Newcastle have gone over four league games without scoring – 402 minutes to be exact – and when interviewed in the Chronicle today, Gini was told about that poor statistic.
Gini Wijnaldum has started every league game so far for Newcastle but he is still struggling with getting to grips with the Premier League, but he was willing to talk to the press after the poor display Newcastle put in at Upton Park last Monday night.
Georginio Wijnaldum in action Monday night
He has been interviewed in the Chronicle and when told we hadn’t scored for 402 minutes in the league, this is how he responded:
“It seems like a long time ago, because it was a long time ago!” “We have to fight hard and make more goals and chances.”
“If we don’t start doing this we can’t win games.” “In the final third we know we have to create more because two goals in five games is not a lot.”
“We didn’t start well in the first half and after it they got the early goal.” “After that we put ourselves in a better position but did not create a lot of chances.”
“We created a few, but compared to previous games we know we need to create more. We didn’t score and from the first half that is the only thing we were disappointed about.”
“The second half was not good overall.” “We began the second half by conceding a goal.” “After that we didn’t do enough to fix it.”
“It’s a quick turnaround because we only played on Monday.” “We have to go back to the way we were playing.”
“It was an off day. The good thing with the Premier League is that there are so many games.” “You can quickly show how good you are.”
“I have been really impressed with the fans. We must give them something back now.” “They have supported us from the beginning and the away games too.”
“When we look over to the away fans, it’s always full so we know what we have to do for them.”
Maybe Gini can add to that one goal he scored against Southampton in our first game of the season, which is the last time Newcastle scored in the Premier League.
That’s not a good stat and hopefully the lads can put that right tomorrow.
Comments welcome.
71 comments so far
Tsunki
Sep 18, 2015 at 9:44 AM
Comment #1But whatever you think about Cisse’s style or touch it’s proven that he can score goals if supported and the team plays to him. We should be setting up that way because the striker is the focal point for the job, not defending at all costs. That’s true if you have a thundering striker who can turn and pile drive one from 25 yards or bullet headers in, or whether he’s a sneaky, tap-in opportunist. Michael Owen in his day was lethal but what was his game? They’re all different but it’s the clinical eye for finishing that counts. He needs proper support and I’m afraid our weakness is and has been for years our disjointed midfield.
Tsunki
Sep 18, 2015 at 9:46 AM
Comment #2Georgino do you know how many ‘ bad days at the office’ we’ve strung together? We’ve been doing it for a few seasons now matey. Welcome to the current nufc.
hibbit
Sep 18, 2015 at 9:49 AM
Comment #3Tsunki not sure your right there the crowd have been great got behind the team 100% if the team show they want to win and put the effort in the fans will do there bit…….but if monday’s team turn up it could turn into a nightmare for them and a very long 90 mins ………this is the game most fans think we should win
Tsunki
Sep 18, 2015 at 9:56 AM
Comment #4Hibbit we all know what happens at SJP if the game grinds on as a defensive show from the visitors, and we don’t get a shot off for half an hour. it’s Balti pie time, and a good chance to get some shut-eye. If Watford silence the crowd, if will silence our heartless team. FACT! Probably the best thing all round is for them to score an early goal. Then the crowd will get going.
hibbit
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Comment #5tsunki have you been to a game this season the crowd have been very vocal so far 100% behind the team
jimmysmith
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:04 AM
Comment #6Can’t wait for Saturday. Crunch game for our fortunes this season. I remain a believer in this group, although my faith in McClaren has slightly wavered,even if it is only a little, but a loss at home to Watford and I’d ruefully have to accept we will not be the side I had thought and hoped for. HWTL
bettyswallocks
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:06 AM
Comment #7Rotunda……. Does that mean you have written McClaren off then?
Bambams
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:13 AM
Comment #8I have watched the Hammers game again.
I have to agree with a few of the fellow bloggers.
Anita and Colback together does not work.
Sissoko needs a kick up the backside.
SDJ and Perez MUST start against Watford
Cisse was worse than I thought he was when I watched the game live.
