Sunderland were the better side in the first half this afternoon, and they missed a couple of good chances when Fletcher hit the cross-bar and Connor Whickham somehow headed wide from one yard out – but as usual this season – Newcastle were much better in the second half.
Two young Newcastle fans before the game today
Were they smiling at the final whistle?
But it seems in the Magpies’ urge to get a win, we were caught short at the back right at the end of the game, and it was Adam Johnson who scored the winner in the last minute of normal time, to get Sunderland’s 4th successive win – and it was another nightmare result for Newcastle in this derby game.
And to make matters worse, just before Johnson scored the winner Moussa Sissoko had a terrific shot tipped over the cross-bar by Romanian giant goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon.
Alan Pardew admitted after the game to over-committing:
“We were much more controlled in the second half.” “We started to play, started to cause them problems and created chance after chance, but the longer you go on in those games, you know that there is a risk.”
“We couldn’t get the goal, as much as we tried to form a goal.” “Whichever way you want to look at that, you’re always liable to over-commit, and if there was one fault, it was probably over-committing in the end period of the game.”
“You have to be disciplined at that stage, particularly with the history of this fixture, as Sunderland have caught us on the break before and won games, and they did it again.”
“I think Steven Taylor is OK.” “Steven is hurting, physically and mentally I should think. He had two stitches.”
Steven Taylor hit the goal post with his face after heading the ball away in the second half, and the injury looked bad – but of course the local lad carried on.
Newcastle only drop one place in the league table to 9th place with 23 points from 17 games, and we still have one point more than Liverpool.
That’s also 7 points less than we had last season after 17 games played, but only 4 points less than after 17 games in the season we finished 5th in 2012 – so we can still come away.
Liverpool drew at home to Arsenal, after an equalizer seven minutes into stoppage time from Skrtel, with a bullet header in the 2-2 draw.
We need to bring in a goalscorer in the January window – we’ve scored only 18 goals in our 17 league games and conceded 23 – so once again our goal difference is not good and negative.
Manu Riviere and Facundo Ferreyra have not come through for us – and we never replaced Loic Remy – and it’s just fortunate that young Ayoze Perez is doing so well for us, and he came close a couple of times today to scoring.
Danny Ings – 22 year-old striker
Maybe we can go after Danny Ings of Burnley early next month – and it would tempt Burnley to sell if we offered £3M, for someone they will likely lose for nothing in the summer, when he becomes a free agent.
We cannot keep just getting by with a squad that’s never been big enough for at least three years.
Where’s the real ambition to create a good side?
We could do with getting something at Old Trafford on Friday, but these upcoming games are going to stretch our squad and we still have nine out with injuries and now Tiote will miss the game because of his fifth booking today.
Here are the upcoming games – which are not going to be easy – and maybe we’ll get over this disaster in a few weeks.
And after the FA Cup game at Leicester on 3rd January, we’ll lose Papiss Cisse, Mehdi Abeid and Cheick to the African Cup of Nations – so as we said our small squad will be stretched – again.
December Fri 26 15:00 A Man Utd Sun 28 16:15 H Everton January Thu 01 15:00 H Burnley Sat 03 15:00 A Leicester - FA Cup Sat 10 15:00 A Chelsea Sat 17 17:30 H Southampton
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117 comments so far
toonking
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:22 PM
Comment #1repost
I think the attempt to try bring passion back into the team is a thing I will give pardew credit for because after 5 or 6 years of very few geordies in our team now we finally seem to be bring them back at the minute I think we’ve got 3 first team geordies that will play a part when the squad is fully fit
saylor colback and dummett
it’s sometimes a reason i’m thinking pardew keeps hoping to get more English men back and wanting to see players like carroll return.
whilst Ashley is here he knows foreign players will treat us like a stepping stone but when we have geordies playing it’s a different story altogether as they love the lub through and through so when they play it’s for the love of the club not to move on.
Transfer Sage
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:25 PM
Comment #2toonking
For I don’t care about people’s motivation. As long as they give 100% to the cub whilst they are here.
