A lot of people will remember that his appearance at United following the dismissal of the popular Chris Hughton was hardly greeted warmly. In fact some people still hold that particular viewpoint, which is staggering really when you look at the Premier League table.
Naturally a win in his opening game helped to ease the tension. A 3-1 victory over Liverpool was just the medicine the Toon Army needed to avoid one of those downward spirals of our own making and eased any unrest that was simmering beneath the surface, at least temporarily anyway.
Sales of players like Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique didn’t help either. With suspicion rife a lot of fans were left wondering just what the motives of the former Reading, West Ham, Charlton and Southampton manager were. Was he here to assist Mike Ashley more than anything else?
Fast forward to the present day and what do we have? A team guaranteed to be in Europe with the possibility of even making the Champions League. A best league finish since the days of Sir Bobby Robson and a team that is starting to show real attacking intent and flair.
It’s folly to suggest that every bit of success has been a tactical masterstroke. There are times when we have been lucky and times that we have been awful, which I’ll point out now is no different to what any other Premier League team goes through during the course of the season.
There are also times that we’ve been sublime and have pulled of tactical masterstrokes. I remember Blackburn away where we were being outplayed. A quick shuffle of the pack for the second half and we ended up being comfortable winners. Stoke away was another example, especially Danny Simpson and his towel routine which is the kind of fine detail that can influence a game – notice the reaction from the Stoke players and manager, who collectively were rather irate about it all.
The key thing for me though in the success story so far that has been Alan Pardew’s appointment, has been the motivational aspect of his tenure. Quite simply it’s been exceptional. It takes more than whispering “well done” in the ear of a player to make them feel happy. All you have to do is look towards the squad players, like James Perch and see the improvement in those to see that motivation does work.
He’s quick to praise players and will shoulder the blame when needed. A look back at the 5-0 loss at Tottenham will confirm that. Rather than condemn the players for basic defensive errors he instead came out and said that the blame should be laid at his own door, thus lifting any real pressure off of the shoulders of the players.
It’s that kind of thing that has served us well so far this season and has given the players the belief to perform so well. It helps that we have quality players of course, but as we’ve seen first hand, just because we have quality players it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will play like a quality team.
That is down to the manager!
Gannin to Wigan away! 5k last count. Anyone else going?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TP you seem to be arguing against yourself…
Troy you are definitely back tracking on what you said on Cabaye though 😉 Do you not remember my painful explanations to why you couldn’t compare Cabaye with some you had chosen as he was playing a different position to them? And that there is a huge difference to playing defensive midfield to attacking midfield.. ❓ You insisted he should have been doing better in central midfield, even that he wasn’t capable of performing attacking wise whilst others argued that it was due to his defensive role. I’ll keep your secret though, just another one to add to your list of errors…
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Toonsy @ 147 why is it being shifted ?
Big Dave(Quote)
Howay Batty! You know that makes my skin crawl . 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Batts take it easy sleep tight 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Ten Parps at 1:32, I’m just being cool mate 😎 …I’ll shout and kick up a fuss when I’m pissed off with NUFC, but I’m not now. I’m not gona suck Fat Mick’s **** either cos we’re 4th. I won’t blow chunks out my **** attempting to engage in futile arguments on allegiances either.
For me it’s akin to a hide and seek game with regards to our jocular chubster. He’ll **** off at close season and be well concealed by the time I say “99, 100”.
We’ll find him eventually (most likely gorging on Greggs Steak Bakes), and if he has more money on him than when he went into Greggs I’ll fall back off my sensible fence, and probably get a nasty graze, ouch. 😐
(then I’ll gut him and wear him as a coat)
😎
Rodzilla(Quote)
Troy 😯 soz night pet 😆
batty(Quote)
ime off too,got a job to do with batty 😆
icedog(Quote)
dave see 136,143
Dubtoon(Quote)
Ah ha! Trumpet! 😛
You morphed into Poopsy? 😆
He fell off the merry go round 5 mins ago. He’s lost the plot. 😆
You really don’t expect me to correct you about Cabaye do you? You really need to revisit my article and comeback with an accurate point of view instead. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
You there Trumpet or swallowed your horn? 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy, not arsed about getting into a nonsensical non discussion with you today. Toonpipes is annoying, but someone that always makes outrageous claims but never concedes when they made a mistake is just as painful. By all means dig up your article, i could do with a laugh..
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Ice catch you tomorrow some time, i’ll be going meself soon
Big Dave(Quote)
@Trumpet
If you recall I was blaming the tactics of playing Cabaye too deep almost alongside Tiote.
I was stating he wasn’t supporting the front two enough.
What a difference it has made changing the formation and now he is playing like an attacking midfielder which is where I said he should be playing .
You are now blowing fairy bubbles out your trumpet again. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Ah here we go, just typed in “drivel” into the nufcblog search and this popped up.
