To say it was a game of two halves would be an understatement. The first was as dire as it could get and it looked to be another long afternoon of football ahead.
Then after a rocket from Alan Pardew at half time, the lads came out and showed what can happen when you believe in yourselves and give it your all. Here is what was said.
Pardew said: “There were a few strong words.
“It’s not nice as a manager to go in and bark out orders but sometimes it’s necessary just to shake people up because we needed shaking up.
“We needed to offer a threat. We’re Newcastle United. We’re not a small club. We’re a big club and we were playing like a small club.
“We were giving too much possession to Tottenham, too much space. We never made a challenge. And we were fortunate to come in a 1-0.
“So I reminded them about the fundamentals of a Premier League game and we come out with a much stronger attitude.”
After that epic speech, it only took about seven seconds for the reaction Pardew and us fans were all looking for! When from the second half kick off, a beautiful through ball from Colback was met at full tilt by a rampaging Sammy Ameobi and he lashed it into the back of the net with his left foot. After my initial reaction of WOW! My next thought was ‘that is the kind of thing that normally happens too us not for us’.
From there we really started to press Spurs hard and to me they looked defeated and tired. If you have been a Toon fan long enough, you get to know that look when things start to get tough and no one on the park wants to know about it. And when Perez nodded the ball home for our second and his first ever goal, I must say it was the happiest I had been for some time when watching a game that Newcastle was playing in. I was really pleased for both Sammy and Ayoze, it will do their confidence a world of good. From there until the 95th minute there was the usual edge of the seat stuff and desperate defending. Sissoko had probably his best game for us and the defence did work well as unit. But at the end of the day, the credit must go to the goal scorers. Not because they were the stand outs but because both goals were very well taken by two young players that are looking to make their mark and they will be all the better for it.
We are not out of the woods yet but some more fighting displays like that, a bit of luck and some moments of magic, we might just make something of this season!
Bring on Liverpool!
Mr O – Troys posts are generally either provoking or belittling (or an attempt at those things) – those who wish to bite are free to do so.
Georgio – Colo isn’t playing that well IMO, and may actually benefit from a rest. That said, I’m not sure if Saylor is fit, coz Pardew said after the City game that we were unlucky to loose Taylor so late in the day – could be a minor knock coz I’ve heard nowt since.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I”ll reiterate what I said earlier, we don’t know what a lot of our players can do – youngsters and new signings – because we simply haven’t seen enough of them to judge. We did have an opportunity to see Sammy, Aarons and Armstrong towards the tail end of last season but Pardew chose to play Shola and Gosling who he knew were leaving anyway. That’s the sort of baffling decision that makes me not trust Pardew.
There have been a lot of next big things at our club from Chopra to Campbell but you don’t know what you have until they play in the premier league.
Someone might have a crystal ball or a secret stash of youtube clips to be able to make definitive statements. I don’t.
Pardew’s first instinct is also to nullify the other team instead of playing to our strengths. I hope that is changing as we have a decent shot against Liverpool. Remember, we got a draw with 10 men last year, so it is possible.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy17: are you picking your team or the one you think Pardew will pick? I think he will start with the same 11 that started at Spurs except Cisse for Perez if he is fit. Pardew likes to start off conservatively and the Spurs line up gives him five in midfield because Gouffran and Obertan track back.
Pardew did say he could guess Brendan Rodgers’ team but Brendan couldn’t guess his. I think the surprise will be he starts the same 11 as at Spurs 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
“Pardew’s first instinct is also to nullify the other team instead of playing to our strengths. I hope that is changing”
Spot on Eric, he sets up out of fear instead of ambition. For me that’s a negative mindset.
Would love for that mentality to change.
JJ(Quote)
Georgio agreed. Abeid has earned more playing time. Prefer him to Anita
MDS(Quote)
OH/NorCal- welcome back guys. Hope you both have been well
MDS(Quote)
Stu – I wasn’t suggesting you did mate. Troy has though and when you were agreeing with him I wanted to clarify to what extent.
