Alan Pardew has pointed out that Newcastle can change their tactics for every game if necessary, and then players can execute the game plan, which they did on Saturday at Old Trafford almost to perfection, and that’s what makes Newcastle dangerous this season.
Davide Moyes and Alan Pardew on Saturday
So Alan Pardew got the win for the first time since Saturday, February 12th 1972, when the great Joe Harvey was manager, and that win at Old Trafford was just one week after the 2-1 home loss at Hereford United after extra time in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.
And that was the replay, after the game at St. James’ Park had ended in a 2-2 draw, and that was one of the biggest upsets ever in the FA Cup.
So it was a good reaction by Joe Harvey’s team just seven days later, and we took Manchester United apart 2-0 in that game.
An upbeat Alan Pardew said this about Saturday’s game:
“It’s the top teams we have done well against this year.” “Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool and now Man United.”
“This team were asked to play a very different way and they answered that.”“We can change our tactics and win. We can feel confident to do that. And that makes us dangerous.” “We had to eradicate the performance at Swansea.”
“I must take some blame for that. I must make sure I use all of my squad. I have good players in the background.” “I have to be confident to put them in.”
“Swansea gave us a kick up the bottom in terms of how to keep possession.” “And how to have control.” “We let control go in the week.” “We made it clear we went there to Old Trafford to play and to try to win.”
“We never even contemplated a draw.” “There was a real feeling in that dressing room we could win.”
Yohan Cabaye picked up a yellow card after only eight minutes on Saturday, and that was his 5th yellow card of the season and so the Frenchman will miss Newcastle’s next game at home to Southampton on Saturday afternoon – another very tough game.
That could keep Vurnon Anita in the side, and we expect Loic Remy and Shola Ameobi to be back up front in a 4-4-2 formation for that game.
Another win is what the doctor ordered, and then we could be really flying high, as we are on 26 points from 15 games, and 4 points off second place – 5 points with goal difference.
Over the weekend we gained 3 points on Chelsea and Manchester United, and 2 points on Manchester City, Arsenal and Everton, and all but the Red Devils are currently above us in the league table.
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8 comments so far
SuperShearer
Dec 9, 2013 at 9:11 AM
Comment #1While the league is very strange this season you have to take your hat off to Pardew. He’s changed our style of play – the long balls are in a minority now – he kept hold of Cabaye, he’s willing to take the blame as he has here for Swansea and he’s finally understanding to play to tactics rather than his players. Last season he annoyed me no end but this I am finding a huge level of respect, he’s not perfect by any means but we could do a lot worse.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 9, 2013 at 9:12 AM
Comment #2Was there another team playing Manure at Old Trafford on Saturday. Just having my morning cuppa – one of many – and reading the match reports if you want to call them that
Biggest load of toss – Eighth paragraph before the opposition get a mention and it is Newcastle not Newcastle UNITED. 14th para before we get a mention again only for we were lucky as ‘United’ should of had a penalty – my ar*e ball came off post and struck anita’s hand which was behind him.
Go to Independent pathetic match report, just 3 pages of the troubles at ‘united’ and again and Newcastle UNITED called Newcastle.
and they wonder why they are Hated.
GAN ON THE TOON – NEWCASTLE UNITED
mindshaft
Dec 9, 2013 at 9:15 AM
Comment #3Excellent game by the whole team with some outstanding performances – Collo had a really good game but seems he’s become the new fans hatred figure ( for something regurgitated by the press from last year!)
Roll on Southampton – personally think it will be a tougher game than ManU but we’re at home and their away record so far isn’t great ( although nor was Swanseas home record)
Jeff from Benwell
Dec 9, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Comment #4While the pillock known as Toonbrother insists on calling the club captain , Coloshitty.
Everyone should call him Toonwanka
Shadow_Shearer
Dec 9, 2013 at 1:59 PM
Comment #5Credit is due to Pardew, but he only has limited formation up his sleeve. We know he’s mastered his defensive 4-4-2, and after Saturday he learnt 2 use 4-2-3-1 with cabaye sitting behind the striker. Something I’ve bein crying out for. He still needs 2 learn his 4-3-3. But I do feel he is learning. Maybe there’s somebody behind the scenes helpin to teach him. Possibly Kinnear, as long as he keeps up the good work
AmericanGeordie
Dec 9, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Comment #6@ Shadow_Shearer. Like you I’ve been crying out for the 4-2-3-1 formation, too. However, I like Cabaye playing in a deeper midfield role.
With Yohan suspended this weekend, I would set up the club like this:
4-2-3-1
Krul
Debuchy-Colo-M’Biwa-Santon
Anita-Tiote
Sissoko-Ben Arfa-Gouffran
Remy
HWLT!
Sgt. Heagerty
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:32 PM
Comment #7I 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!!!!
BUDGIE
Dec 9, 2013 at 6:45 PM
Comment #8First post in over two years just had to say what a great post from Sgt Heagerty. As a born and bred but long exiled Geordie welcome to our family. Your sentiments are spot on.