There were not very many positives to take out of the first half yesterday against Manchester City, , although Newcastle did start very fast for a change, and probably should have scored at least one goal with any luck, before our defense was unlocked for the first time with a lightning break by City to put them one goal up.
Alan Pardew – still no points from a good performance
And after the goal the Champions came right back into the game and dominated it and it was 2-0 at the break but could have been worse than that – but our lads came storming back in the second half, and we got a goal through Demba Ba, and then Ba and Cisse missed great opportunities to score, and if they had done that things may have been a bit different than our sixth loss in the last seven league games – the worst run of league ever by the Magpies in the Premier League..
But Alan Pardew seemed pleased with the great second half comeback:
“When you look at the game, as a manager, I would say we could have been 1-0 up. But then Manchester City produced what they can, unfortunately.” “They had a golden period when they scored and should have got a second. When they did score again, it was a killer.”
“We were just hanging in there during that period, but you have to say that after half-time we bossed it.” “To come out like that after going 2-0 down against the champions, shows great spirit.” “Demba Ba missed a great chance at 2-1. We had what was an even better chance for Cisse in the middle of the goal.”
“Had that gone in then this place would have gone mad.” “It was a game where we almost took the lion’s share.” “City went to a back five and you were thinking they were just hanging on but they nicked a third goal and that decided it in the end.”
“There were a lot of positives, but there are no points and that’s my biggest concern.
Next up next Saturday is QPR and the London team have been improving under new manager Harry Redknapp and won their first game yesterday 2-1 at home to Fulham.
And we can hardly afford not to win that game – a win and we’ll have some breathing space, but a defeat or draw and we’ll continue to be in big trouble.
What do you think?
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163 comments so far
Earl
Dec 16, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Comment #81Conaldo. I would say Gallowgate or level 7 of the leazes west end in the singing corner . However the likehood of you getting a ticket in singing corner is minimal. I’ve been to a few matches in the Gallowgate end and the fact that the roof of the stand is so close to where you sit, the atmosphere sounds mint at times. Everywhere else is a bit drab, hope that helps
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 16, 2012 at 12:21 PM
Comment #82Conaldo
Second half yesterday when he crowd responded to the toons display – best it’s been this year.
I sit 3/4 the way back to the right of the goals looking towards the pitch. Gates 60/61 our ticket turnstiles – easiest to get in.
Krul to be Kind
Dec 16, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Comment #83TS
I 100% agree with you about your comment if playing it tighter, we have very good wide players that couldn’t cross a road fgs but everyone insists in 433 when the wingers are the most important players on the park but we can’t score from crosses if our lives depended on it!
I like 4312 central which I think we would be very good at with our most creative (ben arfa) player given a free role behind the 2 strikers, with a similar full back to santon on the opposite side allowing us to exploit the wings with fullbacks, this allows for the 2 defensive midfielders (tiote and anita) on either side of a midfielder that pulls the strings (cabaye), to cover for fullbacks bombing forward which offers us the width required when opportunity to counter arises, we look so much more fluid going through the middle with the class we have allowing Ben arfa to open teams up from behind the strikers.
Cisse was exceptional last season playing off the shoulder of the last defender, playing to wings will not get the best out of him, it’s his alertness to through balls that got him so many opportunities last season.
How many headers have been scored from open play? I would bet not that many which begs the question on why we insist on relying on wingers when our creativity is all through the middle?
boater
Dec 16, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Comment #84Pardew is back to the beginning of ‘side a’ of his excuses album. It’s been on loop for months now.. I feel for him in that respect, what can he say?
I don’t buy the ‘city were hanging on’ – more like they were content to let us have the ball at 2-0 up, then went to get the job done when they needed to later.
The positives were Anita’s performance and some vital signs of life from Cisse. Krul had a good game too.. after a couple of shaky weeks.
boater
Dec 16, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Comment #85Krul to be kind. I have no doubt that 4-3-1-2 is the only answer left to Pardew now. It’s also the formation Keegan used to avoid relegation – knowing he had 3 undroppable strikers in Owen, Viduka and Martins and no one who could cross a ball. It worked a treat..
4-3-1-2 won’t solve individual players form overnight, but that’s not really our main problem as I see it.. the problem with the current formation is that if certain players don’t perform well – it undermines the efficiency of the whole team as it’s built around them.
Best players in NATURAL positions and wait for the wins to come. If Pards can finally see this – our fortunes will start to change.
