Archive for category: Players.

Everton vs Newcastle United match highlights and (brief) report

September 17th, 2012 | 20 Comments |

Highlights of this evening’s game between the Toffees and the Magpies at Goodison Park.

It was something of a “game of two halves” this evening, with Everton completely dominating the first 45 minutes with some excellent attacking football which left the Toon completely in their wake. For all their domination, they went in at the break with only one goal to the scoreboard, a great diagonal effort across Harper by Leighton Baines in the 15th minute. (more…)

Pardew reveals lack of defensive signings was a cunning stunt

September 14th, 2012 | 61 Comments |

Alan Pardew as Corporal Jones in "Dad's Army."
DON'T PANIC! DON'T PANIC!
With many fans concerned at the lack of defensive cover with the Toon Army facing a war on four fronts this season (including an invasion of Europe), Alan Pardew has come out on the offensive once again.

He revealed that the club’s “failure” to bring in any new centre backs was actually intentional as it would have inhibited the development of the club’s red hot Academy prospects, 20 year-old Bradford bomber, James Tavernier, and 17 year old sand dancing sensation, Remi Streete.

The Silver Supremo said:

“You have to look at a football club as a whole and there has to be a route to the first team otherwise you’re not going to progress as a club. I’ve opened up the route, especially with the Europa League, and told them ‘Come and take your chance.’

“This year I think is a year for the younger players to break through. Now if they don’t break through I might take a different policy next year but it is a great opportunity to break through with all the games we’ve got. (more…)

Can Newcastle cope without Ba and Cisse? – An alternative eleven.

September 3rd, 2012 | 24 Comments |

A potential Newcastle United 11 without Ba and Cisse.
A potential Newcastle United 11 without Ba and Cisse.
Following the departures of Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands Newcastle United have only three recognised strikers in our 12/13 squad – fact.

A much documented lack of transfer activity has left countless Geordies despondent with the size of our squad entering a hectic season, yearning for the signature of a new striker. The biggest worry is that whilst both Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse are competing in the African Cup of Nations (or potentially injured) we will be left unable to cope without arguably our two most recognised strikers, where a lack of goals could become a defining factor in our Premier League campaign. It’s worth noting that Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse contributed a huge 53% of our goals total in the Premier League last year (29 of 55), highlighting their importance.

So, should we of signed another striker? Not necessarily. Can we cope without Ba and Cisse? I believe so. A conventional 4-4-2 formation is unachievable should only one recognised striker in Shola Ameobi be available, but alternatives can be utilised to apt effect. Of 38 Premier League fixtures last season a 4-4-2 formation was utilised 26 times (68.4%). What about our other fixtures? We were often tagged as operating in a 4-5-1, 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation with 1 conventional striker, 3 advanced mid-fielders and 2 central defensive mid-fielders in behind operating predominately defensively. Why could this not be used in the few games where both Cisse and Ba would not be available? Another alternative would be to play a 4-4-1-1 formation (often favoured by Alan Pardew’s predecessor Chris Hughton) with Ben Arfa operating in what is essentially a free role behind Shola Ameobi. (more…)