Fabricio Coloccini, the Newcastle captain has finally broken his silence after the disgrace at Southampton last Saturday, and he has said it is no excuse for the players – that Alan Pardew is not on the touchline.
Fab Coloccini – no manager on the touchline is no excuse
In the four games Newcastle have played since Pardew started his touchline and stadium ban, we have won one and lost three and scored only one goal – and conceded eight – so we have hardly been in scintillating form.
In fact we’ve looked hopeless in the games if the truth be told, and no more than last Saturday, when it’s now painful to even think about how bad we were at St. Mary’s.
But life goes on, and next up are Manchester United at home on Saturday, so the players have a chance to make it up to the fans with a good performance in that game.
This is what Colo has said today:
“When the game kicks off you do not think about who is on the bench.” “Your only focus is on getting three points.”
“John Carver took the team talk in the manager’s absence, and as captain I took even more responsibility as well – but we tried to keep things as normal as possible.”
Alan Pardew will hold his press conference today, and we’ll get an update on Loic Remy’s situation, but if the French striker is unavailable for Saturday, we just don’t know who will score the goals.
And maybe we could do a lot worse than start Shola Ameobi up front with Papiss Cisse – at least Shola would add some physical presence up front and also some heading ability.
And since he will be leaving the club in the summer, he will be motivated to do well and maybe even score a goal?
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
11 comments so far
mindshaft
Apr 3, 2014 at 9:28 AM
Comment #1Keep things normal as possible i.e not have any tactics, stroll around the field as if on a sightseeing tour of the ground, try not to get tired or injured by any physical play etc etc
Rainrix
Apr 3, 2014 at 9:29 AM
Comment #2Has ed been replaced covertly by pardew. Need goals = Use shola? 😉
Average_Contents
Apr 3, 2014 at 9:41 AM
Comment #3Ed! Seriously? Stroller? Head the ball? Do anything apart from lose the ball after his first touch? We are desperate but not THAT desperate lol
All I seem to do when he’s on the pitch is scream don’t pass to him then if he gets the ball I scream pass it pass it you Fcuking donkey before you try and take someone on and forget you have the ball whilst trying to crawl past them
stuart no9
Apr 3, 2014 at 9:47 AM
Comment #4Give john carver a dressing room ban If that’s the case ,we can do without any more of his team talks . So that’s pardew and carver need to be banned from the dressing room . What about giving the physio a tho ??..
stuart no9
Apr 3, 2014 at 9:48 AM
Comment #5Go *
pottsclock
Apr 3, 2014 at 9:51 AM
Comment #6Well that’s hardly insightful from Collo. Something along the lines of, “We were total cr*p and as captain I apologise unreservedly to the fans for that shocking performance.” would have been better received.
North Atlantic Magpie
Apr 3, 2014 at 10:04 AM
Comment #7Put Ben Arfa up front!!! Stop using Shola and Cissé!!!!
lesh
Apr 3, 2014 at 10:58 AM
Comment #8Ok lads and lasses…… volunteers to take the number 9 role turn up at the training ground with your boots and shirt (the club’s spares are in the wash today).
GeordieDan
Apr 3, 2014 at 11:25 AM
Comment #9Never usually do this but my team for Saturday:
Elliot
Anita/Willo/Colo/Haidara
Tiote
Ben Arfa/Sissoko/Gouffran
Armstrong(why not)
Remy (or Cisse if still injured)
At the very least this is a team that is capabke of going to have a real go at Man U. Armstrong will be absolutely buzzing and an unkown quantity. Anita would do a better job against Janusaj (or however u spell his name) than Yanga.
Plus I think having Ben Arfa, Armstrong and Gouffran as the tricky players while Sissoko bombs on might just be enough to troubke a tired Man U back 4.
On recent form I wouldn’t usually put Benny on from the start but needs must and I think Armstrong might be a good foil for him.
Drastic times needs drastic measures not Pardews usual negative (and ridiculously predictable) tactics/team selection.
What do you think?
Charlietoon
Apr 3, 2014 at 10:47 PM
Comment #10Adam Armstrong is the only decent striker we have. Pair him up with Cisse.
Charlietoon
Apr 3, 2014 at 10:53 PM
Comment #11Would not mind seeing something like this
…………….Elliot
Santon…Willo..Mbiwa….Haidara
………..Tiote……….Collo
………………..Anita
Hatem……Armstrong….Cisse