With four new players coming into the club last week in just four days to join Mathieu Debuchy, Newcastle have now brought in five good Frenchman to strengthen the squad this month, and with Steven Taylor and Yohan Cabaye now fully fit and available, and the great Ben Arfa to return in a couple of weeks time, Newcastle should be able to field much stronger sides than we have over the last two or three months.
Sylvain Marveaux – in sparkling form recently
And we need to start picking up wins in these games, if we are going to quickly get away from the relegation zone – and we have almost a perfect chance tomorrow night at Villa Park to do just that – and a win will give a huge boost to the Newcastle squad and the fans too.
Alan Pardew has no excuses now – and he says the squad is at full strength (only Ben Arfa and Cheick Tiote are really missing):
“It’s a kind of restart for us because we are so much stronger in terms of depth and quality within the group.” “We have got Yohan coming back, and he’s like a new player; Debuchy has come into the building and settled quickly, Sylvain Marveaux is playing well, and then the new boys on top of that.”
“The loss of Demba, I think, really impacted on us. You only have to look at the goals scored and you would have to say it has.” “We have had to react to that and hopefully, we have reacted in the right way.” “We have had a small squad since I have been here and now for the first time, I think I have the full allocation, and that goes without the injury crisis we have suffered this particular year.
“We are up to full strength really and now it is about making sure we get the victories we need to build on this.” “People keep talking about finishing fifth last year and this and that, but that team, I have never been able to field because of injuries or whatever.”
“We now have a strong squad. We will probably have a new look to us and that new look hopefully settles quickly because we have not got a lot of games left.” “It may seem like it, but it won’t be in five games’ time if we are still in this same position.”
The game tomorrow night will be a watershed game – and it will be interesting to see what kind of formation and what kind of game plan Newcastle will have against one of the weakest sides in the division, who have not brought in many reinforcements so far this month.
If we are to get away from the relegation zone quickly, then we need to win tomorrow night – it’s really as simple as that.
What do you think?
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473 comments so far
brighter
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:42 PM
Comment #81*participate
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:42 PM
Comment #82Super…Are we supposed to have watched new players previously to form an opinion on them? That doesn’t sound right…
I should have said, from what I have seen, which isn’t much… 🙂
boater
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:42 PM
Comment #83I think people who assume Williamson being dropped will guarantee results are halfwits. Everyone has played badly this season – which points to a tactical/organisation/fitness/psychological problem generic to the squad. Williamson is the last line of defense – and probably the least proficient performer in the team so he has become the scapegoat.
I know mob mentality likes to skim over trifling concepts such as logic and perspective – but to cling to the idea that our ails will be miraculously be healed by dropping one player (Jonas, Willo) or adding another one (Marveaux, etc.) you lack the most basic of reasoning skills.
Paps
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:42 PM
Comment #84Vainqueur would be a poor signing imo
tequilamag
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:43 PM
Comment #85Stretch so you prefer a 442. Who would you drop from CM from Anita Cabaye and Sissoko?
Or do you favour Jespers 443 formation? (only joing Jesp I know it was a typo)
davis_toons
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:43 PM
Comment #86Pardew have already said before that he wont replace a player (fringe player) unless they played badly in his view. (…quoted..how Rtylor got his chance of playing 1st team football, etc)
Will see, if Pardew is consistent then he wont replace much. With Jonas and Williamson. or Maybe Just replace Williamson.
Because Manager usually don’t really change CD much when the game started.
remy D
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:44 PM
Comment #87Good point there as always by mister softy
Beattie25
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:44 PM
Comment #88Santon needs help from Pardew not Jonas.
The tactics need to evolve so that Santon can bomb forward and be joined by the left winger not be covered by him.
All it takes is for Anita to slip in to LB from DM and were sorted.
If we ask Ben Arfa to babysit Debuchy we might as well book our tickets for Derby away next season.
tequilamag
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:44 PM
Comment #89Boater, well said mate.
89Norcal
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:45 PM
Comment #90davis
The only reason Willo plays is because Saylor is constantly injured and we have no others.
With Saylor and Mbiwa fit, I think Willo is a new fringe player.
