Next week it is QPR at St James’ Park with the aim being very much three points against a side who have yet to win this season (famous last words, watch them get a win today or next week against us), but today we have to try and get something out of the Premier League champions and their expensively assembled squad.
It is going to be a tough ask, a very tough ask, when you look at how we’ve been playing recently but all we can do is give it our best shot and see what the outcome is at the end of it. Giving it our best shot is something we haven’t done too often this season for me, but it’s all I ever ask and providing we do just that I’ll be happy regardless of result. Well, relatively happy anyway…
The big team news in the build up is the news that Hatem Ben Arfa is rated as doubtful after aggravating a hamstring injury on Monday night at Fulham. Maybe it’s some of those “mind games” regarding his selection but I guess the team news will reveal all. Incidentally all team news will be published in full below as and when it becomes available.
The game is live on Sky Sports 2 so if you aren’t at the match you can head down the pub or watch it at home providing you have Sky. It’s also being picked for broadcast by a whole host of overseas TV channels so if you aren’t at the game, don’t fancy heading down the pub or don’t have Sky then you might be able to catch a stream of it. Suffice to say should you find a good stream please feel free to leave a link to it in the ‘comments’ section below.
Which just about wraps it up. The match preview is online here for you to peruse should you feel the need to although it basically details our horrific recent record (L9, D2 of the last 11 games) against City.
Suffice to say my expectations aren’t exactly sky high for today but we’ll see what happens. A hammering wouldn’t be good for confidence so I’d obviously like to avoid that as I’m sure most of you would, but I have a horrible feeling about this game…
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon; James Perch, Cheik Tiote, Vurnon Anita, Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba, Jonas Gutierrez
Subs: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Shane Ferguson, Gael Bigirimana, Sylvain Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi
Manchester City:
Subs:
Kim-“Sunderland just got more incentive to do well today after seeing us lose as have Wigan ,QPR and Fulham too ”
All I’m saying is that if, as you say, both Fulham and QPR are inspired, it makes no difference given that they are playing each other.
ST-It might not be Pards’ problem by the time Cabaye gets back 😯
😆
Newkie(Quote)
I’m glad people are seeing what I have always said about Anita. Very good passer of the ball and just keeps things moving. When Cabaye returns our midfield will improve greatly. Tiote, Cabaye and Anita should work now the Dutchman has adjusted to the league and the awful Jonas can be dropped…For good!
The Kid(Quote)
Was at the match. Cannot fault the lads for effort but sorry Jonas has had his day. He offered nothing going forward (didn’t beat his man once) and his defensive contribution was nonexistent. Anita had a very good game – lots of running and good vision. Wonder if he is fit because we haven’t had time to train it out of him yet. Look at the wonderful movement of Man City and then we bring Shola on. I ask you! Paint him silver and he could be one of those statues you see at tourist places. I know Ranger is an undeserving idiot but at least he would inject some pace, something we are sadly lacking. I believe Pardew has his favourites and he is not ruthless enough with certain players.
Groucho(Quote)
lose our next game we will be bottom 3 then could well be adrift come jan
kkforever(Quote)
Norwich 2 points off 4th 😉
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
The Kid-Yeah, those who got his on his back as soon as he transferred here have certainly quietened down lately. Thank christ.
ST-Clearly it’s not down to Clueless Chris, I think Grant Holt must be master minding team selection and tactics like…. 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie ,ah right oh. 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
KK – pack it in fella 🙁
Cant be bottom 3 next week either.
scum v s’hampton
wigan v arsenal
Toon v qpr
we will be 17th and hanging on still. 😕
or not.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Fulham got one back V QPR , hope its a draw or loss to QPR want them at a low ebb at our place not pumped up. 👿
KIMTOON(Quote)
Canaries flying ,well done Hoots
KIMTOON(Quote)
**** QPR WIN 👿
KIMTOON(Quote)
BB howay you know iam right qpr 6 pointer lose at man u arsenal then 2 easy games against clueless chris and villa 🙁
kkforever(Quote)
sorry kim but fook hoots hope his side plumet and he gets tinned 🙂
kkforever(Quote)
Not a bad game today. Lost as expected, but we were ok at times.
Usual **** defending of set pieces cost us as per, but good to see more fight and spirit in the team.
Anita was good at times, but his free kicks need sorting out. Seemed hesitant as what to do.
Krul was very good again, brave and dependable.
Cisse’s skyer miss when it could have been 2-2 was beyond pathetic.
I’m sorry but I’m seeing no improvement there.
Simply beggars belief not to get it on the target at the very least. Hopeless.
Not a bad atmosphere in the ground too.
