It seems that Alan Pardew had a showdown in the dressing room with his players after Newcastle’s latest surrender at home – this time to top London club Tottenham, who annihilated us 4-0 and quite honestly, it could have been worse, given the inept performance from Newcastle as a team, and some sub-par performances from some of our well-paid players.
Emmanuel Adebayor – celebrating one of his goals last night
Alan Pardew is usually quick to use any excuses he can find after such defeats – such as injuries and suspensions – but after last night’s latest capitulation he didn’t have any excuses at all – as he had this to say to the press:
“It was more than that tonight. I made my views very clear in the dressing room. That’s where they will stay. I’m not really going to say too much in front of the press, other than to give a message to our fans to say that that wasn’t good enough, and against Aston Villa, we need to make sure it is good enough.”
“For the first time, we looked a little bit unconfident, a little bit unsure what we were doing, we lacked energy in certain areas.” “I’m not going to elaborate on that.”
“Of course I’m not happy. This is a game where you as a manager, expect life and limb on the football pitch.” “As a player, that’s what I gave; that’s what I expect my players to give in every moment in every game.”
“I don’t care what the scoreline is, I don’t care what the scenario is, that’s what I expect and that’s what these fans expect.” “If you drop down from that, then you are going to suffer a game like that.”
It’s fair to say that Alan Pardew’s job is now on the line in the final 12 games of the season, because if the Londoner cannot get better performances than last night out of what is after all, a decent squad – and certainly better than last season – then he’s not the man for the job.
But Alan Pardew and the coaches know that – and we have to hope that this furious reaction from the fans – which is totally justified by the way – will let them all know that nothing but 100% effort and grit is acceptable when they wear the famous black and white shirt of Newcastle.
If they didn’t know that last night they know it now – and if they don’t have the heart or the fortitude to deal with the criticism at a club like Newcastle, after that kind of hopeless display – then they should pack up their bags and leave in the summer.
It’s really as simple as that – and we cannot have any more of these inept, gutless and heartless performances from a Newcastle side this season – we’ve already had far too many of them.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
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41 comments so far
Phil K
Feb 13, 2014 at 10:07 AM
Comment #41Lets not forget the main cause of the currect disgusting underperforming is the monumentally lunatic decsion to put Kinnear in charge of transfers. He’s been a nightmare and FAR worse than ever we fans thought he’d be, and we thought he’d be a disaster. But Ashley brought him in to sell players and not to buy. He’s even done that badly. Selling our best player and destroying the team