Heavy defeats at the hands of Manchester United, Southampton and Everton combined with a poor run of form since the turn of the year have heaped pressure on Alan Pardew, whilst his headbutt which led to a seven match touchline ban certainly hasn’t done him any favours.
A season which had started with so much promise has petered out to nothing and now we are in danger of slipping out of the top half of the Premier League table. But whilst the performances from the boys in black and white haven’t been favourable, there is only a handful of games left to impress for those wanting to be on the plane to Rio come June.
A dip in form is that last thing those looking to book a spot in their respective international squads for the World Cup need so with that in mind, let’s take a glance at who’s in line to feature at the World Cup. Well, we need something to look forward to, right?
Loic Remy
Loic Remy looks set to make the French squad but a few decent performances between now and the end of the Premier League season would help his cause greatly. Karim Benzema has been in superb form for Real Madrid, scoring 29 goals, so will certainly be the talisman, but competition for a supporting role is well and truly up for grabs with Remy, Giroud and Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette all on Didier Deschamps’ shortlist.
The problem with this is that we’re going to lose Remy at end of the season anyway as his loan deal expires, and a decent World Cup will easily push him out of our price range, if indeed he’s not already out of our limited transfer range. Remember, we can’t compete financially blah blah blah.
Moussa Sissoko
Moussa Sissoko is an absolute physical beast and should be in the France squad for the World Cup. The former Toulouse man has worried fans on the terraces of late with concerns he’s more interested in being fit for Brazil, but he looks like he’ll be thrown back into the team following a pulled hamstring, which will no doubt help build his fitness before joining up with France who are being backed to reach the quarter finals at the very least by freebets.
Mathieu Debuchy
The former Lille man has arguably been our best performer of the season, an accolade that could have been afforded to his mate Yohan Cabaye before he moved back across La Manche to Paris Saint Germain. Debuchy and Arsenal man Bacary Sagna are the two players who likely to tussle it out for the right-back spot in Dechamps’ squad.
Fabricio Coloccini
Over the years Coloccini has failed to nail a regular spot at centre-half in the Argentina squad, often having to pull out through injury, but the stalwart has World Cup experience and was trusted in the vital game that sealed the South American side’s place in the finals.
He’s also not happy with Newcastle’s performances of late. He recently told Sky Sports; “We are trying to win every game, of course we are. We have to play with pride for this club and for the fans.”
Hopefully the shaggy haired stopper heeds his own words in the final run in.
Shola Ameobi
The Newcastle veteran has only scored two domestic goals this season, but after a solid spell of form in November, followed by a goal for the Super Eagles against Italy, Shola Ameobi seems like he might finally get his chance at a major tournament.
He’ll be battling Victor Obinna and Emmanual Emenike for a place in the starting line-up though, whilst Ezekiel and Uchebo, who ply their trade in the Belgian leagues, will also be fighting for a position.
Cheik Tiote
It could be the Ivorian’s last chance to do something special this year with the likes of Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba perhaps starring at their last major tournament. And they have plenty to play for in a favourable group.
The defensive midfielder has played a major role on Tyneside this season and has allegedly caught the eye of Manchester City in the last few months.
The outsiders
There are several players who have a chance of finding themselves on the plane to Rio. Tim Krul perhaps has the best chance of the lot but is unlikely to be anything more than a squad member for the Netherlands. Vurnon Anita has not been called up fro a while and is not going to force his way into the reckoning now. For France there is Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Hatem Ben Arfa who have previously featured for their country but have fallen off the radar recently and I feel that they are in the same boat as Vurnon Anita and will have to watch from the sidelines.
When you look at it, especially the players who are near certainties to go to the World Cup, they haven’t done too badly at all. Loic Remy is our top scorer with Mathieu Debuchy performing well and Moussa Sissoko showing glimpses despite being played out of position.
However it is those on the periphery that have suffered. All four of my outsiders could have had solid seasons and worked their way into the thinking of their national team managers yet none of them have. In part that is down to Pardew and the weakness of the NUFC squad through lack of investment, but there must also be some blame apportioned to players who ultimately control their own performances.
Is it too early to start thinking about the World Cup? Not when you look at our season! If it’s not to the taste of some then tell me why, but personally I dislike going on about the same things over and over and there is only so many times I can write that Pardew must go or Ashley must go or we’ve been bad since Christmas and so on. Hence something different.
Has anything been missed?
…not his fault though.
