We had heard Alan Pardew had done this when the five French players arrived last month – and the news could have come directly from the Newcastle manager himself – but Steven Taylor has explained again that the new players were asked by the Newcastle gaffer why they came to Newcastle – in front of all the rest of the players.
Steven Taylor and new boy Mathieu Debuchy celebrate win over Chelsea
Newcastle had a fantastic January transfer window, and we signed Mathieu Debuchy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara, Yoan Gouffran and Moussa Sissoko – all from the French League and all for around £18M in total – and there are some great bargains are in there.
This is what Steven Taylor told the Topman magazine:
“Before the Aston Villa game we all sat down for a meal and the Gaffer presented each player with their shirt and asked them to explain why they came to Newcastle.” “Through a translator they all explained that they just wanted to be accepted by the group, give 100% to the team and promised not to let down the players and staff who were already there.”
“It was refreshing to hear them say that to us because too many times I’ve seen players come in, sign their big money contracts and just down their tools and relax. We’ve now got a group of players willing to work hard.” “You can see a player every day without actually getting to scratch beneath the surface and really get to know them.”
“To help that, the Gaffer has arranged a different theme every day for lunch times and we all have to eat together.” “Today we had a French day, tomorrow it’s Dutch and then Senegalese. We eat food from whatever country we’re doing that day, put up decorations with the country’s flags on them, the full shebang.”
“It might only be a small gesture but hopefully it helps the foreign players settle and feel accepted.”
We’re extremely impressed by all our new signings in January – and they certainly seem to have wanted to join Newcastle, and they all have given some great interviews since they arrived on Tyneside – and they’ve all played very well too.
And as we recall the were also asked to sing a song in front of the rest of the lads – so that’s one way in which Alan Pardew is an excellent man manager – because explaining why they came to Newcastle and then having to sing a song will certainly help break down the initial barriers for the newcomers – and for our squad players too.
Oh, and then we hammered Chelsea 3-2 at home, after beating Aston Villa 2-1 on the road for our very first away win of the season – and that helped too. 😀
Howay The Lads!!
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109 comments so far
cyprus
Feb 19, 2013 at 7:25 AM
Comment #81Those are indeed nice touches, not sure what all that mixed food does to the body. But, what is more important is that AP (or someone in his staff) get the tactics and energy levels right. Surely, they know which of the 2 games is most important, so it’s that one they must get tactics/energy spot on. Excuses like ‘we were tired after the drama of Thursday’ or ‘we didn’t have enough time to prepare’ will translate to bad management.
I was all for the Europa cup, really, but perspectives have changed dramatically, given our incredible slide. I’m really not sure AP (or maybe the players?) can handle two big games in a week, so big changes (i.e. different teams, even management) are necessary in the two.
Transfer Sage
Feb 19, 2013 at 7:30 AM
Comment #82Cyprus
I think we could manage two big games in 4 days….I think changing so many players between thursday and saturday has been our problem.
Look at spurs, they change only 2-4 players for europe, those who are genuinely tired or carrying a knock.
No reason we can’t start 7/8 of the best 11 and then hopefully get a couple goals which we should have had at home and then bring the really tired boys off.
The flight won’t take it out of them so they may as well send a full team out to at least have a strong bench.
I understand though if Pardew does rest a good 7/8 players….I don’t agree with it but I get why he will do it.
If we made the champs league I wouldn’t want him to sending shola, perch, jonas, obertan etc out against barca and resting the others for the weekend so we might as well attack the europa league as well.
cyprus
Feb 19, 2013 at 7:38 AM
Comment #83Transfer,
I agree, but, seeing our past games, AP tends to take his eye off the ball, or at least appears to do so. For instance, he talked of tired footballers in previous games, though in truth he’d used different teams!! We are not out of danger yet, in fact we are right in the thick of it. AP needs to analyse the death out of Soton, 24/7: past games, strategies, new coach, tactics etc.
Unfortunately, and I mean that, Europa is a luxury for a relegation-threatened side. If Beardsley plays our 12 year olds I will not be complaining. Soton is the big game, we’ve unfortunately ended up this way.
magpietillidie
Feb 19, 2013 at 7:47 AM
Comment #84We should easily be able to play 2 strong teams in 4 days debuchy and goofy cant play any ways so they can play sat if fit we have tiote n perch to pick from. The striker position picks its self even if cisse not 100% on form but we could play hadeira and move santon right back and rest a center half and play mbiwa just resting 3 to 4 players theres plenty options without disrupting the team to much
Graeme
Feb 19, 2013 at 7:47 AM
Comment #85Cyprus, Pardeaux now has at his disposal, probably the strongest squad since “The Entertainers” – all he has to do is use it properly.
