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?
Stuart79 At the end of the day our luck has run out. It was a good run while it lasted. Gouffran why ? Tiote just back from injury, he wasn’t match fit yet, why pick him ? Armstrong would have been an improvement than Cisse. I think Cisse’s heart isn’t in it. No wonder Pardew dropped him for Remy last season.
stem(Quote)
I thought yesterday went exactly how I expected it – the game rather than the result I mean.
What an ugly, scrappy game it was and all the plaudits Fat Sam got early in the season – that was more what I expect to see from a Fat Sam side.
I agree with Stu, I don’t know what Gouffran brings to the team personally – alot of running with very little product. Cabella is a far better option IMO and he and Perez should be allowed to form an understanding.
What is clear from yesterday is that when the game is open either at 0-0 or we are 1 up and the opponents are chasing the game, then we look fine.
But when we go behind and are the ones having to break teams down, we just don’t seem capable.
I thought Perez was good yesterday, but maybe had better options when he shot at times.
Sissoko was just silly – he was frustrated having influenced our previous and he just couldn’t get into it today. The first card was just petulance. The second one was a card, but dear me Carroll made the most of it didnt he?!.
I don’t think Janmaat was at fault for their game. He was covering Jarvis or Downing who moved out wide – the midfield should have picked that run up without doubt.
My worry for midweek is, do we have enough to break down a well organised Burnley. We should do, but with injuries and suspensions we certainly won’t be playing our strongest 11.
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxEjIVeD5-w
Howay the Lads 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
Sharpy 17, the West Ham player was static on the touch line, and Janmaat could see the attack coming behind Tiote, so he was turned inside looking. I’ve noticed him being caught out there before tbh. No big deal though, just clutching at straws, we had more than enough bodies around the box to stop the goal, we just switched off…cos Cresswell ran half the length of the pitch …
Munich Mag(Quote)
Munich – I agree that Janmaat has been to blame in previous similar incidents, but not yesterday for me mate. He picked up his man and Cresswell came along way through the middle. Overall it was poor defending but Colback looks at the lad running through and allows him to go. Credit to Cresswell for making that run to be fair to him, and I think defensive we were pretty solid. Dummett (my little cult hero) has another very good game IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharples, you are right mate…Colback should have called out to Tiote perhaps… all in all a bad goal to concede ..
Munich Mag(Quote)
http://youtu.be/ZrlZNVi_N54
Happy Christmas!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
http://youtu.be/8F9jXYOH2c0
This ones canny funny too
Sharpy17(Quote)
So thinking about new signings – I really don’t want to see Carroll back personally. But I think Max Kruse could link up really well with Perez to the left of him and Cabella right.
I’d like to see us sign Mo Salah from Chelesa too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, we have got more chance of signing Leo Messi as getting Max Kruse mate 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Sharpy, Funny vids, the goalie is the best lol at that one. 😀
KIMTOON(Quote)
——————Krul—————–
-Janmaat–Coloccini-Dummett-Haidara-
——-Anita——Tiote—-Abeid———
—————–Cabella——————
————Ayoze—-Ferreyra————
For Burnley
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Can’t believe some are talking about signing players. Have the last 7 years taught you anything. We are doing well, no chance of relegation, hence no danger to Mikeys investment and therefore no chance of him spending money.
Disgraceful owner.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
http://www.thesportbible.com/videos/ayoze-perez-has-nailed-the-geordie-accent
funkyjesus(Quote)
Troy the trouble with you is that you have never meet or spoken to Mike Ashley like I have. His an intelligent man financially and hires the best people for the job like me and Alan for example. If you actually had a pint with Mike and a chat you would like him as a person. He cares and will spend money if the right offer comes available.
Joe Kinnear(Quote)
Troy you defend Alan and rightly so but I reckon after a couple of years your be defending Mike Ashley 🙂
Joe Kinnear(Quote)
Running a football club isn’t easy. Not every decision is going to be popular with the fan’s. Mike reinvested every penny from the Cabaye and Debuchy sells and waited for the best deals.
Joe Kinnear(Quote)
I know he sacked me Troy but if I can forgive Mike you can as well mate. Night
Joe Kinnear(Quote)
Munich – what the hell is going on with Dortmund 😯
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Think that sums it up pretty well, Troy.