Rodzilla(Quote)
Stem ,I dunno mate that grass looks a tad too long to me and it’s defo very green like.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim…He was an old schoolmate of Ice’s too 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Sissko lacks how to give the good pace in a pass, has no idea, but he played as No 10. Pardew loves this kind of playmaker, he would prefer him as messi, or Modric in this kind of position. Because more powerful
HBA39(Quote)
Richie lmfao, 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
…just his fault for being a sackless ****, willing to bullshit his flowery way to each blossoming wage slip.
Rodzilla(Quote)
So now we’ve been out scored 17-1 in our last 6 matches.
MDS(Quote)
…sorry, my last comment was a bit horticultural.
Rodzilla(Quote)
pure class that volley mind
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Man oh man Dummett. What the hell was that ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
tahnk **** dtsa ovre
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Well if I’m honest I didn’t really enjoy that 🙄
richietoon(Quote)
garbage
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Kim I wouldn’t put it past Pardew to say something stupid like that. Poor Armstrong having to play 4 minutes that’s cruel
stem(Quote)
Richietoon, you can say that again mate. I’ve had my fill after that pathetic shower of ****.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Finish in the bottom half.
Pardew sacked close season.
Tony Pulis in.
£1.37 war chest.
(+optional Peter Crouch*)
*£1M extra
Rodzilla(Quote)
MM…Aye I know how ya feel…and ref that offside I meant Ozil was offside when the rebound shot was struck…not that it matters as we got exactly what we deserved 👿
richietoon(Quote)
Ashley for the love of god please sack Pardew
stem(Quote)
Never gona get anything at Arsenal like, to be fair.
Pardew’s got the fixtures against him now. As he has had for the last 18 months, the useless ****. Should be an interesting summer anyway.
Rodzilla(Quote)
Another record for Pards worst run of defeats for 27 years
KIMTOON(Quote)
Sick to death of hearing the Pardew has no players excuses. He has plenty of them,, all international standard. What he hasnt got is a fucking clue. He has no idea. Why isnt HBA and Marveux anywhere near this squad? He has to go
Raffo(Quote)
Pardew says we played well in the second half. He say’s he was unlucky one goal was offside. He really is full of it.
stem(Quote)
Fatboy’s 5 year plan’s looking good anyway.
they was on good form
it wasn’t a foul
it was tough
we worked hard
we was coping well
disappointing first goal
2nd was offside the first time but we was showing great character
I couldn’t give a ****, cos I have a job and it pays well
Oy lav the Jowdy pablic.
Rodzilla(Quote)
I wish Pardew would just say “LOOK, MIKE ASHLEY IS A FUCKING IMPOSSIBLE ****!” on camera. Then I might like him take him more seriously.
I go poopoo now. 😳
Rodzilla(Quote)
Bringing Armstrong on for the last 4 minutes just proves yet again that the useless **** that is our manager is the most incompetent **** ever too manage us .
AXEL(Quote)
The whole of the premiership are fucking laughing at us ,even the teams in the bottom 3 are thinking hang on a minute we are not as ***** as the Geordie’s .
AXEL(Quote)
Axel, And sadly they are correct 🙁
KIMTOON(Quote)
There’s nothing more that needs saying. That went exactly to plan. Arsenal’s plan that is. We never had a chance given our form in the new year. Sack the manager? Probably a good idea at this point but the real problem has always been the owner. No spending in the last 2 windows. Hire a complete pillock as DoF. Then wonder why it’s gone so badly wrong. Only Mike is wondering actually.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I think Alan and the lads did well for us tonight. Alan explained his got everything under control and apologises for losing six games in a row. He said the team has played well and the fan’s aren’t being patient enough. We must all be united under difficult times. We have 46 points on the board so that’s something to be excited about. I will get new players to improve the team in the summer. Get your season tickets now and enjoy the games next season.
Yours faithfully
Mike Ashley
Owner and Director of Newcastle United
Mike Ashley(Quote)
No thanks Mike would rather watch paint dry!
stem(Quote)
🙄 I haven’t read any of the comments 🙄 …. So how did we go against the Gunners!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Obviously you’ll have read all mine cuda so that pretty much sums it up 😉 😛
richietoon(Quote)
The saddest thing of all, is that our game plan, was to park the bus and get a 0-0 draw.
But we cant even do that properly.
Plan ‘b’ was to roll over and take it up the tail pipe.
