The Newcastle United Blog

134 responses so far ↓

• 1 Bucks mag // Nov 5, 2012 at 10:49 AM

  And of the best thing about it? There will be copious amounts of empty seats on Thursday, whilst there will be up to 500+ Mags watching the match in a pub in the city centre. Infuriating!

• 2 Geordie1 // Nov 5, 2012 at 10:56 AM

  Too right “Bucks Mag” they have not been able to sell half there tickets and I think you will find that it more likely to be 5000 watching in Bruges bars whilst the team play in a half empty stadium utter disgrace but I will be there.

• 3 chris_g // Nov 5, 2012 at 10:56 AM

  You’re a bit behind with the news Ed – the “new” manager Georges Leekens has just been sacked
  http://clubbrugge.be/en/news/12652/club-brugge-zet-de-samenwerking-met-georges-leekens-en-rudi-verkempinck-stop

• 4 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 11:16 AM

  Now that we know the verdict on Perch, Cabs and Ba does anybody know what thee status is on Cisse?

  …is he completely unarmed?

• 5 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 11:18 AM

  Now that we know the verdict on Perch, Cabs and Ba does anybody know what the status is on Cisse?

  …is he completely unarmed?

• 6 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 11:21 AM

  *sorry the site crashed on me (so I reposted )

• 7 Jail for Ashley // Nov 5, 2012 at 11:31 AM

  Who’s that inbetween Pards and Obertan on the blog header ?

• 8 Jail for Ashley // Nov 5, 2012 at 11:32 AM

  Bigiriama !

• 9 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 11:37 AM

  JFA…most be or else we have a player I don’t know lol

• 10 Jail for Ashley // Nov 5, 2012 at 11:47 AM

  I’d be happy for that three man midfield of Tiote,Bigi and Anita to start on Thursday night we didn’t create much but we had a serious amount of possession which could be a very good tactic since a draw would probably be a good result over there,and there’s always a chance we can nick a goal.

• 11 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 12:08 PM

  JFA..that MF could work; I was actually toying with the idea of a MF with Tiote, Anita and Benny as a ACM or Trequartista just behind Shola (speed, flair and height).

  With Fergy and Obertan wide. But with Benny probably not playing that’ll have to wait

• 12 geordiejamie89 // Nov 5, 2012 at 12:42 PM

  Well the team has turned into an utter mess after the weekends game. At least on one good note, the team on Thursday could be quite strong with Coloccini and Tiote unavailable for Prem at present.
  However the comments from pundits is unreal. Coward was the headline on the back page of the sun. If Coloccini wanted to brake Suarez’ leg, he wouldn’t have finished the game……FACT. He managed to head the ball while he was falling over during the game ffs! I don’t often get infuriated by pundits comments, the last time was the tackle on Shearer in what ended up being his last game. At least Michael Owen was perfect with his comments on the issue. Suarez had a good game though, and isn’t to blame for any of the comments.

• 13 Mr Random // Nov 5, 2012 at 12:52 PM

  My team for the Brugge is:

  Harper
  SImpson Tav Collo Ferguson
  Tiote Bigi Anita
  Obertan Sameobi
  Sholameobi

  anyone agree????

• 14 Mr Random // Nov 5, 2012 at 12:53 PM

  sorry…obetan and Sammy to be wingers on the above team…

• 15 Tsunki // Nov 5, 2012 at 12:56 PM

  Looks like we will win the europa with the team that’s forming. Our lads know what they are doing getting suspended from PL ha ha. We really will see how the kids will step up this year, I can see Mike telling Pards to make do with beige or off-yellow players until next summer.

• 16 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 1:01 PM

  Tsunki…I have enjoyed our EL campaign more than the PL this year; should I hope for Bennyboy to pick up a red this week lol

  …maybe then I’ll have a chance of seeing him in some form of 4-3-3 or maybe even in a #10 spot

  Disclaimer: People I am not really hoping for Benny to see red …or am I!

• 17 Tsunki // Nov 5, 2012 at 1:03 PM

  At least the europa means suspended players don’t have to languish in reserve games trying to stay fit and up to the mark.

• 18 Quasi.modo // Nov 5, 2012 at 1:05 PM

  Attaboy Dannyo!

  “Always look on the bright side of life!”

  Sing along everybody!

• 19 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 5, 2012 at 1:12 PM

  “Life’s a piece of sh*t, when you look at it, life’s a laugh and deaths a joke it’s true, you’ll see it’s all a show, keep ‘em laughing as you go, just remember that the last laugh is on you”

• 20 Dannyo // Nov 5, 2012 at 1:13 PM

  @quasi
  Lol, what did i do?

• 21 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 1:14 PM

  Tsunki…a positive spin on it all could be that AP might gamble a bit more now tactically and some of the fringe players will get a chance if they grab it

  …Fergy and Sameobi will see a lot of game time I think

  Does anybody know if Cisse is unharmed?

• 22 Quasi.modo // Nov 5, 2012 at 1:14 PM

  Dannyo

  Finally, a positive spin on Tiote and Colo being suspended!

• 23 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 1:17 PM

  Ibiza…I am feeling a dajavu coming on; haven’t you and I shared a duet of that song before? B-) lol

• 24 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 5, 2012 at 1:19 PM

  Jesper…My whole life is feeling a little deja vu at the minute, but this particular incident I can confirm has indeed happened before

• 25 Dannyo // Nov 5, 2012 at 1:23 PM

  @Quasi
  Ahhh… Well, altho i’m a pessimist when it comes to expectations, i always look at the bright side of a result.
  Upwards and onwards.

