I just thought I’d pen a quick article asking for calm from everyone ahead of our final two league fixtures of the season.
Please don’t confuse my plea for calm as an indication that I’m happy or for people not to panic. It’s more that I’m asking everyone to focus on what is most important and that is our quest for survival.
I keep hearing a lot of questions that have been brought about by our poor season. Understandably so and I realise that it’s always going to happen after a season like we’ve had. However I just think it’s time to knock the questions on the head, temporarily, until we know what is what and where we’ll be next season.
The reality is that none of the kinds of questions posed can be adjudged to have any real accuracy until we know if we’re going to survive or not. Everything is on hold at the moment and whilst I’m not saying anyone should be oblivious to the spectre of relegation, I do think our focus needs to shift from tearing things apart to expending every ounce of willingness we have towards our team.
There will be plenty of time for everyone to dissect things after the season has gone and we know how things stand. That’s part of the reason there aren’t many articles on here at the moment as I can’t bring myself to think about anything else right now. We shouldn’t be in the mess but we are and getting out of it is more important than finger pointing or laying blame.
This isn’t one of those “support your team” articles. Quite frankly I think we’ve been superb all season and have stayed with the team far longer than perhaps we would have done in the past. It’s more a reminder that it’s pointless looking too far ahead when it’s things in the very near future which will determine what happens next.
These next two weeks are vital and it starts tonight with Wigan v Swansea. In an ideal world Swansea will do us a favour and beat Wigan but unfortunately for us the Welsh side seem to already be on their summer holidays whilst Wigan look up for the scrap again.
Come on Swansea!
@LST
By all means play him more regularly when we are flying high but not in a relegation dogfight.
As soon as someone makes a slight mistake at home then the crowd groan.
He’s 18 yrs old and looks about 15.
The facts are, its not as easy as just lobbing him in.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
PARDEW
I never in my career at any level had an injury-plagued season like we have had. Whether that’s down to extra games or just a run I don’t know, but it has coincided with inclusion in the Europa League. Last year, we hardly had any injuries — I think we had the same back five for about 10 games. This year we’ve hardly had a settled back four, let alone team. That’s been the problem. Also, we’ve not picked up points away from home when we should have done. That’s something we need to improve before the end of the season.
Says it all really, pathetic excuses.
Doesn’t justify his selections, formations, or the poor hoof ball we have played under him.
BIGPAPA(Quote)
I wonder how many top managers would come to the Toon for £500k per year. 😛
You couldn’t write the buffoonery. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy – I agree at this stage its not worth playing him but had we given him games a few months ago we could be looking at a player with confidence in the premier league able to lend us a helping hand.
Thats perhaps why we dont see obertan – he is being protected by pards from the boos.
Campbell will get his chance – he could be our carroll for the championship
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
May 12: West Brom (h)
May 19: Man City (a)
Cannot see more than 1 point for Norwich. if they lost both we need a point. But will we get one.
I think tonights game decides it. Apart from Norwich all other teams involved are in much better form than us
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Troy – kennie jackett has just resigned 😆
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Troy – how are you certain about Pardew’s wage? has it been stated publicly?
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Bigpapa – stop fretting man wigan may get put off by everyone saying they will win and get stuffed! 😐
If they do win then we can start fretting. 😀
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
@Bigpapa
I’m no Pardew fan but the fact is and it had to be pointed out to someone else on this blog, as he repeatedly asked for proof, we’ve topped the injury list table all season.
That’s a big factor when the fringe players weve called upon are utter *****.
Short sighted by the regime +plus lack of ambition, Carr and the Pardew.
Ashley needs a rocket up his ****. His first appointment should be to replace Llambias with a director of football who knows the game inside out.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy – ashley will never part with his lover llambias.
He IMO wont sack pardew either particularly if we go down. If we stay up he will probably keep him and use his failure this year as an excuse not to back him in the transfer market
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Big Papa – The buffoon that backed Pardew all along, now says,
“I wonder how many top managers would come to the Toon for £500k per year. You couldn’t write the buffoonery.”
It’s not Pardew’s wage that matters and only a buffoon would suggest it. The next manager is not tied to Pardew’s wage.
Clearly, Ashley wanted Pardew as a manager for football reasons. Why would he pay him £3M a season when he could get him for £500K? What an idiot!
