Newcastle drew this game 0-0, but Geordie fans will be asking how Yoan Gouffran didn’t score from four yards out two minutes into injury time, as a beautiful cross come shot from Sammy Ameobi came off the inside of the far post, to the Frenchmen, but he somehow managed to to poke the ball over the bar from one yard out – an unbelievable late miss by Newcastle that could have brough us a very welocme 3 points.
Ben Arfa in action this afternoon
That will be the big talking point in this game which went through a dismal first half with both sides trying to get into the game, but the second half was better, with Moussa Sissoko, Vurnon Anita and Ben Arfa being Newcastle three best players.
And then when Sammy Ameobi was introduced in the second half, he provided some skill and movement down the left wing, and made some excellent moves, including the late cross which should have been converted by substitute Gouffran.
West Ham also had their chances to win this game, as left winger Matt Jarvis seemed to have the beating of Newcastle right back Mathieu Debuchy, and it seems the Frenchman is exposed by any winger with speed – that’s not good.
Ben Arfa tried hard to create something for the Newcastle team, and both Moussa Sissoko and Vurnon Anita had good games in central midfield for the Magpies today, with Sissoko making some great surging runs.
So we suppose Yohan Cabaye wasn’t missed – but what’s going on with this guy – that he doesn’t play in the first two games of the season?
We thought that was his job. 🙁
And we suppose a 0-0 draw gave Alan Pardew a few things to take out of the game that were positive – but Newcastle were no threat at all up front, and we must get some striker(s) in during this last week of the transfer window.
Vurnon Anita – had solid game today
And Newcastle could also have lost this game after 89 minutes then former transfer target Modibo Maiga had the ball in the back of the net, but he was ruled offside by the linesman’s assistant – that was close.
It was a decent second half display by Newcastle, after a lackluster first half display by both sides, but this game could have gone either way, and we’re sure West Ham fans thought they should have won the game near the end too.
But with Yoan Gouffran getting the best chance of the match with just one minute to go in added time, we missed out on two points today, and also missed out on the confidence a lucky win could have given the team.
But on the other hand a 0-0 draw gives us a clean sheet – and a point, and at least it wasn’t another defeat – that was the good news today.
Teams:
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa, Vurnon Anita, Moussa Sissoko, Sylvain Marveaux (Sammy Ameobi 66); Shola Ameobi, Papiss Cisse (Yoan Gouffran 72)
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Paul Dummett, Dan Gosling, Gael Bigirimana, Haris Vuckic
West Ham (4-2-3-1): Jussi Jaaskelainen; Guy Demel, James Collins, Winston Reid, Joey O’Brien; Mark Noble, Mohamed Diame (Ravel Morrison 75); Matt Jarvis, Kevin Nolan (c), Stewart Downing (Joe Cole 64); Modibo Maiga
Subs not used: Adrian, Razvan Rat, James Tomkins, Alou Diarra, Ricardo Vaz Te
Referee: Phil Dowd
Comments welcome.
56 comments so far
toonking
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:13 PM
Comment #41the real delusionish on this site are you’s who want pardew out.
this is fvck mike Ashley we are owned by not a fvcken oil rich arab pardew is an average manager who is stuck with this dick of an owner.
MANAGERS WANT TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHO THEY WILL BUY FOR THEIR TEAMS
THIS OWNER WILL NEVER GET A FVCKEN DECENT MANAGER.
CABAYE RIGHT NOW IS NOT PLAYING SIMPLY BECAUSE THE OWNER TOLD THE MANAGER AS HE WANT HIM NOT TO GET INJURED.
