Alan Pardew has been interviewed in the local press today, and he is obviously delighted we were able to get all 3 points against what looked like a very solid Stoke side, but that’s Stoke’s 7th loss in the last nine Premier League games.
Papiss Cisse smashes home the winner on 92 minutes
This is what Alan Pardew had to say to the local press today:
“It was a massive win for us and sets up Thursday night for a special evening.” “Our fans have earned the right to get the place as full as we can. “The margins are so small against them we need every advantage.”
“It gives me the luxury of making Anzhi my priority – not Wigan. God willing, we’ll get a great win.” “I am ecstatic for our fans.” “That is a game that we’d have struggled to win with out best team.” “Stoke come here with a great game plan and a great mentality.”
“They came here and made it difficult for us.” “We had to ask all sorts of different questions of them – and we did.” “This is a Stoke team to fear.” “They had everybody available and Charlie Adam on the bench.”
“It is a proper team. They aren’t 10th for no reason.” “We were good in so much as we were resilient and defended well. “We lacked some imagination. Some of our flair players had an awful day, Papiss Cisse in particular.”
“But nobody else would have let the ball drop as low as that before hitting it for his goal.” “It was a penalty. You could argue Stoke should have had a penalty in the first half, so it evened itself out. I thought it was a game well reffed.”
Stoke played very well yesterday, but they are in big slump with just 5 points out of their last 10 league games, and they will need to get some results soon, since the big money QPR have shelled out in players transfer fees and wages may be paying off with two successive league wins, and they beat Sunderland 3-1 on Saturday.
This is the business end of the season for all the teams in the Premier League.
Comments welcome.
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58 comments so far
Rainrix
Mar 11, 2013 at 10:42 AM
Comment #1Is pardew lining himself up for the stoke job? Stop encouraging them for gods sake. 🙂
Carryingcoals
Mar 11, 2013 at 10:49 AM
Comment #2“But nobody else would have let the ball drop as low as that before hitting it for his goal.” “It was a penalty. You could argue Stoke should have had a penalty in the first half, so it evened itself out. I thought it was a game well reffed.”
Sorry, this has confused me. He’s talking about Cisse’s goal then something completely different. I haven’t seen the video of this interview. What incident is he talking about. Their first half incident was the Santon tangle but is he saying that we should have had a pen too??
Hatem's better than Messi
Mar 11, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Comment #3I still can’t work out why we put the ball into the box aerially so often. We had a lone striker against a couple of large CBs.
Most of the crosses hit the first defender (as usual).
Then so many wild shots from 40 yards out.
Gouffran had some very poor first touches.
Sissoko’s final ball was consistently poor.
Cisse still doesn’t know the offside rule when we break.
Tiote … getting better … but the tackle in the box. He’s an idiot. Anita or Perch for me. Pardew should drop him for Wigan.
Pleased we got the three points, I’m still smiling.
Great goal.
Pleased Adam Campbell played.
Thew first of hundreds of appearances.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 11, 2013 at 10:52 AM
Comment #4Ibiza…the game looked like a draw more better part of the game just like the Swansea game.
…we cannot beat around the bush and cling to the notion that we look the better side or we are in possesion – if it doesn’t amount to anything it’s really not worth anything.
I see the same problems each games – there are some improvement from time to time of course, but I think we might as well face the music and realize we have a long way to go (a really long way)
Had we not got that late goal yesterday, the comments last night would have quite the opposite.
I don’t just praise when we win and complain when we loose – I criticize when we are poor and compliment when we are great.
I have been supportive of Pards all along, but for me time is running out on the silver supremo!
Rainrix
Mar 11, 2013 at 10:58 AM
Comment #5Carrying… Lifted from the chronicle…..
Life could have been a lot easier for Newcastle though had they won a penalty early in the second half when Moussa Sissoko was sent sprawling by Asmir Begovic.
Pardew said: “It was a penalty. You could argue Stoke should have had a penalty in the first half, so it evened itself out. I thought it was a game well reffed.”
