In his press conference yesterday Alan Pardew was asked whether Newcastle could still finish in the top six this season, and he answered it by saying that without some of our best players, it’s going to be a very long run until February 1st rolls around. Looking at the fixture list we have to play 11 league games – so that’s a full 33 points up for grabs – without the likes of Steven Taylor and Yohan Cabaye in the side.
Alan Pardew – pragmatic approach to things
There’s not much talk in the Newcastle dressing room right now about any top six finish this season, with Pardew being pragmatic, and we have to get ourselves up the table and away from the relegation zone, before we think of anything else.
Alan was asked if Newcastle can still finish in the top six, and he talked about how difficult it will be in the next couple of months – before players like Yohan Cabaye and Steven Taylor can return to the side:
“I won’t say it’s beyond us, as I don’t know what has happened in the past, but it will be a long, long run for us.” “The crucial period for us will be now until the first of February.”
That’s another reason why we need to bring in a fourth experienced center-back at Newcastle, and we hope we can do that in January – finally.
Hope springs eternal.
What do you think?
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12 comments so far
rainrix
Nov 28, 2012 at 9:39 AM
Comment #1Well he doesn’t really say we cant finish top 6 ed, although as we know its gonna be damn near impossible.
Transfer Sage
Nov 28, 2012 at 9:44 AM
Comment #2Fortunately a lot of teams have taken points from each other this year.
I think 4-9th is for a number of sides this year. Very good competition.
Although unlikely, 3 wins in a row and we are right back in the mix for Europa league finish again.
tjrowe89
Nov 28, 2012 at 9:44 AM
Comment #3As much as every1 is saying we need one more CB I feel we need 2 quality CB’s one to be pushing tayls and one to push colo! As class as colo is he still has his days where his concentration goes walkabout plus he is the wrong side of 30 now
Rotonda heights
Nov 28, 2012 at 9:44 AM
Comment #4Hi Ian,
Sorry it wasn’t my best for you. I must try harder. It would be interesting to see where you have stored that.
Are you now the self proclaimed Simon Cowell of the blog? I didn’t realise I was doing dissertations on here.
Shall we agree that we both have different hobby horses and agendas. It doesn’t make me wrong but more importantly doesn’t make you right or any less monotonous with your pro Pardew diatribe.
If you really don’t want to confuse me with someone who gives a s..t, I would suggest a modicum of constructive criticism that is in no way condescending or patronising and that would brighten up the day without the unqualified regular bursts of superiority complex.
HullMag6
Nov 28, 2012 at 9:47 AM
Comment #52 cbs minimum. Sell willo if we have to carry one its tayls gets the nod to stay.
stuart no9
Nov 28, 2012 at 9:49 AM
Comment #6AP keeps going on about feb when the players can return. it is the same 2 players all the time , cabs and saylor.
are they the only 2 players we have ? is our season knackered now coz 2 players are out for a long stretch? what has happened to the rest of the squad pardew was so happy with at the start of the season? well – if we go down now it will be cabs and saylors fault for being injured will it ??????????
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Nov 28, 2012 at 9:50 AM
Comment #7I don’t blame Pardew alone for where we are presently, but I do wonder if he really understands why we are there?
…maybe he should just stop doing press conference for a while…hmm
blew
Nov 28, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Comment #8A silly question to ask the manager of a side in free fall and in a relegation scrap. Where will the next 3 points come from in 1 game?
The club is in a sorry state at all levels, particularly ownership, management and coaching.
IPToon
Nov 28, 2012 at 9:57 AM
Comment #9To get me back on Pardew’s side, all he needs to do is have an interview and say something along the lines of
“we had a small squad last year but managed ok and injuries didnt affect us too much, we qualified for europe, knew we would need a bigger squad and playing twice a week we were always going to pick up injuries, but we only signed one first team player and now as expected we have injuries and are struggling to put a decent side out. For that reason i cant keep moaning about it every week and will get on with it, try and be brave and play some attacking football which the fans will enjoy and give it 100%”
and after that i will think, thanks Alan for being honest, lets go and pick up some points and get behind you and the team 100% because at the minute as much as im behind everyone 100% im watching games thinking this isnt half boring, all im going to hear after the game is we have too many injuries and the same old dribble!
Dannyo
Nov 28, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Comment #10Dunno about you lot.
But reading todays Interviews and watching yesterdays presser, i’m feeling a slight relief this morning.
AP talks about form, workethic, set pieces and link up between midfield and strikers.
And they’ve even tried to better some in recent days, changing the set up and changing the players.
Gives me some relief atleast, that AP is not blind on the issue.
Ian Toon
Nov 28, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Comment #11Rotonda – Surely I cannot be held responsible for your relative feelings of inadequacy. Your not on Friends Reunited . My comments are not personally abusive towards you but an entirely reasonable criticism of your journalism . You did tell me that you were a student of the game or was that just another joke. If your going to dish it out
you need to get a thicker skin. I am genuinely disappointed that you take such impassioned criticism like a big girls blouse. I thought you were made of sterner stuff. Make an effort to try to understand and respect the views of those who disagree with you . Or are you just like Catchy a canvassing vehicle. Your strong constant regurgitating of opinions seems to cause you to ignore dissenting facts or to explain them away, which leaves them trapped in the prison of your preconceptions. Come up with fresh insights or I shall just ignore your posts.
Sav
Nov 28, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Comment #12Win the Europa and come 17th and all will be ok. What I don’t want to see is throwing away the chance of a cup pnly to end up 14th or thereabouts. But Mashley has to get the chequebook out.