It was a bit of a surprise when Martin O’Neill was fired last night from his Sunderland job with just seven league games to play this season, and they are already without Steven Fletcher and Lee Cattermole who are both out injured for the rest of the season.
Alan Shearer – Martin O’Neill sacking is bizarre
Speaking on BBC1’s ‘Match of the Day’ last night Alan Shearer – who took over Newcastle in our relegation on April 1st four years ago with eight games to play said this about the sacking:
“It’s bizarre. They have gone down the route that Reading have when they sacked Brian McDermott.” “I look at Martin in the last few weeks and normally he comes on telly, we see him upbeat, looking forward to things.” “To me he’s been down, he’s not been his usual, energetic self.”
“Whether he’s known that something is going on behind the scenes I don’t know.” “They are on a terrible run of form but it is the timing of it I find hard.” “I think he might have missed his right-hand man John Robertson, who for the first time hadn’t been with him at his side.”
“For whatever reason didn’t choose to go to Sunderland like he’d been with all his other clubs with him, so I think he has probably missed him as well.”
“Next season the new Premier League deal – if you are left behind, if you go down a division you are in massive trouble.” “You’ve got QPR, you’ve got Reading, you’ve got Southampton and now Sunderland: there are seven games to go.”
“Are they better with Martin or without him? I always thought Sunderland would be safe…for the first time today they were really poor.” “I think they are in massive trouble.”
Is it just me, or did Sunderland play better yesterday in their 1-0 defeat against Manchester United, than we did in our 4-0 loss at against City?
You could have almost added Newcastle to the list of clubs who sacked their manager in the last few months, because after the Reading defeat we had lost 10 of 13 league games, and most managers with that kind of record would have been fired.
But Mike Ashley didn’t fire the manager, and instead brought in five top Frenchman in January and we should be OK in the league – but we have to win our home league games to ensure that.
Sunderland play at St. James’ Park in two weeks time, in what is a relegation 6 pointer, and the loser of that game will be in trouble.
Comments welcome.
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and +1 us on Google+:
You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com
=============================================
32 comments so far
toonbrother
Mar 31, 2013 at 9:43 AM
Comment #1i dont blame simpson for not giving a damn. I blame pardew for his shortsighted treatment of players when he feels they are surplus to requirements. He relegates them to the reserves and strips them of their confidence only to come back for them when we’re injury ridden and short of manpower, He’s made obertan and simpson worse players since he joined the club and he’s doing the same to williamson and bigirimana
toonbrother
Mar 31, 2013 at 9:45 AM
Comment #2i’d worry less about sunderland at this point and focus instead on the problems at Newcastle. The biggest liability at our club is Alan Pardew and he has an 8 year contract!!! Yesterday was one of the most cowardly performances i have ever witnessed. Truly sickening display.
Bambams
Mar 31, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Comment #3I think Simpson has had plenty of time to sign his contract but has obviously chosen to use the free transfer route to get a signing on fee.
Cant blame him for making as much money as he can, not saying he was not a good fb that helped us go back up but I wont miss the lad and in Debuchy we have a great replacement.
Agree with the point Pards does not always keep the players who are possibly
surplus in the future motivated enough. Imo
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 31, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Comment #4We are in just as much trouble!
…the difference between us, Sunderland, Reading, QPR and SOTON is that we have kept our manager (I am not advocating we sack Pardew just stating it’s the sole difference)
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 31, 2013 at 9:53 AM
Comment #5TOTALLY outclassed yesterday – yet pleasure to watch City play – their passing, movement and they wanted to be on the ball as for many of our players they did not want to be there
A few frightning Premiership statistics for this season
Only won 1 away game
Only kept 4 clean sheets
Only won 2 times when Cabaye has not played
Won by more than 1 goal 2 times
Not scored a goal from a corner all season
5 times lost by more than 1 goal
Only won 2 games in a row 1 time
Lost 4 in a row 1 time
Lost 3 in a row 1 time
Lost 2 in a row 2 times
Scored a last minute winner in at least 3 of the games
Only Reading have lost more games than us
Used 31 players so far this season
We don’t seem to do shocks like other teams – take Southampton for example.
Has anyone seen us outclass/outpass a team for a game this season.
Not me – just 45 minutes a couple of times.
Been lucky on more than one occasion.
