We always remember Graeme Souness, when he was manager at Newcastle for a short 16 months when he took over the from the great Sir Bobby Robson in September, 2004 saying that two successive defeats at Newcastle constituted a crisis.
Alan Pardew – must have the players ready for Cardiff City
So if Graeme was right about that, then three successive defeats, especially all in the league, will certainly be a crisis, and that is what could be possible if we lose at Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.
It would not be good if that happens, because we have almost a full squad available, and very few injuries, so we can play our very best side these days, but the last two league performances have seen some woeful defending by Newcastle.
So there is no excuse right now that we have injuries to some of our best players, and the good news is that Yohan Cabaye is fit and should start on Saturday, and he looked in good form on Monday night in the second half and scored a terrific goal from all of 25 yards out.
So if we do lose in South Wales it will not be good, especially when we have two weeks of the International break before our next game which is – wait for it – Liverpool at home.
And in the same fixture last year of course – let’s just say we didn’t do very well and we put in our worst defensive display for many a season – and that big defeat was without Luis Suarez playing for the Reds – who should be available this time around.
So it would be so much better to win the game on Saturday, so here’s a note to whoever plays on Saturday.
Play your hearts out and give 100% for Newcastle, and if our lads can do that – we may be even be OK.
Here’s hoping. 😀
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175 comments so far
James RS
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:21 PM
Comment #41Anyone in the Vuckic fan club…any comments on this lad who still has bags of potential? Would he do a job for us?
yo-yo
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Comment #42Graeme,
The odds are very heavily against any ‘half decent manager’ coming in and that’s the trouble. At least we know that Pardew can over-achieve a 5th finish. Better the devil we know than Joke at the mo
Ibizatoon
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Comment #43Graeme…Ughh, do we really have to hope that JK takes over and falls ill again to look to brighter times?
I would bet in that circumstance Ashley would still unearth another uninspired choice to keep up the, ermmm, good work.
Ted Bundy
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:24 PM
Comment #44James RS
I was been generous in my appraisal of Debuchy. In reality, Simpson was a stalwart of our defence and the only time he was ever left really floundering, was when coming up against somebody that could cut inside and strike it. I think us letting him go and getting a French international FB, is more to do with MAs expansion of Sports Direct into France!
toonicle
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:25 PM
Comment #45Dummett should get his chance to start against Cardiff, however i’m not sure who deserves the benching more between Debuchy and Santon. I’d also like to see Sammy start on the LW with Remy up top.
p
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:31 PM
Comment #46You know we are always having different variants of this discussion on here; play Marveux, play Campbell, don’t play Jonas, don’t play Williamson etc etc
It rarely makes much of a difference, we still look shite as a unit. It’s the coaching staff we need to try to “freshen up”, not the playing staff.
Ted Bundy
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:35 PM
Comment #47P
But we know that’s not going to happen! Stability don’t forget – stab stab stab stab stability!
Ted Bundy
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:35 PM
Comment #48That’s what stability feels like.
John Tudor
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:37 PM
Comment #49it would be odds on kinnear lasting 6 games if replacing parpoof his ticker will explode will ashley be done for culpable homicide
Munster Mag
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:39 PM
Comment #50Again, guys have to fess up. Who were the guys that wanted Simpson sold?? I certainly wasnt. He may not have been creative, but he could defend and was rarely shown up. I genuinely believe that loads of geordies , or guys on this site, cant see the wood from the trees in terms of players.
Ted Bundy
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:39 PM
Comment #51We’d probably jet in Joe’s EDL supporting, former lieutenant, Vinnie Jones, if Joe had another funny turn.
John Tudor
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:39 PM
Comment #52can we get on some frenchie sites to slag off spurts indirect
John Tudor
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:40 PM
Comment #53who is this wood can he defend?
p
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:48 PM
Comment #54if Pardew gets sacked I would expect a Joe man to come in like Mick Hardford rather than Joe himself (at least in the longer term). God help us in that event.
As I said before though, Mash is unpredictable.
p
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:49 PM
Comment #55What I do find is good news is that Arry is looking to offload Remy. It’s not a given that he will sign permanently for us but it seems very likely. That would be a very good signing!
GeordieTwo
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:50 PM
Comment #56I remember a lot of people commented that Simpson gave attacking wingers far too much space. And he did. It wasn’t all excellent play from him and his crosses went routinely to the opposition’s keeper, just as Debuchy’s do now. He was a decent squad player but didn’t want to sit on the bench. Can’t blame Simpson for that. He made a lot of goal line clearances as well. Definitely a mixed bag.
scitoon
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:52 PM
Comment #57Simmo was never a stalwart of the team. Distinctly average player and anyone who says otherwise is looking at the past with rose tinted glasses. Granted Debuchy looks a liability but i would rather him than Simmo back.