• 26 Ian Toon // Nov 5, 2012 at 1:28 PM

  A few observations. Two highly skilful goal executions. Having weathered early pressure we looked very assured. At 1-0 and before Ba and Cabaye went off I could see us winning and scoring a second goal and closing down the game. Reading armchair critics postings
  many want Jonas left out and look to strengthen their case by blaming him for pools goal. Well if your in the blame game a stronger case could be made to blame Coloccini who was on the wrong side of Suarez and Krul who went down committing himself too quickly. I was not impressed by Krul’s dodgy punching- which he needs to sort out before we’re up against fat sam’s mob. Watching games on tv you don’t always appreciate how much thankless running, closing down and recovery work Jonas does. It wasn’t one of his better games but on a par with half the side. Much of our best defensive work was down the flanks which was our major weakness last season at Anfield.
  Taylor’s level of concentration was so much better than in his last performances. Sami has earned the right to get to start a game and although I haven’t seen it on tv he should have got a penalty. We’re handily placed after 10 games and. If we can start scoring a few more goals those I points can become 3.

• 27 Magpies-till-d3ath // Nov 5, 2012 at 2:50 PM

  Sammy really did look class yesterday! Gonna be a top player, he’s 6″4 and can really motor. But yet Sterling gets all the attention?

• 28 bettyswallocks // Nov 5, 2012 at 2:50 PM

  I have to say that I can see Liverpool becomig a top side again with the addition of a coucle of good forwards.

  Rodgers already has established the nucleus of a quick passing skilful team who all look comfortable on the ball and always with an outlet for a forward pass.

  We however have two top finishers but they spend most of the waiting fr a through ball that never arrivas or playing too deep trying to play link up when they re not up to it.

  The amount of times this season our DM S and back four have played a negative panicky back pass to Krul who then hoofs it back to the opposition has convinced me that we will not be playing attractive attacking
  football in the near future.

  I dont know if ays a lack of ability or confidence but we have to start assing the ball forward with speed and retain possession long enough to get it to the front guys.

  Sounds simple but we look miles away from achiev ing it.

• 29 lewytoon // Nov 5, 2012 at 2:53 PM

  i dont rate sammy much but i hope he changes my mind. he isnt that quick and is quite clumsy, but his scunthorpe goal was a cracker haha.

  has anyone read the secret footballer columns or book??

• 30 Tsunki // Nov 5, 2012 at 3:21 PM

  Ian Toon @26 good post – but that thinking is in the minority!

  I noticed Fergy didn’t do much in his appearance though.

• 31 Conaldo (The Wizard) // Nov 5, 2012 at 3:21 PM

  Imagine if all our best players got red cards and we ended up winning the Europa league. Stranger things have happened

• 32 Conaldo (The Wizard) // Nov 5, 2012 at 3:23 PM

  Ah, I see tsunki has already mentioned this. Darn you you rapscallion.

• 33 Mister Tuff // Nov 5, 2012 at 3:23 PM

  betty @#28.
  “We however have two top finishers but they spend most of the waiting fr a through ball that never arrivas or playing too deep trying to play link up when they re not up to it.”
  Could not agree more especially with Cisse, Ba does have the ability to work an opening for himself, but Cisse needs that accurate pass for him to finish, with either one touch to set himself up or an immediate shot. Cisse is not the type of player to create an opening for himself. Therefore if he is not receiving the quality through ball he in fact becomes redundant and a spectator in the game – a luxury no one can afford. So it seems to me that the problem is the supply to the forwards – Cabaye and Benny.,probably more so Cabaye -if we could only play to allow him those extra seconds on the ball I’m sure things would improve. Cabaye appears to me to be more engaged on defensive duties than offensive . The others around Cabaye need to supply him with the ball at the right times. The other point, as other contributors have mentioned is that we appear to be playing too deep -this naturally has the consequence of allowing the opposition to attack us more. I wonder if this tactic is designed to mitigate for the lack of speed of our central defenders.
  Shopping list for January:-
  Debuchy
  Centre half – tall/fast.
  Attacking midfielder – best one to me would be Younes Belhanda of Montpellier -terrific player -skills like Benny.
  If there is any cash left – Sissoko.
  Remember that finishing higher up the league means millions of additional PL payouts. (plus it keeps the rest of the squad happy).

• 34 mindshaft // Nov 5, 2012 at 3:50 PM

  Opponent H/A 2012/13 (Pts) 2011/12 (Pts)
  Liverpool (A) 1-1 1 3-1 3
  West Brom (H) 2-1 3 2-3 -
  Sunderland (A) 1-1 1 0-1 3
  Man Utd (H) 0-3 - 3-0 3
  Reading (A) 2-2 1 1-2 (Wolves) 3
  Norwich (H) 1-0 3 1-0 3
  Everton (A) 2-2 1 3-1 -
  Aston Villa (H) 1-1 1 2-1 3
  Chelsea (A) 2-0 - 0-2 3
  Spurs (H) 2-1 3 2-2 1

  Points Totals 14 22

• 35 mindshaft // Nov 5, 2012 at 3:52 PM

  thats turned out a right mess – anyways taking games against same teams last year we’re 8 points worse off already ( sub’d wolves for reading)
  That doesnt make good viewing – reckon we’ll be mid table this season, 8th at best

• 36 santonthenewmaldini // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:04 PM

  I think one of the reasons we are playing so deep is that it seems to be a tactic employed so we do not get caught out against teams with fast players seem to remember taking a pounding off Wigan, Spurs and Fulham for playing too high a line and getting caught out by the ball over the top

  Its not pretty but it is getting us results for example the last 2 games where games in that we got no points at all last season

  Dont think you can count the games against Man Utd and Chelsea as games we should win as they have much better squads and have spent money so if you take those games out of the equation we are only 2 points worse off from other results

  I honestly think we will beat Brugge which will pretty much win us the group and then I think we will play with a lot more flair although it will be good for the youngsters to have Tiote and Colo playing as that will give them reassurance I hope Campbell gets some game time on Thursday

• 37 eaststandgeordie1982 // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:08 PM

  Mindshaft i think you will find from them list of games we are only 5 points worse off so its not that bad

• 38 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:14 PM

  mindshaft….Didn’t we lose 3-1 to Liverpool last season, meaning 0 points not 3?

