dilligaf Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/jan/03/alan-pardew-newcastle-manager Why Alan Pardew seems safe despite Newcastle's nightmare season The Magpies have lost nine of their last 11 league games, but there are no calls for the manager's head. There are plenty of good reasons Louise Taylor The Guardian, Thursday 3 January 2013 21.59 GMT Jump to comments (12) As Alan Pardew acknowledges, his Newcastle United side's run of nine defeats in their last 11 Premier League games is "awful" but despite relegation worries and the impending departure of leading scorer Demba Ba to Chelsea, there are no calls for the manager's head on Tyneside, no talk of 'crisis'. Although very much at odds with the club's turbulent image, such understanding is perhaps explained by the healthy stock of plausible answers to almost every question asked of Pardew's regime. Why are fans not protesting? Stockholm Syndrome What about Pardew's ego? Still got it Are there enough British players in the dressing room? At least one too many, Ameobi Why are they playing so many long balls and how can Mathieu Debuchy fit in? See Question two Is Pardew's eight-year contract keeping him in a job? Who knows? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliottman Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 NEWCASTLE United could miss out on a centre-back this month after manager Alan Pardew admitted Demba Ba’s replacement has become the sole focus of his transfer policy. The Magpies have been a centre-back light throughout Pardew’s tenure, a problem they intended to address in this transfer window. That now depends on who they can bring in as an attacker – not necessarily a centre-forward – when, and at what cost. With Chelsea due to pay just £7.5m for Ba – and a large chunk of that owed to the player – owner Mike Ashley will have to invest extra money for a good quality replacement. Newcastle are prioritising that, and will reassess with regards to defenders only when a forward has been landed. “It’s going to depend a lot on how much the striker costs us,” Pardew explained yesterday. “That’s something I think we’ll come to later in the window. “The return to fitness of Steven Taylor and getting (Mathieu) Debuchy has helped us massively, but I still think perhaps another (defender) is what we need.” Debuchy’s £5.5m arrival from Lille, expected today, will address another long-term problem in Newcastle’s squad. Pardew has been targeting a full-back since it became clear in 2011 agreement could not be reached with Danny Simpson, whose contract expires this summer. Even if he is signed before today’s noon deadline, right-back Debuchy will not feature at Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup. He should make his debut at Norwich City in the Premier League a week tomorrow. Debuchy was a player Newcastle tried and failed to sign in August, as was central defender Douglas. Reports in Holland this week suggest Twente are now prepared to sell Brazil-born Douglas, like Debuchy for less than in the summer. One of the barriers to signing Douglas was the huge fees his representatives were entitled to if he left for over 10m (£8.2m). After failing to get Douglas to drop his demands, Twente are prepared to sell for a fee small enough to stop the clause being activated. Reading and Inter Milan were also linked with the 24-year-old in August, so Newcastle may not be in a position to bide their time. Ba’s departure will see Papiss Cissé revert to his preferred position at centre-forward. What role Ba’s replacement fills is unclear even to the manager, but he must be a goalscorer. “There are a couple of options for me, (including) one who plays on the side which would push (Yohan) Cabaye forward to play in a loose No.10 role,” Pardew said. “It is a role he’s done very well for us in the past. “If we find a striker or a wide player he needs to be a recognised goalscorer. There are a couple of strikers/wide players and a couple of strikers we think would link up well with Papiss.” Marseille’s Loïc Rémy fits the “striker/wide player” tag, while another target, St Etienne’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, plays as a lone striker. Although West Bromwich Albion’s Peter Odemwingie is comfortable wide, the 31-year-old’s age means he is not being considered. Although Pardew admits the proposition of joining Newcastle has changed since the summer, he does not think their pulling power has been diminished by poor league form. “I saw (Debuchy) on Wednesday night and it was difficult to explain to him the situation we’re in,” he said. “In the summer he probably thought we were going to be a top-eight side. He understands we’ve had some unusual conditions this year and if we can get our best team out there, there’s no doubt we’ve got a great side. I don’t really think that (selling the club) is a problem. The problem you’ve got is getting a striker in this window, it’s not easy.” Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmojorisin75 Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 it begins, starting the letting us down process already i like the implication that we're not getting a big fee for ba so this in some way hinders our moves...we got the cunt free in the first place when we were bidding 10m for other strikers about the place at the same time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sima Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 it begins, starting the letting us down process already i like the implication that we're not getting a big fee for ba so this in some way hinders our moves...we got the cunt free in the first place when we were bidding 10m for other strikers about the place at the same time Maybe if we had spent that £10m in the summer we wouldn't have bought Cisse [/devil's advocate] Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugoinufc Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Not my favourite person at the moment and frankly I've just about had enough of him, but Christ he looked so bloody handsome in his presser yesterday afternoon. A very good looking man. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmojorisin75 Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 it begins, starting the letting us down process already i like the implication that we're not getting a big fee for ba so this in some way hinders our moves...we got the cunt free in the first place when we were bidding 10m for other strikers about the place at the same time Maybe if we had spent that £10m in the summer we wouldn't have bought Cisse [/devil's advocate] no doubt about it, doesn't change the fact we needed 2 strikers after carrol...we got one free and paid 10m for cisse no point fucking crying about not getting a massive fee for ba, nothing has changed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledGeordie Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Problem is even with Debuchy at the back which will sure things up a bit in terms of defending and keeping the ball Saylor could quite easily re-injure himself as proved before and then you're back to square one relying on Williamson. Goals win matches so I suppose if you had to choose one or the other we have to bring in a striker to cover Ba's departure. But that's still russion roulette leaving the centre back position hideously exposed. But BOTH ffs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varadi Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Even if we don't have the money to spend big there just has to be some half decent cheap stoppers out there that would be a better option than Williamson. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sima Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Even if we don't have the money to spend big there just has to be some half decent cheap stoppers out there that would be a better option than Williamson. How much is Djourou going for? Would be an infinitely better option than Williamson and wouldn't cost the earth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Problem is even with Debuchy at the back which will sure things up a bit in terms of defending and keeping the ball Saylor could quite easily re-injure himself as proved before and then you're back to square one relying on Williamson. Goals win matches so I suppose if you had to choose one or the other we have to bring in a striker to cover Ba's departure. But that's still russion roulette leaving the centre back position hideously exposed. But BOTH ffs Exactly and we've all known this for ages now ...Saylor is ALWAYS an injury risk and a new CB should have been brought in last summer. To skimp on it now would be nothing short of stupid because it puts our PL place in jeopardy....if Ashley had done the right thing in summer, we wouldn't be having half these problems now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Wally_McFool Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2013/01/04/nufc-unlikely-to-be-held-to-ransom-over-transfers-61634-32543163/2/ I'd like to think that our fans are more knowledgeable than they've been given credit for. Given credit for by who exactly, by fatty and despicable Derek? Is Pardew now telling us in a roundabout way that the owners are taking us all for being complete mugs or does he mean someone else has not been giving us credit for being "knowledgeable"! Come on Pardew, spill the fuckin' beans! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaKa Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Tbf it doesn't mean we want to hoof.... For one thing he mentioned pace and no hoofball merchant is pacey..... Odd thing to say. Name a target man around who is quick, Drogba was the only one in recent years and he had much more to his game than your standard target man. Lukaku and Benteke, just off the top off my head. Lukaku is not that quick. Not sure if he's any quicker than Cisse, really. Don't be fooled by his frame! That guy can motor trust me. I watched WBA play Fulham the other night and whilst they lost, they caused Fulham all sorts of problems in the second half, and Lukaku was behind much of this with his mobility and holding of the ball. It was a game well worth watching and tons better than most of the rubbish we have served up this season because WBA ran so well off the ball that they always had plenty of attacking options. Berbatov had a great game for Fulham too, basically down to him that they won. Yeah, watched that game too. Have no idea why Chelsea feel Lukaku can't get a good amount of games for them upfront as an alternative to Torres. He's been brilliant for West Brom when he's played. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishMagpie Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 I'm wary about taking what he says in press conferences as gospel but quite nice to hear him talking about finding a.n. other striker who will link up well with Cisse. Think that's the key because Ba/Cisse wasn't a partnership in any sense of the word. Bastard's gone and built my hopes up as well with this talk of possibly seeing Cabs in a more advanced role. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 "I think it wasn’t unexpected – we all knew it was a possibility – but the fact that it’s done leaves the door open for somebody else.....I thought Shola was terrific...." Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2013/01/04/alan-pardew-patience-is-vital-in-new-striker-search-72703-32543260/#ixzz2H0MnnE6u Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varadi Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 I'm wary about taking what he says in press conferences as gospel but quite nice to hear him talking about finding a.n. other striker who will link up well with Cisse. Think that's the key because Ba/Cisse wasn't a partnership in any sense of the word. b******'s gone and built my hopes up as well with this talk of possibly seeing Cabs in a more advanced role. Aye, I get the feeling his ideal front 6 would look something like: Tiote - Anita Ben Arfa - Cabaye - Remy Cisse If he managed to relegate a team with that attacking lineup I would lead the assassination squad myself! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Replacing Simpson and having Taylor return might just be enough til the summer but I'd hate to see them give up again. Especially with Taylor's injury record. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 I wouldn't mind if i actually had confidence that Saylor could last a game without getting injured Not convinced he can stay fit till May. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaKa Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 “I thought Shola was terrific. He wasn’t in the starting line-up when we did the team, but he came in, and I was proud of him. “Whether he can two games in four days, that’s a risk for him. I am thinking about resting him.” Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2013/01/04/alan-pardew-patience-is-vital-in-new-striker-search-72703-32543260/#ixzz2H0ZHVA2z God, this guy can be so depressing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest icemanblue Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 “I thought Shola was terrific. He wasn’t in the starting line-up when we did the team, but he came in, and I was proud of him. “Whether he can two games in four days, that’s a risk for him. I am thinking about resting him.” Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2013/01/04/alan-pardew-patience-is-vital-in-new-striker-search-72703-32543260/#ixzz2H0ZHVA2z God, this guy can be so depressing. What's he meant to say, like? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JH Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 “I thought Shola was fucking shit. He wasn’t in the starting line-up when we did the team, but unfortunately Ba fucked off so I had to bring him in, and he was just as turd as always. “Whether he can two games in four days, that’s a risk for him. So I'll play him and hopefully he gets injured.” Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 “I thought Shola was fucking shit. He wasn’t in the starting line-up when we did the team, but unfortunately Ba fucked off so I had to bring him in, and he was just as turd as always. “Whether he can two games in four days, that’s a risk for him. So I'll play him and hopefully he gets injured.” Do some genuinely believe our manager should slag off his own players in public? Fair enough challenge players you know who can do better but it would do absolutely no good at all for him to lay into Shola. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wullie Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 He's been prepared to criticize Cisse publicly on several occasions, what makes Shola exempt given that he's a fraction of the player? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 “I thought Shola was fucking shit. He wasn’t in the starting line-up when we did the team, but unfortunately Ba fucked off so I had to bring him in, and he was just as turd as always. “Whether he can two games in four days, that’s a risk for him. So I'll play him and hopefully he gets injured.” Do some genuinely believe our manager should slag off his own players in public? Fair enough challenge players you know who can do better but it would do absolutely no good at all for him to lay into Shola. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JH Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 He's been prepared to criticize Cisse publicly on several occasions, what makes Shola exempt given that he's a fraction of the player? Because Cisse is a better player. The last thing a poor player needs is being kicked in the balls. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 He's been prepared to criticize Cisse publicly on several occasions, what makes Shola exempt given that he's a fraction of the player? That was when we had Ba to be fair. I'm still not convinced in the slightest that Pardew is confident about getting a replacement so he has to keep Shola happy. Especially after pulling him out of a tournament he wanted to play in. Incredible, isn't it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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