It’s been a terrible season all truth being told, and it could yet get worse should we fail to pick up enough points in our final four league games to survive.
A second relegation within the space of four years would be disastrous for this club and would take some time to recover from.
That may sound dramatic, but if you look at our playing staff then compared to what we have now you can perhaps see my cause for concern. So many of our key players are also now full international players who will, quite rightly, want to play at the highest level so they get the chance to play for their country. They won’t get that in the second tier in England so I imagine a lot of them would be off like a shot should someone take a gamble on them.
The problem these players have is that the options available to them might have narrowed down somewhat due to their poor showing this season. As I said above, I’m sure some clubs would take a gamble on them and sign them up, but in all likelihood they won’t be top clubs. It’s simplistic in its view, but how good is a player who ends up relegated from the Premier League? And last time around I don’t remember many top clubs coming in for our supposedly “star” players of the time.
Now it’s all well and good to say that these players are tied down to long-term contracts so will command a fee, but the problem is that so many of them have regressed so much from last season to this I’m starting to wonder if these long contracts were such a well thought out idea after all.
A lot of the blame has been put at the door of Alan Pardew, and rightly so as he seems to have regressed from last season. Whether it’s actually him regressing so much or whether it’s the players at his disposal that have regressed leaving him with few options is up for debate. Perhaps it’s a combination of both?
Look at some of the players as a perfect example of what I’m talking about. Take Cheik Tiote. When was the last time he played like we know he can? I can’t remember a game where I’ve thought Cheik has looked like Cheik since his debut season in the Premier League, and that was getting on for three years ago.
It doesn’t stop there. Jonas Gutierrez has got so bad it’s unreal. Granted he was never one to score lots or create lots, but he was solid enough if unspectacular. The list goes on, Cabaye and even Tim Krul have got worse in my humble opinion. Even recent additions like Moussa Sissoko seem to have gone backwards since arriving on the scene. His position hasn’t changed, it’s still the same one that he was playing in at the start when all and sundry were purring over him. Even those absent through injury have got worse, like Fabricio Coloccini, have failed to regularly reach the high standards he’s set himself ever since relegation in 2009.
Now I’m not defending Alan Pardew by any stretch of the imagination, but can anyone seriously say that so many players losing form is his fault? Maybe it is and I’m just being overcritical of the players? Maybe last season we collectively overachieved? Maybe this season we’re collectively underachieving? Maybe our expectations are too high? Mind you, I’d like to think we had every right to expect to progress this season after what happened last season.
It just hasn’t happened though, for whatever reason…
Toonsy – I would say we definately over acheived last season, even Pardew acknowledges that.
I also think that we have underachieved this season – in the league anyway. I also think that some people’s expectations are too high.
I think you’re dead right that Pardew takes the brunt of people’s anger and some players get off with it.
But I can’t decide whether I think Pardew should get another crack at it next season or not?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good read Toonsy, agree mostly, some of our players have been absolutely shocking. I stood up for Tiote but he seems to have gotten worse and worse, how does this happen?
Sharpy-agree with that and the expectation is always tough, i seem to remember last summer people saying we needed to better 5th in the PL because anything else was regression and I argued against that because it was a load of ***** basically, depending on how the europa went i thought top 6-8 would still be good. But still, under achieving for us should be 10-12th not 16/17th come the end of the season. I think if we stay up Pards will be kept on as I can’t see them getting anyone in. By November if we’re still this pathetic they will pull the trigger and maybe see if anyone is still out of work…How’s kinnear’s heart these days?
Hurry up and get your coaching badges, Shearer.
Newkie(Quote)
Additionally, if Pardew does coach long ball…why aren’t we at least any good at it ffs!?
Newkie(Quote)
Taxi for Poyet. That’s my choice
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Spurs just scored 3 goals in 6 minutes coming from a goal down..We should have brought AVB in, some guy badgering bobby robson claiming he had better tactics after every match. Basically he’s one of us 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Bring back Hughton ?he does have the canaries above us in the table with a squad on paper that is weaker .
Axel(Quote)
i was stunned to see our wage bill is at 69%.. how is that when we have got shot of loads of players and all the high earners since FF’s days.. and FF had a lower wage bill than we have now in %…. plus tv money has doubled in that time…its all funky.
craig chisholm(Quote)
Axel… i agree sort of, not about CH.. but that we just have a **** manager, thats all.. all the tools are there for a decent team.. its certainly not a relegation team… AP does not know how to get the most out of the players.
craig chisholm(Quote)
Its one thing to says its not the manager’s fault if 1-2 players are out of form or regressed. But when half the team is and/or have regressed I think it is fair to look at the manager. I have a hard time funding a player that has really improved under pards. Benny maybe?