  Santon….I think your assessment is probably about right with regards to Man U and Chelsea and expecting us to do the same again, although I don’t go in to any home game (Man U) and expect another team to win, so maybe allow that us 1 missed point?

  So 11/12 = 22 -3 (wrong liverpool score above) = 19.

  12/13 = 14

  Difference = 5

  - Chelsea Away Discount 3
  – Man U Home Discount 1

  Reasonable difference would be 1.

  I haven’t actually checked the rest of mindshafts table, just noticed the Liverpool error

• 39 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:21 PM

  …and I say lets kick mindshaft off the blog for that error lol (we don’t tollerate mistakes here)

• 40 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:21 PM

  …and I say lets kick mindshaft off the blog for that error lol (we don’t tolerate mistakes here)

• 41 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:23 PM

  hmm:-( that is the second time I have double posted today (connection problems I think)

  …can I be kicked off for that? lol

• 42 studsy // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:26 PM

  Mind – you’ve done that list wrong I’m afraid, haven’t even got past your first fixture – we certainly didn’t beat the bin dippers 3 – 1 away last season! Not gonna bother with the rest…

• 43 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:28 PM

  and kick you off for sh*t stirring?

  At the end of the day, like for like, we are 5 points down, which in theory we will need to make up to match last seasons finish.

  Using our argument that we can’t expect to match surprise results (Man U and Chelsea) and taking off 4 points, we would have finished in 6th place on 61 points, behind Chelsea, but still 5 points clear of Everton and would still have qualified for EL this year.

  Not sure what any of this proves other than despite not playing our best and not repeating 2 wonderful results last season, we’re actually not doing that badly when compared to last season, which ended in us getting 5th and EL. What’s the panic about? Chill, listen to some music, have a holiday or just take some “private time” ffs, the only real negative I can see this year is that we’re not playing this beautiful football we all want to see, given all of the good, I think we can afford to be a little more patient.

• 44 studsy // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:32 PM

  Ibiza – Id never put you in the category of “stirrer”!…more into the “secret instigator” lol

• 45 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:35 PM

  Studsy…Not investigator? Okay, fine, instigator it is, but I was actually commenting to Jesper, the li’l sh*t stirrer….

• 46 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:37 PM

  …I don’t stir shit do I? not that much I think

• 47 toonarmydownsouth // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:37 PM

  Ibiza
  We didnt beat west brom 3-2 at home either we lost so thats 6 points off that list!

• 48 norwegian magpie // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:40 PM

  http://www.tv2.no/sport/fotball/dette-er-falcaos-favorittspiller-3917082.html

  kinda off topic, but it says that falcaos favourite player growing up was faustino asprilla when he played for newcastle! maybe a cheeky bid of £60m?

• 49 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:46 PM

  Jesper…Not normally, no

  Tads….Fancy doing it properly then? I am now intrigued to know the reality of the situation, but being too lazy

• 50 toonarmydownsouth // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:48 PM

  Ibiza
  Ummm no not really all i know is i wish people would stop comparing seasons last seasons starting run of fixtures was very disimilar to this and we didnt have the injuries or suspensions of this season!

• 51 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:55 PM

  tads…But we must find a way to prove that Pardew was lucky last season and really is clueless!

• 52 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:57 PM

  Tads….Looking again, mindshaft didn’t say we did beat WBA last season, he says we lost 2-3 and got 0 points

• 53 toonarmydownsouth // Nov 5, 2012 at 4:58 PM

  Ibiza
  I though this was common knowledge? Lets face it its easy to blag your way to a fifth place finish and if he had any idea he would of made more signings in the summer because as we all know the manager is the one who pays the transfer fees i guess he just didnt really want anyone

• 54 toonarmydownsouth // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:00 PM

  Ibiza
  That he did sorry minshaft but still only 5 points though not bad really

• 55 Munster Mag // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:03 PM

  Ibiza, we can use stats all day long but should have been beaten fairly comfortably by Liverpool and there’s no point covering that up with stats. West Brom were desperately unlucky, Villa were better than us, Norwich even still; feel unlucky! Our problem is partly summed up by Guti – nice player , keeps the shape well ( like the team ) , creates nothing ( pretty mcuh like the team ) , hard working. Nothing wrong with that , but this team has regressed.

• 56 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:03 PM

  tads…well it is, but this is purely just to show those silly folk that only look at the table and don’t realise the real situation.

  Pardew out!

  Anyway…moving on….did you see the Cabaye article? Liverpool game was a point gained, rather than two lost…what are your thoughts?

  On the face of it I agree, can’t help but feel after we were one up at HT we could have / should have done better. Probably not worth dwelling on mind, a point at Anfield is not a bad result and considering their possession / attacking threat on the day, we did well ton concede one.

• 57 santonthenewmaldini // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:04 PM

  @Ibiza i never go into any home game looking to get beat either

  In fact if Pardew had got his formation correct from the start of that game and even against Chelsea we may have picked up some points

  I actually think its been a satisfying start to the season in terms of results , performances will pick up eventually surely???Even if we do not kick on I can see us going the next 4 or 5 league games unbeaten and possibly grinding out 1 nil or 2 – 1 victories in all of them!!

