Shola Ameobi is the second player to be interviewed after the Liverpool disaster, and it’s interesting that he follows Steven Taylor’s comments of yesterday – and both are local lads and they know what it means to play for Newcastle United Football club.
Shola Ameobi – low point of the season
Here’s what Shola had to say in the Newcastle Journal today – but his comments also raise a number of questions:
“That’s the low point in the season for us. “On top of our last home game, that was very disappointing.” “The manner of how we lost is the most disappointing thing.” “You start the game wanting to give everything you have, but to then go down two goals quickly to a good side like that you are struggling.”
“Coming out for the second half, giving a goal away and then once that third goal went in, it was game over.” “It’s a fact we didn’t tighten up as a group and conceded six.” “It’s always going to be a tough day at the office when you concede six.” “We needed composure on the pitch and we didn’t have that.”
“The players are worried. It’s never nice to lose like that.” “The next three games, we can use this to spark us and give us a kick up the backside, if you like.” “Nobody is too good to go down, as we found out last time.” “I’m sure the players understand that and that’s what the manager will be impressing on us this week.”
“In the coming week it is not about how talented a team you are, it’s about how much you want it on the day.” “Liverpool wanted it more on Saturday.” “We were all disappointed and there is a sense we did not do our jobs.” “If someone comes to your home patch and does that to you it is never a nice feeling.” “I have seen a lot of anger in that dressing room, which is understandable.”
If somebody had told me on Friday, that this interview was to be in the Journal on Monday morning – I would have had them committed. 🙁
There are a number of questions that come out of Shola’s comments – what happens if West Ham go two goals up on Saturday – will the same thing happen?
And Sunderland also wanted it more in the last home game – so it’s the same problem again – and our players have to get some desire and pride in their bellies – and quickly.
And to think we thought Sunderland was going to be the low point of the season – so what will it be like after our next home game against Arsenal on May 19th?
One of the problems we have is that we’re not sure some of our players really believe we can go down, and they may think we are too good, and remember that most of our French players will ever have fought against relegation either.
The fact that this has now happened twice – when we’ve been thrashed at home in two big games – tells us whatever problems we had in the Sunderland game simply have not been fixed.
And we’d be very surprised if we don’t see Mike Ashley on Tyneside sometime this week – he needs to read the riot act to both the coaches and the players.
To get where he is in business Mike will have had to be ruthless – and the news in the Evening Chronicle today is not surprising that’s he’s furious and livid at the last two home defeats.
At least he has that in common with Newcastle supporters – but we are also genuinely concerned that we could take the drop again.
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605 comments so far
Guj NUFC
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:50 PM
Comment #41Carroll would bully our defence without M’biwa’s aerial ability he shouldn’t be dropped, and should be played next tot Coloccini. We should play Sissoko or Perch next to Cabaye to man mark Kevin Nolan. Jarvis vs Simpson I’m worried about, Jarvis is a very fast player.
Joe Blog
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:50 PM
Comment #42Few people backing the Colo and Willo partnership now. Well I’d just like to say, on the last thread I called it first, I called it first, ner ner ner, I called it first! Now bow down before me, because I called it first!
Wait, my name’s not Catchy….
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:51 PM
Comment #43Ibiza….I never said you would have to touch them 😉
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:51 PM
Comment #44Charlie…Do you think playing Anita alongside either Sissoko or Tiote could well solve a load of our problems?
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:51 PM
Comment #45Ibiza
Interesting neither of us would play Mbiwa
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:51 PM
Comment #46How’s Community coming along by the way?
Transfer Sage
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:53 PM
Comment #47charlie
Gary neville did a great piece when di canio took over at sunderland. Summed it up well.
He said that they play very deep with fletcher up on his own. Too much of a gap from defence and midfield to attack.
Di canio has them all as a unit of 10 higher up the field, pressing more. means when you win the ball two things. One you are closer to goal and two you have more players closer to goal. Makes creating a chance much easier.
Its the same with us. When we play high up (rare) we look very very good. When we play deep cisse is isolated and we create very little.
LeToonARMY
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:53 PM
Comment #48Shola you did even play you need to work harder in training mate
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:54 PM
Comment #49I would have Anita in the team every week along with Sissoko as Tiote at the minute looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
Anita has just not had a chance to settle in.
Like him on the ball
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:54 PM
Comment #50Charlie…I really don’t want Redknapp. I know many just want Pardew gone, but let’s not lose sight and just take whatever else is about (unless there was a missing section of your post where he ultimately didn’t get the job regardless?!?).
Jesper…I see. In that case, sure, why not? 🙂
Joe…Careful, putting a lot of faith in Willo not letting you down. By taking the credit, you’ll be the one whose head they’ll be calling for at HT.