The lack of summer spending, issues about Williamson/Guti etc, etc. are not really the main problem – it’s just something to say to keep people busy on here. Massive red herrings.
go toon go
Dec 16, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Comment #86BelfastMagpie.You are right.We chased shadows before Nasri went out.They had a lot of chances for goal.And our luck is not to lose with more goals in our net.My biggest fear is that our team looks disoriented and reminds me on relegation year.Our players work hard,want to win the game but simply we are disoriented.Last year we were stable.We won every head jump in front of our goal.But this year is something different.We will hope for better.
Rotonda heights
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:06 PM
Comment #87Jail
Can you spell any norwegian words?
Conaldo (The Wizard...Also Bestest Friends With Paul Scharner)
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:15 PM
Comment #88Cheers lads.
I’ve narrowed it down to the back of block R, upper gallowgate (looking from the pitch it’s the top left of the gallowgate) or the south west corner, (the one that joins to the mil burn stand.
I think the atmosphere in Block R will be better, so will probably go for their. How well can you see the other goal? I know it won’t be as good as I can see both now, but can you still see what’s going on?
Jail for Ashley
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:18 PM
Comment #89Boater ,
Have to disagree on that one mate,although the lack of signing can’t be the only reason for our predicament we find ourselves in I believe that the lack of competion for places has had a huge impact on performances,its very possible that something has happened behind the scenes that has disrupted the dressing room something unless you have inside knowledge are unlikely to find out.
newcben
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:21 PM
Comment #90If we are going to play 4312 we need a new rb who brings that attacking quality and can cross.
Simpson is so poor and teams can double up on HBA as Simpson is not a threat. Debuchy needs to be brought in come January! Allowing Tiote and Anita to hold Cabaye to push forward and our wing backs to stretch teams out wide. I think with Anita now hitting form himself Cabaye and Tiote will work wonders…Anita and Cabaye switching up between who pushes and who stays!
———————-Krul—————-
Debuchy–STaylor–Colo–Santon
————–Tiote—Anita————-
——————-Cabaye————–
——————–HBA—————–
—————-Ba——-Cisse———-
That also gives us the option for 433 and 442, need to keep the ball on the deck with the talented footballers we have. HBA needs that free role like Ronaldo used to have at UTD makes him so much harder to be picked up
!
Jail for Ashley
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:21 PM
Comment #91Rotanda
Yes.
newcben
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:21 PM
Comment #92If we are going to play 4312 we need a new rb who brings that attacking quality and can cross.
Simpson is so poor and teams can double up on HBA as Simpson is not a threat. Debuchy needs to be brought in come January! Allowing Tiote and Anita to hold Cabaye to push forward and our wing backs to stretch teams out wide. I think with Anita now hitting form himself Cabaye and Tiote will work wonders…Anita and Cabaye switching up between who pushes and who stays!
———————-Krul—————-
Debuchy–STaylor–Colo–Santon
————–Tiote—Anita————-
——————-Cabaye————–
——————–HBA—————–
—————-Ba——-Cisse———-
That also gives us the option for 433 and 442, need to keep the ball on the deck with the talented footballers we have. HBA needs that free role like Ronaldo used to have at UTD makes him so much harder to be picked up
Krul to be Kind
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:24 PM
Comment #93Absolutely boater
I’m still optimistic (hopefully not blindly!) about this season, we have tried to evolve from last season but it has failed due to the board blindly ignoring essential fundamentals such as ‘back up’ if 442 isn’t working and 433 isn’t working we just flit between them both with no other tactical variant being used, I just want to see something being done about our poor form, so if different things are being tried to combat our issues.
In essence I’m trying to highlight that there is an awful lot more to football formations than a 442 or 433, and the worrying thing for me is pardews reluctance to vary the formation to get it right, I’m a big advocater of Pardew and don’t want him sacked, but would love to see more variance in formation, pardew seems to 2 dimensional at the moment regarding tactics.
—————-krul
Santon—-Taylor—collo—Jonas
——-tiote—cabaye—Anita
—————Ben10
———–cisse——ba
With the current personel I would replace cabaye with perch and swap Anita into the dictator role and have perch as dm covering Jonas as and when (or if!) he attacks, santon on the right is more a fit as I think he cuts in too much on the left leaving leaving us vulnerable on the counter, he is much stronger on his right too and looks reluctant to cross from the left.
The main point I’m trying to make about the formation is it is square pegs in square holes, the only player not playing his natural position is jonas, who has showed this year that he is better defensively than going forward.
catchy in norway
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:32 PM
Comment #94Will 433 ever work with jonas ba or cisse as wingers?
