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…
I bet you Brendan Rodgers defends him!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Jesus ,just watched the bite again ,that’s nasty ,can’t see how the fa can’t act on that but it looked like the ref spoke to him after Ivanovich pointed out what he’d done. If the ref is therefor aware what took place I can’t see how retrospective action will be taken .Isn’t it like with Haidara it was seen but not carded!!!
KIMTOON(Quote)
Bad by the ref though if he knew but chose to let it go
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well if the FA get on their high horse and allow a bite to go unpunished then they should all be hung, along with Suarez.
Newkie(Quote)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22234755
If you watch the latest interview from 2.13 he says.. ‘I thought, erm that, ermm, we had a reasonable excuse’
This sums the season up for me, last season Alan was ready to take the plaudits and collect the manager of the season awards for overachieving, this time it is about finding excuses for players lacking form, our style of play being predictable and at times painful to watch, and dropping far too many points in games that we should have gone on to win. The Europa games and injuries can not be used as an excuse for this. Are we supposed to believe that our style of play is lacking because players like Ryan Taylor and Haris Vuckic are missing? Or really is it because we have been relying far too heavily on Demba Ba and Cisse being in good form. Any ability or flair that the players possess seems to be being coached out of them in favor of playing one dimensional, predictable, zonal marking hoofball.
DJG(Quote)
5 lives 606 is full of callers on that bite lol ,reckon he’ll KOP it from the FA scuse the pun .
KIMTOON(Quote)
It’s a tough one this Pardew predicament, he doesn’t seem to be getting the most out of our talented squad of players in what’s been a dreadful season (with the exception of Europa league). Last year we overachieved and rode our luck at times; this year we have been unlucky with injuries and made a mistake in not investing. At least the board have come out and admitted their mistake and signaled their intent by investing in January (which I think has just about saved us). Hopefully we can get a few more in this summer and have a better season next year. As for Pardew, I personally think he should be given a bit more time; the new French players are still adjusting to the premier league and the second half of the season has been a bedding in period for them. If there isn’t any improvement in the first few months of next season, then Pardew should go.
Mihesh(Quote)
i think maybe a french manager in to replace Pardew or i don’t know if he has a club after being sacked by Chelsea but Di Matteo maybe . After all he did win the CL .
Axel(Quote)
As Stuart, I’m just waiting for the FA to pull out some bullshit excuse. Jamie Redknapp saw it and his Dad nearly got the England job so nothing can be done about it sorry.
To me even if it’s been seen or mentioned in the match report or whatever it needs dealing with
toonsy(Quote)
He got his 10th yellow so he is banned for our game no matter what happens about the bite (I think).
Santii(Quote)
I can’t see the FA doing owt as a beavers teeth are what they use best, but hopefully he will get a ban before our game, as he is the dippers most important player. Which leads me onto Benny and the fact he is our most important player and the fact we need to get him starting games.
Just seen the beaver on the news and without doubt that was a bite so he needs to be banned
Big Dave(Quote)
The slate was wiped clean 2nd weekend of Aril so Suarez won’t get banned for his 10th yellow. Hopefully the ref didn’t see it and the FA will ban him….don’t hold your breath because a linesman probably saw a minuscule part of the incident so they can’t take action 😈
Oh and the lad has previous:
He served a 7 match ban whilst at Ajax for biting a player as well!
3hourswasted(Quote)
If the FA had any balls they’d kick Suarez’s scummy *** out of the PL. Racism, punching, stamping and now biting, he needs to go, kids will see it and replicate it 🙁 .
Andymag(Quote)
3HW
Did you see that one? He but the PSV player’s neck, like a vampire 😯
Andymag(Quote)
It was a Chelsea player he bit not a Newcastle player so he will be banned.
Groucho(Quote)
😆 off coure buck rodgers never seen it so can’t pass comment on it 😀 fukinh typical manager they never say any wrong doing from their own, but see eberything from the other team 😯
Big Dave(Quote)
GROUCHO @90
I think you might be right there, they will throw the book at him, backhander from Mr Abramovic is on it’s way. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
I believe Mourinho is available next season… If he would come to us I’d sack Pardew, but if not let’s stick with him.
Stuart79(Quote)
Andy @88 ,exactly ,the guy is single handedly ruining the reputation of Liverpool fc imo ,he’s an animal end off vile creature ,talented but vile.
Actually think we may see a Haidara situation where the ref cites a coming together but actuall seriousness unseen and then technically FA can do nowt .
Andy and any Spartacus fans ,Sky 1 are showing the whole series from the start again monday 10pm Blood and sand starts . 🙂
KIMTOON(Quote)
Earlier I would have been willing to give Pardew another year but taking into account his subs in the last two games and playing Jonas at left back, when we had a left back on the bench, I think I have seen enough to say he should not be given another year. Why should we suffer the same negative football for another year.
Someone mentioned Poyet’s links to Wise. I heard from Leeds fans that it was Poyet who was responsible for Leeds’ success at the time not Wise. Poyet will be his own man.
