Alan Pardew was interviewed on nufcTV immediately after the game tonight in Moscow, and before he boarded the plane back to Newcastle, and the manager seemed really upbeat by what he called a fantastic performance from the Newcastle side.
Alan Pardew and Guus Hiddink before the match tonight
This is what a delighted Alan Pardew told Rob Scanlon after the game:
“Fantastic performance against a really good side – to get a draw and not concede a goal is fantastic.” “We played a technical side that was good with the ball, and in the first half we really controlled the ball and gave them limited opportunities.”
“Second half they were a little bit sharper, and we had to defend well, and a couple of good saves from Rob (Elliot) which will do him no harm, but a really sound performance tonight, and we have to go to St. James’ Park and we’ve got to win.”
“Ben Arfa is not 100% fit, and I thought one area that he might cause them problems on one of his runs, and he had a great moment just before he went off, and I fancy if he was fit he would have scored that, but he’s getting there and obviously he’s an important player for us.”
“And I think he’ll play a part on Sunday for sure – if we need him – and hopefully we wont – but we have no injures tonight – it’s a great result – really a super result tonight, and we’re pleased with that – and now we have to do the job at St. James’.”
“But we’re going to need a lot of fans in there on Thursday, because they will make a difference to us, and they are a really really good side and they have four or five top players.”
The manager makes a very good point at the end, because Newcastle will need a good turn-out from the fans to cheer the lads on next Thursday evening at St. James’ Park – and we’re sure the club will do their best to persuade the local fans to get to the game.
It was another excellent performance from Newcastle tonight, and the defense is starting to look very sound.
In the other Europa League games tonight, Spurs walloped Inter-Milan 3-0 and Chelsea lost at Steaua Bucharest 1-0.
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100 comments so far
Mister Tuff
Mar 7, 2013 at 11:59 PM
Comment #41Toondownsouth -whilst I know your joking -Graham Carr doesn’t even watch Newcastle matches -he gets too nervous. If he’s at home in the garden he gets his missus to shout out the scores.
beefman13
Mar 8, 2013 at 12:32 AM
Comment #42Tads, i applauded last seasons efforts, punched massivly above our weight but we battled well.
Ypu take it season on season as di matteo found out.
In all my years of watching the toon i dont think any manager has got to me like Pardew this season, his continual pont and excuses his damming of the youngins and defence of the hapless seniors who have for the large part got us in this situation, our jan signings will pull him out the crap probably, not his managment tactics.
Any manager currently in the premiership could pull us away with the players we have brought in.Ian Holloway i would have one hundred per cent over pardew with these players we have.
I
Am
Honest enough to hold my hand up if im wrong, if we play well thats brilliant i will sat that, tonight we did play well no doubts, it is just him covering his tracks every single day that is so out of order, he cannot help himself.
Team v Stoke
Elliot
Debuchy
Santon
Mbiwa
Saylor
Tiote
Cabaye
Guttierez
Shola
Gouffran
Sissoko
Its ok apart from you know who although he did have his best game of the season there last season.
We should beat the potters up. We may do who knows.
Ps no i would not have played honas tonight or any other night.
Louis583
Mar 8, 2013 at 1:07 AM
Comment #43Beefman13 I would love to know how you know so much about Ben Arfa and his fitness, do you train with him? are you his sports fitness coach? are you monitoring his progress like the many trained professionals that are undoubtedly under contract at Newcastle?
If any of the above are true then I do apologize…
Sav
Mar 8, 2013 at 1:11 AM
Comment #44Lots of good performances tonight but its right to mention Danny Simpson as well who has come in for these odd Europa matches and not let the side down at all. I hope something can be resolved over his contract because he never lets the team down and if he’s content to play second fiddle to Debuchy, we won’t find better back-up at LB for the money.
