Thursday, December 11, 2014

The Geordie resurgence

I imagine Sir John Hall is sitting in his Northumberland country manor with a smile on his face as he watches a great bunch of Geordies in the NUFC first team squad.

It was back in the mid 1990's when Sir John made the famous "I dream of a team full of Geordies' speech. We had a bloody good team back then, however the only Geordie's who made it to the top level with us were Alan Shearer, supported by our best crop of local talent - Clark, Howey, Elliott, and Steve Watson the Geordie version of Man Utds class on '92.

In all honestly though Alan Shearer was the only member of that group who played for us in their prime.

Since then only Shola Ameobi and Steven Taylor have broken through and stayed around the 1st team - both with varied success. This season though we have seen a group of local lads having a big influence on our recent success.

During Saturdays win of Chelsea we fielded the following Geordies - Taylor, Dummett, Colback,Alnwick, and Ameobi. Add to that Armstrong, Campbell, and Streete who are next in line to make the 1st team squad and we have a lot to be proud of. 

The time and money spent on the academy is paying dividend right now. Outside of the Geordie group we have seen Tim Krul,  and Rolando Aarons make the 1st team after progression through our academy system.

Our squad all of a sudden looks in a lot better shape than we first thought thanks to the Geordie resurgence. 

Now if only we could find the next Alan Shearer!  

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Burnely, Ings, & awful set pieces

Tuesday night saw NUFC grab a decent point away at Burnley despite an awful 1st half performance. Second half have changes saw us equalise and push for a winner yet in the end we had to settle for a draw - probably a fair result. This is the kind of of game NUFC usually lose so lets take that as a positive. 

Saying all of that that the only things Tuesday nights game confirmed for me is that we are terrible from set pieces - corners, free kick, and even throw In's - we are awful. Secondly we need to make a move for Danny Ings who I felt was the best player on the field. If Ings was in a NUFC shirt we would have won this game.

Ings is a old fashioned England style forward - much in the mold of a young Alan Shearer, similar to QPR's Charlie Austin who is looking great this season in the Premier league. Ings or Andy Carroll wold be the kind of forward NUFC fans love. Young, hungry with bags of potential.

Ings is free to talk to clubs in January and leave Turf Moor in the summer. He is someone NUFC should certainly talk too and is a forward who could lead our forward line for years to come.

The new Shearer?

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Burnley away - Injury crisis

After a quick read of the morning football news is appears we have 13 first tteam players currently injured and will miss tonights game at Burnley. 

Add to this list Moussa Sissoko and Jack Colback who are suspended and we are really down to the bear bones.






The likes of Remie Streete,and Lubomir Satka will come in as defensive cover, while the likes of Vurnon Anita will be given a chance. Pardew will have to earn his wages tonight as coming up with a team which can win a Premier league game tonight will be tough.

I would go with the following 11

Elliott

Dummett
Taylor
Streete
Haidara

Cabella
Anita
Tiote

Sammy
Perez
Riviere

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

NUFC & AP - Better together

Back in September we all witnessed and the Scottish independence referendum and saw for weeks both the Yes and No campaigners cast their visions for a better Scotland.

As we know the No campaign we successful and the United Kingdom remained in tack. 

The tag line of the No campaign was 'Better together'  - When looking at Newcastle's resurgence over the last 5 weeks couldn't this tag line be applied to Newcastle United and AP?

After a terrible 2014 AP has finally found the right formula to get his team performing to a level the fans deserve. Don't get me wrong this purple patch of form does not forgive AP for the terrible run we have had this year, rather it shows that sometime patience is the key to success. 

Everything is clicking at SJP right now and whatever AP and his staff are doing is working. To look at our squad, at our starting 11's over the last few weeks we have no right to be 5th in the PL yet this is exactly where we are. Full credit must go to AP - he has made the changes - both tactically and personnel wise and he has got it spot on.

Newcastle United right now are a great example of Aristotle's ideology stating that "The whole is more than the sum of its parts." We have no superstars - just a bunch of good players working hard together towards a common goal.

Geordies are a realistic bunch and we know this good run will come to an end, but lets all just enjoy it while we can - like always continue to back the team, but lets also show AP some Geordie love.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Tiote: A pain in the Arsenal?

So by now i'm sure most NUFC have seen the image below of our midfield enforcer Cheick Tiote wearing a Arsenal away shirt while posing with a friend.


Gooner

After a quick look on Facebook & Twitter I was shocked to see the fans reaction. I feel anyone who thinks Tiote wearing an Arsenal shirt means he is 'disloyal', 'disrespectful' or "Trying to forcing a January move to Arsenal" are being far too naive. 

To expect our players to be just like us fans is unrealistic. They are employed by NUFC not passionate NUFC supporters. They grew up like we did supporting their local clubs. Arsenal are massive in Africa - chances are Tiote grew up a fan, and he might still be. Coloccini is a San Lorenzo fan, I bet Sissoko and Cabella will follow PSG or Monaco.

My point is as long as our players give 100% on the pitch and are professional then we shouldn't care about which teams shirt they wear in the spare time. No one can claim Tiote has not been fully committed to us when he is on the pitch - one of our best signings over recent years. 

When talking about Tiote and Arsenal I prefer to remember this picture.


Tiote screamer: 4-4


The bigger concern right now is getting Tiote back on the pitch...

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

January Business

So we are only a weeks away from the opening of the January transfer window - a month of business which can make or break our season.

