Peter Lovenkrands seems to look back on his short time at Newcastle with some distinct pleasure and he has again been interviewed in the Chronicle today, where he says he thinks Alan Pardew has proved more than once that he is good enough to be the Newcastle United manager.
Peter Lovenkrands – while at Newcastle
And Peter recalls that famous game in February of 2011 – just five days after Andy Carroll had been sold and the players were not ready to play against Arsenal at St. James’ Park and we were ripped apart in the fist half and it was 4-0 at half time.
But then in the greatest comeback ever in the Premier League Newcastle got the 4-4 draw with a late equalizer from Cheick Tiote and then captain Kevin Nolan rifled one just wide of the posy in stoppage time and we nearly won it 6=4.
There always been some debate about Alan Pardew said at the half and how he managed to turn it all around for one of our most famous results of recent times, when it was reported around the world and it was very positive for Newcastle United.
This is what Peter said:
¨When you are 4-0 down at half-time to a team like Arsenal you think: ‘**** – this is going to end up 8-0 or something!¨ The way he organised the team that day at half-time was memorable. He dug into a couple of players at the break.¨
¨You need to do that sometimes in those situations – then he rearranged the team and we went out and we produced for him.¨ They didn’t just do it for him they did it for the fans and for themselves.¨
¨It was a horrible start to the game but the second half proved how good the squad was and how much belief there was in the team at that point.¨ “That laid the foundations for the next season, when we were flying.¨
¨It was a huge achievement to finish fifth.¨ Nobody expected us to be up there and to get into Europe was amazing the year after.¨ It was a huge achievement so all credit to the management, the players and the fans. They all believed.¨
¨You need the fans to believe in you as well. You don’t finish fifth without them travelling to all the games and getting behind the team. It comes from everybody, not just the manager.¨ At that time the team was tremendous. It was a great squad and great backroom staff, everybody was brilliant.¨
¨It was just a fantastic time at the club.¨ ¨Alan came in and I really enjoyed playing under him. I wish I could have done it for longer.
Peter Lovenkrands signed as a free agent form Schalke 04 in January 2009 and stayed at the club for three and a half years and played 84 times with 29 goals for the Magpies.
Relive that great game against Arsenal – here’s a famous video on the 4-4 draw and Newcastle’s fantastic comeback.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSNSK5wLJ4Y
And here’s that famous audio from the game that was shown around the world – with comments it was an actual radio broadcast of the game – BOOM BOOM Cheik Cheik The Room.
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5 comments so far
Go toon gooooo
Dec 5, 2014 at 3:08 PM
Comment #1Because of ONE reason.Joey Barton.His arrogance.
geordie157
Dec 5, 2014 at 3:11 PM
Comment #2Was just watching those Cisse goals, the goals prove when he just hits it without thinking about it, it usually ends up in the net. If he takes an extra touch or has too much time it rarely ends up in the net.
Go toon gooooo
Dec 5, 2014 at 3:11 PM
Comment #3No red card,no 4-4.Maybe not even 4-1.
mindshaft
Dec 5, 2014 at 3:11 PM
Comment #4To be fair, even at 4-o down the fans were still behind the team especially in the 2nd half, the noise just grew and grew – amazing 45 mins at SJP
Mag52
Dec 5, 2014 at 5:21 PM
Comment #5Another unsolicited testimonial for AP.
I’m beginning to wonder if these players, ex and present, who have experienced Pardew as a manager, actually might be a little more qualified to make comments such as this than one or two of the Pardew haters on here.