Derby defeat opens old wounds for Alan Pardew and Newcastle

In the week building up to the Tyne & Wear Derby Alan Pardew spoke at length of the scars from Sunderland's humiliation of Newcastle back in April. 

Sunday gave Newcastle the chance to redeem themselves, restore some local pride, and continue the current run of good form. Although the scoreline and performance was better - the game still ended horribly for Pardew, the players, and the fans. 

This is the third time Newcastle have faced Poyet, and each time his teams have beaten us. This added to the drama of a local derby meant Sunderland were fired up for this game - unfortunately we could not match then - for me this is the biggest worry. Why are our players not able to get themselves "up" for a game like this?

This was something Pardew touched on in this post match interview. I would agree that the players professionalism can be questions. I would say that only Tiote and Debuchy can come out of this game with any credit. This was something the Newcastle boss touched on afterward, questioning his players' professionalism. With few emerging from Sunday with glowing reports. Placing blame on Pardew's shoulders is easy as he is the manager, but games like this hold a mirror up to the character of players.

Equally important to the motivation of players is the tactics. Pardew as usual looked cool, calm and in control. If he was nervous, it wasn't showing in his demeanor but it was very apparent in his tactical approach. Beginning the game with a 4-3-3 formation, by the end of the half it had shifted to a more conventional and safe 4-4-2. Numerous positional changes were also made - constant interchanging between Remy and HBA in the front 3, Moussa Sissoko moving from his favoured central role to a left winger. There was a lack of clear identity in Newcastle's first-half play as they desperately tried to cope with Sunderland rather than imposing our self on the game.  

Sunderland's passion and aggression seemed to be too much for us. It could be argued that we played the better football and I would claim that we are the better footballing team, however if all Sunderland had was Passion - it was enough to take the 3 points.

In the second half, we improved and after Debuchy's equaliser I could see only one team winning and that was the team in Black & White. Sunderland's bubble of positivity was burst along with the fragile confidence. However it was not meant to be as we saw Fabrio Borini score the goal of his life to claim the 3 points. 

After the 0-3 defeat back in April, Pardew admitted it took him time to steady the ship at St James' Park. Whether that will be the case again remains to be seen, but what is guaranteed is that both he and his players have to once again make it up to the fans of St James' Park. Up next come Man City, Cheslea, and Spurs.....

Pardew Needs To Stop Putting Square Pegs In Round Holes

Guest blogger Philip Burn

I spent many an hour as a child playing with one of those Shape Sorter toys.

You know, the ones where you had to find the right shape to fit into the respective hole in a box. Squares, circles, triangles and stars each with their own matching hole.

One Size/Shape Doesn’t Fit all

Considering his latest tactics and selections I can only imagine that hapless Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew either wasn’t lucky enough to have one of these most educational of toys, or otherwise came up with some crackpot way to make every piece fit into each and every hole.

There have been a couple of positives in the Newcastle squad so far this season, notably the early form of Ben Arfa and Remy. Undoubtedly, we saw the best of Ben Arfa when he started on the right side of a forward three. Similarly, Loic Remy’s best performances came from a left sided starting berth, providing both with the opportunity to cut inside onto their strongest foot. So, why change this system?

Granted, Gouffran works his socks off every week and many would say deserves a place in the starting XI while at the same time Cisse has apparently forgotten the basics of how to control the ball, pass and shoot, while continuously running aimlessly offside.

However, our number nine isn’t the first forward, nor will he be the last, to suffer such a dismal and apparently never ending run of poor form.

I’m sure we all agree that Ben Arfa doesn’t do well with back to goal against big, physical defenders, particularly when the ball is hoofed in his general direction from the back. So, leave him on the right. Remy’s pace is most effective from the left, either running past defenders hitting the byline, or cutting inside and eyeing a shot. Resisting the temptation to bleat about non-transfers, my preference would be to stick with Cisse and let him play through his present rot.

Pardew’s 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 formation (whichever you want to call it!) is fine with me. The defense picks itself considering current injuries and suspensions. The midfield three surely must consist of Tiote, Cabaye and Sissoko. The latter has certainly disappointed this season but he has repeatedly been played out of position, with yesterday’s debacle being the worst application thus far. Sissoko started behind the forward, moved to left wing, then to wide right before being yanked at half time.

Just one look at him tells you that he has the potential to be a powerhouse, a box-to-box midfielder, as likely to grab a goal as he is to clatter an opposition player when called to mix it. I still have high hopes that he can eventually be our very own Patrick Vieira with the ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck. Get him alongside Tiote and push Cabaye up the field at the top of the midfield triangle.

