If Steve McClaren didn’t know how tough the head coach job is at Newcastle, then he will now, after Newcastle’s less than acceptable performance at West Ham last night when we lost the game – all too easily – to West Ham 2-0.
And it was the very impressive Dimitri Payet who ran the show for the home side.
Dimitri Payet scoring West Ham’s second goal last night
Payet had been a former target of Newcastle, but he was too old (he’s 28) and too expensive for Newcastle, who prefer the younger, cheaper editions of Payet.
But that transfer policy means we very rarely sign players from the continent who can make a quick impact at Newcastle, which is just one reason why Alan Pardew is now at Crystal Palace and making an impact at the London club.
It’s the beginning of the seas and are players still need to get, but last night’s performance lacked commitment and lacked passion, and it simply was not good enough.
This is what Steve McClaren said after the game:
“We’ve got talented players out there, but we didn’t do the basics well enough,” “We had been for four games, and that had kept us in games, but we didn’t do that here.”
“It’s a process, and this is normal. These sorts of nights and games are painful to go through, but sometimes you have to go through them to learn about individuals and your team.”
“We have to learn and move on, and make sure we give a big reaction on Saturday.”
“The players have been told it’s disappointing, but all you can do in football is dust yourself down and look forward to the challenge of a home game, and put this game and result to bed.”
“We can make excuses and say the preparation wasn’t ideal, but it’s no excuse. We felt the preparation wasn’t long enough and asked the referee to put it back.”
“But we didn’t do tonight what we have done for the previous four games in terms of organisation, discipline and being hard to beat, we lacked that.”
One concern that hasn’t been solved from last season is that it’s now over four games since we last scored a goal – 402 minutes to be exact.
If you cannot score goals you cannot win games, and when that second Payer goal went in after 48 minutes we couldn’t see Newcastle getting back in the game, al;though we did attack as best we could.
But it wasn;t good enough, and West Ha,m basically were happy enough to hold onto their two goal lead and a good 3 points.
Newcastle have now made a worse start than last year at this time – and we now have to somehow beat newly promoted Watford on Saturday.
If we cannot improve things over the next five games or so, then we could be in for yet another struggle on the league this season.
To say the very least – that would not be good.
Comments welcome.
123 comments so far
BandB
Sep 15, 2015 at 12:55 PM
Comment #81How can Toonbrother claim to be betting on the result of a game that had already been played?
There’s a law against that.
SPRINGY
Sep 15, 2015 at 12:55 PM
Comment #82pawl
cheers mate….wasnt sure…it looks like jfa is willing to pay up…i think if he does there may well be another bet coming this time from jfa to toonbrother tho!!lol
SPRINGY
Sep 15, 2015 at 12:58 PM
Comment #83bandb
good point
Ibizatoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 12:59 PM
Comment #84Pawl…It stunk at the time, still stinks now. I don’t think Jail cares too much, he’s said he’ll pay the money to charity, but wants it to be the SBR foundation.
The 5 games / Watford thing was discussed at the time I believe. The whole thing stunk 🙂
BandB…But this blog is self regulating….apparently.
toonbrother
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:00 PM
Comment #85pawl250
notice jfa is not contesting the fact I won the bet
so your point makes no sense
the only reason I didn’t point out Watford was the 6th game of the season is I DIDNT KNOW EITHER
I hadn’t even looked at the fixture list when I made that bet!
Fact is I won the bet he lost
A good cause ultimately benefits from this
Also, McLaren is an astute man.
It wont take him long to figure out what a horrible defender colocinni is
Behind every cloud there’s a silver lining guys
WWSBRD
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:00 PM
Comment #86Just on this bet it’s a bit under handed isn’t it? JfA clearly was under the impression Watford was included in the games as proven by the comments toonbottler posted
Nothing to say we will beat Watford but clearly it was under those grounds that the altered bet was accepted
Fair play to u JfA if u pay up early though
Toon-Prodigy
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:00 PM
Comment #87Jail still has the Watford game dosn’t he?
We will destroy them on Saturday.
SPRINGY
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:00 PM
Comment #88afternoon ibiza…still struggling in the sunshine!!lol
BandB
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:01 PM
Comment #89magscar,
The Rangers debacle has hardly been mentioned, but would certainly have doubled the pressure on the crisis management team to provide Ashley with a redemptive moment.
He was looking like a bit of a chump at the time.
Ibizatoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:04 PM
Comment #90Springy…Taking it day by day, really appreciate the continued support. It’s heart warming 🙂
Ibizatoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:04 PM
Comment #91…or maybe it’s just the sun?
