I’m not the only one who cannot believe Newcastle’s massive change of fortune from last season to this – and although we haven’t used the R word yet – Alan Pardew has today admitted that we are in a relegation scrap – but he hopes the lads can get us out of it before the hole we are digging gets to be too deep.
Jonathan Walters – after scoring 81st minute equalizer last night
In a season when we were looking ahead to the Europa League, that competition seems to have played a big role in our demise, as we have nine players out injured -and among those nine Ryan Taylor and Haris Vuckic both out for the season, and Yohan Cabaye, Steven Taylor and Dan Gosling out until February.
And with our squad too small, and everybody knew that, that’s started in a rather dramatic way to tell on our Premier League results.
Alan Pardew was asked after the game if we are in a relegation scrap, after our 4th league defeat in a row, and this is what he said:
“Well, we are now, and no it’s not too early.” “We can’t bury our head in the sand, and we have to get wins to get out of it.”
“I’m so buoyed by the performance, and with the things we have changed, and the things we’ve done, have definitely helped the team.”
“The team have responded to them. Hopefully, we can take that forward.”
We liked the way we have a new attacking threat – the long throw-ins by Davide Santon – who was again outstanding for Newcastle last night – and this lad is quickly becoming a great player for our club.
And we thought Coloccini made a huge difference last night in calming down the side, because of his immense experience and talent.
But we lost again last night, that’s the bottom line, but if we continue to play like we did last night, and spend more time on the training pitch perfecting some of our set plays – we could get out of the relegation scrap sooner rather than later.
That’s obviosuly waht we are hoping for. 😀
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33 comments so far
Indian Magpie
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:38 AM
Comment #1I dont want to kick a man when he is already getting kicked alot but,
with him in the team all our FKs are directed at him for him to prod down and get an assist. which is ultrapoor. Not his fault though but will be resolved if were not in the team.
Indian Magpie
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Comment #2First
tequilamag
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Comment #3Indian replace him with who exactly?
Transfer Sage
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Comment #4Definite improvement last night but still a long way to.
The teams seams to lack direction and a real plan though. The shape is a bit sloppy and nobody seems to know when to attack and how far to advance up the pitch.
I am still happy with Pardew and think time will fix this, he has seen some problems and started to turn it around.
But currently I am seeing a manager being a bit stuck for many ideas.
I am standing by my comment I keep making that a continental style assisstant manager would help pardew be a bit more inventive.
Indian Magpie
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Comment #5Tequila
Mike Williamson. Just thinking get a decent Center half, even from championship.
Guy Moussi
matt mills
sol bamba
Les Grossman
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:48 AM
Comment #6“We’re doomed”
Middle endof november!!!
W@NK@S
tequilamag
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:48 AM
Comment #7Indian I think we have 6 more games to transfer window. Like it or not Willo is going to be CH.
mattyNUFC
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Comment #8seems ed’s already hopped on this EL bandwagon
has naught to do with our current form
Phil K
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Comment #9Too many players have underperformed.
A few have been sulking because they didn’t get big money transfers like Carroll.
Even the few who haven’t played badly, like Ben Arfa or Ba – haven’t been close to the player last year.
Some are a LOT worse – Tiote, Krul, Cabaye Cisse to name just four.
Some who WEREN’T great last year, Williamson and Simpson for example, have been worse.
Most telling of all though, is the mistakes made (frequently) tactics, subs, game plans etc – of Pardew himself. PLUS giving the players a ready made excuse with the European games. Why give them an excuse for poor performances ? It never effected any of the teams of last year. IDIOTIC. Pardew isn’t even a third of the manager we changed our minds about, what ****** happened ?
mattyNUFC
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Comment #10Les
give us your take then. can’t wait for this: sure you’d love to insert how any dissent proves us less of fans
i think it’s simple though. you like s***. i don’t. cheers
jeff
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Comment #11anyone blaming europa league seriously needs a wake up call
Phil K
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Comment #12Les Grossman (good name) – problem is, the team AREN’T improving. And we’ve been losing to the “lesser” teams,NOT the top teams.
Relegation ? Wasn’t considered before.
The players – AND MANAGERS – performances this season have put it back on the subject manner
Indian Magpie
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Comment #13In criticizing, the teacher is hoping to teach.
we are not teachers but you get the point
Graeme
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Comment #14With Colo back in the middle, the hoofball stopped as he always looked for the pass. This forced the rest of the back four to move, to give him a play – only when it wasn’t there did he look to play to mid-field. He brought a much needed calmness in our area.
Santon was superb and gave it everything, he must have covered every inch of the pitch. That we desperately need a fluent CB, who is also comfortable with the ball, to play alongside Collo is plain to see and has to be our main January target – once again!!
Strengthening the back HAS to be the only priority for January – it could mean the difference between a relegation dog-fight and mid table and cruising. If only they had done it in the summer, when there was no pressure, maybe we wouldn’t be in this position!!!
Rotonda heights
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Comment #15les
Super constructive as always. Many thanks for your insightful input.
Indian Magpie
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Comment #16Jeff absolutely correct,
Look at Hannover, they played thursday then saturday (less than 48 hours) then again tuesday (just over 72 hours)
Promptly got hammered 5-0 by Bayern, but they never complained
Slank
Nov 29, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Comment #17Indian @ 5
‘Mike Williamson. Just thinking get a decent Center half, even from championship..’
Mike Williamson was a decent centre half from the Championship !
stuart no9
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Comment #18ive said before and i say it again – stay away from the games , even if you are a season ticket holder. do you want to watch this rubbish for another 8 years . the supporters are the only ones who can change it ! OR RI SK RELEGATION
ROTONDA FROM PREVIOUS – yeah thney did want to buy us but ash wanted too much money at the time , so they bought city. rest is history.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Comment #19Why’s everyone so worried we’re financially sound and nobody takes the pi$$ with transfer fees anymore , Mike Ashley is the best owner ever.
hotdog
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Comment #20Is it safe to come in here or do i need my tin hat!!