Presumably he’s talking about the santon incident although if that was a penalty then getting one later on doesnt really even it out unless it wasnt a penalty, then it would even out. Besides it looked like santon caught him outside the box anyway and he’s proceeded to fall into the box
Rainrix
Mar 11, 2013 at 10:59 AM
Comment #6Wait it appears i didnt actually read that correctly. 🙂 I think he’s talking about when begovic floored sissoko when he lifted his shot wide.
Hatem's better than Messi
Mar 11, 2013 at 10:59 AM
Comment #7The more Pardew makes Stoke sound good the better the win reflects on him.
The fact is that Stoke are bottom of the form table and have only won one away.
But they are so so strong and fantastic … ffs shut up Pardew.
Hatem's better than Messi
Mar 11, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Comment #8How many crosses and corners went straight to Bergovich?
Our crosses, corners and longer free-kicks have been terrible all season.
What do they practice in training?
There isn’t any sign that they are improving.
Carryingcoals
Mar 11, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Comment #9rainrix
yeah that makes sense, forgot about that one. I dont think either were pens mind
Transfer Sage
Mar 11, 2013 at 11:16 AM
Comment #10Way too many pens and free kicks are given away now. I’m all for encouraging technical players but genuinely good tackles are being removed from the game as even a properly timed tackle can get you a card these days and isn’t worth the risk
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 11, 2013 at 11:17 AM
Comment #11Anyone seen the form table for last 6 games
makes interesting read –
Toon 4th top on 12pts
Mackems marooooooooooooned at bottom on 2pts.
Long may it continue
Big Pappa Cissé
Mar 11, 2013 at 11:29 AM
Comment #12I feel so relieved after beating Stoke as it seems we are all but safe now (not mathematically of course) and we can have a decent end to the season. I would have been heartbroken if a squad of our quality had went down and had the likes of HBA or Cabaye to leave.
I hope Ashley has learned his lesson and will invest in another top quality striker in the mould of Suarez or Hernandez and another CB even if Collo stays. Other than that our squad is looking much healthier and it is nice to see a strong bench as well as the starting 11.
Can’t wait for next season already, HWTL 🙂
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Mar 11, 2013 at 11:30 AM
Comment #13Onwards and Upwards !
2-0 against Anzhi on thursday evening and a 1-2 win at wigan next Sunday?
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 11, 2013 at 11:32 AM
Comment #14Transfer Sage
Agree
Edge of the seats last 15 minutes plus – mentioned to my son we are going to get punished 9Luckily got away with it) giving stupid needless Free kicks away on the wings by diving in instead of just holding/waiting for the right moment.
toonincheek
Mar 11, 2013 at 11:34 AM
Comment #15Good performance on the pitch but why why why so many high balls to Cisse, up against tall physical defenders and a 6’5″ keeper.
Lost count of the number of balls he took in the air.
Should have changed that tactic must sooner.
Spuggy
Mar 11, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Comment #16Wigan should be our priority as if they win their game against us we’ll be 6 points of relegation and they will still have a game in hand on us.
It’s a massive 6 pointer – if we win we’d be guaranteed to be 10 points clear, possibly 12 depending on the reading and QPR results.
Spuggy
Mar 11, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Comment #17Any news on Ben10? Boy do we need him for the run in.
Black and White Blood
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Comment #18@Big Pappa
Suarez and Hernandez are not in the same mould at all. Hernandez would offer us nothing over Cissé, they are similar in that they are good finishers but terrible at hold up play and not very creative…
Our Suarez is Ben Arfa, who should soon be returning to form.
If we need anything it is an out and out winger. Fergie may yet come good though.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:05 PM
Comment #19Spuggy
Heard a whisper that Benni has tweaked his hamstring again -could be out for 3 weeks
Big Pappa Cissé
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Comment #20@ Black and White Blood
I mean a small pacy striker that can turn defenders inside out and give us a different option to Cisse. Adam campbell may be the answer in a few years but he is far from the finished article.
