It sounds a bit dramatic saying that, this being only our second match of the campaign, but it will soon pass by and we’ll be at Christmas before you know it. Perish the thought…
All 2,800 seats in the away end at Villa Park have been sold at a ground where certainly the fans at the very least give a good account of the club. And in fairness they’ve been richly rewarded since enduring the taunts of the Villa fans in the immediate aftermath of our relegation with victories on our last two visits preceded by a draw and just the solitary one-goal defeat in our first season back in the Premier League.
That’s all in the past though. Today is a new day and all that. Something else that is new is half of our team to be fair which brings it’s own pressure. Alan Pardew had an excuse last season, that being that we were down to the bare bones towards the end of the campaign, but now there isn’t one. Pardew has seen his side strengthened so excuses are now in short supply, as is patience amongst fans for a manager who the majority feel should have been disposed of last season.
Anyway, enough waffle. There is a match to concentrate on. If you feel you need some more build up to the game then please feel free to head over to my match preview and fill up on injury news, early team news, stats and facts with a history of the fixture thrown in for good measure.
With regards to viewing the match, an early kick-off here in the UK means that the game is being broadcast live on these shores courtesy of BT Sport. That combined with a host of overseas channels offering broadcast should mean that streams will be available. If you do find a good’un then please leave a link to it in the comments section below. Team news will be posted below in full as and when it becomes available.
Aston Villa:Guzan, Hutton, Senderos, Vlaar, Cissokho, Westwood, Delph, Richardson, Weimann, N’Zogbia, Agbonlahor.
Subs:Given, Baker, Bacuna, Cole, Bent, Sanchez, Grealish.
Newcastle:Krul; Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini (c), Dummett; Anita, Colback; Gouffran, Sissoko, Cabella; Riviere.
Subs:Elliot, Haidara, S.Taylor, Abeid, Obertan, de Jong, Perez.
Oh before I go, an update on what is happening with this place. Basically, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, I can’t write as many articles as I once could. I work odd hours, long hours and have a family who want my time aswell. It wasn’t a problem before as there was a team of writers but as those have gone to Uni or had other things take up their spare time it’s left me as he lone regular contributor to the site.
I’ve always welcomed guest posts, and some of you have been kind enough to send articles in which is really greatly appreciated and is always welcome, but I’m also looking for regular contributors/administrators to help me run the site and keep content fresh. If anyone is interested then please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Howay the lads!
I hope Riviere gets dropped if his not up to standard. Perez and Armstrong should be given a chance against palace. It’s not as if we don’t have better options if Riviere keeps firing blanks.
Terry(Quote)
http://www.thesefootballtimes.net/#!the-udinese-model/c1mcc
Santii(Quote)
Comedy gold from Troy… 😆
Troy Stavers
August 26, 2014 at 15:19
@Aussie
It’s not being negative. It’s being realistic. I don’t see the point in coming out with positive statements when there’s none to make. 😯
And here is another gem! 😆
I’m sure a top manager could do slightly better than Pardew with the current squad. Slightly better. Possibly get us mid table. 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
And the laughs keep coming 😆
How anyone can disagree with Stuarts opinion is beyond me. It’s as he says. It’s based on history, stats and facts. 😯
…then Troy goes on to defend Pardew and in doing so he totally forgets about history, stats and facts. 😆 ahh the hypocrisy! 😛
Troy, you can slate the players all you want and it is your right to do so as a fan. But your constant defending of Pardew is a clueless as what you accuse others of .
“I am sure a top manager would do slightly better than Pardew” 😆 That is the funniest thing you have ever written. 😛
Pardew is a meat and potato manager. He has no discernible game style and has used the same feckin set piece for the past 3 seasons. If he were in charge of Man City, they would be playing dull meat and potato footy as that is all Pardews is capable of. Pardew is an average manager at best. His whole managerial history shows this and as you say “It’s based on history, stats and facts”
So take a good hard look in the mirror and repeat these words over and over. “I am clueless” 😛
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
@ Big Dave
well be good to go as soon as we play 2 up front 😯
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Lose – complain
Draw – complain
Win – complain And that was in a cup where we try to lose.
Stuart @ 645 positive post noted.
Didn’t see the game so I can only comment on the result. It’s a pity we didn’t score more, but great to keep a clean sheet, and an easy one at that it seems.
Games against lower league teams are a lot harder than some seem to think. The difference between divisions isn’t as wide as you might suppose; that’s why there are often upsets. Just ask ManU this time round.
