It looks like we have a couple of weeks to cool our heels as the premier league takes a two week break. I have never been a fan of these international games during the season and if I am to be honest, they are nothing but a pain in the ****. You see, I need my weekly fix of football, it is as simple as that!
So as this weekend approaches the realization will start to loom large that I will begrudgingly have to look to make other plans that don’t involve watching football. I try not to let on to the missus know that there are no games as plans may be made for me without my consent… These are worrying times indeed!
So in the down time between fixtures, we will no doubt be bombarded with media speculation around player movements, the sacking of managers, the odds on new managers to take over and the usual tabloid nonsense that gets printed. Don’t get me wrong, all of this stuff gets printed anyway but with no games to distract us, all the attention towards it tends to be a little more focused!
I could also write about the chances of our players getting injured during these international games but this article is not about them, it’s about us fans and the pain of not being able to watch the lads play on the weekend. As horrid as some of our performances have been this season, I still look forward to the next game because who knows, this could be the game where we come good and get that win we so desperately need. These two weeks can’t pass quick enough as far as I am concerned but living in the southern hemisphere like I do, I will get a little more shuteye time so maybe it is not all bad.
Bring on Leicester !
so mym gets called up for france,plays with roma in cl.but not good enough for p45.fkin shakes my heed in disbelief.
hitman(Quote)
I assume this is the interview Georgio? Certainly makes one dream
http://www.asroma.co.uk/news/interviews/item/722-james-pallotta-how-i-am-making-roma-a-global-brand-without-spending-like-real-madrid
MDS(Quote)
MDS
I would take him back as well and Remy. We wouldn’t be in thus dire position if we hadn’t got shot of them in the first place!
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Hitman.
Who knows what he’s done behind the scenes.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Peter Lovenkraands on Pardew;
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)
I think I’ll trust an ex player than some on here who have never met the bloke. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Those passionate fans deserve a league title- Roy Keane “The autobiography”
I always thought they were an arrogant bunch for a club thats won **** all- Roy Keane “The 2nd half”
Such a sad attention seeking *****; The Clive Clarke story pretty much sums up what a vile individual he is
CC(Quote)
Troy. pllllleeeeassse stop flogging me! 🙁
Dead Horse(Quote)
@Dead Horse
Now that is phoney (funny) 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
My first comment.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
@156 Troy: You are not an ex-player are you? You have no first hand experience of Pardew and take it from one player of the hundreds he has coached as a fact. I have read quotes from other players he has managed saying that he is a total opinionated d!ck – are they correct , or is Lovenkraands?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And one of the quotes from Lovenkraands – that he was good at what he did – can be contradicted by our 2014 record? He is obviously not good at what he does. And that includes getting rid of Ben Arfa, Marveaux and M’Biwa. Even you must realise we would be better if we could have them to choose from? And his record at West Ham, Charlton, Southampton and Reading.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Pardew’s win percentage is about 36%. Managers get sacked for that quite often. It’s the players though? Didn’t he say he had the best squad ever about 2 months ago.? Either he was lying or he is an idiot? Considering you are saying all of the time that it is not his fault that he has such a bad squad – he has nothing to do with it? But let’s all listen to the oracle Lovenkraands, seer of seers, scorer of one or two goals a season!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Great manager that Pardew, like! Picks Shola, Gosling and Dummett.
Shola off to the Turkish 2nd division.
Gosling off to the English second division.
Dummett soon to be off to the non-leagues.
“As soon as you had a fantastic game he would be leading rounds of applause in the dressing room” and putting stupid post-it notes on players’ lockers and saying the most contradictory stuff all of the f@cking time.
Defending Pardew at this point defines stupid. I read a few of your posts to others on here, but I don’t really get your point anymore. Lovenkraands? You hang your hat on LovenKraands 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Nice posts Eric. I take it you don’t agree with Tory boy.
Pardew out!
And for you Troy – Pardew out!
georgio(Quote)
MDS – that may well be the Palotta interview. Hard to tell. BBC 5live presented it as their interview so it may have been different. His views will have been the same though. Brilliant vision for a football club and a million miles from Ashley’s SD obsessed madness. Does he even know it’s a football club? Certainly doesn’t treat it like one. I can’t imagine why he hasn’t sacked Pardew. Another loss or two and it’ll be too late and the CC for us.
georgio(Quote)
They’ve made fans with how they do business. Everyone I know here in the US that keeps an eye on Serie A has developed a soft spot for them if not down right supports them now
MDS(Quote)
Well you got to give credit where it’s due, there’s hardly no chance of us getting into europe this season and that will keep Jabba happy.