14 corners to none says it all about our attacking fret 😳
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
There’s talk of a mass walkout on Saturday after 60 mins. 😯
But I will believe it when I see it.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Yep, I read em Richie 😉 , I was just trying to smile through the 90 minutes of pain I had to endure! 😕
I have said it before, the only reason Pardew is still here is because the club knows they have not supported him with player purchases. If they had bought players in and they had financially backed Pardew and we were playing this poorly, he would be gone by now! This is not an excuse for Pardew, I still think he is distinctly average as a manager. I simply believe that this is the only reason he is still in a job!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
BB, why 60 minutes?… it’s that so everyone can get a little money’s worth before walking out! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
The days of getting any sort of money’s worth watching Newcastle have long gone mate 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Since boxing days 5-1 win over stoke, we have:
played 18
won 4
lost 13
drawn 1 (0-0)
scored 10 (lowest of all premier league teams)
conceded 36 😯
failed to score in 12
And Parsnip is saying he is here for the long term and planning for next season.
“I know they’re disappointed and angry at the moment (the fans) that we haven’t got a result. I’m looking at the job as a long-term opportunity for myself. That’s how you have to focus.”
“We’re going to work hard in the summer to make sure we have a team that can make this city proud.”
😛
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
One of the problems with a walk out after 60 minutes is the score line at the time if we’re winning and playing well( 😆 😆 😆 😆 :lol:) fewer people will do it(if they were going to anyway) than if we were playing **** and losing.
If we were awarded a pen on the 60th minute would people walk out before it was taken, if no is the answer then they aren’t really committed to the idea anyway. It’s the last home game “if” people want to make a point either just don’t go at all or do it vocally throughout the game, whether either or owt will make the slightest bit of difference is another matter.
richietoon(Quote)
yeah I think you could be right Aussie.
The 50k just cant stay away see.
But not turning up at all would just give parsnip yet another excuse for another insipid display and defeat.
Cardiff must be licking their lips.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB…You forgot to mention that since the turn of the year only Cardiff have picked up less points than us…at least that’s what the commentator said, can’t be arsed checking it…shocking really(the points thing that is, not the fact I can’t be arsed
)
richietoon(Quote)
“winning and playing well” 😛
good one Richie.
I could accept losing and playing well if I’m honest, but we can’t even manage that.
We will never play well, when all we are doing is trying not to lose.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
No that is wrong Richie.
Cardiff have 4 wins and 3 draws by the looks of it
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
No my mistake, that’s including their cup wins doh!
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I got my money’s worth Richie, there was that time a few months back, I think it was a Saturday lunch time game, or was it a Sunday night 😕 Any way I am pretty sure there was a time I got my monies worth, I think! 😐
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
aye you’re right
2 wins 3 draws
makes us look real classy doesn’t it 😳
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Aussie…I’m gonna have to call bullshit on your getting your money’s worth 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Fair call! 😛 I still look forward to our games but I don’t have high expectations any more! 😕
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Have we sacked anyone yet?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Classic Pardew Blunder Exposes How Disastrous Mike Ashley Era Has Been
http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/classic-pardew-blunder-exposes-disastrous-mike-ashley-era/
a good read this
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Aussie@710-yes the club know they haven’t supported him but also know he is a man who is willing to accept that. Ashley will only sack him when it is financially the “best” i.e cheapest thing for him to do. Lower attendances and cancelled season tickets along with poor form should all get the ball rolling on that..
Newkie(Quote)
Still pissed off. 👿
KIMTOON(Quote)
Just reading this about Palace being after Connor Wickham, he’s looked pretty good lately, should we be trying to get him? thoughts.
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/liverpool-swoop-for-england-star-as-crystal-palace-eye-sunderland-hero-wickham-1-6585365
KIMTOON(Quote)
It’s hard not to feel sorry for Pardew when you see all the fans having a go at him. They’re supposed to be knowledgable supporters but for some reason can’t see that a team who is reliant on an on loan striker, a limited attacker (Gouffran), Sholla and a Bairn to score all their goals just isn’t really going to be performing very well. Let alone a creative midfield of Sissoko, Tiote and Anita!
Did anyone see the real facts between the points/goals per game we achieved with and without Cabaye? With Cabaye we were scoring about 1.7 goals per game without him 0.5 and with him we picked up 1.5 points per gam and without him 0.7. I think that says everything.
Once Cabaye was sold it let not only a huge hole to fill for quality and creativity but also the squad clearly felt let down but the club and after being told a load of bullshit nothing happened. They no doubt feel they’re playing or a club with no ambition or interest in success and are probably feeling exactly the same as the supporters; “What’s the point?”
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – Where are HBA and Marveux? Why cant the guy get anything out of Sissoko? Why do ALL the players signed look to have gone backwards? Yes he couldve done with some additonal resource, but why not play Armstrong. He would give much more than Strolla and would also show Mike that he is over-relient on the youth and would hammer home that point. A double edged sword.
Collo clearly doesnt want to be there. Bench him. Haidara is a much better LB option that Dummett.
