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
ochytoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:12 PM
Comment #81@ Murvar completely agree with you. Pardews selection was fine as he was picking players who are spose to be epl class yet struggled against a league 2 side. How was he to know
davybtoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:12 PM
Comment #82dublintoon thats easy williamson he was shocking
TheGallowgateEnd
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:13 PM
Comment #83Can’t blame Pardew for calling Tioté. We were in a really bad situation in the middle with Smith and when you need a player to come in and ease things, you just can’t be worrying about possible cards. It’s part of football, you have to use the best players available to change games when they’re on the reserve bench. Tioté has a long record of hard challenges and I doubt if the FA are going to absolve him. He should be faulted instead of Pardew, since a player is paid to play and should know everything that could happen to him, especially with a couple of important games around the corner.
Pardew, though, should be blamed for selecting such a ludicrous starting XI. Ferguson would have done a way better job than crap Perch. Smith doesn’t show up in games, Guthrie, despite being a weak player, would offer much more offensive power for us. Poor lining-up.
Asilaytoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:13 PM
Comment #84Phil airey atleast got one shot off when he came…which i think was the only shot..i saw other than joey goal ..i just hope smith perch and routledge never play again for us…i dont knw what makes manager think a player like perch who cant play well on his right side can do a job on left,,should have played kadar there
slazberger
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:13 PM
Comment #85like i said geordie69 its no good saying this after the game i didnt see you write any of this before the game which was my point.
after i saw the list of players starting i suggested we could play loven on the left of a five man midfiled or if we kept him up front roultledge should have been on the left and keep barton where he has been doing so well (all before the match kicked off)
Malaysian Toon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:13 PM
Comment #86Rightly said davybtoon.
We are clearly lacking players. I still wonder why he played Barton on the left? Are we that desperate?
But, i doubt much changes will occur in the January transfer window. But here’s to hoping..
Out: Smith, Perch, Routledge.
All fringe players who cannot do it at this level. Smith is rubbish! Perch never should have been brought in. Routledge has a proven record not to succeed. !
davybtoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:14 PM
Comment #87i hope we win appeal for tiote red card that tackle was amazing
jasonbourne
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:14 PM
Comment #88This has to be the worst team performance from Newcastle United ever!!! There’s actually no player who were better than the other, they were all useless shite…
Sitting here alone in Dublin with a Newcastle shirt at the pub, and I have to say I felt embarrassed when people was laughing at me.
Fostino
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:15 PM
Comment #89smith was a disgrace…totally ineffective. time to ship out his high wages! if we are keeping players at a club because they are good round the dressing room, then sign me up, pay me a tenth of what smith is earning and il do the same
i aggree with you jarra, if we are to get better,we need to replace the likes of routledge & lovendkrands for some premiership quality
the likes of nolan, barton, tiote should have been completely rested for this match
Toon1978
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:15 PM
Comment #90Think i’ll support Newcastle falcons, less stress.
DublinToonArmy
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:16 PM
Comment #91I don’t know, what did Smith offer? His 5th yellow card? Davybtoon has said, we miss Tiote for the next 3 games which I am equally as gutted about. We can move on from this but the fact we are missing one of our best players for the next 3 games……..that red card will not get recinded as he left the ground.
Marty-Toon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:17 PM
Comment #92Sweendog!!
You are right with Ferguson there,forgot bout him
liked GEORDIE 69`s line up on comment 54
JP...from The Rock
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:17 PM
Comment #93I would sell: Xisco, Perch and Smith – Hell I’ll even terminate his contract and pay the compensation gladly.
I’d leave Ameobi, Routledge, Lovenkrands as squad players.
So that’s at least 3 players we need to sign to cover those positions because after this unforgettable nightmare tonight it’s obvious they’re shit and always will be.