Jeff from Benwell
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:30 PM
Comment #3Newcastle only drop one place in the league table to 9th place with 23 points from 17 games, and we still have one point more than Liverpool – Worth repeating Ed – Folk on here going on like its the end of life as we know it – And this is one of the milder forums – Sheesh
toonking
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:32 PM
Comment #4same here
some people in life might want us to be a like real Madrid but I know myself we will never be like that and the most important thing I want at this club is pride and passion.
as much as pardew is a crap manager the one thing I don’t fault him for the the destruction that we’ve seen happening over the years to passion because that is what ‘s so famous about this club, the thing that has ruined it is not pardew but Ashley. so as much as I don’t view pardew as a decent manager I accept him for now as he is not the one I blame for the destruction it’s Ashley.
anyway great chat mate goodnight.
Go toon gooooo
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:33 PM
Comment #5We don’t need nothing.Pardew makes too many mistakes and we must lose.You can’t have all the players available at every moment and must making formation with players that are healthy.Despite of injuries we still have better team than Sunderland plus home game BUT Pardew made too many mistakes with players on the pitch.Playing Ameobi with 1.96 cm on the winger position is suicide.And top class players like Cabella and Haidara to sit on the bench is unforgivable.
toonking
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:34 PM
Comment #6passion it what’s so famours about us*
Transfer Sage
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:39 PM
Comment #7Go toon go
I think ameobi’s height is a bonus, should mean that when he comes into the box he has a good chance of winning the header as well as being able to do all his usual duties on the wing.
I think Haidara is no better or worse than dummet and cabella simply isn’t a winger, played most of his career and best football in the middle of the park.
I do very much agree with you that Pardew has no plan B, when players are unavailable he simply just keeps the same set up and it doesn’t work. It would be better if he just set us up organised and difficult to beat, try to win games 1-0 or gets draws instead of just playing games like we did down spurs and arsenal and getting a hammering.
Transfer Sage
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:44 PM
Comment #8go toon go
I saw your comment on HBA earlier.
Why do you think we should have him in the side? He has fallen out with 5 club managers and 2 international managers with none of them wanting anything to do with him.
Just curious.
Jeff from Benwell
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:46 PM
Comment #9There has been a load of guff said post match Truth is we were the better side for most of the game and we got hit by a sucker punch It happens to the best of teams
welshgeordie9
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:46 PM
Comment #10Jeff from Benwell
Totally agree with you there with that comment.
Transfer Sage
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:50 PM
Comment #11Jeff
It is pretty embarrassing though, we have gone from a team strong in the derby to a one that is very weak. They have won so many more in the last 4 years than they have for many years before he came. And it’s not like sunderland are a better team than they once where.
optimistic prime
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:51 PM
Comment #12We lost because of what I said nearly a week ago! Don’t play Tiote Gouffran etc the mackems are coming to defend it’s pointless playing them!
We lost because Pardews plan is to defend hit the opo on the break, Sunderland did what we’ve done for weeks defended hit the opo on the break.
We got beat at Pardews game!
Where’s bills and Ian with their 5hit excuses?
Transfer Sage
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:52 PM
Comment #13OP
I think we spent the game on front foot, we just lacked any real quality in the final pass, only got in 3/4 times and we fluffed our chances.
John Tudor
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:53 PM
Comment #14happy clappy chappies guff
Puppet Pardew
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:54 PM
Comment #15Listen fans, if we’d scored instead and they didn’t then what would you all be saying, eh? Exactly so!! Pardew is a genius, that’s what! And I am a genius, and you all know it.
Win or lose today, you can’t argue with my MOTM award, which is currently wrapped in flashing lights and strapped to the top of my Xmas tree with duct tape. Problem is the tree seems to sway precariously every time anyone passes by, but I’m guessing it will hold firm till at least the New Y…… OUCH!!
BandB
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:54 PM
Comment #16Hi Jeff
Are you still in the postal service? Do you still have exactly the same round as Mag92?
optimistic prime
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:56 PM
Comment #17The Mackems where awesome today, unstoppable and came foward 6 at a time.
I’m glad a Pardew got it right otherwise we would have lost 6-0
Go toon gooooo
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:57 PM
Comment #18Transfer Sage
First about Ameobi.