In an ideal word we will sign two players - a centre back and a striker. If this happens and we keep our squad together then we can have a strong second half of the season.

Over the last few years we have conducted a lot of January business, probably due to Mike Ashley loving a bargain and feeling he can get the best value possible. Recently we have bought the likes of Sissoko, Gouffran, and Cisse, while also sold Ba, Cabaye, and Andy Carroll. All these deal have had a big impact on our seasons.

In terms of this season I feel if we can bring in a forward who can make a immediate impact while helping the development of Perez and Armstrong when that would be a massive plus. I am thinking of someone along the lines of Andre Pierre Gignac - a fella who we have been linked with for years. He is having a great season at Marseille where he has bagged 10 goals in 13 games. He is in the last year of his contact so could be available for a knocked down price. Andre's only downfall is that he is 28 - way over the hill in the eyes of MA.

Another forward we have been linked with is Aleksandar Mitrovic who is at the opposite end of the spectrum than Gignac. He is 20 and has fired 23 goals in 47 games for Anderlecht since 2013. The young Serb has been linked to Zlatan Ibrahimovic - which is great for the young lad. Mitrovic's star is rising fast so now might be the time make that bid before the big boys get involved.

Let me suggest another player I would like to see come in a short term loan deal - Jermaine Defoe - goals, goals, goals - JD knows our league like the back of his hand and could fire the goals and also educate our youngsters.

We recently learned after a fans forum with the club that a centre half we lined up to replace Yanga-Mbiwa would left for Roma - I believe it was Toby Alderweireld. What a shame we couldn't get him over the line as I think Toby is quality. Anyways this leads me to believe the club are ready and willing to bring in a defender this January. Before I go any further let me just say that I have been impressed with the development of Paul Dummett, however to suggest he is ready to start at centre half is premature. He is a good young lad who will learn and grow. 

We need a top centre half - one to compete with Stevie Taylor for the right to partner Coloccini. Willo is not that man, and ever will be. He should be allowed to leave the club as he deserves regular football at a lower level. 

Finding a suitable defender is a little more tricky - who could we buy that is better than ST?  For me we need a physically imposing player to compliment the classy Coloccini and with this being the case lets rule out Nemanja Nastasic who does not have the attributes to play that role. My number one choice would be Ron Vlaar although we may be trumped by Man Utd on that deal. How about the young Kurt Zouma from Chelsea? We were linked with him before he arrived a Stamford bridge where he is yet to get a look in behind the impressive Terry, Cahill & Ivanovic. He could arrive on a loan deal. Looking further a field how about Bruno Martins Indi who started at the world cup for Holland. One player a really like is Winston Reid from West Ham - he is a no nonsense defender would is easily at home in the PL.

In terms of out going deal I would lose no sleep over Mike Williamson or Vernon Anita moving on. Anita is a tidy player would uses the ball well , but has just never adapted to the PL or been able to cope with the physical demand. He is now 5th choice behind Tiote, Colback, Sissoko, and Abeid. 

Our player most attractive player to the bib clubs will be Tim Krul, Cheik Tiote, and Mousa Sissoko - they all need to say. We also need to tie down the contracts of Sammy, and Ronaldo Aarons who are having breakthrough season.

Let me through one more suggestion out there. Let bring Andy Carroll home. I grew up having Alan Shearer lead the line and lead out team and would love another big Geordie taking the team forward. Yes he had struggled with injuries and has never set the world alight since he left but at the right price, on the right deal I'd have in a flash. Haway home bonnie lad.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Are we really fickle fans?

Who could have imagine that within the span of a month NUFC have won 5 games on the bounce, climbed to 8th in the league, recorded a famous cup with away at City. Even less would imagine that Alan Pardew would be nominated for Manager of the month! 

As they often say in football - you couldn't make this up. After our win against Liverpool the Sky sports cameras panned to the crowd where two lads were holding a Banner saying 'Alan Pardew - Back from the dead' - in reality it could have read ' NUFC back from the dead'

More than any other football club out there we have had to take the rough with the smooth - things have been really rough for the last few years under Ashley's rule, and recently with our team under Pardew's guidance. There cannot be a NUFC fan who did not think AP's time at United was up. At any other club in the land AP would have been fired - truth be told her would have been fired last season after our terrible end of the season. 

With all the doom and gloom over the past year I have take the decision to live in the moment and enjoy this good spell we are currently having. Things are great right now and no matter what my thoughts are about AP I am just going to enjoy my team winning. I an realistic to know it will not last, but long may it continue.

Does that make me fickle? I wanted AP out based purely on results and performances. In all honestly I am still not convinced that he is the best long term option for us, however he is currently getting it right so I will support him and the team. He takes plenty of stick when things go wrong so isn't it only fair he gets the credit when we win?

It really does seem AP can do no right in the eyes of some fans - they really have a personal problem with him. We lose and its all his fault, we win and its all down to the players, or just pure luck.

We have the right as fans to want change, we deserve better than what AP delivered last year - but there is also nothing wrong with our continued support of the team. 'Support the team, not the regime' has appeared on banners at St James recently. If the press wants to call us fickle now that we have seen an improvement in results then so be it. In reality the national press need to realise that we will always support Black & Whites no matter who manages from the dugout.

 I have always said that a Successful AP means a successful NUFC and ultimately isn't that what we all want?

Here for the long term?






Friday, October 31, 2014

Does Pardew know our strongest 11?

Usually when a manage is accused of not knowing his strongest 11 it is meant as an insult, as a challenge to his management skills. However even though I would suggest that AP right now does not know the strongest 11 players at NUFC, but I do not see this as a bad thing at all. 

