After the disaster on Sunday we could have guessed that when the players returned to training today we would hear talk that it’s time to restore the Geordie pride, after it was harpooned and almost killed on Sunday.
Alan Pardew will now be under considerable pressure
That must be the mission of Alan Pardew and the Newcastle players in the last five weeks of the season, but after the worst defeat in 34 years on Sunday – and at home too – and against a Sunderland side who had only 3 points in the previous 27 they had contested that will not be easy – by any means.
This is some of what Pardew told the Evening Chronicle today:
“Next year we have to prove that we’re a bigger and better club.” “That’s in terms of our Premier League position by finishing well above them. “
“That’s what we are going to try to do next year.” “But first we’ve got to make sure we play well in the last five games with good, solid performances.”
We wouldn’t talk too much about next season until we’re mathematically sure we will be in the Premier League next season, because anything can happen with just five games to go, and Newcastle simply pathetic against the Black Cats.
After the complete humiliation and shame of Sunday’s defeat, there will still be 3,000 faithful Geordies travelling to West Brom on Saturday to support the lads, and great credit must go out to those fans who are travelling to the game.
It will take a win at the Hawthorns for Newcastle fans to start feeling better about our side – anything less than that will not hack it on Saturday.
Call me negative – but I’m simply being pragmatic.
Comments welcome.
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382 comments so far
Shane
Apr 16, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Comment #41You don’t sell a player like Demba Ba and expect to finish up the top of the table.
Alan Pardew is not to blame for this.
boater
Apr 16, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Comment #42Shane – In any situation where a manager is ousted, it’s a combination of reasons, but often the only hope of changing the atmosphere back to a winning one is with a managerial switch. Even with more signings in the summer, I just can’t see Pardew restoring his position with players – or inspiring us to win after win.
Shane
Apr 16, 2013 at 11:51 AM
Comment #43Pardew has no say on who we bring in or when, it’s down to Carr and Cashley.
brian kilclines pony tail
Apr 16, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Comment #44shane, if that happens you need to change the team or the way the team plays. he hasnt, ba and cisse are different strikers, its like were still playing to ba’s strengths after he has left.
Hatem's better than Messi
Apr 16, 2013 at 11:55 AM
Comment #45God I hope this smug git isn’t our manager next season.
Probably only Saylor and Shola feeling the gut twisting agony.
Pardew’s on a PR mission to save his job, blaming everyone and anyone.
Rotonda is spot on. How many games have we played with style and flair in the 2.5 seasons the muppet has been in charge?
10 out of 100+ games at a guess and then not for 90mins.
Bye bye Pardew. Loser.
boater
Apr 16, 2013 at 11:55 AM
Comment #46Shane – Arsenal lose their best players every summer and still finish in the top 4. No one expected us to storm the european spots after Ba left – but not to capitulate to the weakest teams in the division week after week- without so much as a game plan of our own – is a reasonable expectation with this team.
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 16, 2013 at 11:56 AM
Comment #47BandB…Rivalry in football can and does get taken to far. It’s a thin line between banter and abuse and it doesn’t even stop with rivals, but fans of the same team.
I think you are referring to fans not born in to Newcastle? I think there are two huge factors in that, the first being Keegans entertainers, followed by Sir Bobbys reign. We were so many people second team at that time and I think many people fell in love with the club.
For me, my Mum is a born and raised Geordie, so it’s in my blood…perhaps a transfusion is needed? 🙂
I do hope your spirits are raised soon enough, despite mine surprisingly being in place, I do understand why others aren’t. It’s been one long and painful season with little to be happy about.
GeordieDan
Apr 16, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Comment #48Shane>
You are wasting your breath trying to argue with Rotonda on Pardew.
Rotonda believes Pardew is THE anti-christ and will bring about the end of the world with his tactics.
Apparently 11 players on the field have absolutely nothing to do with with this football lark other than a mere distraction for Pardew’s evil masterplan!
brian kilclines pony tail
Apr 16, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Comment #49@GeordieDan
not that im sticking up for rotonda but can you answer this?
why are these 11 players playing like this every game?
the only common denominator is the manager.