When we get knocked out of the capital one cup by Manchester City and the third round of the f.a cup we can seat back and relax, knowing 17th is the most important thing.
I wouldn’t want Jabba spending anything on players that would break my heart.
Terry(Quote)
Hmmm…
Wonder what response Eric will receive from Troy?
Answers on a postcard please.Or in Troy’s case, just repost one of your earlier comments – again.
Mr October(Quote)
I’m being very sarcastic by the way.
Terry(Quote)
A quote from Troy about Lovenkraands and Pardew “I think I will trust an ex-player rather than some on here that have never met the bloke”.
If you have any other reason to believe what LovenKraands says other than those quotes above, then tell me? Does he wear a batman costume when it is not Halloween and somehow gain your respect for that? I think I can judge Mr. Fistpump by the numerous press conferences he has had, each saying contradictory things to the last, by his failed headbutt, by his saying fanks to Ashley for backing him in the transfer market and giving him his best squad ever. Even you, Troy, cannot deny he said that. Jumping up and down in the dressing room makes a good coach? Check out our goal difference in the past year and see if you still think he is a good coach – he is supposedly in charge of the defence and getting beat 3 or 4 nowt every other week would suggest he is not very good at his job.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have witnessed insane rants a few times, but unlike Troy the people that make them are usually then confined to an asylum and don’t usually put them in writing.
I have read this blog for a couple of years and it is educational and sometimes funny and polluted by Troy.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, I think Troy is hibernating in his laundry basket until Percy pulls off a few wins, at which point he will proclaim Percy a genius for doing so well with what he has. 😉
kIMTOON(Quote)
Kim poor Troy, someone’s got to have faith in Pardew
Terry(Quote)
Lovenkraands also says about Pardew:
“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.”
See, Troy, that is actually not that unusual, that people can’t see the wood for the trees. ARE CONNED BY A CON-MAN. I can give you plenty of examples, but here’s a couple – Chairman Mao and Tony Blair.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim a few win’s would make a nice change. Can’t see it happening sadly but Troy will be over the moon with Pardew
Terry(Quote)
Our results for the next 3 games? A draw (Leicester) and 2 losses (Spurs and Liverpool). That will have us on 5 points from 10 games. Good enough for Pards to keep his job? I don’t think so. Ashley is getting ready to panic. It’s coming mates. Never doubt it.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Ashley knows the chop has to come by now. Otherwise his lovely golden egg laying goose goes in the pot for supper. He’s not interested in the Championship. No decent place to flog his pathetic SD ****. He will rescue the club in order to maintain its value in a sale. We will be rid of him in 2016 at last.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Another example of a slimy con man Eric mate: **** Cheney. He almost single handed has caused the current disaster in the middle east. Should be in prison where he belongs for the rest of his life. With visits from George Bush and Tony Blair. Liars all. Deceivers all. Ask Colin Powell for his thoughts.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/temuri-ketsbaia-spotted-tyneside—7914730?
batty(Quote)
If you are right, Geordie Two, that will be 5 points after 10 games. In keeping with the rest of our 2014 total, but not quite where the great liar said we would be. He said “Judge me after 10 games”, “We have the best roster ever” – I think 7 games is enough for us to see a pattern, we haven’t played any of the top 6 yet – well, actually we have played Swansea and Southampton and lost to them both, but we haven’t played any of the usual top 6.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You may ask why I haven’t posted before? It is because I didn’t want to inspire more Troy “banter”. But he has to be stopped from spouting nonsense about Pardew. Think of the children who might read this blog and be influenced by a moron talking about a moron (:
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric if we can’t beat team’s like Palace or Hull at home then what chance do we have beaten the top 6 ?
This is a combination of bad management and lack of investment by **** head Ashley. We could even go down, if it gets rid of Ashley I’d take it. I know relegation hurts but having to put up with Ashley is 10 times more painful in the long run.
Terry(Quote)
We played City first game and lost .
kIMTOON(Quote)
You are correct Kim @184. I forgot about the league winners last year 🙂 I will have to stay off the crack from now on.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wow 😯
I feel I have made a moray eel poke it’s ugly nose out of the coral reef. 😛
You see, I’m a class above you Eric. I take it you are going to name the the numerous ex players managed by Pards saying that he is a total opinionated d!ck?
