If you keep hitting your head against a brick wall – and then stop – it feels a lot better. So if you are feeling down in the dumps or things are a little tough, do that for a few minutes, and we guarantee you’ll feel a lot better. đ
Alan Pardew – struggled to get a team out for today
So if things are bad now, it’s good to look back when things were even worse – (like when you were hitting your head against that brick wall) – and that’s what Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has done today – by saying things might be difficult now – but they were a lot worse last year at this time.
Alan is having a really tough time getting a team together for today at Chelsea, with Cheick Tiote, Fab Coloccini, Loic Remy, Yohan Gouffran and Papiss Cisse all unavailable.
This is what Pardew told the Shields Gazette today:
âWe were in worse situations last year, with a worse points total, and with more pressure on us,â âWe havenât got that pressure on us.”
âHaving said that, itâs important to refocus on the here and now.” âI keep hearing talk about the summer, and this and that, and Iâm getting questions from the media on how weâre going to go forward.
âBut they have to understand Iâve had a tough week this week just getting the team ready for Saturday.” Â âAm I really thinking too much about transfers and how I am going deal with them in the summer? Of course I havenât.”
âItâs a tough job to try to get 11 players ready for the game.â
What we cannot have today is another hammering to follow the 3-0 humiliation last week against Sunderland.
When we were beaten 3-0 by Sunderland last April we recovered a little bit with a 1-1 draw at West Brom in the next game, but then we were hammered 6-0 in our next home game against Liverpool.
This is a little bit different, but we’re still up against a top team in Chelsea, following the Sunderland debacle, and we cannot get hammered today.
We need to see a good fighting performance from Newcastle at Stamford Bridge, and if we get that we suppose we’ll be happy enough – maybe.
Comments welcome.
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20 comments so far
davetoon
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:33 AM
Comment #1on the posting roundabout again.
@Jay interesting point about HBA
personally I think that Pardew wouldnt start him now if everyone was fit and Cabaye still here.
Dont think he had earned it but got his spot through other players not being available
clinath@ed
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:34 AM
Comment #2Like the difference between toothache and earache?
Black and White with an army lol
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:36 AM
Comment #3every season is going to be a WORSE season with Pardew at the helm
niafron
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:43 AM
Comment #4@Jazzyp
Cause, he will rather stay in Lyon. Will depend of Lyon’s league position at the end of the season.
jayphoto
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:43 AM
Comment #5Cabella for HBA??! Would definitely take that one! Montpellier would be a great place for HBA to be a shark in a pond!
No chance on Grenier for me, tbh in the past he’s always stated his dream of playing for Arsenal! Hes good enough to get that move too if he has consistency.
There are still bargains to be had in France even if we have almost exhausted our resources there! N’koulou from Marseille, Khazri from Bastia , Mollo from St Ettiene, Mounier and Cabella from Montpellier and riviere from Monaco would all significantly strengthen us
Laurent Robert 32
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:44 AM
Comment #6If the team was focused around going forward and creating chances inside the box, not outside, Hatem would be playing a lot better for a lot more of the time.
It doesn’t help him running into dead ends when there is little overlapping and movement around him.
Simple pass and move football and being positive.
Black and White with an army lol
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:45 AM
Comment #7i’ll be happy with a 2-0 loss today, we will get hammered today no doubt about it and from then on confidence will drop massively
jayphoto
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:53 AM
Comment #8Wouldn’t be shocked to see MYM play in defensive midfield today to be honest…
Im expecting krul debuchy, taylor, willo, santon sissoko, anita MYM, sammy, De Jong and Shola in a 4-4-2/ 4-4-1-1 and a lot of high balls! Terry will look fabulous up against no Pace, not looking fwd to the motd highlight reel of him claming he should be back for england after winning 200 aerial battles
Laurent Robert 32
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:54 AM
Comment #9Black and white, it’ll be a long afternoon.
Laurent Robert 32
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:56 AM
Comment #10Jay, don’t you mean his patented 9-0-1 formation?