The signing of Cabella, the re-emergence of Obertan, the development of Aarons, and Sammy has really given AP options in the wide midfield areas. Last season we were lacking that cutting edge with Gouffran and Sissoko playing wide, however the influx of pace and creativity has given us a sharper edge, plus we look at better side with Sissoko playing in the middle.

There are plenty of options for AP - something it could be argued he has never had during his time at St James. These options are somewhat surprising to many fans and even to our management staff i'm sure. If someone had suggested Obertan could be looking like out best attacking option they would be laughed at. Likewise with Sammy who has always lacked consistency, and the surprise package that Rolando Aarons has been.

The spine of our team remains consistent - when fit we will always start with Krul, Coloccini, Tiote, Sissoko, and Cisse - rightly so as these lads are our most talented and experienced players. 

For me they would be joined by the following to create our current strongest 11.

Krul

Janmatt
Coloccini
Taylor
Haidara

Sissoko
Tiote
Colback

Obertan
Cisse
Aarons

I'd love to see us start this team against Liverpool and really take the game to them using the pace and power we have in our forward options.

Nothing stays the same

Its been a busy for week few and I have been unable to posting an blog updates. So to catch up on everything here are my thoughts on everything NUFC.


- Pardew was a dead man walking 3 weeks ago, but after 3 good results he is starting to turn things around. Like almost every other NUFc fan I was slating Pardew, but I've always been fair and I am loving seeing AP turn the corner - I've said all along that nothing would please me more than for AP to be a successful. A successful AP means a successful NUFC


- A key factor in the turn around of form for NUFC has been the re-emergence of Obertan and the form of Sammy, and Rolando Aarons.. Pardew take alot of stick for the loss of form of players, the termed 'Pardewed' is something I hate. So it can only be fair to praise him when a player like Obertan comes back in from the wilderness and wins us games.


- Two big wins since Taylor replaced the injured Williamson - coincidence? Maybe. For me Williamson is not the level of player we need, Taylor is not fantastic either but is the best option to partner Coloccini. Taylors is faster, strong, and has the passion of a local lad.


- After out terrible start to the season how many fans would have expected us to pick up 4 points from away games at Swansea and Spurs? Not many. Sandwiching 3 points at home against Leicester and we can say we've had a quality run. Hopefully we can continue this tomorrow against Liverpool.


Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Its nothing personal Alan...

Putting all the personal feeling towards Pardew aside I have listed a number of damming facts about NUFC under Pardews reign.


Newcastle's 2014 Premier League record under A.Pardew: Played 25, Won 5, Drawn 4, Lost 16, Goal Difference -28.


5 wins from 26 games.

In 26 games we have scored only 19 goals. Of those 26 games we have lost 17.

9 points out of 81 since Boxing day in Premier league.


Lost 9 out of last 14 home games.


7 without a win worst Premier league record since our relegation season.


After 6 games in 2008/9 we had 4 points and were relegated. We have 3 from 6 so far this season. 


The last time NUFC won when losing at half time in the Premier League was Dec 2006.


Emmanuel Riviere has no goals and just one shot on target in 455 minutes of Premier league football this season. 


NUFC have scored just 1 PL goal in their last 11 hours & 15 minutes of action away from home - a Skrtel own goal 


Premier League record in 2014: LLWDLLLWWLWLLLLLLWLLDDLD.



It is nothing personal Alan - you are just not up to managing NUFC. We are not fickle fans, we do not have unrealistic expectations - the true facts show it is time for you to leave our club.


Monday, September 29, 2014

Stoke away

How many times have we heard the saying - 'The true test of foreign players coming to the Premiership is a midweek away game at Stoke in the winter?' Well tonight will provide this kind of challenge for this new look NUFC.

This is another test for NUFC and we will really find out how good these players, this team is. How will Cabella or Riviere fancy it tonight against the likes of Shawcross? How will Janmaat hold up against Crouch?

Tonight's trip to the Britannia is a game NUFC traditionally lose - usually as a result of being bullied out of the game. Although Mark Hughes is aiming to shed Stoke of this reputation they remain a physically imposing team who first and foremost are hard to beat.

Pardew knows his neck is still on the chopping block so he needs a performance and a positive result. We all saw the comments made by Mike Ashley this week regarding AP's position and while a denial was issued I personally believe there was some truth to his comments. I feel Ashley was using this 'on the spot' interview to shift some of the fans hatred off him and onto Pardew by indirectly letting the fans know he understand our frustrations and is running out of patience with AP.

Either way this will heap more pressure on AP and elevated the importance of a positive result tonight. To achieve this I feel AP must send out a positive team who can take the game to Stoke. Use our pace and passing ability to hit Stoke on the counter attack. IF we play the long ball game and try to make this a physical battle then we might as well turn the team bus around now as Stoke will eat us alive.



Lets set up with a fluid 4-4-2. With the midfield 4 interchangeable. Tiote sits, Colback, Cabella and Sissoko carrying the attacking threat behind Cisse and Rivierre. Playing the 2 forwards together will bring the best out of both of them. 

Unfortunately I see us losing 2-0 tonight..

Friday, September 26, 2014

Alan Pardew – Not The Manager But Is He A Coach?

