Newcastle gained a point at the Hawthorns this afternoon, when the five Frenchmen we signed in January were all in the starting line up for the first time.
Billy Jones scores after 64 minutes to level the scores
Newcastle started the game well and looked a good outfit and then Newcastle got a goal out of nowhere when Papiss Cisse hooked the ball over for Gouffran to head over Foster, and give Newcastle a deserved lead.
But after Yoan Gouffran put Newcastle ahead after only eight minutes Newcastle missed a number of gilt-edged opportunities to go further ahead in the first half, and that’s getting to be too much of a common trait for Newcastle these days – we find it so difficult to score goals.
On 22 minutes Steven Taylor found himself clear just 5 yards out but his shot was blocked by Foster and then a great shot from Yohan Cabaye was turned for a corner by the West Brom goalkeeper.
On 33 minutes Papiss Cisse got to a terrible back pass to Foster, but instead of just hitting the ball into an open net, he tried to chip it and it went over the bar – a terrible miss by the Newcastle number 9.
Newcastle dominated the first half after the Gouffran goal – his second for Newcastle, but Ben Forster was in good form to keep the score at 1-0 at the half, with Papiss Cisse missing a couple of excellent chances.
A couple of minutes after Gouffran’s goal captain Yohan Cabaye put in an excellent shot from outside the box, and the ball flew only just over the bar.
Yoan Gouffran – after scoring after only eight minutes
We never replaced Demba Ba in January and Newcastle now find it very difficult to score goals and we’ve only managed three goals in the last four league games.
Just before the break, it looked like Perch may have fouled in the penalty box, but the referee gave a free kick just outside the penalty box – it looked like ti was inside.
And as so often happens in these games West Brom looked a completely different side in the second half, after manager Steve Clarke introduced Shane Long at the break.
On 47 minutes Rob Elliot couldn’t hold a shot from Fortune, but the goalkeeper did well to get a hand to Shane Long’s follow-up shot, to divert the ball away from goal – but that was a warning.
Then Lukaku headed the ball against the bar following a corner, sent over by Brunt, and there followed an almighty scramble in the box, before McAuley hit the ball wide.
And then on 64 minutes it was Billy Jones who turned and smashed the ball into the back of the net, after he had been fed by Lukaka and it was all square.
And then it was West Brom who looked like they could win the game, but to their credit, our lads held out for what was a decent point.
We could have won this game – but our Achilles heel was all those missed opportunities in the first half – and we seem to miss far too many easy chances these days.
However, with Sunderland, Stoke and Norwich all winning they move above Newcastle in the league table, and we are now 5th bottom just 3 points above Aston Villa who play at Manchester United on Monday.
16th place is the lowest we’ve been this season, and we’re now back in the same place as we were after we let Reading beat us at home in January.
The good news is that West Ham beat Wigan 2-0 at Upton Park, so we are now 6 points above 3rd bottom Wigan with a better goal difference, but they have a game in hand.
We’ll take the point and not be too negative, but we lost ground to the teams around us in the league, and Sunderland go above us after beating Everton 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.
We’ll have to hope that Wigan don’t go on a hot winning streak – but we must help ourselves and win our final two home games of the season against Liverpool and Arsenal.
5th top last season and with only four games to play we are now 5th bottom – quite a turnaround this season – in the wrong direction. 🙁
Teams:
West Bromwich Albion (4-4-2): Ben Foster; Billy Jones, Gareth McAuley, Jonas Olsson, Goran Popov; Graham Dorrans, Claudio Yacob (Shane Long 46), James Morrison, Chris Brunt; Marc-Antoine Fortune (Markus Rosenberg 90), Romelu Lukaku (Jerome Thomas 90)
Subs not used: Boaz Myhill, Steven Reid, Liam Ridgewell, Kemar Roofe
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Rob Elliot; Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara (Hatem Ben Arfa 77); James Perch, Yohan Cabaye (c) (Dan Gosling 90); Jonas Gutierrez, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran (Shola Ameobi 69); Papiss Cisse
Subs not used: Steve Harper, Mike Williamson, Vurnon Anita, Adam Campbell
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Bookings: West Brom – none; Newcastle – Cabaye (86), Sissoko (90)
99 comments so far
BigKirky
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:03 PM
Comment #41Let’s not forget, that this type of thing where we sit back is nothing new and he does this the majority of the time. Rather than put the game out of site with another goal (or two) we just invite the other team to score goals. Awful, bearing in mind the quality of our players on the pitch. Carr must be so frustrated.