If we had played like that against the shyte teams – you know who I mean – then we wouldn’t be in the predicament we are in now.
Gotta keep it up from now on and we can get out of this mess.
Howay the Lads
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Had a feeling QPRwould beat Fulham today ,they wern’t that great against us and we should of took a point from that game.
KIMTOON(Quote)
yeah you probably right with those prediction tho KK
Dang
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
KK , 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
AndyMag @ 216
Hope you are joking with Jonas playing well today.
Just tell me one good action he mades today. He tries 5 times to beat Zabaleta he lost the ball all the time. If for you a player who just runs like a chicken without head is a good player i agree with you concerning Jonas.
But his crossing was a nightmare.
I can promise you if you give the same confidence to Marveaux that Jonas has ( the guy makes **** he plays all the game), Marveaux has 5 times more quality than Jonas. And we really need players like Marveaux who can control a ball good, and make a precise pass.
I was telling that last year concerning Benny, and some of you just telling the same **** as now you tell concerning marveaux, he complicates thing , he doesnt have the necessary workrate, and when we give Benny confidence, now the guy is just our best player.
Our team needs guy with quality ball at feet and not just players who runs stupidly.
hba39(Quote)
Agree 100% with you HBA.
Jonas is dire, but clueless pardew keeps playing him.
He was hopeless again today. He even fell over when he wasn’t being tackled.
I like the fella, but he brings nothing anymore.
We can never expect to beat the top sides when we are carrying Jonas and Cisse.
Even Tiote was poor again today. I’ll be glad when he goes to ACoN, and hope he comes back better
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Scum lost anyhow so Merry bloody christmas 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
we’re only 9 points from 5th.
No worries.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Their attack was too much for us. Our defense is too often caught out of position. It could have been much worse. Jonas was invisible again for the most part. Santon is fine going forward but nobody (Jonas?) covers for him. Simpson has to go. He just isn’t good enough to be in the Prem. More hopeless crosses from him. Waste of time pushing Willo forward on set pieces but I suppose he’s not quick enough to be last man back either. We are in deep trouble unless we get the back 4 sorted but what else is new? This has been going on for years now thanks to Laurel and Hardy.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
BB @ 239 yeah Cisse’s skyer was bad but did you not see how many chances Ba had ❓
HBA yeah I can’t see Marv being any worse than what Jonas has been and maybe if he had a chance he could be like Anita in that he gets better the more he plays, because up to now he must be pretty fuked off when he watches Jonas and thinks what has he to do to get a chance
Big Dave(Quote)
Is Cisse going to turn it around even if Ba leaves and he becomes our main man up front? I’m not sure anymore. Did he put a single shot on goal in that game? He always drives it over the net. At least Wigan lost although Aston Villa passed us. Without the QPR game to get points from we would probably be stuck on 17 at the end of the month. Pardew has a lot to think about but so do Ashley and Llambias (does Llambias actually think about the team and how to improve it?). It must be difficult to think of ways to improve the team without spending money. Why don’t we ask Barca if they would loan us Messi for free? That sounds like a Llambias idea to me. Brilliant Derek, keep up the good work.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Spot on Big Dave @248 and HBA39 @243. Surely we won’t continue to play Jonas? He has been hopeless this season. Marveaux looked much better when he came on. It looks like Jonas is finished to me yet he has another 3 years on his contract with the extension I think. Big mistakes in the off-season not only in not bringing players in but also with the extensions of Jonas and Shola’s contracts. That is more money out the window now. Pardew looks sick as well. He knows he won’t survive unless the team improves dramatically in the second half of the season.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I think the problem with Cisse is because he is shunted out to the right ,weird in it’self due to him being a central poacher and NOT a winger ,he is now snatching at any sniff of a chance and falling short in a simular way as Ba was when put out on the wing .Fact is we are wasting a player every week due to Cisse being played out of position. If Pards really wants to keep Ba happy then start him every game and sub him for Cisse 2nd half or rotate them .Cisse needs to be up front and apparently so does Ba ,so I see no other option really .Cisse is not hopeless ,just out of position and feeling under pressure imo.
KIMTOON(Quote)
GEORDIETWO I strongly disagree that Jonas is finished I think he would still be a useful player if he was dropped and learns that he doesn’t have an automatic starting place and if he gets a bit trimmer and fitter.
I have always believed that to get the best out of players there has to be real competition for the spot 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
I really didn’t get the Jonas contract. I said in the summer, he would be the first first teamer I would replace from last year, followed by Tayls and Simmo. I defended him back in the day, but my god he is ***** now.
Newkie(Quote)
Sounds so simple Kim @251.