By Stephen Burn
Tony Pulis has always seemed to me as one of the most unsuited managers to Newcastle United.
It conjures up images of cheap tracksuits, club shop baseball caps, and old man runs to the dressing room for half time rants.  Tony is prickly in his dealing with the press, uncharismatic on the touchline and generally a dinosaur that plays a brand of football that Allardyce was sacked for.  He’s just not our type of coach, or is he?
Whether it is wrong or right, my anger and frustration has moved away from Mike Ashley and has solely settled on his mouthpiece, Alan Pardew.
This frustration has fermented since January and the sale of Cabaye when we were in a great position in the league.  In these early stages I could point the finger at our disinterested owner, and yet the incompetence that I have witnessed on the pitch since my return to the area (I was an exiled season ticket holder in America for 15 years) has now overwhelmed my fury with Ashley.  It’s not that I don’t blame Ashley, I really do, it’s just Pardew has made it even worse!
If it’s true that Alan is not able to pick who he’d like the club to sign, then I feel for him.  This is why I’ve switched from using the term ‘manager’ to the term ‘coach’.  Alan Pardew is essentially the head coach of Newcastle United, and this comes to the root of my anger…….we look tactically inept on game days.
I reflect on the difference Tony Pulis made at Crystal Palace, what he did at Selhurst Park was little short of a miracle.  Tony came in there and coached that team to what was success for Palace.  I can’t really remember being overly critical of their style of football, yes they were probably more direct than those teams in the Champions League spots, however it was exciting and dynamic and more importantly he won games.
The players knew their purpose and roles, they knew when X or Y happened they should do Z, and they did it.  He made players like Jason Puncheon and Maroune Chamakh contribute in a big way; he designed a formation that was difficult to play against and effective in the final third.
In a Tony Pulis team, Jack Colback is drilled to know that when that ball drops to him in the box like it did on Saturday for Hull’s first goal,  he’s to clear it into a channel to our forward to run down.  Yes, we all loved the Keegan days of Ginola on our by-line nutmegging Neil Cox, but we weren’t bottom of the league at that point.
And this is the crux of my frustration; I see no coaching in Alan Pardew’s team.  When I watch us from my perch in the Sir John Hall stand, I can’t place one thing during a game that I think, ‘wow they must have drilled that this week, that was deliberate and consistent’. 
What are they doing in training?  When I say this to people around me I often receive the response of ‘right, our set pieces are terrible’, which they always are, but our training goes way past that.  Decide who is going to set our tempo, and if that’s Cabella then get him the ball as quickly as possible, if we want a patient build up then own that and fill the spaces with passing options.
Don’t just keep the ball until we run out of options and Williamson has to hoof it to the opposition centre-back.  Cisse saved Pardew’s bacon on Saturday; it was a roll of the dice that worked, knowing Newcastle that could easily have ended up with him out until the spring with an aggravated injury.
I realise that I am sidestepping multiple issues, which can be addressed in due course.  I still feel that Pardew is not the man who is going to pull us out of this hole.  I purely use Pulis as an example of a coach who has recently got the best out of a poor team.  After walking away from Crystal Palace for what looks like a frustration with a lack of control, even Tony Pulis would probably refuse us.

Alan Pardew loves to talk about how he enjoys making a difference during games, whether that is with an inspirational half-time team talk, a shrewd change of tactics, or a brilliant substitution.  The recent statistic that stuck with me, was how Pardew has never won in the league after being down at half-time, that’s six points from a possible one hundred and twenty-six!
I love my club and didn’t feel comfortable focusing on Pardew on Saturday; I’d rather support my team.
The atmosphere has steadily improved at home this season; I was shocked at the silence in our last six games of the season but we’ve endured too much.
Pardew once again uttered those fateful words, “judge us after ten games.”
At the half way point Alan, be careful what you wish for,we’ll see if you can dodge the firing squad and make it through the next five.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

We're on a Cup run

Who would have thought it - NUFC have won a cup game!

True to my word I am writing blog entry while digging into a large piece of Humble pie -  Humble pie that has never tasted so sweet.

Cup football  is all about winning & moving onto the next round so credit to Alan Pardew and his team. This must be a real confidence booster for our squad and Manu Riviere in particular who grabbed a brace - goals he really needed.

Pardew rotated his squad and was rewarded with impressive performances from from Mehdi Abeid, Obertan, and Adam Armstrong who can all look towards making a impact in the first team. He needed a win and he got it. Job done

Pardew knows however he is still under big pressure, he knows a cup win against a weakened Palace team will not right all the wrongs - yet it is a step in the right direction. Nothing would make me happier than Pardew turning things around and having a successful season. Yet the next few weeks and a return to Premier league football will really show the resolve of Pardew and his team.

We're on a cup run - bring on Man City!

Manu converts a pen, his 2nd goal.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

CPFC v NUFC

The Newcastle United starting 11 for their Capital One cup tie against Crystal Palace is:

Newcastle: Elliot, Janmaat, Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Dummett, Colback, Abeid, Obertan, Armstrong, Ameobi, Riviere. Subs: Sissoko, Anita, Ferreyra, Perez, Haidara, Cabella, Alnwick.

Does that look like a 11 strong enough to be a Palace team who are unbeaten since Neil Warnock took the job? A team who scored 3 goals at SJP last week? I don't think so. Fact is Taylor, Dummett, Sammy, & Obertan are not good enough while young Armstrong is not ready.

Newcastle need a win, any win will do. Add that to the fact that we have an awful pedigree in the cup competitions over recent years and I would have thought Pardew would have his strongest possible 11 in South London tonight.