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Name Club Salary
Arsene Wenger Arsenal £6 million
Paul Lambert Aston Villa £2 million
David Moyes Everton £4 million
Martin Jol Fulham £1.5 million
Roberto Mancini Man city. £7.5 mill
Alex Ferguson Manchester United £4 million
Alan Pardew Newcastle £500k
Harry Redknapp Queens Park £3 million
Martin O’Neill Sunderland £3 million
Andres Villas-Boas Tottenham £4 million
Sam Allardyce West Ham £2 million
Roy Hodgson Engand £3 million
Giovanni Trapattoni Republic Of Ireland £1.5 million
http://www.trophy4toon.co.uk/index.php/premier-league-salaries/
Troy Stavers(Quote)
WHUMPIE
May 7, 2013 at 11:29
Have you been on the Scrumpy? We have won 1 away game in 18. We have been trying to find a way to get the midfield and attackers firing all season so why do you think Pardew will do it on Sunday?
Stuart79(Quote)
Troy,
I’d say Pardew’s salary is fair enough considering how **** he is…
Hopefully Ashley would be willing to pay more to someone with more ability.
Like Toonsy says however, you can’t really guess at these things until we somehow get to safety.
JJ(Quote)
As for topping injury lists, our biggest injuries that have racked up the weeks out column have been to Ryan Taylor and Haris Vuckic. If you had to pick two at the start of the season but were offered those, you’d take it. Which other side were bailed out with five new additions in January? And how come we’ve still not improved?
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
That BBC predictor is depressing……..each way you look at it we go down……… thanks bigpapa 😥
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Cuckoo. 😀
Catch the sane ones later. Not referring to you BP or LST. You’ve created a decent debate. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Bigpapa
“Also, we’ve not picked up points away from home when we should have done. That’s something we need to improve before the end of the season.”
He is that stupid that he doesn’t realise that the reason we have one ONE away win all season is because HE always settles for a point. No matter the opposition.
The only away win we’ve had was against Villa who battered us continuously all second half and were desperately unlucky to not find and equaliser.
“We will have to get that right next week!”
You F#%#Q W-(anchor), you have run out of “next weeks”.
JJ(Quote)
Can someone explain the point of that post @ 87?
Can someone explain why a poster who has backed Pardew all season and for the long term, until overnight the other day switching to Rafa, now make a mockery of the wage that Pardew’s getting? Is he suggesting he’s worth more? 😳
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
@JJ
I was not referring the cuckoo 😆 remark to you as well.
As I’ve pointed out, its only my belief, based on his past policies that he wants to haggle over wages and transfers.
If I thought he was interested in paying top dollar for a top manager I would have been shouting for Pardews head from day one.
Why would we want an average manager if Ashley would pay £5m or £6m per year.
Benitez is available in the summer. I don’t believe for a second we would pay his wages and top managers have big ego’s (not in the “Pardew I think I’m good looking ego”) and I can’t see a top manager getting along with Ashley. They want players and losing a player over a million or so won’t wash with them.
I just don’t see who we can attract with Ashley.
I can only base my views on what I’ve witnessed not on what I hope will happen.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
In an ideal world, Fergie won’t be on the pitch because we will have Marv back and we can take it from there…If Marv is fit it finally gives us a headache up top. I would play the same midfield with Sissoko in place of Jonas and quite possibly marv instead of goofy.That means goofy can come on at some point for the tiring Marv/Ben Arfa and use his pace..it would be especially nice if we could get him running at their centre backs..but who knows, I can’t really speculate on teams any more. Bring on next week when we’ll basically know our fate.
Newkie(Quote)
Anyway, I’m fleeing the nest for the moment as a cuckoo has just flown over. 😛
Laters
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Just did the Premier League predictor…
I got four teams finishing on 39 points. With us going down by one goal on goal difference. 😥
It is actually so ridiculously close though. Amazing that a win against QPR and we could finish 12th even if we lost to Arsenal.
It is neck and neck but results this past weekend would have given so many down and out teams hope and belief while knocking the confidence out of us.
Had the Scum, Villa, or Wigan lost we would virtually have needed a point for safety. But the results just went 100% against us.
With all the disallowed goals, and results going against us, it is just so hard to be positive about us getting a win at QPR.
JJ(Quote)
Fergie, eh what am i on about, I’m more cracked than Pards…Campbell 🙄 😛
Newkie(Quote)
Three points would definately be enough because of which other sides play each other.
If we win against QPR, it pulls Aston Villa, Fulham, Wigan, Sunderland and Norwich right into the mix.
Come on… QPR. It boils down to one game! If we can’t beat QPR… 😐
JJ(Quote)
Troy – I did look at the link but it’s hardly official off toon blog/website. Was there a better source?
But you are correct if true and probably explains the loyalty too him. It’s ridiculous that we pay less than everyone else. If his wages reflect individual ability we’re definitely going down!
