I have noticed that Daryl Janmaat has come out in the local press singing the praises of our defensive unit. For the record, here is what he has been saying.
“It’s important to be strong defensively, because if you defend well and have good attackers, you’ll always have a good chance of winning any game.
“We’re very strong defensively and that’s good, because a strong defence has to be the starting point for any successful team.
“We’re keeping down the number of chances our opponents are creating, and we’re very satisfied with that side of our game.”
It is hard to argue with what he has to say but I think there is more too it than that. I am sure that over the years, all of us have sat on the edge of our seats waiting anxiously for the final whistle to blow as the opposition team piles pressure on us as we try and hold on to a slender one goal advantage. It seemed to be a weekly occurrence and to be honest I was kind of getting used to the feeling as we have made an art form out of failing to close out games.
However the past four or five games I have noticed that we have looked a lot more assured in the closing minutes of games and my nerves are all the better for it. Sure we have defended well . Janmaat & Dummet have been particularly impressive and even Taylor has won a few fans over with some solid efforts. But I think a large portion of the transformation is due to something else all together.
A forward line with pace and a forward line that offers a genuine threat on the counter!
Perez, Ameobi, Sissoko and Cabella, four players that are more than capable of quickly turning defence into attack . When a team carries this threat, opposition teams are less likely to push too high up the park and commit players forward. You can’t help but notice that teams are not flooding forward as much as they push for a goal. Take Liverpool for example, they sat back and the moment they did commit more players forward late in the game, we caught them on the counter and were unlucky not to go two up. Although it was disappointing not to score from that break, the most important thing is the doubt it creates for opposition defenders. For years we have watched left backs and right backs bomb forward with out fear or reprisal. so it is nice to see us dish it out in turn. Our central midfield has also shielded the back men well and Colback and Sissoko are both tidy passers of the ball which helps relive pressure via keeping possession. So the combination of players and styles is working at the moment and Pardew has the mix right. He may have stumbled upon it by forced injuries and no other options but that matters not, the results are what matters in the long run.
Now I am not the biggest fan of a game plan that relies on counter attacking as it’s main avenue to goal but if it is done well, it is hard to argue with the results. So if we keep up the work rate and keep winning games, I am all for a bit of counter attacking football.
What are your thoughts?
Nice one Oz
Premandup(Quote)
Aussie – I think we are better on the counter attack, but that to me suggests that we soak up the pressure for large periods of the game then hope to break quickly. I think that was maybe the case a bit against Lpool, but against QPR I think it was more a case of attacking with purpose.
I think the big difference I’ve seen is an attacking intend. Whether that be Sissokos direct running, or getting the ball out to our wide players for them to attack the opposition. There’s less passing sideways or backwards IMO. I think that’s largely to do with the 3 man midfield we play with now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The problem comes when we go behind in a game and the other team sit back with 11 behind the ball.
Do we have a plan B or will we be stuck with the same tactic.
Didn’t stoke beat us this way, defended solidly for 3/4 of the match having taken an early 1-0 lead ❓
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Good read Aussie and I agree mate. There is a definite difference from a few games back, we are showing far more intent to get forward and you can see opposition teams aren’t so keen on bombing forward like previously and when they do we are catching them .
kIMTOON(Quote)
Good read Aussie tell the Lass I said thanks she’s really getting a hang of this 😉 .
For me Janmaat himself has made a big difference to the defence, he just seems so calm and I never worry about him doing something stupid either.
Sissoko aswell has made a big difference too over the last couple of months.
So long may it continue
Big Dave(Quote)
It’s a style we’ve flirted with for years with under Pardew, the 4-3-3 that “got us fifth” that everyone loved was also counter attacking, we scored the most from quick breaks in the league that season I think, despite not using the system the whole year.
We’ve always missed some ingredient though to make it consistent, i.e wingers not being able to (or willing) to cross or strikers not being able to make space or hold onto the ball, or the defence leaking goals under pressure. Or we were totally reliant on the 11 to do the job. – But now a lot more of the squad seem to have bought in to the idea, and while we might need to tweak a system (Raylor went off for Goof – totally different players) we can still adjust and do the job. Great to see it, long may it continue…
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – I would agree that this is some of the best footy we’ve played since the 5th finish season.