MDS(Quote)
*finding*
MDS(Quote)
CRAIG CHISHOLM it could be that sponser revenue is a lot lower after relegation a lot of the prawn sandwich brigade left ,dont know if the club have won many of them back .
Axel(Quote)
Is it not the managers job to get the best out of his players? As soon as Pardew goes we will see the best of our players again imo. Another reason i want him out in the summer.
Santii(Quote)
Toonsy I could have wrote that myself I agree with it 100%, and it’s a long time from I read something that I thought fuk thats exactly how I feel
For sure a lot of the top players have had shockers this season but they have kept there place xhich for me is a no go because your rewarding someone for not giving their all
Big Dave(Quote)
imo pardew is not a PL manager end of
icedog(Quote)
AXEL@11 Well they certainly won’t be winning them back on this seasins showing. (rolls eyes ,red face )
KIMTOON(Quote)
Good Article Toonsy, but there has to be a common denomination to all, OK I am an East Stand pundit and according to others all we do is moan rather than support, and yes I do moan, but my moaning is based upon over 70 years of supporting the TOON, so have been on the rollercoaster a long time.
Back to the common denominator theory, two things stand out:-
1 – Pardew, is just not good enough, tactics knowledge is not existent, dead ball situation is embarrassing, will be a panto joke before long, and motivational skills, seem to going nowhere. There’s this point that he is old school stuff in a modern playground, Southampton have gone modern and are doing much better. AVB was not many folks choice at Spurs but ask the same question now and the answer will be different.
2 – Injuries, for the last 3 years we have been ‘Top Of The Pops’ in the injury league, Tiote & Marveaux both missed out yesterday due to injuries that were not apparent last time they played. HBA now there’s a story in itself – what’s going on there., Is he or isn’t he.
Putting both together you could come up with the observation that players may say one thing but actually do something else – ‘Lost Dressing Room’ shows its ugly head. Finally we have Pardews pathetic rolling out of excuses week after week.
East Stand moaner am I – make your own mind up, but just a devoted TOON fan who has just about had enough, but will soldier on for the club I love.
ash1001(Quote)
yes you can blame the players to an extent, but alan pardew is rubbish.
he probably has it easier than other managers in the league, ie doesn’t really get involved with the recruitment side etc, and only has to work with the players on the training ground, and put them on the pitch.
if people are honest though, he cannot even do that very well, if the truth be known.
the bloke is a complete nutter, and lives in his own fantasy world, and that is very dangerous for the club.
he was the same at west ham, he was like nero, while rome burned, everyone else tried to put out the flames, while he told everyone, everything was hunky dory.
a self deluded fantasist, who thinks he’s actually better, than he really is.
ashley and llambias must definatley know nothng, if they are willing to indulge this idiot!
joe hawkins(Quote)
Ash wouldn’t be good if the Toon was like your partner and just walk away and not worry about them anymore ❓ if only we could I probably would cause the Toon has caused me more grief than my wife and 4 kids 🙂 .
Kim why do you keep writing what smiley you want ❓ 😉 😡 😯 🙄 😛 😮
💡 😆 😀 😥 😎 😕 ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
This season has been a disaster. I have been to all home games and if you were to offer me a dvd to watch of any game. The answer would be no thanks. It would be ninety five minutes of my life i wouldn’t get back. In the depth of winter I was pleading for the ref to blow full time it was that bad.
But ticket is renewed and faith and optimism will return by July
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
@Newkie
Yeah that’s my problem with it, wouldn’t mind if we had the old tripod excelling at it. But we are terrible at long ball football so it doesn’t make any sense!
I think this question will be answered on the 19th May.
This season is going to be the making or breaking of us.
Relegation and I can’t see us rebuilding a squad with as much potential for years, we got lucky with things like the Carroll windfall after the last relegation.
