As might have been expected, there has been a lot of criticism of Alan Pardew, the coaches and the players, since the 3-0 loss against Sunderland on Sunday, something that we just didn’t see coming.
A depressed looking Alan Pardew on Sunday
And when you consider that in Sunderland’s last nine games, they had only 3 points from three draws and six defeats, it makes it only worse – a lot worse.
So it’s hard to know what team will turn up on Saturday at the Hawthorns, where we need to pick up something, as we are still around six points from safety.
3,0000 brave souls are traveling to the Midlands to see this game, and our hats are raised to them, but we need a result – and a win if at all possible, and this is certainly not the time to go into a slump.
We remember four years ago when everybody was saying at this time, there was no way Newcastle would go down. because we were just too good.
But look what happened, and we’ve never been fully convinced we are safe, after some horrendous results in the league which has left our goal difference at -17, just two better than it was in our relegation season.
We scored 40 and conceded 59 goals four years ago, and we’ve already conceded 59 goals this season, with five games to go and have scored only 42 times.
So things are not too different from they were four years ago – which is why we need to get on the winning track – starting on Saturday at West Brom.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
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40 comments so far
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:02 AM
Comment #1Not just “expect” Ed, but we need it, the sooner the better.
I cannot even begin to predict how many points are needed, too many teams that are too close to each other. One game at a time and shoot for as many points as possible.
jeff
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:04 AM
Comment #2me brother was the dirty bugger who punched the horse
feels cool being almost famous
Rainrix
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:06 AM
Comment #330000? Jesus are the fans mounting an invasion on the midlands? At least time we wont be trashing our own city 🙂
jimmysmith
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:07 AM
Comment #4Expect! Are you kidding Ed. Who knows what to expect with this lot.
Rotonda heights
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:10 AM
Comment #5markaccus
I’m sorry you feel blind or stupid as I don’t personally remember ever calling anyone that and I can’t speak for catchy but I’ve taken dog’s abuse for my opinions.
I just call it as I see it. We have a guy in charge by default who plays a very poor style of football that is alien to the players carr has scouted for us.
Would I like Pardew gone – yes short answer. Is Pardew a winner – no. Does Pardew play good football – no. Can we get anyone better – well I think it’s very defeatist to think that no one good would ever work for Ashley.
Beattie25 - Anti Pardew Crew
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Comment #6We’ve said this an awful lot this season and we only really bounced back against Villa.
There will be a lot of records broken this season. It’s something like 2 losses away from the worst ever season and 6 goals conceded away from our worst ever season.
Glad we have scored injury time goals or else we’d be down already.
John Tudor
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Comment #7expect nay demand i say
hdavid23
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Comment #8we need to have more wins+draws than losses and we’re gonna be fine
John Tudor
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:13 AM
Comment #9he can fool some of the people some of the time blah blah blah
Transfer Sage
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Comment #10west brom are a threat but also hit and miss…purely depend which west brom turn up…same with our lot.
For all i want a new manager in who is consistent with attack Pardew is no mug either, when he wants them to turn it on we can…west brom away last year, stoke home…not a lot of examples but shows when he does let them play without the handbrake on he can get them to play well…..he just needs to realise this is more effective than defending and scrapping for a win…especially with these players we have,.
Beattie25 - Anti Pardew Crew
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Comment #11Isn’t also sad when wer’re pinning our hopes on a 19 year old left back.
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Comment #12Tudor…To quote the great G. Bush.
“There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”
Markaccus
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:18 AM
Comment #13Rotonda… i never said i felt blind and stupid. I said the wording of your posts suggests as much. But as usual you have started another post with an arogant, spiteful remark. The argument about pardew is over. Opinion is split and the two sides will never agree. Its only you and catchy who keep reminding us of your views at every opportunity and interpret every single thing as a chance to moan about him.