And if he goes in the summer, good luck, son.
lesh
Mar 8, 2013 at 1:11 AM
Comment #45Cheers tads and who’s this, whatsisname again, beef sumptinorother? Could he be the mackem’s next manager in waiting?
lesh
Mar 8, 2013 at 1:14 AM
Comment #46Naughty tads (beefman(10%beef 90% horsesh1t)
true toon
Mar 8, 2013 at 1:19 AM
Comment #47After seeing how Spurs thrash Inter and how we played last night. We simply have no chance of winning this competition. Prediction for second leg. NUFC 1 2 Anzhi
cockneymagpie90
Mar 8, 2013 at 1:34 AM
Comment #48You have to say his defencive game plan is working out quite well but we still need to improve in the attack…
i have to say obertan is a pile of shit and the commentator was spot on about his attitude…
Imagine what santon could have done in the same postition, not lose the ball every time he got it thats for sure!
Santon would do a great job there, it would also be worth the risk as his price could rocket…
Needs to happen!
NUFC_LEAZES END
Mar 8, 2013 at 1:46 AM
Comment #49Looks like we will be playing lazio if we to through like, tough tie, but do able.
They’ve got some cracking players
Zarate
Klose
Mauri
Ciani
Ledesma
true toon
Mar 8, 2013 at 1:54 AM
Comment #50Obertan and Ameobi simply can’t make it. If they played second leg , we might as well give up and go home.
Jamiemac
Mar 8, 2013 at 2:08 AM
Comment #51Leazes – how do you know it will be Lazio?
truetoon- nice optimism
ochytoon
Mar 8, 2013 at 2:14 AM
Comment #52Really proud of the lads tonight. Relishing the prospect of a potential Lazio tie. Those big Italian European games are the ones I’ve missed.
beefman13
Mar 8, 2013 at 2:51 AM
Comment #53Tads, 100 per cent cockney!
beefman13
Mar 8, 2013 at 2:54 AM
Comment #54Truetoon, we gave spurs a real game without ben arfa, be very interesting v spurs with a fully loaded ben arfa!
No offence in my previous post i welcome supporters from other parts of the country.
obatoyou
Mar 8, 2013 at 3:00 AM
Comment #55hahahahahahaha
Toon Tang
looks like its been taken with ghandi’s flip flop
u crack me up
Mister Tuff
Mar 8, 2013 at 3:04 AM
Comment #56The post stating we may be playing Lazio is rubbish. After the last 16 -the quarter final draw is a free/open draw and will take place on 15th March.
89Norcal
Mar 8, 2013 at 3:14 AM
Comment #57Can I confess I was semi-supporting Samuel Eto’o. Though I’m a toon fan I was a Barca fan years before 🙂
But glad he didn’t score, because he had a couple of great chances.
cyprus
Mar 8, 2013 at 6:18 AM
Comment #58Missed game, as I read it was very … exciting 😉
Saw highlights, where were the fans?
AusMagpie
Mar 8, 2013 at 6:53 AM
Comment #59I think Haidara has more than earned his chance to play a game in the EPL but Santon has definitely not lost his place in the starting 11 for me. I would love to see this team on Saturday:
—————– Elliot ——————-
Debuchy – Saylor – M’biwa – Haidara
——— Tiote ——— Cabaye ——–
Ben Arfa —– Sissoko —– Santon —
—————- Gouffran —————
Very solid back 4 protected by Tiote, who has been inform as of late and an extremely fast tempo attack controlled by the world class Cabaye. Would absolutely tear Stoke apart.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 7:29 AM
Comment #60Aus mag
A solid looking team really, can’t see it though myself.
I think it will the same as the last league game but with mbiwa in for colo. I think from the sounds of it cisse will have recovered in time to play a part in the game and probably from the start.
I think haidara deserves a game but can’t see him getting one. Against stoke there should be a lower need to defend than compared to a top club so santon won’t really get caught out with his forward runs.
I’d like to think santon will learn to time his runs better like debuchy does and know when and when not to attack. Nothing against the lad as he is only young.
