Indeed United could have bagged more than just a point had Papiss Cisse’s first-half effort been adjudged to have crossed the line and been awarded as a goal. Rightly or wrongly it wasn’t given and a point had to do in the end.
If you look at our result in isolation a point away at West Ham wasn’t a poor result, but wins for sides above and below us, especially Wigan winning at West Brom, mean that nerves are starting to jangle a bit louder here in the North East.
With Moussa Sissoko missing United lined up in a 4-3-3 formation which did at least show some attacking intent, but it was West Ham who had the first attack although Mohamed Diame’s shot was blasted wildly over the crossbar. United responded and had their own half-chance soon after as Hatem Ben Arfa fired in a free-kick from the wide right which landed on top of the net rather than inside it.
The game ebbed and flowed with neither side really threatening in attack although there was a moment of controversy as Yohan Cabaye played in Papiss Cisse who rolled the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen only to see Winston Reid hook the ball off the line. Cisse was adamant it was over and TV replays proved inconclusive, aside from a replay from one angle which showed that the ball looked to have crossed the line.
Hatem Ben Arfa then had another soon after as he burst into the West Ham box but his tame shot was easily dealt with by the West Ham goalkeeper. United had probably had the better of the first-half but it remained all-square at half-time.
Half-time: West Ham 0-0 Newcastle
The second-half started with Andy Carroll nodding a cross from Matt Jarvis wide of the goal before once again United responded as Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa rolled the ball to Yohan Cabaye who say his long-range drive fly just wide of Jaaskelainen’s post. Hatem Ben Arfa the curled a frekick into the arms of the West Ham ‘keeper.
The away side had Rob Elliot to thank for keeping the score at 0-0 as he kept out Kevin Nolan with a fine double-save before denying Matt Jarvis with another fine save to his right.
Just two minutes after that though United were handed another chance as Yoan Gouffran advanced forward and knocked the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen who had come out of goal in an attempt to deal with the danger. With space running out Gouffran was forced to shoot from a narrow angle and his effort bobbled just wide of the post.
Both teams pressed at times but neither was able to break the deadlock in what was a match that lacked any real quality. A point gained but it doesn’t feel like it due to results elsewhere.
Full-time: West Ham 0-0 Newcastle
It’s now looking like we are going to be the third side relegated and we’ll be joining Reading and QPR in the Championship next season. These are dark times at Newcastle and I can’t see it sending any time soon. Suffice to say I’d buckle your seatbelts as it’s going to be a bumpy few years.
That might be an understatement…
West Ham: Jussi Jaaskelainen; Joey O’Brien, Winston Reid, James Collins, Guy Demel; Gary O’Neill, Mohamed Diame, Kevin Nolan, Matt Jarvis; Ricardo Vaz Te, Andy Carroll
Subs: Stephen Henderson, Emanuel Pogatetz, Matt Taylor, Mark Noble, Jack Collison, Joe Cole, Carlton Cole
Newcastle: Rob Elliot; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa; Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez; Hatem Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse, Yoan Gouffran
Subs: Steve Harper, Mike Williamson, James Perch, Dan Gosling, Vurnon Anita, Adam Campbell, Shola Ameobi
Attendance: 34,962
I think Tiote will teach Remy a lesson he wont be forgetting for a while 😯
Well, if he’s gonna pick up a booking every match, it might aswell be for something worthwile.
Talking of Simpson, I don’t think he deserves to be dropped just because De B is available again.
DeB has shown himself to be a proper ***** imo. Got himself sent off DELIBERATELY and then flounced down the tunnel in a huff.
Everyone knows he cant defend for toffee, but tbh his attacking play aint much better either, barring the occasional cross.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Would just like to add, I’m not all that impressed with the Carrs fabled scouting ability either.
Look at how many players he has recommended that are now being lined up for the chop this summer.
