It’s all a bit of a mess on Tyneside at the moment. Indeed that may be a bit of an understatement, Off pitch things are not great and on the pitch things are no better as we lurch from crisis to crisis.
A spirited defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday evening ultimately meant nothing as we exited the League Cup for another season, the defeat to Sunderland, the fixture today and knowing that we travel to Tottenham after this aren’t helping the mood and events away from the pitch are only adding fuel to a fire that is growing in size as each day passes. A win would at least give us something to cheer, but I just can’t see it happening unfortunately.
However enough moping. There is a game today and as the old saying goes, anyone can beat anyone on the day. We managed to beat Chelsea last season so it’s not an impossible task but to do so we need to be at our very best for the entire duration of the match.
Speaking of the match we are live on BT Sport here in the UK and are also being broadcast on a whole host of overseas channels so catching a stream online shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Once again please share any decent feeds you happen to come across and leave a link in the ‘comments’ section below. Team news will be featured below as and when.
There really isn’t a lot more to say apart from lets get this over with. As a United fan I wait to be pleasantly surprised and I’m optimistic that if we perform to our potential we can win or at least draw, but the realist in me knows it’s going to be tough and that we’ll most likely be talking about enough defeat come the full-time whistle.
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Mike Williamson, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Davide Santon; Moussa Sissoko, Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Yoan Gouffran; Shola Ameobi, Loic Remy
Subs: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Vurnon Anita, Gabriel Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Hatem Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse
Chelsea: Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Ramires, Frank Lampard, Oscar, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, Fernando Torres
Subs: Mark Schwarzer, Carlos Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, John Obi Mikel, Willian, Andre Schurrle, Samuel Eto’o
He wins when he wants
He wins when he wants
Alan Pardew
He wins when he wants
😆 😆 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TROY that must be good gear your smoking
icedog(Quote)
Troy,
I wouldn’t say he’s excelling at all. But he has got a lot more right in the last five games than he did in the first five.
I think he is improving. He’s certainly got a lot braver in his decision making. But we still have a lot way to go. We somehow need to find a consistency in performance.
Today was a great result. Does it give me faith in him for future games? Unfortunately not. Its going to take a few more positive performances for that.
At present, I still think we’re more likely to finish 12th-14th than 8th-10th which is what we should be aiming at under him.
With a good manager and a couple signings, we could easily challenge for top six on a regular basis. I don’t see us ever doing that under Pards.
JJ(Quote)
Bootsy must be cringing at the moment. Oh dear 😳 😳
😛 😛 😛 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
‘Pardew set the team up today to keep things in line and with a hard working, displined midfield with real workers’
Pardew always sets the team up like that. However, when the opposition score, it all goes to pot and he has no plan B.
Today, it worked, so credit where its due. But its not going to and hasn’t been working every week.
JJ(Quote)
Think Pardew would rather want to get a good result today, than keep the loosing streak going which is quiet understandable given the lastest pressure on him from loosing to the scum. He had balls enough to play 4-3-3 and attacking against cesspool and it got us result.
He’s doing what he can with the material given.
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
JJ
Have you been hibernating the last 2 yrs? 🙄
Myself and a few, and I emphasise a few, Big Dave & Stuart79 have been realistic.
We don’t believe Pards is a top manager, but we realise he is as good as we can get with Ashley in charge.
That is why we don’t get overly critical of him cos he is putting up a decent lunch box with the bread and cheese he is served by Mikey the grocer.
Now of we had a Michelin star restaurant owner who gave the chef an open cheque to buy his ingredients then I wouldn’t expect Pardew to be able to give a top notch presentation stir fry of Messi, Xavi, Ronaldo and Bale. 😉
To summarise,we have a half decent manager and he’s doing very well with the squad at his disposal.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy,
I agree we probably couldn’t do much better in terms of quality under Ashley. But I still reserve the right to ***** and moan when I don’t like what he’s doing.