On a related topic, has anyone seen santon play for italy? is he as cavalier as he is for us or more disciplined as the italian team usually are.
bills-son
Mar 8, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Comment #61Got to say Perch was magnificent last night.
Withiut a doubt CB is his best position especially if he isnt facing an aerial threat. His tackling and interceptions broke up so many of Anzi’s attacks and one thing he never gets much credit for is his passing. He hardly ever gives the ball away and if you havent noticed the quality of his passing keep an eye on Perchy next time he plays.
Last night was one of the most organised, disciplined and professional performances I”ve seen from the Toon in a long while. We looked a proper team and those still criticising Pardew as being clueless are clueless themselves. Catchy and co eat ya drivel out.
iggystinger
Mar 8, 2013 at 7:34 AM
Comment #62Great result for us last night with a good performance lets March into the Quarter Finals now on the TOON
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 7:35 AM
Comment #63Bills
It was a good game, very organised and the team worked the plan perfectly….and to top it off hba should have really scored to give us a 1-0 lead to bring home…perfect away game plan almost executed to perfection.
On perchy…always happy with him CB, he even stopped the 6’8 traore winning much in the air, if perch never won it he put him off enough to not get good contact without fouling him. I have always liked perch at CB since the hom game against liverpool last season where he kept suarez quiet and crunched him too.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 7:42 AM
Comment #64Bills
Not sure Pardew as proved himself 100% yet but what he has shown is that with the right players and a solid squad he can get them playing well. I think he didn’t get the best out of what was available early season, we shouldn’t have lost that many games even with the team we had out but it wasn’t as bad as some made out.
I think the only thing seperating us from spurs now is lennon and bale….we don’t have pace and drive from the wings to get in behind and press the opposition back.
If we improve that and get another option up front to cover or work with cisse we could be a real force next year.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 8, 2013 at 7:48 AM
Comment #65Perchy
My man of the match tackling and passing superb – read the game well.
AND to me linked up with Mbiwa could be a centre back pairing for the future.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 8, 2013 at 7:50 AM
Comment #66Morning all,
I have always preferred Perch as a CDM, but he really impressed last night, so fair play.
Bills….”Catchy and co eat ya drivel out.” Good luck with that one 🙂
TS & Bills…What Pardew has shown, again, is that whilst he’s not perfect he is far from a tactical moron, it’s just that he does things that others on here disagree with. The man is shown a complete lack of respect on here at times, but you do wonder what the very same people would actually say in person, it is a blog after all and far easier to flex your muscles so to speak.
Basically, I think Pardew did a really good job last night.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 7:52 AM
Comment #67Ibiza
Exactly…..and if ben arfa had taken his chance, which he should have really, then we would be leaving as 1-0 winners and would be one foot in the final.
Never happened but 0-0 is still good.
The commentators said anzi are much better home than away so that could mean we are in a good position to go through.
Pushy Pardew
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:01 AM
Comment #68Well said Ibiza.
bills
Perch replaced Colocciini against Spurs in our first game and did well.
Beefman
Do you have a sports science degree? Your knowledge of players and in particular Hatem’s fitness level suggests you do!
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:07 AM
Comment #69pushy
Anyone could have a degree and it wouldn’t be relevant.
The only people who know his fitness are the doctors and trainers who work with him. They will have the close view of him plus all of the data they have these days such as distance covered, sprint time etc etc.
None of us know for sure viewing from the outside but we can make an educated guess looking at how pardew brings players back usually, what level of fitness are they normally when they return.
From what I have seen from what pardew does he usually brings players back only when ready (ben arfa at fulham the exception). Look at cabaye, came back from injury and played every game since near enough, same for steven taylor, same for colo, so i’d presume going of that ben arfa will be fit enough for the game against stoke.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Comment #70TS…Couldn’t help but feel he should have buried that shot wor Benny. But I can forgive him that if he scores a hattrick in the home game 😉
Morning Pushy.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:12 AM
Comment #71ibiza
it was almost like the pirlo penalty against england. He dinks it down the middle and if the keeper goes to ground we all applaud saying fantastic goal, if the keeper saves it we all scream why didn’t you just put your laces through it haha.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:15 AM
Comment #72TS…Seeing as he’s been out and it was pretty much our only shot not too bad and as you say “If” the keeper had gone for the low block maybe just maybe.
