Newcastle turned in their worst performance of the season at Stevenage this afternoon, and their completely woeful performance gave Stevenage an easy victory by 3-1, with two goals in injury time to each side, but in truth it was fully deserved by this plucky Stevenage side, who recorded the greatest win their history.
Unfortunately for this Newcastle side their performance today was a lot worse than the result – that’s what is so unacceptable – the performance – and if you don’t believe us watch the game sometime – but only if you are brave enough to be humiliated.
And to make things a lot lot worse, Cheick Tiote managed to get himself sent off in the second half, with a straight red card – and will now miss the next three Newcastle league games.
The performance this afternoon will go down in Newcastle’s history as one of their worst displays ever in the famous FA Cup competition – it was as bad as that – and even worse.
The game kicked off and Newcastle showed they were ready for the game and started quite well.
Early in the game Kevin Nolan got hit in the face with the ball, and he seemed to have a slight cut just beneath the eye, which was already swelling up as he re-entered the field of play, and it could affect his vision as the game progressed.
But Stevenage also started the game well and things were very even for the first 20 minutes or so of the game, with James Perch again in an unfamiliar position at left back, being a natural right footed player.
In the 31st minute Bostwick had a good shot at Newcastle’s goal and Krul had to make a sharp save down to his right as he shoved the ball around the post for a corner.
It was a good save from Newcastle’s promising young Dutch goalkeeper, and the corner was easily cleared.
Newcastle were playing safe and quite solid at this stage, and were looking to make no mistakes to let Stevenage into this game, as they tried to play neat and tidy football.
Newcastle were finding it hard to find their two strikers Best and Lovenkrands up-field and too often, the long crosses were easily cleared by the two tall Stevenage central defenders. Best and Lovenkrands were not getting a look in at all.
On 36 minutes Long made a good run down the left wing and cut inside and the ball was scrambled away for a corner by Tim Krul, as Stevenage were having more of the play than Newcastle.
As half time approached the 5 man Stevenage midfield was starting to get a grip of the game and win the central midfield from Newcastle, who were starting to look increasingly hesitant at the back.
And Newcastle had absolutely no bite at all in midfield and were certainly missing Cheick Tiote.
Half time came, and if anything Stevenage were the better side, and certainly the more enterprising side in the first half, and little had been seen of the two Newcastle strikers, Lovenkrands and Best.
Newcastle were missing the enterprising Enrique as neither full back was able to get forward and as we said before they were badly missing Tiote – who was on the bench.
And early in the second half Stevenage got exactly what they needed – the first goal – and it was really lucky, but fortune favors the brave and at least Stevenage were moving forward.
Long worked the ball well on the left wing, moved inside and then got the ball back and from 25 yards he hit a shot at goal and it deflected off Williamson into the goal and to Krul’s right, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
It was a lucky goal no doubt, and they had at least deserved their luck as at this point Newcastle were not even at the races and we were wondering what our two strikers were doing as the midfield couldn’t get a grip at all.
Newcastle needed to get a grip and wake up – otherwise they would be out of the FA Cup at the very first hurdle.
Best was replaced by Nile Ranger, and today we hardly saw Leon Best at all.
On 54 minutes Stevenage went further ahead when Bostwick hit a great shot from the right, which went in off a post and it was 2-0 to Stevenage – and on merit too – as Newcastle seemed in a complete daze and not able to get going at all.
On 56 minutes Tiote came on for Smith who had been completely ineffective.
With the fourth division side two goals up against Newcastle, this was looking like a complete disaster for the Newcastle side, who up to this point had looked utterly hopeless.
Things only got worse for Newcastle when Tiote made a terrible challenge on Jon Ashton and he was sent off with a straight red card – and presumably misses the next three league games – this is turning into a complete calamity for Newcastle United.
Newcastle just couldn’t get going at all and looked a complete rabble as they made mistake after mistake – and Pardew brought on Phil Airey, born in Amble for his Newcastle debut.
Then on 90 minutes Joey Barton showed a little of his class, when he hit a rocket into the net and it was 2-1.
But the day continued to go dead against Newcastle, as Stevenage from the kick off attacked, and Long got involved again and played in Winn, and the Stevenage player chipped the ball nicely over Krul and it was 3-1.
Te final whistle went and it was the upset of the day in the 3rd round of the FA Cup – the exact thing we all didn’t want – as the famous fighting Magpies were a complete disgrace to the Newcastle club this afternoon.
And I use my words wisely and I am trying not to over-react too much to this terrible result – but it’s the performance that was just completely unacceptable and woeful this afternoon.
It’s bad enough to be eliminated from the FA Cup by a fourth division side, but to also lose one of your best players for the next three league games is a disaster for Newcastle and will no doubt count us points in the league, and after this performance don’t anybody even think Newcastle are safe in the Premier League.
