Newcastle have five games through January 1st, and the number of points we can get form those game will determine how well we are positioned at the start of the transfer window, and how well we may do this season.
Yohan Cabaye – after scoring the winner
Certainly the way the lads have performed since the Sunderland defeat with five league wins out of six augers well for this season, but of course you never know with Newcastle.
But certainly Saturday’s win at Old Trafford was simply magnificent, and the game plan seemed to work to perfection, but of course all the headlines and reports are about Manchester United losing, and not about Newcastle actually getting a great win – and on merit.
This is what Alan Pardew said today about the game:
“I saw Everton waited 21 years to win here so we are double that. It was a great victory for the club. We have been here three times under my stewardship and I thought we deserved to win at least one of them.”
“We were terrific today and were in control of the game.” “It’s a bloody long time is 41 years. Sometimes when you get victories of this manner, it’s difficult to digest straight away.”
“This result, however, is above the others from this season. This is a difficult place to come in terms of the stadium, the aura of it – you’ve got to concentrate for 90 minutes.”
“We came here last year and were 3-2 up with nine minutes to go. It was a couple of errors that cost us and when we scored, that was the thing that I was most concerned about.”
“You have to play every moment to win at Old Trafford. But if we were going to do it, then that’s the way to do it.” “We came here with a different style. “
“We needed to retain possession and Vurnon Anita was brought in to maybe control the midfield area and I was really pleased that kind of worked out for us.”
“We didn’t give Man United too many options to get through us, I felt the players worked the game plan really well today.”
In fact last December Newcastle were 3-2 up with nineteen minutes to go at Old Trafford.
These are the games we have through January 1st, when we are on the road at West Brom.
Sat 14 15:00 H Southampton Sat 21 15:00 A Crystal Palace Thu 26 15:00 H Stoke City Sun 29 13:30 H Arsenal January Wed 01 15:00 A West Brom
How many points do you think we can get out of those five games?
Comments welcome.
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33 comments so far
Ancientcoptic
Dec 8, 2013 at 11:16 PM
Comment #1http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/12/08/article-2520222-19EF4A0300000578-131_634x378.jpg
Ha.
AaranD
Dec 8, 2013 at 11:40 PM
Comment #2Getting at least 10 points from the next 5 games would be a decent haul in my opinion. Going into the Arsenal game with a fully fit squad and still unbeaten since the Swansea game don’t see why we can’t get a result against them!
We’ve beaten Chelsea, Spurs, United and drawn with 10 men against Liverpool. Should of put City out of the Cup as well. So there isn’t any reason we can’t beat anyone at the moment!!
3W – 1D – 1L going into the January window in a very solid position can’t really complain. On-wards and upwards.
Brutooon
Dec 9, 2013 at 12:09 AM
Comment #3Man Utd fans are now changing team to Arsenal/Man City and even Liverpool
Glory Hunters
Jail for Ashley
Dec 9, 2013 at 12:16 AM
Comment #4From BBC football,
”Did you know? Newcastle have won six of the nine Premier League games that Williamson has started this season”
Jail for Ashley
Dec 9, 2013 at 12:19 AM
Comment #5Aaran,
We need an upgrade on Shola Ameobi, sentiment shouldn’t be enough to keep him in the team, he’s been playing well but we need a striker who can play the full 90 minutes AND score goals.
AaranD
Dec 9, 2013 at 1:01 AM
Comment #6Jail for Ashley
Totally agree, getting another striker in has to be a priority as we are really relying on Remy for the goals. Dread to think what would happen if he got injured as both Shola and Cisse aren’t firing. Having said that a Shola type does compliment Remy, so if we could get one who also scores they could form a devastating partnership.
If we can get to the window up and around the Europe places there is no reason we can’t strengthen the squad and really battle it out for a lofty finish.
Jail for Ashley
Dec 9, 2013 at 1:07 AM
Comment #7Aaran,
We could say yet again that this window will show the extent of Ashleys ambition, but we have been saying that every window since we got promoted, I think we now know what his ambitions are, Bills son said that last January was a sign of ambition where as I put that spree purely down to the very real threat of relegation, I just can’t see us spending on a striker until next summer when Shola and Remy are gone, I wouldn’t be surprised if Shola was given a contract extension with a big pay cut.
yankazaz
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:27 AM
Comment #8Did you guys realized from the 60 minutes, the long ball were delivered to the monster Sissoko? And from one of them, we get a goal, and after that, I saw a number of air battle from him. If Shola not really effective, we got another great option, right?
But we can’t cross, gouffy and debuchy, santon, sis didn’t make enough good cross or our striker doesn’t get in position, or our tactical move doesn’t work… That’ll be a problem with pard’s long ball tactics!
Marty-Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:37 AM
Comment #99 points would be a good return but anything extra will be an added bonus.