Guj NUFC
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:56 PM
Comment #51Anita right back?
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:57 PM
Comment #52Charlie…That is the team I think Pardew will play, not my team exactly.
I’m struggling to pick a team as so much depends on their attitude and belief at the minute. I just get a feeling that is the team Pardew will pick.
Jesper…I’m caught up mate, thoroughly enjoyed it. Need a new recommendation now 🙂
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:58 PM
Comment #53Ibiza
I don’t want redknapp either – but desperate times seek desperate measures.
You know who I would might have a stab at if Pardew goes Temuri Ketsbaia.
Manages like he played should be fun
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:58 PM
Comment #54Guj…I don’t have an issue with Simpson at RB. As a defender, I think he does okay. Frustration has come around as we don’t have any wingers, so need a RB who can move forward and put in a decent ball…which Simmo can’t.
For this game, I think a no nonsense RB will be needed, so I expect Simmo to start. How about Anita at LB?
Transfer Sage
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:59 PM
Comment #55ibiza
like him and his ways or not but redknapp is a damn good manager. AVB gets praise this year but redknapp twice got spurs top 4 and thats well before bale became the force (and one man team) he is now.
If redknapp agreed to work in our financial set up and with our recruitment style i’d love him here, he’s brilliant, plays attacking stuff.
charlie
my team would be
elliot
simmo, taylor, colo, haidara
anita, cabaye, marv
hba, cisse, gouff
Think that team would keep the ball very well, cabs amd anita have a bit of bite in midfield but skill too, marv unlocks the door, then the front three have goals + hba has creativity and something special.
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 29, 2013 at 3:59 PM
Comment #56Charlie…But he spends too much time on this blog to be able to manage Newcastle 🙂
How has he done as a manager? Haven’t heard much, but imagine he’s as passionate as always…bless him.
Transfer Sage
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Comment #57or have anita at LB and sissoko in midfield.
toonarmydownsouth
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:01 PM
Comment #58ibiza
i think the mackems still need the points tbh!!
sage
one last thing
carroll hates taylor
nolan is carroll number 1 cheerleader
taylor is a big mouthed hot headed moron
we need a win
theres no way i’d put taylor in that line up
Williamsonsuks
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:01 PM
Comment #5910 goals concede in 3 games is beyond ridiculous! Can we blame the defence only?
Mbiwa and Taylor look great together, only problem is there is no cover in front of our CB. I’d still have both of them in our starting line with a decent covering Sissoko type who obviously is up front behind Cisse. Get Tiote to F??? what’s happened to him. I loved him last season, seams he’s gotten to big for his boots, needs to go back to his MR T style, other than that cash in now. He’s cost a few games this season with the obvious.
Really think we’re going down unless villa and Wigan mess up horribly. Oh MIGHTY GOD PLEASE LET IT BE. Not religious, any hope will do for now 🙂
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:02 PM
Comment #60Transfer
Rumour has it in London that he is leaving QPR. Yeah very good manager. My only problem with ‘arry is he tends to hold teams to ransom.
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:03 PM
Comment #61TS…Not convinced at all mate. A complete chancer, something Pardew is accused of, so why would we want him? Been less than impressed with him at QPR as well, think I read they’ve done worse since he arrived.
I’ll be honest though, a lot of it is based on the fact I really dislike the guy.
Transfer Sage
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:04 PM
Comment #62tads
Could go both ways, carroll is a bit hot headed so he might lash out, leave an elbow in, so could be to our advantage.
I’ve never seen taylor lose it in a game and get sent off….only mistakes he makes are silly handballs.
I’d much rather have taylor than mbiwa or willo….think alongside colo he was great. I think mbiwa is a crock of ….. other than being able to pass a ball he is no better than willo, worse if anything.
might improve in time but for now he’s garbage as a prem league player.
Rainrix
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:05 PM
Comment #63Williamson…. `its not just the defence you’re correct. For a team with 2 defensive midfielders they really dont seem to do a lot. In the first 2 minutes on saturday coutinho got on the ball in space unchallenged and played a couple of dangerous balls. No marking or anything. Perch and tiote can win the ball back well, but there marking and positional sense leave a lot to be desired and really dont make things easy for the back 4
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:06 PM
Comment #64TS…Whoa! Garbage? Way too harsh imo. He’s made some mistakes and is clearly adjusting, but I think that is way off the mark.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:07 PM
Comment #65Ibiza
Ketsbaia record in management
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Anorthosis 2004 2009 108 73 26 9 67.59%
Olympiacos My 2009 Sept2009 6 5 1 0 83.33%
Georgia Nove 2009 Present 27 10 8 9 37.04%
Total 141 88 35 18 61.7%
Not bad eh
Williamsonsuks
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:07 PM
Comment #66Do my point suck? Honestly!