Your arguement goes for Cisse as well. Everyone saying “sell him and buy ____insert random name from Dutch league in here”…
I don’t think we can attract a much better callibre striker than Cisse here under Ashley. I choose to support him through this lean spell. Others clearly take the opportunity to berate him. But that’s their right.
JJ(Quote)
Ps.
Troy,
Just to clarify. Why don’t you tell us all again what your opinion (and Dave’s) is on the whole managerial situation at Newcastle is? Should Pards stay or go?
JJ(Quote)
Troy
I came back from the game and started reading the comments, it’s always amusing when you see players being slagged off who you know scores later on 😆
Andymag(Quote)
JJ for me Pards has to stay because I dont think actually im positive that JFK would be worse.
So as it is Pards is the best we can get so I would rather keep him.
I could go on to say that to get better we would need Jabba to do a complete change and get some real ambition but thats a waste of breath.
Big Dave(Quote)
Spot on Troy. Who better can we get?
You do not get champagne when you only have beer money!
Ashley out!
Stuart79(Quote)
Troy ,you make some good points regarding Pards but rather like Jabba he tends to undo any good work when he opens his gob. The pre and post match comments about this is for Mike will of gone down like a bucket of sick ,well it did with me anyway. 👿
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim I agree with you I dont know why he had to mention Jabba and it really pissed me off, but as much **** as he comes of with I really dont think he comes of with as much ***** as JFK would.
Big Dave(Quote)
hard to chose a **** licker or a half-wit,some bloody choice 🙁
icedog(Quote)
Dave, JFK doesn’t just talk f*$%king bollocks , he says it ,and there in lies a big part of the problem with him . He did a great job with Wimbledon way back when and instilled a winning mentality but he’s old school and times have moved on, couple that with his appalling behaviour toward the press and he’s a one man disaster zone . This club is struggling enough on the pr front at the moment, he’s the last thing we need. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was jfk advised Jabba to ban the press such is his hatred of them .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Ice IMO JFK is an **** licking big mouthed half wit, so for me there is no choice 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Ice 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim funny enough when I 1st heard about the press ban that was the 1st thing I thought.
Ice I forgot to add he is a lying c@nt aswell
Big Dave(Quote)
DAVE,Jabba,JK,Pardew are all lying c@unts,so still no choice mate
icedog(Quote)
Ice for me Pards is the lesser of two evils, but the choice is yours 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Well done lads. I have to say we must be the most unpredictable side in English football. To those who predicted we would win this I say spot on to you. I was impressed with the play of many in our side. Remy was great, as was the whole back four for the most part (Willo had trouble covering Terry from corners but otherwise he played very well). Pardew did a fine job as well. What to expect against Spurs? I have no idea mates.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 thats the thing about us we seem to be able to up our game against the bigger teams but always seem to struggle against the sides we should be getting points from
Big Dave(Quote)
well at least i can watch MOTD 😀
icedog(Quote)
Aye Big Dave mate. Very frustrating. As it must be for Pardew. I just don’t understand it. We looked a completely different side today than against Sunderland. The first half was a bit dodgy but we escaped a few bullets then went out and won it. Will we be as good against Spurs away? As I say I have no idea mate. ❓
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I really don’t understand the complaints about the first half. Did people expect us to go out all guns blazing against Chelsea? Are points awarded to the team that’s winning at half time?
We almost beat Liverpool with 10 men.
We didn’t deserve to lose against 5under1and.
We held the most expensive team in English League history to a draw over 90 mins.
We beat Chelsea.
Today was hardly a freak result. We’re still inconsistent but then we’re still trying to gel as a team. Give them a break.
Toon Chicken(Quote)
TC 😯 I agree with all that except I do think we deserved to lose against the SMB
Big Dave(Quote)
TC – My problem in the first half was that our movement was absolutely pathetic, yet that’s the effect of having Strolla on the pitch and because we were so static our passing was atrocious – we just kept giving the ball away. That is not the way to keep things tight.
Ashley Out!
Stuart79(Quote)
Also I thought we were utterly pathetic against SMB.
