Newcastle didn’t look solid last night in defense, and that may be an understatement.
An unhappy Alan Pardew after the game last night
West Brom don’t usually do very well and don’t usually win on Tyneside, and in fact last night was the first win for them at Newcastle since way back in 1977, when I was only just past being middle-aged. :D.
And a frustrated Alan Pardew talked to the local press today:
“We are disappointed – we cannot hide that.” “It was a game we wanted to win and get ourselves 30 points before our Christmas dinner, but it did not happen.”
“Their front two unsettled us a little bit, and made us edgy.” “We lost a bit of discipline in our shape, which was unusual for us.”
“We still did some marvellous stuff and came back twice.” “Haris had a fantastic debut as a 19-year-old. There were positives, but in all honesty we should have done better.”
“We are not sure about Davide. He had just come into the team and settled in. It is disappointing.”
Davide Santon has suffered a knee injury, and we have to think it’s the one he’s had trouble with before.
Davide had fluid on the knee a few months ago, and it’s an injury that troubled him while he was at Inter-Milan.
The good news is that the Italian was seen leaving St. James’ Park without a limp last night, and he looked fairly comfortable according to local reports, so we have to hope he was brought off as a precaution, and not too much damage was done.
Davide will be looked at this morning by the Newcastle medical team, and we have to hope he can start at Bolton, because this lad looks a good player at left-back for Newcastle.
It will be another test of Newcastle’s character on Monday afternoon, and of course the first goal will be all important, as it was last night.
But Newcastle must use their team spirit and keep fighting whatever happens on Monday, because the next thing on the agenda for Newcastle this season is to turn this bad slump around.
That’s the next challenge for this team, and there are always ups and downs in life and in football.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and in this case it’s how our lads rise to the challenge that’s right in front of them.
Howay The Lads!!
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192 comments so far
JackButler
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:02 PM
Comment #121Seem to remember a small few on here calling for Shane Long to be signed in the summer, when most said he was no where near good enough???
Rotonda heights
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:05 PM
Comment #122Robson 79
What a daft comment. I don’t personally boo, but people pay a lot of money to see these guys who earn more in a week than some of them do in a year. I think they are real fans but are just frustrated at a manager who is devoid of ideas and won’t change the record and try something different to what we know doesn’t work already.
The youngsters have never let us down when they’ve had a chance. Lets drop a few tired players and give the Vuksics and Abeid’s etc a go
Krul
Santon Colo Kadar Fergie
Tiote Cabaye
Abeid Ben Arfa Vuksic
Ba
GeordieGerman
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:06 PM
Comment #123JackButler, aye remember them saying that Long having so many goals in championship proved nothing and us comparing him to Carroll in championship.
JackButler
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:08 PM
Comment #124@GG
I’ve always like him, he works his arse off every game and knows how to score a goal would have been a great addition to our squad
super magpie
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:15 PM
Comment #125Definitely, if we had signed shane long this couldve been even better than it was now, also larsson much better rw than obertan and plus if we hadv signed him the mackems would be doin even worse, but these are ‘what ifs’.
GeordieGerman
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:22 PM
Comment #126super magpie, I know it’s if my aunty had balls she’d be my uncle. What narks me is the abuse you get for putting a name forward during a transfer window.
GeordieTwo
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:23 PM
Comment #127Whether it’s Colo or Perch at fault we have been completely exposed in the air over the last few games without Saylor. That was where he was dominant. Saylor to clear balls in the air from crosses, corners, set pieces and Colo to tidy up and make a good outlet pass. Perch cannot take the place of Saylor plain and simple. Get a true big centre back in there now Pardew, whether it is Kadar or Williamson, otherwise we will continue to be destroyed on set pieces, corners and crosses.