BandB
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:10 PM
Comment #92I hope JFA makes his charity donation.
And that Toonbrother continues to gloat over his “triumph.”
Only one winner there.
SPRINGY
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:11 PM
Comment #93ibiza
hahaha…..its the sun mate…defo the sun!!lol…u see the game im assuming you did?
martoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:13 PM
Comment #94You can’t deny we were dreadful last night but I think some people are pressing the panic button a bit too early. A lot of us said it would take time for the new coaching staff and players to bed in and gel.
Although McClaren did not want to use it as an excuse I can’t help feeling that walking the last mile and arriving 20 mins before KO was hardly ideal preparation. It was a disgrace the game was not delayed half an hour or so but that would have disrupted Sky’s schedules!
Ibizatoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:19 PM
Comment #95BandB….It would seem that he will be making said donation and indeed will be coming out a winner.
Springy…I did. Wish I’d just caught the last 20 minutes, where there were some signs of encouragement. If McClarens default didn’t appear to be so defensive so far this season, I’d be a lot more willing to join the let’s wait and see show. I’m not hounding McClaren at this stage, I just don’t see what it is that others seemingly are.
martoon…They do say that you shouldn’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes, but…
SPRINGY
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:19 PM
Comment #96martoon
it will take time.. just disappointed..was expecting more in performance due to the last few performances despite results…..think the players need to have a good hard look at there attiudes to games…thats why i posted #69
BandB
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:19 PM
Comment #97martoon,
I’m certainly not panicking. Things are pretty much what I expected.
A few buttons were being pressed somewhat prematurely.
Including the Glory, Glory Hallelujah button.
SPRINGY
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:21 PM
Comment #98ibiza
disappointed…but tryin to be patient
SPRINGY
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:23 PM
Comment #99ibiza
thoughts on the team i posted for watford?
Ibizatoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:27 PM
Comment #100Springy…If things continue as they are, I’ll be a patient soon, and on very strong medication 🙂
There is nothing to panic about yet, it is early days. Things would be a lot easier though if people stopped saying how wonderful things are and how amazing all the work the club have done is.
I’m nearly back in my comfort zone – I feel the need to call for middle ground. But where’s the fun in that?
Has anyone watched any Watford games this season? It’s becoming a “must win” for many fans, how realistic do people think a win is? I’ve not actually watched them play at all, so other than going “Phhh…it’s only Watford” I can’t really comment.
I’m fairly sure there’s some Watford fan out there going “Phhh…It’s only Newcastle!”
Maybe it was just me that went “Phhhh” though. I can’t be sure.
BandB
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:30 PM
Comment #101Ibizatoon,
I think all anyone has wanted has been the “time” and opportunity to see whether the Brave New World was a thing of substance, without being labelled as a “usual suspect” or subjected to eye-popping, apoplectic rants about their fitness as fans.
SPRINGY
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:32 PM
Comment #102things were never going to change over night we will need to try different players,team formations and still do enough points wise to be safe…hopefully january they’ll see the weaker points in the side and strengthen no matter who that weakness is…whether thats the captain or a so called stars
Jail for Ashley
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:32 PM
Comment #103Toonbotherer,
I have every right to contest your claims, my remark about winning the Watford game clearly proves that I thought you meant the next five games rather than games we had already played,
but I misread it and will pay the £100 to SBR as I said when we first made the bet. As for you asking me to be a Gentleman and pay up, your underhand moving the goal posts of your ridiculous claims makes you nothing but a bounder and a cad !
Toon-Prodigy
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:34 PM
Comment #104I fancy us beating watford by 3 clear goals. Saturday will see a performance from the lads, im confident.
Ibizatoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:34 PM
Comment #105Springy…I’m not usually one to jump in to starting line ups, but here we go…
Not sure on Tiote. From what we’ve seen of him, which is very little lately, it would respresent a huge risk for me.
I’d possibly be tempted to go:
Sissoko – Anita – Gini
—De Jong–Thauvin–
———–Perez———
Forget too much wingplay for now, no one seems to be able to deliver enough decent balls to make it worthwhile, plus with Perez up front, who is it they’re targetting?
Play it on the deck, pass the ball around.
Anita didn’t impress last night, but I think he has been doing well and shouldn’t be dropped yet. Although, i wont lose too much sleep over it.
Ibizatoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:36 PM
Comment #106BandB…Absolutely. This insistance that to be a fan you simply must be positive and call it that way from the off is creating so many problems.
It’s simply not needed.
