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?
Aussie – all because I dare to disagree that Benny is one of the top 5 playmakers in the WORLD! 😆 young Chebz has certainly got his y fronts in a twist hasn’t he! 😆
You’ll notice I called him Chebz. This is spelling mistake – this is on account of the fact the kid is a ***!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
@Aussie
No, I’m laughing at how naive Sharpy is 😛
How can anyone get upset or take someone’s opinions on board when they are pretending to be foreign and are doing it entirely as a wind up. 😆
I’m desperately trying to save Sharpys already damaged reputation. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Sharpy, I wouldn’t even bother engaging him mate… 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
You are a caring soul Troy, always looking out for people! 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
@Aussie
You know I’ve always got your back fella. 😉
I won’t allow anyone to ridicule you! 😈 that’s my job. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I know Troy 😉 You have softened up a bit though…….. particularly around the stomach region 😆 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
……..”And troy just kiss my *** and suck my **** sun of monkey ❗ i **** u when u whant dirty bastar ❗ ”
PMSL
sun of monkey 😆
oh dear oh dear. What have I missed recently
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Jez have you’s been upsetting djebs 😯 im just surprised that Aussie never got a mention from him 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
BD, why would anyone have a go at me? 😯
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie 😉 because your a badun
Big Dave(Quote)
😯 😥 …
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I see there are reports that Pardz will have money to spend in January 😆 😆 😆
Can we please at least have a month or two of football without talking about fecking transfers 👿
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie same old same old same **** different day, but I dont think we should use our over draft as that would muck up our finances 😯 and the fans would be out raged. 😆 as its all about the money
Big Dave(Quote)
Big Dave, i have no issue with fans talking about who they would like us to pick up… but i hate when the media goes out of there way to rile fans up. The media knows it is a sore point with fans and plays on it..
I have given up trying to work out whether we will sign anyone during any given transfer window.. if you get your hopes up, you just get kicked in the guts.. 😕
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
See Aussie I always had hope for you that you would catch onto the regime sooner or later 😀 better late than never 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Ha ha, you have me wrong BD… i have never said i like regime.. however, i like balanced arguments.. that is why i will speak up if people are ignoring facts that may show the regime in a good light.. i need to keep blokes like you and Troy in check.. 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Troy – upset?, pinch of salt mate.
To be fair to young Chebz though he isn’t the only pretender on this site – you provide him with stiff competition every time you try and talk football. That obviously comes behind trying to be a wise guy first of course 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy looking at your teams. Could Michael Richardson or Conor Newton feature in MF. Doing an internet search throws up
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/arturs-karasausks/profil/spieler_149698.html 20 goals in 26 this year or
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/valerijs-sabala/profil/spieler_151533.html 18 from 25 both good kids. worth a scout.
Premandup(Quote)
Aussie you dont need to say you like the regime it was clear for all to see 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
post of the year goes to Djeb!!! hahaha
Santii(Quote)
Pardew will have more money to spend after Cabs puts in a good shift and gets sold to Monaco or PSG’s bench 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Of course there’s money to spend, it doesn’t mean it will be spent though. We value players different to any other club. We don’t negotiate we just walk away.
Stuart79(Quote)
Wow ! 😯 Sharpy really is upset. 😆
I’m loving the Pardew knockers and how he’s shut their cakes holes with a response to knock them into tomorrow.
A sublime performance against Villa and 3points against Hull will have them all reeling against the ropes looking for the ref for help.
Throw the towel in I hear them all calling. 😆 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
They are starting to look FOOLish
Premandup(Quote)
Troy your bait is becoming to obvious these days 😳 Maybe your getting to old for the trolling business. 😆
Santii(Quote)
I don’t mind people not rating Pards or giving him a bashing, but I do find it hilarious that all those who claimed Pardew exclusively tried and wanted hoofball and constantly read out the stats now look like complete tits. Did anyone see Swansea v Liverpool? Bet we played less “long balls” than both of them this weekend as well…We’re the lowest in the league and Southampton genius Pinnochio is top…derp de derp de diddly derp.. 😛
Newkie(Quote)
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/agenda-six-burning-issues-alan-5908292
Note the awful away record and the trouncing by Liverpool and Scum last season ,truth is we were **** and no surprise many fans lost faith in Pards ,nothing foolish in that imo.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim-most never had faith, they simply used the situation to trot out “i told you so’s” after they were kept quiet by a 5th placed finish. Although some still blamed him for not getting us CL.
😆 😳
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie were these not the people who were disappointed we didn’t get Martin Jol and saw Pardew as just another Cockney Mafia Puppet with no ability.