Wht cant Pardew see that too.
The longer he persists with the two strikers, the worse it is getting for us.
He needs to stop ***** footinhg about with the two of them and play one or the other.
Fact is, if they are competing against each other for 1 starting place, they will both improve. imo.
Its just the way it works. Its not rocket science either.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
You could be right Big Dave @252. He just looks jaded right now. Some time on the bench might actually help him recover form. He looks like he needs rest. He has taken quite a beating over the last 3 seasons. I have always admired his effort in the past. I would be very happy to be proven wrong about him mate. 😀
GeordieTwo(Quote)
If he so desperately wants to play with 2 strikers then he may aswell use campbell alongside either Demba. It might just bring something different in the final 3rd..
But I think going 4-5-1 would be far better for us, as we would get our attacking midfielders into the box more and give us more options.
Pardew just wont try anything new, which makes him look all the more clueless really.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
There is no understanding Pardew’s tactics with the 2 strikers BB @256. When it clearly doesn’t work why keep trying it? We are getting later and later in the season and a different formation will take time to gel. You can’t just try it for 15 minutes here and there and then give up and go back to the 2 front men. Pardew truly is a rabbit in the headlights now.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
No doubt Cisse is out of form. But for those saying if it wasn’t for Ba we would be in the relegation zone? Please… Ba is a big part of the reason we are in the predicament we are in…
He simply isn’t a team player and it massively effects the way the team plays.
Yes he has scored goals, but apart from the Wigan game he has been absolutely ****.
People used to say I was talking **** when I said the same thing about Michael Owen. That he isn’t a team player and that although he scores goals we would be a better team without him.
I think Ba has the ability to be a team player and score goals (like the Wigan game) but 90% of the time he is an incredibly selfish player.
He scored goals at West Ham too but they got relegated.
Cisse is less selfish but also a poacher. So we play two poachers up front?! What a ridiculous tactic.
Not only do I think Ba is selfish, but I feel he is disruptive too. I think the reason Cisse is so out of form has A LOT to do with Ba and a lot to do with Pardew’s tactics. His confidence, both in his ability and his manager must be shattered!
I really really really want Ba to go in January.
I also cannot believe that Jonas is still getting game time. Absolute waste of space. All he is good for now days is winning long range freekicks (ny diving), which benefits us F all because we suck at them.
Pardew seems too stubborn to change his ways and he has obvious favourites who he picks on character rather than ability.
My honest opinion – he has lost the faith of the majority of the dressing room. I believe he can get it back, but he needs to start showing some balls in his team selection and show he is boss. Not the players.
JJ(Quote)
I think Pardew will get himself sacked in the new year. He just can’t adapt his tactics to the team he has so far. No other manager would have stuck with Cisse out wide for this long. It stinks of panic from Pardew. What must Ashley be thinking (or is he too busy buying into Rangers to give us a thought)?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Has anyone thought that Pards might be playing the 2 Demba’s because he knows he has to play Ba because he stupidly publicly assured him and he has to stick by Cisse even though he puts him out on the wing etc to try to keep him happy because he knows there is a good chance that Ba might be away in Jan and he is then going to have to rely on Cisse ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
JJ – I do hear what you say re Ba, but I think he IS a team player, but only in a team with 1 striker up front..
Get the ball up to him and he has shown he will score. Yes thats kind of selfish, but it works. But he needs a team with a plan thats set up that way imo.
What he doesn’t need is Cisse alongside him getting in his way and fluffing the chances that he does get.
I dont blame Ba not wanting to pass to him, he knows he will most likely miss.
Just for the record, Cisse is just as selfish as Ba, at times.
I have no faith that parpew can sort them out. He cant even sort out the shakey defence ffs. Him being an ex defender n all, you would think he might have an idea or two. :?:.
Nope. 👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Big D – are you saying he has backed himself into a corner ❓
surely only a tw@t would do that.
Anyhow, his public assurances to Ba can be reversed quite easily.
Its called communication with your players. Exerting your authority.
Oh and growing a pair.
I’ll not hold me breast.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
breath. 😳
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I feel a right *** now 😉
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
We did have some good patches of play in the game, especially in the second half. The good play was undone by our terrible defense but if we attack like that against QPR we should win. It is a must for us and Pardew will know it.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
BB yeah you would be better of you don’t want to be getting moobs 😆
As for reversing his assurances to Ba I don’t think it’s just down to him as the Regime wouldn’t be too happy if Ba **** of and they loss out on good money, so maybe Pards had to go out on a limb to convince him to stay.
Big Dave(Quote)
BB@261 Agree with a lot of that.