  Think outside of the top 4 only Everton and us seem capable of grinding out a result and i think our defensive qualities that helped us last season are starting to appear again as Taylor was immense on Sunday we will need him and Willo to put their bodies on the line for the next few games

  If we do click and when i say click i mean create more than 3 clear cut chances in a game for Ba and Cisse we will start to win games by a more comfortable score line

  Just cant see how we are going to make it happen at the moment Arfa and Cabaye look shattered with the amount of running about they have to do without the ball Arfa is wasted on the wing he should be in no 10 role as he gets marked too easily out wide

• 58 Phatoon // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:05 PM

  Even though I know some of you hate comparisons

  Realistically I think we are 3 points “better off”

  If you discount Reading (as we didn’t play them last season).

  We gained 1 extra point at Liverpool and Eveton away. 3 extra points from West Brom at home and 2 extra points from Tottenham at home.

  For a total of 7 positive points

  We have lost 2 points from Sunderland away and Villa at home.

  For a total of 4 Negative points.

  Although we have also dropped 6 against the Man Utd home and Chelsea away, I think they were fluke results personally and aren’t a replicable result without a riduculous team overhaul.

  So even though we are 3 points worse off. I think we are actually 3 points better off “realistic target-wise”

  Make of that what you will.

  Abuse welcome

• 59 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:13 PM

  Munster….In my defense, I didn’t start the stat thing off. However, yes, I did run with it…guilty

  I still maintain, perhaps incorrectly, that all teams need an element of luck throughout a season to do well. We haven’t been playing well, but once again are grinding out results. I put that down to three things.

  1) Luck
  2) Hard Graft
  3) Elements of technical brilliance / Skill.

  That’s a bit unfair, as there is no mention of Pardews input really, but I think you get my drift (Please note those 3 points are in no particular order of importance).

  It can’t be all luck, I simply cannot believe that a team can have that much luck. The difference between us now and a few years ago is the graft factor imo and Guti is a big part of that.

  I also still maintain, that whilst we still need to improve certain areas of out team, changing too much with regards to style etc could prove costly. Saw it a couple of times on Sunday. Anita went bombing forward, we got caught out and were missing our RB when they were on the counter attack. They’re clearly not quite ready to implement what it is we and Pardew ultimately want. Am I happier picking up ugly / lucky points than watching us give the new system a go but losing out on the points? I think I am for now. Small steps.

  When we’re way off the pace and a matter of say two results will see us well any truly back where we feel we should be, then I’ll be more concerned, I’m just not there yet.

• 60 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:17 PM

  Phatoon…No abuse, said what others (myself inc) have been trying to say.

  Santon….Agreed. I am off the thinking our performances will surely improve soon, then watch out. In the meantime, we’re ticking along okay. As for Benny’s best position, I do find it somewhat irrelevant in his instance. He moves around the pitch so much in a game, it’s hard to say what position he is actually playing. As for marked out, can’t remember the build up overly well, but the ball for Cabaye did come from the right. Overall though, I do agree, Benny needs a roaming position, however, he can do that from the RW if need be.

• 61 santonthenewmaldini // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:32 PM

  @Ibiza yeah the ball did come from the right hand side

  Was actually a terrific counter attack from us with a ball from Anita to to Ba who played in Arfa and the rest was done by Dreamboat!!!

  Yeah get what you mean about Arfa but i think he moves around because eventually he gets frustrated at not getting the ball if we had say wingers who hugged the touchlines forcing teams to double up on them on each side there would be more room for Arfa and Cabaye in the middle as teams just pack their midfields knowing how we set up at the moment in the hope that they can crowd out Cabaye when we make that inevitable long kick from Krul…..

• 62 nufcursed // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:34 PM

  team played very poor yesterday!
  gutted to see gutierrez’ mistake lead to the equalizer..
  i really don’t get that he’s a first teamer.
  he’s such a terrible player, he reminds me of a headless chicken the way he plays and runs around. clumsiest player ever

• 63 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:57 PM

  Have to say reading some of these posts (and I mean only some) a few folk on here are unbelievable. It seems that some think these players are robots and not human and that a drop in form is not allowed. All this Jonas slagging is way out of order.
  Compare him with Tiote. At least Jonas puts in a complete shift without losing his head and picking up cards and suspensions considering the tackles that are made on him.
  Jonas has been one of key performers and a slight dip in form has him viewed as rubbish by some.
  As for this season, yeah ok the team have been poor but we have had injuries and suspensions, some strange selections and decisions by AP but look at it this way – we have been poor but yet only lost 2 league games and sitting top 10 only 3 points off 4th. Unbeaten in Europa and top of the group and a win on Thursday will see us through to knock out games.
  Yeah we need to strengthen and am sure we will but this rubbish that MA won’t spend, only interested in SD is frankly alot of old BS and getting boring. To prove the point look at the players currently under contract at the club?
  I am confident that the club will secure transfers in the January window and I will put my neck on the line that Debuchy will arrive along with Sissoko and a CB. Add to that the squad will (I bet) be back to full compliment and we will be stronger and fresher for the 2nd half of the season.
  That’s my view of the situation, some will agree and some will not but my glass is half full (for now).

• 64 Big Pappa Cissé // Nov 5, 2012 at 5:59 PM

  @ Breno

  But what sort of team ethic is it that you know you can play poorly for a number of games and still keep your place in the srarting line up. Maybe a stint on the bench will do him good in the long run

• 65 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:05 PM

  @BPC
  Maybe it will but in my mind it’s about, as a manager,having faith in players and not dropping them at the first sign of a dip in form. Plus who would you bring in to replace him and be sure of getting the same effort and determination you get for sure off Jonas.
  Youth is great but to fit in from the off they have to have something really special and although we have some promising youngsters none are really stand out players.

