Pardew on Enrique – “We had nowhere to go.”

Jose's smile. Last seen months ago!
Alan Pardew has insisted that nothing could have been done to prevent Jose Enrique leaving Newcastle.

On a day where Jose Enrique has revealed that Liverpool were always his first choice destination ahead of completing his move to Anfield it’s the Newcastle fans who must once again pick up the pieces of the departure of yet another player.

Not that I’m overly fussed in truth. Jose was great in the second tier and for the first six months of our return to the Premier League, but in the second half of the season he was pretty woeful at times as it became more and more evident that the Spaniard wanted away from the club.

A new contract offer was not enough to persuade him to stay and led to an outburst by Jose on Twitter where he claimed that the club lacked ambition by not keeping their better players. All of that combined means that I’m not shocked or annoyed about Jose going. I’ve already dealt with it in my mind, although that itself leaves one burning question.

Why sell him without a replacement lined up?

This is my big question as we head into the Arsenal game without a recognised left-back. Utter madness. I mean many fans kind of guessed that Jose would be away, so why didn’t the club forecast it or actually get someone in before allowing Jose to go? Well, Alan Pardew has tried to add some reasoning to it.

“I would be asking why we hadn’t got a left-back in earlier if I was a fan,” Pardew told the Northern Echo. “The difference was, if Jose had signed, we would have ended up with two very, very expensive left-backs and that’s something we couldn’t afford when we’re trying to get the best possible side.”

“We also need that money in other areas and of course we haven’t got the striker over the line yet. It all has to be within a structure. It’s difficult for fans – you try telling a 14-year-old who’s passionate about the game why Enrique has gone, he can’t understand that.”

“I understand a big bulk of our fans just wanting our best players wanting to stay here – it doesn’t always work like that unfortunately. We have a back up plan in place. You don’t want your best players to leave, but we were vulnerable. We offered him a deal and he didn’t want to sign it so we had nowhere to go.”

So we didn’t get someone in before Jose left because of the expense? I do see the logic behind it, but the logic becomes flawed when it’s so blatantly obvious that the player wants away. Surely you’d get some prep work done for the eventuality? Apparently not.

Who will play at left-back against Arsenal now? Shane Ferguson is back in full training but he effectively needs a full pre-season again. James Tavernier is away on loan which means that he can’t fill in at right-back, and I’d rather be raped than see Ryan Taylor pull on a black and white shirt and play in defence. So that leaves us with an option of playing Steven Taylor at right-back, Simpson at left-back, with Mike Williamson coming into the middle? Or how about play Jonas Gutierrez at left-back with Sylvain Marveaux ahed of him on the wing? To be honest neither option fills me with confidence.

Ultimately a replacement is needed, and soon. It won’t be in time for Arsenal of course as the match squad needs to be named today and formalities won’t be completed in time, but the left-back position has now become a priority ahead of a striker in my opinion.

That’s if it wasn’t already of course…

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

81 thoughts on “Pardew on Enrique – “We had nowhere to go.”

  1. What’s problem to have 2 expensive left back !? we have 5-6 striker plus useless 2-3 MF, so why not release them and cover on the back ?

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  2. dirty piece of ***** ,wishing you all the bad luck in the world along with the other ***** that plays for them 👿

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  3. TOONSY agree l/b is a must even if young fergie had been fit at his stage hes more of a winger not saying he wont make a good defender but not quite yet imo,but better than what we are left with now

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  4. I read earlier that his tight hamstring will probably keep him from playing tomorrow for cesspoop, So maybe thats why they got rid before the arsenal match he cant play anyway so let him go without paying him next weeks money…Bar that i can see any logic

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  5. CC – Yeah that would make sense I guess, but even so it’s been obvious that he’ll be gone. Why not either ship him out sooner or keep hold until we get a replacement? Tell him he can go when we get someone in which will be asap. Another couple of weeks of seeing his bottom lip poking out wouldn’t have made a difference, the sulky ****.

