Surely this should be the template for every home match at St James’ Park. Yet for some reason it isn’t. I’m intrigued to know why.
Performances aren’t brilliant, but come on we’ve been served up some rubbish over the years. Spells of good times have been few and far between over the years. However it is a results based business and last season was disappointing. Finishing 16th is poor even by our standards. Note that an away win at Villa with a good performance has lifted the spirits with most fans, so hopefully we are in for a more positive season.
However, I’m not convinced that the discontent is generated by on-field factors. I think it is more off field. So I’ve decided that a survey of our bloggers might help to clarify the perspective of what is actually going on. I’ve come up with some headings, with a bit of a description of where I think we are in each of them. What I want from you is marks out of 10 of how important each category is, and marks out of 10 for how well we are doing in each category. I’ll use these to develop a feelgood factor that we can repeat and monitor. So first up…
League Results
Since the war we have been relegated four times spending a total of 17 seasons in the second tier of English football. We have also had four periods of “Glory Years”, top five finishes, 1948 to 1952 where with George Rutherford and Stan Seymour we finished 4th – 5th – 4th – 8th. These were also the cup years.
Next up we had three relegations and only seven top ten finishes from 26 top flight seasons until the Sir John Hall and Kevin Keegan years when in the four years (1993 to 1997) we finished 3rd – 6th – 2nd – 2nd and shortly thereafter we had the Freddie Shepherd and Sir Bobby Robson years where we finished 4th – 3rd – 5th. Other than that the only other high spots were the 5th places achieved by Gordon Lee in 1976/7 and Alan Pardew in 2011/2.
If we ignore the four seasons we were relegated (and the years in the second tier) and the 13 glory years above we have averaged 13th in the remaining 32 seasons. On that basis I think that the Alan Pardew years to date deserves probably a 7/10 and as league results are the key measure and worth 8/10
Europe and Cups
Even if things are not going well a good cup run and a trip to Europe can lift the spirits so with a run to the Quarter Final of the Europa League cup last season to remember again 7/10 but as a measure it’s less important so 7/10
Next we come to things that are less tangible such as style of play, PR and communications; as well as background matters such as Finances, Squad strength etc. Personally I don’t think these are as important but you may feel different. To me so long as we are not threatened with administration and can field 11 players on the pitch it will be reflected in the outcomes and so are marginal. Together I’ve given them half the overall value.
Finances
Turnover, Profit, Global Brand awareness, Deloitte rankings etc indicate that the clubs finances are in the best state they have been in a long time. Turnover of nearly £100m, Profit of a few million, ROI of 8%, 7th biggest in EPL, 20th in Europe everything good here so 9/10 in a measure worth 4/10
Squad including Manager and Coaches
The first team is as good as anybody outside the big six. The bench and squad is probably OK for a domestic season but still very susceptible to injuries etc, Management that can cope well in the good times but struggle when under the cosh. 6/10 from a measure worth 4/10
Style of play
Well I’ve seen some decent play and some hoofball and some horror shows so no, only 4/10 from a measure worth 3/10
PR & Communications
What PR? What communications? Decision making that baffles the imagination. Appointments that confuse. I don’t mind a reclusive owner, but that has to be compensated for. It isn’t, just 1/10 in a measure worth 3/10
Showbiz
I don’t know if you could rightly even call this a measure. Newcastle became my second team in The Joe Harvey years, Pop Robson, Supermac etc. Great entertainment on and off the field. Only four top ten finishes in ten seasons.
Since then nobody can claim to have been bored following Newcastle. Always in the news for right and wrong reasons. Once described as the best soap opera in English football and still living up to the billing. Other clubs may try to claim the headlines but only Newcastle know how to fill the column inches. I’m going to have to give it 9/10 even though currently it’s for all the wrong reasons, nothing new there. But as a measure I’m only awarding 1/10 and struggling to justify that.
So folks, over to you. What’s you’re verdict on the above categories. How are we doing in each. Have I got the importance right, and any other categories that I have missed out.
So on the basis of the above I award a Feelgood Factor of 63% or 6/10. Not bad, could do better. What’s all the fuss about?