Even towards the end of the game Newcastle just never got going, and they were not only an embarrassment to themselves but even to the Premier League – they were that bad – make that terrible.
The Newcastle side just didn’t turn up today and look for a big inquest on just what they were drinking or smoking before this game, because this is their worst performance of the season and the performance this afternoon has shamed the Newcastle United club.
One thing that Newcastle fans should demand is an inquest into why this team put in a performance which reminded us all of the listless and depressing displays in our relegation season.
And if this is anything about what is to come at Newcastle for the rest of the season, then we’ll be playing Championship football next season.
It was an utter and complete disgrace by the Newcastle team this afternoon.
This was completely and utterly unacceptable and we expect an apology and an explanation from both the Newcastle manager and the players.
Shame on them. And we beat West Ham 5-0 four days ago?
Alan Pardew will quickly lose the support of the Newcastle fans if he lets the Newcastle team put in any more performances like this one – and we cannot think Mike Ashley will be happy as this is the worst defeat of Newcastle since he’s been the owner.
I’ve seen a lot of poor and lifeless displays in my 61 years of watching Newcastle United football club, but this one today, at least in the second half, may be the most shameful of them all.
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To try to end on a positive note – congratulations to Stevenage, who won this game on merit and showed guts and spirit to record the greatest win in their history.
Congratulations.
If you are in the mood you may want to vote for the Newcastle man of the Match on our home page.
124 comments so far
sweendog
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:37 PM
Comment #1not to have sour grapes have to say well done stevenage ..
but Pardew didn’t have the team fired up or picked well for this one .. should have had tiote on .. no perch or smith .. completely useless.
only saving grace was bartons goal .. top notch
Irish Toon
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:38 PM
Comment #2no way a red im gutted!
sweendog
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:39 PM
Comment #3highlights from the game ..
We are missing a decent striker.
Without tiote our midfield is too slow.
We need another winger.
Also don’t play Perch or Smith , play the youngsters instead
sweendog
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:40 PM
Comment #4hope tiotes card is recinded .. that’d be a nightmare at the unwashed..
G
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:41 PM
Comment #5To be honest, I’m not too upset that we are out of the cup. The 2 really big negatives are obviously being beaten by a League 2 club, and the fact that Tiote misses the next 3 games, with a major emphasis on the next game in particular.
Hugh Jorgan
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:41 PM
Comment #6A complete and utter disgrace
colwell
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Comment #7I`m not going to blame Pardew the team out there should of hammered them, williamson was our worst player by a mile and they were all bad!
Warwick Hunt
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Comment #8That was not a terrible challenge by Tiote, hard but fair, no way a red card. Hope they contest it and get it recinded.
Tayls
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Comment #9Tiote’s tackle was bloody brilliant, I really hope they overturn that red. Smith was non-existant vs a league two side, what’s he going to be like against the scum 🙁 .
mattyNUFC
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Comment #10Again, hats off to Stevenage and their fans. It was mightily and thoroughly deserved.
Here’s hoping Tiote’s ban is rescinded.
Thump
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Comment #11It should be sweendog. Had he have got it wrong I would have agreed with the red card, but he got it absolutely perfect – how on earth is an inch perfect tackle a red card?
sweendog
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:42 PM
Comment #12there was part of that game I watched Perch and smith nearly run into each other on the side line , while barton was looking to pass down the line .. school boy stuff…
bentoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:44 PM
Comment #13SSN said Barton went round and congratulated each one of their players after the game. Good on you Joey!
Howay The Lads
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:45 PM
Comment #14All I can say is that was depressing stuff.
They were easily the better team and we were desperately lucky to get one and for them to only get 3 🙁
However, did anyone else think the gamesmanship from them was quite sad to see? Every time they were tackled they went down clutching their legs and staying down for minutes when replays showed minimal – or no – contact.
Irish Toon
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:45 PM
Comment #15it’ll never be recinded it should but they never do for tackles like that, HUGE loss for our trip to the stadium of shite!
sweendog
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:45 PM
Comment #16hope so thump .. I was more worried about tiote than missing the FA cup .. we need tiote in order to cement ourselves in this division .. crazy how relient we are
Hugh Jorgan
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:45 PM
Comment #17I do however, do not think Tiote should have been shown a red card.
But no excuses …. Newcastle United were SHIT
BigWooo
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:45 PM
Comment #18tiotes red card was an absoloute joke! great tackle, i admit he went in strong and maybe shouldnt have left the ground but if you get all of the ball and dont take the man how can it be a sending off??
Williamson, Smith and Perch truly awful but the others wernt much better
colwell
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:46 PM
Comment #19Perch,Smith and williamson were playing above there standard today back to Sunday league girls.
