Alan Pardew

[Guest bimpy474]

I think we've played the least long balls in the league this year...

 

Hoofball etc etc..

 

We haven't played hoofball at all, which is good as that's my main hate of any manager or team. If we can get our movement right we could be very dangerous. But our defensive concentration is abysmal and it's always a matter of time in virtually every game for a slip to come.

 

I really think we could do with a proper defensive minded coach added to the coaching set up.

[Guest Haris Vuckic]

I don't mind the occasional long ball if it's not aimless - i.e if Shola knocks it down to Ba who smashes it in the corner of the Man United net - aye canny - but when we were just hoofing it aimlessly that's awful - I think Swansea/West Ham at home last year were the worst for that. Ugh. Awful.

 

Better this year definitely - I think the difference between a 'hoof' and a clearance needs to be established sometimes mind

[BottledDog]

Well, no mention in your quote, no.

For some reason, you seem to have missed out this bit - 

 

"You gotta love it... you can't get away from what it is. But if you can't, if that doesn't drive you, then nothing is going to drive you in this game. I try and feed off it as best I can. The Geordies are a fun loving city, they love their football. I've tried to put on the pitch this year a more entertaining team. Paid the price at one or two games, but we are going to continue to do that because that is what we and the fans want."

 

Is he wanting us to be completely apathetic about our club so his job is easier? No, of course not.

 

Saying last year we can't be proud of what we did but this year if we can get consistency we're not far away from the team that finished 5th, we now have a stronger squad and the resources to compete in both cups.

 

Is that dampening expectation for this season? Doesn't sound like it.

 

When asked about the priority for the club not to be in the cups, he said that may be what the accountants want, but not what he wants. "Silverware is the priority". When challenged to look at what happened to Wigan after winning a cup, he said no, look at Swansea.

 

Is that being negative. No.

 

He constantly and deliberately tells us we can't compete and has now said we shouldn't even aspire to. He wants us all to shut up and accept mediocrity so his job is safe and easy and some are buying it.

 

Look at Swansea? He wants to win a cup? "Fank god we was not in Europe again".

 

Almost tin foil hat thread worthy.

 

He only really says we can't compete on the money side. That we cannot currently under Ashley compete with the richer clubs whether that be to acquire/retain players, or afford a team that can break into the top 4. It is up to you whether you agree with that.

 

We generally spend well but do not show enough ambition to get us a squad more than an injury or two away from being bang average, so I'm inclined to agree with him in that sense.

He has not said we shouldn't demand more for the club, or that we can't win a cup, or that staying up is some sort of praiseworthy achievement for the current team.

 

We've seen glimpses of good play, but the team should be doing better that it is, that is down to Pardew.

Every time the team goes out looking like it has spent the week in training staring at their shoes. That is down to Pardew.

 

Getting the feeling the best we can hope for is mediocrity? That is down to Ashley... and the possible lack of any decent rich benefactor waiting in the wings wanting to buy us.

[Guest bimpy474]

 

 

Just about the only thing Pardew has said of late i'll take seriously is when he said, we have no consistancy and need to play better for a whole game. First half against Cardiff, Last 20 minutes against Fulham as examples.

 

But the Man City, West Ham, Hull (2nd half), and first half against Everton were as bad as last season. Just without the endless hoofs, wahey a plus point.

 

Our season so far has been little different to last other than less kick and rush.  We've played the hoofball but a lot less and that should be recognised, other than that, it's more of the same.

 

Looks like you've found your fool, bimpy.. i have no idea what this is about 

 

Personally, I believe we have seen quite a few periods in matches where we have been dominant for quite long stretches, and have created a fair few more chances than last season. There are certainly signs of improvement, to deny so is just churlish.

 

 

PS : Only a fool would deny we have been better, and are trying to play better stuff tbf.

 

Me just a page before, we are playing less hoofball and if you go another few posts back you'll see i wrote that Pardew to his credit is trying to gets us to play better (in a reply to Mole i think). And i've said it several times lately. Our movement is still lacking and the defending is just woeful which is holding back the improvement being shown.

 

I know you did. I was referencing Mick (the person I quoted), who seems to be in complete denial about any sign of improvement. Then again, you sometimes get the feeling Pardew could win the league this year playing Barcelona style football and Mick (amongst some people on here) would still want him sacked because the opposition scored a goal, or put us under some pressure after half time, or there was the occasional hoof from the back.

 

I'm seriously baffled that people could be so set in their opinions to the point where they become incapable of any objectivity. I'm a staunch Ashley hater/cynic, but if he outlined a credible ambition for the club I could get behind, and then followed it up with some good appointments and sustained investment I could be quite easily swayed. I'm not exactly a Pardew fan either, but if he gets creditable results over a period of time and plays some decent football along the way, I don't have a problem in giving him credit.

 

There have been a few patches of sustained dominance (15-20 minutes) in the first 7 matches this season that we've barely seen under Pardew so far during his time at the club, and that some would say represents the potential of the players at his disposal (on a good day I would add personally). The least those who were craving for it could do is perhaps acknowledge what they see with their own eyes, rather than deny it's happened at all..

 

I think part of the improvement/non improvement thing is. We seem to go from one extreme to another, we either excellent for a spell or just plain awful. You said earlier about team not dominating all the time which is true but we don't seem to be able to get playing between excellent and awful. Sometimes containing a team, taking the steam out of a game. We swing so wildly it's mental. Maybe that's part of the problem in seeing the improvements.