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:45 PM
Comment #91When Pards says “full allocation”, I think he is referring to the squad of 25 over-21 players that he is allowed:
Tim Krul
Rob Elliot
Steve Harper
Davide Santon
Mathieu Debuchy
Danny Simpson
Ryan Taylor
Fabricio Coloccini
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa
Steven Taylor
Mike Williamson
James Perch
Cheik Tioté
Moussa Sissoko
Vurnon Anita
Yohan Cabaye
Jonás Gutiérrez
Romain Amalfitano
Dan Gosling
Sylvain Marveaux
Gabriel Obertan
Hatem Ben Arfa
Yoan Gouffran
Papiss Demba Cissé
Shola Ameobi
All of the other players are either under-21 players or Xisco…
Super Magpie
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:45 PM
Comment #92Tequila
True, but you could say the same for Cabaye, Saylor and Tiote who give us more solidarity in defence too. No doubt that Jonas helps a lot with defending but going forward he offers very little when he should be doing a lot more than he is.
89Norcal
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:45 PM
Comment #93boater
You clearly have not seen his numerous defensive errors….
tequilamag
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:47 PM
Comment #94Beattie, or you could argue that Simmo often looks exposed because HBA does not track back. Wingers and FB work best as a pair. ie Enrique and Jonas had a great understanding and would double up in defence and attack.
NUFCarter
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:47 PM
Comment #95_____________HARPER_____________
SIMPSON___WILLIAMSON____PERCH___FERGIE
__GOSLING__
OBERTAN____ ____ GUTIERREZ
SA.AMEOBI_____RANGER_____SH.AMEOBI
What do ya think? could this team compete in the premier league and slaughter villa tomorrow?
Munster Mag
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:47 PM
Comment #96I’m a bit surprised that we are not chasing a striker. one injury to Cisse and its back to Shola. Is Gouffran a player who can ply up top in the prem league? Doubt it. Hope we get one more….
89Norcal
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:47 PM
Comment #97Beattie
Dont you think Anita would be better off kept in midfield. We could use Jonas at LB, since his saving grace now is his stamina and defensive effort. I think that’s a perfect position for him now.
tequilamag
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:48 PM
Comment #98Super I had already made the point earlier in the thread that Jonas was no longer the force going forward that he used to be.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:48 PM
Comment #99Beatrice…I haven’t given up on us signing another forward either.
…hoping for PEA 🙂
NUFCarter
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:48 PM
Comment #100formation screwed up
gosling
obertan gutierrez
crawcrook3
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:49 PM
Comment #101Am I reading between the lines incorrectly here. If Saylor is not fit and Mbiwa on the bench, then Willo starts. Was looking forward to going to the game, but getting very nervous now, if that is the case. Hate being negative towards a player, but been to 5 away games this season and a lucky draw at Reading was our only point. Or am I a Jonah! But at least Sissoko is definitely starting.
GeordieDan
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:49 PM
Comment #102NUFC>
They’d have bother competing in the blue square premier league at the minute-BUT they’d probably still beat Villa! 😀
Super Magpie
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:50 PM
Comment #103Tequila @93
Totally agree that full backs and wingers have to work as a pair to do well. Look at Baines and Pienaar as an example. They destroyed us in both games this season and have done it to other teams too.
Simpson ckearly wasn’t on the same wave length as HBA (Not many players are), but I’m sure Debuchy will link up much easier than Simpson did.
GeordieDan
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:51 PM
Comment #104NUFCarter That last comment was regarding btw.
NUFCarter
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:51 PM
Comment #105____________gosling______
_______obertan______Guiterrez_____
89Norcal
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:52 PM
Comment #106Maybe Pardew is trying to hang onto his last remaining Englishman in the starting lineup with Williamson
JP...from The Rock
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:53 PM
Comment #107If we draw or even lose against Villa and then go all out and perform against the Bigger Teams ie Chelsea etc I will be pis*ed as this constantly happens. The seasons we have not done that we end up in the top 6. But most of the times we tend to play dismal footbal for the crucial 6 pointers and then play a blinder against the Big Teams, that is soooooo frustrating! This time we CAN NOT AFFORD TO DO THAT!
Give us something to cheer about and new boys show the rest how it’s done please.
HWTL
davis_toons
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:53 PM
Comment #108Yes, like some have ald said before. Its the style of play. When a player so being close down or needed to pass, there are NO OPTION.
A normal play will almost see a Triangular shape of players running and the player on the ball will have a side and forward option to pass the ball to.
But you don’t see that in the team.
Even if Williamson wanted to pass the ball to someone he just couldn’t, there are NO Option. Often, without much technical abilities, it will results in CLearing the Ball.
It just show the weakness of the team.