GEORDIE69
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:17 PM
Comment #94Slazberger, give me your address and phone number and I will ring you before the next game with my selection if your that keen. Fookin fruitbat!
davybtoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:18 PM
Comment #95and some ppl were asking why do we need larrson that just showed why coz is way better than most are team, n i pray that ziani report early bout him agreeing 3/half year deal is true n unleash him n larson on the scum
TheScottishGeordie
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:18 PM
Comment #96Shows how much we rely on Enrique, Tiote, Carroll, S.Taylor and Ben Arfa. Although
Best played great against West Ham (who were very poor) I still think we need another striker who can double up as a winger if needed. Keisuke Honda or Stephane Sessegnon would be great signings.
davybtoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:21 PM
Comment #97team for scum if we sign players
harper
simpson taylor colo jose
larrson barton ziani nolan jonas
carroll
TheGallowgateEnd
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:24 PM
Comment #98What about Nile Ranger?! I mean, everytime I see him playing I get less excited with him. His positioning is not good. His finishing is not good. I can only see him running a little bit more than other players but anyway that means nothing. I’m starting to lose my patience with him, he’s not decent player at all at the moment. I mean, the way he plays, he doesn’t seem to be a striker, a winger or even a right-back, he just runs all over the place looking for the ball and not over his role. He needs to develop desperately.
Klatoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:24 PM
Comment #99Our left wing was doomed th moment AP decided to play Perch and Barton there. Smith and Nolan couldn’t hold th ball for more than 5secs,backward 1sr time passes most of the time(xcept 1 brilliant volleyd diagonal to Routledge in 1st half), this is y Tiote is so important,he holds th ball and allows teammates to make runs. Dd Best win any header today? Do some of u now realise how important Jonas is? How dd Williamson get so poor al of a sudden? CAN WE AFFORD TO MISS TIOTE FOR 3 GAMES? I’m very upset!
DublinToonArmy
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:26 PM
Comment #100Team if we don’t sign players…..
Harper
Simpson Taylor Colo Enrque
Routledge Barton Nolan Jonas
Carroll Ameobi
davybtoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:27 PM
Comment #101best wasnt great but they give him nothing jus lumpin it long williamson n collicini, ranger didnt even win a header either
davybtoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:29 PM
Comment #102dublin toon i wud go with
harper
simpson taylor colo jose
routledge barton gosling nolan jonas
carroll
ochytoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:29 PM
Comment #103Jonas needs to play on the right cos he can’t cross with his left foot.
davybtoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:29 PM
Comment #104still think we will do the scum next week
coolcatcarter89
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:31 PM
Comment #105Alan waffled on about the internal youth system when he signed. If you’re not going to give them oppurtunities in such games as today, then when?
Too many smug cowards playing for us at the moment.
DublinToonArmy
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:32 PM
Comment #106I wouldn’t throw Gosling into his first game against Sunderland, if you did you would be looking at replacing him after 50-60mins. We would have enough in the two big lads up front to cause alot of headaches for Sunderland.
magfly
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:36 PM
Comment #107I think nolan was hurt straight away in the first half and we lost our captain from then on.Seriously this was FA cup embarrassment we have been named and shamed in the losers list.
DublinToonArmy
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:40 PM
Comment #108Lets look at the bigger picture here, we are back in the Premier league and need to make sure we stay there. Another 10points at least required. We can now concentrate on this.
Toon XI
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:42 PM
Comment #109I blame Pardew for us losing Tiote. A stupid move to bring in to a game that clearly lost by that time. He should have rested many more players. Arrogance on Pardew’s part today will cost us points in the next few matches. I am pissed!
As far as Ranger is concerned. He is not our future. Sign another striker and sell him! He is too being a “gansta” and worrying about his image than working hard on his profession.
