Early in the second half of the game against Hull, I really thought we were looking directly down the barrel of another home defeat. We had just gone two goals behind and Hull were looking all but assured of the three points given our poor start to the season and our history of struggling to get premiership points from losing positions. There seemed little hope and when Papiss Cisse was warming up down the touch line before coming on, I really didn’t hold much hope of him being able to change the game in any way. To my pleasant surprise, Cisse immediately looked lively and his first touch was more than assured, he seemed to have a bit of zest back into his game. I was even more pleasantly surprised when Cisse’s first shot at goal rocketed in between the keeper and the near post, it was an excellent natural finish after some good build up play. Even down two goals to one, I was still not holding much hope but Cisse once again found the back of the net from close range to bring the scores level.
The pleasing thing for me was the way that he took his chances. He seemed to have none of the baggage that plagued him last season and he finished both chances like the Cisse of old. I am not suggesting that he has found his old form and will knock in goals every game but it was nice to see him not over thinking things and simply doing what he does best. I really hope this gives him a confidence boost for what looks to be a very tough season ahead. Couple this with the fact that our forward line really hasn’t got a lot of premier league experience and the importance of a fit an firing Cisse really does come to the fore.
Alan Pardew talked about the fans at Newcastle:
“I thought our fans were terrific, they made a conscious effort to support the team,” “The pressure’s not going to go away from us while we’re Newcastle United and we sit bottom of the league and we haven’t won a Premier League game.”
“We’ve got to put that right and we’ve got two tough away games [against Stoke City and Swansea City]. We’re here for the long haul and we’ve got a lot of games to go.”
“There’s a big, big season still to play. This season there’s still all to play for and we’re looking forward to building on this small step
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I must say, I haven’t seen too many compliments for Pardew on this thread. Lots of compliments for the players, but none for the manager.
Very strange isn’t it. When the players play badly its the manager’s fault but when they play well its the players who get the credit.
Stuart79(Quote)
Go on then Stuart begin
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Stu – you truely are a sad little man.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – I just like to look at any situation with a level head and logically. I hope that the goals spare him on to score more, but I think he will struggle against PL defences. I am allowed to have that opinion.
BB – Pardew deserves credit for picking the team and particularly picking Armstrong and Riviere (He was talking of resting him) as well as clearly working on the spirit of the team over the last couple of weeks.
In fairness we played a reasonably strong squad against a Palace team which I think was pretty close to reserve level but we won and he deserves credit for it.
We should have won too, given the team we were playing.
Stuart79(Quote)
Could be we saw the entrance of a true geordie star last night. I thought Armstrong did extremely well last night especially for a 17 year old. Only Palace reserves I know but you have to start somewhere and he was streets ahead of Sammy and Oba. On the bench at Stoke. Or start even?
georgio(Quote)
Well there’s a suprise! coming from behind, and winning a game.
Palace made 11 changes and got exactly what they wanted – Listening to Pardew afterwards, you would have thought we had won the cup!!
Let’s hope City do the same, that said, their reserves would rip us apart.
Mr September(Quote)
Only Palace reserves, Stu, but then Riv was bought as our third-choice forward – Cisse will be first choice, when fit, and Pardew would have planned for another, more ready, striker to play ahead of Riv.
There’s a touch of Tomasson syndrome about the stick that Riv gets. Yet again last night he ran his socks off, showed very good hold up and lay off skills and he took his goals when the chances came. It may only be Palace reserves, but any player getting used to a new country and league has to start somewhere. Riv may not be ready yet, and while he’ll probably start at Stoke, he’ll be in a support role, replacing Gouff, or on the bench when Cisse is reliably fit, and I, for one, see why he played and scroed goals, at Monaco.
GTE(Quote)
Our first choice is Cisse who couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo! 🙁
Expected to bring in another striker in? I bet Ashley didn’t expect to bring in another striker.
Stuart79(Quote)
I didn’t notice his banjo on Saturday? 😆
GTE(Quote)
Stuart looks at everything with a level head and logic! 😯 😆 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
For all the negativity surrounding the club at the moment; and the debate about how important the league cup is to Palace/NUFC. I think there were positives to take from last night.
Yes it was Palace and they made a lot of changes, (I wouldn’t exactly call players like Zaha and Gayle reserves) but we played A LOT better than I have seen us play in a LONG time. It was as if the players were under less pressure and does make me wonder if the atmosphere surrounding Pardew is starting to get to them. Aside from the early chance for Palace, it really was one-way traffic. We had made changes as well (omitting the likes of Cabella, who I’m yet to be convinced about). When Palace got the penalty it was just a silly mistake from Janmat; the sort of decision Arsenals new £10M RB would make. The most impressive thing was that the heads didn’t drop and we got a deserved goal back from open play. I don’t care what anybody says about Obertan, when he has a good game (admittedly not enough of the time) he is a hand-full with his pace in behind. Sammy did well to win the penalty and I can’t think of a player who looked poor. Taylor is absolute garbage but it didn’t matter last night so much.