• 66 Tsunki // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:06 PM

  Would be good to put jonas on the bench for west ham and see how the first half goes now we have no tiote, perch, colo….. he could come on when we are say…3 goals down?

• 67 Tsunki // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:07 PM

  I shall wait patiently for the word ‘Abeid’ to pop up.

• 68 Tsunki // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:10 PM

  breno i think its a valid point that clubs with smaller squads, typically newly-promoted ons, storm away up until crimbo then as the injuries kick in they revert to type and plummet down the table. I really dont think that is going to happen to us, in fact the reverse. I think January will see a new face or two.

• 69 nick_9 // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:14 PM

  Competition for places is key but it seems some players can do no wrong. How long do we support cisse being in the eleven without him scoring? Amoebi links up better or ferguson could provide some lethal balls in, if we don’t start providing good ammunition for these forward then as others have said cisse is ineffective so why play him? Jonas doesn’t play like a winger so why play him there? I’m sorry but its like we have just stuck eleven players on the pitch and hoped for the best. I’m happy with the points tally but I don’t sit looking at the points tally for 90 minuts every other weekend at sjp. I watch a team go out and play football, more often than not anxiously with the rest of the ground. Like I said, happy with the result but not the performance. I’m also of the opinion that we messed up with the gamble of not bringing in players in the last window but hindsight is a great thing. If we don’t get players over the line in the next window then it’s a definite lack of ambition.

  Famous quote from one Ian Holloway
  “To put it in gentleman’s terms, if you’ve been out for a night and you’re looking for a young lady and you pull one, you’ve done what you set out to do. We didn’t look our best today but we’ve pulled. Some weeks the lady is good looking and some weeks they’re not. Our performance today would have been not the best looking bird but at least we got her in the taxi. She may not have been the best looking lady we ended up taking home but it was still very pleasant and very nice, so thanks very much and let’s have coffee.”

• 70 Super Magpie // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:14 PM

  If we are be where we want in the PL, which is the top 6 ( I’d be happy with 7th) Then the next 4 games we should be looking at 10pts.

  West Ham (H) We should win this, They are a mid table team with a good home record.

  Swansea (H) Abit tougher than West Ham, look better than last season and won’t sit back like they did against us last season. However, we should also be winning this

  Southampton (A) I remember when we’d always get beat here, things have changed now. They have been awful defensively this season and we should be winning here too

  Stoke (A) Don’t be fooled by last seasons result. Stoke are always difficult to beat at the Britannia. I’d take a draw, that’s if we win the other games.

  I know we also have Europa League games, added with injuries and suspensions to further dampen spirits but if we want to be in the top 6 we should be winning these games.

  We’ve got a nice run of games coming up and we really need to take advantage of it.

• 71 Super Magpie // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:22 PM

  Nick9

  I agree with that. Our lack of signings on the summer is costing us. I also agree that if we don’t strengthen in January it shows a lack of ambition. I don’t blame Pardew for this either. He should be given a reasonable amounts of funds to strengthen the team.

  Also, what is the point if Carr scouting decent players if we won’t go in for him?

  On a more positive note, I was pleased with the point yesterday, considering our record there is abysmal.

• 72 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:23 PM

  Yesterday I realized that we will never be able to play the same 433 that we used last season. Pardew isn’t stupid and all the different formations and styles he has been using this season haven’t worked out well. He is trying to find a formation and style that would work. He is yet to use the 433 of last season and I have the feeling that he won’t be able to do that. Although we do have the same players as last season but one important player is just too selfish and because of his contract Pardew can’t do anything about it.

  Pardew is not capable of playing the same 433 formation of last year. He can’t do anything about it. I’m realizing this fact now, and everything bad I said about him was idiotic on my behalf.

• 73 roshan MAGPIE // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:27 PM

  I think its time for adam Campbell for sub appearances like ranger did two season s ago

• 74 IITianToon // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:27 PM

  Oh my god Neymar just humiliated the shit out of the defender there.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te4xaUK94MQ&feature=related
  Was just going thorugh some videos of Zidane and maybe Hatem is a genius with the ball but Zizou was in a different plane altogether..
  On topic, I wont be overtly worried unless we are more than like 8 points off fourth. We are bound to hit form sooner or later.

• 75 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:30 PM

  @Ashton
  I disagree with you thinking AP can’t play the 3 of Ba, Cisse and HBA as his front line in a 433 set up because you think Ba is a problem player and will leave if he is not played central.
  That is nonsense. Main problem is the inability (to date) to play a regular settled 11 with players in familiar positions.

• 76 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:33 PM

  On a different note. Yesterday we didn’t play 433. It was 4411 with Cabaye just behind Ba. At times he was our most advanced player in terms of positioning. The reason for that was to minimize Liverpools attacking build up(they start from the back) by pressuring Allen and Gerrard. This didn’t work because they are great passers of the ball with great awareness and vision. So Cabaye running into them didn’t make them panic or hoof the ball. So in a sense he was wasted tactically to prevent something that was going to happens regardless of how hard he tried to close them down. He scored a great goal though. But that shouldn’t be a reason for him to go totally unnoticed during the rest of the game. He was also knackered and lost steam after an hour.

• 77 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:34 PM

  My view on the red. I don’t think it should’ve been because it was colo’s first bad one he wasn’t even on a warning and fair play to the ref he done his best to keep sterling and suarez from getting banned 1 more yellow and them boys were banned ..Sterling done a couple nasty 1′s on simo in the first half and dived a lot which i did not like but I hope there a ref out there that would do that for us .Its an unfair game nowadays but we need to keep are heads down and keep plugging away untill january and hopefully hopefully bring in douglas and a few others.