Stay up and we “should” be in a great position for next year, the board have had to panic and accelerate their buys so we’re not far from a great squad on paper, no Europa next year so we should really be cracking on. I think we’ll actually keep all our big guns this summer.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
I didn’t expect a top 5 finish again tbh ,because of the Europa cup but I thought we might achieve 8/9/10th. The worrying thing is the fact Pards won’t drop players who arn’t performing well , he stood by Jonas early season when he was utterly ***** yet he’s quick to run down Marv and Benny for a lack of effort ignoring the fact they are game changers especially in tandem ,where as Jonas is not ( and you know I like Jonas ). A lot of our players look very very tired and out of condition to me and I’m at a loss as to why a PL team is so unfit ,we run out of steam every game. I can’t see how it’s the Europa ,you don’t see Spuds running out of steam do you. Talking of which they just killed MC .
KIMTOON(Quote)
I’m not really in the Pardew out camp (simply because I don’t know who they could or would replace him with) but I can see the summer bringing big changes at the club and that could include the manager being shown the door.
On a player front I can see at least 7 leaving:-
Harper
Collocini
Williamson
Obertan
Amalfitano
Abeid
Simpson
Plus we still need to replace Ba
The question is who do we replace them with?
Oblong(Quote)
Dave @18 that is a wind up that comment isn’t it ????? and stop flashing your emoticons at me 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
Bloody hell it worked !
KIMTOON(Quote)
But not now apparently aargh
KIMTOON(Quote)
ST-Aye. If we practice longball on the training pitch then why are we so ***** with it. All teams use it, Wbrom did brilliantly yesterday-but they constantly found their players. I know lukaku is a beast, but even then none of our lot are first to the second ball. Begs the question of what we actually do. Maybe we could ask the One Direction boys.
If we went down we would lose Benny and Cabs for certain, Krul genuinely likes us I think but he would have plenty of suitors and obviously would almost certainly go along with Colo. Not sure about Cisse. But that would literally be the spine ripped out and none of the influential players sticking around i.e Nolan last time.
We really need the frenchies fired up for the last few games. Can we play Le Marsseillais instead of Local Hero at home games from now on?
Newkie(Quote)
I’m not sure even if we do survive we will keep hold of certain players tbh . They must be sick of defending for most the game when many of them are so attack minded . All these years learning to pass it on the floor to end up hoofing it in panic mode .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Liverpool fans blasting out with Rafas right your fans our ***** 😀 That made me laugh.
Santii(Quote)
Heres the current injury list, and yes we are at No1 again
NEWCASTLE UNITED 7
C Tiote Hamstring Injury 20th Apr 13
S Marveaux Groin/Pelvis Injury no return date
T Krul Dislocated Shoulder no return date
D Santon Hamstring Injury 27th Apr 13
F Coloccini Back Injury 27th Apr 13
H Vučkić ACL Knee Injury 16th May 13
R Taylor ACL Knee Injury no return date
No mention of Simpson – what happened there played well in his last two games, not even in the squad at WBA.
When did Marveaux do his groin/pelvis?
Something is wrong with training etc, far to many injuries
? how do you get an icon against your name?
ash1001(Quote)
ASH just go to FAQ at top of blog
icedog(Quote)
@ Toby Le Rhone
Poyet would be a good shout for manager if Pards does leave in the summer. Brighton play some great free flowing football.
Oblong(Quote)
Kim-TBH Cabs seems to like doing long balls on his own. Not sure about the rest of them like but he seems like a player who has often done that while playing CM. If we stay up I guess Colo would go, but imo benny has been injured too much and Cabs too average to be sold. Krul…well..keepers don’t fetch much so I don’t see Ash being tempted.
Newkie(Quote)
Craig – It’s easy to explain wages at 67% of turnover. I’ve done it before, its also written into the accounts which are verified outside of NUFC to nip any ideas of cooking in the bud…
Then again its only easy to explain to people who will listen and take things on board…
toonsy(Quote)
I just seen a goal from a corner (Oscar)… I forgot what they looked like 😀
Santii(Quote)
Newkie ,I thought Manure had there eye on Cabs and last week I read apparently the Dippers tried to get Benny back in Januay but were told no and they are expected back in for him in the summer with an improved offer.
KIMTOON(Quote)
@ Kimtoon
I read that about Benny and the dippers. PSG have came out and said they want Cabaye as well.
Personally I think Collocini will be the only high profile player to leave this summer unless someone offers silly money…which both PSG and Liverpool could do. 🙄
Oblong(Quote)
Kim-honestly I don’t think Manure would move for cab after this year, he was being linked with them of december 2011 so just sounds like lazy journos to me. Carrick has had a good season, Kagawa is finding his feet and Rooney we are told will be pushed into a midfield role..do they need him?