catchy in norway
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:07 PM
Comment #67Charlie in the Gallowgate
he needs to play smarter, right now saylor is just a bull in a china shop
Indian Magpie
hahah your right 😉
toonarmydownsouth
against west ham,, id have williamson in to, tel him to stick to carroll, and get something on the long balls into the box
ibiza
with your team,, i have to ask , why have jonas in there at all,, the one thing i thought we have all learned this season is jonas is no longer an attacking threat, i can no longer see a use for him in the team,
also, id give campbell a run out,
we need balls into feet, not long hopeless punts, which is what we will get if shola starts
Transfer Sage
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:08 PM
Comment #68ibiza
He is a chancer in the trasnfer market but the players he brought to qpr have all been good. Townsend, jenas, remy, samba…its hughes players who have cost him…to many poor or uninterested players for anyone to manage. He had to go back to bosingwa after he refused to play they were that desperate.
He did very well at spurs, bought and sold very well there, got 2 out of 3 seasons in top 4 and got to quarter final of champs league. Played exciting football.
Did very well at pompey too, not his fault they went bust. The owner signs off all those deals, if he keeps giving harry money he is obviously going to spend it.
I just think he would do a lot with our team.
toon22
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:09 PM
Comment #69Sadly enough we need Williamson,Simmo,Harper,Guthrie probs more
As they arent the team that gave up against Liverpool.
Its our only option imo as i cant see how there is any chance of those 11 players pulling it together buy this Saturday.
They played like they wanted to get the manager the sack and they arnt going to magically improve imo.
Guj NUFC
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:10 PM
Comment #70Ibiza, I would play Anita at Left Back, yes, seems the logical switch as Anita is good going forward and defending. On tiote- why isn’t he just sitting in front of the back 4? He’s trying to do too much. I don’t think he’s a bad player- just his overall game seems to be that he wants to dictate the midfield? That’s what we have Cabaye for!
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:10 PM
Comment #71Ibiza…well it is kinda tough to top both ‘Sunny in Philadelphia’ and ‘Community’ in the comedy department :), but if you liked ‘The Office (the Brit one), then I wold recommend ‘Parks and Rec’.
…the first season is a bit of a hit and miss (it is short mind you), but from then on it really is a treat 🙂
*Ron Swanson is one of my favorite TV characters at the moment lol
Williamsonsuks
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:10 PM
Comment #72Rainrix 🙂 At least someone agrees.
toonarmydownsouth
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:12 PM
Comment #73so wigan still have to play
WBA away
then swansea at home
then a cup final with city
then arsenal away
and finally villa at home
And villa have
sunderland away
norwich away
chelsea at home
wigan away
think we’ll be safe but only just
davis_toons
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:12 PM
Comment #74It really not right to SACK someone when he is the one that bring us up and got everyone together.
Without doing much wrong, he was SACK. Due to getting a Better Manager to push us forward.
A better manager?
A better manager should be of something creditable. International Manager, i guess Pardew TALKS better than the other Interviewers.
Thats why he got the job … and for lesser wages.
In the Interview Room on Pardew
Thats a manager on discount, thought Ashley.
Everyone have higher hopes for Newcastle but we just let ourselves down.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-0-liverpool-6-3186589
Ibizatoon - Back By Popular Demand
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:12 PM
Comment #75TS…Fair enough, I’ll just go back to that I don’t like him then 🙂
EVERYONE….That is not the team I want, it’s the team I think Pardew will play 🙂
Catchy…As above.
Charlie…Not bad at all. Obviously questionable leagues etc, but everyone has to start somewhere.
Williamsonsuks
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:14 PM
Comment #76Joe Blog where you serious? If so AH HAHAHA
Transfer Sage
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:14 PM
Comment #77ibiza
I think it’s fair myself 🙂
I don’t think he understands the role. He takes risks on the ball, relies too much on his pace (will get caught out with prem players), seems very weak (danny graham shoved him around) and just not able to hold a line.
Now that could all be settling in but in my view we can’t have him settle in during the next 3 games. Rather colo and willo, much safer partnership, has been great for us.
Mbiwa could well become top class next season but for now he’d be 4th choice for me.
toon22
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:15 PM
Comment #78I would think MA is considering sending HR a brown envelope stuffed with £50s.
As if we beat QPR we are just about certain to stay up imo.
Just a thought…………….
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:15 PM
Comment #79Ibiza
Anyone with nearly 62% win rate must be doing something right
rossc
Apr 29, 2013 at 4:15 PM
Comment #80The only team that i can see avoiding relegation is this.
Krul
Taylor Colocini Mbiwa
Debuchy Haidara
Anita Sissoko Cabaye
Ben Arfa Cisse