I think from the 4-3-3 that worked for us, Pardew then seemed to try and change it to 4-2-3-1.
What we are playing at the moment works and any new recruits should be to improve on what we have – not to change things again.
It would be great to bring in a more prolific forward, but with Cisse, Gouffran, Rivière, Perez and Chucky and Armstrong, Campbell and Roberts waiting in the wings – do we need to get rid of one or two first?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – yeah, to be fair I do think Pardew was changing the system to address the one issue most of us could see at the time – that Ba out wide was not working for him or for us, we were winning yes (although losing momentum after getting humped by wigan etc) but it was like playing with 10 men. Pardew switched it at the start of the next season and chose to address it by playing midfielders and dropping Ba completely for the 4-2-3-1.
That obviously didn’t work though and he needed Ba to bail him out which led to a whole load of issues. Honestly I don’t think our front line had recovered – until now. Cisse finally seems to have shrugged off the doubt, and Perez has come in and shown a whole different element. We’ve got to give Riv time too, he hasn’t had his shooting boots on but he has put in a lot of effort when he’s been on the pitch.
Newkie(Quote)
Good article Oz, and good quote from Janmaat: “because a strong defence has to be the starting point for any successful team.”…goes along with the adage defend in numbers, attack in numbers. Look at the winning goal in the last game, the move to which started with Gouffran chasing back half the pitch to track down and disposess a QPR attack (that’s why HBA is rightly exiled from this team) then immediately springing forwards. The difference, it seems to me, is greater willingness on the part of the forward players to make runs and create space, as well as much greater mobility and speed of thought in midfield…why I don’t want to see Tiote back in the team, unless forced by injury.
GTE(Quote)
Speaking of defense it’s nice to see Collo and Staylor back in training, along with Riviere and Tiote, and Aarons back bext week. It’s amazing how deep we’ll be when all are fit
MDS(Quote)
GTE – Exactly. Too many people bemoan the fact that our wingers track back these days, and claim that for some reason it has destroyed them as players. Bayern were unlucky to lose against City the other day, and from their work ethic you’d never have known that they had a man less for 70 minutes of the match either.
Newkie(Quote)
GTE spot on
MDS(Quote)
Big D said @5:
“For me Janmaat himself has made a big difference to the defence, he just seems so calm and I never worry about him doing something stupid either.”
Except when he kicked that Liverpool player six foot in the air and didn’t get sent off 🙂 I think there is a picture of it on an earlier blog post.
Don’t get me wrong, I liked Janmaat kicking that Liverpool player six foot in the air and not getting sent off for it. Makes up for a few of the times the Refs give them all the decisions. By the way, have we had a penalty for or against us this year? It must be approaching a record number of games if there hasn’t been one.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Nice article Aus. It’s enjoyable watching us play at the minute, even though we aren’t sweeping people away, when we have the ball we play with fluidity and when we don’t we are great at harrying the opposition.
I think the jury is still out on how we will play when we are forced to take the game to someone – ie losing or playing against a team that are happy to let us have the ball. We just about managed it against QPR/Leicester home but a bit weary about the more middle of the road clubs that come to SJP
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Another exclusive interview from your Senior Official Club Journo:
G2: Well Alan the side have been on an incredible run of form lately. How do you explain the dramatic turnaround?
Percy: G2 as I’ve said many times before this club is my density. Yes that’s right, I will lead them on through good times and bad for years and years and years to come. I will grow old with this club. I will carry the Newcarstle banner bravely and boldly and receive mucho dinero from wor Mike for my splendid efforts.
G2: But Alan what is going on behind the scenes to rejuvenate the club?
Percy: It’s far too complicated for you to understand. It involves a lot of ingenious and bold new strategy. I am and shall continue to be the King.
G2: Well all right then Alan, we’ll have to leave it at that. 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Oh and good work, you wild Aussie Stud Muffin!!! 😆
GeordieTwo(Quote)
We are smooth, we are slick, we are mighty, mighty quick!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
cheers Aussie.
We can’t complain as its working and we look good.
We definitely still play the Pardew way. Difference is we have a more attacking ethos these days. We contain but look in control. Defence has been great but we attack with more purpose.
playing mobile Sissoko in the middle with Colback has made the difference.