This will do nothing more than support the belief that our club do not care about the cups - much to the frustration of our fans. Can the club suggest they are concentrating on the league when we current sit at the bottom of the league  and are obviously not concentrating hard enough.

I hope I have this wrong and I would love to be sitting here tomorrow night writing about a good cup win - but I just do not see it happening.

Enjoy the match

Monday, September 22, 2014

Business as usual

Has there ever been a more bittersweet goal that Pappis Cisse's equaliser  against Hull City?

Personally I didn't know whether to cheer or cry. While I want to cheer every goal, every NUFC win I knew that Cisse's goal would extend Alan Pardew's stay at the club despite another lackluster performance.

There is obviously a big appetite for change at St James yet the atmosphere on Saturday was not as bad as I imagined it would be. Credit to the Sackpardew.com lads but for whatever reason the planned protest did not amount to anything serious. The fans love for the team seems to out weigh their dislike for Pardew. Add to that the emotion regarding Jonas and Pardew really did not have to walk the gauntlet That I and many others were expecting.

So Pardew survives to live another day - today's  papers talk about Ashley showing patience - unfortunately for AP the fans patience has gone and it will take a minor miracle for him to win any fans back. The ball is certainly in Mike Ashley's court, like always, and we simply have to wait until he no longer deems AP to be the man for the job.

Pardew's post game reaction was that of a man who is clinging onto his job by the skin of his teeth - lets all remember that we only just managed a draw at home against a average Hull side. Pardew rolled the dice with Cisse and got lucky. To describe this as a great result or to suggest he made a genius managerial decision is farcical.

A line the club released in the aftermath of the Southampton game was that it was "Business as usual for AP and his staff" Well to use their own words Saturdays performance was business as usual for a Pardew side - we lacked any team cohesion or organisation. For me nothing has changed and until I see a team that are organised, positive, and well trained I will not accept that Pardew is the right man for my club.

I saw a banner which I hear was confiscated by the NUFC heavies which summed this up perfectly. It read:

"We do not demand a team that wins, we demand a club that tries"


Friday, September 19, 2014

St James Colosseum

Tomorrow Alan Pardew will face a toxic, poisonous atmosphere as NUFC face Hull City at St James. Football will become secondary to the planned protest organised by the lads over at Sackpardew.com. Pardew knows this is coming and must know the anger is at another level from what he faced against Cardiff City at the back end of last season where he was unable to leave his seat. Enough is enough Alan.

Pardew felt the heat last weekend at Southampton where around 2000 fans turned on him - how will he react when 52,000 demand his sacking on Saturday. I believe even a good performance & win will not subdue the crowd - we are way beyond that & there is simply no going back for Pardew at NUFC. 

National media will have you believe we are just a angry group of Gerodies turning on Pardew because he is a 'Southerner' - this boils my blood and really is bloody patronising. Look at the facts, look at our form, look at our playing staff then you might understand why we want Pardew out. How many manager would survive having only taken 18 points from a possible 69 in 2014? many have been sacked for less.

Pardew cannot fail to understand the feeling towards him - pick up the Chronicle, listen to the radio or talk to the man on the street and he must know he is no longer wanted at our club - Saturday will confirm this. I can only picture a scene from Gladiator where 52k Geordies will volcalise a thumb down vote.

During his pre match interview Pardew did nothing other than add fire to the flames by claiming NUFC fans were now acting hysterically & that our actions will effect the players performance. Not once does he suggest his lack of management,  tactical or motivational skill are to blame. This again is patronising from Pardew.




‘It's really gone to a level which makes it really difficult for players to perform in. The environment for the players will probably be as tough as it’s ever been and we have to accept that. I am hoping we can turn that around. I don't expect the start to be easy.’

He added: ‘I think I am the best person for the job – but I don't think our fans agree with that.

‘It has been suggested that I don’t care about this position, and that I’ve got this long contract and that I’m going through the motions – nothing could be further from the truth. I was absolutely sick after the game on Saturday. I have been hurt this week.’  

At any other club, with any other owner Pardew would be gone. Will a defeat against Hull seal his fate? It should. I believe Ashley is hoping his will quit, yet with Pardew's ego there is little chance of that. What a mess.

- Finally it would me wrong of me not to mention Jonas Gutierrez who revealed this week he is suffering with cancer. This really puts things into perspective and shows how insignificant football is compared to real life health issues. Best wishes Jonas - hopefully you make a fully & speedy recovery.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

National Shaming

Usually I would be the first to defend our club when the national media would hurl criticisms, yet I can only find myself nodding with approval at the headlines I have seen since out disastrous performance at Southampton.

I am a big fan of Skysports Monday night Football and found their dissection of our performance brutal, but very honest. Neville & Carragher hit the nail on the head and said what many other journalist will not. They did not hold back and if anyone from NUFC heard this then they understand this represents what the majority of fans feel.