I have eyes and I was nervous every time he touched the ball because he looks like participants in the circus on the wooden extra legs.You can’t do this.This is PL and you will suffer.At least he is not Crouch who is taller BUT he plays striker and I think the same for Ameobi that his only position is striker.If we want something we MUST drop this player from winger position ASAP.
Ewokshatemackems
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:57 PM
Comment #19Forget agent Bruce, the mackems have agent Pardew
Transfer Sage
Dec 21, 2014 at 9:59 PM
Comment #20go toon go
I think ameobi has very quick feet and is capable of beating his man very well in a one on one situation. He gets to the touchline and crosses very often.
For me he just needs to work on his crossing and he will be a big threat.
Yes he needs to be more careful with the ball and a bit smarter, but I don’t think his height is an issue at all, he has very good control and a solid touch.
optimistic prime
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:01 PM
Comment #21Transfer
Like I tried to say other day they came to defend, playing Gouffran and Tiote wasn’t needed or acceptable IMO.
Pathetic attempt from the king, I agree we where better team. I would have set MY team up to win not defend the first half.
Alan Pardew is shit no matter how well your grammar describes it
Ewokshatemackems
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:02 PM
Comment #22OP,
Well spotted. That we devised a master plan to keep out the might of Connor Wickham and Stephen Fletcher for 89 minutes should be rewarding enough.
Transfer Sage
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:04 PM
Comment #23OP
I have lost all faith in Pardew now. I think he will get enough from the team to keep us safely mid table, but I don’t expect a great deal better.
He has reverted to type by picking gouffran who was anonymous in the game as always at the minute. i feel for him, he is a CF and is always played out wide.
I think tiote isn’t needed in the team a lot of the time, he is just too slow with the ball and the good he does in defending is counteracted by his lack of quick passing which ruins our counter attacks and by his needless free kicks.
I’d have preferred to see a midfield of sissoko and colback as the two CMs with cabella just infront of them.
Jeff from Benwell
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:06 PM
Comment #24BandB my last postal address was BFPO Tangi Valley, Maidan Wardak Province, Afghanistan – A lot of my mates were from Sunderland and were good lads I dont get as exercised as most about losing to the Mackems
Graeme
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:08 PM
Comment #25“We cannot keep just getting by with a squad that’s never been big enough for at least three years. Where’s the real ambition to create a good side?”
Ed, thats exactly what we are going to do – get by. We have zero ambition other than to stay in the Premier League; the fans are an irrelevance, the Cups – well, they will get us relegated.
All that matters is maintaining Premier League status – if it looks like we are doing well, then you know FCB is going to sell a player, or two, in January. If we are struggling, then maybe he will buy a player, or two.
Staying in the division, accumulating the League Pay-outs, advertise and promote the tat shop – our total reason for being in existance!! What on earth did we do to deserve this debacle??
Go toon gooooo
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:09 PM
Comment #26Transfer Sage
That is all I can say about Ameobi.
And about Ben Arfa.Watching this player a lot of times I can say that I will protect him even he was in confrontation with plus 10 managers.Maybe that is arrogant but I respect football game and I think that he is great football player of the modern day football.I don’t care about average people like Pardew and Bruce and unproven managers like Dechamps.I just want for HBA to go and play couple of years of his remaining football career to play in club that he deserves.When he was here all fans cried about him.After two months he is suddenly something else.Strange.
Transfer Sage
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:12 PM
Comment #27Go toon go
I wanted nothing more than to see Ben Arfa succeed but he has fallen out with 7 managers, the man has a problem and cannot be helped.
I have not seen a player in the prem league at the minute go past players as easily as ben arfa does, he has a very special gift. If only he put in the hard work on his fitness and to control his ability he could be fantastic, but he doesn’t seem interested in the team and football is unfortunately a team game.
optimistic prime
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:12 PM
Comment #28Transfer
It’s a shame Alan can’t make NUFC look as good as he makes SAFC etc look.
Everything that went on today 95% of our fans called, except for NUFC the mackems are the worst team I’ve seen at SJP for years. Notice I said except NUFC, we are 5hit and are the worst team I’ve seen for a while under this clown.