He has some mitigating factors sure, but I simply dont agree that a better coaching set up, with a better tactician wouldve got more out of the same group of players.
Raffo(Quote)
Sorry but I don’t think we been great all season Cabaye or no Cabaye, we haven’t been convincing once, forget the Manure game they were in total disarray and us winning there is no great shakes since loads have since us. Lets look at the first half of the season. We lost to City ,then drew with West Ham ,then beat a very poor Fulham 1.0 whoopy do, that was August. Next up we beat a ***** Villa 2.1, lost to the mighty Hull city and lost to Everton that was September . We then beat another poor team in Cardiff by the 1 goal and managed to draw with Liverpool which in fairness was a good result, then we got beat by the Scum 👿 so that was October done with. November was our saving grace as we beat Chelsea, go figure, Spurs by some miracle called Krul , beat a poor Norwich and West Brom. December was a mixed bag seeing us lose to Swansea by 3 goals yet beat Manure 0.1,we managed to draw with the saints beat a woeful Palace pre Pulis and beat 9 men Stoke, then we lost to Arsenal. Then we come to January losing to West Brom and Man city, but beating West ham thanks to 2 goals from Cabaye who was then sold. Last game of jan was a 0.0 v Norwich.
So for me the first half of the season was not exceptional in that even when we won it wasn’t that convincing, when was the last time we really put on a display of good football and thrashed someone, seems an age ago to me.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Raffo I’m with you mate, simply too many excuses have been made for Pards now. Fact is a lot of players who looked really good on arrival now look poor or simply get no game time. Shola should NEVER get on ahead of Arma now, Arma has high confidence right now and youth on his side too yet he gets just 4 mins last night when we was 3.0 down ,what is the point in putting him on into a totally deflated side /, how does that help his progression.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Sharpy17
April 29, 2014 at 08:24
Have we sacked anyone yet?…..
not even the dreaded vote of confidence has been dished out – meaning the smarmy spineless gobshites job is safe as houses.
roy cropper(Quote)
Raffle – look at the facts. Since Cabaye was sold we have completely crumbled. The players look totally uninterested and I would bet that it’s down to playing for this fucking basket case of an unambitious club. If supporters are feeling like it’s all pointless I’m sure the players are feeling the same.
Maybe Sissoko just isn’t as good as everyone keeps saying, maybe HBA and Marv are a joke in training and that’s why they’re not playing. The club is a complete wreck – it’s dying and it’s in such dire need of surgery it’s frightening but unfortunately the guy who’s responsible to provide the tools for that surgery is Harold Shipman. We have no chance!
The players have been emotionally destroyed playing for a club without ambition and I mean absolutely no ambition other than staying up. If the top are saying job done when we get to 40 points it’s pretty obvious the players will lose any intensity. Players are protecting themselves for the World Cup and for future employers. We have brought this situation on ourselves I’m afraid.
This squad needs at least three additions and I think in the summer at least 8 will be going, that means we need to bring in 11 players! ELEVEN!!!!! 😯 On what planet does anyone think Ashley will sanction that?
Time to turn the lights out. WE NEED TO STOP ATTENDING GAMES.
Stuart79(Quote)
Kim – Exactly. Armstrong is leading the line for the national team at his level. I just dont get his reluctance to use him. 4 mins is just a slap in the face. What chance has he got to really do anything? We clamored for Carroll to be given game time. He was given that time and came on leaps and bounds and went for £35million! I dont for one minute think that will happen again, but I think he should be given the chance esp when we are safe from relegation. Thank the lord.
Yes we need players in, we need some players out, but I simply dont agree that we havent got a squad capable of showing some grit, fight, determination, pride, passion for the shirt, heart for the fans who spend time effort and money despite the *****. That ISNT beyond Pardew. Cardiff is a game we should give something back for the fans, what about the last 7 games?! Is it because its against the team rock bottom?
Moyes would do a better job with the same players, Garde would do a better job with the same players, I would do a better job, cos I wouldnt allow the primadonas to forget what that fucking shirt means. Too many have,. I think Pardew has.
Raffo(Quote)
Well if thats the case Stu then yes we need to turn the lights out.
If all the players lose motivation and personal pride because they have achieved the objectives set of staying up and a top 10 finish, the manager allows them to lose fight and focus and not strive to achieve more, to go that extra bit and over-achieve then we are done.
The club may have low ambitions of wanting to stay up, but why does that mean that the players dont want to do more? I have targets, but I also have professional pride. I achieve my goals and want to push on and do more. I want to over-achieve. For me. Why arent the players being made to feel like they want to do that? That is the type of thing that comes from the manager and the coaches.