I reckon Pardew saw Big Sam change his style when he was getting flak & decided to follow suit.
mark(Quote)
would it be churlish to remind peeps that we are still awful defending crosses into and across our own penalty area?
Its easy to get carried away after all the clean sheets, and why not after all the matches where we have conceded so many, but we have been fortunate on a few occasions, when we could have been punished.
Its the one area we have been poor in for years.
If percy can get this sorted, then we will look even stronger.
I’m worried judas Carroll will hi-lite this on Saturday if I’m honest.
If we can deny them crossing opportunities, then that’s half the battle.
But I can barely stand to watch set pieces against us most of the time.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Attack, Attack, Attack!
Stuart79(Quote)
Has the site layout changed for anyone? mines suddenly gone really wide and isn’t showing any post numbers! 😕
KIMTOON(Quote)
OH it’s back to normal now I’ve posted 😕
KIMTOON(Quote)
I see that no one has anything to say when there is nothing to whinge about! 🙂
When are we going to spend that Carroll money..Ashley out! 😛
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
very strange, my pc is acting up 😕
KIMTOON(Quote)
Aussie, I have stacks to whinge about but no time to do it 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim, you need to stop visiting those dodgey websites! 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Kim 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie – your lass’s best article. She must watch our games very carefully! Especially since she’s upside down 😆
georgio(Quote)
Aussie, as if 😀
KIMTOON(Quote)
Question is will Pardew stick with the Young uns who have done so well or will he bring back the older players?
Stuart79(Quote)
Georgio, the missus says thanks. . She would like to write more like that but time doesnt allow for much editing and rewrites.. most are done on the hop.. then the missus has house work to do! 😉
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I’m astounded by the improvement over the last month.
Didn’t think it was possible.
I’m actually enjoying our football. Sissoko has been immense.
Six wins despite having 11 injuries to first teamers. But perhaps it’s been a blessing because I don’t think the youngsters would have been given this time otherwise.
Regardless, credit to Pardew for keeping form players in the side despite lack of experience.
JJ(Quote)
http://m.news24.com/channel24/Viral/South-Africa-is-going-viral-with-this-absolutely-amazing-video-that-will-have-you-in-tears-20140526
Decent advert for my country. Just such a pity we are run by criminals.
JJ(Quote)
Go on Pards, bring bic AC back, he and Siem de Jong would be perfect compliment to the pacey/skilfull/talented players we got around them. And Big Ac would be the answer to our crosser of the ball like Janmaat Aarons etc… Id take him even on loan with an option and that would be my only signing for january
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Angent Carroll can do anything but score against us.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Another thing; How is De Jong going to fit into this 4-3-3 formation? I don’t think he’s a striker and this formation doesn’t allow for a number 10 type player so it will be interesting to see what he does.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – that’s the one I’m interested in. I think Pardew had a game plan built around De Jong for this season, and once he was injured then Pardew fell upon our current successful set up.
I’ve made no secret that I’m a big fan of SDJ, but I really like the football we are playing at the moment and I don’t see where DJ fits it.
For me you don’t change a winning team, so Pardew should stick with what he has right now IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stuart – you make a very good point.
I hinted at this a few days ago, when I said “will Percy **** things up when he has a fully fit squad to choose from?”
Will he build a team around SDJ as was the original plan and revert to his preferred 4-2-3-1 bollix that we can’t get to work ?
Maybe by the time SDJ returns we will have other injuries, and he won’t have a choice anyway.
9 matches in a month is a bit ridiculous anyway, and probably will take its toll. 👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I think Pardew is usually quite fair (or idiotic depending on how it turns out…) when it comes to rewarding players that have taken their chance. Santon was kept out of the left back role by Raylor for ages if I recall.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
BB – I often do. 😉
Stuart79(Quote)
JJ@33, yep nice vid, it is a beautiful country and didn’t expect the twist at the end.
Stuart@36 Spot on was wondering the same thing but as BB says with so many games ahead the situation may change the way we play anyway.
KIMTOON(Quote)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/11261861/How-Alan-Pardew-turned-round-Newcastle-Uniteds-season-in-six-weeks.html
Brilliant article
Stuart79(Quote)
Kim,
He nice touch. Sometimes I’m in tears with pride other times in tears with embarrassment. That’s Africa.