There is no way a professional player cannot play 90 minutes on Thursday followed by 90 minutes on Sunday. They sleep on the plane coming back anyway and its not as if they are flying “Cattle Class” on Ryan Air or EasyJet. They will be on a private plane, fully pampered and looked after!!!
bills-son
Feb 19, 2013 at 7:56 AM
Comment #86Jail, Llambias wasn’t going after fake targets or lying to us in the summer. We couldn’t get the targets we wanted at the price we were prepared to pay. They didnt want to sign for the sake of it because they thought the squad was strong enough to wait until the summer when the likes of Sissoko and Mbiwa were lined up. That was a mistake and boy did they correct that mistake last month. Ashley runs the club to a strict financial plan and whilst that can cause frustration for us fans it doesnt make him a liar when he does.
Another two or three quality additions to this squad and we will have some team for next season. The buck ALWAYS stops with the guy at the top and Ashley has been the driving influence in shaping this squad albeit with the considerable scouting ability of Graham Carr. It was Ashley who insisted on signing quality young players near the end of their contracts at bargain prices.
Transfer Sage
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:02 AM
Comment #87I’m of the same opinion…rest 3/4 max….those who are really tired and need it. No need to worry somebody might become tired.
We have a squad so we may as well use it….anita, marv, obertan etc…but we don’t have a squad like man utd where we can change 8/9 players and still be really strong…we can rest players.
I don’t think we are out of trouble yet but we will be, no doubt about it we will survive relegation by 10 points or more in my eyes.
I just want us to have a go at a cup…there is always some excuse…..”we are pushing for top 4/5 so need to rest people”…”we are too near relegation so must rest players”.
I want a manager who says we will go for it…even if he changes 3/4 players still say you are going for it. Players like anita and marv aren’t back up….they are good players to rotate with the likes of sissoko, cabaye, tiote, etc.
Transfer Sage
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:06 AM
Comment #88Bills
I think Ashley has correct the problem he caused in the summer. Pardew said publicly he wanted a CB, a striker and a fullback (basicaly named debuchy and de jong)…so Ashley was aware that we needed players and as your rightly said made the mistake of not bringing them in.
He has corrected the summer problem this january so he has passed that test.
What is a big test for him is this coming summer. He needs to show he has learned from last year and strengthen with 2/3 good players again. Thats what all good teams do, move a few in and maybe let a couple fringe players go…improves the standard of the squad and keeps the players fresh and on their toes.
I have no idea if he will or wont sign players so won’t judge until the end of august but hopefully he will get some players in.
WWYCD
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Comment #89U lads do know Metalist Kharkiv and Southampton are different teams yeah? The lads train all week to combat each team individually that’s been our issue training has been split focus asking the squad to learn the ins and outs of 2 completely different teams its an issue which affects most teams in Europe (not to mention our injuries and lack of depth throughout this season) but hey don’t let it stop the Pardew bashing I know we’d all prefer someone with a foreign name in charge
Graeme
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:15 AM
Comment #90Yo – so, basically the same as playing, say Wigan on Wednesday night away, Man Ure Saturday at home and maybe Everton away the following Wednesday??
Its something they do every single week of the season mate and its not brain surgery, Other than a bit further to travel – what exactly is the difference to 3 Prem games in 7 or 8 days??
Transfer Sage
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:15 AM
Comment #91WWYCD
I agree with you we prepare for two different teams….but the problem for me is changing our whole team for each game…..means there is no rhythm….look at spurs….much better team early season that us but they only made 2/3 changes for europe…..(this is the experience of AVB who won league and europa league with Porto so knows what he is doing in that comp).
I think injuries and small squad was our main problem early season, not so much the europa league getting in the way.
And yes you need to prepare for two teams but thats just little details, set pieces, man marking certain players etc….it shouldn’t cause too much confusion.
cyprus
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:15 AM
Comment #9210 points safe?! Hope so! That roughly means 50 points, i.e. 23 points in 12 games, i.e. 7 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses. That’s some run, but I do hope you are right. I see us grinding out lots of draws… and the points don’t pile with those. Hope I’m wrong.
Transfer Sage
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:20 AM
Comment #93cyprus
It’s hard to say really…..it’s just what I think looking at our run in.
I think the team staying up will do so with 35/6 points this year so we will be around the 48/50 mark.
Purely speculation like so I could easily be miles off.
WWYCD
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:20 AM
Comment #94Graeme
Throughout most of the season its 1 game a week and when games start to tot up over 7-14 days all managers start complaining how its hurting their team
Sage
I don’t disagree but Pards hasent been in Europe before he’s learning (as everyone said he would at the beginning of the season). As for the squad changing we are still in Europa League and we nearly topped the group so we didn’t suffer much from the changes our problems have come from our strongest 11 who played in the PL
And aye its probably not that much they need to learn but footballers aren’t known for being intelligent
cyprus
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:22 AM
Comment #95To give a little perspective, in 26 games, won 7. In 12, now, we’ll win 7? It’s a tad optimistic, even with our additions.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:25 AM
Comment #96Local rag – Journal reporting Benni’s back in training and raring to go-
If so I would take him to Metalists and if game 0-0 or 1-0 to Metalists I would bring him on to run at them and maybe get a goal to win the tie.