I’ve already pointed out Ba passes to our players more often than Cisse, and is more successful when he does. He does pass to Cisse, problem is 90%of the time Cisse is offside. That goes for a lot of other players now being reluctant to pass to him. Hence why he takes a long punt instead.
Newkie(Quote)
G2@265-I agree, we did put the mancs under some decent pressure, however they were missing their best defender. I also agree we were undone by poor defending. I think Santon has escaped a lot of flack because of his ability going forward, but I thought he was exposed badly today. Reminded me of Raylor vs City last year..Also, if he could have cleared the ball off the line as he was supposed to and we’d pulled the game back to 1-1, it may have ended differently.
Newkie(Quote)
We sit 15th now with 17 points from 17 games. We can argue about a lot of things but not about where we sit. We deserve to be there Ash/Llam. And it could have been worse. We got lucky against both West Brom and Everton so we could be sitting on 14 points or so and be in 18th place. After a 5th place season not strengthening the side was inexcusable. Now we’re in a downward spiral with very tough games coming up. I can’t see a way out of this for Pardew unless Ashley comes in with quite a bit of spending in January. I’m not holding my breath.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
JJ – 100% agree, nail on the head there like.
I’ve got my fingers crossed Ba is sold in January.
EvilFranky(Quote)
Spot on Newkie @268. Santon definitely needs better cover when he goes forward. He’s not getting it from Jonas right now. It wasn’t Santon’s best game by a long shot. We don’t play as a cohesive unit at all this season. Not enough discipline in holding our shape especially on defense. That is up to the coaches in large part so they had better get back to business.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
aye Newkie, the worst thing to do when on the goal line, is to hold on to the post. It makes you flat footed. Far better being on your toes and alert.
Simmo is usually good on the other side of the goal at that, but he never holds the post.
Simple things like this change games.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Yes Santon had the ball go in off his standing leg. He didn’t look prepared at all. Disappointing and a killer at the time. Where is the turnaround going to come from? I just can’t see it. We’re not strong enough to push the game from the midfield either.It looks desperate to me right now. Just hanging on until January but with our owner will he leave us to flounder?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
It was an off day for Santon but I’m loathed to slag him off too much as he has been one of the few players to consistantly run and put in the effort this season and he’s desperately rying to get on the goal sheet too. More importantly he’s not afraid of the ball and is comfortable with it but Jonas is offering no cover when he ventures forward which is costing us dear.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Agree with you Kimtoon. He has tried hard and improved this season. Looks much more confident and with the right player to support him on the left side would be a real threat in attack. But we always seem to get several underpar performances in almost every game this season. We just can’t afford that as we don’t even have 11 purples in the squad when all the players are fit. Come on Derek give us some clever comments about your methods for assessing the team now.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
BB-Aye, normally Simmo is hands off, but I remember once where he was holding it and he used his upper arm to knock the ball away. Didn’t even get called on it, so good defending I suppose 😆
But I’m not really sure why players do it, psychological reaction to being on the defense in a match? 😕
G2-Think you’re right about that, limp on til Jan and see what happens seems to be the plan…although to be fair our performance wasn’t that bad and we lost by the same margin we did when we were playing well (during both periods of last season) But our other matches until Jan aren’t really any easier…
Newkie(Quote)
I was at graft today so missed all the match. Just got in and seen other scores – ******* Aston Villa finding form :evil:. Norwich for Europa!!.
How did we do today (other than loose), was it just a case of the better team won?, did we improve our passing and performance or did Pardew get it wrong or individual players have a stinker?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Terrible spot to be in Newkie but we just have to buckle down and get some unexpected points. If not the pressure will continue to rise on Pardew. He doesn’t look up to it to me despite what he keeps saying. His face tells a different story. Ashley and Llambias hiding like the cowards they are doesn’t help either.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Yeah, I’m not slagging him off by any means, but I do feel fans expect too much of him. He is a necessity in our side as he’s actually able to bring it out of defence and attack properly, but he needs more support at the back because he’s not yet a great defender, and if he loses possession whilst up the field, he often can’t get back in time for the counter attack.
That used to be the whole point of using Jonas. Now he just doesn’t seem fussed. I don’t see how you can forget how to tackle either, but Jonas seems to have managed it.
Newkie(Quote)
G2-Yup. QPR is massive. 3 points from them and nothing from the other two is the best we can hope for really, unless Arsenal implode, but I doubt it.
Newkie(Quote)
I think we can target three points against both QPR and Arsenal to be honest. Arsenal are nowhere near is lethal this season, but just as open at the back. They convert very few of their chances & Wenger still doesn’t know his best 11.