Reverting to 9-1-0 when they’re in possession. đ
niafron
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:58 AM
Comment #11Such games are supposed to be exciting. This one is not.
The worst part of it, even a win could not be considered an achivement or the begining of something.
The season as whole is to sad for that and i don’t see us regain any momentum.
niafron
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:58 AM
Comment #12Everything is to rebuild by the way…
Kris
Feb 8, 2014 at 9:59 AM
Comment #13My team for today:
Krul
Debuchy, Taylor, MâBiwa, HaidarĂ€
Sissoko, Tioté
Hatem, Marveaux, Sammy
Shola
Bench: Elliot, Willo, Dummett, Anita, Gosling, De Jong, Obertan
Hope Marv gets his chance today. Think the same about M’Biwa. I think De Jong is overrated, he looked like a shadow of Ameobi when i came on agaist the Mackems. Hi isnt in match-form, but he should been given some playing time in the second half. Santon was very, very bad against the Mackems, he should get a rest.
Rebbeca from 7 miles away
Feb 8, 2014 at 10:04 AM
Comment #14On the HBA point
It’s always made me laugh when Pardew criticises his work rate and effort to track back yet santon is ten times worse for same thing. Gets caught out then jogs back, does Alan know Santons MEANT to be a defender?
With Pardew his main focus is on defence even if he wants to go all out attack he can’t because he still can’t get defending out his head and leaves us vunrible.
Laurent Robert 32
Feb 8, 2014 at 10:05 AM
Comment #15Niafron, I know from reading on here how much you like Ben Arfa. He’s my favourite player as well.
Have you been disappointed that Pardew has been reluctant to use him more in recemt months like I have?
I think if we had emphasis on attack (not under Pardew) he’d do far better.
To me, it’s a footballing crime that he’s been on the bench a lot and hasn’t been playing.
Laurent Robert 32
Feb 8, 2014 at 10:10 AM
Comment #16Players lose the ball during games, that’s why it is rare for players to have 100% pass rate.
Ryan Giggs said years ago that even if he took a player on 10 times and had the ball taken off him nine times, it could mean that one time leads to a goal and that is why he kept running at players.
Even Messi loses the ball sometimes when he dribbles.
geordieboy83
Feb 8, 2014 at 10:10 AM
Comment #17Rebecca from previous thread
You boiled my pi55 even mention dog leash’ name lol
To be fair to pards, I wouldn’t have him as worst manager considering in 4 seasons it’s been 5th 16th 13th and currntly 8th it ain’t a bad record compared with some of the dross we have had. It’s perspective for me pards is managing in a time where there are 6 or 7 genuine powerhouses of clubs in front of us who throw millions at it. Everton the exception.
On hba I’m sorry I love him and hate him in equal measure and would be gutted to see him leave as he just gives you hope
stan anderson
Feb 8, 2014 at 10:11 AM
Comment #18Seems to be a lot of bull coming out of Pardews trap.
Trying to rebuild the confidence of the fans,so they renew season tickets.
We all know we,ve had a better season than last,up to the present time,but the squad has lost its best player with no effort to replace buy this bunch of nobheads.
JFK was put in place to do a massive cover up job and take the flak from the fans for the lack of transfer dealings.He was probably well rewarded for his lack of deals and will now enjoy the rest of his time in luxury.
These devious men should not be trusted by any person who has the clubs interest at heart.
But you know what,i still think the vast majority will believe what is being spouted off and renew the tickets on the promises being made of strengthening the squad i the summer window.
Hope i am wrong because it would be so sad to see.SAD.
banjax
Feb 8, 2014 at 10:19 AM
Comment #19Hate to say it, but with most our best players, gone, missing or injured, I fear a hammering is in store today at Chelsea. I really hope I’m wrong!
lesh
Feb 8, 2014 at 10:27 AM
Comment #20‘Alan is having a really tough time getting a team together for today at Chelsea, with Cheick Tiote, Fab Coloccini, Loic Remy, Yohan Gouffran and Papiss Cisse all unavailable.’
Also and according to Pardew, ‘ Kinnear did some good work for us’… Yup, his legacy is there for all to see!