I never thought the squad was top 10, perhaps with proven goal scorer we could have been. But I said at the start of the season I believed this squad was capable of a comfortable 13-14 place finish and relegation wouldn’t/shouldn’t be a concern. I still believe that, and I understand you saying that it’s still early days. But when you consider this squad is still not full strength yet – with players like Cisse, De Jong, Tiote and Santon to come back in, and as you say, hopefully a new face or 2 in Jan, then it looks quite promising I’d say.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – those are the 11 I personally would go with.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Anita has been very poor in the games I’ve seen him this season.
Sissoko, Tiote, Colback and Abied should all be ahead of him.
JJ(Quote)
What we have in this squad now that cannot be taught and cannot be coached out of players is pace. We have Sissoko, Aarons, Obertan, Sammy, Armstrong, Riviere and Haidara who are very quick with the ball. I remember years back when Bobby Robson bought Bellamy that he said he did it because Bellamy was so quick and that is the one thing defenders hate above all else.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
JJ – I’d add Raylor to that list as well mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I hope Pardew learns something from what, if my memory serves me right, happened with Roeder. Roeder faced with injuries brought in a number of fringe players. The team did very well. As soon as the injuries to the first team players cleared, out went the fringe players. The team then went on a losing run which resulted in Roeder being sacked. IMO no player should have an automatic right to selection.
Groucho(Quote)
Spot on about pace Eric. We can defend deep with 5 in midfield because of the pace we have on the counter. The problem we have is in trying to dominate weaker teams.
georgio(Quote)
Of the current 3 games I expected 3 quite heavy defeats. Can we win all 3? Wouldn’t quite be NUFC if we did! Still – miracles happen. If we win I’ll have to take my head off and put it in the freezer for a few days 😛
georgio(Quote)
Troy 363 You and me both know the squad would have been a lot better if I was still Director of Football. I had some big deals in the pipeline but Mike thought they were out of our price range. I can’t fault Mike because he still paid me 60 grand a week for basically falling asleep at my desk. The truth is most Newcastle fan’s are clueless so I totally agree with you. It’s not the players that win or lose games, it the manager. You are so spot on. I was a totally awesome manager as you remember.
Joe Kinnear(Quote)
I had Messi and Ronaldo on the verge of joining us but Ashley had a panic attack and sacked me.
Joe Kinnear(Quote)
Right then, I have absolutely no clue how we’ll do against Liverpool. We define unpredictability. Anything could happen. We could lose by 4 or win by 3. This team is impossible to understand. So is Pardew. Now Ashley I understand. It’s all about money as Whelan says. He doesn’t give a fig about football.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Why should I admit I was wrong if I don’t believe I am. The squad is ****. How’s that wrong?
It’s not like I’m trying to back track. I’ve stuck to the same throughout. It’s others that are jumping from one aisle to the other.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Are we a 14th place team? Have we turned a corner? Who is that man dressed up as Pardew that has been patrolling the sidelines for the last few games? It’s all being done by witchcraft and voodoo if you ask me. Harrumph!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Did Clinton inhale? What did Cheney know and when? How are we going to do against Liverpool? All impossible questions to answer I’m afraid.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
“Monica Lewinsky did not smoke my cigar, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.” Bill Clinton, January 1998.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
“Reality is even stranger than we think.” Alan Pardew, October 2014.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m concerned the players are all going to get swelled heeds and strut around like Steve Taylor did last season. I’m not sure we could handle that. Very stressful this is. Winning all the time I mean. 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Well, we’re not favourites to win the league yet but if we get on a 10 or 12 game winning streak in the league who knows? Let’s look sharp tomorrow lads.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Liverpool could only draw at home with Hull in their last game. They will be playing 5 games in 13 days. Will Gerrard, Toure and co. still have the legs for that?
