Yes it was hard to take for sure yesterday, and my heart was pumping just a bit at the sight of Ben Arfa putting over a perfect right-wing corner and Fab Coloccini actually heading the ball into the back of the net with a bullet header – a classic goal from a set-piece – well would you believe it.
Fab Coloccini – after scoring yesterday
And in fact it was a great equalizing goal from Newcastle and Coloccini somehow got completely free at the far post, and he acted afterwards although he did that every week.
The last time we scored from a set piece was a little dubious, when Demba Ba scored from a corner kick when he actually handled the ball into the goal at Reading last October – but of course it was accidental and it looked like he had headed the ball – and hey it worked – and the goal stood. š
Alan Pardew had this to say to nufcTV after the game, and he looked a bit shocked too:
āWe know we werenāt great at corners last season, bur we had been successful the two seasons before that.”
“We are a small side so we need to have a game plan, which we have.” “We have to try to be a bit more creative, very disciplined about the delivery and the runs we make and that was reflected today and in pre-season, so that bodes well for this coming season.ā
We could have added to the height of the Newcastle team in June, as apparently the transfer of 6’4″ Douglas as a free agent was all lined up – but Joe Kinnear didn’t think Douglas would be a good signing for us, Ā so he pulled Newcastle out of the deal.
That’s one reason why Derek LLambias resigned a couple of days after Joe Kinnear was announced as the new Director of Football, since Derek had worked that deal.
Ben Arfa looked good yesterday, Ā and you couldn’t have wished for a more pinpoint corner than the Frenchman delivered after an hour of the game – so maybe the mercurial one takes the free kicks from now on too?
Lets hope we see a huge improvement in our set plays next season, because last term we were hopeless at them – and that’s being kind.
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35 comments so far
Indian Magpie
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:35 AM
Comment #1Nut Meg
I think that is Carrās area
JFK Info may or may not be true, but he is there for signing not scouting.
Indian Magpie
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:36 AM
Comment #2Hell!
I wanted to post First
NUFCarter
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Comment #3I dont think anything seen in pre-season really bodes well for the season.
toonarmydownsouth
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:39 AM
Comment #4You know your desperate for any scrap of good news when were celebrating scoring from a corner!!!
NUFCarter
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:40 AM
Comment #5Cabaye was shocking at corners last season. Always seemed to go to the edge of the box
Tommyy
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:41 AM
Comment #6I second NUFC Carter.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:41 AM
Comment #7So we are paying Remy Ā£80k a week (and we are going to negotiate that down how?) and we we are willing to pay Gomis Ā£70k a week?
…sounds like good business (think Cabs and other are thrilled about that š lol)
Tommyy
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:41 AM
Comment #8Both motions.
Rooster
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Comment #9Newcastle are priced out of Bafetimbi Gomis deal
NEWCASTLE have pulled the plug on signing another French forward ā Lyonās Bafetimbi Gomis.
Published: Sun, August 11, 2013
4Comments
Marseille-hope-to-keep-Gomis-in-his-native-country Marseille hope to keep Gomis in his native country
The clubs had agreed a Ā£7million fee but Newcastle have refused to meet what they feel are exorbitant agents fees.
Now Marseille have come in with a similar offer, hoping to keep the player in his native country.
nufcursed
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Comment #10we will be the most boring team to watch AGAIN this season!
and it ain’t gonna change unless we sign a playmaker and another quick striker (and get rid of pardew).
we have absolutely no one in the team who can create something.
pardew must be the most overperforming manager ever.
for someone with so little knowledge to be 10years at a club like newcastle, he must be a genius!
Yohan Kebab
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Comment #11on twatter, kinnear wants shola out, ince sinclair and young belgian striker in
can hope eh
Spuggy
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:46 AM
Comment #12Preseason means very little in reality, Spuds drew 1-1 last night too with saldado scoring.
HBA should take all right sided corner now though.
south coast toon
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:49 AM
Comment #13not looking forward as things stand, im over the moon we got remy on loan, but wonder why the other 2 r not in yet
i seem to remember we were going to have at least another striker and someone who can supply assists
as good as remy is i cant see how one man is going to change the compete team around, and for our first game at the moment we will be fielding the same team as last year, surely they can see everyone around us has strenghend and added to there squad, im only expecting a graduale improvement over the next few seasons but i fear the powers that be r quite happy and belive last season was just bad luckā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦they cant take hope away from you so im in for blind hope and hope 2 or 3 more goalscorers or creative players are brought in
as for eto at least it made me laugh even when hes 40 he will have no need to jion a circusā¦
heres to blind hope thats all we got..
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:53 AM
Comment #14“Were a small team”. Is that why we lump it forward all season.
We r gonna get stuffed this year. Bearing in mind the fixtures – barring citeh – it looks ‘easy’. Lolololol
WWYCD
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:53 AM
Comment #15Some more rumours fluttering about that we are in for x y and z players how longs the window been open and we are still supposedly scouting players
This coming season as it stands fills me with absolutely no hope
Spuggy
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:53 AM
Comment #16We need to win the midfield battle before our striker can score. We have demonstrated very little control in preseason games in the middle of the park, most panic to get the ball away instead of remaining calm and passing with confidence.