Ba or cisse as a focal point yes
I hate obertan , but he would be far suited to play that system
I think there is a good case for even santon to play up there ,
Ps I have not said it today , PARDEW OUT
Magickit
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:37 PM
Comment #95TBH, the second half (before YAYA’s goal) is the best performance I saw this season.After 17 games, when every one is fit, we should stick to this formation (4-2-3-1) like todayKrulSanton Taylo Colo JonasTiote PerchAnita Cabaye HBABaSimpson (pls get rid of him in Jan, he seems lost the ambition , see his reaction in their 2nd goal)Santon + Anita = play the same side (Antia is so energetic !! see his run back to chase Auguro ??)Anita is soooo good , his passing is calm and clever in one touch.Santon can go forward with 2DMF + Anita coverJonas + HBA = play the same side , HBA actually didnt need fullback to help. (actually when simpson go forward, he often block HBA’s lane XD)Jonas is by far better defender than young ferguson. and also Colo can always the LB position. Jonas is no good at running forward , but still working fair on def.Tiote starts playing well.Perch deserves a start, he is very calm on passing and wont hoof it. he keeps think simple and help def a lot.Cabaye is the best passer in our team. He can lead the high pressure on the front field.Ba= very very handful for opponent , looks good. should play sole ST and rotate with Cisse.sub :Cisse = i think he plays good today, hold ball and passing. He made Clincy looks lost all time. Juz he misses a great chance today.Marva = he is classy player, if he work harder , he can be a starter soon. play Cabaye ‘s role(AMC) and Cabaye can be a DMFBigi = a good sub for perch/ tiote when they are yellow cardedObertan = a squad player to sub HBA/ Anita on either wing. he is lightening quick, jus keep things simple suit himWillo = cover for CBAmeobi = sub for 10-15 mins for holding ballTBH, i think our yound players like Sammy , Ferguson, Vuckic, Abeid , Gosling , Ranger, Amilfantion …… etc etc is really cannot step in the PL now (as AP said) , i think they growth slowly than I imagine.
catchy in norway
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:38 PM
Comment #96Krul to be
You say 2 dimentinal this season, it’s all he has been sinc he got here
To many round pegs in square holes , yes they can fit but it’s not the best fit,
He likes to be able to change his system throught the game to combat the other team , it’s always defensive and reactive with Pardew always
Still waiting for us to come back from going a goal behind to win a game,
Sad what is happening to our great club right now,
Magickit
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:40 PM
Comment #97TBH, the second half (before YAYA’s goal) is the best performance I saw this season.After 17 games, when every one is fit, we should stick to this formation (4-2-3-1) like today
Krul
Santon Taylo Colo Jonas
Tiote Perch
Anita Cabaye HBA
Ba
Simpson (pls get rid of him in Jan, he seems lost the ambition , see his reaction in their 2nd goal)Santon + Anita = play the same side (Antia is so energetic !! see his run back to chase Auguro ??)Anita is soooo good , his passing is calm and clever in one touch.Santon can go forward with 2DMF + Anita cover
Jonas + HBA = play the same side , HBA actually didnt need fullback to help. (actually when simpson go forward, he often block HBA’s lane XD)Jonas is by far better defender than young ferguson. and also Colo can always the LB position. Jonas is no good at running forward , but still working fair on def.
Tiote starts playing well.
Perch deserves a start, he is very calm on passing and wont hoof it. he keeps think simple and help def a lot.
Cabaye is the best passer in our team. He can lead the high pressure on the front field.
Ba= very very handful for opponent , looks good. should play sole ST and rotate with Cisse.
sub :Cisse = i think he plays good today, hold ball and passing. He made Clincy looks lost all time. Juz he misses a great chance today.Marva = he is classy player, if he work harder , he can be a starter soon. play Cabaye ‘s role(AMC) and Cabaye can be a DMFBigi = a good sub for perch/ tiote when they are yellow cardedObertan = a squad player to sub HBA/ Anita on either wing. he is lightening quick, jus keep things simple suit himWillo = cover for CBAmeobi = sub for 10-15 mins for holding ballTBH, i think our yound players like Sammy , Ferguson, Vuckic, Abeid , Gosling , Ranger, Amilfantion …… etc etc is really cannot step in the PL now (as AP said) , i think they growth slowly than I imagine.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Comment #98Colnado
I’m in Block S and can see both goals and most of Kruls high pumts
JAMSHA
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Comment #99arfa out till new year hmmmm
JAMSHA
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:50 PM
Comment #100http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2248958/Hatem-Ben-Arfa-new-year.html
IF SO WE BETTER GIVE HIM.REST NO NEED TO RISK HIM
jimiley
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:50 PM
Comment #101Lots of positives and no points. At least we have the solidity of continuity. 8 more years until the promised land is reached. A cup win after 4 and the title after 8. Come on Alan, prove the doubters wrong!!!!