Stuart79(Quote)
About a month ago the only reason I could see for our upturn in form was the absence of previously key players and the kids coming in. Well those key players Tiote, Willo, Cisse and Gouffran were all on the pitch again and guess what? We lost.
Where was Willo for their goal? It came precisely where he should have been. Tiote was slowing things down quite nicely again. Gouffran offered nothing and the mindless Cisse was absolutely hopeless.
I’m not too disappointed to lose but really with just a little more care in the first half when attacking we should have won. Wrong options or dithering when in really good positions cost us.
georgio(Quote)
Troy – if it offends you mate, just read passed it 😛 😉
Munich – do you reckon Kruse would cost too much or that he just wouldn’t fancy a move to us?.
Batty – I’ve just watched the first Keegan clip, at the talk in somewhere. It’s excellent that like!, and the second one when he’s on about England – got to be a decent book in there somewhere.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Does anyone know if we ended up sending Bigi out on loan or not?. I know he was training with Yeovil, but did he end up joining them?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If Pardew starts Williamson and Gouffran tomorrow evening then he has learnt nothing over the last six weeks. Gouffran’s biggest fan can only say he runs about and puts a shift in. If we want somebody to run about then we should sign Mo Farah
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
___________________Elliot______________________
__Saylor____Coloccini____Dummett____Haidara_____
_______________Anita______Tiote________________
________Sammy________________Cabella_________
________________Cisse_______Perez_____________
CC(Quote)
CC – yeah I was thinking 4-4-2 as well mate, only coz injuries and suspensions force us into that. I know Cisse started scoring this season, but I’m not sure if he’s right to partner Perez personally. I’d like to see Rivière get a game coz I think his workrate may benefit Perez more. Armaz would be a good option as well I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Not too bad really CC. If Aarons is really fit there has to be a place for him or maybe to come on as a sub. Tiote’s only there cos there’s no one else!
But definitely no Willo, Cisse or Gouffran. Be a tough game!
___________________Elliot______________________
__Saylor____Coloccini____Dummett____Haidara_____
_______________Anita______Tiote________________
________Sammy______Arma________Cabella_________
_______Perez_____________
georgio(Quote)
Gouffran has been utterly Pardewed. He was a fairly regular scorer in France, if not prolific, and a menace with his workrate.
He gets here and starts great then falls off a cliff. He has turned into Jonas. I expect Gouffran to announce he has testicular cancer any week now.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Agree no Goofy or Willo tomorrow, no idea why Goofy has gotten so poor as was a class act last season. We looked like we did at season start on Saturday, no penetration at all really, plenty of possession but did sod all with it. 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim agreed, Willo and Goofy should not start at all. Unless Pardew’s total stupid or something. I wouldn’t mind Taylor or Carbella taken there places. I don’t think Toite should start either but our squad is paper thin at the moment.
Terry(Quote)
Anita should be given a chance to earn his money for a change but he will probably end up putting in another dismal performance. He wasn’t a cheap signing either and has only had little moments but is quite useless overall. Jabba won’t get his money back on that reject.
Terry(Quote)
This should be a very good test for the Pardew theory that we have a very deep, talented squad. Are we deep at striker? Really Alan?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Don’t think Colo is fit, nor is Aarons Georgio mate. Aarons isn’t due back until Dec. 14th. We’re really short all over the pitch. It’s a good thing we’re playing Burnley.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
This a game where our scrambly bits have to be outstanding! 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
What about Bigi?, is he an option or is he out on loan?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
D Janmaat Hamstring no return date
T Krul Ankle/Foot 10th Jan 15
R Taylor Knee 1st Jan 15
M Abeid Ankle/Foot 6th Dec 14
F Coloccini Calf/Shin 2nd Dec 14
R Aarons Hamstring 2nd Dec 14
G Obertan Hip/Thigh no return date
J Gutierrez Testicular Cancer no return date
S De Jong Thigh 1st Jan 15
D Santon Knee no return date
C Good Groin/Pelvis no return date
That’s the list of the injured mates, from Ed’s site. Colo and Haidara also have knocks.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Sorry that should read Haidara and Willo also have knocks.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Add to that Sissoko and Colback on suspension. Horrible state we’re in now.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Percy will play this one very cagey. He’s already sharpened his pencil and is giving it a heavy think right now. He’ll play as many experienced players as possible to get the points because the rest of December will be ugly. I see the following lineup:
———————————Elliot
Anita———Saylor———–Dummett————Haidara (if fit)
——Sammy———-Cabella———-Tiote————Gouffy
———————-Cisse—————-Perez
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Look at the rest of December: Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, mackems, ManU and Everton. I see only 4 or 5 points out of that lot out of a possible 18. If we beat Burnley that would give us 26 or 27 points at the end of December from 20 games. Not relegation form by any means but probably bottom 10.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 , I will be fairly happy with 26/27 points considering how dire we were previously like. Really pissed about Sissoko, can’t believe how foolish he was on Saturday, let his emotions get the better of him, an epic brain fart that will probably effect us against Burnley. He’s been outstanding of late with his box to box runs and that reaction has really soured the milk . 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
G2, Crazy amount of games in such a short time, god only knows how we’ll manage what with injuries and player brain farts 🙄
Right off for a bit, laters.
