FAN BLOG – Average League Campaign A Price Worth Paying For Trips Abroad?

26 Nov 2012

Alan Pardew,Demba Ba,Mike Williamson,Papiss Cisse,Shane Ferguson,Southampton,Steven Taylor

by NUFCfans

Following this weekend’s game several feelings have hit me. One is that my almost blinding optimism is daft, and another is that having realism thrust at me is fairly galling. By that I mean the same feelings I’ve held for a while of lack of squad depth and a natural lull following such an excellent season last season are things we all should have expected and should have been aware of. As a consequence an average league campaign is a reasonable price to pay for trips to sunny foreign climbs. Our successes there should be celebrated rather than blamed for our misgivings at home.

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Despite those things I was fairly confident that eventually things would click and improve for Newcastle. I am still waiting. Second of all after being so optimistic, to have those feelings of optimism taken away from you by such a poor performance is fairly heart-breaking. As positive as I want to be there are some things you simply can’t ignore.

Yesterday we left plenty of holes for Southampton to exploit which they seemed to do gleefully. I felt our biggest errors can be attributed to our midfield. In fact the area between them and the defence was cavernous at times. Tiote looked listless and wasn’t aided by Anita whatsoever. I couldn’t decide if Anita had been told to push on when we had the ball or not, but either way he looked in no hurry to get back and help out when an attack broke down. Our full backs looked to get forward as often as they could but found themselves isolated when they did. When they did put the ball in the box it was either disappointing or not being attacked.

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Cisse and Ba had little quality service to feed on as the long balls and hopeful punts into the corners were hardly the balls that strikers crave. At the back Steven Taylor played well enough without being spectacular whilst Williamson (who I have been very critical of recently) didn’t do too much wrong either, especially in the air. The reshuffle of personnel after the break seemed to add some impetus, but following a chance for Anita the game was over. Poor defending, coupled with poor goalkeeping isn’t a great combination and the end product gave Southampton the three points.

On the train journey home, two further things struck me. Firstly, we looked desperately unorganised. Going forward we looked like we didn’t have a plan, and without the ball the gaps between the defence and midfield was huge. It made it easy for Southampton to exploit, especially on the break. This made me think, what was Pardews plan? Were we trying to play long ball as we missed Cabaye and Ben Arfa, whilst hoping Ba and Cisse could hold up the ball to feed the attacking midfielders of Ferguson, Jonas, then later Marveaux and Sammy Ameobi? If it was it didn’t work as the quality of those balls to our Demba’s was poor. Furthermore if that was our plan, and it failed, what was our plan B? It certainly didn’t look like we had one.

Secondly we looked tired, and crucially disinterested. There didn’t seem to be the desire and drive we had last season and this concerns me massively. That team spirit was something I admired last season as did others. Now it’s lacking, and the obvious rewards it delivered last season is glaringly absent.

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What I’m getting at here is that the luck, team spirit and form that we exploited to its maximum last season seems to be working in reverse to even itself out. Pardew (who does not deserve to lose his job as some have suggested) seems unable to reverse that slide through a lack of any alternatives to what he had last year as things worked so well for him then. The excess of games, bad luck with injuries and suspensions have conspired against him to leave us with few options available.

I do however think it’s important to remember we’re in this situation partly as a consequence of our success last season and that shouldn’t be forgotten. European trips and the subsequent domestic troubles were inevitable with a squad of our size. In fact had these injuries struck last year we wouldn’t have enjoyed last season so much. It’s important on these dark, rainy and disappointing days we remember that.

Is an average league campaign a fair price to pay for a shot at the Europa League? Is this season’s lack of luck cancelling out last seasons? Let us know your thoughts?

Author bio - David is a 28-year-old music teacher from Cardiff, despite his location he regularly travels to home and away games. He says his “favourite memories of supporting Newcastle are (oddly…) the 4-1 defeat in the FA Cup in Cardiff, as the fans were incredible and it made me fully understand what being a Newcastle fan was all about.”

For more insight from David you can follow him on Twitter, or take a look at his blog page ‘Shearer, Senna and Seve‘.