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  6. My gripe isn’t the sale as such. It’s the timing….seems we have bent over for Liverpool to ensure they can play him on Saturday leaving ourselves without our first game.

    He should have gone weeks ago or failing that, privately agree the deal with all parties but he plays on Saturday and leaves on Sunday. I know he wanted to go, but I am sure he would have still performed for us for the Arsenal game.

    Gervinho up a against any of our replacements won’t end well for us

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  7. I do see jonas plugging in the gap behind marveaux in the mean time, decent enough cover for the short term. Hopefully Pieters will be brought in time for Sunderland!

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  8. Steve August 12, 2011 at 09:22

    “He should have gone weeks ago or failing that, privately agree the deal with all parties but he plays on Saturday and leaves on Sunday. I know he wanted to go, but I am sure he would have still performed for us for the Arsenal game.”

    Agree 100%

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  9. Agreed that the decision to let him leave pre-replacement is ridiculous. Although I suppose if he’s injured, it doesn’t make much difference either way. Got to be Saylor at left back for me. Unfortunately, he’s the best of a bad bunch.

    —————–Ba——————
    —————Jonas—————-
    Marveaux—Cabaye—Barton
    —————Tiote—————–
    Saylor—Willo—Colo–Simpson
    —————-Krul—————–

    Still has a chance against l’****, but that left wing does worry me.

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  10. Also while I’m on one.

    If you were a taxi driver you wouldn’t sell your car and then hope to buy a replacement somewhere down the line. Probably for above the market price because the car dealer knows you really really need a new car.

    If you were a web designer you wouldn’t sell your computer without first getting a replacement.

    Bloody hell even in normal life you wouldn’t put your wife on ebay before first…….no wait….

    I’m finished now

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  11. Bonjour a la Toon,

    I have been given a final warning by Toonsy and I appreciate the reprieve.

    All posts from now on will be edited by my reinstalled PR and media team who did a sterling job for me last time.

    Le Neveaux Bobby est ici. 😆

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  12. I think Pardew is gonna play a 3-5-2 formation tomorrow.
    Krul

    Taylor Williamson Coloccini

    Cabaye. Tiote

    Simpson. Vuckic/Barton/Gosling. Jonas

    BA. Best

    He will ask Simpson and Jonas to track back aswell support the attack. Just a thought as he has tried this formation before.

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  13. @11

    exactly the same team i would play but positions a bit different:

    ——————-Krul———————–
    –Saylor–Willo—Colo–Simpson—-
    —–Cabaye—Tiote—Barton———-
    –Gutierrez——————Marveaux–
    ———————Ba————————

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  14. Bobby – There is nothing wrong with your posts or being objective or having a different opinion or fighting your corner. All I ask is that you cut out the **** that you tag onto sometimes (not all the time) or at least cut it down as it was getting towards being every comment made by you having a swipe at someones intelligence etc etc.

    Anyway. It’s done now. Forgotten

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  15. Saylor not ideal,but since he returned from injury towards the end of last season his performances have improved,couple that with competition for a starting place we should get a decent game out of him(clutching at straws I know) 😕

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  16. Bit harsh on RTaylor surely?

    He can put in a shift and is arguably the player who could adapt to playing there. I would rather have 1 defender out of their preferred position rather than moving STaylor from CB to RB and Simmo from RB to LB

    It goes without saying but we need a replacement pronto!!

    It could mean we need to play a modified 4-3-3/4-5-1 against Arsenal

    —————-Ba———————-
    Jonas———————–Obertan
    —-Cabaye–Tiote—Barton
    RTaylor Colo STaylor Simpson
    —————-Krul

    Subs: Harper, Williamson, Ferguson, Gosling, Marveaux, Ranger, Ameobi

    Gosling is another option for RB. I know Fergie isn’t match fit yet but think he could do a job for the last 20 mins of the game at LB or LW

    Looks decent to me. That is a tough tackling midfield. Arsenal play well through the middle but we have a lot of quality in the middle, arguably our 3 best players. We will be forcing them out wide which I think they are not that keen to do. Walcotts delivery is suspect. We will have far more in CM than they will, missing Wilshire.