Tiote’s job should be to provide cover in front of the back four, win the ball, and give it as quickly and simply as possible to someone else. Simple. Cabaye can then be encouraged to support the forwards and link the play, lessening the temptation for him to leave the leg in and his Gallic red mist to descend.

Yesterday was a terrible game to lose and a performance that simply wasn’t good enough. Please Pardew, set the team up to play to our strengths for a change and stop trying to fit Ben Arfa and/or Remy into a Cisse shaped hole!

SAFC v NUFC preview

So this weekend we will encounter the latest Tyne & Wear derby. I may be in the minority, however I am not a fan of these derby days. Now don't get me wrong I love nothing more than seeing us beat Sunderland but I do not get up for all of this intense rivalry and hatred. To be honest I am not bothered by Sunderland AFC or the Mackems at all other than the 2 times we face them each season. Give me the 6 points and move on.

I have some mates from Sunderland and they are all canny lads, I even went to the University of Sunderland and never had a problem. Mackems will be my rivals for 90 minutes on Sunday – but no more than the Scoucers were last week or the Mancs will be on Wednesday night.

Like most fans I remember the Derby days over the years, however my memories are not great. I was there for both of the 1-2 defeats and remember getting a soaking while the Sir John Hall stand was being expanded – funnily enough the rain never bothered us while we were winning, but when the second Sunderland goal went in the heavens opened. A year later we saw our talisman Shearer miss a penalty – not a great few years for the Black & Whites. Since then though Newcastle has a great record in the Tyne Wear winning the majority – that is all history however and all we can judge this game on is currently form. This added to the fact that Newcastle owe Sunderland one after the horror show at St James back in April Is the reason I think Newcastle will win a close game by the odd goal. My prediction would be a 1-2 win for Newcastle.

For me the key areas for Newcastle in this game will be:

-The fragile Sunderland confidence. If NUFC can get an early goal, how will Sunderland respond? how will the crowd react?  Pardew will send the team out to attack from the off and pile the pressure on the home side.

-The discipline of the midfield battle. Can Tiote and Cattermole keep their cool in the heat of battle? Playing with 10 men in an intense derby would certainly influence the outcome of the game.

- Our makeshift center half partnership. Young Dummett put in a great second half against Liverpool but this is a different kettle of Fish. Coloccini will be a big miss, hopefully Steven Taylor will hopefully be passed fit and we all know he will be chomping at the bit to play. Him and Mike Williamson will have to use all of their experience to negate the dangerous Steven Fletcher.

-The continuing of good form by Newcastle’s attacking players. Loic Remy, Yohan Cabaye, and HBA have been sensational at times this season and should they replicate this form on Sunday they should be too good for Sunderland.

-Our ability to deal with Sunderland's flair players. For me Adam Johnson and Emmanuele Giaccherini are quality players and must be taken care of. If we can keep them quite we should be able to stop the supply line to Fletcher and Altidore. 

This weekend Newcastle were unable to collect 3 points - however there were many achievements for the boys in Black & White.

Against Liverpool we showed the passion, commitment and fight expected of a Newcastle United team. To earn a point again the team currently sitting 2nd in the Premier league with only 10 men for 45 minutes is very impressive.
Add to this the fact that we were missing our top defender and faced the Premierships top striking partnership with our 4th choice centre half and a young lad with only a handful of appearances.  

Liverpool humiliated Newcastle last season strolling to a 0-6 win in what was one of the worst performances from the home side a SJP and you could see that Newcastle still carried the scars of that defeat. There was a real desire to right that wrong and up until the 43rd minute I felt we were on top and looked like winning this game - however obviously the red card and penalty changed that.

No one including myself gave Newcastle a chance and I was hopeful of damage limitation so that our fragile confidence would not be shattered, yet we really showed that we can mix it with the big boys and give anyone a good game at SJP.

The following were the key positives we can take out of this game:

- Cheick Tiote had a very good game, probably his best for over a season. He took on the responsibility of captain and really thrived. He managed to nullify Steven Gerrard and limit his influence on the game. When Tiote is in this form he really is a massive asset to NUFC.

Pardew  “That was as good as I have ever seen from Cheick. I felt if you take Gerrard out their team, that’s the equivalent to us losing Coloccini.” I thought we needed someone to replace him with the same instincts, and that is to lead by performance. Cheick needed to do that and I thought he was absolutely brilliant. I know Steven won man of the match and I’m not going to argue with that, but in my eyes Cheick shaded it with all he had to do today.