Let’s see these quotes. Clock is ticking 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
If you ever had a job that wasn’t driving a taxi or working in construction you know that players very rarely say anything about their manager because they don’t want to limit their future options. A coach said that Pardew referred to himself as The King.
I don’t really need to come up with players to defend my point that just because LovenKraands says it, doesn’t make it true. I will look for some quotes if you insist.
It shouldn’t be a WOW 🙂 from you. You have been spouting ***** and making no sense for years now, so why would you be surprised if someone asks you about it?
I
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t think that I can be bothered to look up any quotes and in your mind you will think that you have won? I will just repeat that Pardew has a record of what 20 points from the last 80, and 4 from 7 games. All with a squad that is his best ever.
So I am not going to dwell on quotes from ex-players. I admit I was trying to rile you up with that. You seem to like an argument, so I gave you one.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am not saying you are stupid Troy. Far from it. You are quite good at making irrational arguments, you and Pardew are well suited for each other on the delusional, crazy train.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
When the reality train pulled out of the station , packed with fans who say Pardew is a **** manager , I thought I saw Troy waving it off.
Thanks to Eric I now know Troy caught the delusional crazy train. 😀
sidekick(Quote)
NUFC record in 2014:
Played 26
Points 20
Total points available 78
Now that’s REALITY, whether on a train or not. It came and kicked any of us who watch our games in the balls. The most damning fact is that that doesn’t even begin to explain how dire our football has been under Pardew – I would even say we have improved a bit this league season because we have only taken a total f’ing tonking once from Southampton rather than lose 3 or 4 nil every other week.
But he’s a good bloke according to Lovenkrands so that makes everything alright.
The REALITY is that we take the same bloody free kick every time to Williamson on the corner of the box to knock down. I know it, you know it and every manager in the League knows it. So how is that good coaching? If he had Ronaldo and Messi he would still knock it long to Williamson. Obviously Stone and Carver are no better because they stick to the same plan – now that is REALITY.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
No matter what train you’re on, right now it seems they all head to Relegation City, Arizona. Isn’t that right Alan and Mike? Determined to support each other to the end apparently. I think that illusion will disappear soon however. As soon as a loss to Leicester in fact. Or as soon as we gather 1 point from the next 3 games. Then Ashley pulls the plug on Pardew and in a panic stricken state looks around for another flunky to carry the blame for a while. Beautiful MIke. No wonder the Rangers fans want nothing to do with you.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Since when is Peter Lovenkrands some kind of expert on our club by the way? He was a half decent striker, especially in the Championship for us but other than that possibly he hasn’t been keeping track of our stats? They couldn’t be much worse. Anyway anyone is entitled to an opinion Mr. Lovehandles. But I don’t think you’ve added much to the debate.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
This was a rant against Pardew as much as Troy. Troy is trying to defend the indefensible which is why he is so annoying. Was this blog operating when Fat “toad of toad hall” Sam was managing and had a better record and played the same sort of football? We are better than this.
I went to see us in the ’70s when we were not that good but I didn’t have to listen to blather and excuses all of the time. MAYBE, one farking time, someone (a not banned journalist) will ask Pardew about his tactics and why he knocks it to big Mike all the time. That might be more enlightenlng than Lovenkrands saying Pardew is a good bloke.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
G2 I would even wish relegation on Mike Ashley if it meant him fucking off once and for all mate.
Terry(Quote)
The same goes for Pardew as well.
Terry(Quote)
The longer we stay in the premiership the leach will pocket every penny he can.
Terry(Quote)
Troy said @186: “You see, I’m a class above you Eric.” The man who had a running feud with his brother on this blog talks about class 🙂 Ha, and double Ha Batman.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
But, one thing that Tory Boy said about me is true – I hadn’t seen any ex-players say bad things about Pardew, I made it up assuming they had because he is such a c*ck.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I had to take grief off fan’s while I was at Newcastle but Troy always cheered me on. He could see threw the mindless, dim witted fan’s that wanted me sacked. I tried to do the best so I could to win something for Troy and that is what Alan’s doing now! I always helped Alan with football knowledge and sadly when I resigned, results turned from bad to worse.