    I am still expecting a really hard game, I think we will lose1-0 or 2-1 but I will be very happy with a draw, lets not forget that a) they’re a top 4 side and b) they will be out for revenge for the 4-4

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  17. ANY NEWS ON A NEW STRIKER OR LEFT BACK?? THOUGHT NOT 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿 👿

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  18. In regards to not getting someone in before we let enrique go,why didn’t we make a deal with l’pool to take Insua on loan.I was speaking to a l’pool fan and he said they have a couple of young left backs already with premier experience,surely we could have worked something out?

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  19. @BROWNROB

    Bit harsh on RTaylor surely?
    He can put in a shift and is arguably the player who could adapt to playing there

    I’d rather give the shirt to a member of the ‘disabled area’ then to let RTaylor loose against ****.

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  20. Thought Arsenal were sufering from loads of injuries? It appears RVP, Walcott, Gibbs and Vermeulan all available! 🙁

    Slightly concerned that we will be playing against Walcott without a left back! Madness…

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  21. Journal: Newcastle have opened talks with PSV Eindhoven over signing Holland international Erik Pieters

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  22. Why does everyone just assume that no prep has been done, there’s no backup plan and that anything as simple as ‘lining up the deal’ hasn’t been done if it was possible?

    I do get a bit sick of everyone just assuming the worst on here. The Jose deal isn’t done, and until it is there is no way any business can sanction signing another deal worth in excess of £12m, which is what we’re talking about. Nor do you take that kind of risk just to cover one match; you work around it.

    This is OUR money you’re proposing they risk.

    (And Ginkoh – you can’t just “release” players. If they have a contract, you have to honour it!)

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  23. My guess is that we’ll get Pieters by the end of the window and all will be fine. All the indications are that he’s at least as good as Jose at his best… which is pretty damned good.

    And as for tomorrow, I think either Jonas at LB or a 3-5-2 as Deepak suggested.

    All will be good. A bit of patience and faith, please!

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  24. The King is dead! Long live the King! 😆

    Hello, I would just like to introduce myself for those who don’t know me.

    I was Bobby Shintons close friend and confidante. Unfortunately, Bobby passed away during the night and his parting words were, “Tell the bloggers and Toonsy I live them all”
    “we had our differences but we all wanted the same thing, a successful NUFC. ”

    He has asked me to continue his cause and steer the reality train to the Champions League.

    For those wishing to mourn Bobbys sad death, there will be a bonfire down Benwell Park tonight where I will be throwing his corpse on and drinking to his health.

    Bobby hopes you will forgive him and don’t feel guilty if you have abused him whilst on this site.
    He forgives you.

    I have posted on here before but have taken a crash course in elocution lessons and packed in the drugs .

    I would like to think Bobby would be proud at this moment in time.

    Bobby Shinton number 9 RIP. 😥 😥 😥

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  25. Whumpie – Well the form book doesn’t look good does it? Remember we’ve let players go before and not replaced them and left ourselves woefully short. I’m usually positive but I can honestly understand and share the bad feeling that others have about this. It’s up to the club to prove me wrong, and they have failed thus far.

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  26. Toonsy

    Got to say – I’m bitterly disappointed with you fella.

    It seems you have the backbone of a jellyfish, the ability to forgive like a battered wife.

    So by allowing Booby back on I am going to have to assume just like the battered wife – you love him.