SPRINGY
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:36 PM
Comment #107ibiza
have’nt seen watford but im not convinced its goin to be as easy as some may think…i just hope the players dont go in with the attitude of we just need to show up to win,which to me they seem to do
Toon-Prodigy
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:36 PM
Comment #108That bet seems void, clearly there has been a misunderstanding.
Jib
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:38 PM
Comment #109B and B – Government Health Warning
SPRINGY
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:43 PM
Comment #110jail for ashley
fair play mate
ibiza
can you see macca changing that side that played last night…..i cant
martoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:44 PM
Comment #111Springy – you make some valid points.
Ibiza @95 I never thought of that 🙂
BandB @97 – I would have been happy with a draw yesterday but the one at Old Trafford was unexpected so I suppose actually it is all as expected!
Ibizatoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:45 PM
Comment #112Springy…Strangely, yes. This is where the hope takes over.
Come on Steve – Do it! Mix it up. Get positive.
DaraghL
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:46 PM
Comment #113JFA –
Fair play lad. I would not have paid up out of principal as he consistently changed the bet from the original bet which was the whole season. I like you would interpret the bet as next 5 games given that a) you stated in your acceptance that we will be Watford (the sixth game) & b) We had already played the first march.
However; I must commend you for choosing to pay up as the SBR foundation is a very worthy cause and any donations, no matter how they come about are to be commended.
I would hope that when (ok, if) we beat Watford, Toonbrother will have the decency to also pay his dues.
DaraghL
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:48 PM
Comment #114I have more typo’s in that sentence then I’ve had women…so about 3.
the broons
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:48 PM
Comment #115Ibiza
Sorry for not replying was out. Yeah I believe looking at it in a way of who made the least mistakes is very negative way at looking at it, however not much last night is positive which was the reason for my statement.
And Mbemba may have made a couple of poor clearances but I still can’t remember a moment where it put us in a position that was hard to recover from. Nobody highlighted it however for the first goal Janmaat for some reason flicked the ball backwards in the air towards the edge of our box when he didn’t exactly have loads of pressure on him which I was scratching my head at.
And as much as I love the whole, trying to play football the right way philosophy I do also believe there is a time and place and were starting to get robbed at the back just a couple of times now. Look at Liverpool fans slaughtering Lovren because of it.
SPRINGY
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:49 PM
Comment #116if u compare the results with the same teams last season i think we have one more point….tough start…but hopefully they are much improved against watford
Ibizatoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:56 PM
Comment #117broons…No problem, thanks for getting back to me. I get what you’re saying and certainly don’t feel that strongly about Mbembas mistakes to make a deal out of them. I’d have to look back, but could argue that he was lucky that someone else was present to clear up his mistakes and not be exposed. As I recall there were a couple of really weak headed clearances that went straight the West Ham on the edge of our box.
Still, I’m really happy with him. One of our better defenders, along with Janmaat (for me anyway).
As for the negative way of looking at it. Wasn’t a reflection on you, but the way the team are playing. We all had to do the same thing, which was pick the best of a bad bunch.
I do also agree on there being a time and place for playing the game “properly” and the good ole “better to be safe than sorry – hoof it out”.
BandB
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:56 PM
Comment #118martoon,
I said we could win at Old Trafford.
We have always been able to pull off the odd surprise result against “Rolls-Royce” teams, and we will continue to do so.
That’s why I don’t buy into the “first 10 games are a write-off” theory.
I fear it will be the teams like West Ham which play a more direct game than the probing, sniping one of the top four, that will take us apart.
We weren’t taken apart last night. But we were never in the game either.
I look at the fixture list up until Christmas and I don’t see too many gimme’s in it.
We have tended to be comfortably into the mid-twenties in terms of points by Christmas, and it has saved us.
We have some time. But we need to start winning sooner rather than later.
toon kk
Sep 15, 2015 at 2:02 PM
Comment #119We will really struggle ALL season, we haven’t a squad capable to compete in the premier league. We have some good players but they lack pace and are more suited to French style of play. Poor scouting is just wasting millions.
Funny thing is Most fans actually think we have a strong squad, not for the EPL we haven’t.
Changing our style of play would help to a certain extent but we have the same lackluster bunch what ever we do.
We’re in our second season without one top striker and a team that doesn’t even know how to supply.
It a nut shell we’re sh.t.
There’s better paceier player’s in the championship that would entertaining us better than the weak slow tricksters playing for Newcastle.
Ibizatoon
Sep 15, 2015 at 2:03 PM
Comment #120BandB…We’re just doing it the other way round this season. Last year we did our points collecting in the first half, this season it’ll be the second half. All you need is one half a season. We’ve shown it a few times now.
Wait – we’re trying to win something now though.