Wait a second, no. Benny out! He cost us an away goal! Pardew should never have played him so he can go too! Everyone out! RRUHFYUGKLAQ!
Spotlight Kid
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:15 AM
Comment #73Why do a select group of posters here demand HBA play when he is clearly some way off match fitness? The only reason he didn’t get injured last night is the pitch, no defender wanted to risk losing a kneecap on that surface by putting in a crunching tackle. Come the weekend that will change, and if the usual suicide supporters on here get their way he will be out for the rest of the season. Apart from the physical side, the lad would have buried that chance when fit and confident; now he has that seed of doubt when in front of goal will he pass the ball instead? Benny didn’t need to play, but hey we’re talking Pardewism here where logic doesn’t always (ever?) stack up.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:18 AM
Comment #74Spotlight…I’m going to take a minute to enjoy two parts of that post.
1) Suicide supporters.
2) Pardewism.
Nice.
Moving on, I thought starting Benny wasn’t the best call before KO, but a run out probably did him some good and as you say, no damage done.
Can’t really fault Pardew much for last night, did anyone expect to put them to the sword away from home? Hardly.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:21 AM
Comment #75spotlight kid
Pardew wouldn’t risk him again if he wasn’t capable of playing. You have to bring players back at some point and they will usually be rusty to start with so not too much of a risk.
I trust the club to manage him well. If he plays then great, the game time will do him good. If he doesn’t play then fair enough, he obviously is still a bit tight/sore from last nights game.
TorqToon
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:22 AM
Comment #76Morning gents. The morning after the night before and we player everything tactically perfect last night. Perch was immense. Benny showed glimpses of his return and was nice to see him on the park. Highlight for me was Yanga. He is coming into his own and is going to be a hell of a player for this side! With colo out for a while, Yanga is more than capable of stepping in and, dare I say, upgrading our defence from colo? Cabs is a fantastic skipper and will be for many years to come.
I’m still baffled how some people can moan and b1tch about the result, against a side who have spent £300mil in 24months and made us play or a plastic pitch!!
NUFCursed HAS to be one of the biggest jokers on this blog, yet he was surprisingly nowhere to be seen during the after match comments!
Some people on here are clearly makems and need to get a social life!
Good day to you all, gents! 🙂
Owldman
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:23 AM
Comment #77Playing matches is the only way to get fit & sharp Benny is bound to struggle for a couple of games , he has after all been out for a good spell he may not even get back to top form before the end of the season.If he hasn’t suffered any side effects I would probably think Pards wil play him for only half a game against Stoke , allso concerned that we haven’t got Collo, this leaves us with only Williamson as CMD to fall back on, I know some of the regular bloggers will
say that we have Perch , in an emergency yes, but as a regular no,
Harley
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:24 AM
Comment #78Morning.
I read this further back and not sure if anyone replied yet or not. I’ve just checked and it seems obertan is on a 5 year contract.
I’m sick to death of seeing him pulling on a toon shirt. I think we did amazing last night considering we were carrying 2 players (marveaux being the other one) and had no striker.
These 2 have to go in the summer. Obertan especially as he has had so many chances now. I’d be happy to replace both of them with 1 quality winger.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:25 AM
Comment #79Torq…Good day to you good sir. I hope this fine Friday brings you nothing but good things.
Now p*ss off and go find our new players 🙂
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:26 AM
Comment #80Benny
I would bring him on for the last twenty minutes against Stoke. Looked like he was treading water at times last night.
conspirously theory
I wonder if it was more than just a hamstring injury he has had