Carragher said: “There’s lots of talk of Alan Pardew losing his job. Forget Alan Pardew for a minute, some of those players are a disgrace.
“We’re not talking about an end-of-season game, which still isn’t acceptable, but this is four or five games into a season.
“I played against a lot of these players towards the end of my time at Liverpool. We beat them 6-0 at St James’ Park and the performance was shocking.
“You think of a club like Newcastle, a working-class club and the fans go there. You want to see great players do great things, score goals and win games – but you want to see a bit of graft, heart and intensity.
For Newcastle to be seeing that for the last few years is a disgrace.”
And he fears there could be another hostile reception when Newcastle host Hull in the Premier League on Saturday
Carragher added: “Alan Pardew said after the game that the reaction of the supporters didn’t help what was going on out on the pitch. That was just an away section – probably 2,000 or 3,000 of them.
“I would never advocate a manager losing his job. I’ve never been one and I don’t know how tough it is, but can you imagine 50,000 people with banners screaming for Alan Pardew to go?
“Whether you agree with it or not, I’ve said before with managers – David Moyes last season and Roy Hodgson at Liverpool – it becomes untenable.
“To lose your job after four or five games is ludicrous, but he’s on a poor run from January when they lost Yohan Cabaye and we all felt for him then.
“If that carries on, those supporters have turned so far that it might become untenable.”
While is is not great to hear your clubs name be dragged through the mud live on TV - maybe, just maybe this is what is needed for Mike Ashley to take notice of the problems we are facing. Yes well all know he is the biggest problem, however Alan Pardew must be the fall guy.


Monday, September 15, 2014

5 major NUFC concerns

1. Mike Williamson had a nightmare, he has had many yet is still selected. For me his a defensive version of Shola - 1 good game ever once in a while & people think he is Bobby Moore. He is Championship standard at best. Meanwhile Mapou Yanga Mbiwa is now playing for Roma....

2. Coloccini is past it - both physically & mentally. He doesn't want to be here & his is not capable of leading our defense. Ever since these personal issues & the wanting to go back to Argentina he has been missing. How dare he be a part of the Ben Arfa witch hunt when he is showing zero heart for the club right now. Thanks for the service Colo but its time to move on.

3. Riviere will never be a line leading forward in the Premier league - yes he is isolated, however he has shown zero positive signs to give us a glimmer of hope.

4. The players appear to have little concern that their manager is under real pressure. Are these players fighting for Pardew? do they care that he is on the chopping block. To use the old footballing term Pardew appears to have lost the players & the dressing room.

5. Pardew has to go. Saturday was diabolical and these should be no way back for the manager. He showed signs of a beaten man after the match, yet during the match did nothing to rally his troops. He feared approaching the touchline as he did  not want to face the jeering Toon Army - well Alan imagine the toxic atmosphere you will face at SJP if you are still in charge this weekend. Will Pardew walk away? no chance. Will Ashley fire him? Well in the opinion of almost every fan, journo, & ex-player -Yes. Unfortunately only one man makes this decision.

Friday, September 12, 2014

NUFC sale

Along with the rest of the NUFC fans around the world I was thrilled to see news that Mike Ashley may sell NUFC appear in this weeks media, however this was followed by the release of a club statement denying any potential sale.

A Toon statement read: “The truth is Mike Ashley remains committed to Newcastle United.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this means that for the remainder of this season and AT LEAST until the end of next season, Mike Ashley will not, under any circumstances, sell Newcastle United at any price.
“The Club cannot be stronger in stating its position on this matter.”

Now we all will see this as a kick in the teeth - many of of may have expected this simply because we are not used to good NUFC news. We have been through the mill so many times that until we see Mike Ashley leave Tyneside with our own eyes we will not believe it.

One interesting and potentially pivotal point I picked up from the statement is that the club state that "Until the end of next season" This interests me as that is when Glasgow Rangers could potentially be back in the Champions League.
We have all know the Ashley already owns a percentage of the Scottish giants, however there is little money to be made from them until they return to the Scottish Premier league & European football. Ashley will be excited by a full house at Ibrox and the Champions league cash cow.

Can we read between the lines of this latest club statement and pin our hopes on a potential end to the Mike Ashley era? I certainly hope so.

Come on Rangers!

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

HBA: A different perspective

 My pal Ross was featured on radio Newcasltes football phone in last week where he shared a different perspective on the whole Ben Arfa & Pardew situation. I wanted to share his thoughts so here you go.

After burning rage on Monday night watchin deadline day, I have changed to merely simmering discontent after listening to same balanced Ben Arfa debate on here last night.

My experience of closely observing international level sportsmen in my athletics club is that an athlete's performance is 90% down to the athlete themselves & only 10% to the coach, maybe even less. 

Although brilliant, I think Ben Arfa should therefore take this proportion of the blame for his own demise.

However, Pardew had made his point strongly & could have accepted him back whilst still looking like the boss. By forcing him out, Pardew has missed a massive opportunity to win back favour & has again let his vindictive, stubborn & brash side take him to new lows of popularity with the fans. It's this attitude and behaviour rather than his actual ability to coach the players that has left him almost universally unpopular with fans.

Please David Moyes or Eddie Howe, come & save us.

Ross

Dr Ross Thomas Floyd
Howay The Toon!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Our next manager is....

So inevitably after a frustrating end to the transfer window coupled with a struggling start to the season the pressure is stacked once again on Alan Pardew.

After HBA and M'biwa left the club late on Monday evening with no replacements arriving the level of frustration and anger went up a level on Tyneside. 

NUFC had the opportunity to build bridges with the fans and it did appear during the summer they were making an effort in improving with the squad. Signings like Cabella, De Jong, and Jannmat excited the Toon Army. However we all know we are at least 2 quality players short and are only 1 injury away from a defensive crisis.

Alan Pardew has never been Mr popular on Tyneside and now I really believe there is no way back for him in the eyes of the fans. His decision making is poor, his communication is weak and we cannot trust a word he says. I fully expect the return of the toxic atmosphere which we experienced at SJP last season.