I’m thinking he has been rumbled. There are better scouts on this blog than that old fart.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
..oops 😳 …I left out Hill’s central midfield partner, Brian Blessed.
Rodzilla(Quote)
Correction:
———-——–FINNEGAN (Judy)———–—-
MADELY———WHITELEY———BARKER
DEVITO———-BLESSED—————–ROTH
—————–—HILL(Benny)——————–
———–PACINO————–FORSYTH———
———————–CORBETT——————–
you knows it
Rodzilla(Quote)
Err Rodz, when you say Brian Blessed you have to say it in a very LOUD voice
ok 😛
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Pardews favorite phrase ‘Now the performance really is going out of the window. We need a win at QPR however it comes. We’ve got to improve that area for next week.’
next week, next bloody week, we’ll improve?!, hows about practicing the week before the week you need to improve and it may eliminate needing to improve the week after? simples 😯
mark(Quote)
Seems like some fans’ heads have dropped. And some say the Frenchies have no fight 😆 😆
What’s that saying about seeing a person’s true character in times of adversity? 😯
brisvegas(Quote)
Mark the irony seems to be lost on him that we could get a win if he stopped bricking it at half time and clearly keeps telling them to sit back and play for a draw or defend a one goal lead, or if he kept attacking players on the pitch rather than removing those lkely to provide a goal threat etc etc The man’s arrogance or stupidty knows no bounds. I wish he would just shut up. No wonder the players are sick of listening to him.
Geordie Deb(Quote)
A month ago I was convinced that 37 points would be enough.
Clearly I was wrong… but who on Earth would have thought that both the Scum, Aston Villa and Wigan would all start winning so regularly and we would capitulate so badly.
I see one thing in common with the teams getting themselves out of trouble.
Attack attack attack.
They don’t play to pick up a point, they don’t start desperately defending when they go a goal ahead and they don’t let their heads drop when they go a goal behind.
We on the other hand have an arsehole negative manager, who seems more than happy to pick up scraps whilst praying that it will be enough to get us through.
Luck has certainly gone against us…
I see there were the usual bunch of w@nkers having a go at Cisse and crawling desperately up Demba Ba’s **** after the draw on Saturday.
Cisse now has five goals that given the benefit of the doubt have been unfairly ruled out. That would have had him on 19 goals for the season.
That for a team that has played long ball **** (not to his strength) all season is not a bad result – especially given that Pardew screwed him around early season and he has suffered from poor form.
We didn’t sell Ba by choice – we didn’t choose one striker or the other.
Ba WANTED to leave, and he ran off the first decent offer he got FFS – get that in your thick skulls.
There are two people to blame for this IMO.
Mike Ashley for not investing preseason – but Pardew should take 80% of the blame, because even with lack of investment, we still had a squad more than capable of a top 10 finish.
Since January he’s had a squad capable of a top 7 finish yet he hasn’t done any better. His man management, coaching, tactics, set pieces, and media handling has been pathetic this season. No manager has ever deserved the sack more than he does…
I gave him credit for last season – saying I didn’t agree with his tactics but they worked so well done. This season I can say he has destroyed us with negative football.
I can see 41 points being enough now for sure. But the problem is this…
I don’t see us beating QPR, I think it’ll be a draw or a narrow win to them.
Even if we get a point, I think Arsenal will thump us at St James on the final day of the season and we will go down on goal difference.
The fact is, that if we don’t go down, we deserved to get relegated.
We’ve played the worst football of any team all season – including Stoke. We have the worst defence, nobody but Cisse is capable of scoring with the current tactics and even support for him is non exsistant.
We deserve it!
Although I will always love and support the club, no matter what division. It would sicken me to see Pardew still in charge of this club if we go down. Or stay up. And I can’t see him getting sacked.
Such a depressing thought. I would have Joe Kinnear back over Pardew any day of the week.
JJ(Quote)
Beardsleys Boots
Are you saying that ALL of our players are ****? Because not one of them have played well this season.