GeordieDan
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Comment #50AND I must quickly add that I am no Pardew admirer-I think he’s punching well above his weight at our club (and having the snot beaten out of him).
But I see no point whatsoever in having a go and blaming him for absolutely everything gone wrong with our club in EVERY SINGLE post as Rotonda does.
Honestly why even bother?
Jackel001
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Comment #51Pards is one of the reasons are season has been abysmal but for god sake there have been a whole host of problems.
High horse OFF.
Shane
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Comment #52I just dread the start of the boos at St Jame’s Park. It will actually break my heart.
Any banner saying “Pardew Out” is just disgusting, i don’t agree with any of that and hope we don’t have to see it. The man is trying his best in a job perhaps he isn’t cut out for but he is trying his best.
If Ashley decides to sack him in the summer and has a plan then by all means i’m for it.
GeordieDan
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Comment #53Kilkine>
See above mate…
Pardew is NOT a great manager, he is deservedly average at best but talks a marvellous game.
If we got a new top manager in come the summer nobody would be happier than me but I don’t like and will not support anyone who constantly barracks our current manager whoever that might be.
It does nowt and nobody any good.
toonbrother
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:04 PM
Comment #54Only way any pride can be restored is by us winning all our remainining games this season. It is POSSIBLE if Pardew chooses the right team and leaves poor performers like Gutierez on the bench for a change
Hatem's better than Messi
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:06 PM
Comment #55What a nightmare season.
So much quality in the side.
What a crap coach, hard to believe anyone wants him for another season.
Shane
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Comment #56Hatem’s better than Messi
I don’t think anybody has said they want him for another season, just back him while the man’s here trying to do the job.
GeordieDan
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Comment #57Toonbrother>
Well Mr Pardew is about to lose both of the excuses he had clinged to all season:
1) “European games mid-week have us too tired to play at the weekend” (not an issue anymore Alan) and,
2)”Too many injuries have cost us dearly”-Admittedly Krul is a new exception but pretty much everyone else is now back to pick from.
We’ll see what happens with our new fresh and rested team-surely Pardew will now win every match?
Right??? 😀
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Comment #58About as hard to believe as a decent poster feeling he doesn’t want to post anymore due to someone venting at him when he hasn’t actually done anything wrong.
magpie6699
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Comment #59GeordieDan (52). I’m with you. I don’t blame Pardew for all of Sunday’s debacle – tell me one player who performed as we and the manager would have expected them to? We need to get behind the WHOLE team now till the end of the season and take stock.
Hatem's better than Messi
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Comment #60Pride can’t be restored until the next derby.
We can win every game for six months but pride won’t be returned until we beat them and beat them well.
Hatem's better than Messi
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Comment #61Ibiza
The scumbag attacked me first post and btw what is it to do with you?
Butt out you shit stirring twat.
brian kilclines pony tail
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Comment #62@geordiedan – yeah seen that after posting.
shane, i know what you mean but at the same time the people who pay to go and watch this tripe have every right to voice their opinion.
i was in jesmond a couple of years ago standing outside of osbourns slagging shola, my mate said ‘he’s behind you, you know’
so i turned around and told shola that was what i thought and as a season ticket holder of 20 years i was entitled to my opinion as the only reason he gets paid is because of people like me.
if we accept average performances that is exactly what we will get, or should i say are getting.
Beattie25 - Anti Pardew Crew
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:13 PM
Comment #63Stuart
I agree. If it comes to a star striker then watch oot cos we’ll get mad like.
If its the single handed dismantling of a wealth of talent most are like ‘well Alan is a top geezer like. Yeah he got us 5th last year and we never do that like’.
Absolute misplaced loyalty has always been the embodiment of a majority of hardcore toon fans. I’m hardcore but (as often is pointed out as an insult) I’m not from the area.
