West Brom manager Steve Clarke joined Newcastle as the Assistant manager to Ruud Gullit, when the Dutchman was appointed the Newcastle manager, after Kenny Dalglish was fired early in the 1998-1999 season.
Steve Clarke – West Brom manager and former Newcastle coach
Ruud only lasted one season on Tyneside, and was fired about a year into the job, after Newcastle were beaten 2-1 in the home game at St. James’ Park against Sunderland, and he had left Alan Shearer out of the starting line-up for that game .
Gullit was fired by then Chairman Freddy Shepherd immediately after the game that very wet night in Newcastle – it rained cats and dogs throughout the game .
But Steve Clarke stayed on at Newcastle and worked with Bobby Robson, who was brought in to manage Newcastle, who at the time were second bottom of the league with just 2 points in September of 1999.
Steve has said a number of times he learned a lot about football management from Bobby, and he talked today in the local press about Newcastle’s legendary manager:
“I was lucky to work with Bobby for a year and I took a lot from the way he dealt with and managed the players.” “He was great to me because he knew I was a young coach who wanted to learn and he sat me in on some of the meetings when he was one-to-one with a player.”
“He would have me there to watch and observe and see how he spoke to and dealt with players and that was absolutely invaluable for me.” “It was just his manner and his way of getting the best out of players. As a manager there is not one way to get the best out of a number of different people.”
“There are a number of different ways to get the best, and Bobby seemed to have the gift of being able to recognise and understand what sort of motivational tool he had to use at that time.”
And Steve didn’t stop at praising Bobby Robson, and he had some good words to say about our current manager Alan Pardew, who of course won the Premier League Manager of the Year and the LMA Manager of the Year awards for last season, when Newcastle finished in 5th place – the highest we had finished since Bobby was managing the club.
Clarke continued:
“I thought they were fantastic last season.” “I would say it is the best team since that Sir Bobby team that did really well. “They came out of that into a period that was a little more rocky and now they’re trying to get that stability back. “If you can get stability at any club then it makes it easier for the people who are trying to make it successful.”
We still hope Newcastle can be fantastic this season, but we’ve got to start winning games rather than just drawing them, and hopefully, we can start a winning streak tomorrow against Steve Clarke’s side West Brom, who have looked a good side so far this season.
We need the win tomorrow.
Howay The Lads!!
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144 comments so far
toonarmydownsouth
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:06 PM
Comment #41Seantoon
No worries hope you get a ticket
Have you ever been to old trafford? Cracking stadium like and on a boxing day i’d imagine the atmosphere would be fantastic
Graeme
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:06 PM
Comment #42Gateshead,
Nice article, but wouldn’t want to teach hate to anyone. Once they see the reality of how poor the scum really are, they rarely turn to the dark side lol
SupaToonKid
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:10 PM
Comment #43I’d love Anita to get a game tomorrow but he still seems like he needs more time to adapt so probably safer having Perch & Jonas in DM with Yohan at AM.
I really hope though that we get to see Santon & Fergie on the left together. The pace, skill, flair & great crossing on that flank could give WBA huge problems as Ba will get goals if serviced well.
Ashton
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:11 PM
Comment #44SupaToonKid
What are you? 12? isn’t it past your bed time anyway, kid.
seantoon
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:14 PM
Comment #45Yeh mate I went about 2 years ago. It’ was A good day out even though we lost 3-0. Hopefully we’ll give them more of a game this time round like!
toonarmydownsouth
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Comment #46Seantoon
Aye hopefully although we aint doing to well against manure this year like!
seantoon
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:21 PM
Comment #47We will do better once we get our best 11 on the field playing week in week out.
breno95
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:25 PM
Comment #48Since when did the club appoint a new know it all manager in the poster AKA as Ashton?
Read a few threads of late, added a couple of comments, but this poster seems to enjoy thinking he is the best of the best but succeeds in confirming he is nothing but a DH!
If you don’t like others opinions don’t post-simples cos believe it or not it’s not your blog and you are not always right.
Conaldo (The Wizard)
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:32 PM
Comment #49Ashton – please read my post on the previous article re 433. If you have any more than 4 brain cells you will understand.
Conaldo (The Wizard)
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:35 PM
Comment #50Dear Ashton –
Repost.
