Tim Krul has revealed there were mixed feeling s in the dressing room after the 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, and for the second away game in a row, we let slip a 1-0 half-time lead, when we were set up to take all 3 points at Liverpool on Sunday, and Sunderland a couple of weeks before that.
Liverpool – nowhere near the side they once were
But it was not to be, and we picked up only 2 points from those games, rather than a possible 6 points, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes, and in both game Newcastle showed resilience and team spirit, reminiscent of last season.
Tim Krul had this to say about the feelings after the game at Liverpool:
“There are mixed feeling after the game.” “We should be happy with a point, especially when you lose your key players through injury. I don’t think you can complain because they played well as well.”
“It’s just a shame to lose your star players. That’s the only downside of the day, but it is a big one.” “We knew they were going to keep the ball a lot, but over the course of the game, they didn’t really hurt us.”
“We did well, but they scored a great goal and sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say, ‘That’s a good goal’.” “We played well and were 1-0 up half-time, and then tried to control the game a little bit more.
“But then you lose your players and that makes it hard.” “We have only lost one away game in the league and that was at Chelsea, so that is really positive.” “If you keep not losing away and winning your home games, you are always going to do well in the league.”
“The next four or five games are going to be massive for us, and ones we feel we can definitely get three points off.” “We just need to be ready and hopefully get everybody fit. Hopefully some of the injuries are not as bad as first thought.”
We haven’t won a league game at Anfield since April, 1994, and it says something about the standards at Newcastle these days, that we were disappointed at only getting a draw at Liverpool.
In the past we’ve been pleased just to escape without a major loss at Anfield, although Liverpool are only a shadow of the side they once were, but to be fair, the Reds played very well on Sunday afternoon, with Suarez outstanding.
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11 comments so far
Graeme
Nov 6, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Comment #1I understand and accept what he says – but the bottom line is we are just not performing as a team. We have scraped by in too many games and haven’t been a dominant force in any EPL game this season.
Is it the lack of numbers and/or quality in defence? Is it the tactics? Whatever it is, it needs sorting – and fast.
Tsunki
Nov 6, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Comment #2It was a good result. Go back a couple of years and our chances of coming away with anything would be zero. Considering we knacked it up ourselves it was a good away point. Moving on…
one Tony Green
Nov 6, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Comment #3Swings and roundabouts we picked up a draw and a win against Everton and WBA respectively when we should have lost. If we can win our home games and keep picking up points on the road we will be in the mix for Europe come the end of the season.
But it is good to know that the players need to play better.
Transfer Sage
Nov 6, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Comment #4Tsunki
Agree really.
The results haven’t been the problem this year. It’s he performances. I am impressed we are pickin up points playing poorly but over the season that will catch up with us.
You can’t scrape though a full season so sooner rather than later we need to start picking up the performance levels.
nufcsg
Nov 6, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Comment #5anyone realised that we are playing the ball better on the ground at anfield? or is it just me? i think that there are certain flashes of good build up, quick passing and fluid movement. the lads must be working this out during training and if this goes on, i’m sure we can start playing entertaining football again!
Munster Mag
Nov 6, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Comment #6Completely agree Graeme, and too many people on this site are hanging on to stats just to make themselves feel better. Teams like Villa, Brom , Liverpool could all have beaten us and we would have little cause for complaint. pardew needs to find the key to free us this team to play football – but I cant see it happening until get gets his formations ( either 442, or 433) drilled on the training ground to produce more fluency. If he wants to go 4-4-2 , then get Ameobi or another left winger in. If he wants 433 , then we have got to learn to take chances and be creative, and stop banging liong balls. The West Ham game could be an interesting style examination. NUFC at present under Pardew is summed up by Guti – willing runner, very aware of shape and responsibilities, but quite uncreative. There’s no need for panic, but lets stop taking shelter in 5th last season. That was then, this is now. If Liverpool get a striker, we can currently expect them, West Brom, Everton and possibly even Fulham to bypass us. Is that acceptable? Lets hope for investment in jan and a return to form of Tiote.
danuneek
Nov 6, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Comment #7I don’t understand the negativity on here. Don’t you think the fact we are 10th (having only lost 2 games) and haven’t really got going yet is a positive. They always say a sign of a good team is when they are not playing well they still pick up results. There were times last season when we didn’t play particularly well. In fact, I thought we were pretty lucky in a lot of games. I think we were lucky to grab 5th. My point is, teams come in and out of form, but it’s how they let it effect them which is key and we have picked up some good points. I’m sure there will be a period when we come into form and start playing some good footy. Look at Everton last season, they looked hopeless at the start. But towards the end, they were a much better side than us which they proved when we got hammered.
Munster Mag
Nov 6, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Comment #8Danu, you’re not the first guy here to confuse a fan’s reasonable and logical concerns with “negativity”. There;s no ridiculous shouting for pards head or something here – but there are clear issues about our style of play , our best formation ( has Pards decided? ) , and the fact that the club needs to strengthen. Put it this way, I would imagine our team is worth far more than West Broms, who are scoring goals and are good to watch, and controlled the game at St James’. Its early days obviously, but I dont have an issue with being a bit concerned with what I am seeing. If you crave posititity for positivity’s sake, then the form of Fergie and Ameobi’s super showing the other say are sources of that 🙂
Raj
Nov 6, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Comment #9I feel that the changes in formation had been irrespective the full squad being available to him or otherwise! Pards has started this season surprisingly defensive from the onset. Trying to satisfy egos, putting experienced players on pitch all together, instead of daring with some strategic moves in winger positions and in the attacking third.
It’s very difficult to see goal-scoring opportunities created by our team match after match. Only a spirit, a fighting spirit, that also mostly stemming from individuals, is what saving those losses (or losing out those wins) and converting into draws! In the long run in this season, we cannot afford to be luck on our side (as it never has been with us). C’mon Pards, show us the entertainers. How can you not be entertaining with Benny, Cabaye, Fergie?!
danuneek
Nov 6, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Comment #10Munster Mag, understand your point. What I meant was in general, every time I come on here there seems to be an air of negativity as if there are major problems. Not particularly in this thread, but generally. But at the same time, I do understand your point about discussing why the team hasn’t got going and making suggestions around that. But going back to the topic, I feel we just need to find some rhythm and consistency, in terms of team selection, formation, tactics and style. Once we have this sorted, we will have the performances to match our results.
nufcusa
Nov 6, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Comment #11I understand that performances have not been great but we have still picked up a fair amount of points.
In looking at our first team games we are probably only two points shy of what I would have expected/accepted at the start of the season. Here’s my comparison (points expected-points gained)
Spurs 1-3
Chelsea 0-0
Villa 3-1
Everton 1-1
Norwich 3-3
Reading 3-1
Man U 0-0
Mackems 1-1
WBA 3-3
Liverpool 1-1
Total 16-14
Some people may say my expected totals are low. There is always cause for optimism when you play the big guns at home but I personally still see points from teams like spurs, Chelsea and Man U as bonus points.
Everton, Liverpool and Sunderland away are all very tough games for different reasons and although we are good enough to beat these teams, we should not expect it every time we play away.
The villa and reading results are obviously the stand out dropped points. Just my opinion, not saying I’m right and I’m sure some people will agree and others disagree.
However 10 points from the next 15 available would be a solid return and have us moving in the right direction.