Even if it takes time and we get mixed results, I really think we need to see a similar set up in the league. The rigid system with Gouffran and Sissoko playing as defensive wingers and Riviere isolated up from just ISN’T working. I don’t care if we get beat 2-0 at Stoke, I want to see a similar style of play.
We are not a club who do defensive 1-0 games, never have been.
DJG(Quote)
Stuart
I think the point is, Pardew picked some attacking players last night and let them the team get on with it and decide when to take risks.
It will be back to the same negative formation and style of play in the next game with fullbacks instructed to stay home and wingers hand-cuffed to their markers.
We have some okay to decent players at the club. They are professional footballers and should know when to take risks. If Pardew picked a balanced team like that and just let them get on with it I would be more than happy. He only has the squad that is available to him under the constraints of Ashley and I don’t think (most people) blame him for that, it’s the negative tactics that p me off.
He thinks if he plays a team like that in the league we will be beaten 10-0. I challenge him to try it.
DJG(Quote)
Man City Lol.
What’s the fecking point.
Newkie(Quote)
Was it league cup we drew them last year, or F.A? Pretty sure it was league cup, but we had it at home. We did well for 90 minutes and held them but their quality shone through.
We’ve been hammered by them almost every game for the last 10 years it seems, this needs to be put right.
Newkie(Quote)
Pardew…
“Anyone who has seen us play this year will know the top of the pitch has been an issue for us.
“We’ve just not had that cutting edge, so I’m so pleased for Manu [Riviere], he’s worked tirelessly this season, and he deserves those goals.”
FFS, what does he expect? Last night was the first time he had some support from players like Arma, Sammy and Obertan getting to the by-line or breaking into the box. It’s not rocket science is it?
DJG(Quote)
Since when have Zaha and Gayle been reserves 😯
kIMTOON(Quote)
Mariappa is hardly a reserve player either. Still, there we go. I’m just happy to have seen us win, although I know a lot of people don’t share that view! 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie , aye it’s rather refreshing, forgot what it felt like for a bit there. Still not holding me breath v Stoke or Swansea .
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim-we can only hope it lasts eh! Like you I’m not particularly holding out much hope. Swansea have started the season well, stoke we might have a slight chance but the odds are against us…fingers crossed.
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie/Kim – Hangeland is nee slouch either like, and to be fair, you can only play the team sent out to face you.
From the team selected and bench Pardew went to win the game, and they did that – just.
But there are alot of players can take confidence from that game, and hopefully last night drilled it home to Pardew that he has to play 2 up front and create chances for them.
I fancy us to get something from Stoke, but I think Swansea may stop the raising I’m afraid.
Sharpy17(Quote)
GTE – If you are happy to put all our goal scoring hopes on the basis of Cisses one match on Saturday, I am glad you’re not manager. You seem to forget his performances of last season. He still might score but I doubt he’s good enough for first choice.
Stuart79(Quote)
Sharpy-if not two up front, then at least more attacking players. Could Armstrong be pushing for a place? I would have said goof would have been the sacraficial lamb, unless we were dropping Tiote or Colback (though I think they’ve both played well enough). But goof did well to win the header for Cisse’s second.
Something needs to change though.
Newkie(Quote)
Glad you bit on that one Stuart 😆
Problem is, as long as all you ever do is run the lads down, almost reflex-like, we’ll keep baiting the hook…
GTE(Quote)
Encouraging performance from the lads yesterday and ofcourse good result. Also good to see Colo have a much more assured game than of late. Bloody typical we get City in the next round.
Geordie Deb(Quote)
Oh dear. GTE trying to make it look like his ridiculous comments were meant to be ridiculous to get a reaction… 😯 🙄
I wouldn’t try too hard with them silly comments, they seem to come naturally to you. 😆
Stuart79(Quote)
Got to agree with Stuart’s posts. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Amstrong and Abeid should be pushing for a start. Drop Colback for Stoke and try Abeid.
mark(Quote)
Krul
Jan Willo Colo Haidara
Sissoko Tiote Abeid
Arma Cabella
Cisse
mark(Quote)
GTE-
Stu would slag off the Swedish Bikini Team while they performed a halftime show on a trampoline at St. James’. The players don’t stand a chance
MDS(Quote)
MDS – What’s your point?
Stuart79(Quote)
————- —-Krul——————
Doormat–Willo–Collo–Hairdryer
———Abeid—-Fullback———-
–Sissoko——–Rivi——–Obertan
————–Pappa-Ciss————
Go for it Pardew… Have you got the gentleman parts?