JackButler
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:25 PM
Comment #128I wonder how long into the window it will take for someone to come up with a Benzema or a Gomez, it always happens, it give us a laugh if nothing else I suppose 😉
JackButler
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Comment #129@GeordieTwo
Agree with you there mate, Perch seems to do well when the ball is on the ground, but from corners, set plays and crosses he seems to get lost. To be fair to him last night Colo was well below par
super magpie
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:32 PM
Comment #130@GG dont seen to recall any abuse as iv only just made an account today…
GeordieTwo
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:32 PM
Comment #131Long looked good against our horrible defense GG but I agree he is miles better than Best in my eyes. The idea of Best as a target man to provide knock-downs to Ba just doesn’t seem to be working. Play carpet football with Ben Arfa and Ba and you will see a lot more goals like Ba’s second. Best, like Perch simply isn’t good enough.
GeordieTwo
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:35 PM
Comment #132I fear this coming window Jack Butler. Could Ashley be insane and greedy enough to part with 1 or 2 of our best players (Ba, Tiote, and Krul come to mind)? Please no Ashley, spend and get a good centre back and stand pat otherwise if you have to but no sales please!
WWJBD
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:35 PM
Comment #133Haha yeah I was in the ‘get Shane Long signed up’ crew and I do remember the abuse we got for it haha
I saw the kid play for Reading a few times and even when he had a poor game he was a grafter throughtout and when the ball went near him he was like a bleeding terrier. Good pace about him, good strenght for a little lad and heart as big as any I have seen recently but he was classed as way below our standards at the time
bringbackemre
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:39 PM
Comment #134some of the criticism is really ridiculos someone said jonas has no skill look at the few goals hes scored some are messi esque … i watched the game today and i cant remeber him giving thre ball away once .. the obertan criticim is way over the top however i must admit im not his biggest fan .. he did a lot of ostives against west brom and had a decent game with some decent dribles etc ..
the perch criticim is also way over the top but he was at fault for the first goal and his ariel abitlity is very weak..
id like to see a 5 man midfeild for the next game tho with ben arfa
JackButler
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:40 PM
Comment #135WWJBD
There were only a few of us that wanted him, most said that he’s done nothing, wasn’t good enough, blah blah blah.
The guy has everything that you need to succeed in this league.
@GeordieTwo
Even if we get through Jan without loosing any of our bigger names, we’ll only have to go through it in the summer. Ashley needs to prove that we are not a selling club and that he wants to build the squad for success
GeordieGerman
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:43 PM
Comment #136super magpie, didn’t mean you.
danishmag
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:47 PM
Comment #137my team for next game:
Krul
Simmo—Willo—Colo—Santon
Cabaye—Tioté
Ben Arfa—Vuckic—Sa.Ameobi
Monster Ba
If we want to stay up there, it is now we have to get three points.. It´s not one point.. or the next game.. IT´S THIS BOLTON GAME! Back on trakc lads..
GeordieGerman
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:49 PM
Comment #138It’s a blip just a blip… ! Fingers, toes, arms, legs and eyes crossed.
WWJBD
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:52 PM
Comment #139JB
Haha aye mate I remember we were talking on here when he was playing in the promotion play offs, both of us admiring him and people slating us without even seeing him play haha good times eh.
Fair play to him now though living the dream with West Brom and what a little player he is so far hope he keeps it up
JackButler
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:54 PM
Comment #140What gets me is that we would not pay for Long and yet we are prepared to pay 7mil for Maiga who has gone on strike twice. Pure madness
This is my starting line up, would love to see them 😉
http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/05/football-blogs/the-premier-league-wag-xi-of-the-season/attachment/la-conduttrice-alessia-marcuzzi-101508-233×300
WWJBD
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:54 PM
Comment #141danishmag
If thats the team we play I will eat my laptop
JackButler
Dec 22, 2011 at 7:59 PM
Comment #142Has anyone been keeping tabs on Nicky Maynard, there were loads on here in the summer hoping we’d sign him?
WWJBD
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:05 PM
Comment #143JB
He doesnt play for a PL club so he isnt good enough damnit! Haha nar I dont know but I know he is up for sale at 9mill I think I read…rules us out easily
danishmag
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:06 PM
Comment #144wwjbd…
yeah well…
it´s my team for Bolton.. But then again.. Pardew knows the players better than we do, though we do see what happens in the games.. And the wingers do need a rest.. And the alternatives, Ben Arfa and Sa. Ameobi could do the job out there!