Amazing how wins and points gives confidence to the team and how much better we play because of it
John Tudor
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:39 AM
Comment #10and how many games webb does not ref
Marty-Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:41 AM
Comment #11Yankazaz
I was thinking the other day that because of his power and height that Sissoko would be great behind Remy but at the moment were getting a lot from his runs down the wing and teams are afraid to push too high as he’s got the legs on most LB in the country
Marty-Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:42 AM
Comment #12JT
That sounds about right.
There was a huge difference between him and the refing on Saturday
John Tudor
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:45 AM
Comment #13if he is the best we’ve got i hope he goes to wc and has a shitter
John Tudor
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:46 AM
Comment #14and a thought ….even as nissans is close to sland theres not too many makems there they are too thick
Oleg G
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:46 AM
Comment #15We can get 8-10 points of these games. Above it is amazing, below it is below our ability. 34-36 points on 1st of jan will be great for us.
Not having injuries is also super important. 2-3 players injured and we can find ourselves getting nothing from games.
Transfer window? Not expecting anything. 0 players in. This way i won’t be disappointed.
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:48 AM
Comment #16First time I’ve been on since the match, turned into a fairly heavy celebratory weekend, although there weren’t many celebrating Newcastle’s win!! In my drunken state on Friday night I had promised to pay for 5 Malawians drinks for all Saturday if Newcastle lost, I was fairly confident we wouldn’t lose. To win was a bonus, and to win in what was such a comfortable game was even better.
Taking the Swansea anomaly out, I think that after the Chelseas game where we were tactically spot on (imo) we have improved game on game when (Spurs, Norwich, WBA and then Man U) holding a lead. It was a big critiscm of mine for Pards that we retreated too deep, but other than Spurs, where we were pressed very deep we have tried to play higher up. Struggled later on against Norwich, I thought we were comfortable all the way through vs WBA and we never looked like losing it against Man U.
Credit to Pardew for getting it spot on.
I’m a big critic of HBA generally, but he did well after coming on. Much more team play from him and keeping the ball, rather than his beating three and running into a blind alley, or flashing a shot way off when others are better placed. If he can play more for the team regularly then he is still a big asset for the squad.
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:50 AM
Comment #17JT,
Yeah, i know quite a few people at Nissan, and only a handful are mackems. Still makes for an unpleasant morning know matter how many of them there are after a derby defeat!
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:54 AM
Comment #18Personally, if Vuckic has a decent run out on loan, I’d be tempted to try him playing in the Shola role. For all his injuries, he is still a big strong lad that could hold the ball up, plus he has better vision and touch, and can weigh in with a couple of goals. Not the most energetic of players, but if he and Shola share the burden then no reason they couldn’t both do very well.
I think when we use 2 strikers up top, he would be a far better option than Cisse at the moment – provided he comes through this loan spell without any issues.
Obviously I would prefer to get a new striker in who can hold up play, and bag a few, but failing that I think the position would suit Vukic.
Oleg G
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:58 AM
Comment #19Yankazaz
We usually cross when there are too little of our players in the box and too many of theirs. 1 against 4. 2 against 6. 3 against 7, add to that the GK.
Also we cross usually from a static situation so the defense is in place. And the balls are usually very high and are not as difficult to clear as fast more flat crosses. Also we usually never try crossing to the close post. Only to the cenrer and the far post.
All in all we are not effective on counter attacks and crosses. Counter attacks don’t have enough players helping. And we are static many times. There was a situation in the game (remy to debuchy pass) where remy slowed down and was looking for an option to pass. Tiote, santon, cabaye and sissoko all stopped behind hi lm and stood there, like trees. This happens also with hatem many times and in many other situations.
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 9, 2013 at 7:13 AM
Comment #20On the FA Cup draw, over the moon we got a home tie back in Newcastle that week, so had been praying for a home draw!
cyprus
Dec 9, 2013 at 7:17 AM
Comment #21Posted already on the game, amazing performance, what a winger Sissoko is turning out to be. Maybe that IS his best position? Anyway, he was my MOM with Debuchy, Tiote close behind, although most others deserve honourable mention. You can’t carry anyone against Manu.
Just realised, we already have 6 points more than we did last year at the end of the year! How many points from those games? Well, no idea, the PL is that volatile. Southampton are a brilliant side, BTW, as good a playing side as Swansea.
cyprus
Dec 9, 2013 at 7:22 AM
Comment #22BTW, Anita’s arm save on the line cancels out our ‘goal’ (Remy-Swansea), so I guess it does balance out a bit.
lesh
Dec 9, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Comment #23cyprus….. Anita’s arm was struck by the ball after it had rebounded off the post. By the look if the footage on MoTD, he was trying to get his arm out if harm’s way.
It was never a hand ball.
So there! Humph, *stamps feet*!