Joe Kinnear(Quote)
Anybody willing to guess what our formation will be at home against Leicester? I’m guessing 4-2-3-1. Pards is such a wild experimental manager with the emphasis on mental. He will have us playing defensive football as soon as we get a goal. Unless they are 4-1 up at the time that is. 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Terry don’t worry mate. I’ve spoken with Mike and he swears he loves our club and is very sincere in wanting us to finish 17th. I will hold him to that. It will be a magnificent sight, watching us holding up our 17th place banner on the day of the last game of the season. Brings a tear to the eye doesn’t it?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 4 2 3 1
Krul, Dummett, Willaimson, Colocini, Janmatt
Toite, Colback
S Ameobi, Carbella, Gouffran
Riviere
Same boring tactics but might get lucky
Terry(Quote)
I think Gouffy needs to sit for a game Terry mate. How about Sammi, Anita, and Cabella with Cisse up front? Anita is a tidy passer of the ball. I would like to see Haidara back in the lineup as well if he’s fit.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 I want us to finish 17th now so I can look at those sports direct signs. I don’t care about the game it’s those sports direct signs that mean so much to me. I wouldn’t want Ashley going without ?
Terry(Quote)
Good point Terry mate. I’ve taken to carrying one around with me so I can pull it out and burn it whenever the mood takes me. Which is all the time recently. As for 17th, yes it’s the perfect position to finish as far as Mike is concerned. No worries about Europe, no need to replace the manager, and the supporters can always be ignored if they start whining again. 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
If you take the view that the effect of the coach is overstated, then it’s not so hard to defend Pardew.
Are the players automatons programmed by the coach, or are they professional footballers that react to ever changing movement on a football field? The coach can only describe how to play in a match in a very abstract way, it’s the players that have to deal with the real situation, the minutiae of passing, marking, running, etc, during a game.
If the players have no imagination or aren’t good at decision making, at seeing the game in a creative sense, or the pitch as a field of possibilities, or have limited ability to analyse and assess holes in the opposition ranks in a nano second, then no matter what the coach has said the game plan ain’t gonna work too good.
What’s not easy to defend is the disparity between Pardew’s comments about best squad of players and the results so far. Although, as far as I’m concerned, the results haven’t really reflected the nature of the games played so far; we should have maybe 5 points more than we have, based on balance of play.
And that might even hint at Pardew being ok as far as setting up the gameplan is concerned, but the players haven’t been able to make it work.
Just a thought.
brisvegas(Quote)
G2 wouldn’t mind going 4 4 2. Armstrong and Cisse because it might be a good partnership. Hiadara has impresses me when he play’s but Alan will not take the risk mate. If I had my way then it would be
Krul, Hiadara, Willaimson ( better than Saylor), Colocini, Santon,
Toite, S. Ameobi, Carbella, Colback
Armstrong, Cisse
Terry(Quote)
It’s all gone very stale with Pardew. And he is delusional in his comments about having a strong squad. This is a very weak squad. Willo and Colo should have been replaced 2 seasons ago. Cabella is lightweight so far at best. We have nobody to replace De Jong while he’s injured. Riviere looks as if he’ll never make it in the Prem. Squidward should have been released last season. We are playing with fire and getting our fingers burned. Hopeless combination of poor manager and shocking owner.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Santon will probably need a few games in the reserves before he returns Terry mate. Armstrong and Cisse might work well. If we can keep getting the ball to Cisse in the box we might at least score a few goals in the next 3 games.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Terry @203: I think Janmaat is injured. One of those 2 week things that tend to last 6 weeks at NUFC and Arsenal. You know, like the Santon injury or Giroud 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yes our injuries do seem to drag on don’t they Eric? I wonder how long Aarons will actually be out for? And De Jong? What happens if Cisse gets injured again? It’s grim to look at the lack of depth in the squad.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
BRISVEGAS @207:
I don’t totally disagree with you, but if you are correct then why not hire somebody from the pastry department at Greggs to manage us? In fact, why not hire Troy and pay him and his coaches a million a year, on an 8 year contract 🙂
Moyes didn’t do too well with Ferguson’s leftovers?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
G2 and Eric our defence is useless at the best of times so losing Janmatt and Santon probably wont make much defence.
Terry(Quote)
I would take Troy over Pardew 🙂
Terry(Quote)
The defense looks lost on the pitch all too often. Colo has lost a step and Willo never had any pace. Very scary to watch against pacey players. We really do have a squad full of holes thanks to having Ashley around for nearly 8 years now. A new manager would look to changing things at the back. Either bring Lascelles back from loan or take a final look at Saylor. Something has to change back there if we are to survive.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
And BRISVEGAS: I think Pardew gets out-thunk. I mean, we have the same players before half time as after and yet have never won a game when behind at half time during his tender.I think it is like 39 losses and 4 draws with no wins when behind at half time.