Toon1978
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:46 PM
Comment #20High balls were horrendous. Nothing on the end of any of them at all. Pardew got EVERYTHING wrong….GUTTED.
ronaldeano
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:46 PM
Comment #21Ed
Tiotes tackle was not horendus, it was brilliant.
WTF was Pardew thinking putting a defensive midfielder with a hamstring problem anyway when we are getting beat 2-0?
Also that long ball crap obviously does NOT work when Carroll isn’t playing.
Pardew screwd us up today, he got it all wrong…
StuW
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:47 PM
Comment #22Well, at least all focus in on the league. About the only positive from this match. Obviously the team thought they had to just show up. Complacency is a dangerous thing. We learnt the hard way.
sweendog
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:48 PM
Comment #23Howay The Lads .. agreed but for players who are paid a hell of a lot less than ours they looked better ..
Also remember the people slating gutierrez .. we missed him today as well
Toon1978
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:48 PM
Comment #24I argued like mad with people on this blog to give Perch a chance. After watching him today, i hold my hands up and say i am wrong, Perch is a terrible player.
davybtoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:48 PM
Comment #25yea u cant blame pardew for this that team shud of beat them easy, but well done to stevenage they deserved it they wanted it more jus highlights are need for better players
colwell
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:49 PM
Comment #26Kruls kicking is shite puts us under pressure so much why did he come out for their 3rd goal Colo was there and had to stop because of Krul really don`t have much faith in him at all!
ronaldeano
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:49 PM
Comment #27Tim Krul was dodgy today aswell..
Toonmania
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:49 PM
Comment #28the sunday papers will now all be saying we are going to buy 4 stevenage players
Irish Toon
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:49 PM
Comment #29toon1978 completely agree it was so painful to watch, did we even have one decent chance apart from bartons goal?
Cockney Magpie
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:50 PM
Comment #30Not a good time to be a newcastle fan from stevenage
BiffBaffBoff
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:50 PM
Comment #31Thats the biggest loss from the game… Tiote missing 3 games for a perfect tackle, the crowd got the better of the referee today as he was so easily influenced on so many occasions. The FA wont rescined it, they hate us and will make up some bullshit that Tiote was out of control as he lunged in.
We were poor but the bigger picture is that in our next 3 games its going to be the same without Tiote in midfield, Nolan and Smith dont have the legs anymore.
davybtoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:50 PM
Comment #32agree smith, perch n williamson were shockingly bad today, with tiote out if no new signings b4 scum id play gosling in midfield
Malaysian Toon
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:50 PM
Comment #33Utter disappointing game. We were clearly lacking the quality like we did against West Ham. We have NO depth in this team. Smith, Perch, Routledge were horrible. The team started of with long balls to the strikers. Best seems to be a one shot wonder! Lovenkrands is clearly past his best. The midfield lacks tenacity without Tiote. Smith never got involved and when he did, he couldn’t make a decent pass. We missed Enrique, Jonas and Carroll immensely. Barton lost his ability to play a free-role thanks to Smith inability to play football. This shows how fast we transform back to a Championship side without our key players.
Pardew do something!!!
colwell
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:51 PM
Comment #34Lol ronaldeano got the Krul bit in just b4 you
Visten
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:51 PM
Comment #35Emotions can run wild after a shocking loss but lets not forget that Newcastle are 8th in the league with roughly the same players minus shite Smith and coming off a 5-0 destruction job. The good thing if there is one is that we will be right up for the Sunderland game even more than we normally would because the players owe us one.
Thump
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:51 PM
Comment #36I will say that the Stevenage fans should be proud of their manager’s tactics. They stopped us playing at all times which was obviously very effective.
The fans… I’ve never had such little respect for any other set of fans in my life. Wouldn’t mind half as much if they didn’t sing the same bloody thing for 10 minutes straight.
slazberger
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:52 PM
Comment #37players didnt turn up today very poor, i hope thats the last time i see smith in newcastle shirt. and i hope the FA see sence with the tiote tackle. ref gave him a red for jumping off the ground but the key point was he wasnt jumping at the player rather alonside him deffo not a red imo
sweendog
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:52 PM
Comment #38the pitch wasn’t the best hence kruls kicking being off .. never mind the uncertainty in defence which could have affected him ..
I think we would have been a different team if we played all our first teamers but we were missing guti, Tiote, Bull and Carroll something shocking ..
Sawbuck
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:52 PM
Comment #39Which new low, which new ignominy will we stoop to next?
Can any more teeth be kicked out of our heads?
Don’t worry lairds, Ashley will find a way
Tooony
Jan 8, 2011 at 7:52 PM
Comment #40Poor, poor result and performance to say the least. The result sums up Newcastle club, so inconsistent throughout the years…. Owner is not making it any better with all the changes he’s done including the sacking of CH. There are also players who have no place and need to be sold and we all know who they are. New signings are a must although not likely. Was Pardew talking about winning cup before the game….