Massadio Haidara did not have a particularly good game on Saturday and he must improve his defensive play and tends to give the ball away too much.
That was evident for the first goal on Saturday when he was dispossessed after trying to move up the left wing and within seconds Watford were 1-0 up.
Sadio Haidara in action at West Ham
Sadio has been interviewed and he wants to win something for Newcastle:
“We are desperate to do well in the cup. If we won a trophy it would be very good for the club.”
“I hear the last time they won a trophy was many years ago. All the club and city would be proud of us.”
“Last year we had a go. We need to go further and get to the final. It would be a great day for the fans. They need more good days.”
“Last year we played so many games in the cup away. After we beat Gillingham and City last year we thought it is the year for us.”
“But we were away at Spurs and lost 4-0. We play at home and on Wednesday at home, and we have three games left to win if we get through on Wednesday.”
“I am excited by the cups. You can win five games and be in the final.”
“There are not too many games to play to get there. I hope we will win Wednesday and after that.” “We need a win to relieve the pressure.”
What´s this about I hear the last time they won a trophy was many years ago?
He should know what the history of Newcastle is and that we won the Inter-City Fairs Cup in 1969 and the last time we won the FA Cup was when we hammered Manchester City 3-1 in the final back in 1955.
We have never won the League Cup.
In the past, Mile Ashley´s Newcastle have shunned the cups in favor of the Premier League, but in a change of priorities last May Newcastle will now try to win something – either the League Cup or the FA Cup.
However, we should remember that in 2013 Wigan won the FA Cup by beating Manchester City 1-0 and they are now competing in League One with successive relegations over the last two seasons.
Birmingham City beat Arsenal 2-1 in the League Cup final in 2011 and were relegated that same season and are still in the Championship.
It would be great to win a cup this season but we also have to stay in the Premier League.
However, we may well be in the minority on that.
Unless the team can start improving, then relegation this season seems like a possibility.
🙁
That´s assuming we don´t improve on what we have seen so far in the first six league games, especially the last couple of games when we have looked hopeless.
We expect Newcastle to improve.
Comments welcome.
41 comments so far
GeordieTwo
Sep 21, 2015 at 10:40 PM
Comment #1Preston North End sound like the right club for you Willo. Go with our good graces my son…..
GeordieTwo
Sep 21, 2015 at 10:40 PM
Comment #2And take Tiote with you….
Bobbybee
Sep 21, 2015 at 10:45 PM
Comment #3I’m going because it will be nice to see us win. I’d go anyway, who am I kidding? My addiction needs feeding. 😉
WWSBRD
Sep 21, 2015 at 10:45 PM
Comment #4I do like Haidara on par with Bigi for attitude
GeordieTwo
Sep 21, 2015 at 10:50 PM
Comment #5I’m counting on the lads to really pick it up in the second half of the season. First half: 17 points! Second half of the season: 18 points!!!!
Bobbybee
Sep 21, 2015 at 10:51 PM
Comment #6WWSBRD, bigi had a nightmare game on friday night. God knows what happened to him.
GeordieTwo
Sep 21, 2015 at 10:52 PM
Comment #7I see us finishing a very scrappy 18th!!! Just think of how excited Mike will be.. Parades, free SD rags, lots of speeches….I can hardly wait.
GeordieTwo
Sep 21, 2015 at 10:54 PM
Comment #8I hope we bring in some more young, inexperienced, French midfielders in January. That’s the way to do it Mike!!!!
WWSBRD
Sep 21, 2015 at 10:55 PM
Comment #9Bobbybee
Pardew I’d say, when we signed him he was outstanding only bad game he had was when he was stuck out on the RW in Europe other than that he was brilliant imo
Then boom dropped and ignored now playing RB in the reserves last time I saw him
GeordieTwo
Sep 21, 2015 at 10:56 PM
Comment #10Mike at the 18th place celebration:
“I just want to say to everyone, this has been a tremendous season. We didn’t win anything, no…..errm but we gave it our best effort!!! We were in there with a chance!!!! We took it one match at a time!!!! Nobody can say we didn’t give it our all. Because if they do I’ll sack them!!!!”
Belfast
Sep 21, 2015 at 10:59 PM
Comment #11Strange poll that ed.
Here’s mine
Would you accept a winning lottery ticket but you’ll die in six months?
Yes
No
Belfast
Sep 21, 2015 at 11:00 PM
Comment #12Yes in Eds poll.
No in Belfasts poll.
jimmysmith
Sep 21, 2015 at 11:06 PM
Comment #13Certainly not.
Would you sacrifice the last year of your life to see the lads win a trophy?
Knowing my luck, I’d eagerly agree, then promptly cease to exist to see it.
jimmysmith
Sep 21, 2015 at 11:22 PM
Comment #14The Tiote and Cisse situation dramatically changes the whole complexion of the squad, and has whiteanted our prospects, even jeopardised our place in the league. I didn’t see it coming, and of course should have, Damn these bloody rose tinted glasses.