The reason for that is the tactics are of Sunday League standard. There is no cohesion.
I don’t think Carr is the genius some make out, but he’s found us some very good players that are nearly all being used incorrectly on the field of play.
If Pard’s managed Dortmund they’d be lucky to finish top 8 in their league. Doesn’t mean they are bad players.
He even managed to make Tevez and Macherano look like bad players. That takes some doing!
JJ(Quote)
@JJ
You say we have a squad capable of a top 10 finish. I disagree.
As soon as web ace injuries we don’t have any quality to call on.
We were fortunate last season as we didn’t suffer with badly with injuries.
By losing Ba to Chelsea and Barfa to injuries then Cisse has been starved of support. Without these 3 being on fire last season then I suggest we would have been in a relegation battle last year as well.
The players brought in this January have not stepped up to the plate and the more pressure there’s been, the more they’ve hid.
Pardew for me is an average manager but I believe he’s trying to cook a cordon bleu meal with ingredients from Aldi. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
*terrible grammar – its my phone*
Troy Stavers(Quote)
JJ .Got to agree mate we are on a very sticky wicket now, but we don’t (fans) deserve relegation .50,000 odd every week at same james’s and ultra busy blogs on matchday ,say this club has a passionate following . It’s a crying shame we are where we are and the blame lays at the door of an arrogant owner and Lambias for not strengthening in the summer and for keeping faith with Pards when a blind man could see he’s not playing players in form or correctly. Obviously key injuries have not helped but frankly had we strengthend in summer it wouldn’t be an issue. I believe we have the talent to beat QPR ,I just hope the players have the belief in themselves and Pards has the balls to attack the entire match. If we go 2 up first half I don’t want us dropping back all 2nd half ,maybe the last 5 mins but not all 2nd half that’s madness and ultra tiring mentally . I fear for us if we drop I really do ,if the flair players desert us and they surely will ,what have we got 🙄 .We must give Simmo an improved contract if we go down and I would consider it if we stay up as well ,he showed real guts on saturday and is being cast aside too easily imo. Sad thing is even if we beat QPR it may not be enough depending on other results .It pains me that Wigan might stay up over us ,they are a **** team and were feking awful on saturday yet got the win -go figure 🙄 .
KIMTOON(Quote)
TROY do you still think we will stay up ❓ or should i ask you after wigan beat swansea on tuesday night 😯
batty(Quote)
Troy,
On the striker front, I agree we needed at least one for option. However…
Pardew favoured defensive minded players the intire season, and that for me is the reason for lack of creativity.
He played Perch ahead of Anita. Jonas ahead of Marveaux, Shola ahead of Campbell.
I would say there has been a lot of criticism of Pardew that perhaps he couldn’t have helped. But his total negativity in approach is so inexcusable.
He has given the team a loser mentality.
Happy players play far better football than miserable players. I don’t think any of the players enjoy the way Pardew sets up the team.
The one criticism I would have of Graham Carr is that if you find players on the cheap because of the injury records, then you mustn’t be schocked if they continue to pick up injuries.
JJ(Quote)
Kim,
That’s exactly the problem.
If we go 2-0 up at QPR, I’m convinced Pard’s will then go all out defence to try hold on for the valueable three points.
Then if we concede one the pressure on the team is immense, the momentum of us attacking is gone, we are stuck in a defensive mind set and full of nerves. He’s done it to us all season. Its why we find ourselves in the situation we do now.
JJ(Quote)
#entire 😳
JJ(Quote)
Dave@223 ,Sorry wasn’t ignoing you mate ,got tied up with Lew last night.Yeah nice to see Warren backing us ,shame most every one else isn’t . 🙁
KIMTOON(Quote)
Another horrible is Swansea are without Michu against Wigan, so I’d put Wigan as favourites for that one on form.