The dippers would probably go for benny though. Whether he would go for them or not, who knows.
Newkie(Quote)
I know Benny is a gifted player but the fact he is always injured is for me a reason to move him on . Replace him with Taarabat from QPR then move for Carroll at least that way we have a chance of scoring from corners
Axel(Quote)
Replace Benny with Taarabt!!?? Aren’t you from Holland Axel? If so i’ll let you off as you must be high as a fucking kite mate.
Newkie(Quote)
The last thing we need is a player like taarabt. He can be a good player on his day (when he can be arsed) but he is very lazy and temperamental.
@ Newkie 😆 😆 😆
Oblong(Quote)
NEWKIE lol ,that’s stereo typing of the highest order@39
KIMTOON(Quote)
The one thing I do know – I cannot stand another season of watching the rubbish style of football we play. It wasn’t great last season and this season we’re the worst team to watch in the PL. Every other team has midfielders who play triangles, run into space, run beyond the striker etc. Every team and we NEVER do it. Not once all season. It’s basic basic.
Put AP on holiday and let the players do what they like. After 4 more games sack AP.
georgio(Quote)
Kim-I’m trying to give the lad a reasonable excuse. Maybe I can take inspiration from Pards…Maybe Axel has just had a long day and he’s tired 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Axel I kinda get what you are saying about Benny .I love the guy but boy is he injured a lot.Don’t think he’s ever really got right since that awful tackle on him. I don’t want us to lose him as he makes so much difference when fit but we have to also be mindfull of the fact he may spend a lot of time in the hands of the medics (rolls eyes ). Question is can we afford to lose him often and for long periods .I’m sure he’s not right now and a little angry that we may be playing silly buggers with his long term fitness. All this putting him on the bench and then only playing him for 10 mins or so cause they don’t wanna risk his hammy is bollocks as last week Pards was saying he didn’t need an op after all and was fit! .Either he is or he ain’t ffs ,if he’s likely to break down as suggested by Pards yesterday then get him sorted out properly once and for all. Part of me is wondering if they are not getting the op done so they can cash in ,in the summer with the Dippers thereby making it their problem ,after all wouldn’t be the first time Ash has ****** someone over like. 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
I fear if we stick the same half dozen coaches we have at present – we have to look at the likes of Carroll and the boys at Stoke for signings.
I actually want Carroll back as I feel he would work with Cisse really well but we’re a hoof ball team more than we were with Big Sam as manager and if we stick with this, we need the players to do it. These French lads can’t play this and it’s pointless having them.
Signing Messi would be redundant with this coaching team as it is. We need more coaches to help them.
funkyjesus(Quote)
We don’t need more coaches to help them – we need to get rid of them! Looking back, not too far, Souness, Roeder and even Allardyce had us playing more attractive football.
georgio(Quote)
The problem is Mike Ashley. He has no ambition apparat from making money on the club, and is happy with mid table finish every year. The club needs a new owner ASAP. The only way to become a success is with City size investments in players.
Norwegian NUFC supporter(Quote)
Newkie – sorry for the late reply mate, had to go pick the boy up from his grans. Peaceful as fook last neet with a few tinnies but normal service resumed now and mayhem returned!.
I’ve defended Pardew quite a bit this season as we have had injuries, the recruitment in the summer wasn’t sufficient and as a manager he’s never had to cope with the added demand of European football before.
But I’m not entirely sure how courageous he would be if we had a fully fit squad and that’s the problem I have with him. We all have our opinions on our best 11 players and maybe between us 1-2 may defer but I can’t imagine many of us would have Saylor, Tiote and Jonas in our strongest 11 – but I reckon Pardew would.
I’m not a fan of changing managers for fun, but at the same time I’m not in favour of keeping hold of a manager who is failing so badly in his principal duties.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I have never called for a manager to go except maybe Allardyce but Pardew is stretching me. I am not sure how it would work with our calls for stability to sack a guy after a bad season despite having a great season the year before. Does one count more than the other?
That’s why I am calling for more coaches to help the existing mob. They will get fitness up and hopefully a bit more football in. If it still fails, then you know it is on Pardew’s head and sacking is justified and without doubt.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Axel – have to agree, if Lpool want to put a daft bid in for Benny I’d probably let him go – but not for Adel. Personally I’d take Johnathon De Juzman who’s on loan at Swansea from Villareal. He’s 25 and would cost around £5-7m but so much of Swanseas good attacking play goes through him this season.