• 78 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:35 PM

  @ashton im pritty sure it was 4-3-3 an when cabaye came off the could just run straight through the middle of us and jonas looked very uncomfortable in there without tiote.

• 79 nick_9 // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:38 PM

  Roshan I agree there mate. Campbell was a player I was really looking forward to seeing play in Europe or the cup for us so I’m surprised we haven’t seem more of him and I cannot think why. The young lad seems to be giving it his all in comparison to the waster nile ranger and the flop that is Xisco. Still unsure on Sammy ameobi, looks dangerous but seems to never look like he has control of the ball with his bambi legs.

  We certainly have a big squad and players like marveaux, obertan, Xisco and Ranger need to shape up or ship out. Not enough return from them.

• 80 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:39 PM

  breno95

  Pardew has played the 3 in a 433 formation this season. It didn’t work out. But he is yet to play them in the same positions and style of last season’s 433. Why? Because he can’t and it’s not his fault. He is trying his best to find an alternative system and he is using different formations every week to do so.

• 81 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:43 PM

  kevymartins

  It wasn’t a 433. Cabaye was playing in a very advanced role for us and he played in the oppositions half more than ours.

• 82 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:44 PM

  @ashton Looked to me just 4-3-3 with cisse an ben arfa dropping into the wings to help back

• 83 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:44 PM

  Why can’t he Ashton?
  From your earlier post your putting the blame on ‘selfish’ Demba Ba and that is nonsense unless I am unaware of something.

• 84 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:47 PM

  kevymartins

  You are wrong.

  breno95

  Why isn’t he?

• 85 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:47 PM

  @ashton thats what cabaye does he could push up because jonas and anita stayed back

  so your saying pardrew played

  ________krul______
  simo__colo__saylor__santon
  ben arfa___anita__jonas__cisse
  ___________cabaye____
  __________ba_______

  dead on m8 every1 knows if pardrew was to play any1 behind are strikers it would be ben arfa

• 86 santonthenewmaldini // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:48 PM

  Dont agree on the 433 argument as well

  Ba was not that great on the left hand side it was just that Cabaye, Cisse an Arfa were brilliant during the time that we did play it and we also had a settled back four and Jonas, Tiote or Guthrie playing well as the other 2 in midfield they sort of carried Ba for that period

  This season Ba DESERVES to be the main striker and Cisse is ineffectual in the wide area but the rest of the players are getting marked a lot more closely and closed down a lot quicker than last season.

  We stunned West Brom away that game as they were not expecting that from us and we also stunned Stoke but the other games such as the Swansea, Liverpool, Bolton and Norwich in that winning streak we had to scrap and got through with bits of quality and battling away a bit like this season!!!

  I think Pardew has been trying numerous things to get the team working it might take having a few suspended to give the youngsters a proper run in the team after all it was Raylor getting injured last season that gave Arfa his chance

  Really want to see Santon move to the right and go for Ferguson at left back people say he is not positionally correct and is not that great at defending but i would like to see example of this??Every game he has played he has looked solid he struggled at the start of the Man united game but by the end of it they had to bring on Valencia to nullify him!!

  Just think against the next couple of teams we should be going full throttle at them with pacey wingbacks getting the ball into the box as West ham are worse at keeping possession than we are for a start!

• 87 Big Pappa Cissé // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:48 PM

  Ashton is right. I said to my mates look how high Cabaye was playing, Cisse was on the wing which was a complete waste of time. Ba is more mobile so he can be effective out wide but with him on 7 goals there is no way Pardew will move him

• 88 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:48 PM

  Im wrong? the commentator said himself that we matched liverpool who were playing 4-3-3

• 89 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:50 PM

  And clearly he was right he had the team sheet infront of him an was sitting at anfield watching it

• 90 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:56 PM

  An cisse looked pissed when ben arfa went alone and jones made an easy save ..If he hada just laid it across it was 2-1 game over

• 91 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:59 PM

  kevymartins

  The commentator said so?? Whoever he was he doesn’t know more about my team than me. Because I’m a fan and I’ve watched almost every game we’ve played since I’ve been watching football.

  Also Ben Arfa was far too defensive for the majority of the game yesterday. I’ve never seen him defend more than that game for us. Last season’s 433 allowed Ben Arfa to be more attacking because he had more cover in the center of the field. He didn’t track back as much in that system as he is doing in the 442 or the 4411 we used last night.

• 92 toonarmydownsouth // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:59 PM

  Santonthenewmaldini @86
  Exactlt mate well put there is no reason whatsoever fo force ba to a wide left position when he’s the inform striker what do people think will happen put cisse in the middle and the goals will flood in? Not with cisse’s current work rate the lad doesnt even run anymore

• 93 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 6:59 PM

  And liverpool fans are hilarious suarez scored the best goal ever he’s amazing? he scores after 30 attempts greedy we ducker

• 94 Ian Toon // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:04 PM

  Ashton@76- Cabaye movement was hampered after around 25 minutes and eventually came off in second half it seemed with a hamstring problem. His positional play served to neutralise Gerrard who had a very ordinary game throughout. The media tend to overstate his influence he really wasn’t influential. But for injuries to Ba and Cabaye I firmly believe we would have won. Sami looks clumsy at times but so what! He impressed me and his gangly style of running at pace will cause PL defenders problems. The standard of defending in the PL generally is not that high. Formations aside Pardew has built a side that is difficult to beat and I thought we were well drilled. You could see the work done during the week on the training ground. HBA who was as creative as anyone in the match did lose possession on his runs a few times but compensated by some good hard defensive input . Jonas I have already covered.
  Coloccini has had two indifferent games following the Sunderland match where he was outstanding. Lukaku in the WBA game gave him problems until he was surprisingly Subbed. We need not fear losing Simpson because Santon is a vast improvement in being able to feature in the sort of fluid system you harp on about.