Groucho(Quote)
KIMTOON
If he bit him off the ball then surely the FA can charge him whether the ref saw it or not as it amounts to something like violent conduct and not just a profession foul or something. Similar to the Williamson elbow or Cabaye kick where the ref didn’t see it at the time.
DJG(Quote)
No Andy didn’t see it but it just shows Suarez is an animal and not fit to be on a football field. Hopefully he will get a lengthy ban but the FA will probably bottle it 🙄
3hourswasted(Quote)
DJG ,Let’s hope so but after Haidara I have lost all faith in the FA ,THAT tackle was wreckless and could of ended his career yet they let it go as a coming together was seen.
KIMTOON(Quote)
The FA are completly toothless when it comes to the the big boys, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets away with it
Big Dave(Quote)
Kim
Got series 1 on DVD 😉 , will probably get the others as well.
3HW
Should be kicked out, absolutely deplorable.
Andymag(Quote)
The chelsea player should report him to the police if the Fa do FA ,surly that falls under assault
Axel(Quote)
BIG DAVE
The FA have already fined and banned him for 8 games for racial abuse so I doubt he is not on their radar or he is above the law just because he plays for the dippers.
DJG(Quote)
If he bit him then surely there is a bite mark? If so then how can there be any doubt? Plus he has done it before and it left a mark then.
DJG(Quote)
Djg yeah they fined him for racially abusing a man u player which is a massive sin because Fergie has that much sway but Chelski don’t have as much sway as manure and arn’t as well respected as the dippers, but we will see just how much guts the FA has, as IMO he should be banned for the rest of the season.
Big Dave(Quote)
Just watched that BBC Pardew interview and the bloke actually blamed the pitch too. What a freaking crouton 😯
Munich Mag(Quote)
Here’s a new managerial name for you…of course it won’t happen though.
Neil Lennon from Celtic
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM I would rather tattoo my eyeballs than have that c@nt if he got the job I would.have to take a back seat until he was away and I really mean it
Big Dave(Quote)
@MM
That guy is a scumbag and i would rather support Sunderland than have that C*nt manage our team.
Santii(Quote)
LOL 🙄 😆
Santii(Quote)
MM sorry m8 but thats a big no from me as well ,never liked that git .
Axel(Quote)
Big D….I had a feeling that you might say that. He would split the fans somewhat … 😳
Munich Mag(Quote)
Looks like Neil Lennon is out then …. due to the twatbag factor 😆 😆
PARDEW IN !!!! 😆 😆 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
SANTII no you wouldn’t 😯
Axel(Quote)
Santii@108, have a lie down big man 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM atleast Santii and I can agree on something 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Managers out of work in the summer you’d have to say Rafa would be one of the most experienced. I know transfers wise at Lpool he was poor but he won them trophies and with Carr his recruitments with us may be alot better.
That said, I think my preferred option would be a combo of Di Matteo with Ray Wilkins as his head coach. Think Wlko is a great coach and he and Roberto could get the best out of this lot IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Big D, I though that might be the case 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
Think the focus seems to have shifted from someone better than Pardew and people are willing to take sideways steps just to replace Pardew.
It’s a no from me for Neil Lennon aswell. I dare say I could manage celtic to the spl title. Its hardly an achievement when your rivals are three leagues below you….
toonsy(Quote)
Sharpy17, if Butch Wilkins appeared anywhere near the toon I’d borrow Big Dave’s tatoo machine and tatoo my eyeballs. cannot stand the bloke.
Rafa would get my vote, but not until Pardew has proven himself once and for all to be a bulls lug, which may be sooner rather than later.
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM I think you just said his name to wind me up, and I have to admit my blood boiled thinking about it 😈
Sharpy I don’t really fancy Rafa or Di Matteo 🙄
Big Dave(Quote)
Toonsy, I agree the sottish league is pish, but they had a canny run in the Champions League and played some really good football in the Champions League games I watched.
Still there is no way that they would look at such a controversial decision as Lennon, especially now that Ashley is a pseudo bluenose 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
I think rafa would want a much bigger say in what players we recruit than Pards does .Pards as far as I can see pretty much takes what he’s given and that’s how Ash likes it . Also don’t think we could offer enough coin to Rafa either.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Plus not that keen on Rafa or Lennon. If we want a motivator then Ian Holloway is your man ,you may laugh but he has his teams playing nice footie and with great spirit. Having said that this job is probably too big for him.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Big D@120, that was just a little Sunday evening tease, no malicious intent .. 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM – I’d pay to see that mate 😯 😆
You may not like Wilkins as a person but as a coach he’s excellent and has a vast experience.
Rafa would do a good job I think but may be expensive and I’m not sure how he’d operate under Ashley’s financial restrictions.
I want to give Pardew a chance at it next season but honesty I’m get tired of these ridiculous excuses at the end of every game. Also to say that he and the team came in for some unfair criticism after the derby defeat was just disgusting to be honest!. I’d rather he said they were going to break their necks to at least finish the season above Sunderland in the league to at least get some bragging rights back!
Sharpy17(Quote)
I wouldn’t mind Rafa to be honest, but cannot see us getting rid of Pardew.
Next season will be the big one for Pardew, although we know already that he has a huge list of excuses to back him up.