Ashley Out!
Stuart79(Quote)
Bookies must hate our guts 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
Stuart ,we were poor v the Scum but are still far better than them.
KIMTOON(Quote)
well time for MOTD catch you’s tomorrow
Big Dave(Quote)
We are, Kim but we didn’t perform when it mattered.
Our performances again Chelsea and Liverpool show how good we could be but we’re just so inconsistent and the reason for that is there’s just not enough competition in the squad. Such a shame.
Ashley Out!
Stuart79(Quote)
Jesus, anyone see Dossena’s challenge on MOTD?
You even see him re-adjust his leg and pull it back to get extra force on the stamp. It was common assault you’d get arrested on the street for.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Yeah Troy – where were you last weekend.
I take it Pardumdum wasn’t to blame for the pathetic effort against the filth down the road.
Cheeses man the first half was pathetic today too. He even admitted so himself ffs.
We gave the ball away so cheaply it was getting embarrassing.
He only brought Anita on because toto was injured, yet he gets praise for an inspired substitution. Duh! what choices did he have.
The 2nd half we got more stuck into em and was a pleasure to watch.
Some game plan mate, but in normal circumstances we could have been 2 or 3 down by HT.
Willo started off poor again, but got better.
Debs had a much better game.
Gouffy played his heart out. That’s what I like to see.
Nothing today can explain last weeks abject performance from Pardoh.
His total failure to get the team ‘UP’ for a derby is cringeworthy.
How you can call him a great motivator beggars belief.
Fortunately today the lads were playing for ‘Mike’
You might well think Pardoh is the ‘best we can get under ashley’ but I don’t.
He does have a stay of execution tho.
Again I ask, where were you after the derby???
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Sissoko put a better shift in today too. Why is it only against chelski ?
I expect to see Pardoh getting better performances out of him consistently from now on. Nee excuses, he has shown what he can do,
Spuds better beware.
The great Pardoh is on a roll now. Nothing can stop the Toon………………………………..!
😛 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
FJ – I thought both red cards were fair, but once again the refs aren’t being consistent, as the hull player (Brady) should have gone also. He was airborne ffs.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
what a bloody shambles our club is in,JK trying to sign young fergie after watching him play for brum they had to tell him he already is a toon player and only on loan from them,this man is a bloody ****-hole just un-real 👿
icedog(Quote)
I’ve just been reading about that Icedog.
you couldn’t make it up could you ❓
Only at Newcastle.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Apparently we are trying to sign Arsenal CB Thomas Vermaelan in January. But only on loan.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB – the bookies don’t seem to agree with you…
http://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/newcastle/next-permanent-manager
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Icedog can’t fault your judgement on Joe-King.
Good win for the lads yesterday I thought we would get stuffed by Chelsea but happy to be wrong mate.
stem(Quote)
ST – I don’t understand that table.
It says ‘permanent manager’ JfK is top of the list, but imho he would only ever be an interim manager should Pardew go, (which is extremely doubtful).
It also lists Paulo di Canio and Gus Poyet. Ha ha.
It really means nothing.
Is there a similar list for Crystal Palace I wonder. Does Pardew feature on that list ❓
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
http://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/crystal-palace/next-permanent-manager
.
There you go. 4th on the list.
It means **** all.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
@Bootsy
I’ve been climbing in the Himalayas the last few weeks. That’s why I haven’t been on. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I hope you were wearing uncle Les’ shorts and boots Troy. 😆
So you haven’t seen the match against the unwashed then ❓
Lucky for you.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Lets be clear about Pardew.
The inconsistency of performances is as much down to him as it is the players. He still hasn’t yet worked out our best 11, but maybe he is getting there.
He gets credit for dropping Cisse and Benny to the bench yesterday, but starting shola never really paid off. Remy played better when Cisse came on for sure. Benny is a luxury player that we can ill afford to carry thru games, when we really need grafters like Gouffran.
I don’t want Pardew sacked just for the sake of it, but up til now he has had many of us scratching our heads with confusion.