• 95 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:04 PM

  @ashton ano he does’nt know more than you he just gets a team sheet handed in by the club anall but sure..an i really doubt it was 4-4-1-1 now pardrew coulda swiched it at some point an if he did i’d say it woulda been 4-2-3-1

  ________krul_______
  simo____saylor___colo__santon
  _________anita____jonas
  __________cabaye_______
  ben arfa______________cisse
  ___________ba_________

• 96 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:05 PM

  Is Ashton the NEW ‘original’ ruddy of the blog. By that I mean he is always right on all things NUFC, who played well, who played where etc etc cos he is a fan???????

• 97 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:06 PM

  santonthenewmaldini

  Cabaye and Ben Arfa are as brilliant if not more. Form wise. You might have trouble seeing that because we haven’t been playing to their strengths. They are both wasted in the 442 and you will never be able to see them play as good as they played in the 433 of last season.

• 98 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:10 PM

  kevymartins

  Predetermined team sheets are very inaccurate. And if you really trust those sheets more than your own eyes and knowledge than.. oh well I don’t know what to tell you. Keep it up I guess!.

• 99 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:14 PM

  @ashton well i’m just saying pardrew might have changed it but ill put my house on it we didn’t play 4-4-1-1..

• 100 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:17 PM

  Ian Toon

  Gerrard was played as a defensive midfielder. So of course he won’t be as offensively effective as we are used to see him. I thought he had a good game outside a couple of sloppy passes and being dispossessed by Cabaye at the end of the first half. He did a good job defensively and all the build up to their attacks came from him and Allen.

• 101 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:17 PM

  TADS…wouldn’t the answer that question if I may, be that you keep Ba on top and bench Cisse (does in form play those who are not sit on the bench)

  …If we play an att. formation with just one forward I would think we have plenty who can cover wide (even in form for the time being…maybe it is just me )

  Got to say I have no clue at this point what out best formation is, but I know which isn’t…lol

• 102 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:17 PM

  I’m pretty sure we played without any formation as we were all over the bloody shop yesterday.

• 103 santonthenewmaldini // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:18 PM

  @Ashton

  Totally agree with you on the 442 it does not work currently i actually do believe we have the players that could make a 442 work but Pardew never really plays them or plays some players out of position dont know why he does it but he must have his reasons

  Would love it if in the next few games we actually went to a 433 turned on the style and beat a few teams well would love all the negativity to go away till the transfer window when it would no doubt resurface!!!

  But i honestly think we will grind out results till January and then look to sign some players to freshen us up and allow us to be more expansive until then it looks like it will be a blog where every week we are all moaning about how shite we are playing!!

  F it might go watch the Mackems instead….AYE RIGHT!!!

• 104 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:20 PM

  nufc players bopping it out on fifa 13

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajo71VnfIOw&feature=youtu.be

• 105 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:20 PM

  Jesper
  What?

• 106 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:23 PM

  breno95

  I don’t know why you are so upset. Can’t you independently conclude how we are playing by actually watching the game?

• 107 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:23 PM

  Breno…it didn’t make sense?

• 108 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:25 PM

  @ashton you keep saying that see what were playing by watching the game are you delusional? cabaye was forward like twice liverpool had 65-70% possesion says it all

• 109 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:26 PM

  Breno…I meant to say ‘those in form play, and those who are not sit on the bench’ the rest should be clear?

• 110 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:28 PM

  http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20121104/liverpool-v-newcastle-key-moments_2281670_2970059

  look at teams .Rant over

• 111 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:29 PM

  Ashton
  I am not upset but thanks for your concern.
  I am independent, I did watch the game at Anfield and I can conclude we were poor and all over the place.
  Cisse was played on the left side and was as much use as a chocolate fireguard. He was then played central once Ba went off but was still as poor. Cabaye did attempt to play further forward but I think that was more down to him than playing to any set formation.

• 112 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:32 PM

  Cheers Jesper lad. It did not make sense 1st time round but clearer now.

• 113 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:40 PM

  kevymartins

  Big Pappa Cissé seems to agree with me. No mater what I say you won’t be able to believe it because you rather believe tv team sheets and commentators than your own eyes. There is a good reason for that though because when trying to conclude it with your own eyes you get it wrong because your view is already skewed by the media and when these two differ you rather trust the media. So you are in no position to be able to actually see how your team is playing “correctly” without any aid.

• 114 Pushy Pardew // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:41 PM

  Ian Toon
  Hello. I thought when Cabaye went off it did allow Gerrard to play a higher line. The media were always going to say he played well on his 600th appearance. Without Suarez they would have lost comfortably. We were talking about Cabaye not running freely long before he was substituted. Gerrard played after Cabaye’s departure in an advanced role but looked off the pace. Agree with your earlier points on HBA and Taylor. Coloccini was nervous throughout and was clearly rattled long before the incident.

  thereafter. Good to see we got a lot of praise from the media because we were well organised. If Ba is not fit at weekend i would
  start with Ameobi junior he was just what we needed late on.
  a threat running at defence. Saw your earlier post on Krul flapping punching it was a talking point

• 115 kevymartins // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:43 PM

  @ashton lets just agree to disagree ..We have are own opinions

• 116 jawballsaswallwell // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:45 PM

  I think if Pards can’t solve the Ba/Cisse dilemma by Jan then one of them should be sold and the money reinvested in a striker in the Bellamy/ Sturridge mould or commit to Sammy for the remainder of the season. It’s pointless having a player of Cisse’s quality contributing essentially nothing.