Sissoko must stay central in his free role box to box.
Sammi is another one I’m loving. Never thought I’d have a man crush on an Ameobi but he’s got immense potential and he’s a top top lad.
JJ(Quote)
For those asking where de Jong should play when fit, we have a 442 with Cabella Sissoko Colback Ameobi, de Jong and Ayoze upfront, or a 433 with 2 options: Colback Sissoko playing deeper and de Jong as attacking CM behind the striker. Or we can put him upfront to play as false9/TargetMan role, but that means Ayoze as supersub or as winger. We have options
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
jj@43 didn’t the tourist board make it to Kayelitscha ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
We might never play our strongest team this season.
Krul
Janmatt
Colocini
Dummett
Santon
Tiote
Sissoko
De Jong
Perez
Rivierre
Aarrons
Toby le rhone(Quote)
I see a lot more optimism on here now in the posts. It’s a very interesting set of players. De Jong has to fit in somewhere. Surely 4-3-1-2 would be worth trying with him behind Perez and Cisse. I like Sissoko in a central position behind De Jong. If he starts to play well we could be a force to be reckoned with but others would have to stay healthy as well.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Very interesting article Stuart mate @42. Pretty well spot on. Ashley wants money and mediocrity, the supporters want good football and a decent chance to win something. There is no chance of Ashley ever being the type of owner we want.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Ha! The club issue a statement rubbishing the Telegraph article. They only ever communicate when trying to rubbish reports. Why bother, if it’s untrue?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart they didn’t respond to the article you posted they rubbished the one about us and Rangers not being able to play in Europe at the same time
MDS(Quote)
Defence has been the best form of attack so far this season.
When we did try and attack we lost, mainly because we gave away too much of the field to the counter-attack, so we went into a more defensive pattern and hey presto we start winning. No longer are we caught on the break and with some better pressing in midfield the opposition are being denied room to move and end up playing balls forward to nobody but our defence.
The counter-attacking 2341 system is working well, while the defensive 4411 is working a treat as well.
brisvegas(Quote)
@50
Yes, and I thought the club’s response was pathetic. In their statement they didn’t actually say that the main point that Luke Edwards was making was factually incorrect – they just disputed the fact that UEFA had confirmed it.
As far as the substance of the article is concerned, it looks like Edwards might be right. The relevant UEFA regulations are set out here, if anyone wants to check them:
http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/uefaorg/MatchFixPrev/01/95/00/06/1950006_DOWNLOAD.pdf
The relevant section is this (on page 5):
Article 3 [Integrity of the competition]:
c) no individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition, such control or
influence being defined in this context as:
i) holding a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights;
ii) having the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the
administrative, management or supervisory body of the club;
iii) being a shareholder and alone controlling a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights pursuant to an agreement entered into with
other shareholders of the club; or
iv) being able to exercise by any means a decisive influence in the decision-making of the club
so regardless of his shareholdings, it looks like c) iv) above will cover the Ashley situation, because I don’t think anyone would be able to deny that he’d be in a position to make major decisions in both clubs.
Chris G(Quote)
If I was Ashley I would batter the Telegraph..
Munich Mag(Quote)
MDS – it’s a paragraph in that article that the club aren’t happy about.
The fact the club made a **** poor statement about this shows they are worried that supporters will cotton on to the facts of this situation. Both Rangers and NUFC can not both compete in any UEFA competitions. It’s clear as day in their regulations.
I think Whumpie called this one a few months ago. He’s really in a shitty position Ashley and if Rangers get their act together, get promoted and then finish in European place next season it means NUFC will not be able to play. Alternatively he could sell NUFC in 2016 as per his statement.
The problem will come if Rangers win a cup this season… What then? It means NUFC could finish 4th and we wouldn’t qualify for the CL…
Oh what a mess this could turn into.
Stuart79(Quote)
Chris G ,good post/link. Yes he is already calling the shots at board level up there by having who he wants removed and put in place, that is after all the conditions of his latest input of money to the club.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Stuart, that doesn’t bare thinking about, but I don’t see us finishing anywhere near 4th mate,much as I’d love it. We could with a big dollop of luck have a pop at a cup though 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
this is all a non-story…
Ashley knows exactly what he is doing… 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
mm, that’s what worries me.