I am fully aware and it is important to keep in mind, the similarity with the sir Alex Ferguson situation at manure. For 3 years he was derided by many who called for his head, until suddenly it all clicked for him and the rest is history.
If a similar thing were to happen to Pardew, then I will happily admit I was wrong.
I appreciate he hasn’t got the box of tricks and the backing SAF had, but I do think he should be getting more out of the players he does have.
I also think he is hampered by the coaching team he has working for him, which are very poor.
As ever tho, time will tell. 😛
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
@Bootsy
I managed to jack up a makeshift aerial out of crampons and snow axes. You get a great reception at the top of Everest. 😉
I really can’t believe you are still wanting Pards out , a year to this day, when you predicted he would be gone by last Xmas.
We now sit in 9th place, bang on Ashley’s target, having just beat one of the premierships favourites by 2 goals.
It does not matter who is in charge of the team, the managers tactics will always be criticised by some. You only have to read this blog to see all the different formations, subs, tactics that claim should be used. You’s can’t agree with yourselves never mind Pardew.
Top 10 is the aim. I never hear of big spats in the dressing room. The players all look elated and congratulate each other when we score. The ground is full every week. What more do you want from Pardew?
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I see JFK tried to sign Shane Ferguson from Birmingham…
When will this end? Will he try and sell Ronaldo?
Stuart79(Quote)
Yeah top 10 is the new re-adjusted target, after failing to make top 4, 6, and 8.
I don’t want him to be a failure, quite the opposite.
I just don’t see it, that’s all.
Also, I don’t want to settle for mid table mediocrity, just because that is all Ashley wants as ambition.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Joe-King tried signing is trying to sign his own player’s out on loan ?
This is either Ashley and Kinnear having a joke at the fan’s expense or he forgot to take his dementia pills that day. Only at Newcastle
stem(Quote)
JFK, embarrassing to the club doesn’t even begin to cover it. 👿
KIMTOON(Quote)
This story about ferguson has been doing the rounds for ages I can’t see it being true.
Oblong(Quote)
On another note
We need a new Obertan. Ours appears to be broken! 😆
Oblong(Quote)
Cabaye’s free kick for Gouffy’s first goal was absolutely immense !! Well done that man..
What a great day yesterday was 🙂
HTL !!!
Munich Mag(Quote)
I think the fact Gouffy got down to the header ahead of Ivanovic’s boot was even more impressive than the freekick itself.
A really great header from a player who WAS prepared to put his body on the line.
Awesome stuff
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
As a manager if you win you have got the tactics spot on. If you lose your tactics are terrible. Must admit that I wouldn’t have sat back in the first half because had Chelsea scored first, going by recent performances, we would have started to panic at the back. So well done Pardew – for now.
Groucho(Quote)
Someone mentioned JFK talking to Clark about Fergie on here a few weeks or even months ago. Personally I think its a bit of a stretch, maybe a rumour that the papers picked up on and ran with?
But then, I could certainly believe it of that *******.
Still buzzin after yesterday! woop!
Newkie(Quote)
Yeah, goof really impressed me. He might not be a 4-4-2 winger but he works so hard you wouldn’t know it. Probably the most low key signing we’ve made in Jan along with hairdrier and while he lacks the caps and maybe the extra bit of class/potential, but he has worked harder and more consistently than all the other jan signings imo. Would be interested to see how he and Remy would do up top together if we got someone new to play on the left.
Newkie(Quote)
I’m not really sure I buy the “Remy plays better with Cisse” thing either. Shola put the ball on Remy’s toe with a knock down and if Remy was hugely unfortunate not to score. We got better as the game went on but I really don’t see what Cisse did to change it, Remy and the rest just switched on and upped the anti.
That said I’d like it if we could get Anita in for either Shola or Cisse as an extra man in midfield, or maybe play Benny behind Remy. Those two have more of a future with us than the former two, imo.