LST & JJ – the predictor is pretty realistic then. As you say JJ we cannot win away because we’re 2 defensive. Last year we were just as defensive but we played with 2 strikers that gave us more of a goal scoring threat because we never ever win by dominating a game.
If Pardews wages are really that ****, comparitvely, then we will not get a ‘better’ manager.
I want Martinez. Good record against top teams aswell in recent seasons.
Do Wigan have to beat City to be in Europe next year or not?
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Surely we can’t put in another gutless display like we did vs villa all those years back..if we play like we did v west ham but just somehow get the ball over the line…think we’ll be relying on benny magic.
Newkie(Quote)
Big Papa,
No, Wigan are in Europe regardless. But if they beat Chelsea it means that they get to skip on qualifying stage.
JJ(Quote)
If im not mistaken the 2 games Campbell appeared for the last 20 minuted we ended up winning 😆 . He is far more affective than Shola just in the fact that he actually fucking moves.
Alex(Quote)
Newkie,
Similar to the gutless heartless displays we’ve put on in front of our own supporters to ship nine goals to the Scum and Liverpool.
JJ(Quote)
Alex,
Shola moves… he moves vertically though. When he falls…
JJ(Quote)
troy’s on fire today 😀
Stuart re QPR: They have a hone win rate of 11% and their band of mercinaries will resent having to take 90 minutes out of their jobhunting schedule.
I’m far from confident but to dismiss the possibility of a win is daft.
whumpie(Quote)
Cheers JJ.
Wait and see what happens tonight I guess…
BIGPAPA(Quote)
We have got 10 points from 18 away games.
I just hope that Pards doesn’t adopt his usual long diagnal ball approach against QPR and leave Cisse isolated. Because with Cesar as keeper and Samba at the back they will dominate with any deliveries coming into the area.
JJ(Quote)
“If I thought he was interested in paying top dollar for a top manager I would have been shouting for Pardews head from day one.” “I can only base my views on what I’ve witnessed not on what I hope will happen.”
So I made no case for sacking Pardew. Instead I supported him and argued for the long term stability that Pardew could offer, even though it wasn’t Pardew I wanted all along.
In fact I could see all this coming, but I can only base my views on my second guessing Ashley and not on what I want to see happen.
My logic is that we cannot get a better manager than Pardew in the whole world because Ashley pays Pardew only £500K, and who will come for that?
I want Rafa now!
😛 😛 😛
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
JJ-Aye, but the chips are truly down now as they were v villa, think there was still an air of “we’ll get by” in camp back then, which there wasn’t really vs wham.
Newkie(Quote)
Big Papa – “It’s ridiculous that we pay less than everyone else. If his wages reflect individual ability we’re definitely going down!”
How is it ridiculous? Ashley got the man he wanted. Do you want him to pay more? The only ridiculous thing is that Pardew’s worth much less than what he’s getting. In fact, Ashley should be suing him for gross negligence. 😛
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
B&B ………. it is still ridiculous. I think it shows why Pardew was targetted in the first place if that’s his pay level.
Want someone with a pedigree as a player that has a winning mentality.
If only Di canio wasn’t such a ***** I’d be jealous of ‘them lot’.
😆
BIGPAPA(Quote)
If we are all being sensible who could we look to possibly replace Pardew?
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Nerves still jittery ,can’t stand this will we won’t we bollocks ,what should of been a great fun season has been torturous . Anyway Toonsy good read and yep the last couple of days I have changed tack from we are doomed to C’mon lets give it our all .Trouble is we keep getting set backs ,like no goal given at WH and Wigan gifted the game by the hapless Probert ,he who doesn’t see handballs 🙄 . Then low and behold last night Stoke looked alright for 3 p and the Scum are down to 10 😉 .Fast forward the second half and Stoke fall into a friggin coma and the Facist has done a number on his players at half time and they come out with tnt up their arses to grab the eqaliser 👿 .No doubt that little **** Mcmanaman will grab a winner in the last seconds tonight such is our luck 🙄 . Anyway we MUST win on saturday now ,no more playing for a point thanks Pards ,it’s only QPR a team with half it’s players desperate to **** off somewhere else .
Batty & Troy @34&35 That thought had crossed my mind too 😉
Ice @39 Is that true about Ba? ,fair play if it is. 😎
KIMTOON(Quote)
@BigPapa – Obviously Mourinho.
But realistically? I think Holloway could be attracted if Palace aren’t promoted, and I think he’d do a job.
blip(Quote)
1st. Martinez.
