We’ve always thought that Alan Pardew was a strong guy mentally, and as reports of him having offered to resign, and even of being fired circulated yesterday in the press, all of which were false, it doesn’t seem to have affected the Newcastle manager much at all.
Alan Pardew – standing up to the pressure well
In fact Alan Pardew remains positive after the horror show in the first half on Monday night at Everton, where once again our woeful defending lost us the game.
Alan Pardew told the Sun today that Newcastle have to become more consistent, and he’s right there:
“I’m not concerned.” “We’ve still got a chance of the top 10 but we’ve got to get something at Cardiff on Saturday.”
“As a team we have shown inconsistencies, especially in our defending.” “Some of the goals we’ve conceded really are not good enough for us.”
“We have work to do and there might have to be some personnel changes.” “When Mike Williamson came on at half-time we looked a lot stronger.”
“He’s got himself a great chance of playing at Cardiff.”
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa was replaced by Mike Williamson in the second half, and Newcastle looked a lot stronger in that second half, when we pulled two goals back. and even looked a good side.
One of Mapou’s weaknesses is his heading ability, and Alan Pardew had told Colo and Williamson at half time to head the ball, and we saw Williamson head the ball away from the goalkeepers drop kicks several times in the second half, and we even thought Mike might have started the game on Monday after a solid performance in the Leeds game last week.
Of course one of the goalkeeper’s kicks had cost us the third goal when Colo allowed the ball to bounce and then Tim Krul and the Argentine made a right mess of things and Lukaka got his second goal and Everton’s third.
We sound like a broken record, but we need to see a strong defensive performance on Saturday, since we’ve proved we can score goals this season with the impressive Loic Remy now in the side.
A win is what we need to see on Saturday.
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30 comments so far
Marty-Toon
Oct 2, 2013 at 8:43 AM
Comment #1As Carragher pointed out,when did the Toon last have a decent defence?
Under KK it was the same with peacock,Barton and Beresford good at giving cheap goals away
Marty-Toon
Oct 2, 2013 at 8:47 AM
Comment #2With Yanga Mbiwa it’s not that he’s a poor player,but as a CB you’ve gotta read the game better.
Height is an advantage against the likes of Benteke and Lukaku and you could see it helped with Willo there so I don’t think small defenders are worth buying in the PL with all the ariel balls in the box and lack of scoring on our part from dead ball
spitfire_
Oct 2, 2013 at 8:48 AM
Comment #3Of course you are not concerned… and that’s why the situation is even more serious.
Scottiedog
Oct 2, 2013 at 8:49 AM
Comment #4We need a new manager (ideally Zola) asap so they can settle in before the Jan transfer window.
I have nothing against Pardew but he is no under pressure not to lose a game which means his team selection will be more defensive and as such our forwards will fail. A lose Lose situation.
PLEASE, PLEASE MA WILL YOU HIRE ZOLA!!!
Laurent Robert 32
Oct 2, 2013 at 8:50 AM
Comment #5If we maintain possession far better, those chances for the other team don’t exist, because a different course of events occur.
Yes the defence was poor, but if you can’t keep the ball and make chances in their box, all you’re doing is letting them have more chances on your own goal.
Plus, the more you let them do that, the more confidence can be ruined. It’s a downward related spiral, simply from not being effective in possession.
Goodfella
Oct 2, 2013 at 8:54 AM
Comment #6The only thing Pardew will be concerned about will be his huge payoff 😉
Slank
Oct 2, 2013 at 8:55 AM
Comment #7Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa cannot cope with big, strong centre forwards.
Whilst he is quick and can generally read the game and play the ball out of defence quite well, like Colo, he is very vulnerable to a physical presence but having said that his positional play on Monday was shocking and had little to do with physicality and more to do with naivety. Perhaps Colo isn’t shouting enough.
I think Colo misses the presence of either Williamson and Saylor as both are no nonsense rocks in defence who can cope with the physical side of the game.
I don’t know about the Cardiff forward line so I’m not sure whether it is Williamson to continue or a second chance for Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
Ben3arfa
Oct 2, 2013 at 8:55 AM
Comment #8Pardew only has himself to blame if he gets sacked, the number of shocking performances under him have increased so much the past season and a bit.
I sure as hell dont want Kinnear to replace him though, Mr. Dodgy heart might just not be fit to work in a sports direct store let alone manage the club
Laurent Robert 32
Oct 2, 2013 at 8:59 AM
Comment #9Maybe if Holloway is ousted it may be a bit easier for the sly one to slither off to his beloved Crystal Palace.
The ball and chain which is Ashley, still remains though.
bishopblaize
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:00 AM
Comment #10Pardew does want to succeed with us .. He just doesent know how (its the Team letting him down)
So does that mean change?
Di Matteo is only man to shake this Team.
Or let me have a week with em! They’ll realise what side there bread buttered then
Toon-Prodigy
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:04 AM
Comment #11Been away for a little while. Whats the general feeling after monday?