Toon Tang
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:19 AM
Comment #14if i were playing for toon i would gather the lads together in a huddle before the game. i would then say to the lads ‘reet, forget everything weve just been told by pards, lets just go out and play footy like we know how’
we would win every game
Beattie25 - Anti Pardew Crew
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:19 AM
Comment #15Transfer Sage
Confidence is ruined though. I can’t see how taking the handbrake off will allow the team to play with freedom and flair when at the back of their minds is relegation.
There is too much at rick now to play recklessly as muck as I, you and everyone else wants to see it.
I think we’ll play the same way as usual to be honest and try to sneak a goal.
I think the best way to do it is to tell the guys that they are brilliant and that they can steam past teams due to their talent. Give them confidence and let them loose, but I don’t think Pardew isn’t that inspirational and with him cutting them loose it’d be another foot in the grave.
John Tudor
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:20 AM
Comment #16how come he’s fooling everyone all of the time the guy aint foolin me
Beattie25 - Anti Pardew Crew
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:21 AM
Comment #17God my illiteracy is funny. I’m like the George Bush of the blog.
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:23 AM
Comment #18Beattie..Do you think at this stage confidence can be restored enough to make that work or is it best, at this stage, to try and steal some wins?
I can see an argument for both. Some might say if we’re going down lets do it in style, but I’m not sure I’d agree with that at this stage. I just want something that can and more importantly will work – but there are never any guarantees with either scenario.
Markaccus
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:23 AM
Comment #19My fellow amphibians…….
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Comment #20Beattie… 🙂 Whether apt or not, funny.
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:25 AM
Comment #21Tudor…I assume you mean Pardew? I don’t think he’s fooling everybody or anybody at this stage mate. Whether people support him or not, I think almost everyone has their eyes open and is studying intently.
lesh
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:27 AM
Comment #22When told about the apology, Bud, the Yorkshire police horse’s response to it was to say “Neigh lad, neigh problem”
ichrisho
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:27 AM
Comment #23I’ve sent my CV to HR in St James’ Park for the new manager role… have 10,000 hours on FM and have no previous gambling debts, also I can say that I like horses and am not fond of punching them 🙂
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:28 AM
Comment #24Lesh… 🙂
ichrisho…Not fond, but have a history of?
Markaccus
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:28 AM
Comment #25Whether hes fooling anybody or not….. i cant see any quotes from him in this article, so tje main question is….Why bring that up?
Beattie25 - Anti Pardew Crew
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:29 AM
Comment #26RE Carroll:
As much as i love Andy Carroll by the way (or did when he was here) I don’t think he’s the answer to our problems.
It seems as if the mentality is ‘we’re crap at set plays and punting it long, how do we solve this issue?’.
Signing Andy might help Pardew but it won’t help the team. We need good set piece takers not challengers. We need a manager who knows how to drill various set piece tactics into the squad to bring out the best in the players we have.
I swear money is going to be thrown at Pardew this summer in order to play his game rather than thrown at a manager to play the teams.
If a new manager came in and we still signed Carroll then great. Under a new manager he’d offer another dimension, a plan B an alternative game plan so to speak.under Pardew he’d cement the one dimensional plan we can’t break free off.
lesh
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:30 AM
Comment #27Ibiza, ya nowt like the George W Bush of the blog, he’s thick!
Beattie25 - Anti Pardew Crew
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:33 AM
Comment #28Ibiza
It makes me sick to say this but…we need to steal wins. Blurgggghhhh.
There is no point with 5 games to go to attack it all guns blazing. We need to fight, scrap and win every 50/50. This is a dig fight where 1 win and 1 draw will do it.
We must be rigid, hard to beat and unsettle the flair teams such as Liverpool and Arsenal.
If we win and draw our next 2 then yeah, all out attack for the final 3. But on Saturday we need to fight rather than dance around the ring. Mohammad Ali was the epitome of the this. He knew when to dance and knew when to fight.
ichrisho
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:33 AM
Comment #29Ibiza you got me… I have a penchant for a mild smack of a horse once in while… but its always for luck… 🙂
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:34 AM
Comment #30Lesh…Thanks, but I laid no claims to such a title…was that aimed at Beattie? He is also isn’t thick, but certainly entertaining and sometimes scary…much like George W 🙂
Beattie…For many it isn’t a question of where we are now. Some have been open to the idea of a return since shortly after he left. It isn’t just a reactive feeling.