I have said this before and will continue to say this. We can not play 433 untill every one of our players is in top form. Our defence need to be 100%, and colo must play. We need to have Tiote, or an equally solid holding mid. Then cabaye can roam up the pitch, and the third cm, (Jonas/Anita/perch/bigi) can join up between tiote and cabs. Then we need either three forwards creating opportunitys. We are nearly there and Pardew will know this. Expect 433 after Christmas if we have hit form. Untill them it would be tactical suicide. Especially against a fast team like west brom.
Basically to to sum it up,
We didn’t play well because we played 433
We played 433 because we were playing well.
Ashton
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:37 PM
Comment #51breno95
I like others opinions provided they make sense. I want the best for my club and I’m only criticizing the manager because I care and I want my team to do as good as it’s capable of. Which is a lot better than what we’ve seen this season. But a lot of people are content with our performance this season because they don’t know how good our squad and players are and because of the fact that they have “small club” mentality. I’m trying to change that. alas it would be microscopical or none at all but still it’s better than saying and expressing nothing at all.
Also why are you so upset?
toonarmydownsouth
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:43 PM
Comment #52Ashton
conaldo has echoed the sentiments of most fans why dont you try reading it
It has nothing to do with a small club mentality
Ashton
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Comment #53Conaldo (The Wizard)
We don’t need every player to be fit to pull off the 433. Last season Tiote missed half of the games in which we played 433 due to injuries and suspension. Guthrie replaced him in those games and he isn’t a “solid holding mid”.
Our defense wasn’t 100% either because we were playing with Willo. Also it’s very unlikely to play the same 433 as last season because
1- Ba hates playing out wide and he won’t do it especially with his great goal scoring form
2- Pardew promised Ba at the start of the season to play him centrally in the majority of the games. 90% was quoted I think.
So there you go. Your premise is wrong. Also the reason why the 433 works so well for us is because it allows two of our best players to play more freely in Cabaye and Ben Arfa. It’s as simple as that. Giving those two creative freedom and our whole team plays better.
Ashton
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:53 PM
Comment #54Conaldo (The Wizard)
Also saying playing 433 is a tactical suicide and implying 422 will be better against WBA is just wrong. 433 is more defensive than 442. It allow us to control the midfield more because when defending it turns to 451 because both Ba and Ben arfa tracking back.
toonarmydownsouth
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:56 PM
Comment #55Conaldo
Why did you waste your time your an idiot who knows nothing about football!!! 😉
Ashton his premise isnt wrong, at all, full stop.
But your right we can get guthrie to fill in, oh wait, what? We released him? Oh dear
And willos on top form
Ashton
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:57 PM
Comment #56Also the tracking back of Ba and Ben Arfa in the 433 gives us more bodies in midfield which manifests to less space for the opposition when they are attacking. Thus defensively it’s far more secure and un”suicidal” than the 442.
Big Pappa Cissé
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:04 PM
Comment #57I kind of agree with Ashton like. For me Cabaye and Ben Arfa are the two most important players that will get our team firing on all cylinders. I personally would play 4-3-3 with Ba out wide but as mentioned Pardew has promised him a central role so I don’t see it happening therefore I would play
————————-Krul————————-
–Simpson—Taylor——-Collocini—Santon–
————Tiote—————-Anita————————————–Cabaye—————————
————————HBA——————————————Cisse—————–Ba——————
A kind of 4-3-1-2 with Tiote and Anita playing deep with Cabaye slightly further forward. Also Ben Arfa can play link up man with the strikers in the hole. Narrow yes but if we sign Debuchy in jan both fullbacks can bomb forward to give us width and Anita & Tiote can cover them
Conaldo (The Wizard)
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:06 PM
Comment #58Yes Ashton. Because relying on ba and Ben arfa as defenders is a good idea, how is using Ben arfa and ba as defenders more defensive than using guttierez, cabaye, and bigi/Anita/perch, and Ben
Arfa? Howay man.
Conaldo (The Wizard)
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:07 PM
Comment #59You say we want Ben arfa freed up but then you say he should be back defending.
numba9
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:08 PM
Comment #60Think cisse should watch a few Andy cole DVDs to get the knack of bread and butter penalty area finishes and movement because the lad has everything else in abundance
BelfastMagpie
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:11 PM
Comment #61It’ll be 4-4-2 with Jonas on the left again.
Would much rather see young Ferguson Lw.