DJG(Quote)
Will settle for a draw tomorrow. Liverpool normally give us a battering up here, though they are not the same team without Suarez.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Likewise I think we will have a chance against Spurs in the cup. They have midweek games in the Europa League and will have played Thursday, Sunday and then us on Wednesday. Keep it up lads, maybe this season will not be a disaster after all and we can be comfortable in mid table and have a go at the League Cup.
DJG(Quote)
Troy @393: how did you know the squad was **** when you had never even seen half the expected starters kick a ball before you made your mind up? Don’t tell me you had seen Riviere and Cabella extensively because I wont believe you 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
MM: Suarez didn’t play in that 0-6 game. A draw will have us ahead of the game for survival, 11 from 10 games. It is about what you might expect with so many new (****, copyright Troy) players settling in. I don’t care what anybody says about Southampton, that is the exception rather than the rule.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Spurs travel to Besiktas in Turkey on the Thursday before, so I reckon it will have some affect. Like when we were in the Europa league and our league form dipped through playing more games and travelling.
DJG(Quote)
Give to Abeid and Ayoze a reward and put them in the line up, I expect to see Pardew start Obertan, so I just ask to do more of the same. Id put Cabella on left flank. If not Id like to see Sammy starting, Ap got selection headache. My line up would be this:
————–Krul—————
Janmaat-Colo-Taylor–Dummett
——–Colback-Abeid———-
————Sissoko————-
—Cabella———–Sammy—-
————–Ayoze————-
Subs: Elliott-Haidara-Raylor-Tiote-Aarons-Obertan-Cissé
Now I consider Raylor as DM/CM option, ahead of Anita. Anita Gouffran Willo should are not first options anymore. We can get the win.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Id bring Raylor, Aarons and Cissé as subs, or Obertan
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Id love to see Aarons Sammy Cabella upfront, but not sure AP will try this
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Eric@404, that’s not what I said mate 🙄
It just seems that Liverpool seem to be spluttering without Suarez, that was my point.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Eric
Despite you claiming that you’ve watched this blog for years, your posts clearly show you haven’t watched closely enough.
I’ve repeated my points over and over regarding my views of the squad and the reasons why I decided preseason this squad is relegation fodder.
It’s up to you to check things up. You clearly are in the dark about my views.
I also noted before you mentioned you hadn’t seen a lot of the games and the players. That explained a lot to me tonight.
You need to take you’re sunglasses off fella and see the daylight. 😎
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Unless it’s a freak score, we’ll get beat tomorrow. I’m not fooled by recent results like some.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
🙄 wait and see ya dafty 👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Howay the LADS
Pardew OUT 😉
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Support the TEAM not the regime.
Mash OUT Percy OUT
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Troy at 411 That is to say: if we don’t get a good result, we’ll get a bad one.
Way to go on the predictions, mate. 😆 😆
brisvegas(Quote)
I’m looking forward to another baffling tactical display from Pardew tonight, and looking for another win from his team of no-hopers.
It has been a pleasant surprise, these last couple of games, so long my that winning combination continue.
It’s going to an all night vigil for me. I might as well stay up to watch Western Sydney Wanderers play away in the 2nd leg of the Asian Champs League at 4.30am my time – leading 1-0 from the first leg.
Howay everybody, make it a champion night.
brisvegas(Quote)
MM @409: I wasn’t being critical of your assertion that Suarez is a massive loss. I was just saying that probably the worst loss I have seen in recent years was without him. Sorry if there was a misunderstanding, totally unintentional.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Troy: I didn’t read the blog every day so I must have missed your pearls of wisdom. I’m guessing you had your own scouting reports on our new players and the likes of Aarons? We also lost Ben Arfa and MBiwa after the season started which in my opinion weakened the squad because I thought Pardew would be sacked and a new manager would use them. Yes, I thought Pardew would be sacked and still think he deserved to be.