There’re only half a dozen teams in the PL, most of the rest are interchangeable with most of the Championship, and half the Championship would struggle in the lower divisions … Hmm, I could go on but I’ve just realised I’m talking to pommies. I forget that you still think the PL has 20 teams in it.
brisvegas(Quote)
Sheezzuzz Vegas… Take your rose coloured glasses off and smell the stench that is around you.. The club is in free fall… we are doomed!! I can’t believe you don’t believe everything us doomsayers believe. 😈
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Wow. 😛
An explosion from Aussie. 😛
There you again. Being negative about the manager. 😆
You should really try and be more positive. 😆
I’ve shown you the stats before. When given the players he gets is into credible positions. The third best toon manager in premier history for stats. 😉
It’s when the rug is pulled from under his feet and placed over your head and eyes you miss it. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy, look deep and hard into that mirror and repeat those words!!! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Sorry, I must thank you Troy… I nearly choked on my coffee such was the fits of laughter you had me in this morning!! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I don’t smell through my eyes, Oz. 😉
brisvegas(Quote)
Vegas 😯 I know! 😎
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
@Aussie.
I must admit I laughed when I read Troys “Another manager could do slightly better..”
I can’t think of many managers that could do worse atm 😆
I’m sure I read ages ago Troy saying Pardews style wasnt entertaining and he could count on both hand the entertaining matches served up by Pardew during the season we finished 5th..
Contain, contain, contain so much the opposition get sleepy then counter attack.. 🙄
mark(Quote)
Mark 😆
Yep – Sir Alex, Jose, Pep, Ancelotti… the would only do a “slightly” better job than Pardz! 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
We played ok against Citeh who are champions (incase anyone has forgot) and who I daresay a few on here thought would thrash us. Then came an away game, we got a point (always a good result away from home), kept a clean sheet and were the better team. Then came an away cup game, a win, a clean sheet, controlled the game and through to the next round, what a disaster this season has been so far… we’re doomed I tell you.
Obviously goals are a “little bit” of a concern but lets keep a bit of perspective, last season for example we started with a 4-0 humping off City, got a point off West Ham at fekn home 0-0 followed by scraping through the league cup game with 2 late goals from the Ameobis ffs. Yet we were top 6 until Cabaye was sold…like I say a bit of perspective 😉
richietoon(Quote)
If we don’t get another forward soon, Pardew may need to recall Barfa.
Hopefully he hasnt been banished altogether as he looked slim the other night and can offer us more in attack then whats on offer atm
mark(Quote)
Mark… I think Benny will only get a recall if a) Pards is worried about his job or b) Ashley is unhappy with an “asset” rotting in the reserves and “requests” that he is played.
richietoon(Quote)
Stop trying to defend fatties and putting things into perspective cuda! 😉 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
AMF Richie always does see it from a LARGE point of view,but sometimes gets it wrong,his Mrs put him on a sea food diet,he got that wrong now he eats everything he sees 100% effort from the lad like 😀
icedog(Quote)
Which “fatty”, Benny or Ashley?…cos Ashley can go **** himself 😯
richietoon(Quote)
Ice… I was going to say that jokes older than you but me Mam always brought me up not to lie 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Benny…. 😉 I know you would defend the other fatty…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I notice nobody has said anything about toonsy’s plea for help. So I thought I’d do my bit and write a little something. Now, how do I get it to him?
brisvegas(Quote)
😀 😀
icedog(Quote)
Well done Alan Pardew. If he had played a weaker side we cod have lost last night.
Stuart79(Quote)
Bris…Contact button at the top of the page.
richietoon(Quote)
BRIS at top of page in contact us (I think ) Richie will know for sure,you can always rely on Richie
icedog(Quote)
Ice 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Do I cut and paste the article in there. Won’t that lose all the formatting? Isn’t there a way of sending it as an attachment?
brisvegas(Quote)
*would not defend* 😯
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Toonsy will contact you and give you his email address Vegas… then send your article as an attachment via email…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Bris…No idea as I’m a technophobe but Santii, Prem or Dave will be able to advice or just use the contact button to email Toonsy and ask him.
Aussie…Just in time, I managed to call off the hit! 😆
richietoon(Quote)
*advise 😳 not that it matters as Aussie has the knowledge…for once 😉
richietoon(Quote)
😆 it’s been a long day and I am one typo away from smashing my key board! 😈
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Oi Richie, I am full of it!! 😯
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I know how you feel and it’s not even 10am here 🙄
richietoon(Quote)
Has to be noted though, that we still haven’t scored a goal!