I like Jonas but I just see him holding back the likes of Fergie & Sammy Ameobi now.
Ashton
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:12 PM
Comment #62toonarmydownsouth
My notion about Guthrie in my last post was to project the fact that he isn’t a “solid holding midfielder” or equal to Tiote. But you wouldn’t understand that would you. Instead of understanding what I wrote you opted to poke fun in something that had nothing to do with the purpose of my thoughts.
toonarmydownsouth
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:13 PM
Comment #63BPC
Could work but depends on alot of ifs and buts.
If your looking at for the game tomos then anita shouldnt start not and ba whis sciring for fun should defo not be playing on the wing
Conaldo (The Wizard)
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:14 PM
Comment #64Reasons why we should not play 433 TOMMORROW.
1. Tiote is not playing
2. Cisse is not scoring.
3. Colo/Saylor/simmo just coming back
4. Jonas off form
5. Cabaye just coming back into form.
6. Our holding midfielders haven’t had too much game time (Anita bigi perch) the last few games.
I am not saying never play 433, I agree it is out best formation. However, we need to play it when we are ready. Have patience, it’s the most valuable thing for a nufc fan to have. If you want to win every game and instant success to win trophies etc, sorry to say this club isn’t for you.
BelfastMagpie
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:14 PM
Comment #65Still a usefull player like,just not a winger.
catchy in norway
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:16 PM
Comment #66ashton,,
im 100% behind you on what you are saying,,, i think the most of the fans that come on here only seem to see us as a mid table team, pretty much the pardew sees it,, and a few of us see this squad we have and say wow,, we really do have good footballers at the club
we have a great goalie , some great defenders, Colo would walk into every team in the league right now,,
tiote cabaye and HBA all great at there jobs HBA is one of the most skillful players in the league,
2 up front that can score goals
what i feel is most ppl hang on to the past to long and want to keep things as they are and not move forward,,,
in pardew this season and mid part of last he loses faith in his teams true ability, and goes out to steal a 1-0 win, by setting the team up defensivly,, ther is a mile between our midfield and HBA BA CISSE,
jonas, Tiote and cabaye all sitting in front of our defense defenders pumping long balls up to ba and cisse or given it to HBA and see if he can create anything
Pardew relies on Oertan and shola and perch as his main subs most games,,,
pardew talks the other players up but dosnt give them a real chance when it comes down to the league
pardew even has us playing very defensive against teams that will be fighting relegation come may next year and i for 1 think that is sad,, as to me he is ssaying he dont trust his team,,,
obertan , jonas, shola, as attacking players are not any type of force to worry about, between them there is about 3 goals a season and about as many assists (IMO) and the stats back that up we are still waiting for shola to live up to his potential , hmmm he is 31, jonas is just out of ideas, and obertan is a sprinter,
fergy should be in the first team right now, every game he has been in this season, he creates at least 1 clear cut chance and many good crosses, he has the legs to get up and down that left side and him and santon will be amazing,,,
sammy
romain
bigi
abeid
campbel
vuckic
tav
these players are our future, i hope pardew see that soon
football is a simple game, try and score goals,, we are not trying to score goals,,,
one last point,, alex ferguson,, his tream last season was the worst man u team i have seen in the prem, player for player against most of the top 6 teams last season, i think he had the worst team, but he was seconds from wining the league with them, is that down to the players or the manager,,, i believe it was fergy,, he made his players believe they could win,, pardew has the best squad he will ever have, and some of you think he is a good man manager,, i think he is holding players back because he is afraid of losing
Conaldo (The Wizard)
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:17 PM
Comment #67I would like to see Jonas in centre midfield tommorow. Play fergie lb, santon rb. Obertan rm, Ben arfa LM. That is the comprise between 433 and 442, attacking in abundance but remaining solid at the back.
Krul
Santon Willo colo fergie
Obertan Jonas cabaye Ben arfa
Ba cisse.
toonarmydownsouth
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:18 PM
Comment #68Ashton
The point is we dont have a guthrie to fill in at CDM at the moment and we didnt replace him as many have said we havent played 433 because we havent been stocked with the players
And yes i will poke fun at you until you treat other poster with the same level of respect you seem to think you deserve but as it is you continue to belittle other posters opinions whilst spouting yours as a fact
MagpiesFlyHigh
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:19 PM
Comment #69Ashton
You stateside ?