Poor showing first half but was rectified in the second.
All far too late of course and not good enough.
What is all this Pardew sacked and offering to resign?
Problems at the back need addressed. Our forward play and passing game was quality in the second half. Infact it was outstanding at 85% completion.
What i want to ask is why are we so slow out the blocks?
We are capable of much better.
Slank
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:05 AM
Comment #12Laurent Robert 32 @ 5
I agree with you that our play this season has generally been much better than last season. We are keeping the ball better and have significantly reduced the amount of high hoof balls.
The major weakness is the defence. It hasn’t improved from last season whereas the introduction of Remy has significantly improved our forward line.
Scottishmag1
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Comment #13Team for Saturday with a few changes:
Elliot
Debuchy. Williamson. Colo. dummet
Tiote
Anita Cabaye. Santon
Remy. Goufran.
Thoughts?
Laurent Robert 32
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Comment #14Prodigy, Everton eased off and were cruising in the second half so of course it’s going to be easier for us to get back in the game. Our shots, as usual, come from about 20 – 25 yards out. Opposition goalies will take that all day long.
It wasn’t rectified. We lost, again.
Slank
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:11 AM
Comment #15Toon-Prodigy @ 11
I think that the team tactics and setup placed too much emphasis on trying to stop Everton in the first half.
I would like to believe that second half was more our natural game. It was very similar to how we play at home where the greater emphasis is on attack and scoring goals.
I think Cardiff are expecting a backlash. We should see a major reaction from the lads.
Transfer Sage
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:14 AM
Comment #16We don’t keep the ball as we don’t move off the ball, barely any of our players show for the ball and make runs. Some players also hold the ball too long and allow opposition to tighten up and cut off passes.
We need to vastly improve our movement.
Our defence is terrible too, players going walkabout too, it’s not acceptable. We need to make sure we have a solid back 4 before letter them attack, there needs to be a balance.
Laurent Robert 32
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:15 AM
Comment #17Slank, we’re doing a bit better in keeping the ball on the floor, but movement is still very poor and the play in the final third is no better than ever. They are still cueless as a team with regard to when one person should be running into space and why. This is simple coaching and understanding, and one of my gripes with Pardew’s inability to be a Premier League manager.
If they aren’t doing it, the manager should be drilling them daily until they do it. Similarly if they are doing it, then further creativity should be added consistency maintained. We aren’t anywhere near it from what I see.
Transfer Sage
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:20 AM
Comment #18SLANK
I think we were too open in the first half, fullbacks bombing on and not tucking in to actually defend, left the 2 CBs exposed then they managed to mess things up even more.
bishopblaize
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:27 AM
Comment #19Scottish Mag
That selection sweet!
I was hoping Santon would have played on wing this Season .. Could be new weapon .. Give it go
Just need to find our winning team, and reserves can learn to fill gaps.
C’mon Alan .. Smash em
As Boss he needs cheering up. Ashley not quite giving him the BIG signings he probably Love to Have .. YET
Slank
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:27 AM
Comment #20Scottishmag1 @ 13
My formation would be 4-2-3-1.
I would keep Krul. As good as Elliot is Krul is our number one.
I would keep your defence of (Debuchy – Williamson – Colo – Dummett). I much prefer Dummett to Santon as I believe we need a left footed player at left back. Since the departure of Enrique the crosses from the left have virtually dried up.
The midfield must include Tiote and Cabaye plus one other whether that is Anita or Sissoko. Anita has some really nice touches and can see a pass and gets stuck in even though he is a midget whereas Sissoko, much like Shola, doesn’t use his physical presence nearly enough.
The forward line must include Remy. As much as I like Goofy I would go with Ben Arfa on the right and Sammy on the left. Ben Arfa and Sammy will attack their fullbacks. If either these two are having an off day I would bring on Goofy.
Laurent Robert 32
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:27 AM
Comment #21One of the main reasons of keeping the ball on the floor more has been Anita playing.
Don’t be confused with keeping the ball on the floor a wee bit more and playing decent football. The difference is mammoth.
Apart from the odd 15mins here and there, we play very poor football for the standard of players which we possess. The is the vast majority of the time, regardless of how the silver tounged one spins it in his interviews.
Apart from the hit and hope ball into the box which led to Remy’s scrappy goal, like Cisse, he had no service. If we had Andy Cole up front he too would be on a baron run, because our forwards don’t get enough chances served to them INSIDE the box.
Lack of quality service is result of being clueless in the final third. This should be worked on and worked on in training until they’re getting it right. Not as individuals, but as a team. Linking passes and making overlapping runs in and around their 18 yard box.
jimmysmith
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:28 AM
Comment #22Krul
Debuchey. Taylor. Collo. Mbiwa
Anita
Sissoko
Cabaye
Santon Remy HBA
With Debuchey and Mbiwa as a priority holding their defensive shape and Anita playing the ball from deep Pirlo style. That is a plenty attacking set up without the need for the fullbacks to bomb on or the midfield to be 30 yards from the defense and the best side I can imagine, but even so, only one of that 11 is in any sort of consistent EPL form. Decent side and strong bench on paper.