Spot on Newkie @75. I thought that’s what a DoF would be for mate. Recognizing when a player is losing it and selling him on for decent value and to get his wage off the books. Then bring in another youngish player for half his wage but with the ambition to get into the first team.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Geordie Two – I agree with Jonas – though you know that Solano is gonna call us out coz Messi thinks Jonas is class :lol:. But I would have sold him and replaced him with someone like Jake Livermore or like Newkie suggested, kept Perch & Simmo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So no Haidara ?? Thought he looked decent when he played last season – certainly a better prospect than Vuckic who has never transferred his supposed talent to the first team when he’s played – I don’t think he’s gonna make and has more than enough chances
stevep(Quote)
Yes I’ve been wondering about Haidara as well SteveP. He definitely looked promising last season before the big injury. I hope he has recovered and is getting playing time with the Reserves? An excellent prospect. As for Vuckic who knows? So many injuries over the last few years but surely this is a key season for him?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I guess we’ll just have to face up to Solano Sharpy mate. 😆 It’s clear Jonas is losing it and has gotten comfortable with his big wage. That’s the time to move him on, not when he is worthless. Have him come on in the second half for a few games and hope he performs well. Then sell him in the January window. That’s the way to do it Joe.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2-That’s what they should be for mate but Kinnear is just a fruitcake. Even llambias could sell a player at least 😆
Haidara is currently injured but yeah, really liked the look of him in January. He was the only January signing who seemingly didn’t run out of steam, although he probably did play less. We used to struggle at left back and now we have three very promising youngsters and four solid choices for it, but right back now looks thin… Maybe if Taylor puts the pies away he can start playing right back again, then we’ll have the most reckless right backs in the league 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Aye Newkie, we do need to sort out the RB position a bit. After Debuchy we are quite thin. Mbiwa can play right across the back four which is a bonus and he has the pace for it. I would have to think Pards won’t try Saylor at RB unless he gets some games in that position with the Reserves or cup matches (a bit dicey to use him then unless we’re well ahead in the game). Eventually Raylor will come back and might be able to play there. That’s clearly not ideal is it?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Geordie 2 – I agree. I would say his position in the 4-3-3 would be left of that 3 man midfield, but we have Fergie coming through and I’d even move Santon or Haidara into that position to let Jonas move on.
Djebs is still posting me on the last article, telling me that Benny is a top 5 playmaker in the world 😆 😆 at least I think that’s what he’s trying to tell me 🙄 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy doesn’t he know that it’s Jonas not HBA that is the best in the EPL
Premandup(Quote)
Newkie – I’d spend the money on Sam Byram personally, if not him I’d get Kyle Naughton from Spuds. Both young English lads who would help toward the English quota and both likely to increase in value.
Sharpy17(Quote)
G2-Yeah, Mbiwa is a great asset. The only thing is he’s so good at CB I wouldn’t want him to move across and break up what looks to be a growing partnership. I suppose we can still see how Santon is on the right, I think he favours playing on the left because of how he plays coming forward, but then if we end up keeping him, Dummet and Haidara then one of them is going to have to play somewhere else, you can’t just have three dedicated left backs in a squad 😕
Sharpy-Agreed, while I don’t really care where the players come from we are in dire need of some decent English players to fill the quota and ensure the squad isn’t completely out of balance. Of the ones we have not one will even make the first 11 and that is disappointing.
Newkie(Quote)
DJEBS makes it interesting anyway mates. 😆 He clearly thinks Benny is brill. Still it could be worse. He could think Jonas is still outstanding or that Cisse is the best goal scorer in the league. 😆 We’ll continue to work on him. Benny is a key player for us and should be re-signed if at all possible but we shouldn’t idolize him just yet.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Prem – the kid is hilarious. While you mention Jonas though I better clear it up incase ST jumps on me too. I’m not a Jonas hater, I just don’t think he’s good enough 😉
Newkie – I know. I’d like to buy English lads who would either get into the first team or challenge it. I reckon Byram, Naughton, Livermore and Ince could all do that. Unlike Gosling who I think is just there to make up the numbers.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy I once suggested that the 9 in his name refereed to his age. He was most indignant and claimed to be nearly a teenager.