KIMTOON(Quote)
http://soccerlens.com/manchester-uniteds-royal-antwerp-success-story/67377/
I wonder what the other Belgian clubs make of this unfair advantage ?
or this one….
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jun/07/watford-foreign-loans-loophole
Ashley will overcome the apparent “dual owership” problem quite easily…once the situation arises of course 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
Kimtoon, I reckon the papers can blather and/or read between the lines as much as they want, but as soon as they tell untruths then Ashley will batter them. I suppose we would all react the same way if a third party or outsider who was not familiar with our own business model made untrue statements about our business with the intention of affecting the appeal of my product or business ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM, possibly, that’s part of the problem with all things Ashley though, everything about the way he operates is as clear as mud. That’s got to be the number one gripe with most fans, the constant lack of transparency and general bullshit that flies around .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kimtoon, I suppose that the issue is that the toon don’t feel the need to respond to every national newspaper article being bandied about ? Regarding the toon / Rangers and europe, the proof will be in the pudding when the situation becomes a concrete case. In the mean time the newspaper in question has perhaps written untruths about the toon. As a toon fan aren’t you perturbed about that ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
KT…not that it’s so important, but the journalist in question is a self proclaimed Leyton Orient fan. Does his writing about the toon give it more creedance by any chance, or does the bloke and his employer have a hidden agenda ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM, **** has always been written about the Toon , remember the Fat Freddie expose. Ash isn’t being singled out imo and yes all the BS is frustrating, we fans get as much **** written about us as he does except we don’t have our fat wallets to console us, well I don’t anyway 😉 . Banning large sections of the press will have just aggravated matters as well, the don’t need much excuse.
KIMTOON(Quote)
MM,
They actually do tour there for historical political tours.
The townships are safe if you go with the right people. But there are certainly more beautiful areas to visit. Even more beautiful than those shown in the video. But we try keep those secret from tourists. 😉
JJ(Quote)
MM, what do you mean hidden agenda mate?, maybe I’m thick but not understanding that like. That new italian rich owner is more likely to **** off West Ham than us I would of thought 😕
KIMTOON(Quote)
JJ@65 I KNOW MATE; i TOOK A WRONG TURNING ONE EVENING ON THE WAY HOME FROM mUIZENBURG in the dark. We got to the first roundabout entering the township before realising it and did a U-ey pdq ! scarey mate 🙂 Chapmans Peak drive from Hout Bay to Nordhook is a favourite of mine… a real corker….
Munich Mag(Quote)
KT@66, sorry mate, I was question the intentions of the journalist having a pop at Ashley, and whether he has a hidden agenda…
Munich Mag(Quote)
I must be in the minority but I actually love when club batters the press. Can’t stand the lot of them
MDS(Quote)
MM@68, Ah right, yes that could well be the case mate. Everyone seems to be on his **** at the moment from Milliband, re the Zero hours issue to sports journos and business journos. I still don’t feel sorry for him though as I can’t stand the bloke.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Where’s all the magpies fans???
Will we complete the turnaround and win all November matches… 😯
If we do win all, surely Pardew manger of the month… 😳 😆 😆
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
#NUFC at @whufc_official (4-3-3): Elliot; Janmaat, Williamson, Dummett, Haidara; Sissoko, Tiote (c), Colback; Gouffran, Perez, Ameobi.
#NUFC subs at @whufc_official: Alnwick, S.Taylor, Anita, Cabella, Armstrong, Cisse, Riviere.
TEAMS: #WHUFC: Adrian, Jenkinson, Cresswell, Tomkins, Collins, Noble (c), Kouyate, Downing, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Carroll #WHUNEW
TEAMS: #WHUFC subs: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O’Brien, Nolan, Vaz Te, Zarate, Cole #WHUNEW
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Kim @ 70 I don’t know how any right thinking person could feel sorry for the fat bastid 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
I wish Carroll wasn’t playing today 👿
Big Dave(Quote)
Surprised and disappointed Cabella had been dropped. Thought there’s been signs over the last couple of weeks that he’s getting to grips with the English game. He would offer us much more of a threat on the counter than Gouffran in my opinion.
Stuart79(Quote)