JJ(Quote)
kimtoon supermac is backing us as well 😯
batty(Quote)
JJ , Steady mate you’ll have Micheal on you’re back after that Cisse rant 😆 Sharpy and me gave up trying to reason with him yesterday ,he’s too hung up on Ba to see reason in any argument.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Batty ,He wasn’t on the sauce was he when he said that .
KIMTOON(Quote)
i reckon our best hope is norwich get worse results than ours
batty(Quote)
@Batty
No one can honestly answer that question. It really depends on the frame of mind that QPR have. They are down and Harry might want to experiment with young kids and fringe players.
Its our only hope as we won’t get anything from Arsenal and our away record is abysmal.
It looks like Harry will have a final say on our season.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
kimtoon isnt he always on it or is he dry nowadays ❓
batty(Quote)
dus any 1 know the last time we have lost 3 in a row at home ❓
batty(Quote)
what also worries me is we havent lost away in the last 2 games 😯 were doomed
batty(Quote)
Lawro ,now saying we will have a narrow escape 😯 🙄 that’s it then we’re ****** 👿
KIMTOON(Quote)
@JJ
He played Perch ahead of Anita. Jonas ahead of Marveaux, Shola ahead of Campbell.
I don’t believe any of those changes would have made the slightest bit of difference tbh.
Marveaux has had glimpses of good football but often disappears out of the game. Anita is lightweight however I do think Jonas has been played too defensively but that says a lot about the confidence in our defence.
We had to play with Williamson for the first half of the season.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
It’s pretty simple – if Wigan beat Swansea and and Sunderland beat Stoke we’re going down. How anyone expects us to miraculously start winning away games after a full season of pathetic sleep inducing performances is beyond me.
Stuart79(Quote)
Batty,
I think if West Brom could shock Wigan, that’d be it. Can’t see Arsenal losing at home. Then I think a point would be enough for us.
Norwich, also play West Brom, so we could hope for another away win there for West Brom. And then they play Man City away so if we lost both games we’d have to make sure we lose by less than they do… 🙁
Wouldn’t it be great if we could just beat QPR and end this!
Its 50/50 at this point in time. But I actually think we have the toughest fixtures. QPR are down so they have no nerves and can play with freedom.
Arsenal are the most in form team in the league at the moment and we are the most out of form team.
JJ(Quote)
Troy ,Logic says we should beat an awful QPR side ,just 4 wins all season ffs. But they now play completely free of pressure and that in its self is why they gave Arsenal such a good go albeit they still lost 1.0 . It also shows that even though it’s Arsenal last day there is no reason we shouldn’t give a good account of ourselves at home on the last day against them . If a crappy QPR can keep them to 1.0 ,then by god we should be able to better that nerves or no nerves. Also with every ****** expecting us to get walloped that should take the pressure off a bit ,as in other sides may relax a bit thinking we are doomed.
KIMTOON(Quote)
we havent lost 3 in a row at home this season ,but also we havent gone 3 games away unbeaten this season
batty(Quote)
Stuart,
Like Batty says, it could come down to who ever loses by the least goals between ourselves and Norwich in the final two games.
I would say if we fail to beat QPR and Norwich beat West Brom, we are 95% down.
JJ(Quote)
Don’t you wish you could fast forward 2 weeks have it over and done with ,can’t fecking stand this .Hate that we are in this **** situation.
KIMTOON(Quote)
JJ thats what i was saying about norwich ,them 2 home games realy ****** us up 👿
batty(Quote)
Yeah ,shipping them 9 goals over two gamesis worth a point for sure 🙁
KIMTOON(Quote)
Batty ,yep I said we needed to bury the Scum and West brom as the run in was tricky . Got to be honest didn’t see us getting owt from Sams lot so that’s a bonus and should of been more ,thanks Mr Wilkes AGAIN.