Stuart79(Quote)
😆 True that!!!
richietoon(Quote)
Feckin knowledge…. ******! 😛 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Stuart…Saturday mate, I feel it in my bones…they’ll be like buses 😉
…more so if Ferreyra were to get a start (won’t happen tho)
richietoon(Quote)
That’s what I meant, bit touchy aren’t we? 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Extremely 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
In defence of Troy.
Aussie look at what he has consistently said over the years.
Pardew is not a great manager. ( I rate him slightly higher than Troy, but he is no Ancellotti.
A great manager such as the list at 763 would not work under the budgetary constraints that Pardew Does, and hence would never come here.
There may be better managers out there, though very few proven in the EPL, who would come and work under the constraints that Pardew does. However given the squad that we have, which again I rate higher than Troy, These would only be capable of getting a marginal increase.
I would add
Given that Pardew has delivered 1 top 5 and a top 10, a return better than anyone other than other than KK with his millions and the genius that was SBR improving on that will be difficult. Getting us consistently into Europe would take a class of manager we would never attract, and a class of player that we do not employ. If that is not going to happen then consistent top 10s is the aim, and Pardew can deliver that.
Premandup(Quote)
Personally I send the text in the body of an e-mail and Toonsy sorts out formatting pictures etc.
Premandup(Quote)
Prem, Are you saying that Troy is correct in saying that if a top manager (eg -Sir Alex) took over our team as it stands, he would only do a slightly better job than Pardew would?
If we had a top manager managing these players, we would see a more cohesive unit and one that had a defined game plan.. A top manager could make all the difference.. Yeah I know no top manager would work under these conditions blah blah blah.. but the fact remains that a top manager would be getting more out of this lot we have as it stands..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie – you missed out an s and a h.
Stuart79(Quote)
is that a joke Stuart? … I am not sure as I can’t recall you ever cracking one before 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Funky – I’m not sure you can say 1 assist means he did more than anyone else. In directly contributing to the goal, sure, but how many times has Ben Arfa been slagged off for not tracking in a match where he was the goal scorer or provider? It doesn’t really work like that.
I have no ill will to Obertan and every now and then he can look like a proper footballer, but he’ll switch off at crucial moments, or lack the conviction to do the obvious move and we suffer as a result.
Newkie(Quote)
Oh dear. 😯
Poor ickle Aussie is floundering round like an eel on a fishing boat. 😆
I’m pleased Prem follows my points correctly. Thanks Prem. 😉
Aussie, the best managers would never come to the toon under this regime. Why? Because they would be destined to fail and their reputations ruined.
Do you believe Van Gaal can get back to the top 4 with his current squad.
Without buying more players I don’t believe he will.
I wish you would stop being negative about Pardew. Be positive. You’re so negative. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
FINALLY – Aussie and Troy have come around and reinforced what I have been saying for the last couple of years til I’m blue in the face.
We wont get a better head coach (parsnip is NOT a manager) than what we have, but the one we have is fucking clueless and *****.
Last nights performance was just typical parsnip bollox.
Playing one forward against three CB’s
It’s pointless playing with wingers if there is no outlets getting forward into the box.
The worst thing is, when it isn’t working, he doesn’t change it around.
Everyone can see Riviere is NOT going to make it as a lone striker. He needs someone alongside him to play off.
So frustrating.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Its amazing to see how many managers have lost their posts since Pards took over at the Toon.
Of course, some of these are the same managers that a The Clueless Crew would take in place of Pards. He’s definitely destined to fail this season in terms of reaching the top 10 unless a top striker is bought.
It’s Ashley who holds the purse strings not Pardew.
Pardew would buy a top striker at the drop of a hat. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy, you mentioned that a top manager would only do slightly better with this current squad… did you not? 😉 There was no mention of, would they come/they won’t come or not working under budgets.. So please do try and expand on your hysterical post… I love one liners! 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
cant believe I am going to say this, but we need Cisse back desperately, if we are not going to sign another striker.
He’s another one who can’t play up top on his own very well either (Parsnips preferred option)
But if we could play the two lads alongside each other, we might just see some end product for a change ie GOALS
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
@Bootsy
I’ve never agreed with you and still don’t about Pards.
Pards is a decent premier manager. Not top notch but he’s as capable as most in the league.
Regarding our strike force. We haven’t got one. I’ve been pointing this out to the Clueless Crew but they choose to dream and fantasise. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
*don’t try and expand* (my keyboard is about to be smashed in 1..2…3 … ) 😈
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
BB Not so. Agreed we won’t get a better manager, but that does not make the current one clueless and *****.. MOTY, a top 5 finish and a top 10 working under the constraints he does means that he is at least barely competent, probably fairly good.