Tsunki
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:53 PM
Comment #109Whether Jonas hampers our left sided threat going forward or not is immaterial, looking after Santon is exactly what’s been happening. Not a good option compared to getting an accomplished LB in the first place and letting santon understudy.
It all started with Raylor being covered by Jonas which was ok because Raylor knew his part and rarely abandoned his spot for the odd set piece. Cue Santon being thrown in when not ready and copying the disastrous simpson surge and abandon technique. Witness the subsequent ruination of Gutierrez’s game. Now we have a winger who isn’t a FB and a FB who thinks he’s a winger (and he definitely aint that either).
I think a top LB with Santon to bench and also rest Jonas for a while so someone like Marv Obertan or even benny can haunt that spot for a while. I wouldn’t put Jonas and santon on at the same time ever again, they don’t work.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:54 PM
Comment #110Regarding Santon – it it not Jonas job babysitting him.
…we rely on our fullbacks to go forward and when we are hit on a counter you cannot expect them to get as quick.
That is why you deploy DM’ers. For me this is where the problems is. They are not safeguarding the defense (nor are they helping out in attack)
TorqToon
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:55 PM
Comment #111Vainqeueur – ?!?!?! First I’ve heard of this link and I’m ITK !!! Haha
Ok maybe not…but it is the first connection to him I have heard/read. Can’t see it having any legs to be honest – seems a position we are well and truly covered in.
Super Magpie
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:56 PM
Comment #112Tequila @97
Fair enough. It’s clear that he’s lost his attacking instinct and most of his pace. For that reason he shouldn’t start. I can sort of see why Pardew starts him but there are better options in my opinion.
Williamsonsuks
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:57 PM
Comment #113Williamson? Nooooooo! Get rid, sell him to stevenage or clydebank. If he’s on the team sheet, we say good bye to the 3 points. Benteke would have a great time with willy. No! No!No!…… Did I say No? 😀
Oldgit1
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:57 PM
Comment #114I’m ok with both shola and willo starting tomorrow. I read shitu comments after their match with Aston villa whose defence Had an average of 5ft 8 inches tall, and they were begging the tall guys to miss the target. So two tall lads when corners are taken maybe a good thing. I bet that willo would score. So perhaps this is AP plan.
Beattie25
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:57 PM
Comment #115Tequila
Simpson should support Ben Arfa in attack. Ben Arfa shouldn’t help Simpson in defense.
The job of a modern day full back is to join the attack. In which top 4 club do you see a winger helping the defense as often as Pardew tries to make ours?
Again I will give the Everton example of how it should be done.
Baines help Peinarr in attack, overlaps, plays fluid attacking football and creates chances for the forwards.
When it comes to covering, Distin shifts to LB when Baines is upfront and the DM slips to CB.
Now when the opposition have the ball Peinarr stays up front to play of a counter and Baines is again helped by his CB/DM.
That’s how to do it!! Nothing you can say can change my mind!!
davis_toons
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Comment #116Willo really wasn’t that BAD IF we can play a little better in terms of controlling the ball. This often gives him some confidence and he will even dribble and bring the ball forward. (but try not to do that, unlesss needed or a chance to attack)
Did everyone saw what he did? ….But his heading abilities was terrible for a CD.
89Norcal
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Comment #117Tsunki, jesper
We should move Santon up as a winger, and push Jonas back.
Just look at their strengths:
Santon: Dribbling, crossing, angled runs
Jonas: Work rate, stamina, defense
Well all recognize Jonas is impotent on offense now, but still works his ass off on defense.
It seems like the perfect switch to me. If Pardieu did that I would have restored faith.
ITUNDERASHELL
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Comment #118The reason l wanted M’biwa was because he can play anywhere across the back line, he can also play as a defensive midfielder.
We could line up with M’biwa at leftback or doubling up with Sissoko in midfield with dreamboat allowed to play further forward.
The idea of playing Santon further forward appeals to me, but with the squad we have now players are going to rotate apart from the very best of them.
Super Magpie
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Comment #119Tsunki and Jesper
Absolutely spot on. I couldn’t have said that better myself.
lesh
Jan 28, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Comment #120Mister Tuff @9….. I and many thousands of fans will feel much better now we’ve read your post.
Phew, thought we were gonna have some probs with Colo, he’sprobably sacked his letter writer by now and will no doubt want to demonstrate his 110% commitment to th cause/.
What does Mr Tuff want of the lads? He wants a happy squad and an efficient squad….. one cannot live without the other and they will be led of course by Capn Colo!