It is to their credit that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and Managing Director Derek Llambias moved quickly in January to strengthen the squad, which was never big enough to withstand the additional games in the Europa League this season and with our many injuries too, things looked very gloomy after we had lost at home to Reading 2-1 on 19th January.
Moussa Sissoko – brought in for £1.8M – what a great acquisition!
But then some magic seemed to happen, and we quickly brought in four players ion four days after the Reading defeat, and in total Newcastle paid out £18M in transfer fees for five very good players, in order to rectify the mistake that was made last summer.
Mike Ashley and Derek LLambias deserve to be complimented for that, whether you love them or hate them.
And Alan Pardew was obviously thankful for those new players, and now he’s trying to do his utmost to save the season for Newcastle and their fans by getting as many wins as possible through the end of the season.
Alan was interviewed today in the Independent, and he was asked if he had ever thought of how things could have been, if no reinforcements had been brought in during January:
“No, I don’t really think like that. I don’t think there would have been any chance of signing Sissoko, for example, or Mapou in that summer window.” “Debuchy, we know, could have possibly got over the line, but it’s difficult to say. At the time, it seemed the right thing.”
“It’s that momentum, it changes the outlook of players as well as staff, directors and supporters.” “All our supporters will be looking closely at this game. It’s a key game and we have got to make sure we get something out of it, a positive result.”
“We are much more aggressive in our play. We have tried to be aggressive all year, even with teams that perhaps didn’t have the quality to play that way.” “We have always played on the front foot, as Manchester United and Arsenal proved, but ultimately, we didn’t have enough to win those two games.”
“I always enjoy it, but you don’t want to have defeats. I don’t like any time when we lose and we have had some tough weeks when I was looking at the squad and knew it wasn’t good enough, not strong enough.” “It’s difficult to go into games like that.”
“So it’s been nice this last few weeks to have a strong squad – strong enough – and not only that, but to get results on top of that as well, because it doesn’t always go hand-in-hand.” “Your squad comes together, but it takes a while for it all to click into gear. “Fortunately, we almost hit the ground running when the new guys arrived.”
Newcastle signed Mathieu Debuchy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara, Moussa Sissoko and Yoan Gouffran in January – and Newcastle have looked a very different and a much better side since that time.
And now we hope we can win as many games as possible through the end of the season, starting at Swansea tomorrow afternoon – and of course we’re still in the Europa League.
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132 comments so far
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:31 PM
Comment #41Yo…That was a good read, thanks for sharing. Some funny bits in there 🙂
WWYCD
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:31 PM
Comment #42Do we need to try a obscure formation when 4231/433 works so well for us atm? We have players who are suited to that formation Debuchy, thus far, has been able to do both attack and defend only issue we have is with our italian stallion but he will mature with time
Rainrix
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:33 PM
Comment #43Yo… Agreed If it aint broke, messing with fancy wing back systems should be done in preseason not when we’re still in a relegation scrap. Don’t get me wrong it could work just don’t think its the time for it.
WWYCD
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:33 PM
Comment #44Ibiza
No worries mate, no matter how frustated I get with the Ameobi’s as soon as I read a interview with them or see them interviewed I remember why I adore that family
Dagwoodz
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:35 PM
Comment #45The 433/4231 is working well for us right now, but the tendancy right now is to get too narrow up top.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:35 PM
Comment #46Yo…Football has changed a lot over the years and it’s easy to get sucked in to the whole we need the best players out there to fill up the whole squad as we all want success and there is no room to be sentimental. However, this is Newcastle and the Geordies are a big bunch of sentimental softies really 🙂
WWYCD
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:37 PM
Comment #47Rainrix
It probably would work eventually but it would take time for it to settle…plus am not a fan of 3 at the back with wing backs just not my thing
lesh
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:39 PM
Comment #48Here’s an extract from the Mail article @32:
Sammy: I remember my first game at Walker. I was about eight. I came on for the last 10 minutes. I didn’t have a clue, just stood around, didn’t know what was happening.
Brian: He was running up and down the pitch, jumping in the air heading an imaginary ball. I went over and said ‘what are you doing, son?’
He said he was doing what he’d seen Shola do, obviously mimicking him warming up. When he did get the ball it was clear”
Nowt’s changed then!
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:40 PM
Comment #49Yo…you need to keep it fresh or else you are just to easy to figure out! (…now where have I seen that before) lol
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:41 PM
Comment #50Lesh…That’s almost as good as my editing at comment 1 🙂
“When he did get the ball it was clear he was a natural.”
NUFC_LEAZES END
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:42 PM
Comment #51@wwycd
I’m not saying change it now, because we are doing great with the formation we are using atm. But if we start doing bad then i was just saying i would like to see us try the formation I put above.
Because we all know how great debuchy and santon are as attacking wing backs, and also it means we could use m’biwa colo and saylor as Cb’s, Ben arfa in a free role behind cisse and gouffran, with cabaye and sissoko sitting in midfield.
Dagwoodz
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:45 PM
Comment #52@NUFC_LEAZES END
It’s good in concept, but I think it would also get us even more narrow up top than we are now. Of course, if there’s enough movement and they close down on the ball, it’s not so much of an issue.