Ice – if you’re out there buddy, I’d be interested in who you’d fancy to replace Pardew?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy-no worries pal. Again, basically agree with all that. You need to post more often, that way I can just agree and not have to type anything.
Newkie(Quote)
In fairness I would very much like to see a better passing game with an intent to attack. All too often this season there’s only been Cisse and only one other in the box during our attacks. No wonder we don’t score many goals.
We have very good, technical attacking players but don’t seem to use them wisely. A shame really…
Stuart79(Quote)
Apparently Suarez has bitten Ivanovic and didn’t get punished/seen doing it? Not watching the match so I don’t know, but if they could retrospectively ban him that would be awfully kind..
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – cheers mate but I’m not sure we would always agree on everything buddy 😉
Out of interest, if we were to replace Pardew in the summer who would you go with mate?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
@ Newkie
Did he not get a long ban for that when he played in holland? He is a dirty ******* like.
Oblong(Quote)
I’ve just looked it up. He was banned for 7 games.
He is a quality player but really let’s himself down with stuff like this. Wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a long ban again.
Oblong(Quote)
Newkie – I’d settle for a one match ban to be honest mate 😉
Oblong – he did aye, bit a player on the shoulder under the refs nose as well I seem to remember.
They aren’t a set of teeth you’d want to receive a bite from either like are they?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy-We don’t usually, but as you’re talking sense lately I must have been getting through to you…. 😉
As for my choice, one of the reasons I’ve said Pards shouldn’t get sacked is because I don’t have faith the club will get anyone that good. In addition after the influx of players, I really can’t see us spending much in the summer (and a new manager would want something) unless we sell someone big-and the only player we could afford to lose for big money would have been Tiote and he’s worth precisely **** all now.
So, ruling out any “proven” managers, I’d go for Poyet.
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie @53 like the idea of that,would be most helpfull. 🙂
KIMTOON(Quote)
Oblong-Aye, he’s a quality player but he’s an absolute animal. Still, all helps us as pretty sure liverpool aren’t playing wigan/villa for the rest of the season.
Sharpy@57 😆 he’s got some funky fangs going that’s for sure.
Newkie(Quote)
Not at all. I got bit by a Horse once and that bloody hurt. I would imagine it would be very similar. 😆
Oblong(Quote)
I also reckon Poyet could do well too .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Lets see if much is said about that bite after the game then. Bloody hell the racist scores in stoppage time!
KIMTOON(Quote)
Suarez really doesn’t help himself like does he. I think he has been player of the season but he won’t win any of the awards because he is so unpopular. Hope he does get banned for our game though :D.
Lee Clarke over Poyet any day of the week (But both over Pardew) 😀
Santii(Quote)
I’m in the Poyet camp as well if Pards does leave. He likes to play free flowing attacking football….would suit our player and be better to watch.
As we are talking about the summer. Is there anyone from QPR you would take now they are pretty much down?
Hoilett would be a good signing I think but that’s it for me.
Oblong(Quote)
Kim@63, very kind of him, now he’s given me a few fantasy points I can ship him out as presumably he’ll be out for the rest of the season…haven’t tracked down a video of the bite yet though.
Newkie(Quote)
@Santii
Good shout with Clarke
Oblong(Quote)
@Oblong
Even though he went about it in a dickish way, I’d still consider Remy.
It’s mad how much they spent yet none of their players really appeal.
Come on FA, act quickly and get that filthy Suarez banned in time for our game
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/4K7GFXeuFksA4KbNsHY1gA–/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ–/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptussowexperts/WubX7nn.jpg
Still, looks pretty clear there..
Newkie(Quote)
@Oblong
Remy and thats about it.
Hoilett is a lazy ****.
Santii(Quote)
Suarez scores a last minute equalizer!.
I can understand Poyet as an option but I’d worry about his relationship with Wise and a possible route back in for him if Poyet came in – I know that sounds daft but there you go.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The question is will the pathetic FA punish him? I doubt it – he’ll play next week and score the winner no doubt.
Stuart79(Quote)
Santii-I have tried to follow Lee Clarke and would love him to be a future manager, but I know a fair few Brum fans and they really don’t rate him. Apparently he emails fans and lists excuses? I don’t know…maybe its a Pardew phase 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Clark even
Newkie(Quote)
Just seen the bite video lol what to **** is he thinking lmao he is a mental case.
Santii(Quote)