As for Ben Arfa being “our Suarez” when was the last time he hit more than 20 goals in a season like ? .
Transfer Sage
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Comment #21Hernandez is a much more clinical forward than cisse. I like cisse but Hernandez is good, works the channels a bit more and has done ok the odd game out wide, decent pace and got a few assists too.
Suarez is miles ahead of HBA, love Ben arfa too but his end product is rarely good. Poor goals and assists throughout his whole career for somebody with such talent. He doesn’t drive and beat people the same way as messi and Suarez he glides more like zidane used to, more upright and graceful not head down with lots of sharp turning…HBA looks very fluid.
Still rather have messi mind you even if he doesn’t make his superior skill look as graceful.
Rainrix
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:23 PM
Comment #22Something quite funny I’ve just read. Over the past 5 years only chelsea and man city have spent more money on transfers than stoke (£85million) :|.
~ Phoenix Warrior Perch~
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:25 PM
Comment #23Rainrix
Surely that can’t be true?
What about liverpoo? Surely they must have spent more…
~ Phoenix Warrior Perch~
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:27 PM
Comment #24@Toonincheek,
I won’t be surprised f he caught every single one of them… its like his gloves had a gravitational pull on the ball..
Rainrix
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:30 PM
Comment #25Phoenix…. Yeah thinking about it that does sound off. That article probably pulled that out of its @rse but still they have spent a stupendous amount of money for essentially mid table mediocrity 😉
~ Phoenix Warrior Perch~
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:33 PM
Comment #26Most likely…
Liverpool spent close to that in one season alone, with the infamous three flops.. Carroll, Henderson and Downing. Thats over 70mill spent alone I bet…
I can’t really recall any big money spending by Stoke though… Surely owen didn’t cost them 85mill… 😛
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:35 PM
Comment #27Rainrix….Maybe it was a nett spend? Liverpool sold Torres for £50m, so maybe that effected where they place them?
Looking at transfer league (http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premiership-transfers/stoke-city-transfers.html) seems Stoke are relatively big spenders past few season with little coming back there way.
ThaiMag
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:35 PM
Comment #28Phoenix
Liverpool has lower net spending than Stoke because they sold Torres for 50m
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:37 PM
Comment #29Thai…What a ridiculous comment. Oh wait, that’s what I said. Ermm…Well said!
Rainrix
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:38 PM
Comment #30Likely just wave after wave of spending on bad/average players like kitson crouch and others.
I Feel soiled, a journalist has lied to me, well at least we can still trust serial killers 🙂
Rainrix
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:39 PM
Comment #31ibiza… That might be the ticket, turns out they didn’t lie to me after all, yay i can go back to living in blissful ignorance 🙂
martoon
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:40 PM
Comment #32Jesper @4 – I understand your frustration but as I posted yesterday I think you have to make allowances for playing 2 matches in 3 days. Travelling makes you weary even if you don’t play and Cisse was obviously suffering from the after effects of his virus. Stoke had a good game plan and made it difficult for us to play. I know I sound like a bit like AP making excuses but I am encouraged by the fact good teams manage to find a way to win even when they don’t play well which we did yesterday.
ThaiMag
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:41 PM
Comment #33Ibiza
LOL.. You just beat me by a few seconds!
giimps
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:44 PM
Comment #34The amount is probably net spend (after selling players etc) still a lot of dosh for the Giants to spend with little or no return.
Great result yesterday, poor game but the giants were sitting so deep there was no room for throughballs to run onto, set plays are a joke (Cabayes pinpoint shot aside) but how else do you do them?
Hard and low, keeper gets, back post their defenders get, front post flickon defenders get, short corners didnt work.
Something that needs work, Anzi are a different animal so I am looking forward to thursday, gonna be bloody cold again though.