2nd. Poyet
3rd. Zola
Few french coaches being mentioned aswell but don’t know how well they would know the Prem.
It could all depend on how they do at their current clubs in the next few weeks. Cant see Martinez leaving Wigan if they’re in Europe but if Poyet or Zola fail in the Play-offs that could be our best choice.
Ideally of course Benitez but if he wins Europa, a bigger club than ours will get him.
BIGPAPA(Quote)
I don’t know if anyone else watched MOTD3 at the weekend, first time I’ve watched it myself. But Colin Murray asked Big Al and Pat Nevin for their predictions on how the league would look this time next season – so basically would gets promoted via the play offs, and who’s relegated this season – then league positions with 2 games remaining of next season.
Interestingly, both had us survive and both relegated Sunderland, with Al promoting Brighton and Nev going for Watford.
But maybe more significantly Nev had us sat in 10th spot with 2 games to go next season. However Big Al had us 12th :shock:. So even if we survive this season Shearer doesn’t see much improvement next season.
And both had WHU in 8th position and WBA 9th.
Of course it’s all just opinion, but neither see us being this top 4-6 club some of us believe we are capable of, and our beloved no. 9 really doesn’t see great things for us at all.
Sharpy17(Quote)
BLIP : Mourinho 😆
Holloway is not good enough, his level is Championship, and can’t organise a team defensively.
Martinez & Poyet have both shown they can.
Recently, Martinez has beaten Man U, Arsenal (h&a), Tottenham (a), Drew with Chelsea, Won at Anfield & went to the Etihad (and murdered City) and lost in last minute….
And, he has proved he can get a team to the later stages of a Cup. It’s impossible to do so when you play like us as there are teams that will beat you on a given day when players are being rotated, if there is a football philosophy you can use squad players to good use.
When we use them we play even worse.
BIGPAPA(Quote)
@Sharpy
I’d be interested to know there reasoning – ie if it’s the manager holding us back, or whether the players simply aren’t that good.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Sharpy17 – maybe Wor Al will review his predictions if we get a new manager in place…
BIGPAPA(Quote)
It’s a bit of a chain for me.
The board is to blame for not strengthening last summer -> BUT Pardew still should have been able to do better with the squad we have compared to some teams in the league -> BUT that doesn’t excuse blame from the players, some of who have been horrendous for the majority
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
ST – you’re right it’s a chain, the players have got sick of playing clueless football with idiots playing in the wrong position!
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Has the cuckoo gone yet? Is it safe to come out without reading crazy rants? 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
must say Cabaye looked as though he was stropping about the pitch on Saturday, this only seems to happen when players lose faith the manager.
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Big Papa – your 3 choices are interesting mate, your no.1 is a manager who has a 26% win rate in the premier league during his time at Wigan.
If not him, you’d prefer one of two very inexperienced championship managers who couldn’t achieve automatic promotion with the teams they’re at now – interesting choices mate.
I wouldn’t be so sure that either would have sustained success with Newcastle to be honest and all may well have the same problems Pardew has experienced juggling EPL, Cups and Europe.
ST – they didn’t really go into it mate, and spoke alot about the other clubs instead, but I would also be interested to know why they came to that too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
@BP
Who?
We might not be playing people in their optimal position (in our eyes), but who is included in this long list of players played out of position?
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Troy – do u believe Pardew will be manager next season ?
If we get beat by QPR should Ashely react or not ?
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Solano’sTrumpet – nice summary!
whumpie(Quote)
@Big Papa
Despite the mad cuckoo wanting attention, therefore misrepresenting me, I’ve maintained my position throughout.
Pardew is an average manager and I wouldn’t have appointed him in the first place.
I want a top manager and I put Benitez in that bracket, even if he is at the lower end of that group.
However, I don’t believe Ashley will pay his wages and I don’t see Benitez getting along with Ashley. Top managers have big ego’s and I don’t see them working together.
Regarding Pardew, if you believe the info, he’s on a very low wage for a premier league manager. We made such a **** up of trying to attract a manager last time, I can only see it all happening again.
He excelled beyond all expectations last season. On reflection, it looks like the brilliant form ofBa, Cisse and Barfa papered over a lot of cracks in the squad and we haven’t addressed them.
For me, Pardew must go if we are relegated though I don’t blame Pardew entirely for the short sighted debacle that’s unfolded this season.
Its not what I want its what I expect Ashley to do. I think he will stick with Pardew or get another cheap **** manager in.
For me, if he keeps us up, stick with him unless Ashley is going to demonstrate some ambition and getter a proper manager in.
