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.....