The performance of Moussa Sissoko in the first 45 minutes as a Newcastle player on Tuesday night was something to behold, and he put in a great first half shift against Aston Villa before being replaced in the second half, after he was feeling the pace of the Premier League.
Moussa Sissoko – in action at Villa Park
We had thought that Moussa would be deployed as the defensive midfielder – since that was the principal position he played at Toulouse – but Alan Pardew played him essentially as a withdrawn striker just behind Papiss Cisse up front – and it worked a charm as the Villa defenders just couldn’t mark him adequately.
This is what Alan Pardew said today about his new 23 year-old 6’2″ midfield powerhouse:
“My vision of him in the team is to play a role where he is using his energy. He has massive energy and power.” “I don’t want to compare him to another player but he can play, I would say, all three roles in that midfield area.”
“He can play behind the front, he can play number eight in a sort of Stevie Gerrard type role and he can sit.” “He learned a lot on Tuesday. He is not going to have it all his own way and in the second half he found it a bit more difficult.”
We expect the same side to start against Chelsea on Saturday – and the London side could only draw at Reading on Wednesday night, when they conceded two goals in the 87th minute and 5 minutes into injury time.
That gave Reading a valuable home point – and you guessed it – it was Adam Le Fondre who scored both goals after he came on as a sub after 67 minutes – much like he did when Reading beat Newcastle almost two weeks ago and he also scored both goals.
It will be interesting to see if we can take a point off Chelsea – but we’ll have to steady ourselves in the second half – whatever the score is – as we seem to get over-run far too much in the final 45 minutes of games this season.
We now have adequate players to come on as subs now – after some excellent transfer business in January as we saw when Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa was introduced on Tuesday night.
A point would be very welcome against Chelsea, and a win would be fantastic.
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48 comments so far
TorqToon
Jan 31, 2013 at 10:33 AM
Comment #41The belhanda to Man Utd news is via Goal.com.
MAY be genuine – but there reputation for ‘exclusives’ isn’t great.
dubzy
Jan 31, 2013 at 10:36 AM
Comment #42belhanda pre-contract signd 4 man utd
Toon-Prodigy
Jan 31, 2013 at 10:36 AM
Comment #43Dummet is away back to St Mirren
Lilongwe Geordie
Jan 31, 2013 at 10:37 AM
Comment #44Torq – 2.5million euros is the figure I saw quoted for him. Would be a good replacement for Willo come June if we did the deal.
Apparently Ashley and Pardew were meant to be meeting at half 10 today to decide on any last minute deals. Not sure how true that is, but if it is the case then we should expect nothing to happen for a few hours. Then a flurry of signings!! If not I’m joining Ibiza in getting the pitchforks out!! Ashley out and Pardew Out!! 😉
Transfer Sage
Jan 31, 2013 at 10:40 AM
Comment #45man utd wont be in for belhanda in my view
won’t be room for him out wide.
they also have kagawa to lay behind the front 2 and players like van persie and rooney drop in there too.
Non starter for me
stuart no9
Jan 31, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Comment #46ibiza- just heard on ssn newcastles business is all done , however, untill the last minute no one really knows. newcasyle have allowed sky sports into the training ground – maybe something in that ?????
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Jan 31, 2013 at 10:52 AM
Comment #47Stuart…Not a clue mate, but anything can happen on deadline day. Not sure if that’s good or bad 🙂
toonicle
Jan 31, 2013 at 4:43 PM
Comment #48Let’s hope we don’t see the exact same side against Chelsea, at the very least I want to see Anita starting at the DM role.