Vuckic i am certain of to start.. Willo might not, but Colo needs a CB next to him!
super magpie
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:08 PM
Comment #145I take it theirs another super magpie then?
@JB Maynards decent in the championship, i wouldnt have him, a couple of years he couldnt stop scoring but now he hasnt been scoring as much, how old he is as well, 25?
JackButler
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:10 PM
Comment #146The one thing that I’d love to see again is two natural wingers. I know that Jonas works his arse off every time he puts on the shirt and that Obertan…………………………..?
But I miss seeing a Robert, Ginola, Solano and Gilespie type of player. Some one with pace, skill and the ability to provide a quality cross
JackButler
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:16 PM
Comment #147@super magpie
Yeah mate he’s 25, not seen a lot of him myself but there were quite a few on here in the summer who would have loved to have seen him come, for me I wanted to see us sign Lewis McGugan from Forrest
WWJBD
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:18 PM
Comment #148danishmag
Haha fair one
U reckon Vuckic will start? I highly doubt it, he was good but Cabaye is far better imo centre point of our team atm so he isnt getting his spot and HBA is surely ahead of him in the ST sense so not getting in there imo
He will be on the bench no doubt….probably next to HBA
super magpie
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:22 PM
Comment #149Mcgugans canny, knows how to strike a ball as well, personally players id like to see brought in are-
Cb’s -vertoghnen and/or samba
Lb -Aly Cissokho
St -moussa sow or girourd
Think sow would link up well with cabaye as they played with eachother at lille
davybtoon
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:23 PM
Comment #150Wwjbd – that was what really got to me in the summer these fans who think that if a player is from the lower leagues or dosent cost close to 10mill that means there rubbish lol it jus really show a lack of knowledge
I think vukic could play jus off ba with benny out wide
colwell
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:25 PM
Comment #151@JackButler
Nicky Maynard has been transfer listed, I’d take him all day long.
Sholameobi
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:26 PM
Comment #152Hopefully we don’t
WWJBD
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:26 PM
Comment #153davy
Haha I dont mind aslong as they have watched him play and dont think he is good enough but just assuming it is laughable imo
Shola was prefered to HBA playing out wide when Obertan went off last night…I think its safe to say Benny boy wont be playing on the wing
JackButler
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:28 PM
Comment #154Chelsea 1-1, Sturridge again
For me I get far more enjoyment seeing a relatively cheap player come to us and then perform in a way that amazes us, Tiote for example. Players, GOOD players don’t have to cost the earth neither do they have to come from some European power house of a club
Sholameobi
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:28 PM
Comment #155Hopefully we don’t try and play long balls like yesterday against Bolton there’s no way best will win many against Cahill and knight. HBA should be given his chance against a poorer team to boost confidence an match fitness
Offkey
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:34 PM
Comment #156Some stats of last nights game. HBA looks like he should easily take Best’s place going off these.
http://www.eplindex.com/newcastle-2-wba-3-stats-match-analysis/
Offkey
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:38 PM
Comment #157Those stats also show that Perch played pretty well and Colo abysmally. Obertan dont look good on them either.
Beattie25
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:43 PM
Comment #158Has anybody read this on Sky Sports News?
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/7392107/Pardew-wants-a-defender
Looks like Pardew is softening us for the blow of not being able to get a defender and giving it the ‘we tried…’
GeordieTwo
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:43 PM
Comment #159super magpie @149 any of those players would cost a fortune. Many of us have been hoping for Samba for a long time now but will the owner fork out the cash? Probably only if he will take an average wage and it may mean we will sell someone to balance the books. Hate to think this way but it seems to be the only way for Ashley.
lucasnufc
Dec 22, 2011 at 8:50 PM
Comment #160would really like Chelsea midfielders to stop getting injured..