Toonacious T
Sep 21, 2015 at 11:34 PM
Comment #15Last time I checked we had won one of our last seventeen matches so the idea we will win five matches in any single competition is beyond fanciful. Nearly half those who have responded don’t think we can beat Sheffield Wednesday at home ffs!
Sav
Sep 21, 2015 at 11:36 PM
Comment #16We are neither Wigan nor Birmingham and IF we were to be successful in the LC, I can only seeing it have a very positive effect on the city and the club because the support and the finances are in great shape. However, until we can show more desire and application it is no use talking about what could happen. We need a win from somewhere. We need a performance. (Sheffield) Wednesday would be a good place to start. But until we see it, I would like the players and the manager to please STF up about it. Less idle talk. No soft soap. Just deliver.
Toonacious T
Sep 21, 2015 at 11:40 PM
Comment #17Well said Sav. Put up or shut up time. McClaren last interview was eerily reminescent of Pardew’s musings after defeats.
Tsunki
Sep 21, 2015 at 11:43 PM
Comment #18Well I predicted we’d win the LC so go on son!
Toonacious T
Sep 21, 2015 at 11:45 PM
Comment #19Was that before the start of the season though Tsunki?
Tsunki
Sep 21, 2015 at 11:47 PM
Comment #20It would have to have been. And I was being stupid even then. I knew we’d probably not make it past the semis. 🙂
Toonacious T
Sep 21, 2015 at 11:50 PM
Comment #21To be honest mate, I felt somewhat optimistic after the ManU draw but that has since evaporated completely. Not looking forward to Chelsea and City. Really dreading those games in fact.
Lindisfarne
Sep 22, 2015 at 12:19 AM
Comment #22If we get through Wednesday, I can face the rest of the week.
willowdalerez
Sep 22, 2015 at 3:58 AM
Comment #23Confident we will beat Sheffield Wednesday and then looking forward to seeing what we look like with Mitro back in the squad come Saturday. Chelsea won’t be an easy test but early on we were looking a good squad before Mitro was given that soft red (awful reffing that half the league would be off on reds if they were handed out like that). Not making excuses our recent performances have been inexcusable but it is also undeniable that Cisse has been awful and if only our defense would play in position and hold the ball a bit we could really have a different run of performances. Noy buying in to all this doom and gloom this early in the Season… we are not last year’s squad and we should pick up at least 4 points in next 4 prem fixtures including taking the Derby and at least a drw against Norwhich… can we steal point or 3 off Chelsea or City… unlikely but we did draw against Arsenal and that was extremely unlikely!!!
HWTL
No fuming until at least 10 matches in… Macca was spot on about that especially with Mitro (our real big acquisition of the summer) out the last two! Let’s hold our fire a bit… This much negativity this early on is premature. Think we may see some Jan acquisitions now that the obvious demands for another striker and CB have played out in poor results Ashley will buy I am certain unless we are sitting safe come the trasnfer window (now that is too optimistic).
willowdalerez
Sep 22, 2015 at 4:00 AM
Comment #24That is draw against Man U sorry…. Still fuming about that red in the Arsenal game and can’t get it out of my head!
davis_toons
Sep 22, 2015 at 5:00 AM
Comment #25From the looks of the previous game we may have been let down by some individual performers but we have shown good play and did created some goal scoring chances.
There were times that we might have score a couple of goals and head-started the games and is was not seem many a time during AP long era. This is Positive from the Coaching Staff.
We need to recruit well (the needs) and we should be ok. I have seen some decent football played where we have not seen too many during AP long erra.
We got to remember that formerly in the middle of the park we have got Yohan Cabaye and now we have got NON …yet.
Is either we have a good solid midfielder that can create chances and spray passes OR we have 2 good Wingers that can Score Goals and Create Chances.
Wijnaldum is new and is adapting quite well if he could take on the role and lead the team forward he can be a future Captain material if not in January, is best that we bring in a Bigger and Powerful Center Midfielder.
Someone needs to hold up the ball in the middle of the park. Currently there is NON.
Jack Colback likes to do it at times but he just lack of the physical or technical abilities. He is neither Steven N’Zonzi nor David Silva. (He is like an all rounder Jonas that works hard)
davis_toons
Sep 22, 2015 at 5:17 AM
Comment #26There are good reasons that McClaren is Positive about the Team moving forward.
Apart from affecting the Team Morale which can be Devastating.
I not too sure if McClaren is the right manager for the job but at least he is trying to play positive football and with more effort our Win will surly come.
Even with this current team ..I will never believe that McClaren can Bring us Down.
If yes, he deserve to be sack.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Sep 22, 2015 at 5:30 AM
Comment #27This game should be a walk in the park even for a championship manager (especially which the team in hands)
…it’s a game right up McClaren’s ally!
Poor decision-making and not being able to adapt to the circumstances was what cost Derby their promotion. To me it seems MaClaren started just where he left off.
SUTTY1978
Sep 22, 2015 at 6:16 AM
Comment #28Davis, i’m not sure he’s trying to play positive football. We’ve been backs to the wall in most games or just thoroughly outplayed in others. I cant see much positive there. The tactic seem to be get it wide and then cross in the air to no-one. Brilliant.