DJG(Quote)
@ Stuart79
think he means ya chating out of what ya should be siting on 😆 😆 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Eh! Stuart talks out his sofa? it doesn’t make sense 😕 😛
richietoon(Quote)
sofa???? 😯 I though he was talking about Troys’ lips! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
😆 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Not Stu, surely, he only looks at things with a level head and logic. Pity his comments don’t match how he looks at things.
brisvegas(Quote)
Unfortunately for some on this blog, I can also point in the direction of the past and say “Told you so” however I don’t resort to such measures as I am sure the Clueless Crew don’t need reminding, that as history shows I am almost always right when it comes to NUFC under Jabba. 🙂
Stuart79(Quote)
Your awesome Stuart!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Thought provoking ideas on the blog again this morning 😳
georgio(Quote)
See Pardew’s getting his confidence back – I’m in it for the long haul etc. After one win against Palace reserves. I’m starting to realise it is true – the guy can’t even remember last week, never mind what he said. Hope he has the balls to play Arma against Stoke. He’ll have to leave out Gouffran or Tiote to do it but the kid did really well and Abeid put in a strong performance too. Dare I say it – AA looked better at no 10 than any of Cabella’s dancing around.
georgio(Quote)
We certainly need a number 10, Georgio, either the playmaker type, or Riv playing as the link, rather than the main, striker – but until Cisse’s properly fit I’m still expecting Riv to start up top, with Cabella and Gouffy behind – then maybe Cisse and Arma coming on after an hour? Stoke rarely score lots, so it’s a plan that could work, even if it shows the limitations of our options.
GTE(Quote)
——————– Krul ——————–
Janmaat – Saylor – Colo – Dummet
———————- Tiote —————-
——— Sissoko —— Colback ——-
—————– Armstrong —————
——— Cisse ——— Rivière ———-
Sharpy17(Quote)
——————————Krul—————————
—-Janmaat—–Saylor——-Colo—Dummett—
————————Tiote——-Colback—————
———Sissoko——–Cabella————Gouffran–
—————————–Riviere————————
Cant see him starting Armstrong yet and Id be surprised if Cisse wasnt an impact sub for a few weeks after missing all of pre season
CC(Quote)
That’ll be it, CC, except Willo for Saylor. 😯
GTE(Quote)
Possibly ive just got a feeling Saylor might get a run in the side
CC(Quote)
CC – if Pardew goes back to playing Rivière up front on his own his a moron!.
I think what you are saying about Cisse is maybe what Pardew should do, part I think fan pressure may get the better of him. If he leaves Cisse on the bench after he bagged 2 on Saturday the fans will get on his back.
I’d personally start with Cisse then bring him off round the hour mark and let Perez join Rivière up front.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I like that Sharpy. Don’t think he’ll start Cisse though so it might be more a 433. Riv up top and AA and Cabella just off. This is Pardew though so common sense and logic will not apply.
georgio(Quote)
Im not bothered about us playing with one up front as long as he gets support, Which hasnt happened so far. One striker works for everyone else as they allow their wingers to play high up and with a number 10 closer to the striker
I very much doubt he will open up and go 4-4-2 monday
CC(Quote)
Totally agree CC
I think he will look to repeat what he did last time against Hull.
ie Bring Cisse on to replace Riv after he has been ineffective and isolated up top on his own.
We will probs be losing by then anyway, so looking to Cisse to dig him out of the **** once more.
But maybe not 😕
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
A long weekend ahead 🙁
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Hate it when we don’t play on the weekend. Got to wait until Monday and probably get beat. 🙁
kIMTOON(Quote)
CC – I think, well hope, that that will be the plan when Cisse is fit, played with either Gouff and Cabella, or Riv and Cabella as a frompnt three, just, we pray, with more cutting edge. I just think that anyone coming back from a broken kneecap is a 30-minute specialist for a while.
GTE(Quote)
So Peter Loverman gives his verdict on Pards.
The Clueless Crew will hate this; 😳
Alan Pardew is a great guy to work with.
I can only talk about him from a personal point of view and my experience of being around him is positive. I respect Pardew so much because he was fantastic to me.
I thought he was not only a great guy but a fantastic manager to boot. When I was there we finished in the top five and his tactics were very good.
I was impressed by way we worked on the training ground and the way he was with players. Don’t get me wrong, he gave criticism when it was needed and if you weren’t doing well you got criticised – but when you did well you knew you would get the praise. He isn’t just there to dish out the negatives.
As soon as you’d had a fantastic game he’d be leading a round of applause in the dressing room.
He’s behind the boys. That’s what you like to see in your manager. I have to say in my own experiences I have had managers who only want to focus on the negatives and not highlight things when they are positive. Pardew is first there when that happens and he’ll quickly tell you: “Well done.”
When I was there he was just very good at what he did.
The way he was with the players, what he did on the training ground and his tactics were all impressive.