Krul’s kicking is woeful
Mbemba, Janmaat were ok, Haidara does not get back quickly enough
Thauvin hardly got the ball in the first half….
So:
Krul
Janmaat Mbemba Colo Haidara
Colback
Thauvin Wini Aarons
SDJ Perez
We need (imo) to get Wini and SDJ as a partnership on the pitch, the sooner they get that pass and move link ups with Perez – the better.
I know this is a bit attacking, but we set up so defensive that we hardly ever spend time attacking. Giving the impetus to the opposition.
Anyway that’s what I would try…
Sack Llambias
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:45 AM
Comment #9Is this a declaration of a conflict of interest ?
18MacToon // Sep 17, 2015 at 11:46 PM
I haven’t spoke with Jail away from this blog for quite a while now and only posted on here tonight because his character was being attacked. Obviously Jail did what he said, that for me was never in question but he’s felt it necessary to provide proof and I will quite happily pass that on if jail permits.
For me though this wum, troll has got what he’s wanted, he is certainly no toonbrother of mine.
Graeme
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:45 AM
Comment #10Bambams – but we hardly ever spend time defending either!!! How many goals have they conceded in the last 3 seasons??
The defence is a shambles.
Rotonda heights
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:48 AM
Comment #11betty
got to be honest, like many people i was severly underwhelmed by SM’s appointment and have always thought and still do that we need a modern up and coming foreign technical coach like a tuchel or similar.
However, I bought into SM’s approach, personality, appointment of cathro and the new signings.
It’s early days but when you see us completely out footballed by the likes of swansea and west ham and the still same totally negative style, Soto game apart, you do start to wonder.
Ron Knee
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:49 AM
Comment #12Rotonda
I don’t think any coach would thrive under the current regime.
AncientC
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:50 AM
Comment #13Isn’t it curious how the ‘intensity of the Premier League’ and ‘pace of the English game’ is always cited when referring to foreign players who are underperforming.
Strange how foreign players have little problems in dispatching of English clubs in the European competitions. How do they deal with the intensity and pace of the English sides I wonder.
The problem isn’t Wijnaldum.
Rotonda heights
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:51 AM
Comment #14i worry that like pardew, sm may have his seemingly undroppable favourites, regardless of form, like colback, or what they do or don’t create.
Rotonda heights
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:52 AM
Comment #15ron
agreed, but tbf he’s had a fair bit of coin.
croftus5678
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:53 AM
Comment #16@10 graham
last year our weakness was our goals conceeded / goals scored and chances created !
woefull in all 3 departments tbh and n paper when i looked our team had lots of goals from midfield and lots of chances created and with macca being a very very good defencive coach ect with a new high class addition i’m optomistic our defence has improved which tbh there is evidence for.
time/confidence and belief is what and all it will take and we need to get the old way of thinking out of cisse / tiote ect ect and work for eachother off the ball instead of standing still in one place.
Bobbybee
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:56 AM
Comment #17Krul
Janmaat. Mbemba Collo. Haidarra
Wijnaldum
Aarons. Sissoko. Thauvin
DeJong.
Perez.
No need for two holding midfielders at home to Watford imo. We need goals, this should get them
Ron Knee
Sep 18, 2015 at 10:57 AM
Comment #18Rotonda
I think it’s the policy of lowering the wage bill that is the problem. They don’t want to buy players with PL experience because the wage bill is too high. They prefer to gamble on players like Thauvin, who may or not come good. It’s short-sighted lunacy.
BandB
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:08 AM
Comment #19It appears the blog isn’t going to be allowed to function unless it reverts to talking about approved topics.
Interesting discussion this morning boys. Keep it up.
Bobbybee
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:14 AM
Comment #20Ancient, I think that when English clubs play in Europe, thet slow it down to the pace more suited to the opposition for some reason. I can’t recall too many games when a side from the PL has played at PL pace in the CL or EL.
bladeuser
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:15 AM
Comment #21Why should we beat Watford as far as I am concerned Watford fans will b thinking exactly the same let’s get an away win
We are no great shakes anymore and have.nt been for years
Watch our away games shots from the home team rain in the defence is pulled all over the place but watch an apparently lesser team at the top four they might lose but don’t have 25 shots raining in and have there keeper as man of the match let’s face it we r shit now shit defence shit strikers boring defensive midfielders and and the same goes for Steve Mac so all u bloggers thinking this is a home banker what r u on its more like an away banker
ASHLEY OUT
WELSH OUT
BandB
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:15 AM
Comment #22Can I make a plea?
I think everyone who is interested probably made their minds up about the Toonbrother/ Jail bet days ago.
There’s a crucial game tomorrow, and I’d really like to read people’s thoughts on that today.
Mick
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:33 AM
Comment #23@15
I’m glad you made that point because we have spent quite a tidy little some and we haven’t sold any first teamers either, mind it could be argued that 2 or 3 may be with us in body but soul is questionable, however that’s another topic, so by rights we should have a stronger team and a stronger squad as well, but have we, quite simply yes we have but so far Macca has not allowed us to see it, all managers make mistakes, there human like the rest of us, but to continually play Anita and Colback together whilst also having Sissoko who is by nature and preference is a DM and Gini who is a box to box midfielder in the same side then all we can expect is very little as an attacking side, out of the front 6 we have 4 who have made there name with an ability to defend being quite prominent in their game, Pardew’s team selections have put Macca’s to shame from what we have seen so far, and that say’s a lot.
A couple of weeks back Sissoko was getting murdered for allegedly saying that Palace were a bigger club than us, that was bollocks mind as he never said that if you read the full interview, anyway when reading the interview what he did say was that he was in competition with Cabaye, Matuidi, Pogba and Schneiderlin, how many of them are right wingers ?, we need to play 2 from Sissoko, Tiote and Gini and allow De Jong to take the number 10 role, the remaining 3 roles would then be between Aarons, Thauvin, Mitrovic (when cards allow), Perez and Cisse.
Pardew had us comfortably just above mid-table when he left, Macca has the same as what Pardew had with an extra £50m+ added to the squad yet we are bottom of the league and will probably get a nose bleed if we venture far enough up the pitch to have a shot on goal.
I am not righting him off just yet, but he needs to improve, and very quickly, and if Anita is Macca’s equivalent to Pardew’s Gouffran then god help us, Anita is slow, cannot pass the ball, cannot tackle, naturally he is no good in the air, what does he actually do.
Jib
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:33 AM
Comment #24The majority of the Watford defense would honour a bet made with Toonbrother———————- Ha ha ha
BandB
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:33 AM
Comment #25Sorry if that killed the discussion lads. It wasn’t aimed at you, but at preventing another fruitless score-settling session later.
Mick
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:39 AM
Comment #26BandB
I’m new to the site, what was the bet ?
SPRINGY
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:49 AM
Comment #27morning all
at the end of last season when maccas name was starting to get heavily linked with nufc i like alot of other fans were not exactly blown away by the thought of him taking over…it seemed like a step across as apposed to a step up…but he’s here now and i’ll give him time and support the team,been impressed with what he’s had to say tbo,the quality of the coachs seems to be high from all reports,not that i know one coach from another but they seemed to be highly thought of in the game,transfers were slow to start due to the coach appointments and so on but been impressed with the signings,some for the quality they’ve shown and the rest for the potential ,seems to be a change in attitude from the club to do things better then have in past seasons..so lets see what they do in the next couple of transfer windows….whether they keep doing it is still to be seen but im hopeful.
the start of the season was tough.. southampton had a few games on us so they were a little sharper and i believe that showed,the swansea game was done when janmaat sent off.. if not before,man utd.. was impressed with the defense display but barely threatened and can say the same for arsenal but west ham was let down by the performance,very very poor…things will take time and might take upsetting players and fans alike to get the best shape and attitudes to get results….i hope macca has the strength of character to change something if he see’s a recurring problem or my apprehension about him coming in last season will proved right…hoping for a solid performance,attacking flair on saturday to set us up for another tough patch of games
hibbit
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:51 AM
Comment #28we can only put a team out with players we have its a pity half of them are dead wood as for the money spent why do we persist in buying players we dont need yet ignore the positions we do need……. how much say does Mc have in picking/buying players very little i think
SPRINGY
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:55 AM
Comment #29repost
teams for sat
——————————–krul——————————–
janmaat———-mbemba——–colo————–haidara
——————————-tiote———————————
sissoko————————————————–thauvin
——————————-gini———————————-
—————–de-jong————–perez———————-
——————————-krul———————————-
janmaat———–mbemba——–colo————–haidara
———————–sissoko——–gini————————
thauvin——————–de-jong———————aarons
——————————–perez——————————–
the side i think we’ll see
——————————–krul———————————
janmaat———–mbemba——–colo————–haidara
———————-anita———–colback——————–
sissoko———————-gini———————–thauvin
—————————cisse/perez—————————–
SPRINGY
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:57 AM
Comment #30hope we get a result or there will be a tonne of pressure on which wont help….a performance is required for confidence
Malackay
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:59 AM
Comment #31I’d try:
————– Krul—————-
Janmaat Mbemba Colo Colback
——–Anita — Gini ———-
Thauvin—– SDJ ——–Aarons
————- Perez —————
I’ll get stick for the Colback at LB argument, but not doing it in CM and as most of you know, I’m not a Haidara fan.
SPRINGY
Sep 18, 2015 at 12:03 PM
Comment #32malackay
just your opinion…..u should’nt get stick…but right you myt do!lol
Lindisfarne
Sep 18, 2015 at 12:05 PM
Comment #33We can not carry Cisse as a starter anymore, he can complain about service but he isn’t contributing to the team effort. I would be excited tomorrow by a front two of Perez and Aarons, with de Jong behind them to bring some control to proceedings. Cisse and Thauvin could then be used as subs depending on the condition of the game.
A midfield three should be enough to cope with Watford, as well as providing support beyond de Jong they must also ensure any quick counter attacks are snubbed out. IMO the full backs also need to concentrate on defending and should not be consistently in or around the opposition penalty area.
SPRINGY
Sep 18, 2015 at 12:05 PM
Comment #34bandb
the team u’d like to see…,the team u expect to see..how do you think it will go?
SPRINGY
Sep 18, 2015 at 12:08 PM
Comment #35lindisfarne
would like to see 2 up front but im half expecting the same side
Mick
Sep 18, 2015 at 12:09 PM
Comment #36Springy
is Colback and Anita not a recurring problem, they with Gini(who I think could be a great player for us) are ever-present in the league, how many clear cut chances have been created for our striker(s), we are way too over-cautious, we have the talent and the players to get at teams but with possibly as many as 9 defensive type of players in the side then we will struggle, look at Gini if he drops deep, where is the Depay type who he is so used to, he ain’t there, Sissoko another DM is there.
SPRINGY
Sep 18, 2015 at 12:12 PM
Comment #37if macca keeps the same side and it goes tits up…i dont think he would get as much stick if he changed it the side coz at least he’s done something different
Mick
Sep 18, 2015 at 12:17 PM
Comment #38Malackay
why would you get stick for Colback at left back, it is an option, I’d rather Dummett as he can defend but I would say that being a non Haidara fan like yourself I have seen signs that Haidara may be improving his defensive work, granted it doesn’t take much to improve on zero but it is a start, I would be more inclined to give you stick for Anita, what does that man do, he can’t pass, he can’t tackle, unless the ball is two foot off the air he can’t head it either, what exactly does he do !
Jib
Sep 18, 2015 at 12:17 PM
Comment #39Not sure I totally agree but an interesting read
http://thesportsquotient.com/soccer/2015/9/17/daryl-janmaat-is-killing-newcastle
SPRINGY
Sep 18, 2015 at 12:18 PM
Comment #40mick
it needed looking at…. hopefully he has changed it for this weekend…if you look at all the premier league games very little has been created so something has to give….im not convinced macca will tho……hope he proves me wrong….this game is’nt a foregone conclusion some people think it will be and if it goes tits up there’ll be hell on