Conaldo (The Wizard...Also Bestest Friends With Paul Scharner)
Dec 16, 2012 at 1:58 PM
Comment #102Charlie – if you don’t mind me asking, what row? Or where abouts.
I’m looking at block R, so the block next to S, rows M-T, on the side near block S.
Hopefully I can get it sorted soon.
zimtoon
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:05 PM
Comment #103tim krul still has to improve on his ball distrubution because most of the times he just hoofed it back to man city.ba and cisse played much better as a pair than in previous games
boater
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Comment #104newcben – totally agree about Debuchy. I think if you look at the players we were going for (anita and debuchy) there was a suggestion we were looking to play with attacking fullbacks and 3 in midfield. Debuchy coming in would allow us to flourish in this formation.
Golden rule – play your best players in their natural positions. You won’t win every week, or maybe even emulate last season’s results but at the moment we are seeing a formation in which players are out of position.
JFA – I’m never that sure about the ‘lack of competition’ argument. Not saying I disagree, just that it’s a hard to judge from afar.. it possibly applies to the mentality of some types, but not all. We have more competition this season than last (marginally) but it didn’t seem to affect performances
Jail for Ashley
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Comment #105I wasn’t sure about where we were in the table when Hooks got sacked and after seeing him get Norwich to seventh I Googled iy and found an article on who the next manager would be and as a pi$$ take Curbishly and Parts were mentioned,lo and behold.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:09 PM
Comment #106Area S row B
Noisest singing with some start the chants up about 10 -12 rows back
Also easy access for a pee after taking in too many sherberts
Conaldo (The Wizard...Also Bestest Friends With Paul Scharner)
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:13 PM
Comment #107Cheers Charlie.
boater
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:13 PM
Comment #108Krul – “The main point I’m trying to make about the formation is it is square pegs in square holes, the only player not playing his natural position is jonas, who has showed this year that he is better defensively than going forward.”
This is spot on the money. There is a difference of opinion as to what extent we can really blame formation on our complete collapse – a hard working, positive team will pick up points no matter what roles they are asked to play. But arguably we have a team of technical types who are being hamstrung too often.
Cisse is out of position, Perch is out of position and Jonas is out of position. Arguably Ben Arfa is too when he comes back. I like to see him work hard, but dribbling past two players in his own half is embarrassing waste of talents, that should be happening in the final third – leading to an assist, not a sideways pass to Tiote 40 yds from our own goal.
go toon go
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:14 PM
Comment #109Krul
Simpson S.Taylor Colloccini S.Ferguson
Ben Arfa Tiote Cabaye Marveaux
Ba Cisse
Conaldo (The Wizard...Also Bestest Friends With Paul Scharner)
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:18 PM
Comment #110I know they are getting on, but when you think for about 10 million we could have had Berbatov And Dempsey.
Perhaps Ashley and lambias need to rethink their stance on the age limit we seem to have.
Tsunki
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:20 PM
Comment #111Hi everyone, just got a chance to peg down a few thoughts about yesterday after all the dust has settled.
Williamson – didn’t do an awful lot wrong and that against the mighty Citeh! Ok, he got ‘megged for the last goal but so did tim and jonas, it was a freakily awful goal all round, and Simpson’s wayward display was rounded off by the way he allowed that attack to build up anyway. Willo was quite the opposite of the ‘championship’ ‘donkey’ thten, so that begs the question – what makes him awkward some games, but pretty impressive in others? Its our defence collectively. Santon – the votes cast him high, higher than Willo, while I agree that his wing display was prety good, and could have scored had he not chosen the poor near post option, his primary function at times was abandoned – in fact, he lost us 2 of the three goals full stop. We need to look at why we get done down the sides, and in the left side why is it exactly that Jonas is suffering, why is it that santon is flattering to deceive with sparkling runs and wing interplay? Its because they are both confused as to where they ought to be. our left side is a mess and someone needs to get a grip as to who plays where and how they overlap.
Cisse on the wing, actually his hold up play was good and thanks to the tireless anita (MoM easily for both sides for me although sky typically drooled over the touore’s) helping him out. But Cisse is only on the wing because we have absolutely no choice, so no complaints although it was less than satisfactory.
Ba – Still has a pretty lousy touch at crucial times, and could have put cisse through a couple of times, notably his selfish last long shot on goal when cisse was clean through. Good goal though, but indifferent otherwise. I am warming to the idea of him going and cisse getting his spot when HBA is back.
Coloccini – sometimes immense, occasionally caught out, I blame the haphazard nature of the defensive unit again. What is our defensive coaching setup anyway?
