Alan Pardew said something in his interviews yesterday that’s been obvious all season, ever since we didn’t replace Loic Remy in the summer.
Newcastle were unable to sign the Frenchman on a permanent deal after his season long loan spell, because he preferred instead to sign on at Chelsea.
Loic Remy in action for us last season
And talking about Loic – he would have been the perfect signing for us in the summer, but it didn’t happen and he wanted to play a higher standard of football at a top club that plays in the Champions League every season.
And that’s not Newcastle these days, as we keep finding out.
These are the words Alan Pardew used yesterday that we need another striker brought in over the January transfer window:
“I think that we are still a striker light, even when Siem de Jong returns, I still think we will need another one.”
“Papiss – even taking away the flu – he is still not right. He’s not 100%, and you could see that in the way he plays. That’s something we need to look at. “
“I don’t want to talk too much about the transfer window but we do need another striker if we can get one.”
But now the question is whether we can get somebody through the door, and we found out yesterday that Burnley don’t want to sell their star 22 year-old English striker Danny Ings next month.
They want to keep him for the rest of the season, even though they may lose him for nothing if he doesn’t sign a new deal and becomes a free agent in July.
Other strikers we have been linked with this season are 20 year-old Serbian International Aleksandar Mitrovic of Anderlecht, and 26 year-old German International Max Kruse of Borussia Monchengladbach.
And there was news this week that we could still be tracking 23 year-old French International striker Alexandre Lacazette, who was our top summer target – but Lyon also don’t want to sell their player next month.
Spoilsports.
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98 comments so far
Rotonda heights
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:23 AM
Comment #1We’re certainly a good manager light. That’s been official for a long time.
tequila
but none of these players look comfortable in whatever system they’re meant to be playing
Other managers of course have made poor signings but most have considerably more on their cv than pardew who has never won anything but more culpably has never produced decent to watch foootball while on his many record losing streaks.
People can make as many excuses for pardew as the man does himself. But if you really think pardew is the answer what the hell was the question.
Rotonda heights
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:26 AM
Comment #2Sage
did pardew not thank himself for the signings!!
tequilamag
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:27 AM
Comment #3RH so you concede all managers have failures in the transfers. What about the players who thrived under Pardew that we sold for big bucks?
At no point have I said Pardew is the answer. The point I was making is that by solely blaming Pardew you are ignoring all the other factors.
Rotonda heights
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:32 AM
Comment #4Tequila
Pards successes
1) Ba has been prolific wherever he’s been and he complained about pardew’s direct style
2) Cabaye was a current legue title winner and CL regular who went on strike to get away. It took pardew 3 years to play him in his right position
3) Debuchy = ditto cabaye and was here 5 mins!! also complained how he enjoyed playing for france but not newcastleunder pardew.
4) carroll, pardew was here 5 mins before carrol left.
were there any others?
lesh
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:32 AM
Comment #5We need more than one striker if Cisse’s going to the ACoN!
tequilamag
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:38 AM
Comment #6RH quite correct anything good is down to luck everything bad is down to Pardew.
Merry Xmas all.
Rotonda heights
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:40 AM
Comment #7i fully realise ashley is the one responsible for hiring pardew instead of a proper manager with a good cv but it just irks me the people who consistently fall for pardew’s spin and bull over and over like it’s always someone else’s fault.
Rotonda heights
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:41 AM
Comment #8A suuccessful cv would indicate a consistently good manager . Show me that and I’ll happily shut up.
lesh
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:43 AM
Comment #9As far as Ings’s concerned and as Ashley knows from his experience of selling Andy Carroll, if Burnley are offered the right money, they’ll sell him.
That goes for any player at any club but whether Ashley’s prepared to pay market rates for I comers and not sell our top players, we may have a chance of processing.
However, progress is also dependent on our beloved Mr Pardew, playing players to their strenghths!
Hey ho here we go, looking forward to an exciting window: fans almost like kids on Christmas Eve, sitting around the christmas tree’ waiting for Santa and merrily singing… ‘Here comes fatty with a sackful of scheidt!
tequilamag
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:45 AM
Comment #10Final point by those standards KK was not a good manager because he has never won anything
lesh
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:45 AM
Comment #11Whoops * That goes for any player at any club but whether Ashley’s prepared to pay market rates for incomers and not sell our top players thus giving us a chance of processing, is the key.
richardj1986
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:51 AM
Comment #12The answer to the question is no. However, this is due the question rather than the being factual. Are Newcastle short of a quality striker? the answer is YES.
Newcastle have 5 Strikers (cisse, Gouffran, perez, riviere, Armstrong) and for the record, I am not a pardew hater. He has his problems yes. But everyone out there picks a team on who they think is the best. and this blog shows the difference in opinion.
Has he made mistakes YES, Will he continue to make mistake YES, Do I blame him YES, Is this right YES. Do i praise him for getting it right YES.
What style of striker do Newcastle need, one that scores goals. But you have to have one that will fit into the style of play we have or one that we can adapt our style for to fit him in…
In recent new Sir Alex has been commenting on how some Man United players need time to adapt to the englsh style of football and how in their first year Evra and Vidic were awful and he pleaded with the United fans to recognise this for Van Gaals new signings.