TurkishFan101
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:03 PM
Comment #42Lads its over I seriously think its over this time with Pardew, if finishing at 16th and him not caring doesn’t create a negative impact upon the fans and the players then what else does? This has proved all along that he wasn’t even aiming for wins but to avoid relegation to try out his stupid silly tactics. I truly hope Mike Ashley was listening to that radio, and I sincerely hope Pardew gets sacked and wish him luck on ever coming back to managing in the Premier League ever again.
stuart no9
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:03 PM
Comment #43so pardew , with ab 8m year contract- in charge of one of the biggest clubs in the prem, dosnt care if we finish 16th, roll on next season lads , lets go one better eh- yeah we;ll show them . fu///ing hell what ever next?
rfcready
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:03 PM
Comment #44And to all who don’t like “the same old story” about fans bitching here after watching yet another tepid display from the 1 thing that can make or break our week. Tough Tits, start your own blog Im going to bitch my fanny off after watching that managerial display or non managerial display because he can not change a game when it needs changing, after everyone else can see that were struggling. Jeeeez..
Jail for Ashley
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:03 PM
Comment #45Croftus,
Silly post mate, which manager would not want to work with the players we’ve got.
peaco1980
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:03 PM
Comment #46Bring back Joe Kinnear
catchy in norway
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:04 PM
Comment #4725manxpie // Apr 20, 2013 at 5:56 PM
this is amazing,
keep talking
your digging a bigger hole all the time, every man and his dog sees rhe problem
you make me smile
stuart no9
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:04 PM
Comment #48* with an 8 year contract.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:05 PM
Comment #49If he genuinely said “I don’t care if we finish 16th” then I don’t see how anyone can defend him.
I’ve defended him for nigh on too long and that is simply unacceptable. He should be made apologise for saying that, failing that he should be sacked.
DS_NUFC
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:05 PM
Comment #50so pardew dosent care if we finish 16th well we care alan why dont you resign if you dont care and get someone in that does CARE
JP...from The Rock
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:05 PM
Comment #51The amount of times Strolla is introduced onto the pitch and does nothing but complain to the ref at how bad he is and Pardew still relies on him to score us goals or to create something within 20 minutes! Hasn’t Pardew realised that Strolla is NOT A GOAL SCORER nor a playmaker!
I am so sick of seeing Strolla coming on and doing F all! He costs us points when instead it could have been a lively and fit Campbell eager to show us what he can do or a semi-fit HBA that by himself can score from our own half. Or that striker that should have come in January to replace Ba and not depend on a misfiring Cisse for the remainder of our survival deciding matches.
It beggars belief the stupidity behind our thinking sometimes. We keep gambling on our premier league status and we’ll be extremely lucky to come out of this season still as a premier league team.
Ginger
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:05 PM
Comment #52@stuart no9
Fair enough like.
It just really frustrates me, we’ve just such a good first 11 and yet he ruins it all.
manxpie
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:05 PM
Comment #53ruddy so bringing on shola is a defensive sub ie changing formation to 442 and also would you be happy if we went all out attack and lost?
seriously you think its as easy as attacking in the second half as an away team and then we’ll win and that the players after the season we’ve had will be confident in doing so?
i know people want some1 to blame but it is stupid to blame pardew for this season imo did you see my stat about how many players he’s had to play this season?
32! and when you think for at least half the season every1 would agree we had a small squad thats 3 different teams worth!
davis_toons
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:06 PM
Comment #54@no9. “yet we showed no intent to do that.”
Yes, we are just like last season, trying to run down every game time. Do you see this happens to more successful teams or their players? Its the character of the team. Whos responsible, who can change that?
Same thing Gk will hoop ball forward and everyone will starting chasing and fight for it.
Like i say if we really need to play this kind of approach then Mike got to get Carroll back, for the sick of pardew.
Carroll is a target man, a tall and strong player. That is what Pardew wants all season.
Fridge
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:06 PM
Comment #55I cant take This anymore. Not one more season Of This shitty football. He cant Even make them win ugly like last year. His time is up. Gotta be
The next Mike Williamson
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:07 PM
Comment #56I’d guess 70% want rid of him
20% want continuity and for that reason only want him to stay.
5% think he’s doing a decent job
5% can’t decide
El Sleeve
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:08 PM
Comment #57manx, this has been happening all season.
the penny has finally dropped, even though we’ve been this bad since october.
wake up, get with it. we’re utterly useless and with the players we have, we should be doing something more than what we have
Jail for Ashley
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:08 PM
Comment #58After two matches now, , I’ve decided that watching Pardews football on the radio is easier on the eyes.
nick_9
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:08 PM
Comment #59Shola is a sitting ****** duck man, a lame dog. Over 250 apps to get 50 goals!!!!!!
JP...from The Rock
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:09 PM
Comment #60“but we must help ourselves and win our final two home games of the season against Liverpool and Arsenal.” – Ed you made me chuckle there. Very slim chance of us nicking a point in those two games let alone 2 wins.
croftus5678
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:09 PM
Comment #61@39
aye maybe its all a bit unknown isnt it “if’s and but’s”
whatever happens it will be a gamble i just hope its the right one !
i want to see more attacking ect also i want us to play like the first half ! but think we should all own up to the fact of us saying ba was bad for the team and that cisse upfront alone would score a lot more goals shows we do not exactlly know what we are talking about either.
manxpie
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:10 PM
Comment #62catchy you keep saying you want to see beautiful football but dicanio hasn’t brought that has he so wats so funny ya tosser?
and DC which game were you watching then us or scum!!?
ya maybe showed ya true colours there fella!?