I think we will struggle in getting another win maybe scrape a couple of draws
Hope I’m wrong
Fridge
Mar 31, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Comment #6Who is out injured? Ffs. Who out Of our best attacking six players Are we missing? Only ben arfa. And they still coulnt make any attacking threat att all. Now why is that? Naming injured players that wont Get in the first eleven is just stupid. Pardew will never have his players play good football. Because he does not know how to do it no matter how many internationals who is in the first eleven.
davybtoon
Mar 31, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Comment #7I see the drama queens n neggers have hit the blog in force again lol, yes we got beat yesterday by a very good city team even when we turned up 2nd half they still were better than us, we arnt going down we will beat Fulham n scum n then that’s us safe ffs chill out
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:00 AM
Comment #8davy…it is hartly the time to be positive and upbeat 😉
…you need to face the fact that we are in the dogfight!
Graeme
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:01 AM
Comment #9The length of Pardew’s contract is irrelevant – there is certainly going to be a clause in there covering his termination. Rumour has it that he gets a maximum pay-off of 12 months salary, which isn’t that bad.
I dont see MA getting rid of Pardew before the end of the season, if at all. Next season will be the one that determines his future.
If, as stated by the MD, we bring in 3 more “Purples” with none going out, we will probably have the strongest squad since Bobby was in charge. They are clearly targeting a top 6 place and with 3 new players, a full pre-season, Pardew has nowhere to hide.
If he fails to achieve the objectives, or they continue to play as poorly as this year, then Pardew’s days will surely be numbered.
davybtoon
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:01 AM
Comment #10And give up with the pardew out crap it’s boring its not going to happen so it shouldn’t even b talked about, your wasting your time being on a blog writing about something that will not happen
Fridge
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:04 AM
Comment #11Oh really. You think ashley wont react if he feels the need to? Think again!
davybtoon
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:05 AM
Comment #12Jesper face the fact we have been most of the season so why is everyone acting like its suddenly just smacked them in the face from nowhere lol, it’s a joke the way some fans go on honestly, in 2 weeks time we could b safe n in a Europa semi final that’s the facts I look at
alex84
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:06 AM
Comment #13Davy, I think sacking at this stage would be crazy, BUT, surely you can see that the style of play is not good enough and not getting the best out of our players, we never play with tempo, we don’t press high up the pitch, we never overload in the opposition’s final 3rd, the gap between midfield and attack is massive, now that is down to the manager and his tactics, I really feel a coach should come in and help Pardew with this.
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:07 AM
Comment #14Toonbrother
Exactly mate because you’d force simmo to sign a new contract everyday of the week then start him over debuchy every game! And Willo over MYM it’s a no brainer! These were lads that were signed in the championship, if the club wants then the players need to evolve, players like simmo haven’t, there good back up which is what he’s been used for if he’s not happy and won’t sign a new contract then why use him unless needed? As for Willo rather be trying to convince colo to stay rather than willo
And made obertan worse? Behave obertan is never and has never been more than a poor footballer who is not cut out for them prem, if anything, worryingly, obertan’s got better
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Comment #15Davy…when we have a game like yesterday it’s bound to be a reaction. Some just get very frustrated and they vent it 🙂
…but to be fair some don’t seem to take this seriously (at least not when you read their comments…)
Fridge
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Comment #16I hope your right davy! And a new manager come may:-)
Spoof
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Comment #17For me I think QPR and Reading have too much to do and will go down, Sunderland’s next game is away to Chelsea, if we can win against Fulham and then against Sunderland we would then be 8 points clear of the drop zone with just five to play, although our form is a bit patchy even with the new arrivals we have won every home match in the league, I do not see why that shouldn’t continue, even if we pick up 4 points over the next 2 home games we would be either 5 or 6 clear depending upon how we got the 4 points.
Personally I am not over concerned as I feel we will be ok, but sacking your manager at this stage of the season never works, Sunderland for me are now odds on to go down.
Talk is cheap, its actions that count, and obviously the 2 wins or even the 4 points are easier said than done, but we will be ok
stuart no9
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Comment #18what ashley should be weighing up this morning is -he forked out a few bob on new players n the jan window. pards was moaning about our squad , and rightly so, so ashley splashed out.- are those players going to keep us up? i think with a decent manager, yes they would.- with pardew,? i really dont know. Pardew has got to change his tactics for the last 7 games or we will without doubt go down.
yesterday wasnt funny . it was a sick disgusting performence , and all those fans who paid good money for travel and tickets should be reimbursed out of pards pocket.. NUFC should be took to the trading standards , as ” goods not fit for purpose” never have i been so shocked over a about a performence as i was yesterday. for anyone saying its not pards fault, its the players, 8 of that team yesterday were players HE bought, so if they are not good enough WHY did he buy them? get him out of this club before it is too late.
davybtoon
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Comment #19Fridge – so krul santon colo debuchy n tiote wouldn’t make a difference yesterday yes of they would
Bambams
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Comment #20@davybtoon….
Fella I am not happy about the way we play, however last season we had some very fortunate performances where two strikers were in form and carried us to 5th.
This season we have had ‘Ba gate’ which did not help and brought in 25% of a new team.
My only issue with Pards is his offensive sessions in training ! He prides himself on organising the back 8 players and maybe he needs to bring in a new coach to help with striking duties, Sir Les is an example at Spuds. Got to help.
Fridge
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Comment #21Davy
Santon and debuchy yes. Krul is a goalie so he does not dictate play so no. Collocini for mbiwa or taylor-not so much.tiote with his form no. Ben arfa yes. Thats 3 players who could make a difference But not all who Are injured would. It doesnt matter if you have 10 injured players when they Are not in the first eleven!
toonbrother
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:17 AM
Comment #22obertan and simpson were mainstays in the team that propelled us to the top of the table in the first half of last season. Williamson was crucial to our campaign in the second half when Saylor got injured. I do not remember anyone caring about the fact they were signed in the championship back then. Typical ungrateful fans. All of these players have become worse under pardumb.
davybtoon
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:17 AM
Comment #23U all keep banging on about the way play n yea u can probably blame pardew a bit, but am sorry but are players are really poor at passing the ball to each n half of them don’t seem to understand the concept of control pass control pass, u ain’t gonna see this free flowing football h desire when u have someone like tiote who takes 10 touches more than he needs to b4 passing
stuart no9
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:31 AM
Comment #24alex84@13
Davy, I think sacking at this stage would be crazy, BUT, surely you can see that the style of play is not good enough and not getting the best out of our players, we never play with tempo, we don’t press high up the pitch, we never overload in the opposition’s final 3rd, the gap between midfield and attack is massive, now that is down to the manager and his tactics, I really feel a coach should come in and help Pardew with this” when would be the best time to sack pards ? when we get relagated? all those points you mention in your comment are down to pardew, so really theres not much he doing right is there ?
The next Mike Williamson
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:37 AM
Comment #25The Premierships changing. Hoofball is dying out. Allardyce, O’Neill, Pulis, McDermott & Pardew are the last ones hanging on to the old style and two of them have been sacked.
Credit to Ashley for trying to provide stability but I would love to see these great stars we’ve got now playing under a decent attack minded manager.
The next Mike Williamson
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:39 AM
Comment #26Even Hughton’s bunch of championship journeymen are above us and playing much better football
stuart no9
Mar 31, 2013 at 10:41 AM
Comment #27davey @ 23 you are trying not to blame pards, but if we have got all those players who cant pass a ball , why did pards buy them.? which ever way you look at it pards is to blame>
karasu
Mar 31, 2013 at 12:04 PM
Comment #28We should bring in O’Neill to replace Pardew. We all know what he can do. His record at Celtic and Aston Villa proves it.
Roger
Mar 31, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Comment #29Yesterday i sit on my computer in germany, and
watch this game against Man City. Terrible.
I think it`s time to say goodby to Mr Pardew.
He is not the manager you need in the fight aginst
relegation. Think about not winning against Fulham,
think about not winning against AFC, what
can happen? Newcastle will go down. Mr Pardew
is not able to give this team the drive they need.
Kick them off and bring in another manager in as soon
as possible.
Came to Newcastle again for 3 matches against
Fulham, Benfica and Sunderland and i hope that
i can go back to my t play in the premier league next
year. Howay the lads. Fight for Newcastle.
texasgaijin
Mar 31, 2013 at 1:45 PM
Comment #30pardew on yesterday’s match: “But we didn’t do ourselves any favours against City because we were not aggressive enough.” impressive bit of introspection from master pardew. how about something insightful, like taking the blame as gaffer for picking the squad/formation and developing such a masterful game plan? attack from the outset and let them score on the break. so what? at the very least you can tell the fans you made a go of it.
JCT
Mar 31, 2013 at 1:58 PM
Comment #31The white flag was up before a ball was kicked yesterday, the Europa adventure may come back to haunt us we have not got a big enough squad for all of the games we have played. It seems the players and staff wrote this game off.To focus on a couple of home games we must win Fulham and you know who.Was it Fulham who we thought we could beat last time we got relagated.The Europa cup is a long way off lets get 6 points in our next two home games…
Keep the Faith…………….
Phil K
Mar 31, 2013 at 8:39 PM
Comment #32We are back to the mess we were in prior to the French lads coming it. I blame Pardew’s poor tactics, but mainly Cabaye’s mate being out.