On other matters, whoever mentioned Sven as a replacement has made a good point! That could be ideal esp if he brings in his staff to replace Stone and Carver. What is he up to at the moment, does anyone know?
p
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:55 PM
Comment #58g2 @ 55, I agree with that summary on Simpson
In hindsight, Debuchy has not really demonstrated he is in a class above Simpson but hopefully he will.
I think there are mitigating circumstances such as HBA in front of him, getting used to our league and, generally the team playing medium to poor since he has been here.
I do think he is generally busier (and thus put under more pressure) than Santon because as I mentioned before, a lot of teams have specifically targeted that side.
GeordieTwo
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:57 PM
Comment #59Sven is now the manager of Chinese club Guongzhou according to Wikipedia. I’m sure he would be happy to leave but not for low wages and Ashley for a boss. I think we can forget that one. Does anybody know a good manager who likes to lick the bosses butt and work for about 50 pounds a week? Apparently we’re looking for just such a person.
ToonDarnSarf
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:58 PM
Comment #60Munster Mag
I don’t think many people wanted him sold but plenty of people wanted a more attacking modern full back (which Debuchy is). I wanted Simpson to stay as an alternative to Debuchy because as it stands there really isn’t a proper alternative if he gets injured or is off form.
If Simpson and Perch were that good though, surely they would have gone to another PL team?
Perch wouldn’t have played a minute this season if he was still here but Simpson would have been much better up against Everton for example.
Maladoni 69
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:58 PM
Comment #61Sven would do wonders for morale at the club, its about time we had a first class tickler.
Ted Bundy
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:58 PM
Comment #62Ah well, for all Simpson’s pluses and minuses, he did provide the best pass done by any of our players last season, against Benfica. Now that was a bolt out the blue.
GeordieTwo
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:59 PM
Comment #63Spot on P @57 but I think both our full backs get targeted. Santon also pushes too far up the field too often and then gets caught out of position leaving Colo to look daft as Jonas is no longer there as cover. It’s a big mess on both wings and nothing has been done to correct it by Pardew.
Maladoni 69
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:59 PM
Comment #64GeordieTwo @ 58. I think you have the wrong Sven. If I’m right we are talking about the one who had the dirty mag shop on Westmorland Road.
p
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:04 PM
Comment #65@63, I think it is the same guy – football manager, porno magnet and international playboy extraordinaire
GeordieTwo
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:08 PM
Comment #66So far our full back play hasn’t worked out well. Debuchy has had difficulty adjusting to the Prem and Santon seems to continue to have defensive liabilities. They really don’t attack well either in my view. Most of Santon’s attacks end up in turnovers not shots on goal. He should watch some film of Baines at work. Debuchy is soft on the tackle sometimes then usually gets carded when he goes in hard. He really has been a disappointment as far as crosses are concerned also. Pardew needs a whole new plan for wing play for us. We have a long way to go because teams are feasting on us down our wings.
GeordieTwo
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:09 PM
Comment #67Maladoni 69 @63 🙂
GeordieTwo
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:11 PM
Comment #68P @64 🙂
VanToonMan
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Comment #69http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/adel-taarabt-fulham-loic-remy-newcastle-united-12122-html?
You guys read this link this morning?
Don’t think Remy is going back to QPR – whether we sign him permanently or not is another question – but we definitely have a stronger chance now.
Rotonda heights
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:16 PM
Comment #70Yoyo
With respect whats with all this be careful what you wish for routine.
what we have now is horrendous, sub par and not fit for purpose. how can JFK be a lot worse, nothing could be much worse.
boater
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:20 PM
Comment #71Frank De Boer and brings Sigborsson with him.
John Tudor
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:22 PM
Comment #72willy wonka and his umpah lumpahs
John Tudor
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:24 PM
Comment #73we can ask for anyone .it aint happening
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:33 PM
Comment #74Have we got a new manager yet?
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:42 PM
Comment #75http://www.teamtalk.com/news/2483/8953034/AVB-Torres-decision-a-joke
The English FA is at it again! They are almost as big a disgrace as those running Newcastle!
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:42 PM
Comment #76Who killed the blog?
lochinvar
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:50 PM
Comment #77Apart from needing a “shouter” at the back ( in the style of Gerrard, as maybe Colo and Cabaye’s personalities don’t fully show this ) is it not a case that ” we have all of the right players but don’t necessarily play them in the right order” That’ s Pardews job and he must show more leadership in picking a that wins any specific match . We have dropped some 5 or 6 points this squad should be delivering, consistency of winning at home and maximising away points is the positive way.
GeordieTwo
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Comment #78Saw news that Zaha would like to come to us on loan in January. What do people think of him? Is he an automatic first teamer in front of Cisse if Cisse continues to struggle?
Ibizatoon
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Comment #79Usually the last man standing Jesper 🙂
Whoops, that’s me now isn’t it?
Come on people, post away.
Ibizatoon
Oct 2, 2013 at 6:01 PM
Comment #80Phew…