Nicely done today Pardew. You fool.
ochytoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:46 PM
Comment #110Leave out the Pardew abuse. All blame rests on the players 2day
roblee7
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:48 PM
Comment #111This is from my girlfirend – lets start Smithgate – she and I both waited yonks for Nicky Butt to go (as mentioned in another post!) and thank god he did….now its the same with Smith….he is a terrible excuse ofa footballer!!! I know everyone played poor today but Smith was…..ggrrrrrr, awful!!!! n to all of those ‘he gives 110%’….p*ss off!!!!i could give 110% but i wouldnt get a game, would i???!! my dog lily could give 110% for that matter and neither would she…..fergie is no mug and we all know why he sold him to us when he did, along with Mr. Butt!! 65K a week for smith….its like these people who pick up the dole for being blind or summit when they’re not blind….sorry, he fills the 2 of us with rage….!!!!!!!!!!AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Toon XI
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:50 PM
Comment #112ochytoon // Jan 8, 2011 at 8:46 PM
I agree. Players are to blame for the loss, but Pardew takes the heat for bringing an “injured” Tiote into a match and risking him. He may well have cost us the Sunderland match now.
magfly
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:53 PM
Comment #113Ochytoon.
fluck off don’t abuse pardew he is the manager and he picks the team.
ochytoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 8:54 PM
Comment #114He should be able to rely on these players to beat a f***g league 2 side no offence to them but these guys are spose to be EPL quality
ochytoon
Jan 8, 2011 at 9:07 PM
Comment #115He should be able to expect “EPL” class players to beat a league 2 side. no offence stevanage fans
IrishGeordie
Jan 8, 2011 at 9:23 PM
Comment #116Awful result!!!
belfastgeordie87
Jan 8, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Comment #117that was a embarrsment,the one thing i couldnt understand was,we have kadar on the bench who is a left footed centre back who can play left back,and we play perch whos right footed and dosent even look comfortable playing right back never mind left back,and then we play are best player left midfield when hes right footed and being playing out of his skin on the right for the last load of weeks ?? when we have ferguson on the bench whos a left sided player??? strange to say the least,tiotes tackle was never a red card either doubt theyll resind it but,because they dont like admitting when they make mistakes.
IrishGeordie
Jan 8, 2011 at 9:39 PM
Comment #118Stevenage team were very unprofessional. Every tackle wee made they went down like a sack of spuds rolling around like they were shot!!!! But they were obviously up for this game far more than us!!! I think our team played like a team who thought turning up would win the game. Big mistake! As for the players like Smith, Perch, Lovenkrands this has to be the last straw. No more chances, if we wana start to become a big european team again we have to get rid of these has beens or in James Perch has never been and will never be!!! As for pardew did he not do any research on the opposition at all??? We played the andy carroll system to best and lovenkrands, lump the ball from the back and big andy will do the rest, n if he misses kev Nolan will be there to finish it off… But ooops Big andy wasnt playing and kev nolan was playin middle of the park… Poor managerial tactics lumping the ball up to 2 6foot defenders. Easy at the back all day for Stevenage. If he wanted the carroll system why not giv Nile Ranger a start with Kev just off him??? At least if that wasnt working we could have had more options on the pitch and bench.
ellington87
Jan 8, 2011 at 9:47 PM
Comment #119Pardew got it wrong today im afraid the balance on the left cost us. Your best players have to play in their corrrect positions joey B is our best player he has to play centre mid him and nolan would have done a better job and have fergie on the left.
Smith is past it and tiote is a monster it shows that we rely on him protecting or defence too much.
First 15mins we should have started with a faster tempo but because our centre midfield was slow we couldnt do this with tiote in there he gets the ball and gets us moving. If we had started with a higher tempo we would have demoralised them thus making them think they couldnt win as the game went on they gained in confidence and we couldnt lift it when it mattered.
We played a youth team against accrington who are on the same level as stevenage and those players put in a performance as they were hungry in heinsight pardrew should have started with fergie and vuckic plus kadar
Come nxt week if we beat the unwashed i will accept this defeat. The players have no excuses now we just have the league to focus on.
Wake up call for ashley to spend another 5-8 million plus the 5 spent on benny to make sure we stay up. Only players to hold there heads up are barton and collo.
toon 86
Jan 8, 2011 at 10:33 PM
Comment #120im actually glad were out giving the luck of the toon we would get chelski anyway next round. premiership stabiliity is the main aim