Tim Krul had a good game last night, as did the Newcastle defense, and we looked well organized and solid, and when Metalist did get some chances Tim Krul made the saves, with his best save being in the first half when he brilliantly clawed away a goal bound header from Cleiton Xavier.
Tim Krul pointing – we were unlucky and should have won
It just wasn’t Newcastle’s night last night and we could easily have come away winning the game 3-0, and that would have set us up to make the round of the last 16 in the Europa League – but now with a 0-0 home draw, it’s looking a bit dodgy that we can get through.
But we were the better side last night and Tim through we should have won the game:
“I think we played really well – it’s just a shame that we couldn’t show that in goals.” “We should have won this game, definitely. We created so many chances but it’s a shame we didn’t finish them.”
“I would have liked to have put one in the back of the net myself but I can’t!” “But we have to take the positives as well; we played really well and we always create chances – just today we didn’t score them.”
“It was a really, really good noise.” “I think the fans definitely provided a good atmosphere for us so it was nice.” “They’ll have to be careful for the second leg because it’s far away but I know every away game, they’re there so it’ll be nice to get a good away support again and hopefully we can reward them with a few goals.”
“It’ll be a harder game, I think, at their place.” “They’re a good side. You can’t underestimate them because they’ve got some good technical players and they had some chances as well, so we have to be careful.” “You don’t know what to expect because it’s a different side.”
“We have to be sharp but we’ve still got a great chance. We kept a clean sheet, they haven’t scored, so if we score one there that’ll be good for us.” “Now we’ve got the advantage of being able to score an away goal so I think we’ve definitely got a good chance.”
“It’ll be a hard game but I think we can definitely go through to the next round if we be sharp and put some balls in the back of the net.”
As Yohan Cabaye said after the game the fact that we did not concede last night was a big plus, and now, as Tim says we only have to score at their place and it will be interesting – and maybe our lads will be inspired after a frustrating game last night, and even when we did score two good goals – they were disallowed.
But we have to at least draw the game next Thursday, because a win by Metalist will see them go through – and if that happens Newcastle will have 12 league games remaining in the season – but we should be able to play a very good side in all of those games – even if we have some injuries.
We need to end this season very well – because it’s been very difficult for Newcastle fans, very difficult, after we did so well last season.
Howay The Lads!!
Note: we are trying to help out one of our readers – Northumbria University student Alex Redfern – who is doing research on the impact of Newcastle’s recent sponsorship deal with Wonga – please fill out Alex’s questionnaire on the topic – and that will help his research – many thanks.
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and +1 us on Google+:
You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com
=============================================
17 comments so far
Griff-toon
Feb 15, 2013 at 9:41 AM
Comment #1@Troy Stavers from previous thread
I agree with you, Tiote has the ability and I think he will be back to his former self. He already works hard and covers a lot of ground.
What I dont understand from that game though is why he did the yellow card challenge so early in the match. Although we dont know what would have happened had he let the player get away on the break (might have been 0-1 Metalist) he makes it difficoult for himself for the rest of the game since he cant go into challenges 100% and instead has to go down to 70-80% (if you know what I mean).
He is there to break up play, hinder the flowing play of the attackers, and I believe he does that.
Troy Stavers
Feb 15, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Comment #2@Griff
He made those challenges when he was bang on form. I don’t believe that will ever change.
He simply hasn’t got the mental restraint to hold back.
Roy Keane was one of the best at that position and he made those same challenges right to the end of his career.
It’s part of his make up and its no good erring frustrated about it. You either accept this flaw in his game as his stronger qualities outweigh this flaw or you simply get shot of him.
I still believe he’s vital to our long term success.
gaz 44
Feb 15, 2013 at 9:47 AM
Comment #3Don’t get me wrong i really rate tiote but he has been so poor this year were as anita was outstanding.. I would rather see anita or perch play at the moment.. Cisse is always offside the only time he’s on he gets two goals ruled out lol
Tsunki
Feb 15, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Comment #4Don’t see any problem with the team or performance we are coming up against decent sides now, metalist were neat and aggressive and gave us little time. In fact pleased with some showings, MYM and Marveaux giving us options, Cisse still able to score, a 2 goal win any other night, just suspect officiating, bound to raise eyebrows with a Russian team involved.