Newkie(Quote)
Great result yesterday yet it makes last week’s capitulation all the more frustrating- we have a good team that can motivate against the big boys (Liverpool being another example) but don’t care enough about things like the derby.
On an unrelated note looking at the loanees right now who has a chance of coming back stronger (as Dummett did)? Gosling is getting game time but already finished at the club (also true of Amalfitano in my opinion). But what about Fergie? He seemed to start to make the step up and then Pardew soured on him. Does Abeid have a chance to make it back?
SJP14(Quote)
Newkie I wouldn’t play Gouffran up front with Remy because I think where he plays now he contributes so much in other areas. As for Remy playing better with Cisse it comes down I suppose to personal opinion. I think Remy has only scored when Cisse had been on the pitch but I may be wrong in that. My own view is that Remy doesn’t look comfortable in the centre but seems to be more effective playing more to the left of centre.
Groucho(Quote)
Groucho ,I believe you are right about Remy scoring when Cisse is on the pitch as well mate . It could simply be that the opposing team are busy watching Cisse and not marking Remy close enough , I would expect that to change soon though which may give Cisse more chance if they’re paying attention to Remy. Remy is very fast and will soon find himself much more tightly marked in much the same way Benny now is imo.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Groucho-you may be right, his work ethic may well be wasted. It’s not like we have a decent winger to put on in that position anyway but a front line of those two would have serious pace, we could actually play with the through balls that Cabaye/Anita like to use rather than the crosses/hoofs required for Shola and Cisse.
Remy does look better on the left as opposed to leading the line esp on his own but from what I’ve seen Cisse hasn’t had much impact on that. People can rattle off his scuffed shots-cum-assists for Remy as a sign that Cisse is some sort of playmaker but it doesn’t wash for me.He probably does worry defenders more than Shola though because they know he can score goals from anywhere, but they know they only need one guy on him because his close control is usually terrible. If you stop his instinct strike then he won’t be dribbling the ball past you or give you any other worries imo.
Newkie(Quote)
I mean Anita came on and actually made the goal. Cisse maybe stood around and distracted one player, but Anita with some help beat three. Surely that is what we actually want from our players and want to see, not just some stat where Remy scores because Cisse is standing on the pitch. I bet he’s scored his goals with Santon and Sissoko or Debuchy (not 100%) playing as well like. I know they aren’t his strike partner but they’ve all probably contributed more going forward…
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie I don’t think we are miles apart. Cisse, I will admit is not performing as well as he might and whether he is taking players away from Remy is just down to opinion. However, Remy was totally unmarked when Anita picked him out with that great pass. What I like about Anita is not only his ability to pick out a pass but to keep the ball down when he does. Most strikers, with some exceptions, prefer the ball
on the end of their boots and not their head. Great result however it came about.
Groucho(Quote)
I’m with Newkie. It was 100% Anita that improved no only Remy’s performance, but the whole team’s performance. He is so slick and quick with his passing that space we couldn’t find prior to his arrival becomes available. It’s common sense really – the quicker you move the ball the more problems you create for the opposition.
The Kid(Quote)
Groucho funny enough Ginola thinks Goofy is far better up top as a main striker.
Big Dave(Quote)
What’s up with Marveaux and Jonas ? Hmmmm….a few words from our eloquent leader wouldn’t go amiss…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Must admit Ginola probably knows more in his little finger than I do. Now, if you had said Andy Townsend I might have stood by my argument. Wouldn’t give anyone an argument praising the merits of Anita. I have consistently highlighted how good he is. Gets overlooked because of his build I think.
Groucho(Quote)
MM I don’t know about Marv but wor Jonas is back in Argentina 😯 supposed to be injuried but I really think our players should stay with the team when they are recuperating.
Groucho I would like to see him Goofy playing as the main striker with Remy just behind to see if it would work but as mentioned according to Ginola that is his best position and where he seen him playing the most, and im sure Ginola knows a fair bit more about French football than we all do
Big Dave(Quote)
A happy True Geordie for a change 😎
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhTam8wxqtQ
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)