Cheick Tiote came on after 82 minutes last Saturday, in the disappointing defeat against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, but he says he didn’t expect to walk straight back into the side, after being a way for some weeks at the African Cup of Nations representing the Ivory Coast.
Cheick Tiote in action on Saturday in London
James Perch remained in the starting line-up on Saturday, although it’s likely that Cheick will force his way into the starting lien-up by the time we play our next league game at home to Southampton in 13 days time.
This is what Cheick told said on the Newcastle United web-site about the game on Saturday:
“It was nice so be back because I was away for one month but now I am back and I have to do my best to help the team.” “The squad has changed since I have been away and it was good for us to sign some new players because now we have much more strength in the squad and more balance as well. “
“That can only be a good thing.” “I cannot just come straight back in. The team have been doing well while I was away and got a couple of really good wins.” “All that matters is the team, not who is playing. If we are winning games then you cannot expect to just come back and play from the start.”
“We played well today and I think we deserved a little bit more, maybe a draw.” “It was a tough game and it is never easy to play here, so I thought we did well but conceding the second goal was disappointing.” “We fought hard and worked hard though and on another day might have got something more.”
Alan Pardew seems to run a tight ship at Newcastle, and no player expects to just walk into the first team – certainly not Cheick and those are good sentiments from the Ivorian.
Next up for Newcastle are two games in the Europa league against FC Metalist Kharkiv on the following two Thursdays, and we may see Tiote start on Thursday night at St. James’ Park.
But Alan Pardew has gone out of his way to say this competition is not as important as the Premier League, and of course we lost ground over the weekend to two clubs beneath us – Southampton and Aston Villa both gained three points on Newcastle.
And in the Europa league, we still have a chance to go through because the manager can play his strongest side this Thursday night, with the next game being in a week.
It would be nice to start getting some wins in these games – any games.
What do you think?
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18 comments so far
TorqToon
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:52 AM
Comment #1Cheers lads! 🙂
A lot of talk about takeovers etc? Is that based on any rumours or purely just blog talk?
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:57 AM
Comment #2rotonda
I agree with some of what you say…could we get a better manager…absolutely.
Would we….I’m not sure, would we pay somebody a good wage who has experience, doesn’t seem to be our style. We could get a laudrupp style manager who has some experience and has played top level but looking to make his way in…maybe sojskaer (sorry for spelling).
I just think I’m happy to give pardew more time. Football is improving so hopefully it will continue and see where it takes us.
And what was the context of relegations under pardew…did he lose his best players, have a lot of long term injuries in a weakish squad or did he totally balls up.
Same with the promotions, was it the right achievement or did he perform above expectations?
I don’t know personally.
Markaccus
Feb 11, 2013 at 8:58 AM
Comment #3A take over now would be bad. It would unsettle the ship that we have only just about steadied.
Good strong attacking team at sjp this thursday, solid defensive side away at metallica car-key. Job done. 2-0 this week, 1-1 next week. ?????
Profit
Markaccus
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:01 AM
Comment #4Sage, surely you can see that, out of eveyone who doesn’t like pardew, 100 percent of them don’t like him. 100 percent! You can’t argue with those kind of loaded stats 😀
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:04 AM
Comment #5Mark raises a good stat there. Pardew has to go.
Oh and good morning all.
Transfer Sage
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:06 AM
Comment #6markaccus
I get rotonda’s point about how we could get a better manager but I’m of the view pards has served us well and needs to be given time now he has the team
Toon-Prodigy
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:06 AM
Comment #7Rotanda,
You have a point in a round about way. We had investment, but I don’t think it was anywhere near what we see invested in some teams of today. I think we had an ample amount of investment to challenge for honours, today we see teams buying buying buying until the reach that trophy.
And after all we didn’t win nout!
Markaccus
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Comment #8Just spotted Eds latest health update from saturday. Glad to see its all good at the moment. I am a recovered leukaemia patient, so I know how that kind of good news feels. (Its nice to know your own body isn’t trying to kill you anymore!). All the best, Ed! 🙂
Graeme
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Comment #9Torq – not seen or heard a thing mate.
I dont think MA would contemplate a sale at the moment given the slump in our performances and current position.
If he was going to sell, I would expect it to be on the back of a few more top 6 finishes – he should then be able to attract the money he is looking for (Whatever that is) based on steady and improving performances.
Always easier to sell when you don’t need to and things are looking rosy on and off the pitch!! BUT, this is MA – therefore anything is possible lol
Markaccus
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:11 AM
Comment #10In reality Sage, I am also in agreement that there are better managers out there, but also there are many who are MUCH worse. I was just being daft before :p
donkeypunch
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:11 AM
Comment #11compare pardew to are last 10 managers the only one i rate above him out of that lot is SBR. some peope might say KK aswell but he was givan an open checkbook at the time by hall would of been hard not to f it up with that amount of backing and he pretty much walked out of every job hes been in. even if we were to sack pardew and get another manager in pls list who you we could get in to replace him.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:11 AM
Comment #12Graeme….How were the celebrations yesterday? I will avoid as many capitals as possible…no one needs any shouting after a heavy nights drinking.
Ed…Wonderful news. Build ’em tough in Newcastle. All the best.
Graeme
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:12 AM
Comment #13Oh, and Nigeria won ACN last night – hangover not as bad as the semi-final, thankfully. Looks like a holiday is being declared for today – really good news lol
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:14 AM
Comment #14Tioite should consider himself lucky that he came on for eight minutes !
Anita, deserves more than just sitting on the bench if you ask me? Its good to have the beast back, but he will have to fight for his starting place along with the rest!
Toon-Prodigy
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:17 AM
Comment #15All the best Ed,
Great news.
croftus5678
Feb 11, 2013 at 9:19 AM
Comment #16aye i agree with you calling for pardew to get the sack !
after all we could get another souness as he’s well experianced as player and manager or maybe a dalgliesh ! no ok a shearer then as he did well and is geordie at heart ?
ruud gullit ? no ?
hmm ah bugger it we will just go back to changing managers every 4 month’s till we get one that !!!! does what pardew is doing ^^
looizallan
Feb 11, 2013 at 10:03 AM
Comment #17Good morning people.
On your health update Ed- Good to hear!
On the possibility of Pardew getting sacked?- I think all of you that are calling for his head, are off YOUR heads. We need a long serving manager, it is clear that he wants what is best for the club, and we are on the up now. Up the pardew! and howay the lads.
sticklebricks
Feb 11, 2013 at 11:19 AM
Comment #18Ed, Glad to hear you are doing well and thanks for your continued efforts with the blog.
Bet Shola is gutted he stayed behind and didn’t head out to the AFCON, especially given the amount of stick he’s getting from some fans at the moment.