KIMTOON(Quote)
we have also had more late goals scored against us than we have scored against other teams 😯
batty(Quote)
I would much rather be playing WBA than QPR on Saturday. Against us WBA looked like they were ready for the beach – it was only when we decided we would sit back and invite them onto us did they look more dangerous. Wigan didn’t do that and won and I see Norwich doing the same.
Stuart79(Quote)
Batty ,that’s down to the stupid 2nd half defending we do, it’s needless pressure that needn’t be happening and Pards is to blame for that.
KIMTOON(Quote)
So what’s news? 😎
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Stuart ,Wigans defending was **** on saturday they were really lucky not to be on the end of two pens that Probate really ought to of given West Brom who were robbed.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Skippy ,do you think we’ll stay up?
KIMTOON(Quote)
yep!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
hope the spuds lose against chelski
batty(Quote)
KIM – Our defending in the second half against WH was also reopen and if it wasn’t for dodgy finishing from Carroll or a couple of great saves from Elliot we’d have got jack diddly! The only difference is that Wigan tok their chances and won – we didn’t!
Big difference.
Stuart79(Quote)
Worryingly big difference…
We haven’t scored for 4 games – wigan are scoring goals.
Norwich is our saviour and even then if we don’t beat QPR it won’t matter.
Stuart79(Quote)
Batty,
And we’re never going to make that goal difference up because you know for sure that if we go up by half time against QPR, Pardew will park the bus…
JJ(Quote)
Stuart,
Exactly mate.
We haven’t scored in four games. Yet even a conference side would have managed to get a goal somewhere. No matter how bad the players were.
We are set up so poorly to score goals, its scary.
JJ(Quote)
Pardew said: “It looks like at QPR we’re going to have to try to win the game and see where that leaves us. We wanted to try to get two wins.”
Says it all… To me it says he normally goes for draws away but know needs to go for a win. Utterley pathetic! Go for draws and you end up getting fck all!!
Stuart79(Quote)
you know lifes like toilet paper one day your on a roll the next your in the **** 😉
icedog(Quote)
We will win 4 -1 this weekend.. you heard it here first from Aussie!!
We are due a goal and the floodgates will open.. 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
It must be all that sun Aussie.
Having talked myself into full Pardew gloom last week I feel better now. We’ll be Ok. If the scum don’t win tonight it might be them to go. If they do then for me it’s Norwich but most probably Wigan. For once I enjoyed the gam on Sat. Great to see Colo back, he’s so important to our whole pattern of play. Benny’s almost fit ( can’t understand why it takes so long for him) and in fact that performance was exactly like most of our away games last season. Even Pardew was smiling near the end when I was bricking it.
georgio(Quote)
Aussie,
Do you have to jinx us every bloody weekend. Like things aren’t going badly enough.
JJ(Quote)
Having said all that Pardew really has to go along with about 8 squad players.
georgio(Quote)
Kim @260 – it’s what being a toon fan is all about. It’s always edge of the seat stuff.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio,
Colo is the only player in defence who seems calm and composed with distribution.
I think this league was one hell of a schock to Mbiwa. The guy has loads of potential but he has been aweful IMO since he arrived.
Is Debuchy still suspended? If not I’d keep Simmo at right back and play Debuchy wide right because he is one of the few who seems to be capable of putting a decent ball into the area.
JJ(Quote)
IF we survive. And we can get a more attack minded manager in, that in itself will be like signing six new players, because I think they’d finally be allowed to play their own game and show their full value.
JJ(Quote)
JJ I’ve said that all season. We’ve got good players but they’ve been totally mis managed. Even on Sat – Gosling or Anita? Shola or Cambell?
georgio(Quote)
I don’t see how Shola did that much wrong when he came on to be honest, he had a pretty good chance and helped with the link up play. Gosling well…he’s just a spanner, but if Pardew brought on Anita as a second defensive mid no doubt people would complain.
If we can perform like that and preferably better-or at least with Benny in full swing, we should really pick up a win vs qpr.