[Guest bimpy474]

I don't mind the occasional long ball if it's not aimless - i.e if Shola knocks it down to Ba who smashes it in the corner of the Man United net - aye canny - but when we were just hoofing it aimlessly that's awful - I think Swansea/West Ham at home last year were the worst for that. Ugh. Awful.

 

Better this year definitely - I think the difference between a 'hoof' and a clearance needs to be established sometimes mind

 

Definitely, Hoddle was one of the best at long passes and used them to great effect. A long pass is great play when used right, a hopeful percentage long pass isn't and Fat Sam's brand. And a hoof is just plain lazy imo.

 

Mixing it up is good, but we need an identity and proper pattern to give us a platform to do that. It's wrong to say Pardew isn't trying to do that as i think he is tbf. I do think he'll fail as he's too limited to get the formula right but he is at least trying.

[Guest bimpy474]

Well, no mention in your quote, no.

For some reason, you seem to have missed out this bit - 

 

"You gotta love it... you can't get away from what it is. But if you can't, if that doesn't drive you, then nothing is going to drive you in this game. I try and feed off it as best I can. The Geordies are a fun loving city, they love their football. I've tried to put on the pitch this year a more entertaining team. Paid the price at one or two games, but we are going to continue to do that because that is what we and the fans want."

 

Is he wanting us to be completely apathetic about our club so his job is easier? No, of course not.

 

Saying last year we can't be proud of what we did but this year if we can get consistency we're not far away from the team that finished 5th, we now have a stronger squad and the resources to compete in both cups.

 

Is that dampening expectation for this season? Doesn't sound like it.

 

When asked about the priority for the club not to be in the cups, he said that may be what the accountants want, but not what he wants. "Silverware is the priority". When challenged to look at what happened to Wigan after winning a cup, he said no, look at Swansea.

 

Is that being negative. No.

 

He constantly and deliberately tells us we can't compete and has now said we shouldn't even aspire to. He wants us all to shut up and accept mediocrity so his job is safe and easy and some are buying it.

 

Look at Swansea? He wants to win a cup? "Fank god we was not in Europe again".

 

Almost tin foil hat thread worthy.

 

He only really says we can't compete on the money side. That we cannot currently under Ashley compete with the richer clubs whether that be to acquire/retain for players, or afford a team that can break into the top 4. It is up to you whether you agree with that.

 

We generally spend well but do not show enough ambition to get us a squad more than an injury or two away from being bang average, so I'm inclined to agree with him in that sense.

He has not said we shouldn't demand more for the club, or that we can't win a cup, or that staying up is an is some sort of praiseworthy achievement for the current team.

 

We've seen glimpses of good play, but the team should be doing better that it is, that is down to Pardew.

Every time the team goes out looking like it has spent the week in training staring at their shoes. That is down to Pardew.

 

Getting the feeling the best we can hope for is mediocrity? That is down to Ashley... and the possible lack of any decent rich benefactor waiting in the wings wanting to buy us.

 

I think we have a problem with buying now, not just with Ashley being tight. I think selling teams are ready for us and we're finding it harder to get players in because of it. I think we've squeezed all the blood that's coming out that stone.

[Mick]

 

I know you did. I was referencing Mick (the person I quoted), who seems to be in complete denial about any sign of improvement. Then again, you sometimes get the feeling Pardew could win the league this year playing Barcelona style football and Mick (amongst some people on here) would still want him sacked because the opposition scored a goal, or put us under some pressure after half time, or there was the occasional hoof from the back.

 

I'm seriously baffled that people could be so set in their opinions to the point where they become incapable of any objectivity. I'm a staunch Ashley hater/cynic, but if he outlined a credible ambition for the club I could get behind, and then followed it up with some good appointments and sustained investment I could be quite easily swayed. I'm not exactly a Pardew fan either, but if he gets creditable results over a period of time and plays some decent football along the way, I don't have a problem in giving him credit.

 

There have been a few patches of sustained dominance (15-20 minutes) in the first 7 matches this season that we've barely seen under Pardew so far during his time at the club, and that some would say represents the potential of the players at his disposal (on a good day I would add personally). The least those who were craving for it could do is perhaps acknowledge what they see with their own eyes, rather than deny it's happened at all..

 

You're absolutely nuts man, I mentioned an improvement in the 2 line post you quoted but don't let that get in the way of whatever crap you want to post.

 

[Parky]

We've tried to play a bit more football this season that much is clear and Pards kind of hinted that was due to having more/everyone available again...But we still sit back and we still are over reliant on individual moments rather than what might pass for a concerted game plan and more drilled attacking movement...It's been a better in some games but I always have this fear that at any time we might be back to square one - and that is my core mistrust of the manager.

[Wullie]

We've tried to play a bit more football this season that much is clear and Pards kind of hinted that was due to having more/everyone available again...But we still sit back and we still are over reliant on individual moments rather than what might pass for a concerted game plan and more drilled attacking movement...It's been a better in some games but I always have this fear that at any time we might be back to square one - and that is my core mistrust of the manager.

 

Very much agree with this.

[Mick]

By this time last season we'd played four of those awful European games that got in the way so much and our league record was:

 

Played 7,  Won 2,  Drawn 3,  Lost 2,  For 8,  Against 11,  GD -3, