Newcastle turned in one of their most pathetic performances of the season tonight at Stamford Bridge and this with only 12 games left in the season to save ourselves.
And Steve McClaren is saying the same thing he said when we had just 3 points from the first 8 games – we need to become more consistent.
So when is that going to happen?
Andros Townsend and Jonjo Shelvey
Now look at the mess we’re in
This is what Steve McClaren said after the game – and you have to believe his words were directed at Mike Ashley – the owner:
“You get one or two of these games a season. I’ve told the players don’t let that derail us. It was damage limitation by half-time. I just wanted to make sure we scored a goal and stayed in the game.”
“We have 18 days now – three or four players should return from injury and we can work on others in terms of fitness, and getting some defenders back in.”
“We are getting a consistency at home but we need to pick up some points away from home. There are 12 cup finals to come. We’ve got to stay calm and stable.”
I remember John Carver last season talking about so many cup finals to go – and he managed to lose eight games straight.
And this was a cup final too – and we didn’t do too good in this one.
The problem Steve has to confront is that this – along with the Everton game – were two of the worst performances this season – we were a complete shambles in both games – more so in this game – when it was so very important.
It’s not about getting consistency away from home – it’s about not being a complete shambles away from home.
We have lost three away games 6-1, 5-1 and 5-1 this season – no wonder our goal difference is now the worst in the Premier League and we have also conceded a massive 49 goals in 26 league games.
In the previous three seasons we conceded 190 goals – so it’s a pity we didn’t spend more money on bringing in some defensive players this season.
It’s simply not good enough and we are now likely to be relegated this season – we are not just losing away games – we are being hammered.
On the other hand Guus Hiddink was delighted with Chelsea’s performance and it’s not too surprising they threw the kitchen sink at us in the early stages.
That’s because they know – as other teams will know in future road games – that we usually just crumble under pressure on the road.
Guus was right.
This is what the Dutchman said after the game in what was his first home win:
“We can be pleased with the performance of the guys. We tried to surprise them in the beginning. Happily it worked out.
“It’s important for the way we played, not just in attack. The players also have to do defensive work and that is where we are aiming and then the quality comes out.”
This was a complete humiliation for Newcastle United – just in case I didn’t make myself clear.
170 comments so far
Lilongwe Geordie
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:23 PM
Comment #81Charlie,
We needed a dominant midfielder. I said it during the window though that we were getting second and third choices because we weren’t in a position to get the top of the list.
Blackley and Brownlie
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:24 PM
Comment #82Welsh
Shelvey has been pathetic in every away game. Saivet has been tried and dropped. Doumbia isn’t in favour. Only Townsend has been steady. And clueless Blackas, in a small minority, was calling it a poor window while others were rubbing their thighs in sweet satisfaction.
manxpie
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:26 PM
Comment #83blofal most teams that bounce have either goal scorers or a defence preferably both
look at villa they have niether either and they had no bounce
its my main reason why there shouldn’t be a change plus the fact ashley’s previous!
we even have people who want a manager that doesn’t speak english lol
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:28 PM
Comment #84Lil
Yes we have needed a dominant midfielder but he ain’t know good if you cannot defend…
Man City
Chelsea
Leicester
Sunderland
Everton and
Crystal Palace
have all had there biggest or equal biggest wins against the Toon
that is 25 goals against and 3 for
DOES THAT NOT SPEAK VOLUMES!!!!!!!!!
No Defence
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:29 PM
Comment #85Super S
I hope it’s too get shot of Steve Mcc, but If not I hope Big Mike has said no way are you going to Spain you have to stay here and train in the cold, you don’t deserve anything else.
manxpie
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:31 PM
Comment #86wat do ya mean he doesn’t get away with it?
have a look at how long the pardew out campaign went on and then look at the ashleyout site its actually highly embarressing
with people actually paying there hard earned money in getting the manager out but not in getting the actual reason out and it just goes on and on
Blackley and Brownlie
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:31 PM
Comment #87Charlie
We started off pathetic gifting Chelsea three goals and then got out the white flag after 16 minutes of the first of 13 cup finals. Makro grins and stays relaxed.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:35 PM
Comment #88blackie boy
that’s our biggest problem go behind the towel is thrown in – midfield disappear time after time – SISSOKO, WILJANUM, waste of space playing away from home
manxpie
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:35 PM
Comment #89“if pardews gone we have won and there needs to be change”
yeah that worked didn’t it!
Lilongwe Geordie
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:39 PM
Comment #90Charlie,
The entire team needs to work and press. Yeah, we need to upgrade defenders, but at the minute, Janmaat is the poorest of the bunch. We have too many midfielders who disappear away from home. Puts our defence under pressure, even when we should have been in control.
Tonight and Everton were pretty worrying…. Still don’t think we will go down, but I don’t think that is an endorsement of MacFarlane.
welshgeordie9
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:42 PM
Comment #91Blackey
I’m talking about overall, besides no player plays well every game.
welshgeordie9
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:45 PM
Comment #92manxpie
Totally agree, they thought by getting rid of Pardew that they would bring in a better manager, that’s what you get when fans wanted him out.
Blackley and Brownlie
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:48 PM
Comment #93Sunderland have a goalscorer in Defoe. They appear to have strengthened their defence too. I can easily see us getting relegated before the season’s finished. Some of those so called cup finals might well be Championship trials.
21st Century Schizoid Man
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:52 PM
Comment #94There’s a lot of wild stuff on here tonight.
IMO all the recent signings were decent choices.
We needed a Shelvey type and a Townsend type.
Doumbia can’t show what he can do when he is isolated up front with zero service – nor could Mitro.
The most massive failure wasn’t the last window but has been bleedin’ obvious since 2012. Our defence has needed 2 CBs and 2FBs – especially a quality LB, but we still need 2 speedy CBs, good in the air. We’ve got two good guys with Mbemba and Janmatt, both of whom will be fine in a reconstructed defence, but the rest are makeweights. It is obvious to everyone except Carr.
The deficiencies of today’s CBs – Colo Noshow and the walking wounded have shown time and time again that they are really not up to it and haven’t been for years. OK so they put on a show every so often, but their record over four years is dismal.
Blackley and Brownlie
Feb 13, 2016 at 10:57 PM
Comment #95Makro: “We caused our own problems by not being able to deal with the ball.” Hahahaha. Think about that analysis.
Hail Wor Ashley
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:02 PM
Comment #96Schtve the dweeb – OOT!
Mister Tuff the arse gazer – OOT!
His alter-ego JfA – OOT!
Tsunki
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:04 PM
Comment #97I think the best thing that can be done now is to apply sticking plasters to the broken leg. Let’s rearrange the team of misshapen individuals or maybe get another cheap coach with a point to prove or how about another scout who isn’t mentally deluded due to advancing decrepitude or no hang on wait another pencil monitor who can spot the difference between a bargain and good investment…. but whatever we do, let’s not put pressure on the club saviour, after all he delivered on his promises, isn’t that so, Mike? He did a video, you know.
Tsunki
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:06 PM
Comment #98Hail Wor Ashley the Anti – blogger Ashley apologist – Out! 🙂
No Defence
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:07 PM
Comment #99Imo Newcastle were Shite scared of Cheslea today, they just thought or they are better than us. Imo absolutely no man manager skills what so ever, Nowt like most other clubs. He (Steve Mc) has to go imho.
manxpie
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:08 PM
Comment #100tsunki nah man
SACK THE MANAGER!!!!!!!!!!
the next one will do for 6 months and then repeat
thats the best way and in that time spend your money getting that manager out in banners and tee-shirts haha!!
sparky55
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:08 PM
Comment #101There were too many players had given up after only 20 mins out there today.
I’ve said this a million times before but when you let in average of more than 2 goals a game then you need to score at least three to win a game.
We don’t have 3 goals a game in our team…we might now and again but not every week…so using this very simple logic we have to be relegation fodder for sure.
We obviously have a manager who has no idea how to coach a defensive unit and a management team who didn’t identify the urgent need for better defenders 18 months ago.
pathetic club management and we’ll get what we deserve next year…championship football
Tsunki
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:09 PM
Comment #102Just adding to the feeding frenzy ha ha
manxpie
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:10 PM
Comment #103no defence for who??
come on ed have a bit at the bottom of articles whoever says macca out at least say your alternative!!
Tsunki
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:12 PM
Comment #104We have a team assembled with money and no clue as to how it will stitch together hence no identity, no camaraderie, no cohesion or even identity. It is currently a collection of individual wage-drawers with no focus. Maybe Steve can fix it. But it doesn’t matter. While we tolerate the owners indifference it will continue as such.
Tsunki
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:12 PM
Comment #105George Burley next.
manxpie
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:14 PM
Comment #106tsunki its ridiculous how can people who were so against pardew and at the time said a new manager would change things a year down the line say the same without any blame for ashley AGAIN!!!
ubelievable!!!!
terencelim
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:15 PM
Comment #107Who hired Steve eh?
Tsunki
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:16 PM
Comment #108Taylor was poor but not because he’s crap. Because he is just back from injury, scared of getting another, woefully not up to speed, older, unfamiliar with the back line he has found himself in.
OK he’s crap.
Tsunki
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:18 PM
Comment #109And if I ever entertained any glimmer of an idea that some kind of serious comeback was on the cards today, the lid on it’s coming was nailed down firmly by the appearance of colback.
Tsunki
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:18 PM
Comment #110Lid on it’s coffin.
lochinvar
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:19 PM
Comment #111Why do we call him Macca – as if he’s some jovial Scouse cousin to be pally with ?
This is serious shit and in any other dimension something would be done about the dross that Ashley has allowed to be served up . It makes the Club, the fans, the City look tarnished and nothing changes.
You wouldn’t let Charnley or Carr run a picnic and Ashley is beginning to make Howard Hughes look well known.
Beam me up Scotty – another plant would do.
MassiveG
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:20 PM
Comment #112Shreveport said “we had to play Aarons at left back”? Surely if Colback is only fit enough for the bench this might have been possible:
Saylor- Colo-Lascelles-Janmaat?
Taylor used to play right back for us and rampage down the right. Janmaat surely good enough to adapt for a game or two. (Right foot wasn’t a problem for Santon)
MassiveG
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:21 PM
Comment #113Shteve
Tsunki
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:23 PM
Comment #114Manxpie, the love for Ashley is blind. The saviour of NUFC who doesn’t need to explain his bridling of club finances cannot possibly be held accountable for his disastrous hierarchy that meets out his unwavering ‘ hold the ship to the straight course’ policy. There is nothing that can be done to sway such a powerful despot from his unwavering remit. Apparently.
Blackley and Brownlie
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:28 PM
Comment #115Shearer blasts NUFC for the same reasons. He keeps having to point out what’s wrong, and highlighting to the nation how embarrassing and pathetic it is. Have the manager and players no shame?
Makro simply keeps talking about dustung ourselves off. WTF is he doing on the training pitch? Running around with a duster?
Blackley and Brownlie
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:32 PM
Comment #116Tsunki
The buck stops at Ashley’s door. He’s appointed the muppets who’ve appointed the clowns. He’s the only one in a position to sort it out.
toonking
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:32 PM
Comment #117missed todays game but can tell from the posts it wasn’t really worth watching.
welsh
We’re into the second half of the season now, pardew had some long without defeat but they occurred during the first half of the season his second half of a season is a poor one.
He’d probably consider making a greater effort into making the full team work together and defend as a team but it’s crap boring football and as far as pardew out brigade are concerned we’re playing better now than we were during pardew’s time ask catchy.
manxpie
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:35 PM
Comment #118well a pardew out that people spent there own money on and chants around the stadium atthe person that really didn’t actually deserve it got it and so did the media
but just changing the name is the option surely i.e ashley out!!!
but no again it is manager out i despair!!
Blackley and Brownlie
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:36 PM
Comment #119The least goals scored on their travels by any team in all four divisions. Hands up all those who told clueless Blackas not to be so daft because Mitro and Perez would get the goals. Even at home we’re goal shy. And don’t start me off on Colo and Co.
Our Toon
Feb 13, 2016 at 11:41 PM
Comment #120Manxpie
Is this same pardew who has lost 5 games in a row with 3 different clubs making him the only person in top flight football to do so.
Money is now being spent but same mistakes about the person who manages the team.
Away from home we don’t press and at home we do that’s the main difference