Whatever you think, there is nothing I would like more than to beat the Scousers. I don’t like Pardew, but as I have said before he doesn’t irritate me as much when we are winning, so that’s one more reason for a good result 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry to dwell, but here is a new quote from Pardew on our 2014 form:
“As an experienced manager, I’ve experienced times like that before. “Not perhaps with the scale of the media criticism that I was receiving.”
“But certainly in terms of results I’ve had results like that at Charlton and West Ham, and you have to try to find a solution.”
This is what is frustrating about him, he completely reversed himself from a couple of weeks ago when he said he had never had a run of form like in 2014. We all knew he had, and now he admits it. Perhaps it is him just running his mouth and now he has had time to consider it he realised he misspoke.
Or perhaps this is the start of a new more humble Pardew. We can only hope so.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
Well at least you admit in a roundabout kinda way, you’ve never really followed my views properly. I would imagine you just pick up on the posts I write which irritate you.
That was apparent when you came bursting on the scene like Semedy Sam with your guns blazing announcing that I only conversed by **** taking. 😛
Your Ben Arfa & Mbiwa point of view is very poor. Some players simply aren’t suited to the premier league. Ben Arfa wasn’t disciplined enough on and off the field. He’s hardly set Hull alight. He’s sitting on the bench isn’t he?
Mbiwa looked out shaky everytkme I saw him play even in his favoured position.
I certainly didn’t feel relieved to see his name on the team sheet.
Regarding my views on the squad, preseason and since, nothing has changed about individual players. The players I said we’re good preseason have turned out to be good and the ones I stated were poor have turned out to be poor. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Begas
My point is, as you well know, I don’t believe for a second we can beat Liverpool today. Freak results do happen and if we do beat them today then may be, depending on the performance, it wont be a freak.result and I will have to revise my views on the squad.
Prediction Pool 2-0 toon.
Based on reality and not blind faith.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
It’s also good to see the hatred for the Liverpool has diminished of late. At one time it was a forum of vitriol against them.
I never quite understood that.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
To be honest I don’t really expect us to get a win today but Liverpool aren’t playing very well and we have a bit of confidence so if ever we were going to win, now is as good a time as any.
Will go 1-1
Stuart79(Quote)
Ah, Stuart, the surrender monkey who said on Wednesday: Can anybody explain to me what the point I even playing the game tonight? Why don’t we just give them a bye?
brisvegas(Quote)
Eric Sykes @417, don’t worry about it mate, no misunderstanding 🙂
Liverpool seem to be struggling to replace Suarez, as he is a massive loss.
What you were saying that probably the worst loss you have seen in recent years was without Suarezz is also a valid, but different point.
A draw would be a great result today. If the toon for some reason discover a new verve, energy, and attacking intent then we may sneak a win, but I fear not. 1-1 or 1-3 to Liverpool.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Bris – Did you think we would win on Wednesday?
I’m not apologising for making a logical decision based on the fact that we played a weakened team against the champions at a place we have never even scored.
Stuart79(Quote)
I always think we will win, mate.
brisvegas(Quote)
Well whether Pardew has turned into Pep 😆 or his decision to play a weakened team against City back fired when the young uns decided to show what they could do, either way hopefully the run continues and we get a result against Liverpool.
I still can’t stand the man, and hope that the abuse he received at least shook him out of the complacenecy he had fallen into and gave him the kick up the **** he needed to try different things or team selections. See the PR campaign of a more humble Pardew didnt last long before his natural arrogance and overinflated ego are shining through once more. The king is dead, long live the kid. Now if only Llambias could persuade Fatty that he needs his hero Pardew up at Rangers, life would be sweet. Think we may edge it 2-1 today if Liverpool keep playing ****.