NUFC_LEAZES END
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:47 PM
Comment #53@Dagwood
I see what you mean
Tsunki
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:47 PM
Comment #54Hang on a minute I go away for a while and rainrix gets a capital ‘R’! You look all growed up with that, looks good on you 🙂
Not as cool though. I thought you were the sort to use a ‘1’ as an ‘i’ sort of thing.
WWYCD
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:48 PM
Comment #55Ibiza
Aye true but I will happily have an Ameobi in my NUFC squad until the day i die
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:51 PM
Comment #56Yo…Me too, I don’t think I made myself clear there. What’s new? 🙂
m.a
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:51 PM
Comment #57Dear @NUFC_LEAZES END, it seems there are more than 11 players … lol
m.a
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:52 PM
Comment #58sorry, i made a mistake.. i failed your test.. haha
Rainrix
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:53 PM
Comment #59Ra1nr1x? Nah that looks weird Tsunk1 I think i’ll stick with this. Although Im glad the blog police took notice, im now exempt from being accused of being a mackem huzzar! 🙂
NUFC_LEAZES END
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:54 PM
Comment #60@m.a
Lmfao! I failed my own test because I didn’t even realise there was more than 11 players haa 🙂
Dagwoodz
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:57 PM
Comment #61Don’t worry m.a, LEAZES was just trying to maximize the use of the new fangled bench…
AaranPD
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:58 PM
Comment #62@NUFC_LEAZES END
————Krul————
Taylor-Colo-Mbiwa
Debuchy—————————————Santon
Sissoko-Cabaye-Anita
Ben Arfa
Cisse
A slight tweak to your formation, Allows for cover when Santon and Debuchy fly forward.
AaranPD
Mar 1, 2013 at 3:59 PM
Comment #63Debuchy and Santon should be in front of the back three :p. Also switch Cabaye and Sissoko around maybe.
AaranPD
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Comment #64Ignore me I am clearly tired and blind…
kevymartins
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:03 PM
Comment #65someone please pass this message along:
Bonjour yohan et la souris s’il vous plaît poinçon Nile Ranger et willo dans le visage pour moi.
WWYCD
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:04 PM
Comment #66NUFC_LEAZES END
Must admit mate am still not keen I think managers plan for the formation they want to play not a fan of chop and chance for sake of it. I also don’t think 3 at the back works in the PL Wigins the only team who I can think play with it and its through necessity rather than choice plus they are crap, City have tried and its killed them this season. I could be wrong mate but imo 3/5 at the backs a no go for me
Ibiza
Oh no u did mate I was just agreeing. The day Shola retires though I may shed a tear
Mister Tuff
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:07 PM
Comment #67AaranPD – @64 -I take it you support Percy.
kevymartins
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:08 PM
Comment #68You know what would be hilarious just imagine coming on here one morning and everyone is typing in french haha I bet pardrew wouldn’t be as paranoid about that trainin info leaked.
DokToon
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:08 PM
Comment #691b1z@t00n, so, how do feel well fare tomorrow?
kevymartins
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:19 PM
Comment #70Anyone out there want a laugh? please watch this so funny haha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CvCzOc5RJQ
Mister Tuff
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:20 PM
Comment #71Kevymartins @65.
Sissoko n’est pas une souris mais une bête.
Vous êtes un outil.
santonthenewmaldini
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Comment #72I dont think 3 at the back can work in the Premier league a bit of movement from an attacker and it all goes to pot leaving big gaps at the back
The formation we are trying to play is the way forward once Arfa gets back on the right hand side it will be deadly because Debuchy will be on the right Arfa will be able to drift inside easier and will also have more space as they wont be able to put 2 and 3 players just on Arfa now cause that means Sissoko etc will be unmarked!!
Just hope we can beat Anhzi cause if we can get through with a fully fit Arfa for the following round there is a big chance we can do well
Also did you see Huth has been charged with violent conduct ?3 game ban which means he wont be playing against us !!
kevymartins
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:24 PM
Comment #73@mister tuff Je suis sûr surnom sissoko est la souris et votre mumma est un outil
Marty-Toon
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:25 PM
Comment #74Gouffran,Sissoko and Debuchy have made a huge difference to the team.
Well done to the boardroom
hatemorloveit
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:27 PM
Comment #75Does any1 reckon that the attendences will go up for Anzhi
north east lincs toon
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Comment #76Reports that liverscum are to bid for benny in the summer 20 m seriously what f*****g hellbent planet are them stupid f*****g Bellends on ,no way is that going to happen!
north east lincs toon
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:33 PM
Comment #77@ 75 reckon there will be 40+ for anzi
Dagwoodz
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:35 PM
Comment #78I think just because it’s a bit further into the competition, and there is one Samuel E’to playing for Anzhi, the attendance will go up a bit. Don’t think there’ll be a sell out, but close to 40k. There were 33k for the Metalist game right?
Rotonda heights
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:37 PM
Comment #79Pardew says we won’t play total football like Swansea . Why not? We surely now have the players to do it.
Dagwoodz
Mar 1, 2013 at 4:39 PM
Comment #80@Rotonda
Because he plays whatever style he “feels” is necessary to get a result. I see a park the bus and counter attack display coming on tomorrow.