Some strikers hit it off straight away and i truely do think that Perez has the potetential to be a truely great striker. Riviere just needs time to adapt and I will be happy if he finds his feet as the first few games he looked like he could be dangerous.
I also think that we need a plan B. The Bony/Carroll style striker that will win the ball and flick the ball on for us. However with this type of player the wide men need to get the ball into the box for them to be effective. Something Big Sam does at west Ham and something Chris Houghton did well when we were in the championship…
Who do i want to see in a black and white shirt come January .?. A striker with experience of the premier league. if we cant get that give the likes of Armstrong and perez game time and they will improve together and get the goals… Worked for Harry Kane and the other youngesters that made it… if your good enough game time will let you show it..
But Ashley knows now that for every Bony/Michu and Pelle gem, there is also the Luque’s, Ideyes or Can’s that dont live up to the money and if he is spending money he will want a return on that investment with the interest not depreciation.
Markaccus
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:51 AM
Comment #13Haha. This blog is just like the xmas episodes of soap-operas….. the same old tired depressing plot with the on “merry xmas, you slaaaaag” hoyed in 😀
Markaccus
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:52 AM
Comment #14Just kidding. Its not that bad 🙂
Hows everyone this xmas eve? Everyone excited for santy coming? 😀
stuart no9
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:56 AM
Comment #15Pardew has never been a manager , never has been , neverwill be . My conception of a great manager or even good manager is getting a group of players together who he thinks can do a job in a certain of the pitch and get them performing on a weekly basis , not only that but turning mediocre players into world stars playing in a great side. Sounds a lot to ask for but when you look at the likes of cloughie, paisley, shankley, sir alex winning the CL with a bunch of kids in 99 that exactly what they did . There is no need to spend billions on a squad to make them champions , it is up to the manager to get decent ‘ hard working ‘ players and mould them into a side that will die for their manager. The manager has to have a plan inside his head of how he wants to play the game and buy players who he ‘knows’ is going to give him blood, mould him into a position he bought him for and keep him there .
Pardew dosnt fit any of that criteria, He has got a bunch of players he has no clue what to do with , has no paticular brand of football that is going to win matches . poor man , he is all over the f”’king shop . hahaha no idea which way to turn or how to make a sub to change a game . Take sunday for example , in the last 5 mins both teams make a change . sunderland win – we didnt . The team shouldnt be taking any flak for our dissapointing performences . Pardew is not doing a mansgers job . its as simple as that.
geordie157
Dec 24, 2014 at 10:58 AM
Comment #16Maybe we should go after one of redknapp’s players for a change and put down a decent offer for Austin. Yes he’ll cost a bit but the lad is a natural goal scorer, I’d be happy to let cisse leave then
Markaccus
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:01 AM
Comment #17Stuart
to an extent i agree with that. What specifically annoys me is that when something actually works, he still changes back to a negative system as soon as the relevant players are available. I am gutted he has scrapped the 433 that gave us a 6 win streak and a win over chelsea. Unforgivable.
mindshaft
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:03 AM
Comment #18Pards is an average manager, similiar to Pulis/Allardyce/Hughes – sadly with the amount of ambition Ashley has for the club then that’s the best we’ll ever do under this regime.
Not sure the Pards lovers can bang on about how he’s held back though
This year we’ve drawn against Hull, Burnley, Palace who have much lower budgets and are likely to be in relegation places come the summer…. guess Pards is consistent at least
JamesToon
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:05 AM
Comment #19Markaccus
You hit the nail on the head there, no tactical consistency. Hope you and everyone else have a good Xmas!
Markaccus
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:06 AM
Comment #20James
Cheers. Merry xmas to you too.
mindshaft
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:06 AM
Comment #21Happy Xmas all – hopefully Santa will bring us a win on boxing day
Markaccus
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:09 AM
Comment #22Mindshaft
Yeah, and if that happens, i will follow yonder star to a winning lottery ticket, or something 😀
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:10 AM
Comment #23Not sure I can be bothered to get involved today, but going to chuck my tuppence worth in anyway.
On these so called wasted players, some just don’t fit the league. Some just frankly aren’t that good to start with, some have personality issues and some don’t suit the system.
Mbiwa and Anita struggled to adjust to the league. Mbiwa has said as much, and we can all see Anita doesn’t fit in with the higher pace.
Rivi is awful, Marveaux was a poor player (also didn’t suit the league or system – poor bit of scouting), I said when we got Goofy that in a year we will be saying he is Pardewed when the reality is he was never very good.
HBA had personality issues, but also refused to put in the hard yards and therefore didn’t suit. He is going to a mid table French side by all accounts, which probably equates to a top Championship side.
Jury is out on Cabella so far, gradually improving, but not really done anything to show if he will be a force or not.
Pardew is a poor manager, but he would do far better if he was given players that fit a game plan he can work. He is definitely not to blame for the failure of certain players, although he is partially at fault for others. Still, the very good players demonstrate that they can still perform regardless, so to blame the manager solely is ludicrous.
beermonkey
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:10 AM
Comment #24nowt like a bit of pardew bashing to ease my head
Markaccus
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:14 AM
Comment #25LG
Thats fair. I do remember saying re HBA that what will people say if/when the same old issued rear thier heads at Hull, which they subsequently have. HBAs history suggested they would, but many people seemed to lay the blame for all of his shorcommings soley at pardews door.
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:15 AM
Comment #26Anyway, Merry Christmas guys. Won’t be back on until after the Man U game so enjoy the excesses that Xmas day allows. All the best to you and yours.
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:19 AM
Comment #27Markaccus,
I don’t like HBA as a player, he is a circus footballer. All the tricks and talent in the world but no football brain. However, towards the end there was far more to it then football, it was pretty clear that neither party was innocent in all this.
I’d love him to succeed elsewhere, as it is such a shame to see such talent go to waste. He isn’t a kid anymore though and shows no sign of changing. Chances are it will be downhill for him from here.
Anyway, will be pleased when a line is drawn under it all on this one.
richardj1986
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:19 AM
Comment #28love the comments today…
Pardew has problems… we know change the record… Jingle Bells time…
A good manager gets the best out of his team, a great manager consistently gets the best out of his team. A world class manager gets the best out of his team, and wins important games and cups etc.
Markaccus
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:22 AM
Comment #29LG
agreed. Pardew did not know how to handle his ego, probably due to his own 😀 so he has to share blame.
Merry xmas. Have a good one
stuart no9
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:26 AM
Comment #30Markaccus @17—- but why do you think he has done that ???? i agree with you entirely , the old saying – never change a winning team- dont try to fix something thats not broken , but he constantley messes about with players minds.the players have no idea how they have to play the following week. IMO i think its the arrogance of pardew , he wins a few games now hes the cloughie of the modern game and thinks he put his name amongst the greats . now weve come back down to earth with a thump , whats his next plan ??
Jail for Ashley
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:29 AM
Comment #31Why all the doom and gloom,he’s only lost three in a row, no where near his worst yet.
beermonkey
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:31 AM
Comment #32jail
whats his record for consecutive loses
Markaccus
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:31 AM
Comment #33Stuart.
I really wish i knew. It’s baffling. You may be right. His own ego might tell him that his 4231 with his chosen ones is the best no matter what. I think i’d haven given him another chance had he not switched back to this pointless system.
anyway, merry xmas to you and all, i am off to take my youngest for lunch.
Rotonda heights
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:33 AM
Comment #34tequila
KK massively entertained. Jeez you just don’t get it do you.
Narrowly not winning by playing good football is acceptable, not winning by playing the worst god awful stuff you’ve ever seen isn’t.
Try this you may need to reverse your sense of humour bypass though.
http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/alan-pardew-picks-2014-person-year-award/
Jail for Ashley
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:36 AM
Comment #35Beer,
He’s equalled the previous worst twice,hit two new records with a five and a six
beermonkey
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:51 AM
Comment #36jail
good job we got burnley coming up
sparky55
Dec 24, 2014 at 11:59 AM
Comment #37Having accepted a long time ago that Ashely and his buy ’em cheap sell ’em high mantra/ philosophy is the real problem, then that of course brings us back to Pardew just being plain f@cking shite and tactically inept.
All I want is some fun along the way. Even when we’re winning we’re winning in a crap fashion…we’re not having a go and we’re not entertaining the fans.
Keegan won SWFA but I had a wonderful time following the team all over the country and watching us ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK.
I’m now easily distracted from watching a game when nothing…and I MEAN NOTHING would ever have distracted me from watching a game before Pardew came.
so in summary…there is bound to be someone out there who would work under the same regime knowing the best players will be sold and cheap foreign imports will always be brought in behind them…BUT AT LEAST WE COULD HAVE A MANAGER THAT WILL ENTERTAIN US.
That’s the bit I miss the most…enjoying my beloved newcastle having a go.
richardj1986
Dec 24, 2014 at 12:10 PM
Comment #38Southampton have sold all of there best players this year and some of the new boys they bought look better.
Forster is a better keeper than Boruc who is on loan at Bournemouth,
Tadic is better than Lallana
Pelle is technically a better striker than Lambert…
So we may see a change in Ashley’s plans… develop younger english players and sell them for stupid prices…
Graeme
Dec 24, 2014 at 12:17 PM
Comment #39Sparky 55 @ 37.
Yep, that is the worst part of it all. The entertaining of the fans is simply not a priority, its not even on the first page of the list!! I could cope with most of the rest, if it was a joy to watch the team perform, having a go at trying to achieve something.
We simply dont seem to bother these days. The owner is only interested in money and promoting his tat shops, The manager (if that’s what he truly is) has his goals clearly defined – to remain in the Premier League at the minimum cost possible – so that the TV payments are accrued at the end of every season. Anything above 17th and below 6th is fine.
richardj1986
Dec 24, 2014 at 12:23 PM
Comment #40entertainment is probably number 50 on the list.