In last season’s home game against West Brom, Shane Long in particular caused Newcastle all kinds of problems at the back, as they counter-attacked Newcastle and won the game 3-2, so the lads will need to come up with just how to combat Shane Long’s speed tomorrow.
Shane Long – danger man tomorrow?
And in the previous season in the last game of the season, as you may recall (it’s painful), we were 3-0 up but conceded three goals in the last thirty minutes of the season and plunged from a possible 9th place in the league with a win, to 12th position with the draw, and we even finished behind Sunderland in the league table.
No wonder owner Mike Ashley was fuming after that game.
So West Brom have caused us problems these last couple of games at St James’ Park, and also West Brom this season have looked a much better side under the guidance of former Newcastle coach Steve Clarke.
And Alan Pardew has admitted last year’s game did not have happy memories, as he has this to say during his press conference:
“That was one of my most disappointing games here last year.” “I thought we were too open and they hurt us on the break a few times. They’ve got real pace in their team and so you have to be careful when you attack West Brom.”
“We are in the position we are in because we have drawn a number of games. Some of those draws were not games we deserved to win, but with everyone fit, I’d like to think we can start getting three points. Draws do not really take you anywhere in this league.”
And Alan’s right there and ever since the league gave out 3 points for a win instead of two, winning games is what gets you up the league table.
And people who talk about unbeaten runs – they mean nothing – and we always think that a team could go unbeaten in the league for a whole season and end up with 38 points (38 draws technically) and still be relegated.
So unbeaten runs don’t mean as much as they once did in the olden days, but wins on the trot are what we need.
We need to start a run of wins to challenge the six wins is a row in the league we put up last season before we were beaten 4-0 at Wigan, and it was 4-0 at the half – what a shock that result was.
Maybe we can get the first win of a new run starting tomorrow?
Certainly a win will give the lads some confidence because against Sunderland, Newcastle gave a wonderful display with just 10 men – now we need to start picking up wins – forget the draws.
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26 comments so far
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:25 AM
Comment #1Okay Ed ! We all know that the Baggies are a good team!
Tomorrows game will be a difficult game for us but if we go in with the right attitude and go at them from the start! We still have a chance of beating them!
Don,t hold your breath though. A draw is the more likely result!
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:27 AM
Comment #2When i say “go at them from the start”! I don,t mean like we did against Totenham like we did earlier this year, because if we do that! They will murder us on the Break!
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:33 AM
Comment #3Am i the only one on here this morning?
jawballsaswallwell
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:36 AM
Comment #4“so the lads will need to come up with just how to combat Shane Long’s speed ”
I suggest we buy him!
jesperfuglsang
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:39 AM
Comment #5It is a new season, a new gaøe but the same defense 😉 so anything could happen! lol
…I am not going to try to predict anything before some fundamentalt aspects of our game is changed (it is just way too unpredictable these days)
How would Pards play WBA seeing that every game is different. The same old 442 with the same lineup (besides Tiote)? Probably!
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:39 AM
Comment #6I think if you go back a year or so he was actually once upon a time a Transfer target of ours in the past?
jodemode
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:40 AM
Comment #7To defeat the Baggies we need to be fast paced in defence, and try to control the game with possesion on the offence. Accurate passing and tempo control will tire them, and then we can use our wingers to cut them up. Fergie would be great to start for that reason. I know this sounds crazy, but Marveaux is pretty quick and tricky, maybe a start for him would be good to. Come on TOON!
IITianToon
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:46 AM
Comment #8How about a 4-3-3 encore like last seasons game at Hawthorns with:
Krul
Simmo–Willo–Colo–Santon
Perch–Jonas
Cabaye
Ben Arfa–Ba–Obertan
Subs:Harps,Tayls,Bigi,Ferg,Sammy,Shola,Cisse
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:46 AM
Comment #9@7:
Totally agree with you but Pardew would not have the balls to pick a team like the one you suggest!
Plus there are definitely some of the lads on here who would totally Dis-agree with the idea of picking Marveaux and Ferguson for such an important game!
jodemode
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:47 AM
Comment #10@9… Our conventional team doesnt seem to do so well so why not be unconventional? Thats my point.
jawballsaswallwell
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:50 AM
Comment #11I’m a bit like Pards, like the old 4-4-2. 4-3-3 seems a little untrustworthy, a little continental, if you will.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:57 AM
Comment #12Okay! If we must then let,s start posting starting line-ups:
KRUL
SAYLOR WILLO COLLO JONAS
OBA MARVAUX CABAYE SANTON
FERGUSON CISSE
OR ALTERNATIVELY :
KRUL
SAYLOR WILLO COLLO SANTON
MARVAUX CABAYE HBA JONAS
BA FERGUSSON
These two teams are an idea of what i would do for tomorrows game! WBA are having a good season so far this year and will be up for it. So it is,nt going to be easy!
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Comment #13Or am i being an idiot?
jodemode
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Comment #14@12, thats not unconventional…. just downright unpracticed. I only suggest Fergie at LB and Marveaux at LM because most of the team are used to playing their normal positions (and partnering w/others). Marv and Fergie would be the monkey wrench, or the curve ball if you will. Can always sub later and have fresh “conventional” energetic legs when we need them.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Comment #15Well ! It may not be unconventional, but Pardew would,nt pick a team like either of those two anyway! Have an idea we wil get the same old, same old!
Plus that if we lost anyway with that team, it would be more than likely that he would be crucified by the Press and a lot of the Fans ( so called experts ) on here too!
If such a team is ” Unpracticed “! then i would love Pards to just try it out anyway! And Win or Lose! I would applaud him for it !
jodemode
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Comment #16@15 you are right… if he did choose such a team, and we won it would be great tactical vision. I would laud his logic.
jawballsaswallwell
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Comment #17NEWEXPATMAGPIE, those are quite outrageous 11’s. But who’s to say they wouldn’t click. Me for one, but then again I haven’t the foggiest what’s going on.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Comment #18Tactical Vision !
I would like to think that Pardew has that and has the Nonce to use it occasionally ?
Of course this is all supposition because there is no way he will pick a team like that anyway !
Imagine the headline if Fergusson bagged a hatrick and we win 3-0 on the day!
Oh my god, i,d be extremely pleased and that,s putting it mildly!
jodemode
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Comment #19Ok, here’s what I would pick… Tactically thinking.
—————Krul—————
Anita—Saylor—Colo—Fergie
Oba—-Perch—Cabaye—Marv
———-Ba—Arfa———-
jawballsaswallwell
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Comment #20Jode, you’d leave out Santon, surely not.
jodemode
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Comment #21@20 I would… purely because Fergie is faster. WBA play with speed. Also, it would motivate Santon to play harder when he does play. He would be a sub and can be subbed later. Cushty.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Comment #22@19:
Thats not a bad team either?
But we can pick and choose our own teams as much as we want on here!
WBA are dangerous on the break and i,m not sure Perch would be such a good choice in that position? With Tiote out though, there are,nt many options for the holding midfield position!
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:37 AM
Comment #23We all forgot Campbell ! He is quick too! And on the strength of Thursdays performance deserves at least a place on the Bench?
jodemode
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:38 AM
Comment #24@22 yes… Perch would do fine. He’s quick and thats what we need, an obstacle. He’s got heart… Ole boy would do fine.
jodemode
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Comment #25Yea, I would possibly put campbell on in the last 10 mins to take their edge off. Would be perfect for the young gun.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Oct 27, 2012 at 10:47 AM
Comment #26Okay! Time to go and do something else than this! Bit of gardening maybe!
Will be on again this evening!