So, let’s get rid of Pardew at half time and hire the girl from behind counter at Greggs. She couldn’t do much worse.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I would choose the one with the best t!ts so at least she would jiggle around a bit during her fist-pump.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric Sykes: Because you still need somebody with some nouse to lay out a strategy to follow.
What I’m saying is, for example, the coach can send out Tim Krul for a penalty shoot out and even tell him to get in the face of the penalty taker – that’s a tactic – but Tim still has to go out there and make it work. And the coach of the other team can tell his players to focus on what they’ve practised in training, but if they then get put off it isn’t the coach’s fault.
Or Pardew can tell his players to mark tight in the box, and drill that into them in training, but if they haven’t the gorm to see opposition player movement in the box, what can he do?
Or he can give reasonable strategies for getting the ball into scoring areas, but he can’t tell them how to shoot for goal, that’s a player thing – decision-making, balance, body position, eye-on-the-ball things in the heat of the moment.
We’ve had ample opportunities in some games to outscore the opposition, but chances haven’t been taken.
brisvegas(Quote)
“tender” @217 bloody interpretive text – tenure.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BRISVEGAS said:
“Or Pardew can tell his players to mark tight in the box, and drill that into them in training”
He doesn’t seem to practice in training though. Every set piece from the other team is a comedy of errors that they always look likely to score from. If we have the best squad ever, then this wouldn’t happen because they are not bad players, or are they? But it is the best squad ever !
In attack, we only practice on sending it long to Williamson – which has never worked. That is not Williamson’s fault because it has never worked. It is Pardew, Stone and Carver’s fault because they should think of something else. That is pretty simple strategy, if it never works and we score from one f@cking corner in 2 years then change the strategy or change the coaches. No other team has only scored from 1 corner in 2 years so I think it is the coaching.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BRISVEGAS: Let’s have a think about Ferguson or Brian Clough. Total coincidence that Clough won 2 European Cups from a small city in the North Midlands? And Ferguson won, what, 13 titles? Clough won the first division in his first year after being promoted. It is not about coaching though?
I am not trying to cause an argument with you (I will keep that to Troy because I think he is a moron). I am just saying that Pardew has a history of not being very good at coaching, regardless of the players he has. Charlton, West Ham – he had Mascerano and Tevez there, think about what they did after they left. A good manager wouldn’t sit them on the bench.
20 points from 78 says something. It is not just about players being in the wrong spot – it is about them being told day after day to do the wrong things – being COACHED to do the wrong things and having no strategy at set pieces (well, a cr@p strategy).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
“In attack, we only practice on sending it long to Williamson” I’ve seen variations – balls to Dummett and Colo and Janmaat.
Let’s be clear at this point. All I’m saying is that not everything is down to Pardew and the coaches; the players also have to shoulder the blame, as do scouts and whoever makes the decisions to buy and sell.
I’m saying that coaches are not gods (probably much to the annoyance of Football Manager players around the world). They can no more determine a game of football in advance than I can predict what will happen to me for the rest of the day.
That’s not to say they can’t influence some things. Just as I can influence what happens to me by staying at home and writing thoughts on a blog that nobody takes a ha’peth of notice of.
Just saying: it’s not all Pardew’s fault. Or should that be not all fault is of Pardew’s doing.
I think it’s an interesting concept that the coach is not as relevant as he is often made out to be. As a music analogy: the coach is not the writer of symphonies for an orchestra, but the writer of a score for a jazz band – where there is room for improvisations and solos, which the band members themselves decide on during a performance, depending on ‘feelings’ at the time.
brisvegas(Quote)
As Pardew said a couple of days ago these players that were the best squad ever 8 weeks ago are now too young and need some experience added. And Sammy needs to “step up to the plate”. Excuse after excuse, man. And do we need fans cheering us on or does that hurt the team when we are ahead by a goal against Palace?
The man is a walking contradiction.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And for the record, seeing as you seem to want to push me into defending Pardew as a good coach: No, I don’t think he’s much good. He’s about as average as you get. Perhaps, given his recent record, not even average.
He’s not much good at writing jazz music, and his band is not as tight as it should be.
brisvegas(Quote)