That may entitle me to a more objective view as I’m not caught in the bubble as much, but I’m reality we always put all the passion into one thing. Toon fans I’ve met are synonymous for not seeing the wood for the trees.
Take for example sir Bobby. A small collective blamed him for missing out on Champions League and so campaigned to get him removed (even nufc.com were part of it).
Most fans couldn’t see that the season was a success and Bobby was the right man to take us forward so when he should have been passionately defended the short sighted fans amongst us saw the league finish, turned their backs and allowed him to be fed to the lions. Something I have never forgiven my fellow supporters for. He wasn’t to blame, the board was and we should have fought against them instead of ignoring Bobby.
Learning from history this time I believe Pardew is the man that needs to go.
We have a habit of concentrating of disapproval in the wrong areas. Fan power is very real but it only succeeds when we all aim for the same thing.
Even those that like Pardew submit that a better manager and an upgrade would be in the best interest of our club. For me there needs to be a shift back centre from the fans because we are far from united.
We only come together in times of crisis and we should’ve been having these discussions a year ago. The only way to be better supporters is to debate, discuss and find direction we can commonly agree upon. That’s hard but it saves the hardcore fans trapped in a bubble of self importance dictate the future of the club.
They need to stop blaming injuries and investment in a way to recompense what they did to Bobby and they need to be vocal and true to what’s direction we need to take!
Step 1 for me is a an upgrade in manager. We need to stop short of angry protests and take a more sensible approach of peaceful discussions and highlighting through social media that we want better.
I think the vocal louts that had bobby thrown out need to channel their emotions, forgive themselves and look long and hard at the situation to come to the conclusion that Pardew is a decent manager but not decent enough for us. We deserve better.
He is the manager that Gotham needs but not the one it needs right now.
That made no sense.
The future of this club isn’t 50 Geordies gathered in a corner shouting abuse at Ashley it’s you, me, Ibiza , markaccus, rotunda, ruddy, torq, catchy etc… Debating and taking our view points to matches and discussing it with other fans until enough of us believe that’s what’s right and then moving us forward through discussions with the board.
Essay over.
GeordieDan
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:13 PM
Comment #64Ibiza>
We missing something?
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Comment #65Hatem…What does it have to do with me? Well you have made a poster whose opinion I personally value not want to contribute anymore.
You say he attacked you, when really all he said was something to the effect of “we all know peoples opinions on Pardew, can we talk about something else”.
If you felt aggrieved you could have said something like, I’ve just got here and want to have my say. But no, as per usual you went on the attack when there is no need. We’re not just virtual punch bags for you.
Scumbag? For wanting to change topic? Absolutely brilliant.
WWYCD
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Comment #66Well I have calmed since the derby day, enough to come back and have a gander on here and its, well, as expected shall we say
The standard after loss comment makers are out in force with added bile because it was a derby we lost.
I (like a lot it seems) am neither hugely pro Pardew or hugely anti Pardew though I suppose I am more pro than anti. Blaming him for the derby result is odd imo the team he put out was more than able to rip the team that PDC put out apart but our PLAYERS were gutless, heartless, asleep and muck no player in black and white came out with a shred of dignity for me.
I wont turn on my team though it will be the wake up call to our players hopefully u dont work for the win u wont get the win and hopefully a wake up call to Pardew, Carver and the coaching staff because come summer they will have a lot to answer for and Id imagine our chunky owner will have plenty of questions. I still believe we will stay up even if it is by the skin of our teeth and next season we begin fresh start from the basics and stop relying on our apparently world class players
Jackel001
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Comment #67Scumbag is out of order.
Hatem's better than Messi
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:16 PM
Comment #68lol bunch of tarts
Hatem's better than Messi
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:17 PM
Comment #69Ibiza doing his blog police bit … again
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:18 PM
Comment #70GeordieDan…You may well be 🙂
Just a conversation between Hatem and Torq earlier today.
Beattie…An inspirational post, top job, even if I don’t agree with all your points, great approach.