Toon-Prodigy
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:29 AM
Comment #23Laurent,
That is overly harsh from where im sitting.
That was a cracking second half and the effort was there for all to see.
We played well in that second period. There is no denying that.
We got beat but we deserved a point for me. We were outclassed first half but we dominated them in the second. The scoreline shows that. I would of taken a draw before the game.
The major point is that we come out fighting in the second half and played well, which we did.
I hate to say this but what an impact williamson made. Mapou has got himself dropped he was woeful. Im still not confident with Debuchy. I’d play Simpson over him all day long if we still had him. He is great getting forward but leaves alot to be desired with his defending.
Slank,
I think we need more belief and need to be out the blocks quick hurting teams. We are more than capable of doing it.
Top ten is acheivable with this squad. Some good signs in that second half for me.
I hate to single people out but individual performances cost us that game. As long as they are addressed we should be ok.
We will turn Cardiff over or atleast come away with a draw.
Lilongwe Geordie
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:38 AM
Comment #24Willocame on when Everton took there foot right off the pedal. Everton still had chances, but they weren’t pushing on as much and weren’t anywhere near the attacking force of the first half. Yes, Willo did okay, but I reckon MYM would have looked better in the second half as well.
Last season Lukaku tore apart a centre back pairing of Willo and Colo just as easily as he did with MYM. The difference then was Krul was in top form.
I’d stick with MYM and Colo for Cardiff, but only because we have no real competition as Willo has proven he is no more then back up at this level. Santon, HBA and Tiote would miss out, Sammi, Dummet and Cabaye coming in.
Ancientcoptic
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Comment #25The season we finished 5th, we had one thing going for us, and that was consistency in strategy and team selection; ever since then we seem to keep changing the tactics and shuffling things around. I mean what type of team are we, 4.3.3, 4.2.3.1 or 4.4.2? The only guarantees from changing the tactics so often is that we will get it right occasionally, and as seen, when it goes wrong, lose quite badly. It is total roulette style football, which should even itself out enough to guarantee Premier League survival, but not much else.
fatman
Oct 2, 2013 at 9:56 AM
Comment #26Slank
As good as Elliott is’nt car crash is prone to total lapse of concentration that why he was £300,000 hes not good that’s why we get spanked when he’s in goal, when he was injured against arsenal last game i breathed a sigh of relief.
ArtyH
Oct 2, 2013 at 10:04 AM
Comment #27@ 24, sounds about right to me. Willo is a Championship player, but did a good job on Monday so let him have his time in the sun. The news today is Remy is not wanted back at QPR, lets hope the rape case goes away and he signs for us. While I would like to see the back of Pardew and quickly, it would NOT be to see Joke Inear take over! That would be a right kick in the nads.
geordiesteve520
Oct 2, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Comment #28I’m not a Pardew fan but there are very few options out there that I would be happy with; Di Matteo overrated in my opinion and Zola was a car crash at West Ham, yes Watford have been reinvented but he regularly signs 15 players either permanent or on loan. No way he’d have that liberty here, that said he is my favourite foreign player ever, so I’d happily welcome him for that.
Macnapper
Oct 3, 2013 at 1:00 AM
Comment #29jimmysmith,
like the look of that team. Yanga looked good as a fullback last season but got mugged repeatedly by a good Everton team, lets be honest Everton played really really well and Barkley is class, they are on a roll, and at home, where few teams will score away goals this year. I would drop Santon after monday night’s no-show but I don’t think Gouffran deserves to be dropped, he played well enough to keep his place and line up in a front three of Remy, Cisse & Gouffy. Cisse cant find the net but his presence makes space for Remy, who clearly knows where the goal is…..sign him now.
I watched the first half behind my hands, it was relegation level defending, no challenges, no marking, no bottle, no headers. The year we came fifth, our defence was a unit, they played for each other and showed minerals. monday night they just fell apart, it could have been 5-0 at half time. Possibly the worst defensive display, and i include alot of bad NUFC performances, it was really worrying and it doesn’t matter what Pardew says before the game if they let teams carve opportunities at will. Worrying performance.
Sav
Oct 3, 2013 at 2:57 AM
Comment #30Not sure how pardew can bear the brunt of criticism when it was Kinnear/Mashley who refused the free 6′ 4″ centreback Carr and Pardew had lined up. Pardew said we needed a centreback and a striker as priority. Taylor and Williamson are not good enough on the ball for possession football and Colo and MYM are not physical enough as a partnership. We need a young, strong and fearless defender to work alongside Coloccini to build a defence around. The other 3 are each, in his own way not good enough and I| say that as someone who has not slated Williamson as many here have done in the past. He is a good lad, but limited.