It would also get him in the swing of things for the Southampton game.
cyprus
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:28 AM
Comment #97Re Europa league, 8 out of 18 main bookies have us at 50 to 1 (!), a clear indication of our chances. We are, as they say, playing against all odds.
Transfer Sage
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:29 AM
Comment #98wwycd
Oh yeh, I can forgive pardew a few mistakes here and there…as long as he learns from them and doesn’t make them too often.
Managers today rarely get a chance so I don’t mind us sticking with Pardew…could do better but could do a lot worse so it’s only fair he gets a crack now he has a good squad which he wanted.
Cyprus
Well since the new boys we won 2 in 3 so a good start….unlucky not to take anything from spurs too.
We already look much better than we did at the start of the season. I think it is optimistic and might not happen but no reason it can’t.
Transfer Sage
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:31 AM
Comment #99cyprus
Obviously we are against it….have some good teams in in…chelsea, athletico madrid, ajax, spurs, zenit…it won’t be easy thats for sure.
But in a knock out competition anything is possible….what were the odds on the league cup final being contested by swansea and bradford? much higher than 50-1 i imagine. Anything can happen in cup football.
Transfer Sage
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:33 AM
Comment #100charlie
Sammy Ameobi mentioned that on twitter yesterday too….depending on how fit he is i would also have him in ukraine….give him 20 mins to get into his flow again.
Purely depends on his fitness though, I wouldn’t risk him.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:44 AM
Comment #101Transfer Sage
If he has had no reaction to back into full training
Deffo – take him to the Ukraine and give him twenty minutes or so.
Up and running for Southampton game and maybe give him 45 minutes against Southy
Should get him up to speed for the rest of the season
~ Phoenix Warrior Perch~
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:45 AM
Comment #102Just saw the video of Cashleys dive at Brentford…
I doubt even the Master of Diving, Ronaldo could have done a better dive then that.
Transfer Sage
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:53 AM
Comment #103charlie
Yeh….if he is fine he needs minutes to get himself right….just ease him back in over the next 2 games I think then unleash him after.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 19, 2013 at 9:01 AM
Comment #104Transfer Sage
We’ll make football mangers yet!!!!!
Transfer Sage
Feb 19, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Comment #105charlie
If only….i’d take doing a poor job at chelsea and getting my 10mil pay out haha.
geordielad880
Feb 19, 2013 at 9:11 AM
Comment #106On thursday I would go for:-
———————————krul
m’biwa———Collocini——–s.taylor——————santon
——————anita———tiote——–cabaye
——-campbell—————————————-marvo
———————————-cisse
And against southampton:-
———————————krul
Debuchy———collocini———s.taylor————santon
——————-sissoko————–anita
——————————-cabaye
ben arfa—————————————————-gouffran
——————————–cisse
I think we could win both games, with those sides, and it keeps things pretty fresh with a few changes, without changing too much, and ben arfa is back in training!!!
Rotonda heights
Feb 19, 2013 at 9:56 AM
Comment #107I’m not Pardew bashing but all I want to know is what exactly his fans base their faith on him on, given his exceptionally average CV to date.
In 13 years he’s won the Johnson Painter trophy, had 2 promotions and 1 relegation I believe, plus 3 sackings and 2 worst runs in both West ham’s and NUFC’s history. We are currently 16th. We came 5th last season.
I think it is brilliant the way Carr has brought in all these French players and if Pardew had a hand in that too, then fair play to him.
Personally I find Pardew a total enigma. He’ll do some great things but then he’ll do equally bizarre things and press the self-destruct button when caution and ego get the better of him. I guess those flaws are what has stopped him otherwise ever really hitting the heights.
I guess the question is will they continue to do so?
nufc 11
Feb 19, 2013 at 10:49 AM
Comment #108Fergie, Sammy and Vuckic wen he comes back need a whole season in the Championship or SPL thts the only way a propber judgment can be made on them at least they will be a bit more seasoned wen they come bk a year in the reserves is not worth a toss.
AndyMac
Feb 19, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Comment #109Ed, this doesnt deserve a 109 post position but IMHO you need to begin a whole new thread based upon Rotonda Heights key question.
“I’m not Pardew bashing but all I want to know is what exactly his fans base their faith on him on, given his exceptionally average CV to date.
In 13 years he’s won the Johnson Painter trophy, had 2 promotions and 1 relegation I believe, plus 3 sackings and 2 worst runs in both West ham’s and NUFC’s history. We are currently 16th. We came 5th last season”
Whenever Pardwho apologists turn up the one thing they all appear incapable of understanding is that Pardwho has won nothing !
Yet when pressed about his ability to win trophies for the Toon they have nothing to offer in defence of their hero.
Pardwho’s won nothing so why should he break the habit of a lifetime at NUFC ?
The best he can offer is to pay off his gambling debts with Del the blood sucking vampire however where does that leave the Toon Army ?