He is praised by other managers and many ex players have complemented him, it appears only those who wont give credit to anything Newcastle wont give him the credit he is due.
Premandup(Quote)
I don’t think Pardew is clueless or ****… like I said earlier, he is a meat and potato football manager.. I just hope he finds the fecking spice rack sooner rather than later.. 😎
Anyway.. enough food analogies.. time for some grub!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Troy – I understand you defending Percy due to the lack of quality players at his disposal etc, but that alone doesn’t justify the pathetic performances we are seeing week in week out due to his guff, negative, defensive-first game plans, **** poor substitutions and clueless player selections from the squad he HAS got.
I cant speak for everyone, but from what I see and hear, a lot of fans think he could be doing a whole lot better and getting MORE out of the squad we currently have. If only he would play to their strengths for a change.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I have no real issue with people saying what they will about Pardew, nobody thinks he is the answer or what we want to aspire to but here he remains at the fat one’s behest.
What I love are those who pop out on the bandwagon, literally every three months with a new god to worship and a name to drop at every conversation. What’s happened to the mighty Laudrupp? Why the hell has some random Monk bloke come in and got Swansea getting better results with a worse squad? PERHAPS HE IS OUR SAVIOUR!
🙄
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie, we could have had em all, we could have been a contender.
Premandup(Quote)
Prem – I have and do give Percy credit and praise, when he gets it right.
Which isn’t very often.
For example, Chelsea at home last season. He totally out thought Mourinho tactically. The Lads put in the best performance of the last two years and we came away with a 2-0 win.
So he clearly has something about him, but not consistently.
I think it goes to his head and then he thinks he is king ****.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Agreed he is barely consistent, but he has achieved something at this club that others have required much more to match,
Not you in particular BB really thinking of some others. But if they don’t support the owner, don’t support the manager and think the squad is ****. What is that they do support, the ground, or just some imaginary figment of what they they think NUFC ought to be.
Premandup(Quote)
DAVE you have Mail 😉
icedog(Quote)
Prem 😀
Newkie(Quote)
Prem @ 811 – best post on here in months, maybe years 🙂 🙂 🙂
GTE(Quote)
GTE I wrote an article to that effect on here a couple of years back
Premandup(Quote)
PS. Thanks for the complement.
Premandup(Quote)
Pardew is doing a good job under the constraints he’s under, there’s no real doubt about that.
If Pardew resigned today and went to Palace for instance I wouldn’t expect a queue of managers beating the door down to Jabba’s office. He would only employ an out of work manager capable of staying in the PL. Someone like Leroy Rosenior as I said previously.
Stuart79(Quote)
Prem – whatever you do, don’t tell them to get behind the lads. The neggers hate that, right Dave? 🙂
Newkie(Quote)
Stu-he might go for Moyes, who’d be a slight improvement with largely the same ideas and philosophy.
Newkie(Quote)
Stuart79
August 27, 2014 at 11:55
Pardew is doing a good job under the constraints he’s under, there’s no real doubt about that.
Well here we have to agree to disagree.
IMHO he could and should be doing better.
If he is as good as he thinks he is in his own head, then he should be extracting far more from the players we have.
I honestly think, that even if we had Ronaldo and Messi, we would still be seeing the same old guff.
Messi would be up front on his own and Ronaldo would be dropped for not defending properly.
In all seriousness, it seems to me that he is so defensive minded, that he just doesn’t know how to go on the attack.
Its a bid sad really.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Stu – have you noticed how Man Utd are doing using inappropriate players in a 3-5-2 system 😉
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Well they don’t have the players to play that formation, Solano. They’re playing wingers as wing backs! Also it takes time – Hull play that formation and they’re doing well enough.
Stuart79(Quote)
This is an interesting article.
Backs up what we have been saying
http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/counting-goals-current-newcastle-squad/
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Stu – Exactly! 3-5-2 and you wanted to play Williamson and Aarons down the left.
I used to have respect (though not necessarily agree) for your opinions. Now you’re on a level with DJebs and Troy to me!
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Totally agree re 3-5-2
It is a very good formation, but requires a hell of a lot of work from every player. There are no hiding places.
Every player needs to understand their role and buy into the method.
It requires very good wing backs and 3 CB’s all working for each other.
With the defence sorted out the attacking options are far stronger with 2 up top and a full midfield.
I don’t doubt LVG will sort it out at manure, given time. But will he be given that time ? Hopefully not 😉
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)