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:10 PM
Comment #63Manx
Everyone who streamed the game heard the stat, yup 32 player is a lot and it’s down to injuries, but the XI we had on the pitch was good enough to win, the intent didn’t match the quality.
And you’re bringing my knowledge of the game into question, seriously? Have I in any way said “we just needed to attack….” Duhhhhhhhhh
We didn’t press the ball, we kept a ridiculously deep line for the entire second half and showed no willingness to get the ball into the WBA penalty box, we just launched it at Shola in an attempt to relieve pressure, not to create chances.
Sure Cisse missed a few chances, but we were never going to score in the second half if we refused to create chances for him in the second half!
Far be it of me to think Pardew has the responsibility for how his team plays.
Footballwatch
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:10 PM
Comment #64If you wish you can always watch the game’s highlights on http://www.footballwatch.net/team/137
MosesNUFC
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:13 PM
Comment #65LAURENT BLANC LAH LAH LAH LAURENT BLANC LAH LAH LAH LAURENT BLANC LAH LAH LAH
BigKirky
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:13 PM
Comment #66Yes, Ruddy, believe it, Pardew said it. “Dont care if we finish 16th as long as we stay in the division”.
I was typing as he was saying stuff. Anyone listening to the post match interview on Radio Newcastle will have heard it. Even those just reading the blog, not commenting.
Any manager who is worried about their stability in a job in football will try to distort the perspective with subtle things in interviews. This is Pardew to the max. He also said he had to thanks the away fans who were magnificent. Yes, Alan, you get that every week from us.
DS_NUFC
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:13 PM
Comment #67manxpie
YOU CLOWN .I was making the point that you should watch the game before judging di canios style of play instead of listing to moyes post match conference.
Jail for Ashley
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:14 PM
Comment #68Manx,
I think we’ve defended him long enough, replacing Haidara instead of Jonas seems to me like the actions of a man who has let the pressure get in the way of a clear thought process.
DS_NUFC
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:14 PM
Comment #69manxpie
you must get a thrill out of a relegation dogfight
davis_toons
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:14 PM
Comment #70manxpie // Apr 20, 2013 at 6:05 PM
I does understand your point from what Pardew faces.
But today game was almost there for the taking and our players didn’t take their chances and maybrr Pardew decided to close the doors in the 2nd half.
The best time to judge pardew will be 2nd half of next season. Its should be fair enough.
(Theres just something not right, just pure irritating)
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:14 PM
Comment #71Big Kirky
Disgusting, truly disgusting. I’m quickly losing my rag with him, that’s not on.
DS_NUFC
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:14 PM
Comment #72manxpie
take a look at the table do you enjoy seeing us in 16th position DO YOU ?
rfcready
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:18 PM
Comment #73I don’t care if we have to dig up Mussolini to get this team fired up. We need more than 8 minutes of effort.
oldbobaycliffe
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:18 PM
Comment #74what we need is a young manager with his own way of playing we have had enough of old english managers like allardyce kinnear and pardew. even if he is foreign.a manager who is allowed to bring in the players he wants not only the players carr suggests.and i dont mean players that will break the bank. with perhaps a backroom staff rather than the one we have now
davis_toons
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:19 PM
Comment #75When i watch our player in every matches wasting so much time.
It show too much respect to almost every team that we forgotten how to go about attacking them and breaking them down..
solano
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:19 PM
Comment #767 seasons left on manager’s contract!
The Mike Ashley Role of Honour in last 6 years reads as follows:
1) 07-08 Relegation Battle
2) 08-09 Relegation
3) 09-10 Win Championship
4)10-11 Lower League Finish
5) 11-12 Qualify for Europa
6) 12-13 Relegation Battle
NUFC deserves so much more than this regime.
croftus5678
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:20 PM
Comment #77@72
the other side of that arguement could be to look at last seasons table with the same manager and say do you enjoy looking at 5th !
no problem with pards going as to me he is only a stop gap anyways but have any of you got anything good to take away from this season ?
i will take away quaters of europe a bigger far better quality squad of players lets be honest we should not have been able to get.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:23 PM
Comment #78Croftus
You’re only as good as your last season. Benitez got Liverpool 2nd and was sacked the next season.
Look forward, stop looking back.
DS_NUFC
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:24 PM
Comment #79croftus5678
He has failed to get the best out of our players what makes you think it will be better next season. he plays a cdm left wing he dosent drop players who are off form and most of all he plays hoofball which dosent suit our players style of play
davetoon
Apr 20, 2013 at 6:24 PM
Comment #80Pardew has to try Sissoko behind Cisse rather than out on the right wing, play Gouffran on left wing or play them as 3 up front