kimtoon(Quote)
Yep, it’s going to be a struggle Kimtoon lass. Sissoko was ridiculous. He deserves a fine and a kick up the backside. Off for a bit as well.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
—————Krul—————
-Satka–Coloccini-Taylor-Dummett
—————-Tioté—————
————Bigi—–Cabella——
–Sammy——————Ayoze–
—————Cissé—————-
My team for Burnley considering injuries, just create chance for Cissé. And its time to use Bigi and even Vuckic, maybe from the bench
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Subs: Alnwick, Streete, Anita, Vuckic, Gouffran, Ferreyra. Tempted to put Streete and Vuckic in the mix
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Sharples@172
both matey…Kruse would cost too much, plus he just wouldn’t fancy a move to us. BMG are getting a canny team together, and all being well they may appear in the Champions League soon. Traditionally Germans at the peak, or approaching the peak of their careers don’t come to the UK. Can’t see Kruse being any different tbh …. sorry mate 🙁 Plus as Troy points out, cannot see Ashley spending so much money on a player when he doesn’t need to. Have been watching Lassoga lately, the striker who we were linked with who decided to sit tight in Hamburg. The bloke is minging, was a one season wonder. That he prefers to sit tight in a shoyt team like Hamburg says it all. Another bullet dodged if you ask me… 😉 Solano….. Dortmund are also minging mate….and it’s no fluke, they really are minging. Unbelievable when you realise how much quality there is in the team. Watched an interview the neet with Jürgen Klopp, the bloke really is deflated, in fact I have never seen the bloke so deflated. Will be an interesting time watching developments there…! 😯 pity really, cos I really like Dortmund…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Cholo A. Sall Krul is cream crackered until the new year mate 🙁
Munich Mag(Quote)
G2 @193, makes you kind of wonder why Pardew shook his hand when he got sent off doesn’t it ?… 😕
Munich Mag(Quote)
Munich – yeah you’re probably right mate. If you’re a German looking to come to the EPL you’d look at how few games Shurrle and Podolski play and would probably think staying in Germany is the better option.
Regarding Klopp, maybe he could give Pardew a bell for some advice.
G2/Munich – regarding Sissoko, his sending off was a minute of madness – literally a minute. But put things into perspective, the lad has been the teams driving force behind our recent success. As soon as he saw the ref going for his pocket you could see he was gutted. Is it really the best approach for Pardew to tear strips off him or worse, to fining the lad. He’s shaking the kids hand coz he well knows that Sissoko is a big reason why he is still at Newcastle.
I’d be in the lads ear all week so he comes back with a big performance against Chelsea. Same goes with Colback as well actually who picked himself up a really stupid yellow card as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sissoko earned the right to be forgive for his (stupid but logic) red card, he played brillant recently and If we can get the win at Burnley, surely it will be good to see him back for Chelsea, same for Colback.
MunichMag- My bad, wanted to say Elliott.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Sharples / Cholo…yeah you are both right regarding Sissoko… he’s allowed a brain fart now and then, and he’s been playing well lately… I take it all back what I said . 🙁
Munich Mag(Quote)
God only knows what team will get selected tomorrow. Do we have any players left?
If we go I to this game and try and sit back I would be a bit miffed as the only players we have more or a less a ill compliment of are attackers so we have to use them and go for it!
Stuart79(Quote)