Premandup(Quote)
Those English names would definitely sound good in our squad. Some of what we have just aren’t even competitive anymore. We’ve discussed them at length. This is where you step up your game Joe.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Prem – that would explain the **** poor grammar!. The way he’s going on I can just imagine his bedroom walls being covered in Benny posters, much like a 9yr old kids would be 😳 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, exactly. that’s why I’ve stopped having a go.
Premandup(Quote)
Swansea off to a good start v Liverpool. but now Shelvey gives it away to Sturridge and it’s 1-1! In the first 4 minutes.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
17 in 21 for Sturridge with Liverpool. Very impressive.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
He’s sounds like a good kid to me. He clearly loves footie and has strong opinions.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I must admit I was a big fan of Jonas anyone who’s played the game would know what a asset he was in the team,but ime afraid for a season and a half he has lost that spark,time to move on imo now
icedog(Quote)
Spot on icedog mate. I feel the same. He was tremendous when he first came. Just what we needed at the time but he has lost a couple of steps and just can’t keep up now. Sell him now or give him away later.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
An absolutely embarassing battering by an average Man City side, a scrappy 1-0 home win against a pish poor Fulham side, and an away win at an average Villa and AMF is getting all excited, and trying to have a pop at the neggars, or “realists” 😆 😆
I need more to be convinced we’ve turned the corner, though the Villa performance is a step in the right direction.
If you’re struggling to recall the reasons for all the negativity surrounding the toon this season, then …well….what can one say ?….you’re a better man than me Gunga Din 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
G2 / Icedog, now that Jonas realises his *** is on the line, maybe he comes back from injury with a superhuman spring in his step ? Maybe this is just the time-out the bloke needs ?
Surely Pardew won’t put him straight back in the side ? If he does he needs his heed examined.
I think Jonas is a more than competent squad player, and we’re going to need him this season for our cup runs at least. It’s just a question if he will be happy sitting on the bench.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Sharpy-Not too keen on Livermore myself but otherwise I agree, Spurs let some good players go so I’m sure they’d part with Naughton for a couple of mil. Maybe we’re still pining hopes on Tavernier, he’s never looked bad but I would have hoped he was getting loaned at the Championship level by now
Sturridge is the complete package as a striker. He’s a nob, but I can’t help but think where we’d be if we’d signed him for 10 mil rather than Cisse 😕
Newkie(Quote)
Bony and Michu starting to link up better. They will make a fine partnership this season.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 its funny mate how a lot of fans look at the guy who scores the goals,or the guys who cross a good ball,the keeper sect none of this can come to fruit without a grafter in the team,a player that I thought made things come together on sat was sissiko that’s just imo like
icedog(Quote)
Will you stop taking Djebs seriously. He’s taking the p155.
He’s not foreign. A monkey can work than one out. 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
What’s up with Haidara, is the bloke cream crackered ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
Very good points Munich mate @99. Yes I hope Jonas is satisfied with the bench until we need him. He can still contribute but not a starter now at the Prem level in my way of thinking. So do we want to make a bit of dosh from him and bring in a younger player or use him up and let him go at the end of the contract? I hope Joe is thinking about this and other things.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Wish I had seen the match ice mate. But I think Sissoko will end up being a very shrewd buy indeed for us when played in the right position. His size and graft are crucial to us as you say. He picks up a lot of balls by moving into good positions when others are in trouble and need an escape route.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Moses with a good goal. Another giveaway by Shelvey. 😳
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Lads don’t forget Anita is tidy at RB, the couple of times he filled in there he looked comfortable enough . I would prefer he stayed in MF but in an emergency he’s a capable RB.