The Kid(Quote)
Sharpy we played well in patches and had a few chances but our defense just couldn’t handle their attack well enough. About what most of us expected. Ba’s goal was decent, a header from a lob pass by Colo. Nicely taken but otherwise not much in attack. Cisse had a couple of decent chances but fluffed them. Krul had a good game as usual in net. We got caught out of position several times on defense and it cost us the game (along with Santon’s own goal from a set piece play). We really missed Ben Arfa. I hope he’s back soon for our sake.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
The Kid-Maybe mate, but pace always seems to cause us problems, and they still have that in abundance.
Newkie(Quote)
Sharpy-What G2 says really. We weren’t terrible, we actually had more attempts on target than them and more possession, but quality made the difference. Truth be told we only made Hart make a few good saves when we were piling on the pressure at 2-1 and then they cut us down on the counter attack.
Newkie(Quote)
(THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS)
Hope Ba stays. In fact I believe it’s vital. He’s a hell of a goal scorer. I will be amazed though if a few decent offers come in for him.
I can see positives out of today’s performance. Mainly, we are now creating chances.
4-3-3 is definitely the most effective formation for us.
I’m hoping we are turning the corner and a win against QPR next Saturday is on the cards.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Sorry. I will be amazed if a few decent offers don’t come in for him. 😳
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy-You don’t think anyone will come in for Ba?
Newkie(Quote)
G2 – thank mate, so it sounds like we were just beaten by a better team rather than us being completely awful. It’s good that Cisse is getting into goal scoring positions but not great he’s still missing them like. Have to be say, when I saw them line up, the lack of creativity was a concern, but I’m not sure Benny would have changed the outcome of the game much to be fair like.
Hopefully he’ll be back for the QPR game though coz we HAVE to win that one for me like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ah okay 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Well that was better. A loss is a loss but it was a hungry performance. Play like that every game and we will be fine, however… Lose that focus and we are screwed. Even Villa are above us now and 15th is far too uncomfortable for my liking.
Shamrock(Quote)
Troy I hope you’re right and a train isn’t coming round the corner going in the other direction. 😆 If we lose Ba we will get to test the idea that all Cisse needs is to be the main man up front. Or are we going to actually spend some money Ashley? My heart might not be able to take it.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Yep an absolute must game Sharpy. Lose that and we might lose even more confidence in our play. There does seem to be some signs of better performances to come. January will be a huge month for us with 3 key games against middle to poor quality teams and the window open. Probably the key to the whole season right there.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
If we let Ba go we are buggered. Why people cannot see that is beyond me.
Shamrock(Quote)
G2 – yeah, QPR will have got confidence from their result today and our poor run will probs mean they will come at us I’d think.
Jan is huge. Games are certainly favourable but the incoming are really important to inject some fresh energy into the squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Laugh of the day; brendan Rogers coming out and saying Liverpool can push for 2nd this season – then promptly lose soundly at home to Villa.
Observation of the day; norwich are now 10 games unbeaten. What exactly does Pardew have that Hughton does not?
Worry of the day; QPR have just discovered how to win. Worst time to be facing them for a must win game? Think so.
Shamrock(Quote)
The Kid@281 ,I don’t think we’ll get owt from Arsenal ,our defence is far too suspect right now and every team knows it so they and even QPR will really go at us and if we go behind I feel it would be game over again. 🙁
KIMTOON(Quote)
A very good question Shamrock. What does Pardew have that Hughton doesn’t? It must be very well hidden whatever it is. They are a fine team, especially in the air. We could use a few lessons from them about set piece play.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I think this will definitely be considered a season of lost opportunity for us. A lack of willingness to consolidate our position in the league by the owner and a lack of creativity with tactics by Pardew. Underperformance by several key players and the usual run of injuries. A useless MD to top it off. What more could go wrong? Please don’t tell me I don’t want to know (ignorance can be bliss sometimes, just ask Llambias).
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I would have the 1st team training on the pitch at SJP this week.
Sometimes it seems like we’re just not used to the grass or something is different, because some of our passing is woeful.
Get cisse used to banging the ball in the goal until he can do it blindfolded.
It may seem daft, but then again it might just make that extra 1% we need to get the win next weekend.
We quite simply have to win at all costs, no excuses will be acceptable.
Its at home, we have a full week to prepare and we have nigh on a full purple squad.
The win will give us some much needed confidence for the following two away matches. I think we could have a shock result against either or both of them, but first of all we need to slaughter QPR.
HTL
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
G2 – so you wont be queuing up to buy the 2012/13 season review DVD 😥
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)