Dilemma is pretty obvious, pardew cannot field as good a team away, southampton game is more important so coupled with more dodgy reffing we will lose by one or two goals and be out.
Troy Stavers
Feb 15, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Comment #5Metalist, are similar to every team we have met so far this season in Europe. They are well organised and can create chances but their finishing is crap.
For that reason, I believe we will progress even though we will be under the cosh for most of the away leg.
Benry
Feb 15, 2013 at 9:55 AM
Comment #6Cisse was shockingly bad last night, my grandpa could have scored that last header. Fair enough you can keep banging on about those disallowed goals but fact of matter is he is usually offside anyway so personally I am inclined to not give him the benefit of the doubt. Can’t believe this is the same player as last season. He basically plays like a weaker version of shola. Feel sorry for sissoko who has to play alongside him. Sissoko was absolutely beasting it last night, truly world class player
Troy Stavers
Feb 15, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Comment #7@Tsunki
I disagree about fielding a weaker side than for Southampton.
To remain in Europe is absolutely vital IMO.
Get a win and we go into the Southampton game full of confidence.
The squad now is strong enough in quality to adjust the team slightly and not lose strength for both games.
I want us to put our strongest team out for Metalist. If we get thru this round and into the last 16 then the games start to become big European nights which we all love!!
Troy Stavers
Feb 15, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Comment #8@Benry
Your assessment of Cisse is verging on the ridiculous.
Benry
Feb 15, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Comment #9On tiote I feel he should play. We should play to our strengths, and that is that we don’t have any good wingers but have very good central mids. Anita should play instead of Jonas.
Benry
Feb 15, 2013 at 10:02 AM
Comment #10Troy stavers, 90% of his shots are straight at the keeper. He can’t head the ball, doesn’t have pace, can’t even beat a defender by skill like other slow players like bebatov. Fair enough Cisse is a poacher striker, then compare him to Van Nistelrooy, Shearer, D Milito for e.g. At least those guys have other attributes and know how to head or hit the ball sideways.
Tsunki
Feb 15, 2013 at 10:06 AM
Comment #11Troy – you and I might place great store in a euro cup but I am certain Pardew views PL status as absolute priority. We may have perceived squad depth but we have no rotational match practice. A second team will go to the Ukraine. We will not get a goal away and it will be hostile and rife with poor refereeing. And I am usually optimistic 🙂
Troy Stavers
Feb 15, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Comment #12@Benry
Your second assessment of Cisse is definitely ridiculous. 😉
He scored 2 cracking goals and made himself runs to have a further 3 good chances. But for good goalkeeping and a corrupt linesman then he could have had the match ball.
Troy Stavers
Feb 15, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Comment #13Benry
You’ve just compared his standard to some of the greatest strikers ever. You forgot to include Henry, Drogba, and RVP.
I don’t recall anyone believing he was in their standard. If Cisse was in that bracket then he certainly wouldn’t be at the Toon.
He’s a top premier league striker of todays crop but behind RVP, Suarez, Rooney and a couple more but he’s up with the best of the rest.
Troy Stavers
Feb 15, 2013 at 10:18 AM
Comment #14@Tsunki
I believe the squad is now strong enough to stay up and relegation is not an issue now, even by concentrating on Europe.
Surely Pards can see that now.
Assam Toon
Feb 15, 2013 at 10:25 AM
Comment #15as far as the team selection is concerned, pardew should play mapou and haidara in place of taylor and debuchy. Play Marv, anita, perch, obertan, jonas and keep cabs, tiote and sissoko on the bench….bring them on if we lack quality.
Elliot
Haidara Colo Mapou Santon
Perch Anita Jonas
Marv Obertan
Cisse
in the Europa.
Sav
Feb 15, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Comment #16In the words of the great Joe Harvey, ‘Score against them and they’ll fold like a house of cards’.
toonicle
Feb 15, 2013 at 3:46 PM
Comment #17Benry- I don’t think Cisse being offsides so much is all his fault. He’s expecting earlier passes and those haven’t been provided for him very well until recently with Sissoko, who looks more and more like he was made to play with Cisse and feed him those early balls in. He’ll come good, heck he got 2 goals last night.