KIMTOON(Quote)
KK spot on mate,pity we didn’t have cover as good up front or wing
icedog(Quote)
Lively game this
KIMTOON(Quote)
KIM
icedog(Quote)
Good point Kimtoon @108 but I worry about his size for RB. I agree he should stay in the midfield where he can be more effective. Still it’s nice to be discussing actual talented players as options for various positions.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Really dislike Liverpool, I’m not even sure why – think its due to the scousers and the fact they think the world owes them something for being born with a **** accent – oh and Gerrard, he’s such a **** – he calls himself Mr England but is one of the reasons along with Terry and the rest of the play for themselves bunch that have dominated the England team for the last decade or so
rant over
stevep(Quote)
STEVEP with you all the way on that one mate @113
icedog(Quote)
G2 ,I’m not too bothered by his size for RB ,if he was at CB ,yeah I would be concerned but with his pace and passing skill he can cope at RB ,but really we should have a proper stand in RB like Simmo 🙄 .
Re Jonas ,I have always liked him and at reading when I went to watch us I was really impressed by his work rate ,he was by far the most industrious player on the pitch that day but he has defo lost pace and is now really best used in MF or as a late sub when opo players are tired and we need to draw a few fouls for free kicks.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Steve and Ice ,agree it’s a most unfortunate accent and that’s saying something coming from me with me west country pirate impression 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
Ice @109 ,Yep should of been addressed in the window mate but I best not go off on one as us neggers are getting told off for moaning like;)
KIMTOON(Quote)
I like big pacey fullbacks Kim but I really admire Anita’s skill on the ball. A definite asset for us. Yep we need cover for Debuchy at RB if Santon is going to stay at LB. But as we’ve been discussing we have Haidara and Dummett for LB and Santon is right footed. A tricky one though because Santon would have to take Debuchy’s spot. I don’t think he’d be satisfied with us sitting on the bench (neither one of them would).
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Kim-I just don’t think he is right physically for a full back position in the PL. The eredevise is totally different. He has a bit of acceleration about him and he’s not afraid of the challenge, but real runners will leave him for dead over 30 yards. The same is true of Debuchy of course but he’s a big lad and he can handle himself and is half decent in the air, Anita would just get bullied I think.
He’s played decently as cover like but I just think after a couple of games he’d get found out. That plus the fact he is already in our best midfield 3 IMO and is needed there.
Newkie(Quote)
KIM I would much prefer to hear you than a female from l/pool oh my god its foul coming out their gobs
icedog(Quote)
Ice @ 120 😆 😆
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Ice, you old charmer you 😆
Newkie(Quote)
NEWKIE kna mate lived and worked down there for six months,some canny lasses there,anyway how’s yourlady friend going ?
icedog(Quote)
Lovely goal by Michu. That’s a goal and 3 assists for Shelvey! 😆
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Kim – I considered Anita for RB, but now he’s in that midfield and its clearly his position I’d sooner he stayed in there. He’s too good a midfielder to move around for me. Perchino was jack of all trades but for me Anita is a midfielder.
Plus, I’d like us to have a decent back up 11. I’m sure that we could pick Byram or Naughton up for £5m or less.
I honestly think we are only 3 or 4 players off having a very good starting 11 and very decent back up 11 with players left over.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Newkie, Icedog has the crack mate, the lasses like it 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
I like this Swansea team (you can probably tell as I’ve discussed them before 😆 ). They make an interesting comparison to us. They have Michu and Bony up front. They have Britain in midfield. They have a decent defense and keeper. Very interesting team and they don’t give in. It will be interesting to see how we do against them this season.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
The Liverpool central defence doesn’t look to strong. In fact take Sturridge and Gerrard out of that team and they are nowt special. Looks like Coutinho has a bad shoulder injury now too…
Munich Mag(Quote)
G2@127, they seem to be playing with a lot more energy than us. There again it could be because they are at home and up against Liverpool.