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2012/02/27/does-yohan-cabaye-flatter-to-deceive/
“In my opinion, attacking midfielders should be largely judged on the above criteria. Strikers careers live or die on goal stats and quite rightly so.”
My point back then was that he wasn’t playing attacking midfield so it was unfair to judge him on those stats. Surely now you can see that he is playing much further up the pitch than he was before? You seem to claim credit for it so surely you can see the difference in position?!
Thank you, that will be all from me tonight.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Dave…Don’t worry, it won’t get shifted, it’s absolute bollox…imo of course.
For starters we don’t even know whether we’ll be playing in the Europa league yet but even “if” we are and have a Europa game on that date at home, they would just switch it so we had the away game first then the home game second then there’d be no clash.
Newspapers trying to create a story out of **** all 😯 ….surely not 👿
…and on that note, I’m away.Cyas.
richietoon(Quote)
@Trumpet and Poopsy (like two peas in a pod).
I’m starting to believe Ashley and Pardew actually do read this blog and are influenced by my posts.
What do you think? 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
To be fair to Troll, he did say he was yet to be convinced by Cabaye, but would give him time to settle in before judging him.
Well its plain to see there is no judging necessary, as Cabaye is oozing more and more class every game.
some of his perfectly weighted passes are a joy to behold, and now we have a striker that is timing his runs to perfection, BOOM BOOM in go the goals.
The future is bright, the future is Black and White (or red n blue if your Toonpoops. 😈 )
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I agree richie, don’t think it’s even supposed to be on the same day anyway if memory serves, just a day either side (dont know which side)
Dubtoon(Quote)
Its all irelevant as we will be in the CL qualifiers anyway.
Thats me away on my fluffy marshmallow cloud again. 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB, would you rather Man City won the derby on Monday, or not?
Personally, I’d rather face them on equal points with Man U, shitting themselves.
Rodzilla(Quote)
Ha Ha Rodz.
We have won 10 of our last 15 matches, and so tbh I dont think we would fear them in the slightest.
You are right, I think they would be more worried about us, as they have it all to lose.
I now have so much faith in Pardew, and I know he will have a game plan to try and bring home the points, if we play to our strengths.
It has been a long time since I have seen our players so well prepared for a match and fully focused on the job in hand. Yet also so relaxed and confident in their own ability.
So yeah, why not. Lets go for a mancy shitty win and give em something to think about.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
av got the lorgi btw. 😳
(tornarund tuch the grund – isilatid foreva) 😎
Rodzilla(Quote)
mind you they do have some decent players, who on there day can be totally destructive. But their own ego’s could be their undoing. And dont even mention team spirit. 😳
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
woy lorgi av ye got like. ❓
Dickies 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
a remember a group called the Dickies.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
…soz Boots, replied before ad read yours there. Probli fit anyway.
Mentil ****.
Turtley capable of beating any team at the moment. Now that’s what I call music 2012. 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
….whoa haway man, persting too quick here man, teksiz a few minits like…
Rodzilla(Quote)
a had knights in white satin on white vinyl and banana splits on yellow vinyl.
Ha Ha happy days of punk rock 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
had a night in white satin BB anyway, before a got paranoid.
(colour vinyl too like) 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
45 inches of Dickies
Rodzilla(Quote)
anyhoo av gorra gan an shut me eye blinds as av gorran orly start 👿
Plus av bin swimmin and am ferked.
Later bro 😉
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Aye, neet neet BB mate. 😉 😀
(pity the **** niva droond)
😛
Rodzilla(Quote)
a norli did a few times ya bastid.
😕
😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
😯 😎
Rodzilla(Quote)
ya shud av the yanks n aussies comin on soon to keep ya company thru the neet.
I’m sure your a night owl
tara
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
😆 😉
Rodzilla(Quote)
..they scare me though BB, they say stuff like ‘A’ League and ‘The Packers’ and ****, which makes me think they’re on about bumming and stuff. I think football is different over there, although I do follow the Cleveland Steamers.
Rodzilla(Quote)
They’re all botters anyway, regardless.
Rodzilla(Quote)
American fannies.
My ***.
Rodzilla(Quote)
I love all races though, my American/Australian chums. I especially liked the one with all the plastic tubes and ****, exemplified only by masterful use of wooden instruments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx8peNet8Sg&feature=related
Rodzilla(Quote)
sorry, wrong number 😛
Rodzilla(Quote)
…anyone seen the internet? 😕
(shora lefttit rund here……….
(head scratch)
😕
😐
💡
🙂
Rodzilla(Quote)
FUNDIT! 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
…THIS BLOG
😯
..is coming like a ghost blog 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
DO YOU REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD DAYS BEFORE THE GHOST TOWN? 😆
Rodzilla(Quote)
(WHY MORST DE YOOT FIGHT AGENST DEMSEL)
Rodzilla(Quote)
..and so De Yoot fought on, sometimes against one another, otherwise not.