Premandup(Quote)
I never had any faith in Pardew. I still don’t. Why would i or anyone else?
Sure he got us a fifth place finish but how much of that was down to him??
Did we play great football for most of that season?
Did we have some kind of fantastic system which overawed the opposition?
Perhaps it was Pardew incredibly astute siginings? No?
It was none of those. We kept a clean sheet during the first few games. Demba Ba was on fire after that and from January onwards Cisse was the deadliest striker in the league.
What was it exactly Pardew did that means he deserves credit?
KK(Quote)
@Premandup
Perhaps you’re baiting but just in case you’re not; Pardew is a puppet.
Surely you can’t doubt that?
KK(Quote)
Yep, i also blame him for not getting us a Champions League place.
It was in our hands. 4-0 hammering by Roberto Martinez & Wigan. 3-1 defeat by David Moyes & Everton (apparently we’re in a different league to them)
KK(Quote)
Newkie , It’s a difficult situation really ,the 5th place finish was very good and as in all teams finishing in the top 6 a combination of factors will contribute to finishing there as it does when you are in the bottom 6 finish. The thing with Pards and my main gripe, is his seeming reluctance ,last season to attack with real intent ,as that article I posted states ,he was more concerned with what the opposition threat to us was than with what we could do to them . This just ended up with us being ultra defensive and nervous making a really uncomfortable watch ,I don’t think I enjoyed a single game last season ,did anyone in all honesty think we looked good or threatening at any point ❓ . Even the smallest squads were seen to attack and score plenty of goals but not us. And we did play a lot of long ball though I’m pleased to see that’s not the case so far this season .Look I want Pards to do well ,who wouldn’t but I still think the guy is arrogant and quick to blame anyone/thing than himself for bad results .This is a massive season for him , a chance to prove he isn’t a one season wonder , I wish him well for the sake of the club and our sanity ,another **** season will likely finish a few fans off.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I don’t particularly like Pardew but i don’t want him to do badly because that will mean the team is doing badly..
If we win games, play good footy and he stays.. i can live with that..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie @259 Exactly mate.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Santii- re Troy and his trolling… too true, just check his post at 191.. he cut and pasted the info from a blogger on Eds site… deary me, he has fallen so far 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Pardew and his coaches are ok when conditions are perfect.
When things get a little hectic or the pressure builds, they can’t handle it.
KK(Quote)
What do we actually expect to achieve at the club whilst Pardew and the likes of Carver & Stone are at the club?
Maybe winning the League or FA Cup after stringing a few lucky results together? Being the underdogs and upsetting the odds? We could then bore people about how big our club is after winning a stupid trophy. Then, like many teams before us we’ll just be forgotten.
KK(Quote)
Perhaps finishing 10th, 9th, maybe even the dizzying top 8 finish around 50 points is enough for some people??
KK(Quote)
Kim, i think Pardew is no different than a player when it comes to belief and confidence. When he is feeling confident the team generally plays well (like the season we finished 5th).. last season, he was well down and like you stated, it showed in our performances. I think the Villa win was as important to his state of mind as it was for the players. He set out a positive formation away from home and he got a win.. hopefully it will bode well going forward..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Prem-KK is all yours 😆
Kim-Aye we’ve had a lucky season and a bad luck season. As for attacking last year-we actually only scored two less than Swansea, it was the defensive clangers that let us down. As each goal goes in our morale, particularly among the defenders themselves got sapped and leads to more mistakes, less passes, more hoofball. This also coupled with the loss of Ba who for me was still the better striker, especially in link up play (which people doubted again and again) but while he may be selfish, he at least has a first touch of a premier league player and can pass a ball accurately more than five yards.
We must have been one of the few teams to score 3 at Old Trafford and 3 again at the Emirates, and they were decent build up goals too, it was the howlers that let us down. After Ba left and Benny got injured we had to find an entirely new way of playing because they were the people that made things happen while our new signings were expected to play in crucials roles almost immediately.
Newkie(Quote)
People blame Mike Ashley but as an owner he’s done a decent job.
Pardew and the coaches are the ones holding the club back.
Mike Ashley doesn’t know how to run the football side of things so has brought in Joe Kinnear.
Joe Kinnear doesn’t know how to do his job so we still stuck with the same ****.
KK(Quote)
Who should we get as a manager then KK?
Bear in mind they have to work under ashley..,
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
KK-8th and the FA cup after some “lucky wins” would be more than enough for me, -and most fans I would hope… 😕
Newkie(Quote)
KK – Who blames Ashley? I blame the parents…
Stuart79(Quote)
@NEWKIE
Scoring two more (or even 10 more) than Swansea is not good enough.