GeordieDan
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Comment #71magpie6699>
Yep, totally agree not one player was up to scratch. I mean even BASIC stuff like knowing Adam Johnson prefers his left boot !! (as he showed by smashing a goal in against us at SJP when playing for Man City for example!).
You can see Tiote in particular just watch him breeze by in to acres of space to pick his spot.
And as for their last goal, fantastic strike or not, how the hell did he get the time to even attempt it?
Lazy, amateur performance in a derby-INEXCUSABLE!
Aaaaarrrrgggghh I’m getting angry again. 😀
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Comment #72Hatem…The flip side to that is not to abuse other posters then nothing would need to be said. Is it that you’re not capable of having a reasoned discussion?
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Comment #73Yo…Welcome back to the mix. Talking just about the Sunderland game, I do agree. We can pick apart Pardew like we do each and every week, but not even one of the players really showed up on Sunday and that is pathetic.
Beattie25 - Anti Pardew Crew
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Comment #74Ibiza
What don’t you agree with? That’s unfair to say and not give me pointers
Lilongwe Geordie
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:23 PM
Comment #75Hatem,
Give it a rest mate. Most people on the blog enjoy Torqs contributions and his insights. Can the same be said of your posts?
Troy Stavers
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:24 PM
Comment #76Everyone is allowed to express their opinions how they want. If they want to hold banners up calling for Pardews head then they should be allowed to without being targeted by those who support him.
I want Pardew to be given time, mainly cos I don’t see us attracting a top manager but I’ve no problem with those who want him sacked.
That’s football.
The ones I cannot understand are those who criticise everything he does but want to give him time. What’s that about.? You either want him out or you don’t.
wolfshead@toon
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:26 PM
Comment #77kilcline cheered me up lmao @number 3 :-))
stuart no9
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:26 PM
Comment #78troy – as for being young , your way off the mark make, my first game was jackie milburns testamonial , do you remember it? talking on managers we have got sacked. what did we do to get jackie charlton the sack? nowt . the board sacked him coz he was sh<t
souness- i was at wigan that night we got beat 1-0 after the game we stayed back shouting souness out, i think that was his last game.but again it was simply because he was sh/t he got sacked – not because a few fans stayed behind shouting at him to leave, gullit got sacked for getting beat off sunderland , and for his dislike of shearer. ok the fans wernt happy with his descision , but he didnt get the sack because of us.
fat sam- was here before ash, he was going anyway regardless if he won the league, champions league, or the world cup , he was gone.
gordon lee at least took us to wembley, cant remember all the rants about him at the time, what were they .?
richard dinniss. far as i can remember he wasnt a proper manager, not sure , more of a caretaker manager at the time i think, however cant remember any full on riots to get rid of him. so yeah managers have been sacked , but only coz they were cr.p and were going tobe sacked anyway.
WWYCD
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:26 PM
Comment #79Ibiza
Cheers mate though I may not be in the mix for too long judging by the comments on this article. Purely on derby match the fans have been let down by every single player at NUFC imo its was easy for Sunderland to walk into our house and run all over us however some fans then followed suit and let themselves down afterwards
Newcastle made a tit of itself all over that day. Still its time to pick ourselves up dust ourselves off and carry on
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 16, 2013 at 12:26 PM
Comment #80Beattie… Sorry, would have thought it obvious given our many discussions in the past 🙂
In principle I agree with your whole concept there, but the issue still comes down to agreeing that the trigger needs to be pulled on Pardew.
Your argument is really down to “because we can do better than him”, which on the face of it is extremely hard to argue with as if we can get better then we should. But to actively try and out a man who has done well given his parameters I don’t completely agree with. Obviously it’s a huge grey area and at some point it was likely Pardew would need to be changed and how do you approach that reasonably? You can’t really, so your approach is probably the most reasonable at the end of the day.
Failing that, as others have suggested, “promote” Pardew as more of a director type figure and replace all below him with a different style. Whether it’s manageable I don’t know, nor do I think we must be that sentimental about it.
Yours, the fence sitter.