And everyone lived Happily Ever After.
😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
Snow is falling all around, seven o’clock and the roads are blocked
So I walk down town, there’s no-one around 😯
🙄 😛 🙄
🙄 😛 🙄
🙄 😛 🙄
I walk in a bar and immediately I sense danger 🙄
You look at me girl as if I was some kind of a, a total stranger
😯 Where did you get that blank 😯 expression on your face?
Where 😯 did you get that, blank 😐 expression on your face?
Rodzilla(Quote)
play it to me bro…
Rodzilla(Quote)
…a keep wundrin
where 😯 did you get that blank 😐 expression 😐 on your face 😕
Rodzilla(Quote)
Courting Session!
OI OI OI!!! 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
…howman Beardy ****, hoo lang a gan was it since ye ordad them pizzas like? 😯 …am famished 😯 😳 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
yeah whatever 🙄
I’m obviously miles ahead in the table at best blogger, strites.
I wouldn’t be this good though without outside help.
Big shout going out to my personal trainer, Thad. Respect. 😎
Rodzilla(Quote)
bollocks then
Rodzilla(Quote)
(actually what IS the capital of Bulgaria, thank you)
…**** easy.
you knows it 😎
Rodzilla(Quote)
The management reserves the right to refuse admission. Unless they’re refusing refuse management, in that case that’s fine.
Rodzilla(Quote)
…be a new story up in a bit 🙄
Rodzilla(Quote)
….. 🙄 …….
…………..
………………
……………….. 😐
🙄 …………….
……………..
Rodzilla(Quote)
1,2,3,4 can I have a little more?
5, 6, 7 8 9 tennn I love you 😎
Rodzilla(Quote)
….. 🙄 …….
…………..
………………
……………….. 😐
🙄 …………….
………… 😐 …..
……………….
………………….. 🙁 ..
….. 😐 ….. 😯 …
………………..
………….. 🙄 .
…………… (…)
Rodzilla(Quote)
Pure class, perfect finishing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EInBaZDKf-Y
Enjoy the ride, slack-jaws 😎
Rodzilla(Quote)
Ha Ha, there is some feckin drivel on here from post 90 onwards… There are about 6 different posters arguing and none of them seem to be wrong 😆
How can that be… 😕
I liken it to an argument between my 6 & 8 year old kids… embarrassing
Gloating, no matter from what point of view is a ***** of a thing to do and as a result most gloater’s and “I told you so” boys come out looking like ****** 😐
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
On topic….. You can be the best tactician in the world but if you can’t get the players to play to plan then you are a lost cause. I think Pardew’s real strength is his man management.. Hi tactics are strong without being exceptional but he has his players playing to his plan. We have all seen what happens when a team is dysfunctional and not playing for their gaffer. Tactics don’t mean **** when that is the case.. Look at us when we were relegated, it is a perfect example of that. Pardews relationship with his players has been pivotal to our success this year.. He stood his ground with Barton early in the piece when Barton cracked the ***** in a preseason game.. I think it set the tone and let the rest of the team know who was in charge and what would or would not be tolerated. I personally think he has been fantastic this year. Well done to Pardew and his staff… 😀
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie – you’ve just summed it up perfectly!
If we qualify for Europa (as opposed to champions league!) The 2 dembas could miss the qualifying rounds because they’ll be called up for international duty at the olympics 😕
**** the bed.
Nobby(Quote)
Nobby…the club doesn’t have to release them for the olympics 😉
richietoon(Quote)
…and agree with Aussie@214 😯
DubT…If we were in that round of the Europa the game would be a day either side but I think the problem would be turn around times on switching all the advertising hordings, that’s why I think if the problem arises that we were drawn at home first they’d just switch it so we’d play the away fixture then.
richietoon(Quote)
Aussie – But really we all know I was right all along 😉
toonsy(Quote)
Im always right Toonsy and we are opposites so how does that work? 😉
One thing we can agree on tho is Aussie is always wrong! 😛
You say hash, I say tag. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I thought you were wrong once Toonsy but I was mistaken.. 🙂
Toonsy I think someone has stolen Ritchies persona on here… I became suspisious when he kind of made a nice comment about a post I made.. This is out of charactor 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Nobby you creep 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy , I’ll bet 15m on Tiote & 15m on Krul leaving the Toon that you are somtimes wrong… 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
@Aussie
Nice to see Cabaye playing more advanced now and changing the team into a more attacking unit without compromising the defence.
Just shows that book you read was utter pap. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
You have me confused with Brisvegas Troy.. wrong again, you are on a roll big fella… 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
@Aussie
You say Tic, I say Tac, Toonsy says Hash and Nobby says Tag.
Let’s all agree and say Ticcy Taccy, Hashy Taggy. 😯
Just bring on Wigan and open a gap between us and Spuds!!
Troy Stavers(Quote)