    He is a despicable little legged pot bellied trouble maker – for the sake of the blog fella – ban him – please please please ban him – its not like he has anything worthwhile to say anyway! 😆

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  27. To be fair this isnt the worst line up in the world even now;

    Krul,
    Simpson, Willo, Colo, Saylor
    Jonas, Cabaye, Tiote, Marveux
    Obertan
    Ba

    I dont think that barton will feature

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  28. I found the comment by Mark about 14 year olds offensive 😯

    Vote to ban mark [x]

    😆

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  29. @Dimpleboy

    when youre old enuff 2 understand I’ll explain it to you. now run along and enjoy the rest of your 6weeks holidays 😆

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  30. Troy please pass on my condolences to the Shinton family, he was a good fella and will be sadly missed by some, I will be there tonight to see the c@nt burn, the bonfire I mean.
    Nice to see he got you on the straight and narrow, im sure he would have been so proud of you. I just hope that he died in peace knowing that we will do all we can to keep the train on track.
    Speak to ye later Troy be strong

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  31. ” I can honestly understand and share the bad feeling that others have about this. It’s up to the club to prove me wrong, and they have failed thus far.”

    Exactly Toonsy, exactly.

    It’s very much a case of “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me”

    I don’t see why we should keep having to try and invent a bright side every time they make a bad decision.
    I dont see why we should have to try to find a positive spin when they are deceitful.

    Pardew does because they employ him. They don’t bloody well employ us, however. We owe them nothing.
    In fact, they should start treating us with respect because without the fans paying their hard earned money they would have nothing.

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  32. agreed Pootle, but without MA where would the toon be, we’d be nothing, a team in the gutter. youre obvioulsy not buying into what we’re about. 😉

    As big Mike A convinced me with a swinging sausage roll on a string..Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don’t look around the eyes, look into my eyes, *snap* you’re under. 😀

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  33. Whumpie says:
    August 12, 2011 at 09:59

    I would think some people on here (not me I might add) that will be sick of some people always expecting the best when there’s absolutely no eveidence to suggest it.

    Have you been down a mine shaft for the last three years?

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  34. If theres a good time to play Arsenal its tomorrow, no Fabregas or Nasri.

    Just thought I’d say its a complete and utter disgrace how we’ve delt with this Jose situation. Why wait for him to leave, then try and sign a left back? We should have signed one as soon as we knew he wasn’t going to sign a new contract…How many months ago?

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  35. Toonsy I only wish you had said that before lastnight, then Bobby could have died in even more comfort knowing that you were re newing your train ticket.
    Stardy dissapointed in you fella Bobby isn’t even cold yet and your trying to dirty his name and steal one of his members, and trying to get him to jump ship and join the Mike Ashley battered wifes club

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  36. I think the signing of NTaylor would of softened the blow of losing Enrique, but balking at an extra few pennies has left us a tad in limbo 🙁

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  37. IM GETTING SO ANGRY NOW !!!!!! WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO PUT A BID IN FOR A F**KING STRIKER OR LEFT BACK????

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  38. Whumpie we have needed decent cover at left back for over a season and they have done absolutely nothing about it. Let’s not pretend that waiting for Enrique to leave so we can free up money is even the issue here. They could have had the replacement in because everyone and their dog was certain Enrique was leaving for at least the last two or three weeks. In fact they tried to – but Swansea wouldnt honour the release clause. They didn’t appear to have a plan outside of getting in a £1m replacement.

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  39. Aye Mark but those few extra pennies will pay for 1 drop of 2 stroke for the training ground lawnmower…..get ya priorities right 😉

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  40. ” IM GETTING SO ANGRY NOW !!!!!! WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO PUT A BID IN FOR A F**KING STRIKER OR LEFT BACK????”

    Cos not many of them will come and play for the toon.
    They’ve found out they’re better off on Job Seekers Allowance.
    😆

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  41. @RICHIETOON

    lol, shoit, forgot m8, sorry..