Kk WALKED OUT AS WISE WAS IN CHARGE OF THE STUFF
geordiemark
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:13 PM
Comment #42Spuggy
thats 2 games cabaye has missed so that to me is to many games considering he is still a toon player and is under contract and should play either hes getting transfered or not but saying all this id never play cabaye again think he hasnt got any loyalty towards not just the team but also the supporters which is a damn disgrace for a pro player to do so the sooner he goes the better
Thump
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:13 PM
Comment #43@Ruddy: Anita played brilliantly. A little bit rusty but he picked up towards the end. Marveaux blew hot and cold but some beautiful passing from him, his corners were great but our finishing was complete dross. He looked a bit tired on the hour mark, his crosses were struggling beyond the first man etc.
I’d play the same team against Fulham but knowing Pardew…
JP...from The Rock
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:13 PM
Comment #44Don’t blame Gouffran Ed, this is all Fat Mike Ashley’s fault, then Kinnear, then Pardew. The players tried their best today and could not have done much more. We need new personnel to help the team. Gouffran should have started instead of the embarrassing Strolla Ameobi.
Ketsbaia9
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Comment #45We passed it around better today and we seemed slightly more exciting to watch, but we need at least 2 strikers, 2 attacking midfielders and Toby Alderweireld.
renzo
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Comment #46anita played very well and so did sissoko – what was troubling is the non-existent partnership of ameobi-cisse and krul hoofing upwards instead of starting a move on the ground
Rotonda heights
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:15 PM
Comment #47The encouraging thing were the performances of Anita, Marveaux and M’Biwa, but you know in Pardewland they will all get dropped or M’Biwa played out of position again without a second thought for Tiote, Jonas and Saylor to just waltz back in.
geordiemark
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:15 PM
Comment #48I think ben arfa is carrying far to much weight as well he should cut his fat down by at least 2 stone he ran around tried to beat a man after a man all day and he still done nowt with the ball
BennygivesmeTinglyBalls
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:16 PM
Comment #49That game was quite Frankly embarrassing. It just highlighted the fact we need about 3-4 more players and Pardew is tactically inept. I watch our team and I don’t know what the game plan is. We are hopeless. Its so obvious we need an attacking midfielder to link attack to defence. Cisse is over rated. The only bright spot is Remy coming back. But I bet he doesn’t get played in his correct position. We need wingers and a new manager. I literally think I’d prefer over 75% of the managers in the BPL over Pardew. HELP
nufcursed
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:16 PM
Comment #50look all you defending pardew:
even with mike ashley as an owner, and even with these players and even with players you’re told to put on the pitch,
we could still play better than this
and the only reason for that is pardew!
theartfuldodger
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:19 PM
Comment #51Cisse and ameobi cant play ground football and we dont have great crossers. Hence sissoko benarfa shot from distance. No point passing it to cisse or ameobi. They screw up. Ameobis pupose is to win headers and hold up.
Ba was a better ground player and cabaye a more incisive passer.
Looks like Pardew told debuchy and santon not to attack much first half. That dint help shola and cisse.No crosses came in from sides.
Greebol1892
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:20 PM
Comment #52MOM Anita. strolla is utter shite.
BennygivesmeTinglyBalls
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:22 PM
Comment #53Marveaux is clearly not a winger, he needs to be played behind the striker. Last season we must have created a number of Cisse’ goals, they at least have a good partnership. Thats if we aren’t going to sign anyone, if we decide to then this is as good as it gets. With a new manager I’d probably enjoy watching us play again. Hell I’d even take someone like Shaun Maloney right now to play CAM. Just anyone
Anite – Sissoko
Benny – De Jong – Ince
Remy
Relegation Year
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:25 PM
Comment #54A very boring game to watch, nothing exciting to make you jump out off your seat. Its going to be another relegation battle for us if we don’t get anyone else in, that’s my opinion.
magpie_army
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:33 PM
Comment #55This had to be the last straw, surely?
If we can’t play better than that against a poor West Ham side at home, just where are we going to be picking wins up from?
The management/coaching team needs gutting out and rebuilding. If Ashley doesn’t act we’ll be forced to rebuild from the Championship; simple as that.
magicbus
Aug 24, 2013 at 5:34 PM
Comment #56Be careful what you wish for re new manager it could be Joke in Ear