decent write-up
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/newcastle-united/361/blog/post/2067881/fans-are-revolting-against-alan-pardew-as-embattled-newcastle-prepare-to-face-Swansea
After yet another week of on- and off-field turmoil, Newcastle head to Wales in search of their first league win of the season with an embattled manager whose reputation cannot be rebuilt in the eyes of fans even by public relations expert Keith Bishop, whose links to owner Mike Ashley have been in the news.
As former Tottenham manager David Pleat said on BBC radio ahead of the recent game vs. Hull, Alan Pardew is at the point of no return with the Tyneside public. Even if his side goes on to win its next two or three games, he will be back to square one as soon as the next defeat takes place.
The manager did little to improve fans' opinions in his prematch news conference. Just before the season kicked off, he commented: "I feel much more comfortable with the team, and we can play a brand of football which is expected of us." Six games later this has changed to "our fans want to see us play a brand of football that we can't quite put together right now."
To be honest, Alan, I think the fans would like to win a football match, regardless of your "brand." It is not their fault. "We are very focussed on Saturday," Pardew continued. I'm delighted to hear that, but surely it goes without saying.
Even when he attempts to be positive, it comes out negatively: "It is about fighting and digging in at the moment as a team, and if we do that, something will fall our way." There is no confidence that his work on the training ground this week will help to improve on Newcastle's dire record of five wins from their last 25 games. No, he hopes they get lucky.
"It is my duty and job to come up with solutions when things aren't working," added Pardew. In truth, things haven't been working for the whole of 2014, yet the manager has still failed to even attempt to find a solution. His predictable lineup and tactics play into opposition hands just about every week.
Will there be much needed changes for Swansea? Pardew says "we'll have to wait and see" but there have to be. For a starter, and this won't be universally popular, it is beyond time that the league's third-worst defence is shaken up. Mike Williamson is not cut out for this level and, although far from ideal, I'd start Steven Taylor ahead of him on Saturday -- although Fabricio Coloccini has been equally as culpable.
And here are words I never ever thought I'd write -- Gabriel Obertan has probably earned a start. Against Hull and again vs. Stoke on Monday night he livened up Newcastle's static performance. He is prepared to be direct and has pace whilst his teammates have looked largely disinterested. We all know the Frenchman's limitations but those ahead of him have been tried and have failed.
Pardew has always been reluctant to utilise the youth talent available to him. For example, another four reserve team goals from Ayoze Pérez should have earned him some playing time and I'd also like to see Adam Armstrong and Mehdi Abeid given more first team action.
Most of all, though not that it will happen, Pardew must ditch his ultra-negative, one-up-top tactics. They're appalling and poor old Emanuel Riviere has no chance. Last season Newcastle went to Swansea on the back of four consecutive victories, playing offensive football. Scared of Swansea's neat passing game, though, Pardew reverted to type and sat back. Newcastle were hammered 3-0.
Many thought he would be gone after Newcastle's latest defeat and it made for very uncomfortable viewing watching him fight back the tears when heading towards the tunnel. But no one is forcing him to be there and no one other than Ashley can be entirely certain as to why he hasn't been sacked.
Is it in the vain hope that his man can turn it around so he can say "I told you so" or is it because he doesn't want to stump up the compensation that Pardew's ludicrously long contact will demand?
Either way, Ashley is once again gambling with the future of a football club close to the heart of hundreds of thousands of people. If he loses again, as he did last time, and Newcastle are relegated -- what is it to him? He is worth billions of pounds regardless.
If Newcastle lose again on Saturday and there is no new manager in place by the time Leicester visit St. James' Park on October 18, I dread to think what reception will await the owner and manager.