We should be scoring 60+goals per season not 45 which is relegation form.
Yep the defense was rubbish too.
What does any of this mean? The players Pardew had available were better than the players available to most other managers in the league but Pardew still manage to get rubbish results.
That’s down to him & his coaches.
Scoring 3 against Man Utd & Arsenal was a good achievement. We could have beaten both teams and we tired badly against Arsenal. The reason we almost beat them both was becuase we went with an attacking mindset instead of trying to nullify them.
KK(Quote)
I see Troy is getting carried away with our last two performances! Has he learnt nowt about the FOOL’S tenure at Nufc.
The bloke is an arrogant charlatan who is utterly clueless, most folk on here including myself identified his stubbornness last season whereby he continually played players out of form/position etc.
It was abundantly clear that the likes of Sissoko was a DM and wasted on the wing, much like Cabaye being wasted playing too deep.
Due to injuries/suspension the FOOL has stumbled upon a formula that is now working.
Troy questioned the quality of the signings that we made in January…..I never did!
The FOOL did not have a clue what to make of his signings and instead played quality players out of position thus stifling our attacking prowess.
Perleeeeeeese Troy give yourself a shake!
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
@NEWKIE
Football is entertainment.
8th place is mid table.
Mid table is not entertaining.
We are the 5th most successful team in the Premier League. We’ve challenged for the title and Champions League places. Why would we ever be happy consistently finishing mid table?
If you ask fans of any big team, they would all pick a top 4 finish over the FA Cup & League Cup. I would too.
KK(Quote)
Kk, r u going to answer my question at 268? Or are you just going to whinge without offer any solutions?
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
*offering any solutions*
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
KK-the goal point was in response to Kim, and to those who say we didn’t score any goals. Considering Swansea also scored 5 on the first day of the league as well and one of the players in Michu then does the attacking threat look that bad? It didn’t with Ba leading the line anyway. After that is a different story. To score 60+ we will need a new striker, I think Benny and Remy should both be getting 10+ from the wings but I can’t see Cisse hitting 20 and even if he did, he assists so little in build up play or direct assists that I still don’t know where the goals will come from. Particularly with set pieces as they are 😕
Right so you’ve proven my point-Pardew can instill an attacking mindset, the problem is when he loses confidence and the side lose confidence everything goes cack.
Newkie(Quote)
KK-Firstly I would like a cup to see us win something. Afterwards I would agree, top 4 is the only way to make big bucks, get good players and “progress”
Now look at the top 4 in terms of spending power, ability and history. Now look at Mike Ashley…no chance 😆
If you *expect* this to happen shortly then I would be ready to be disappointed, we could sack 100 managers and with the current trend still not break into the top 4.
Newkie(Quote)
Ok Newkie. I’ll have a go when I get home. But a simple search of the pts gained and position finished season by season over the last 50 years should put things in perspective.
Premandup(Quote)
@Aussie Magpie Fan – 268
Apologies for missing your post.
The managers we could get & the manager who would come (in order of preference):
Fatih Terim
Marcelo Bielsa
Frank de Boer
Philippe Montanier
KK(Quote)
Terim is the manager of a champions league regular team who’s club can offer players at least double, possibly triple our wages should they wish it. Why exactly would he come here for a sniff at the Europa league and no financial resources?
Newkie(Quote)
KK, fair list mate, do you believe that any of them work under the constraints of the regime?
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Wow 😯 It looks like I rattled some cages there! 😆
What makes me laugh like a hyena on nitrous oxide 😆 is the truth is making the Pardew knockers looking all the more FOOLish. 😆
Pards has just thrown a combination of counter punches by getting the team playing good attacking football like he promised. 😆
Those who said last season would make him a better manager are now supping champers with him . Cheers Pards 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@Newkie 276
‘Right so you’ve proven my point-Pardew can instill an attacking mindset,’
This only happens when he is forced into it.
He didn’t honestly expect to come away with a win (or a point) against Arsenal or Man Utd.
He’s been forced into his most recent changes.
Unless he’s forced to do anything he’s pretty ****. What’s the point in a manager that can’t make right decisions?
KK(Quote)
‘the problem is when he loses confidence and the side lose confidence everything goes cack.’
100% agree but it shouldn’t happen. It didn’t happen to Wigan under Martinez so why is Pardew not able to do the same?
He’s been in the game longer & has better players that he can be confident of.
KK(Quote)
@NEWKIE – 278
Success in football is not just down to spending power. Look at Dortmund, a club that was in a similar place to us a few years ago and now they’re challenging for the title & Champions League. All on a budget!