Ameobi – ok, but nothing more than expected for how long he was on. Marveaux – deserved to be on longer for the weirdly erratic Tiote – all over the place and pushing forward like a crazy man, but still wayward in crucial areas (unforgiveable for his position) and the ‘Shoot!’ joke has to stop, his shots are a complete waste. I think if Marveaux had a full half we would have got our goals, I know, I know, i have been saying he is still untested, but yesterday I sensed he was up for it, lost it once when caught on the ball but some confident runs and crosses showed promise.
Jonas- neither god nor bad but I could hear some boo boys around me which was shameful, he did not jeopardise our game, put in some good balls which were not anticipated well enough most of the time, and won FK’s. A note on this – someone suggested his winning FK’s was a waste of time because we do nothing with the set pieces anyway – as if that is Gutierrez’s fault ha ha what a stupid statement to make! I am sure there are a lot of managers who would like an accomplished Argentinian (best there are) faller-over in their team! I’ve said it before – Jonas’ problems are interlinked with Santon’s and whoever we might tack onto the forward left side of a 4-3-3. It wasnt a problem with Raylor because Raylor stayed put and did his job apart from FK’s and at this he is better by a very long way than Santon. Ditch the glamour push Davide and learn your primary craft first, you might not think it, but you are the hole on our left side, and you are making others look bad. Cue vitriolic abuse.
All in all, the most enjoyable loss I have witnessed in a long time, I predict QPR to be the team that will suffer the full wrath of our injured and hurt pride. It will be a bloodbath for them ha ha.
boater
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:23 PM
Comment #112When you lose 7 out of 8.. trying to be logical here, there is an overriding, endemic problem. I’m not saying I don’t want a better partner for Colo brought in, or that Jonas is out of form or whatever smaller details seemed to be raised on here. There is a wider problem, which as I can see starts with the issue of the front 2 and that has led to problems in midfield.
A lot is talked about our feeble defense. I don’t think we are actually conceding an outrageous amount,, the amount you would expect when the opposition susses our total lack of goal threat at the other end.
Anita’s form is a huge bonus. Him, Guti and Tiote across midfield with a front two and either Marv or Arfa in the whole (and not blooming tracking back) is the solution to the most number of tactical issues Pards faces.
Marty-Toon
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:24 PM
Comment #113Ben Arfa is out until January says AP 🙁
Just what we need
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Comment #114Colnado
Just thought – next Europa league game – depending on who we draw – instead of using your normal seat purchase a seat in block R or S
might give you a insight
Marty-Toon
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:27 PM
Comment #115Felliani or however his name is spelled should be out for 6/8 games after his dirty showing yesterday.
That’ll make that game a little easier than it was going to be
Tsunki
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:28 PM
Comment #116If HBA is out we need to reshuffle, and hope Obertan and Marveaux can step up at last.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:34 PM
Comment #117Im glad to see Anita getting a lot of praise after a few people had him written off,Id never seen him play as I don’t watch a lot of overseas football,but I remember when we first signed listening to Total sport on radio Newcastle and this old bloke who sounded like he really knew his football had watched twelve Ajar games on ESPN last year and this guy absolutely raved about him described him as a terrier whocold put a pass anywhere on the field,so I had a feeling he would come good.
Pardews Perfect Battleplan
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:35 PM
Comment #118@tsunki oba and marv have both shown they have the skill necessary but they make poor decisions. i hope they can step up.
sirtoongospel
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:37 PM
Comment #119It sticks out like a sore thumb where the problem lies. If Pardew wants to blame Cisse and the midfield then fair enough, but when, you lose 7 out of 8 and have scored in most of those games, it is painfully obvious that our defence is beyond shocking.
Santon has been one of our best this season, going forward he is great. But defensively they have all been average at best and in some cases awful.
We have the makings of good team, but if we add a good RB, and a cracking CB, we will instantly win the games we should against average teams.
In JAnuary I would like to keep everyone including Demba, add the 2 defenders and Sissoko. If he signs we will have the drive we have missed in CM.
We are 3 players and around £15 million from being a very very good team/squad. Would love to see a CB like Shawcross come in. He would be ideal, or if not Sakho, M’biwa, would all be good.
A few rumours emerging again regarding Pieters. If he came then Santon moves to RB. That would be fine too.
Conaldo (The Wizard...Also Bestest Friends With Paul Scharner)
Dec 16, 2012 at 2:37 PM
Comment #120Charlie – that’s what I did for the previous Europa league games, just I didn’t sit in gallowgate upper. It’s more the atmosphere I’m bothered about, which you cant get a real idea of with EL games, but anywhere will be better than where I am now.
Cheers for your help anyway.