- Paul Dummett showed maturity in his second half performance did very well alongside Mike Williamson. Facing Suarez & Strurridge is daunting for any defender, yet the young Geordie excelled and took his goal so well. Us Geordies love to see one of our own make it and hopefully this lad can have a big future.

- Yohan Cabaye is restoring his relationship with the fans in the best way possible - performing well and scoring crucial goals. If Cabaye continues to perform like he currently is then he will be restored as a Geordie hero in no time. His partnership with Tiote is improving each week and hopefully they can return to the form which fired us to 5th in the league.

-Alan Pardew really has instilled a strong work ethic in the squad this season. This is typified for me by the effort of Yoan Gouffran who may not be the most talented player, but makes up for this with his work rate - the lad simply never stops running and really gives blood, sweat and tears for the club. To see the lives of Remy and HBA defending from the front is beautiful to see. We attach  and defend as a team. Without this work rate and commitment we would have lost that game on Saturday.

So many positives and things are really looking for NUFC at the moment. Now it is key to keep this good run going and not to fall into a trap of complacency. Sunderland are up next and I cannot imagine Pardew will need to get the lads up for this game as I am sure they are ready to put things right after the embarrassment of 0-3 defeat last season.

Dummett -

NUFC in the headlines

My take on today's NUFC headlines:

Newcastle skipper Fabricio Coloccini out of Premier League clash with Liverpool. Magpies captain's absence leaves a likely centre-back partnership of Mike Williamson and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa

Today's news that our Skipper and top defender is out of the clash with Liverpool is worrying. For years Colo has been our one consistent defender and had been a steadying influence for Stevie Taylor, Willo and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa whenever they have partnered him. Pardew has a big call to make this weekend and personally i would go with a partnership of Willo and MYB as Taylor has not kicked a ball since our season opener at the Ethihad. Willo had a decent game against Cardiff and hopefully MYB can regain the form we all know his is capabale of. He is certainly due a good game and will need to be at his best to tackle Suarez and Sturridge.

Liverpool hammered us 0-6 last season and this was without Suarez so for him to be playing and Coloccini ruled out I unfortunately cannot see anything other than a Liverpool victory.

Manchester United want Newcastle United ace for £6m

I feel this headline is two years too late as during our 2011 season Tiote was the best defensive midfielder in the Premier league and he would have easily slotted into the Man Utd team. However since then Tiote has looked a shadow of that player and has constantly struggled with form, injury and suspensions. He certainly no longer look like a player who was valued at 25m. Having said that I would not entertain a 6m offer from Man Utd, as it would cost us more to replace him. If a serious offer came in closer to 15m then a deal could be done. Maybe David Moyes could be persuaded to offer some of his fringe players in exchange. I would take Tom Cleverley, Javier Hernandez, Zaha, or Ashley Young in a part-ex deal.


Can Newcastle Really Afford This England Defender?

There Is news in the Mail again that Newcastle are still interested in Manchester City defender Micah Richards, but can Newcastle afford this player 

This is a headline that really excited me. Micah Rchards Is a player I would love to see in a Black & White shirt and I really think a deal could be done to bring him to SJP. In a normal world we would probably be priced out of a move - however to complete this deal we would be working with the most unusual football club in England. Great deals can be made when buying players from City - money is no object to them so transfer fees are reduced and wages are subsidized by City  - making this deal easier for Newcastle to complete.

Add to this the fact that Richards will hanging onto a chance of making the World cup squad. To do this he has to play regular first team football and at City this will not happen as Zabaleta is the clear 1st team choice. At NUFC Richards would compete with Debuchy at right back or with Mbiwa and Willo as a starting centre half.

Newcastle are looking to add British player to their squad in the coming transfer windows and if they we to start this recruitment drive with Micah then i'd be over the moon.

Newcastle Defender Could Leave the club

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has struggled to get to grips with the English Premier League since he signed for us from Montpellier last January for around £6.5M, 

This is a terrible idea and hopefully is completely fabricated by the media. Mapou is a top international defender who right now is struggling to get to grips with the Premier league. This lad will go on to captain France many time, hopefully he will also Captain NUFC. To get rid of him would be a massive mistake. I am sure I do not need to remind any Newcastle fans that Colo took 2 season before he settle in England and has since gone onto become one of our best defenders in the clubs history. This impatience is a major problem in the Premier league and leads to the question of how can we expect players to develop if they are shipped out after 6 months. We need to get behind this lad and put our confidence that he will come good - he is too talented not be a a success at St James.