Newkie(Quote)
I thought Mbiwa was good as FB on saturday ,am I the only one who thought that ❓
KIMTOON(Quote)
Looks like the media are starting to turn the knife on the silver fox. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/05/west-ham-newcastle-alan-pardew
Interesting Pardew won’t bother watching the Wigan v Swansea game on Tuesday night, claiming ‘I have had enough tension for one week.’ ….christ he wants to stand in our shoes watching our lot week in week out
Geordie Deb(Quote)
Kim @287, I agree with you. Wonder if it was a different position, or having Colo there as a rock steady calming influence instead of Taylor flapping around like a nutta, or maybe both, that made the difference
Geordie Deb(Quote)
Geordie Deb,
Colo is the best centre back we have ever had by a long way in my book. I don’t think Saylor is bad either. He’s had far more excellent games than poor games this season. But when he has a bad game he does a good job of it.
Mbiwa is a bit like Bramble when he started. Looks superb and then makes one or two total clangers per game. But he has never experienced English football. I think he will become a very good player within the next six months. If he stays of course.
JJ(Quote)
Yanga M’Biwa has shown quality in quite a few games e.g. he was our best defender against West Brom and he was superb at LB on Saturday.
I just don’t think he and Taylor can play together as they both like to charge at the ball. Both need to be partnered with a covering CB.
Yanga M’biwa will improve as he adjusts to the league. Taylor just isn’t good enough and never has been. He still makes the dumb decisions he was making 5 years ago. Nothing more than a squad player.
The Kid(Quote)
Deb ,I was wondering if Mbiwa and Saylor are too alike in style of play 😕 The thing with Colo and Saylor is they are so different Saylor being a blocker while Colo is cool in possession and plays it out of defence cooly most of the time.They compliment each other well. But I was really impressed with Mbiwa at FB I must say.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I might sound like a broken record, but people really don’t need to worry about Yanga M’biwa. I’ve seen enough of him to say with confidence, he is a much, much better player than he is currently showing. He is a class act and we were lucky to get him so cheap. He will show that next season when he’s adjusted to the league and gets a full pre-season with his partner at CB. Must be extremely tough to join a struggling team at the mid-point of the season.
The Kid(Quote)
JJ, you can apologise to me after the game, when you see that I am right 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I said a few weeks again when he was getting stick that I was impressed with M’Bwia. Sure he’s making mistakes but he’s only young and agree The Kid, once he settles, gets used to the pace and his english improves, I’m sure he will blossom in a similar way that Colo did after he adapted to the english league. God knows how the interpreter translates Pardew’s ramblings to M’Bwia and the other non english speakers. The man doesn’t make any sense to us most of the time, so god help them.
Geordie Deb(Quote)
JJ
I agree, his overall play is good, but he just drops the odd clanger, which is usually a lackadaisical pass or dilly dallying on the ball. These are things that you can get away with in Ligue 1 because of the increased time you’re allowed on the ball. He will adjust. I just hope it’s at Newcastle United.
The Kid(Quote)
Deb ,I agree poor sods don’t stand a chance . 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
“Get French Football @GFN_France 1m
BREAKING: Astonishing stuff as Stephane MBia asks Joey Barton over Twitter if he wants to switch and go back to QPR + MBia back to Marseille”
Well, I guess we know why he was dropped against Arsenal then, eh? 😆
The Kid(Quote)
JJ agree about Colo. Love the man, will be gutted when he goes. He brings such a calming influence to the team. We looked so much better on Saturday with him back and also think Danny had a decent enough game and should start on Sunday. We need everyone on the pitch to keep their head, as the pressure will be immense. Sure I read yesterday that Arsenal have 5 wins and a draw from their last 6 away games, so if that tosspot Pardew plans on nicking something aainst them if it doesn’t pan out at Loftus Road, then he needs certifying
Geordie Deb(Quote)
Deb,He needs certifying anyway . someone once said ” The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results” just about sums Pards up really. 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)