahead of schedule, A settled spirited bonded playing and coaching s and scouting staff can take you anywhere, we have that.

  Another season in the top six and that is with us being in europe as well is what i believe we will achieve.

• 119 Ian Toon // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:44 PM

  cupiddstunt@110 Your spot on. How quickly the drivel written by
  check the toastie fades from the memory. You went to a lot of trouble
  to state the glaringly obvious. Far to many still don’t understand the game plan. Of course there are commercial considerations – hello!

• 120 Marty-Toon // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:46 PM

  Ok lads,
  I reckon we also will be between 6-8 place.I can’t see us gettin into 5th this year.
  A lot of clubs spent big this summer which of course doesn’t say they’ll do well because of expenditure but it’ll be tough to break 5th.
  The one thing that may get us there is with Cisse scoring again and BA off to a good start that we see those 2 guys scoring like Cole n York did for utd.
  I reckon they’ll find the partnership coming together soon.
  The fear I have for the team is one or 2 weak links.
  We have quality in the reserves,Abeid,Bigi,Vuckic,Fergie,Tav,red headed dynamo,Gosling.
  I think a major weak link is Obertan and AP seems to want to make a point in putting him in the team until he comes good.
  Obertan even says himself that he was happy with his display last night.
  He didn’t appear in the 2nd half !

• 121 Readingmag // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:55 PM

  No one mentioned England role in 2/3 years time.

• 122 Ian Toon // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:56 PM

  joe@108- On Vuckic. You deserve credit given that so many just happily write him off. I happen to largely agree with you. Cabaye also suffers in a similar way . I believe that Pardew wants to play a higher passing line game but has for well known reasons had to make do. Vuckic has undoubted talent and his injuries have slowed his development. Gerrard suffered around the same age from countless muscle injuries. I share your frustration with those fans who write our players off too early. I do see the system you outline emerging in time.

• 123 beefman13 // Sep 27, 2012 at 6:57 PM

  TDS, of course we have been missing the core of our team and quite rightly that does affect how you play, we have that coming back.
  in many a previous seasons with different managers and owners we did not have the scouting system we have now, we are running the club totally different from any time in the past, a system that can continue to bare fruit instead of nearly putting us in to administration.

  i can see tiote cabaye ben arfa being here for seasons to come and they will eventually move on ad we will regenerate ie like arsenal they may have sold a lot of their best players but they have had many good seasons out of them before they go, Nasri went for the money as much as arsenal wanted to sell a bit like AC here.

  arsenal may not have won much lately but still play the best footie outside of barca for me, that said they have still won plenty with this system including the unbeaten season which was incredible.

  we will always it seems have something along the line to moan about it seems but lets just look and see were we are from three years ago!

  Would anyone anywhere in football believe we could have achieved what we have, i say most probably not, a plan that is taking affect and we are going along very well indeed and imo it will continue.

• 124 beefman13 // Sep 27, 2012 at 7:13 PM

  Lads we got relegated three years ago, is there anyone on this blog who would have said we would now be in europe and have genuine world class players playing for us.

  Is there anyone why would not have taken this scenario Were we are today and the position we are in from three years ago, yet there is still bits of niggle and bickering, i seriously cant believe it, lets not forget most said it would take us 2 3 4 years to get out of the championship alone!!!!

• 125 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 27, 2012 at 7:15 PM

  Beefman….I agree completely. Always wanting more now. Success is built, it doesn’t come overnight. Yes Ashley start wasn’t wonderful and rightly people weren’t happy, but come on, for me it’s right there to see. Progress is being made and at quite a rate too.

• 126 beefman13 // Sep 27, 2012 at 7:25 PM

  Good lad ibiza, i think a lot need of our fans who are still not happy need just to think it through a bit.

  next week a big europa league game and then Man Utd, who brilliant is that.

  Most thought it would be a Johnstones paint tie against crewe followed by a visit to peterboro three years ago.

  Everything is bright, the future`s black and white!!!!

• 127 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Sep 27, 2012 at 7:43 PM

  Beefman….Stop it, you’re getting me all emotional over here

• 128 9 // Sep 27, 2012 at 8:46 PM

  Well it seems Pardiola getting a new, improved 8-year contract is controversial amongst posters. What!! 5th last year (predicted by nobody on the planet) and voted League manager of the year, and numpties are critical!?!?!

  What on earth do they expect from a manager?

  I do agree 8 years is VERY long. I also see why a shrewd businessman would deploy such a contract. England/ anyone else listening? Our owner can’t be beaten in deals and tactics, which is why, incidentally, I fully expect Debuchy to be wearing black and white after January on our terms, not the Lille guy’s.

• 129 @timuJ // Sep 27, 2012 at 9:14 PM

  This is good news for us. Pardew and the backroom staff have a genuine desire to take us to where we should be. Regarding the complacency issue, I don’t think managers operate on the same mandate as most players these days. they get into management for the thrill of building a squad and implementing their philosophies. Pardew will be more at ease and the new contract will fill him with confidence that he can succeed. why do people want a manager under pressure to get results with the fear of not getting a new deal/being sacked. that’s absurd.

• 130 89Norcal // Sep 27, 2012 at 9:29 PM

  timuj, well said. Pardew has tremendous foresight it seems and this deal will benefit him.

• 131 Krul to be Kind // Sep 27, 2012 at 9:34 PM

  Oh no guys… How rude, a love in and I wasn’t invited? Beefman and Ibiza, I absolutely share your sentiments boys, building sustainable success! Keep the positive vibes lads!

• 132 HarrogateMag // Sep 28, 2012 at 12:49 AM

  But he has demonstarted that he is a good manager, not only over last season, and most of our seconf half performances are better than the first as he adjusts the formations

• 133 stuart no9 // Sep 28, 2012 at 8:10 AM

  AP – 8 year deal is just ridiculous. another example of ash not knowing what he is doing.

• 134 Colo-Sus // Sep 28, 2012 at 8:39 AM

  Since when did pardew wright the cheques and pay for our transfers ? . For all we know he could have wanted Douglas, De Jong and Debuchy but Ashley & Llambiad couldn’t agree terms. It has been well documented Pardew and Carr come up with a list of players they want and then it is up to the powers that be to get a deal done for the targets at a set price, if not its on to the next one

  Spot on Big Pappa Cisse

• 135 numba9 // Sep 28, 2012 at 10:06 AM

  Hope the boss has had promise of money to spend where needed. He needs full backing and that includes transfers in