Poyets players are 5hit, but they play football.
Send excuses to.
121 I don’t care
Mug street
I beleive anything
Fantasy island
jimmysmith
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:14 PM
Comment #29When Newcastle play in a more open style, with the players we have available at the moment, we look a quite ordinary side. When we set up to counterattack with our quick wingers, we look much better, but I think this is something that only really suits against your top sides.
De Jong will make a difference you’d expect, but without a genuine striker of the Ba and Remy calibre the side isn’t a serious challenger for a European place, and to be honest Ings is no less a gamble than Rivierre and so likely not the player we need.
You really want the club to buy the player you know can do this most important and difficult job, because the rest of the side is basically covered, or will be, given a little more time and experience and of course if the better players are held on to.
Anyway, very unlucky in the end and thought we played well, all things considered. No one to blame and certainly not the manager in my view.
optimistic prime
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:14 PM
Comment #30Transfer
Thats not me having a go at you, I’m just bored with the excuses etc.
Pardews shit, end of.
Transfer Sage
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:15 PM
Comment #31OP
I do like poyet. He isn’t the best of his kind by a long way but he certainly has players who aren’t that good holding a nice shape, overlapping and supporting each other and playing to a set game plan they all understand.
Pardew seems to struggle to get them playing as a team, it’s individuals or at best groups of 2/3, it’s so annoying to watch.
Transfer Sage
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:17 PM
Comment #32Jimmysmith
I like Charlie Austin, I think he would be good for us.
I want to see us go for a Benteke type player, somebody with pace, power, strength, good link up play and a goal threat.
I know it’s controversial and splits opinion but Andy Carroll is back and doing very well down west ham.
yorkymag
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:22 PM
Comment #33Jimmy
Ings is no gamble ,had is strong good feet and above all brought up on the english game .
He us very similar in style to Suarez nog as good granted but very similar
But don’t worry
He won’t come to us
Liverpool ,Southampton or possibly Man U
But not a hope in hell of coming north
He is real quality imo
BandB
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:22 PM
Comment #34jimmy,
Do you think, at this juncture, we are looking to stump up the market rate for a striker? Do you imagine a successful swoop for Charlie Austin or Andy Carroll? With Krul and De Jong to come back, that WAS Pardew’s idea of his strongest side today.
Go toon gooooo
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:30 PM
Comment #35Transfer Sage
HBA worked PERFECTLY until Pardew destroyed every soul in our team last year with his 1000 lost games..And normally some players must argue with that situation.If Ashley is not aware that Pardew lost bunch of games then players will tell him.And I am pretty sure that even Loic Remy would stayed here if Pardew was half-lost than he was last year.Nobody would tolerate that and Pardew’s mistakes are not HBA’s even if his job is to play,play and only play.
toon kk
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:31 PM
Comment #36We badly need a top quality striker at the club. But MA is doing a great job of slowly but surely getting people to go along with his major with profit regime. When fans keep saying we can or can’t afford this or that player it proves his business plans are now in place.
We have a mediocre budget squad which is over rated by most fans.
We aren’t good enough simple!
Graeme
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:32 PM
Comment #37OP – @ 29 – you are far too generous towards him. No way is he that good mate!!!
GeordieTwo
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Comment #38Just managed to see it. Poor by us. Only Perez and Sissoko looked dangerous going forward. Gouffy has petered out to nothing. No impact from either Cisse or Cabella coming on. Really poor once again against a less than mediocre side who had to use Coates. Shame on Parsnip.
Transfer Sage
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Comment #39go toon go
But you are totally writing off that pardew is 1 of 7 managers who have had problems with HBA. There were plenty stories around the club that players were sick of HBA’s attitude as well. You simply can’t blame the manager for HBA when every manager has had the same problem with him.
Pardew has many failings but I don’t think HBA is one of them.
Remy would not have stayed with us at all, he had the chance to join chelsea, why would he stay here.
Go toon gooooo
Dec 21, 2014 at 10:34 PM
Comment #40Transfer Sage
And when HBA left I said that the only good replacement for him is Adam Johnson but some of the bloggers here told me that Adam is low class player.”Low class” but writes History.