Look at Arsenal. We’ve outspent them many times yet still they finish in the top 4 season after season.
Even Everton have done better than us without spending as much.
History is history, unless you’re referring to the last 5 years it’s irrelevant to future success. Just look at Livepool and they’re success at winning the title!
I don’t expect us to get into the Champions League but we do have the players to challenge for it. Under Pardew i don’t think we will as he can’t get the best out of the players.
KK(Quote)
@Premandup
50 years is a long time for me but in might feel like a brief moment for you 😆
Let’s look at our performance in the Premier League. Excluding the fact that we were relegated, only Man Utd, Arsenal, Livepool & Chelsea have been more successful in the league.
KK(Quote)
KK, r u JJ? 😕
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
@Newkie – 280
He’s already said in the past that he would come here. Sir Bobby Robson recommended him to Mike Ashley.
Mike Ashley chose Keegan instead (i thought it was a mistake then, i still think that now)
Sure he’s at a Champions League club where they don’t really have any expectation to progress much further than the group stages. They have to offer double & triple or else no decent player would want to go there (think Russia).
KK(Quote)
@Aussie Magpie Fan – 281
There aren’t any constraints at the club that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
We have a director of football which is quite common.
We do have money available for the right players and honestly we’ve probably done the best business of any club in the last 2-3 years.
I don’t think Joe Kinnear will be around long term and even if he is i don’t think he is smart enough to have a positive impact. Any negative impact and Mike Ashley will get rid of him.
KK(Quote)
During that time we have had the two most successful managers in the history of the club. Nobody is suggesting that he is that good, just a competent middle of the road EPL standard manager
Premandup(Quote)
@Aussie Magpie Fan – 287
Yes. I am JJ.
Sometimes i go under KK.
I can’t really be bother to type ALL of my initials each time as it’s easier just to press the same letter twice. My actual initials are JK.
J short for Joe.
K short for Kinnear.
KK(Quote)
@KK
The trouble with you is you haven’t played the game so you’ll never understand how good Pards is. 😆
FTSOTBAP 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@Premandup – 290
And only one manager in that time could be considered World Class (SBR).
We’ve had so many rubbish managers yet we’ve still performed better than most clubs. If we had a progressive manager we would be able to compete with the top 6.
You might be right. Pardew might be a middle of the road EPL standard manager. I don’t think he is & his past performances also don’t suggest that but even if he was, that would still not be good enough.
KK(Quote)
@Troy
I’ve also not won a Manager of the year award so i’ll never understand how good Kinnear is. 😆
What is FTSOTBAP?
KK(Quote)
JJ/KK, it’s a joke Troy stole off me.. 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
“He didn’t honestly expect to come away with a win (or a point) against Arsenal or Man Utd.”
Why not?-we’ve managed both in recent seasons.
“He’s been forced into his most recent changes.”
No he hasn’t, Shola and Tiote were fit for Villa were they not?
It did happen to Martinez at Wigan-they were just in reverse, cack to begin with and immense to save themselves at the end. Oh, apart from last year when they got relegated 😆
The fact you can compare the Bundesliga and the Premier league and how the leagues operate financially is mental. The only side that can even be considered close to what Dortmund have done is Spurs and even they barely make it into the CL, we’ll see how they do this year but I wouldn’t put money on it.
Everton and Arsenal haven’t had to reconstruct their squads after a relegation, it is natural that they have spent less in previous seasons. This season they have spent more..
Bobby has been dead a while, we are a completely different prospect now to what we were. No prospect of winning the CL? But then the Turkish economy continues to grow, you would expect the league to get stronger. They certainly have a hell of a lot more chance of winning it in his time than we do and they are certainly paying him more. Why move?
Newkie(Quote)
@293-We’ve performed better with bad managers because we’ve bought the most expensive players in world football and put together squads we couldn’t bankroll.
Newkie(Quote)
Ah that figures (Troy stealing jokes).
KK(Quote)
KK all I’m saying is that even over the EPL years if you exclude KK or SBR then our finishes have been 13, 13, 14, 7, 13, 12, 18(R). against that a Pards record is not bad. Other than those two managers we have only ever got 5th twice. Gordon Lee and Alan Pardew. Come on he’s not **** he’s the same as us.
Premandup(Quote)
KK isn’t JJ he’s by no means angry enough 😀
Prem-speak for yourself pal, I am head and shoulders above Pards but for some reason nobody will give me a job. Something about low attention span and ignoring my work…speaking of which I’m off 😉
Newkie(Quote)