3 Comments

Phil November 26, 2012 at 9:52 pm Reply

Whilst it may be a contributing factor, i dont think anyone can blame europe (i just wish someone would tell Pardew, he bangs on about it every other press conference.) We all knew europe was a massive possiblity last season, spending the entire season in the top 7, so what i want to know is - why didnt we plan? did we plan? who the hell planned it? Obviously we dont know the wheelings and dealings that go on boardroom level, but its been crystal clear that we would have needed to keep our current crop (or replace any departures) PLUS additions. That lies with Ashley and Llambias, so for that reason and that reason only, Pardew should not be sacked whatever happens this season. However, the dismal displays we've seen all season, now that lies with Pardew. The direct play wouldnt bother me so much if he hadnt promised wonders when he first arrived. Much like his european excuse, playing 'aesthetically pleasing' football was said in every press conference upon his arrival. Dont bulls**t the fans Pardew, if you promise something - give them it (or ATLEAST look as if your trying.) Reading stats about us playing more long balls than STOKE and a team managed by ALLARDYCE were devastating to the eye, yet not suprising. Half of the hoofs up the field from Williamson can hardly be classed as a long pass, more like close your eyes, wack it up field, and hope for the best. We seemed a lot more comfortable last season playing 4-4-3, apart from the obvious restraints to Ba. 4-4-2 is an ever dating formation and Cabaye seems restricted to how far he can go forward with most other teams having more men in the middle. Changes need to be made.
David Rees November 27, 2012 at 6:44 am Reply

I agree tactically we need to improve, but rightly or wrongly Pardew clearly doesn't want to use the 4 3 3 anymore probably as he'll annoy Ba by putting him wide left again, and doesn't have enough faith in Sammy or Fergie to experiment with that. The long ball stuff infuriates me especially after hearing those stats, and Pardews insistence for good football. Finally though I do think and agree with you that the lack if planning is an issue which is what's making being in Europe such a contributing factor. What I meant to say but probably didn't explain too well is that whilst its frustrating, we're in this situation now and need to keep the faith. The players we have are capable of delivering as we saw last season. Lets just hope reinforcements arrive in January. Thanks for the comment.
BigiMeSumMore November 27, 2012 at 1:15 pm Reply

First and foremost, I disagree with any suggestion that the Europa league campaign has had any real bearings in our slump in form. Where as its extra fixtures to our already punishing schedule, It isn't like we are fielding our best 11 in the Europa then 3 days later in the league, is it? Even though to a certain extent It's doable, After all these are professional athletes. I see Spurs under Andre Villas Boas field strong sides in Europe then 3 days later using a similar side and still gaining maximum points. (Beat West Ham on the weekend after away trip to Lazio, We lost to them after our away Europa encounter) Our failings this season are clear as day. 1) Not being able to put out our best 11 in consecutive matches- Whether its from injuries, red cards or both! It has hampered us finding any sort of rhythm. 2) Stubborn Pardew tactics- Numerous occasions this season, Pardew has deployed an outdated 4-4-2. It makes us so predictable. We have a #10 Playing as a winger, He naturally wants to cut inside. So we lack width on one side. Then the left midfield, No one has really made it their own. Fergie and Sammy have came in of late, Neither have really grasped the opportunity. Now Jonas is fit again, He will walk back into that position...Then we have the front two. Cisse has came under alot of stick, Without doubt his been under-performing. But take the game on the weekend for example, How many chances did he have? In fact, How many chances in general did we carve out? The biggest problem with our current system is, AP allows the opposition to have an extra body in midfield. Meaning we give up the middle ground. Resulting in being dominated, then when we do get it. HOOOOOOOOF. The 4-4-2/ 4-3-3 success of last season was based on hard work, grit determination, never say die spirit, LUCK and prolific goal scorers in Ba/Cisse. This season, Making exceptions for Santon (Player of the season thus far) Colo, Tiote, Ba and Ben Arfa. Everyone else looks disinterested, Laboured. So basically we are the complete opposite of everything last year. We still had our fair share of luck (Wba winner, Ba handball, Everton goal never given) And Ba has been banging them. But we still look a shadow of ourselves. 3) Lack of strengthening- Ashley is a gambling man. Once again his rolled the dice. After winning big last year his gone with the same method and we have been caught out. Yes the Window is rapidly approaching, But I don't think we will do much business tbf, I'd more concerned with losing Ba. (Why haven't we offered him a new deal yet?) Its only a matter of time before someone triggers that clause, 31 goals in 59 PL games. I've probably missed sum things out, But this is depressing writing lol.