Raffo(Quote)
Raffo said “I would do a better job cos I wouldn’t let the primadonas to forget what that fucking shirt means. Too many have. I think Pardew has.” Maybe HBA and Marvauex have? Maybe that’s why they’re not playing? Just a thought…
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu ,It’s too easy to say it’s down to Cabs leaving imo. Where was Cabs influence when the Scum were killing us?. For me Goofy is a far more interesting situation , he was on fire early on scoring a fair few goals and looking full of running , now he seems more interested in defending then scoring or am I imagining things, it’s like watching Jonas all over again.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Raffle – it’s human nature. Football is very different. The dynamics of a sports team changing room is unique and I am sure the players have been fed the same bullshit we have been fed by the regime. The reality is they will feel let down, like the fans and when that happens it’s human nature to drop off in if fort and intensity.
What’s the point in NUFC?
Stuart79(Quote)
Kim – Gouffran isn’t good enough. He scored a few goals but good players continue to score, they don’t drop off. He still gets the chances but he just doesn’t score them. Surely Pardew doesn’t coach him to miss them?
Gary Neville said last night that NUFC defenders were making incredibly shocking individual decisions/mistakes and Pardew will not be coaching that. I agree, so it means the players aren’t good enough. They’re not able to absorb what is required to improve.
Do you think Pardew tells Williamson to push up and Colo to not bother communicating? Does he tell Tiote to make a stupid tackle in pen area in the last minute? Does he tell Debuchy to shoot every time he gets within 30 yards of goal? Does he tell Williamson and Colo to just mark nobody and allow Arsenal to score the first goal?
These are individual mistakes that happen with players who aren’t good enough and especially when teams are low on confidence. When Cabaye was in the team there was movement as the forward players knew he would find them – now there’s nobody capable of finding the player so the movement dries up.
But Kim, look at the figures I put above comparing when Cabaye was here this season and after he left. It’s staggering and that is down to the dynamics in changing room, not just his ability.
Stuart79(Quote)
Well I think he’s lost the dressing room tbh. The players coming out in support of him are Shola, Gosling, and Willo 🙄 why no public backing from our better players 😕 . We know he’s had his tactics questioned by Colo , the silence from the likes of Debbie and co is deafening.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Stu – Yes mate they very well may have, but that is yet another mark against Pardew for me. He is the manager, the figurehead and leader. He should be able to keep the group motivated, hungry and striving for success. He clearly isnt. I dont disagree we would do well to have some players shipped out and some new faces in. My point is that I simply dont have any faith that Pardew will be able to do anything with them. Everyone in the team has regressed. I cant think of a single player that has improved under him Vuckic was feted by all the top clubs a couple of years ago, and now plays at Rotherham. Injuries have played a part sure, but he is just an example.
Raffo(Quote)
Stu you talk about changing room dynamics, was it not Cabaye who went on strike for the start of the season, how well would that of gone down with his colleagues when they needed his input on the pitch.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Raffo , Bigi was apprentice of the year, played well the other night in the cup game apparently too. He’s another that played a couple then disappeared.
KIMTOON(Quote)
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/9288497/alan-pardew-gary-neville-says-newcastle-are-where-they-should-be
Think that is a fair assment by Neville , only thing I’d say is since Hull game players have stopped playing , think Pardew has taken us as far as he can and should go in the summer. However same problems will still be here next season , not enough good players.
Johno(Quote)
Agree with most of what you have said Stuart.
Alongside all the other problems at the club, we suffer the perennial belief that our players are better than what they are. We watch our players perform at their best for a few months and suddenly that is their level-anything less than so means a failure of management to get them firing. It is a criticism that affects every manager unfortunately- including KK and Bobby. All football fans are like this but we tend to get a bit more giddy than most.
One thing though, while I appreciate dummett’s enthusiasm, how Haidara isn’t getting a game ahead of him is beyond me.
Newkie(Quote)
Par dew has been completely undermi
Stuart79(Quote)
Pardew has been completely undermined by Ashley. Let’s be honest, who would listen to a manager who has no authority? Would a the next manager have more authority? No.
Players lost respect for Ancelotti when he refused to make a stand against the sacking of Ray Wilkins – why would Pardew be any different?
Stuart79(Quote)
Newks , Re Haidara , Pards will always pick workman like Dummett over a player like Haidara and this is the problem I have and I suspect many others have with him.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Of course he has stuart, but he has let that happen to him without so much as a whimper.
Infact you could even say he has been complicit in the undermining.
Something has to change or we are toast next season for sure.
Parsnip must go
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)