• 117 Toon-Barmy // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:45 PM

  For those who were wondering about the current situation of our young defender Curtis Good:

  United reserve central defender Curtis Good is currently on international duty with Australia U20s and captained them to a 1-0 victory over Qatar on Sunday in the opening game of the AFC Championships.

  The Young Socceroos are attempting to qualify for the World Youth Cup in Turkey next summer, needing to reach at least the semi-finals of this event to so do

  Australia’s Group D schedule:

  04.11.2012 Australia 1-0 Qatar (Fujairah)
  06.11.2012 Syria v Australia (Fujairah)
  08.11.2012 Australia v Saudi Arabia (Ras al-Khaimah)

  The sixteen team competition takes place in the United Arab Emirates and concludes with the final on Saturday November 17th. Also competing are China, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, North Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Syria, Thailand, UAE, Uzbekistan & Vietnam.

• 118 jesperfuglsang // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:48 PM

  Breno…sometimes I just think Danish when I am writing English lol (I don’t even notice it before afterwards)

• 119 Pushy Pardew // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:53 PM

  Ian Toon
  you’ve got a lot more patience than me. Some of the posters on here really are clueless their a breed apart from the travelling Toon army. I am making a nice break of the Brugge game. Taking in Tiote and COLOCCINI

• 120 cyprus // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:55 PM

  On someone’s previous post about Sterling getting more attention than Sammy. The other guy looks ready, Sammy looks like a work in progress tbh

• 121 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:55 PM

  Jesper
  Without meaning you offence I find it very humorous amongst some of the repetitive poop posted on here.

• 122 Pushy Pardew // Nov 5, 2012 at 7:56 PM

  Ian Toony
  You’ve got a lot more patience than me. Some of the posters on here really are clueless their a breed apart from the travelling Toon army. I am making a nice break of the Brugge game. Taking in Tiote and COLOCCINI

• 123 Ashton // Nov 5, 2012 at 8:02 PM

  breno95

  We weren’t poor. We got a good point at a very difficult ground especially for us. They were always gonna control the game position wise. Even with all their possession they struggled to create many chances. So we were never in trouble really. I’m quite happy with a point.

• 124 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 8:09 PM

  Ashton
  I too am very happy with a point away from home against any PL team never mind Liverpool but I hate to burst your bubble but your black and White glasses are obscuring your vision because we were poor just as we were woeful 2nd half last week at home to WBA.
  However, if you go back to my 1st post of the night although the displays gave not been good I will take where we are at the moment I.E. 10th after 10 played only defeats to Chelski and Man Utd and top of our Europa group.
  IMO new signings will happen in January and hopefully performances will improve.

• 125 Pushy Pardew // Nov 5, 2012 at 8:14 PM

  Ian Toon
  Pardew did not make himself available to chat after the game. He was polite but said he was sorry but had a lot on his mind. Agree with ytour point on injuries depriving us of all the points. Had a drink with some Liverpool fans after game and they were full of praise . Generally don’t rate Enrique defensively. Thought he was poor on HBA for our goal.

• 126 jawballsaswallwell // Nov 5, 2012 at 8:20 PM

  I’m too occupied enjoying the games to notice exactly where Newcastle are succeeding and failing throughout a match, but it’s hard for me to imagine we played badly in such an entertaining match and came away with a deserved point courtesy a wonderful goal and hard graft at of all places Anfield. Apart from the injuries and the Collo incident I thought it was terrific.

• 127 cyprus // Nov 5, 2012 at 8:20 PM

  Yep, we were poor… something has to change… good point though, even though my bet was 0-1, 0-2, 0-3!

• 128 cyprus // Nov 5, 2012 at 8:21 PM

  Soton giving west brom a game

• 129 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 8:25 PM

  Jaws
  As a spectacle for the EPL then it will be viewed as a very good game. However, when it’s your own team and if people are really honest they will assess the performance as another very abject display. Some good bits at times but again for me too many poor passes and overall a poor show irrespective of coming away with a point on the board.

• 130 Pushy Pardew // Nov 5, 2012 at 8:29 PM

  jaw
  Your right. It continually amazes me how negative so many are on here. I hate to think how they would react if we were a Reading or Southampton. Just the opposite from the diehard fans following home and away. Yesterday the fans at anfield really got behind the team. We were good value for a point in difficult circumstances.

• 131 cyprus // Nov 5, 2012 at 8:31 PM

  Jaws,
  please tell me what you enjoy so I can join in man There’s very little cohesion, very few shots, lack of flair (in general), it’s painful to watch dude, always just hoping for an odd goal and to hold out. This ain’t Newcastle’s style.

• 132 jawballsaswallwell // Nov 5, 2012 at 8:38 PM

  Breno, yeah, I fully agree we are capable of playing more fluent, dominant football, but I also think you have to give credit to the opposition, who seem one quality striker away from being top class and the occasion, which is always highly intense and emotional. I cant agree that it was an abject display.

• 133 breno95 // Nov 5, 2012 at 8:45 PM

  Pushy
  Massive difference to being negative and realistic.
  If you are happy to watch what is being served up at the moment then you are easily pleased.

• 134 Ian Toon // Nov 5, 2012 at 9:02 PM

  Pushy-hiya. Had a great time usual fun with scousers before and after. Lot of group also going on Europa trip can’t afford time or money-LoL
  breno- question your judgement mate. Were not a team of robots but a team given a series of setbacks that were good value for a point . Had Cabaye and Ba not been injured we would have won. Cabaye was the first toon player to score at Anfield since Kluivert in 2004 and what a brilliant goal. Our defending was good with the creative types helping out. Teams of the past would have folded . I was proud of the team and thoroughly enjoyed the whole spectacle.