Munich Mag(Quote)
As Newcastle ambassador to Scotland I have to say Neil Lennon is a bawbag
Andymag(Quote)
Not a big fan of Di Matteo as a manager. He did well at Chelsea with them winning the CL but the football they played was awful.
Defo a no on Lennon. Shearer wouldn’t approve of his appointment either 😆
Oblong(Quote)
On a different subject….
Has anyone else noticed the sheer dislike aimed towards NUFC this season. Maybe it is just down to me living abroad and watching the games on ESPN, Sky and whatever. However it seems that almost ALL of the commentry teams are anti Newcastle United.
Maybe the media in the UK is not so, but not living in the UK it’s difficult to tell…
It could be down to several things, the fact that we pay poor football, Pardew perhaps, Ashley perhaps ? I don’t really know what it is but they all seem to have it in for us.
What is even more shocking is that Di Cannio at Sunderland, even with his track record, seems to be signalled out as a media darling. The commentary of the toon makkem game on Sky was a full vindication of that. An ex makkem on the commentary team and everything being portrayed in there favour.
Or maybe i’m getting paranoid at the end of a hard season… 🙄
Munich Mag(Quote)
For the life of me what is with all this anti-Lennon stuff. Really ….. 😳 😆
Bawbag is my favourite … 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM I@ 129 Yeah they don’t seem to have much love for us and like to make it clear at every opportunity they get.
Big Dave(Quote)
MM
The press all jumped on the viva la toon bandwagon after January but recently there’s been the “it’s what you’d expect, these French imports can’t handle a relegation struggle”, although it sounds harsh and hypocritical it has an element of truth to it.
Andymag(Quote)
I don’t get the Neil Lennon hate.
He’s a cool, calm character that has never got into trouble. He’d nut that Di Canio **** during the derby at least. They probably had fights as team mates at Celtic.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Andymag have you come clean and decided whether you’ll be following Stirling Albion or East Stirling ? 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM ,The media love DIC cause he’s good copy for them ,always something to say /do to help sell their rags ,same with the special one ,Arry and Fergie. It took the media all season last season to start paying us any compliments or take us seriously .Twats all of em .
KIMTOON(Quote)
MM
The only Scottish insult I could remember and it’s one I use often ya ken 😉
Andymag(Quote)
Dave – who do you reckon then mate. I think this is part of the problem isn’t it, who’s a realistic better option?!
Kim – I don’t think Rafa would have had too much say on what’s went on at Chelsea this season under Roman like. Holloway is a motivator but I’m not so sure he’s a PL manager or one that will take us further than what Pardew can at least.
Kim – I watched the last Spartacus last neet, it was class but gutting at the same time.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Andmag@132, I suppose the evidence is there for everyone to see. With the team possessing 6 Frenchmen relatively new to the EPL, and two Argies who played a big part in taking us down last time 😳 😳
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM
😆 , most likely neither 😉 , I know that Falkirk train at the uni sports fields cus they are very modern.
Which ever will sign me
Andymag(Quote)
Would like a French manager with Ginola and Oliver Bernard as part of the coaching staff .
Axel(Quote)
FJ@133 it would be worth seeing that nut going in for sure 🙂
I’m sure if Di Cannio gave it the big knee slide at a derby north of the border he’s be hung by his nads by one of the local radgies..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Here’s a fun question
Should we get relegated, who would stay?
Andymag(Quote)
MM,
He’s a former Celtic player, he’d be loved at Celtic like Lennon is. He’s one of those characters like Lennon, you love him at your club but hate him everywhere else. Lennon is no worse than Tiote. We’d all **** a brick if Tiote played against us.
As a green tinted, Glasgow born and bred dude, I feel the need to stick up for Lennon. He can’t be that bad a manager if he did what he did in Europe this year with a team made up for local Glasgow boys and Championship signings.
funkyjesus(Quote)
MM
Nah just the old bomb in the letter box trick 😉 , think its been a while since Lennon’s opened his bank statement without it self destructing 😕 😆
Andymag(Quote)
FJ
Thought he was from Ireland 😕
Andymag(Quote)
ANDYMAG thats not a f**king fun question m8 , RELEGATED is not funny 😯 😉
Axel(Quote)
Imo Rafa would want his own purse to buy some players. Firstly, Ash wouldn’t give him any money-secondly he’d be right not to because he shouldn’t be let anywhere near the transfer market 😆
To be fair though he was pretty good for the “big games” doubt we’d have too many gutless derbys.
I have no problem with lennon, other than him being a ***** manager 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Andy – we won’t get relegated mate
Sharpy17(Quote)
FJ@143, I meant it what I said earlier that although the scottish league is gash I watched Sellic play in a few Champs League games this season and they looked really good.
Actually it’s difficult to see where Scottish footy is going to be honest…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Just thought I’d get the old mind ticking 😉
I reckon
Elliot
Alnwick
Debuchy
Tav
Taylor
Good
Perch
Dummet
Ferguson
Haidara
Jonas
Gosling
Bigi
Obertan
Marveaux
Abeid
Shola
Campbell
Andymag(Quote)