Ashton
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:19 PM
Comment #70Conaldo (The Wizard)
Ben Arfa and Ba with the rest of the three men midfield. That’s five which is a greater number than four.
I didn’t say that (59). Every player in our team has defending duties. Even Cisse whether be it in the 433 or 442. But Ben Arfa tracks back less and has less defensive responsibility in the 433 than the 442. Because of the fact that we are playing three across the middle instead of two in the 442.
MacToon
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:20 PM
Comment #71Celebrate the official return of St James’ Park to the premiership tomorrow and hope it remains that way, welcome home.
Going to be a hard home game for us but I always hope for a win. Who cares what formation (well a lot seem to on here!) as long as we play well and hopefully get all 3 points.
Howay the Lads
BelfastMagpie
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:21 PM
Comment #72Bore off Mactoon…
toonarmydownsouth
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:22 PM
Comment #73Catchy
Im sorry how can you be 100% behind what ashton is saying?
All you do is complain that were too defensive so you agree with his notion of playing 2 CDM’s whilst also having Ba and HBA dropping deep to defend aswell?
MagpiesFlyHigh
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:23 PM
Comment #74Catchy
What gives you the right to think you can speak for me in that I (along with most others on here) think we are a mid table side ?
breno95
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:24 PM
Comment #75All these views on AP should play a 442 or 451 or 433 system beg the question where does it end?
I tend to agree with the sentiments of a certain Mr Mancini who says good players should be able to adapt to any system at any point during a game and if they can’t then maybe they should be benched or that they are not good enough.
We have struggled this season or not played as well as most would like. However, injuries and now suspensions have hindered the ability for AP to play what most would see as the best 11.
Overall they have been poor to date and key players have not yet hit form for whatever reason. It has to also be said that Cisse and Ba have not got the best of partnerships again why?
The good news is that, barring the current 3 long term injuries in Raylor, Gosling & Vuckic, AP has a full squad to pick from. With a bit of luck we will not get any more and a settled 11 can be sent out for the next 2-3 months to allow for form to come back due to consistency being achieved.
As for WBA – they are a good team and will pose problems but hopefully home advantage will serve up the 3 points needed to put us back in touch with top 6.
I personally would play Ba on his own with a 5 midfield of HBA, Jonas, Cabaye, Anita, Ferguson and bring Simpson and Saylor back in but that’s my opinion.
PS – Ashton I am not upset and I think you would have to look to the ends of the earth to find a Geordie fan who actually has a small club mentality. In fact you will find that the opposite applies as at times the expectation of many is too big and us toon fans can be a touch over reaching in what can be achieved to what is reality.
Ashton
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:25 PM
Comment #76catchy in norway
I agree. People underestimate how good our players are. We have a top 5 squad we should do a lot better then what we’ve done this season but alas people here are too content with everything because they just don’t realize the caliber of the players we have.
Conaldo (The Wizard)
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:26 PM
Comment #77Catchy – of course you believe in what catchy says. Yous are the same fecking person.
Couple points. Amalfitano and abeid, and even cambell are the future ? Pardew should see that? How by playing them in the first team, or by nurturing them in the second teams untill they are really ready. I know which one says he knows they are the future.
He’s the double league manager of the season, he got us to 5th place and back into Europe. He brought in most of the great players we have. (Ben arfa, cabaye, ba, cisse etc)
What do you want from him? We’ve bad a slow but okey start. We are not at the bottom of the table, we go 9th if we win tommorow, we are only 5points or something off around 4th. Do you want us winning the league? It’s not going to happen. Do you want us getting champions league? So do the rest of us, so does Pardew he has said in several interviews. However that will be a hard task, seeing as the premier league is a money driven league, the teams that spend the most usually finish higher up.
We do not view our club as a small club, we
Do however, support our club, our manager and our players, win lose or draw. Can you say the same?
catchy in norway
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:27 PM
Comment #78lmao TDS, i miss read his post, but in a way i do, i see where he is coming from,
but instaead of dropping deeper, if we do we would have 9 on the goal line,, we need to push up the field,, by atleast 30meters
MacToon
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:29 PM
Comment #79Ha ha, cheers Belfast, love you too x
Ashton
Oct 27, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Comment #80Conaldo (The Wizard)
There will always be suspensions, injuries and people losing form and players just coming back to form . No team ever is 100% in all areas all the time.