How the land lies.
Posted on March 30th, 2011 | 69 Comments |
Obviously, recent injuries and suspensions haven’t helped the cause. But questions have also been asked about Alan’s tactics and team formations, from some quarters, in the last couple of games. Some of the formations have been forced by the aforementioned injuries and there’s not a lot can be done in such circumstances. Fans have queried why three CB’s plus wing backs against Stoke city, for instance? So it’s refreshing that Pardew has admitted to failings in such forms and took the blame.
That’s something that doesn’t happen very often.
We are still lacking really solid back-up for the Left Back and Right Back positions. Although Shane Ferguson is forcing his way into the reckoning with a few very good showings. Maybe he’s just about nailed on as proper cover now, which should put an end to tinkering with the back four and assure us that it is just that, a back four.
Pardew does like his Full Backs to get forward, as he confirmed in last night’s radio interview. So it’s good that in Jose Enrique, Danny Simpson and Shane Ferguson we have three full backs that can do that.
It will be very important to have Jose fit for the Wolves game coming up next, but if he doesn’t make it, Ferguson really must start in a back four.
What will be key is who will play in Tiote’s role of DM? Since he will be one of the suspensions, and will be sorely missed. It also sounds like Stephen Ireland could get a game, if not a start.
Which would be nice!
It’s took a while, due to injury after a long lay off while at Aston Villa, where he was obviously unfancied by the current Villa coach, Houllier.
Let’s see if the lad can make an impact in the remaining games and possibly ingratiate himself to the Geordie public and more importantly, earn himself a contract at Newcastle United.
Let’s hope Jonas and Best are fit too, as it has been noticeable how much space Jonas creates with two defenders on him during a game. He’s also an outlet from defensive play, a willing runner and dangerous in the final third. Again, something missing in recent fixtures.
Leon Best has in fact become Newcastle’s best chance of a goal too (pun acknowledged) and we still have Nile Ranger as impact from the bench. Alan Pardew stated in his BBC Radio Newcastle interview that he saw Ranger as an impact sub, for now at least. As he’s not quite the finshed article. It does tend to look that way, with Nile not able to open his Premier League goal account as of yet, it’s only a matter of time, one feels, and possibly, minutes on the pitch.
It must be said, after all the umming and ahhing about Alan Pardew since his appointment as boss, he came across pretty well in the BBC interview. Affable, dare I say, honestly answering fans questions and quelling a few fears in the folk that phoned in on the night. He seemed genuinely relaxed and relishing being the gaffer
of Newcastle United in an unforced, positive way. There’s probably still a long way to go to have most fully ‘on board’, but he’s going in the right direction.
All we need now is 3 points on Saturday to help cement a bit more belief.
Howay the Lads!
NUFCBlog Author: CLiNT FLiCK
Cut me in half & it'll say Newcastle United F.C. just like a stick of Black 'n' White rock!
CLiNT FLiCK has written 42 articles on this blog.
A fair summary of the situation CLiNT and it’s notiable you’ve focused on the now with an eye to Saturday – that’s a crucial game for us and a point although better that none, ain’t a lot of good. A point for Wolves would be like mannah from Hebburn for them.
The message for Pards is stop far****ing about with fanciful formations and tactics, and keep it simple and go at them from the start. A goal up in 30secs would be a great start.