    I liked someones suggestion about a name for their new toon top..
    ‘undersoil heating’..lol that tickled me.. 😮

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  42. @Army69

    don’t worry m8, apparently Pards has just put together another list, only yesterday! so hopefully by next seasons its all systems go 😯

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  43. I cant understand all the uproar over not having a replacement in for Jose ?? What did you’s expect we allready know the way he go’s about things.
    As the late great Bobby would have said get your head out of the sand and smell the coffee 😀

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  44. Barry if you are expressing surprise at Stardust s**t-stirring, being insulting and trying to provoke Bobby, then yes, I suppose does seem a bit rich.
    Toon Chicken was doing it earlier too.
    The only possible difference I can see is, Bobby does sometimes seem to deliberately goad Toonsy, which must have made the difference.

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  45. Pootle
    August 12, 2011 at 11:09

    “Bobby does sometimes seem to deliberately goad Toonsy”

    And there will only ever be one winner when that happens 😉

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  46. pootle bobby and toonsy do a lot of boozing together best mates realy ,but it boils down too toonsy stole bobbys child hood sweatheart and has now got the lovely lady up the duff so there is a little bit of resentment on bobbys part 😉

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  47. ” I cant understand all the uproar over not having a replacement in for Jose ?? What did you’s expect we allready know the way he go’s about things.”

    It’s true actually. Didn’t really upset me at all – on past form I was expecting it.
    Its the excessively ‘positive’ types I feel sorry for. After each bungled management decision they build themselves up trying to put on a brave face and invent a positive spin to whatever ****-up has just ensued, just as they are starting to get their happy grins back – WHAM!
    Another clanger is dropped and the club lurched into its next crisis.

    It must be very emotional draining. Lol.

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  48. Well if its true batty. Its time for Pardew to put up or shut up….. Wait it was time for that when we sold Carroll…. Well he did say we would replace any players that went….Oh screw it, we’re down another player and a player we wont replace.

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  49. well Barton tweeted 2hrs ago “”In a room without a window, in the corner, I found truth”

    so unless he wasnt in training 2hrs ago…9.30 he must be somewhere else unless he’s sneaked his blackbrry into training..craft ****** those scousers 😉

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  50. @batty

    pehaps…they apparently did bid for him so who knows.

    I think Bartons only realistic hope is Arsenal, given theyre ready to offload 2 midfielders..

    not sure if Arsen would fancy him tho

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  51. Jose Enrique on signing. “One of the happiest days of my life,” he says.

    not signing for L’pool, getting out of the Toon.. 🙄

    I hope the fail massively next season, spent far too much of ok players..

    Henderson 20mil or Cabaye 4.5 ? time will tell but i reckon theyve over-spent..

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  52. Yet another **** up by a clueless team of “management” – the fact is we needed another back up left back anyway so why didn’t we move for another when the Taylor deal fell through? Theo Walcott will be well looking forward to the game tomorrow, it ll be like Xmas for him. We ve known since Jan that Jose is away (and I don’t blame him), really makes you wonder….

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  53. Ah, it’s so so comforting to see Herr von Stardust (@31) being his ever diplomatic self! 😎

    On thread…..

    So and according to Pardew, …. ‘The difference was if Jose had signed we would have ended up with two very, very expensive left-backs and that is something we could not afford when we are trying to create the best side’.

    I find that astonishing particularly as the financial constraints will have been imposed on him by our friends on high. One runs a casino and we know that his boss (at NUFC) likes a punt and plays the percentages. I don’t think a gambler like Ashley would have bet on Jose staying after some 4-5 months of indifferent play and an unwillingness to sign a new contract with the club.

    I think that MA and Llambias are doing nothing sinister in running a tight budget. With that I have no problem in principle but my simple mind tells me its better to some flexibility in it to allow for contingencies and have a quality backup, who can play across the defence, than an inexperienced defender who could cost us the points that result in relegation.

    Surely it’d be cheaper to carry a ‘very expensive left back’ than risk taling the massive hit that the big R would have on the club’s finances.

    Somebody’s just not seeing the big picture!

    👿 👿

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