Some galloot once said there would be hundreds of top managers willing to walk over hot coals to manage us. I’ve yet to hear him name one though he did mention Lee Clark once. 😛 😛
Cuckoo 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
KIM yes it was true,honest
icedog(Quote)
Sharpy@118-very interesting stuff mate, though I don’t put too much into the thoughts of Shearer and Nevin like…hope Al hasn’t jinxed us 😥
Newkie(Quote)
Lee Probert again for the QPR match. Handballs, anyone?
blip(Quote)
Last night was still a good result, Sunlun needed a win and were fully expecting a win pre kick off. That draw piles pressure on the southampton match who also need the points desperately. Norwich are in even worse form than us.
It could end up with us only needing a point against QPR to stay up… 😯
CC(Quote)
I still think we’ll stay up by the skin of our teeth. We can’t rescue this season any more than that but it will be fine. It will have been a season Pardew doesn’t want on his CV but we’ll take it. We must take matters into our own hands as much as possible. A win against QPR and a draw with Arsenal should do it. As you say toonsy we can dissect the season all summer long and I’m sure we will.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Troy, Agree @ 130 with all except that I think Ashley will pay the big salary for a top manager as he realises that that is the only real option. Agree that Benitez would not be my first choice as I’m not convinced but would do at a pinch.
Premandup(Quote)
I would agree as well with Premandup that Ashley finally will peg out for a top manager if he can persuade one to come. His history with managers won’t help him but it seems to me Chelsea still manage to bring in top managers despite their owner. If we’re going to bring in continental flair players they must have the right type of manager. Pardew will probably get another job in the Championship where he might even excel, for one season anyway.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’d love Benitez as manager but we need to stay up to have any chance at all, amazed that some fans don’t want him, he’s a proven winner and plays decent football. One thing you can’t pin on Benitez (unlike Pards) is that he has favorite players that can’t be dropped.
Anyhows we need at least 1 win in my eyes, hope Wigan get beaten tonight or only manage a draw which would put it back into our hands
stevep(Quote)
Sharpy @118, I can’t see how we can realistically assess our chances for next season until we know who the manager will be. If we can bring in someone of the right caliber I see no reason we can’t finish in the top 10 and even push for a Europa spot again. If we stick with Pardew I would bet on bottom 10 and a lot of unhappy supporters.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I couldn’t believe how poor Stoke were against 10 men yesterday. They should have been all over the mackems but sat back and tried to protect a 1-0 lead! Pulis should be worried about his position as much as Pardew I would suspect. They have gotten worse and worse as the season has progressed much like us.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
let my head rule my heart tonight stuck 200 quid on wigan easy money ,and wont be dissapointed if i lose it
batty(Quote)
if we win our last 2 games we stay up 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
“Its not what I want its what I expect Ashley to do.” 😛
Who, when posting, argues not on the basis of what they want, but on second guessing the owner? Who knows what Ashley will do FFS?
I thought a blog was to vent your spleen and say what should happen. Who would argue for months to keep a manager that they never wanted based on second guessing the owner? The idea is to move public opinion as to what should happen and hence persuade the owner.
And now, Pardew should stay if we don’t get relegated! Unbelievable! 😆 Which way will the wind be blowing tonight? 😛
Yeah but, no but, yeah but, no but … 😳
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Does anyone really see Ashley getting along with someone like Benitez?
The haggling over the odd million or so over a player Benitez had identified would surely cause conflict.
With Ashley’s business plan, I can only see a yes man working under him.
Its unfortunate for me as all I can see is mediocrity whilst Ashley owns the club. I’ve always maintained that and I wish I could see it different like some do. But I do think those that do are kidding themselves.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
bring back fat freddy he would get us mourinho 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
its a battle of wits between clueless chris and pathetic pardew
batty(Quote)
The trouble is Troy we’re not even mediocre now. Unless we look on bottom 5 as mediocre. We’ve got to get a better manager or we’ll face this kind of fight every season. I think even Ashley will see it now and try for someone who has a real football vision. It may require looking for a fairly young manager who hasn’t had time to let his ego swell to huge proportions yet. I want someone who sets the team up properly and doesn’t bang on with drivel after games. Pardew had his chance and failed as far as I’m concerned now. He won’t be with us next season. Whether or not we like his replacement is up to Ashley.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
i wonder what our crowds are gonna drop to next season in the championship 😕
batty(Quote)
ashley needs pulled to 1 side and the ***** kicked out of him ,you up for it Troy ❓ 🙂
batty(Quote)
BATTY i will give you a lift there and keep toot 😆
icedog(Quote)