This week the Independent newspaper ran the story at AP has 2 games to save his job. Next up we play Southampton away & Hull at home - both games we lost last year. So if the Independent is to be believed - and they usually are, then the chances of Mike Ashley firing his manager have to be high. 

With this in mind I wanted to look at who I realistically feel could replace AP at St James Park.  

Lets start with Tony Pulis. I have never been a fan of Pulis although any football fan has to give him credit for the job he did at Crystal Palace last season. However prior to that lets not forget the awful brand of football he created at Stoke City. Yes he kept then in the league for many years, but we need to be aiming higher than survival football. I would rather than Big Sam back than Pulis. 

The attraction for Mike Ashley will be that Pulis is current without a club so not compensation would be due, however Pulis walked away from Palace due to a interfering chairman so I could not see him working under the Ashley regime.
Also I cannot respect a manager who wears an awful club shop cap on the sideline!

David Moyes - After his short spell at Man Utd I think Moyes would jump at the chance to manage NUFC. He did a cracking job at Everton with a small squad, and a tight chairman - exactly what we have. He cultivated a great team unity and spirit which enabled him to get the best out of his team who regularly overachieved. Moyes would take no nonsense and could be trusted to run the club from top to bottom. I believe Ashley has tried to recruit Moyes in the past and I really hope he will return for Scotsman if AP is shown the door.

Frank De Boer - The Dutch legend is currently managing Ajax who he has lead to numerous league championships. You might ask 'Why on earth would he leave Ajax to come to NUFC' well for the same reason we signed the Ajax captain Siem De Jong. This being that the Dutch league is nothing compared to the Premiership where everyone wants to work. We did get a small mention from De Boer back when he was linked with the Tottenham job  “I see opportunities at Tottenham Hotspur, just as Liverpool and Newcastle, they are sleeping giants". Well realistically none of the top jobs are going to be available any time so soon De Boer may well see us as his best opportunity to lead a Premiership team.

I also wanted to give a noticeable mention to Lee Clark & Peter Beardsley - both are NUFC legends who would pour their heart and soul into the club - but for me this not enough anymore. These two Geordies would be popular appointments who would get the backing of the fans - Lovely lads, just not top managers.

A surprise candidate could well be Glenn Hoddle. We all know Ashley is a Spurs fan so appointing a Spurs legend with a solid managerial background cannot be ruled out.

For me Moyes is the obvious choice followed closely by the impressive De Boer. One thing for sure Alan Pardew's days on Tyneside must be numbered. 


De Boer to follow De Jong to St James?


Happier times for Moyes

De Jong blow

You really cannot make this stuff up - Summer signing Siem De Jong has picked up a injury which will keep him out till Christmas.

This leaves NUFC without a player who is key the way in which AP wants us to play. Of course the irony of this all is that AP just let HBA leave on loan - the player in our squad who could replace De Jong in the number 10 role.

In the 2 games he has already missed due to injury it was obvious his link up play between the midfielder and forward was missing - Riviere was so isolated.

Just where the goals are going to come from in this team worries me. This De Jong injury just further emphasizes how weak our squad is.

AP needs a win badly or by the time he returns from injury De Jong could find himself playing for a new manager.


De Jong injury: Big blow


Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Pardew out on Loan?

While i would never call myself a Pardew sympathizer I would say I have always had a clear understanding that he is simply a puppet controlled by LC and MA - however after the shocking transfer dealings yesterday I am done with AP and want him as far as possible away from St James.

LC & MA are ruthless business men who will see the transfers of Ben Arfa and Yanga-Mbiwa simply as a way of shifting big earners off the wage bill - Pardew however is supposed to be a football man and therefore like all us fans he must know we needed a forward & a centre half in during this window. For the club not to bring in these players is worrying, but for us to them loan out two quality players is shocking. The mis-management at our club is nothing short of a disgrace.

My frustration & anger is turning to Pardew as it is becoming ever clearer that his is happy to align himself to MA and LC - he seems to have no problem with how our club is being ran. If he wanted two players in why not come out and tell us he was let down. If he didn't want to get rid of Ben Arfa or M'biwa then tell us - this would at least gain him some credibility with the fans. I understand not wanting to ruffle and feathers and not speaking out against your boss - however there is a line where your own morals and character have to come first. Can Alan Pardew honestly say he approves of the way our club is being ran?

Just a few weeks ago when we bought two promising youngsters from Nottingham Forest I remember Stuart Pearce sitting in front t of a Skysports camera stating these two players had been sold behind his back and that we did not agree with the sales at all. Peace kept his job and has had cracking start to the season. What chance Pardew makes a similar statement in the coming days? No chance - men like Stuart Pearce are cut from a different cloth to Alan Pardew.

Of course the irony of it all is that there is every chance both HBA & MYM will go onto to have great seasons at Hull & Roma which will only heap more pressure on AP. I wish them all the best and am sure they will flurish under new managers. MYM has made a great move to the top of Serie A and the Champions league....yet he is no better than Mike Williamson eh Alan??

On the field we are weaker than we were at this time last year and I can only see us continuing the for we showed during the second half of last season. Off the field I can see the toxic atmosphere returning to the stands. Obviously this helps no one- but the club have brought this onto themselves and Pardew will bare the brunt of the Toon Army's frustration.

After a summer where we could all finally share in some optimism, a fresh start, and a new NUFC -we have been brought back down to earth with a bump realising it will be another poor season full of disappointments.

Happy now AP?

Friday, August 29, 2014

Ginger Pirlo

I've decided to kick off my blog again with a look back at the first few weeks of the season & how we stand going into the last few days of the transfer window.