For me looking in now it seems that the boys are wanting to do well for him and wanting to work hard so that he stays in his job.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy – I’m sure Loverman is right, and fair play to him for speaking up for Pards. Plenty of ex players have spoken highly of him, and you can see that from the Hull and Palace game that the players have dug in for him.
I totally agree with Lover. The season we finished 5th Pardews tactics were excellent – but now they’re **** 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
To be fair all players well 99.9% always say the right things for gods sake about their past and present managers,why,because its the name of the game the odd ones that do speak the truth about their past or present managers don’t work in the footy game anymore,its all bullshit anyone that buys that has never understood the footy game IMO
icedog(Quote)
Absolutely Icedog.
ffs Even Barton said he liked Percy.
“One of the best managers he has ever worked for”
pffttt. 😳 😳
Total BS
except for the naïve ones who want to believe it.
Some of us are just happy enough to make up our own minds based on what we can see with our own eyes.
DROSS
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Talking about NAIVE, Mash was very very naïve thinking he could get away with saying what he did in a pub in London.
Deary me, no wonder he has his lawyers on the job today.
Silly boy should know better 😳 😳 😳 😳 😳
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB aye mate but a lot will buy it,look how many players said JK was great manager ffs or any other manager that we know and me and you know they couldn’t break eggs with a stick,as you said mate its what we see with our own eyes that counts not players trying to keep jobs in the game somehow that blow smoke out their ***
icedog(Quote)
BB @358,he’s a **** your right,I have spoken to super Mac a number of times,I find him a canny guy to sit and chat too,what players say in privateand what they say in public is chalk/cheese
icedog(Quote)
Wow! 😯
I’ve really upset the Clueless Crew 😛
They oft say, the truth hurts 😉
I recall many a player who tell anecdotes about managers they fell out with and remained in football. The football world is littered with such players.
I can’t see what Lover Boy has to gain from telling the Chronicle this piece. The Chronicle would have loved a story of strife, hatred and animosity.
Supermac loves telling stories of Gordon Lee. Roy Keane filled a chapter about SAF. Craig Bellamy likewise on Shearer and Souness. This list is endless if the Clueless Crew are prepared to get out their attics and visit a library. 😆
Of course, The Clueless Crew will know better than an ex player. they know everything by sitting on their laptops in a dingy corner of their loft rewriting history about the world of football.
Statler & Wardolf of nufcblog.co.uk 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Just to confirm whom I’m referring to in case Sharpy gets mistaken.
Ice & BB are Statler & Waldortf. 😛
Sharpy, your safe. You are Gonzo 😆
It’s time to put on makeup
It’s time to dress up right
It’s time to raise the curtain on the Muppet Show tonight.
Why do we always come here
I guess we’ll never know
It’s like a kind of torture
To have to watch the show
And now let’s get things started
Why don’t you get things started
It’s time to get things started
On the most sensational inspirational celebrational Muppetational
This is what we call the Clueless Show! / 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
showing ya age there troy 😛
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
can just see troy siting in front of the telly waiting for the theme song to start so he could sing along with it 😆 😆 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
TAE
Showing my age? Do you know how old Warldolf Boots & Statler Dog are combined? A grand old age of 155 yrs! 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
There’s no way Bootsy’s only 25 😆
richietoon(Quote)
So a pissed up Ashley told someone in Soho that Pardew would be gone if we get beat at Stoke because he’s spent a lot of money on the club and there’s only so much he can take. What a ***!
Two things about this; 1) Ashley was probably bull shitting as he was pissed. 2) Ashley just won’t spend more money on sacking Pardew.
Another little **** take by Jabba. Sounds like he would be a good laugh on the **** with him, just that he is clueless when it comes to football. Mmm… Wonder if he comes on this blog. 😯
Stuart79(Quote)
Not sussed that one yet then Stuart.
Premandup(Quote)
Stu – you’ve finally cottened on to the true identity of one Troy Stavers then 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ashley may well have been pissed – it’s what he does apparently but that’s a rather ‘heavy’ joke to put out there to a journalist. His lawyers have been far too sharp off the mark to correct a drunken joke. I’m surprised he’s come out and said it but not surprised that’s what he thinks.
georgio(Quote)
A drunk mans’ words are a sober mans’ thoughts!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
GEORGIO aye mate its often said a drunk speaks his inner thoughts but it what he does when sober that counts
icedog(Quote)
AMF snap 😀
icedog(Quote)
You been on the grog Ice? 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I don’t think Ashley’s wrong for saying that really. Pardew has had chance after chance! Excuse after excuse! Humiliating defeats after humiliating defeats! We should be beating team’s like Hull City and Crystal Palace at home, no excuses. If the players want him to remain as coach then start getting results now. It’s about bloody time Pardew and the players showed some guts!
stem(Quote)