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
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:30 AM
Comment #81harley
I’d like to see obertan gone too.
I have always given him a chance, thinking he needs time to settle and kick on.
But for me the lack of effort and care with the ball and lack of desire to win it back 90% disgusted me last night and it wasn’t the first time.
I’ve had enough and with us having 14 of 17 players of our non UK quota then I think he needs to be one of the first to go and be upgraded.
TorqToon
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:30 AM
Comment #82Ibiza – you truly have a ‘magical’ way with words my friend!!
Finishing school sure paid off!! 😉
Well I’ve finished my stint at St. Etienne now and have the grand total of ONE day off before I start back up with Valenciennes. Will be at their game on Saturday evening against Lille and will be there for a fortnight to go over everything.
Give me your orders lads and I will flash the keyring and then the chloroform! 🙂
Marzy
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:31 AM
Comment #83Quality solid performance last night!, thought Perch deserves the MOM performance, followed closely by Yanga & Haidara? The back four was solid including Simmo/ Elliot.
Team against Stoke shouldn’t be much different! I would play
Elliot, Debuchy, Taylor, Yanga, Haidara
Gutti, Tiote, Cabaye, Sissoko, Santon
Gouffran/Cisse.
I would love to see Santon in Midfield either on the left or right, but it will give us that drive on the wings with him there as we lack drive these days. Can’t wait for Sunday & Thurs now.
obatoyou
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:34 AM
Comment #84GUAranteeD we will be paired with Tottenham or Chelsea, bet you 12 bucks~
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:34 AM
Comment #85charlie
No idea, could have just been a very serious tare to his hamstring.
I’d like to say that all players on both sides looked leggy/tired last night. Sure the pitch made it harder to run/turn and also the ball didn’t run true and lacked and zip on the pitch.
TorqToon
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:37 AM
Comment #86Marzy – Same here mate! Would love to see santon further up the park in place of maybe jonas. We need to pressure stoke and run at them, and with guti being more defensively minded he could be brought on when we are 4-0 with 15 to go! 😉
Think it was always the plan to move him onto a wing anyway. Will Cisse’s bug, I would stick gouffran up top! His pace will terrify the opposition!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:37 AM
Comment #87Torq…What can I say, you either have it or you don’t.
Day off? Enjoy it mate.
So, what’s everyone’s thoughts on Marv? For me he is a player with great skill, who can do some amazing stuff, but 9 times out of 10 does zilch during a game, almost seems not interested.
Not a comparison game, as Obertan wasn’t any better, but tbh, I think many have already written squiddy off, so what about Marv?
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:40 AM
Comment #88ibiza
I can’t think of a single good game where marv has played out wide, he looks lost and is not involved anywhere near enough.
Play him centrally and you get a good game in ever 2/3 games which is much better but still not enough to command a starting spot. Happy for him to be in the squad but not to be used out wide as games pass him by.
TorqToon
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:40 AM
Comment #89Ibiza – I gotta agree with you. Marv has so much potential, but only shows glimpses during a match rather than a prolonged and convincing showing.
When he is on his game, no oft can get near him and he can be very similar to benny, unfortunately he isn’t consistently ‘on his game’.
TorqToon
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:41 AM
Comment #90TS – Yeah centrally is where he is best, but he’s not going to get in ahead of our starting XI just yet.
ballerfan2
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:46 AM
Comment #91To those criticising Pardew for his possible team selection on Sunday (Ben Arfa) and becoming exasperated (I’m being polite) by the manager’s comments – perhaps Pardew is more concerned about player management, keeping them happy and motivated, than trying to keep these fans happy. He will certainly be aware that no matter what he says or does he is going to upset the same people who have made their mind up about him a long time ago and are not going to change their mind no matter what. Even after last night when his tactics were perfect, there are those who were ready waiting for the first opportunity to have a go at him. His suggestions about the POSSIBLE make up of Sunday’s team, the same as you might hear from any football manager in our situation, has enraged these permanently angry people. No – Pardew trying to mollify these fans would be a pointless excercise.
Marzy
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:47 AM
Comment #92TorqToon completely agree but sadly would still play Guti on either side until Ben Arfa’s back to full fitness at least! let’s face it Guti is better then Obertan/Marveux as he offers more in the way of a defensive cover and is as effective going forward!
One thing I have not heard many people talk about is little Campbell? I for one would of liked to see an appearance from him last night instead of Shola? I think Pardew has to start giving him 5 mins or more here on there! As that enthusiasm & youthfulness will intimidate defences.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:48 AM
Comment #93Torq/Transfer…That’s exactly it. Not a bad player but has done next to nothing to warrant a starting spot imo. Now bring on the “what has Jonas done to deserve a starting spot then?” 🙂
Ballerfan…Amen brother.
check the toastie
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:52 AM
Comment #94I have called for both Marv and Obertan to be put in the team instead of Jonas, i would like to apologise as both have had opportunites lately to really put forwrad their case, they havent and 100% commitment isnt really guarenteed, what happened to the Marv that was great against Arsenal, mind you Anzi are a good side and personally would play the same side at home to see how they do.
Really disappointed with Ben10’s conditioning, he looks way to big, whats going on there, Benny needs to cut the baguettes out the next time he picks up an injury. Should have been on a strict diet whilst being unable to train, really dont get the ballooning of weight whilst players are out, Saylor is another who lets himself down.
check the toastie
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:55 AM
Comment #95And i would also like to say, any posters who doubt Perch now, have not been watching him for the last 12 months, the lad has done great and is more than capable of standing in for Collo, especially as he will have either Saylor or Yanga(brilliant) next to him.
Last night was a super defensive display, however the full backs though solid were a major reason we created nothing, told or both prefer to stay goalside of the ball, any decent side push there full backs on and thats why Santon and Debuchy are a major improvement if we want to create and score goals.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:55 AM
Comment #96ibiza
I think jonas has been shocking this year, terrible in his main job which is to create and get a few goals he has failed.
However obertan and marv haven’t really done much more.
I’d rather have jonas to defend and fail attacking than those two to fail attacking and not defend.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 8:59 AM
Comment #97check
I think haidara did well, got forward a bit more than simmo and had the chance to put in a couple of crosses, they didn’t come off though.
I think they stayed back more to be cautious, we clearly wanted the clean sheet and a goal for us was a bonus, at home i expect us to pressure them a lot more.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:00 AM
Comment #98TS…For me with Jonas it’s all about not expecting him to suddenly start beating his man again, it’s just not going to happen anymore really. He does provide a steady defensive presence which has been needed for large parts of the season…sadly.
I hope as the team progresses this is needed less and less and based on last nights defensive display perhaps we aren’t too far away from that.
Check…Can’t say I disagree with any of that. It was always going to be a focus on a defensive display and they did that job wonderfully.
Harley
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:31 AM
Comment #99Transfer
We were watching in the pub and about 10 seconds after we said it the commentator said exactly the same. It’s bad enough that he loses the ball with almost every touch but the fact he’s not bothered and doesn’t try and win it back is totally unacceptable.
I’m pretty sure pardew knows it too but he doesn’t have any other options right now.
pethmag
Mar 8, 2013 at 5:43 PM
Comment #100Benny didnt look up to pace at all but still think he should of scored and got us that away goal . Obertan is probably one of the worst players iv ever seen. He contrabutes nothing in games at all . Haidara looks much more comfortable at lefback . Probably doesnt get forward as much as santon but defends better . Dont know why pardew doesnt play haidara left back and put santon in front of him as the winger . Santon started his career as a forward at inter before mourinhno converted him to a full back . Anyways a good result last nite and a victory over stoke on sunday would set us up niceley.