Slank
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Comment #21Whilst everybody has a pop at Williamson, usually with some justification, it was a mistake by Colo that resulted in their second goal and no points to us.
Moe-NUFC
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Comment #22our strategy is a mishmash
defenders passing the ball back to Krul ALL THE TIME .. Krul’s bad kicks aren’t helping at ALL
we’re losing possession on those long balls almost every single time! neither Ba or Cisse is a good target atm so why keep doing it !!?
and why does the ball go to the wing when we don’t have any wingers (Ben Arfa, Obertan, Fergie) and goes to the middle when our wingers are on?
another important note to Pardew .. why don’t we have any players at the edge of the box when our crosses are coming?? no one is picking up the loose balls!
Slank
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Comment #23Hotdog,
I often think that there is a large body of ‘fans’ who just wait for bad news and then come out from under their slimy rock to give us their putrid bile.
The team is going through a bad patch. It needs our support. Being critical about the team is fine when it is constructive but far too many on this blog and others just don’t have anything to say of note.
Krul to be Kind
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Comment #24REPOST FROM PREVIOUS THREAD
moe
a bit harsh on willo I think, yeah i agree to an exent that he is one of the weaker players but to blame him for the goals last night is madness
eg. 1 walters goal – he flicks it on from deeper on the right hand side and runs in to the 6 yard box, i’m afraid it was the midfield who let him ghost in to the box unnoticed, it was from an advanced midfield position he made his run, hardly willo’s fault because he is the player closest to him when he scores, why wasn’t he passed on from the midfied?
eg. 2 Jerome goal, Collo was all at sea, hadnt a clue where he was, should have been tight on Jerome or at least picked him up as he came through, imo it’s not collo’s fault, yes willo got beat in the air, but he isn’t entitled to win every header and in fairness he wins most of his aerial battles. i believe the communication from the midfield to backline was non-existent for both goals, players not being tracked or passed on to a defender, why didn’t a midfielder give the shout to collo when jerome ran through?
I believe we NEED a new cb, rb and striker to advance but most importantly we need an industrious midfielder who can make the team a more cohesive unit and bring structure to the midfield and communicate to backline and frontline but most importantly direct the midfield, this is why Sissokho is so important to get over the line in january, an all rounder that would bring positional discipline to what i think is a technically very good midfield but lacking in organisation… we need a game reader and a leader in there and as passionate as tiote is… he is defo no leader or organiser.
on a brighter note, at least the performance is much improved in recent weeks.
onward and upwards… HWTL!!!
Moe-NUFC
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Comment #25Slank I apologize for this but plz stop the crap ..
Williamson was a left out from Portsmouth .. they didn’t even give a chance there .. second goal mistake of BOTH Willo & Colo .. but Why didn’t he win a SINGLE header vs Johns?? 6’4 for nothing??? why do we play him then if he can’t win air balls??
martoon
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Comment #26Slank @21 – Got to agree with you – it was absolutely criminal the way Colo allowed a striker to run past him and not track him. In fact he was so busy ball watching I don’t think he even noticed.
Slank
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Comment #27No problems Moe
Generally heading the ball away has not been a problem with Williamson. He is usually very effective.
His problem, IMHO, has always been his ball distribution which, probably with no exageration, is one dimensional – THE BIG HOOF. But lately (Soton game and Stoke) he seems at times very hesitant and slow. I ‘m putting this down to a general lack of confidence in his own abilities and that of many of his team mates.
Les Grossman
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Comment #28Good to see I provoked a reaction from those who obviously think i have addressed them personally!!
If the cap fits boys!!
Rotunda
I was so hoping we held out for that win last night because if there is anyone more fickle than you on here lad, i will honestly join that claus bloke in fenwicks window with my keks doon round my ankles and my ar5e firmly pushed up against the window!!
So therfore I do declare you the king of all the W@nk@s on here 😉
Les Grossman
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Comment #29Matty
wipe my feet upon thee, because if you think we played Sh!T last night then there is no pleasing you….
You deserve thine title sir!
Slank
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Comment #30Martoon,
Colo has been great for us and is probably one of the very best central defenders and an excellent captain I have ever seen in a black and white shirt but he doesn’t walk on water and is not without criticism.
Les Grossman
Nov 29, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Comment #31KEEP THE FAITH !!
And if you dont want to keep the faith….your perogative….die miserable old b@st@rds then!!
Quicker the better 🙂
jimiley
Nov 29, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Comment #32People are delusional if they think Pardew is going to get the sack. Pardew and the backroom staff on EIGHT year contracts would cost 20 million in compensation. Ashers would not spend that in a generation on players so will never pay it in compensation. If we go down then Pardew will bring us back up again. He is a good Championship manager. We are now a yo yo club and can never classify ourselves as a big club. We last won the league in the Stone Age. All those fans are now dead. I do not mind watching the Toon in the Championship. I had some great days out at Watford and Peterborough etc. It was much more enjoyable watching the Toon win playing decent football instead of watching this dross and getting steamrolled by the top teams. Bring on the Championship if needs must. Keep the faith
jammylambo
Nov 29, 2012 at 1:11 PM
Comment #33fair statement jimley. the first game i took my wife to was the 4-1 win agaisnt coventry and even in the freezing cold she loved it ( and isnt a football fan) got her a season ticket last season and she didnt any of the games , bar the theatre that is the liverpool win . half as much.