HWTL
ThaiMag
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:47 PM
Comment #35# Net Spend last 5 Years
1 Manchester City £390,150,000
2 Chelsea £229,200,000
3 Stoke City £80,175,000
4 Aston Villa £71,750,000
5 Liverpool £68,600,000
6 QPR £67,600,000
7 Manchester United £57,050,000
8 Sunderland £42,200,000
9 West Ham £26,350,000
10 Southampton £23,050,000
11 Norwich City £15,950,000
12 West Bromwich Albion £12,415,000
15 Tottenham £7,650,000
14 Fulham £2,850,000
15 Swansea £620,000
16 Wigan -£12,150,000
17 Everton -£12,315,500
18 Reading -£14,550,000
19 Newcastle -£26,100,000
20 Arsenal -£36,700,000
beefman13
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:47 PM
Comment #36When we have played stoke, at any time you dont hear Tony Pulis giving us the time of day, yet our manager is bigging them up like madrid or barca, its what i say all along about the fella its all done to make himself and the team look better than they performed.
I watched that game and believe me stoke are average, and yet all the work done on the training ground amounts to continually lobbing high balls at the most capable defence at handling such tactics in the premiership, what you need against these tall lanky defenders is to play the ball in to the area on low trechectory also concerning corners more short corners with players running in one twos etc it is not rocket science, marv n campbell were made for that game yesterday.
Ireally dont know what they worked on in training but we did not look like we knew what we were going tom do with the ball when we had it, so you can big up stoke all you like Alan, but we scraped by again, and apart from Wigan at home we have got by by the minumum of margins, i will add again 0ne up top at SJP should meaN spell in the stocks at the monument, that proves to me the positivity is not that at all but caution.
You have everything needed for positivity at home ie the crowd pressence attacking space in front of you gets us up for it, we should have let Stoke do all the worrying about us, iot seems he was more worried about their threat, we make such heavy weather of every game, you just dont get a fluid 90 mins, Pardew has always some stupid line to give after games.
Tsunki
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:50 PM
Comment #37Ha glimps while you are here I just want to offer my congratulations on your multi-post rant that went off the rails with solar panels and north/south divide and all manner of ravings. A blog Masterclass if you will. Bravo sir!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:50 PM
Comment #38Thai….Well they don’t call me the two second wonder for nothing…wait, that’s not what I want to be saying 🙂
Rainrix..I’m pleased, I mean if it gets to the point where we cannot trust journalists I see no point in living.
Jesper…I hear your frustration, but think maybe you might be expecting a little too much for now, given how this season has gone to date. We seem to be getting things back on track, so first task “steadying the ship” seems to be sorted. The whole club does have a lot of work to do, I just don’t envisage we’ll see enough change in the next 9 games to satisfy your time of judgement that’s all.
For me, our objectives should be:
This season: Get as high up the PL as we can. We’re currently 4th in the form table and I’d like to keep within the top 6 of that table until seasons close. Apart from that, attack the EL and let Europe know that whilst we’ve had a mediocre season, there were reasons and we’re coming for them so be prepared.
Simple.
Summer Objectives: Upgrade / strengthen / etc. Get the lads working on the various aspects that constantly leave us frustrated. I.E How we start games, set pieces, playing with more flair and intent.
Then comes the biggy….Next season: Start as we mean to continue. Much of our success last year was built on a terrific start matched only by Man City.
I don’t think this seasons run in will be enough to make any serious judgements, Pardew will be given until at least next winter, so his judgement will be made then imo.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:57 PM
Comment #39Martoon…I know what you are saying and I do get your point. I just don’t think it explains our season or our lackluster approach to the game. We seem good at defending but uninspiring and wasteful going forward.
…I don’t take comford in knowing Spurs are third and in the same situation as us. For me this season has alot of excuses and not enough taking responsibility.
Gloves are off from my stand point. It is make or break for Pardew the last 9 games. EL can maybe save it.
Shane
Mar 11, 2013 at 12:57 PM
Comment #40Lads, if you haven’t seen it yet, you have to watch this!
Steven Taylor is such a legend. Haha.
He is at times literally the team dunse for want of a better word, aha, but my God what a defender. Love him!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=440359406043515