Sgt. Heagerty
Dec 9, 2013 at 7:35 AM
Comment #24I have been a regular on this blog for 6 years now, since I first discovered it in a hospital in Germany after getting blown up for the last time in my army career….I have been a newcastle supporter since a young Iraqi kid I met on patrol in Baghdad who was wearing an Allen shearer strip told me all about the legend and newcastle united and the greatest supporters in the world the toon army. ( Ed did a story on me back in 2009 if you care to hear the whole story I’m sure it’s in archives) my point is I am an American from little rock arkansas who has been in love with newcastle and the Geordies for ten years and in those ten years I’ve seen the ups and down, mostly downs… Lol but hey that’s the toon and it makes the ups that more special…. I didn’t marry newcastle for the trophies lol…. I know there are lads on here who live on tyneside and have spent 30 or 40 years following the toon, and new fans just in the courting fase wih newcastle from all walks of life and all parts of the globe… I used to post on here everyday but now I mostly just read eds greats stories because I can’t take the Man U like fans that come on this site, right now everyone is soaring and rightly so I’m 30,000 feet me self!!! But go back and read the comments from the match on Saturday…in the first half you had dummies calling for the gaffers head, bashing colo our flipping capo and one of the most consistent players we have bad since the drop, you had some horrible stuff being said about our lads who were bleeding black and white at old trafford and spilled their guts for a glorious 3 points that was worth 41!!!!! The point behind all this is criticism is fine and getting upset is expected during rough patches, but there is a line… Some of you lads need to take a long look in the mirror and remember what makes are club so special that a dumb ya I infantryman instantly fell in love wih it at first sight!!!! It wasn’t just sir bobby, or shearer, or the blue collar roll up your sleeves attitude of not only the team but the city, the people the supporters, mixed with the flair of ginola, tino, the class of shearer and wor Jackie…. The fire of Keegan and the entertainers!!!! Man it was combination of it all that goes in a pot and makes a Geordie stew so strong and potent and intoxicating (and lethal to mackems) that a dirt floor poor kid like myself thought, man, this is what a football club is suppose to be!!!! So lads please just think about some of what I’ve written and maybe take a trip down memory lane yourself and remember what it means to be a Geordie. Ever wonder why players like Carroll and ba can be giant slayers in the black and white and utter rubbage anywhere else, there is just something special about newcastle united that you can’t even whisper a word for what it is for fear of losing it!!!! Howay the lads!!!!
toonincheek
Dec 9, 2013 at 7:40 AM
Comment #25IMO Anitas ‘handball’ was ball to arm.
He had his arms behind his body, doing everything he could to not use his hands/arms.
Contrast that when a player goes in to block a shot with his arms out – that is NOT ball to arm/hand as it is trying to gain an advantage.
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 9, 2013 at 7:43 AM
Comment #26If I have one criticism from the weekend then it has to be Anita. The lack of effort he put in was evident when compared to some of his team mates.
I mean, all he did was put on a Superman T shirt while others had gone all out with Mickey Mouse, Chewbacca and Craig David costumes. 🙂
Slank
Dec 9, 2013 at 7:44 AM
Comment #27Lesh @ 23
His hand was behind his back, therefore it was never a pen although that’s never been a reason to deny ManU a penalty at Old Trafford under Fergie !
geordieboy83
Dec 9, 2013 at 7:50 AM
Comment #28Sgt. Hegearty
Bang on buddy. Couldn’t have said it any better myself
Slank
Dec 9, 2013 at 7:59 AM
Comment #29Did anyone see the Arsenal / Everton game? Everton were very impressive especially young Barclay, what a talent.
cornishman
Dec 9, 2013 at 8:06 AM
Comment #30Your spot on Sgt. Heagerty . Wouldn’t it be great if Cisse could find the magic and go on a roll. It does look (crossing fingers) that the new fitness coach is working her magic….and hamstring city is a thing of the past. The lads were great throughout the team and I am impressed with defence Mike Williamson and Colo were superb and now that Debuchy has found his feet in the league he looks composed. Can,t wait to get to work I have a bag of salt looking for open wounds. LOL
Sgt. Heagerty
Dec 9, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Comment #31@geordieboy83 thanks mate, hope to be able to come back on and talk football with y’all, just can’t stomach it when people take it too far…. Win lose or draw, I wear my northern rock Jonas kit I bought the year we won the championship proudly!!!! Granted ole Spider-Man not quite the player he once was but back then he was bossing the flanks!!! He is still good for a solid shift and his loyalty to the club makes him one of my heroes…. See you lads later and maybe somebody will repost my thoughts from #24 and we can get back to being the toon army again on here
Sgt. Heagerty
Dec 9, 2013 at 8:10 AM
Comment #32Lol Cornishman dump that salt on any manure immediately…. They are bandwagoners the lot of em but still after 41 years ill waste the salt on em
Ian Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 8:12 AM
Comment #33Sgt. Heagerty- Good on ya, mate
Spot on, on a number of fronts.