Regarding your comparison to the toon, they have Boney and Michu up front, who do we have ? 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM would you expect anything less from a west end lad lol
icedog(Quote)
Munich mate @129 😆 😆 We have Remy and the mighty Cisse up front. I’m trying not to be too hard on Cisse but he has to start contributing. I wouldn’t hesitate to bench him for a game and go with Benny, Remy, and Gouffy up front as I’ve said before.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Ice, the bristolians are half decent its true 😉 As for me I have a different lass now, not quite the same standard as the previous model but she’s alreet for now like 😛
Munich-I read that with “has” and “like” being switched places and was a little worried at first, but you’re on the money as usual 😆
Newkie(Quote)
G2 you watch cissie get a couple against hull, that Curtis is very poor defender
icedog(Quote)
NEWKIE seems you are going through girls like hot dinners,good on her lol
icedog(Quote)
you
icedog(Quote)
I hope so ice mate @133. It can’t come soon enough. He looks a bit desperate at times now. Still if he comes good it would have a huge impact on us. What do others think? I still think we need to shop for a good striker in January.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Liverpool look to be sagging badly now.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
KIMTOON@116 pirate impression , you want too be the next Jack Sparrow then 😉 agree with you though Anita would be a decent back up at RB
Axel(Quote)
2-2 draw. Great game to watch.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Closer to the top than the relegation zone.. Would’ve taken that after the Man City game eh.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Ice 😆
The draw is probably a good result for us…keep Swansea safely behind and Liverpool in our sights. Okay so maybe I’m dreaming a bit now 😛
Newkie(Quote)
Axel@138 , 😆 nah mate ,be a bit hard being a female like. Us Bristolians either get told we sound like pirates or farmers 🙄 I’m not that broad compared to some though I can put on quite a convincing posh-tolian voice if I try 😆 . Actually my daughter has been asked more than once if she’s American 😯 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
G2 @127 ,I agree Swansea look very good ,will watch with interest how their little stint in Europe effects their league form.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Hah, spot on Kimtoon @143. I will as well. Then we can compare to what Pardew came up with last season after those extra games.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 ,especially given what Laudrup said on MOTD about Europa. Something about just getting on with it wasn’t it 😕 .Mind you he has strengthened tbf ,poor old Pards never had that luxury . Laudrup threw his toys at the owner and got his way over reinforcements .
KIMTOON(Quote)
I’m sorry but I really can’t hack Jamies voice ,it was much better when it was just Gary Neville like.
KIMTOON(Quote)
The Messi quote is from 3 years ago.
Re accents: Last year I went to the UK and flew up to Newcastle, caught a train into the city. At one stop a few young guys got on and sat close to me. I couldn’t understand a word they said to each other. It didn’t even sound like human speech. However, a day later I had no trouble understanding people, and even tried it out myself, was very pleased with my efforts as well, until a woman in the paper shop asked if I was visiting from down south. 😆 😆 😆 South. Yeah. A long way south.
Even after 30-odd years here I still hate the Aussie ‘aaar’ sound, as in ‘gaaarden’, but most of all I dislike the naselly ‘a’ sound.
brisvegas(Quote)
Sensitive bunch, these neggers, aren’t they? I guess they were looking forward to saying how right they were. Don’t worry, there’ll be opportunities for you to have your day. 😉
brisvegas(Quote)
League Results
Since the war the world has changed beyond recognition and particularly in English football. It’s unwise to use data going back so far especially when you attribute the same weight/value to each year.
A better yardstick would be looking at our history since the start of the Premier League. Since the start of the premier league:
We’ve been the 5th most successful team in the league (if you exclude the time we spent in the Championship). Only Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea & Liverpool (the traditional big 4) have performed better than us in the league.
If you want to include the year we spent in the Championship then it brings us down to being the 8th most successful team in the Premier League.
Alan Pardew has the worst Premier League results record for any manager that has been in charge for more than 25 games at the club.
He is also averaging 51 points per season and historically the club have averaged 55 points per season so he is performing 7% below average.
Therefore Alan Pardew deserves a 3/10 performance score for his premier league achievements.
KK(Quote)
Carn Vegas, leave the Aussie accents out of it, cobba … i think you have been watching too many episodes of Kingswood Country.. 😆 😆
Don’t mention the N word on here mate.. Sharpy told me off for using it last night 😯
Poor Troy, i reckon he must be close to exploding with all those “I told you so’s” being bottled up inside his sunken uzzy like chest! 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)