On the field I have been impressed with our performances. There were plenty of positives to be taken from the City game. A defeat was always expected, but the performance was impressive. All of our new signing's performed with Colback & Cabella standing out. Our obvious lack of a cutting edge up front is worrying as Emmanuel Rivière do does seem to be a natural finisher. For me Pardew's selection of Williamson & Dummett over Haidara & Mbiwa is a concern but to be fair we looked like a solid unit who were undone by two moments of quality from City.

At Villa park we controlled the game and did create chances - unfortunately that cutting edge was lacking again as we ended up scoreless against VIlla. Again for me plenty of positive were there to be seen. WIth De Jong integrating into the team will will improve & this will help Riviere and offer some support in and around the box. Again defensively we looked solid and our midfield was solid & busy at the same time. Colback impressed again and I cannot wait to see him patrolling the engine room with Tiote by his side. 

Against Gillingham we simply avoided a Banana skin which is all you can ask. These early round cup games are all about making it to the next round and we did that. Ideally we would have seen a goal for one of new forwards which would have boosted confidence, but that wasn't to be. We move to the next round and that is job done. To hear some fans comment that we could only beat a Gillingham with an own goal is laughable. 

In terms of the remaining days of the transfer window we must invest in a new forward. This has been plain to see in our opening games. Riviere is a big strong lad who will work his socks off, but he is not a natural finisher. De Jong will play in the 10 role and will be quality but again he is not a 15+ goals a season man.

Todays news is that Loic Remy has once again turned us down and that must put a end to our interest in him which is a great shame. He was my number 1 target all summer simply because you know exactly what you are getting - Goals.  We must move on to our next target which appears to be Lacazette from Lyon - good, go get him. If not him we move onto the the next one until we deliver a goal scorer. 

Defensively it appears Mapou Yanga Mbiwa could be moved on which for me is a mistake. I would move on Taylor and look to bring in Micah Richard who I would start alongside Colo at the heart of our defense. 

To see Jack Colback win an England call up is great for the lad. He made a big move across the Tyne this summer which takes guts & he has been rewarded. Jack is one of us who can have a big future at the club. I must admit I was not his biggest fan & did not really see him making our first 11, but he has been so impressive already. Thrilled for the Ginger Pirlo!

I have to end this post with a complaint. First let me say I love supporting NUFC, I love the Toon Army but I absolutely cannot stand the negativity which haunts our club right now & the constant negativity towards our manager. Love him or hate him Pardew is our gaffer and we just need to support the club & see how the season goes. Pardew can never win - If we lose its his fault, if we win its the players. Lets give him a fair crack of the whip. 

Howay the lads

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Born Black and White, Die Black and White

By Philip Burn
Mr. Webster defines apathy as the feeling of “not having much emotion or interest.” Synonyms include indifference, lack of interest, lack of enthusiasm, lack of concern, impassivity, etc. Need I continue?
I have always considered myself as fanatical and committed a supporter as the next proud Geordie. Living in exile in Dallas, Texas (it’s a hard life but someone’s got to do it!), I have gone to great lengths over the years to make sure that I get to see the lads play.
Today, US TV coverage of the Premier League is excellent but there was a time that my only chance of Newcastle news and commentary was via the patchy reception of the BBC World Service on my short wave radio.
The second half of this season has stretched my support like never before.  I feel like I should send an apology and ‘get out free card’ to all of my American friends that I have indoctrinated to the ways of Newcastle United. Wouldn’t it be great to be a Liverpool supporter right now? Crap, I’d even take being a Southampton supporter!
Of course, we all agree that there is simply no option to which team we support. Unlike American sports, where ‘franchises’ are bought and sold like cheap shirts in Sports Direct, there is no question of our allegiance to Newcastle. We were born black and white and will die black and white. But does life have to be so hard!? I feel guilty for my apathetic attitude right now but it’s getting harder to watch the circus that is my beloved Newcastle United and listen to the spouting of the garrulous, inept Pardon’t.
Pardon’t is really working his ticket. Hopefully, before long he’ll be buying his ticket back to whatever stone he crawled from under. The drivel he comes out with in his interviews is nothing short of scandalous. I work in Communications and I know that Newcastle United has a PR Department.
Why don’t they write him some talking points on interview days and instruct him to stop telling bare-faced lies? “We had 10 pros out today” – no you didn’t. “A win will settle the fan’s frustrations” – it wouldn’t be a bad start but with only 13 points from a possible 48 you’ll forgive us for not being too optimistic. “It’s the media’s fault” – nope, wrong again. “Stoke are a very, very good side” – no, they’re a team of Neanderthal long-ball merchants!
His tactical decisions have been typically baffling in recent weeks. Today’s 3-5-2 was horrific! Shola and Gosling? Really? Taylor’s positioning is weak at the best of times but to throw him into an untried three man back-line is nuts. How Mbiwa and Ben Arfa cannot get into that team is simply beyond me.
It’s plain to see that change is desperately needed at the club. Change in the boardroom, change in the dugout, change on the training ground and pitch, and perhaps most difficult of all, change of our expectations as supporters. I hate that a mid-table finish is considered success but I’m afraid right now it’s a fact. The season is ending with whimper. Is it too much to ask for a bit of honest hard work, passion and commitment?
I think I need a timely reminder from Sir Bobby; “What is a club in any case? It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city.”
That’s more like it. Roll on next weekend!
Keep on, keeping on. Howay the lads!