Let’s hope it was just fatigue from training. We also haven’t seen our best CM out together really.
Yohan Kebab
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:54 AM
Comment #17arsenal in for gustavo, would be a great signing
Spuggy
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:55 AM
Comment #18I totally agree that the window should shut BEFORE the season starts.
Crazy that! In fact, the window should shut at the end of July to give new players at least a couple of weeks to settle.
Indian Magpie
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:56 AM
Comment #19Spuggy
Normally that may be true, but we needed to right the wrongs of last season and this preseason there have been no signs of thta.
Indian Magpie
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Comment #20Matej Vydra to WBA. FFS
toonarmydownsouth
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Comment #21Jesper
Have no say in remy’s wages tbh, the lad is on what he’s on if we want him loan we got to pay his wages
Geordie1
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Comment #22JFK spotted in Newcastle train station today off to get the Euro train to Fance/Belgium to look at some players NOTE I SAID LOOK this is what was tweeted:āHeās off to Belgium/Franceā followed by āheās after Sinclair, Ince and a young Belgian striker. He wants rid of sholaā and āhe couldnāt remember the name. 21 year old Belgian international, 6?2ā ā if he did know the name heād probably only get it wrong any way. What a Buffoon.
http://nothingbutnewcastle.com/2013/08/blogs/picture-joe-kinnear-hard-at-work-on-a-sunday
Rooster
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:58 AM
Comment #23Who knows, its all one big frigan circus, so looks like everything agreed apart from gent fees, oh dear, if MA was an Agent he would be trying to get the bst deal all round, surely we all know that, it is really starting to stink the place out.
Are we going on to JK`s second list then OMG.
Watched that so called friendly yesterday and did not move a muscle for virtually 90 mins not even when we scored from a corner as I was frozen in disbelief.
Too many of our players still imo showing very little passion for this football club, ive got to say I love Ben Arfa but he just floats about the pitch good ball bad ball good dribble bad dribble, Sissoko I don’t know what contribution he gave apart from one good run in to the box, Cabaye did not produce anything, marv came on and looked like he dosnt want to be here.
Totally mind numbing game friendly or not, young Dummet is the bright spark, and will only get better as the lad has a big heart as well.
Get the cheque book out, get a few more in no excuses, nothing changing from last season from what I can see so far this season.
Alan Pardew, John Carver Steve Stone, not enspiring at all is it and the fact that our training sessions were little more than a joke last season should have bared down on Carver as he organized them, he really should have been taken to task for our total lack of fitness.
At this moment in time I am dreading this season, because if the football is of the same standard as last it is just not by any stretch of the imagination good enough.
Graeme
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Comment #24Here’s a link to the JFK story!!
http://nothingbutnewcastle.com/2013/08/blogs/picture-joe-kinnear-hard-at-work-on-a-sunday
Jail for Ashley
Aug 11, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Comment #25Fusk me,
We were successful in scoring from a corner three seasons ago, cheers for addressing that Alan.
Heslop Toon
Aug 11, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Comment #26I don’t know why every one is being so negative.
I was at the match yesterday and from where I was sitting we played quite well as we tried to avoid playing long in open play and mbiwa a Collo seemed to have a great understanding as they were always covering each other and the full backs.
I get that people think we should be more active in the transfer market and I agree but it’s not all doom and gloom.
stuart no9
Aug 11, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Comment #27carter @ 3 yep , i think your right buddy. nothing to write home about on any of the games – even though we havnt really played anyone of note.- i”m worried , very worried.
toon kk
Aug 11, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Comment #28Our main priority as far as MA is concerned is selling Kebab for big money.
Once he’s sold then maybe we will get someone in, he’ll want money left over for his own pocket, that’s what Mashleys all about, forget ambition he wants money.
alext109
Aug 11, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Comment #29I am trying to get one of the strips from yesterdays game but cant find it on the nufc shop.
Does anyone have a link or know where it is on the website?
Jail for Ashley
Aug 11, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Comment #30Spuggy,
They could keep it open all season and we’d still struggle to get them over the line.
JAMSHA
Aug 11, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Comment #31Tottenham have launched an audacious Ā£15m
double bid for Ajax stars Christian Eriksen and
Toby Alderweireld.
Jst Fokn 15mil…
Tommyy
Aug 11, 2013 at 12:13 PM
Comment #32I think a lot of it is a confidence and interest thing. I really believe all of the players have lost faith and confidence in Pardew and the training regime.
workyticket
Aug 11, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Comment #33jesperfuglsang – captain of the lemon crew // Aug 11, 2013 at 11:41 AM
“So we are paying Remy Ā£80k a week”
He was being paid Ā£65,000 per week at QPR, and I would presume he’s getting the same at Newcastle.
believeintoon
Aug 11, 2013 at 2:17 PM
Comment #34ED
You are always making a mistake that the last time we scored from a set piece is the goal from Demba Ba against Wolfs at the start of the 2011/12 season.
We haven’t scored from a set piece for 2 years!!
The goal against Reading was just a cross from Ferguson.
Don’t always do the same mistake.
sammystats
Aug 11, 2013 at 6:35 PM
Comment #35So disappointed with jerseys