Lilongwe Geordie
Sep 22, 2015 at 6:59 AM
Comment #29Well, the last time we started this badly (slightly worse) was back in the 99/00 season and a pasting of Sheff Wed at SJP (8-0, Shearer with 5) kick started a our season. I’d quite happily take that at the moment, although it did require the introduction of a certain Knight of the Realm to help bring it about.
I can’t decide how I want McClaren to line up tomorrow, we need to get some confidence and belief into the players so we really need to win and win well with our first team. But is that a risk McClaren would take with Chelsea coming up next in the league?
Not looking forward to the next international break, after City and Chelsea we could have 2 weeks without a match and spend it bottom of the lie and looking adrift of mid table mediocrity. Hopefully we can keep up Mourinho’s fine tradition of not heading south over the Tyne with all 3 points.
hibbit
Sep 22, 2015 at 7:02 AM
Comment #30davis toon when have we played this positive football you take about i must have missed it all i have seen is a poorly set up team running round like headless chickens trying to play a system does not work……positive football i dont think so
Lilongwe Geordie
Sep 22, 2015 at 7:05 AM
Comment #31*lie – pile
Lindisfarne
Sep 22, 2015 at 7:46 AM
Comment #32I agree with the points Mark Douglas makes in this article:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-dressing-room-really-10102434
I just hope the ‘Board’ are attempting to change things around more gradually, however the medium term stability of the squad has been torpedoed by the ineffective release of players.
Lindisfarne
Sep 22, 2015 at 7:50 AM
Comment #33I am hoping for a 180 degree turn around in the Cup game but I think the Owls could steel it.
Lilongwe Geordie
Sep 22, 2015 at 7:52 AM
Comment #34Dead on here today!
Just seen both Roberts and Toney bagged goals last night for the Under 21’s. Not seen much of Roberts, but he should either be out on loan or he should be starting to get run outs in cup games at the very least – personally I’d prefer the loan option for him.
As for Tiote, all this about him claiming to be injured but nothing being medically wrong seems odd. If he is a bad apple and is refusing to play then ban him from the training ground and fine him his wages up to the maximum we are able. Simple really.
If we are allowing it to continue unabated then it is negligence and stupidity on the part of the club, or more likely, this is a storm in a tea cup blown way out of proportion by a media that loves to stick the boot in to NUFC.
firebug666
Sep 22, 2015 at 7:53 AM
Comment #35Lindisfarne
I agree mate, on currant form we are very poor at best, I fear we will get turned over.
It just seems that our players cannot be bothered, they just don’t want to put the effort in.
Lindisfarne
Sep 22, 2015 at 8:03 AM
Comment #36firebug666
I think I will have to start using exclamation marks , or even resort to smiley faces to denote humour. I have posted three comments without any reaction until yours
180 degree turn – Owls
steel – Sheffield
week – Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday playing on Wednesday
hoot – noise of an owl
too much to swallow – pellet
COME ON PEOPLE – WAKE UP – THERE IS HUMOUR TO BE HAD!
sing in the corner
Sep 22, 2015 at 8:08 AM
Comment #37I wish there was a fast fwd button I could jam down, and get Callum Roberts – IN
Lilongwe Geordie
Sep 22, 2015 at 8:09 AM
Comment #38Lindi,
Yeah, Mark is right that not getting rid of players has caused problems on the recruitment side, but the club could have done more to fix the issues. Willo was wanted by Championship clubs, but allegedly we put too high a price on his head. We should have taken what we could get, or even nothing if it meant a spot was available to bring in a player. Same goes for Colo and Obertan. Tiote and Sissoko should have been shipped out to anyone who would take them – but neither has done enough to earn interest from clubs so they are more difficult. Again though, I’m sure offering Tiote for a fraction of his perceived value would have seen one or two taking a gamble on him. Cisse should have gone to be replaced by a goalscorer proven in this league and I’m sure we would have been able to find takers for him.
Making our own luck would have seen us force these players out and replace them with better players and probably more importantly better characters.
I’m pleased we still have Gouffran, I always saw him as no better than a squad player, and he has done very well for us – more productive than Sissoko offensively and offers far more defensively as well. Have never really got the abuse levelled at him by fans. He is still a decent squad player for us, he would have done more up front in the last couple of games then Cisse has, but then fans would have been apoplectic if McClaren had started him.
firebug666
Sep 22, 2015 at 8:13 AM
Comment #39Lindisfarne
Sorry mate my bad, too early in the morning for some of us, and I’m still a bit raw from the Watford game.
Still humour is a rarity on here and should be applauded.
(hangs head in shame)
I will read your posts more carefully in the future 😀
Still think we will get turned over, because Owls are a little bit more ferocious than the magpie.
Lilongwe Geordie
Sep 22, 2015 at 8:14 AM
Comment #40Lindi,
Completely missed the humour, that is what getting up at 4am does for a person….