Geordie Deb(Quote)
Not a Scooby what todays result will be, as always hoping for a win though. Will be interesting to see if he keeps faith with our pacier attacking players from Wednesday or goes back to his tried and trusted lads.
kIMTOON(Quote)
G. Deb, Aye that’s my concern too, he does set us up to contain rather than attack in most PL games. I’m hoping Wednesday lads gave him food for thought. Raylor was fantastic especially as he’s been out for two years and his display shows how much fitness work he’s obviously put in.
kIMTOON(Quote)
I really cant see us doing much against the dippers, yeah I know their form hasn’t been the best and wee should be on a high, but that has been the case in the past but we just never seem to be able to get owt from them.
I will be well chuffed with a point and over the moon if we could get 3 pts.
Big Dave(Quote)
Sturridge is out as well, so Liverpool are without last season’s two top scorers in the league. I think Balotelli has like one in the last 19 and I saw a stat that apart from penalties he was scoring less than one in three at Milan. I hope I am not tempting fate.
I have read a couple of articles saying that without Saurez and Sturridge that Liverpool don’t know what to do after their intricate build up play. Remember they are integrating quite a few new players as well (albeit, some with premier league experience). A draw?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
try and wind up Balotelli shouldn’t be too hard 😆
kIMTOON(Quote)
Big D, it would be a canny end to a canny week if we beat the bin dippers today, and put an end to the run of them constantly cuffing us big time at SJP.
HWTL !!!
Munich Mag(Quote)
If I was Pards I would be reminding the lads what Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports . That they always enjoy playing Toon because they always got a result since we have always had a poor defence.
kIMTOON(Quote)
To be honest, I dont miss Hba and Mbiwa at all and feel it.was right decision to let them leave.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Begas
You say, I always think we will win, mate.
Dear me. 🙄 and you wonder why you’re proven wrong on so many occasions by me. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Chollo
Don’t worry mate. Most agree. There’s only one who thinks Barfa should have stayed. Mbiwa never shined when played. Of course some will say he was played out of position. That’s not strictly true. He gaffed in a few games when playing cb.
It’s a lame excuse to have a go at Pards. Sad really that some revert to desperation.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Good to see pard’s has had the balls to drop Anita and gouffran who other than running about haven’t contributed much – good time to play the dippers as well.
No idea what the score will be, depends which team turns up for us and them
stevep(Quote)
Looks like a good team, I would definitely say Colback and Abeid are worth their place in the engine room. Obertan, Sissoko yes. Sammy tends to not last 90 minutes so maybe there is an opportunity for Aarons there? Dummett keeps his place as well. All of these player deserve their place.
DJG(Quote)
Bris – That’s kind of stupid.
Just a thought; Wonder if Cisse will be any better than Perez today? Perez has pace and I think Liverpool will be playing quite high.
Stuart79(Quote)
(4-3-3): Krul; Janmaat, S.Taylor, Coloccini (c), Dummett; Sissoko, Abeid, Colback; Obertan, Cisse, Ameobi.
Elliot, Haidara, R.Taylor, Aarons, Cabella, Gouffran, Perez.
Mignolet, Johnson, Moreno, Lovren, Skrtel, Gerrard, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Balotelli.
Big Dave(Quote)
I think Abeid has the size and strength advantage over Anita, as much as anything in this league.
DJG(Quote)
Well we will soon see if our new found confidence levels are to continue .
kIMTOON(Quote)
It’s silly to go into a game thinking of winning? Yet it’s logical to give up before a ball is kicked?
Strange days indeed.
brisvegas(Quote)
http://www.rojadirecta.me/goto/sportvivoandres.blogspot.com/p/futbolandres05.html
Big Dave(Quote)
Savage co commentating 🙄
kIMTOON(Quote)
Anybody else troubled by Pardew risking players before they’re really fit? Cisse & Aarons both were played against doctors orders. It’s a big gamble, without which we’d be even further in the ****, so I’m conflicted.
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
HWTL, C’mon then go get em 😉
kIMTOON(Quote)
Fans , I was pleased to see him bring off Aarons early on Wednesday, that was the right thing imo. As for Cisse, hopefully he’s fully fit again.
kIMTOON(Quote)