I know many share your views though that it would mean only one style of play. Not sure I agree, but there will be times for sure – but is that such a terrible thing?
TorqToon
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:35 AM
Comment #31Optimist alert !!!!!!!
Been doing some workings out of the league table and fixtures for this week (sad I know…) but just realised how huge a win would be against west brom. 3 points and with the other results going how they should, we would find ourselves on 39 points and 12th place. 8 points clear of the relegation zone and 5 points clear of the next 3 spots filled by Villa, stoke and the scum. Plus 2 points off the top 10.
A draw would see us on 37points, 6 points off the drop and 3 points off the next 3 spots.
Obviously there could be some freak results, but I’ve gone off the following;
Fulham getting nothing from Chelsea and arsenal
West Ham taking 3 points from Man U and Wigan games
Norwich beating reading
Scum losing to Everton
Stoke losing to QPR
Villa losing at man utd
and Wigan taking nothing from citeh and WHU.
This is all irrelevant if we don’t take anything from our next game! Hopefully we will come at west brom like a wounded animal.
ichrisho
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:36 AM
Comment #32Was it Sunderland game that caused all this anti-pardew or has it been the case that it has been all season? As I said yesterday he over-achieved massively last year… massively and its gone against him… I wish we could get Chris back as a coach to work with Pardew… that might work… ** It wouldnt though right? Balls…
Stealing wins… uuuugghhhhh… is that what we have become?
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:37 AM
Comment #33ichrisho…Like a little smack on the backside? Neigh bother there, just a little hello 😉
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:39 AM
Comment #34Torq…The season is far from over and we are still better positioned than many. It all comes down to who is up for it more. Based on Sunday I can see where fans are worried, but it is not over yet mate.
ichrisho
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:45 AM
Comment #35Ibiza… Aye open-handed… (Encouragement) …never a fist… thats for vets… 🙂 Alright I’ll say it – my last G/F was a horse named Sally… It didnt work out… I dont like to talk about it too much but that incident on Sunday brought it all flooding back… She was good ride… but her Nae-saying attitude and love of Hay had me broke… so moved on…
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Comment #36ichrisho…. Would “horses for courses” be suitable? 🙂
Oh well, plenty more fish in the sea. No, that’s not right, plenty more horses in the field?
sean667
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Comment #37Morning boys, have not posted for a while.
Will it matter if we have Carroll or not as we can’t seem to take a corner anyhow!
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 17, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Comment #38Sean…Welcome back. We’re on the next thread now, but I get your point. From taking them to attacking them, we’ve been woeful.
woolerbill
Apr 17, 2013 at 11:39 AM
Comment #39I think it best that everyone at Newcastle should have a new blackout and try and learn to play football by Saturday. I know it will be hard, but football is a simple game played by kids all over the world.
The next Mike Williamson
Apr 17, 2013 at 2:07 PM
Comment #40Pardew wants to play very defensive and hoof the ball up to a striker who can hold it up for the midfielders. Trouble is Cisse can’t operate like that and needs good flair players playing close to him and most our midfielders are scared to go anywhere near the final third.
At least if we have Carrol we can become a fairly competent long ball team rather than a long ball team that are so useless at heading they haven’t scored from a corner in two years.
against Sunderland you seen our midfielders passing and just knew unless a simple option was there it was either going back to krul or route one. Cabaye is our creative force and he’s only set one up this season as he plays like a quarterback. Teams like Man U, Swansea, Liverpool, Arsenal no longer have midfield bruisers they have clever players who don’t need to win the ball back because tehy don’t lose it. Our midfield against Benfica was Bigi-Tiote-Cabaye-Sissoko-Jonas who have 3 assists between them in the premier league. That’s 5 defensive midfielders in a game we needed to win by 2. what a joke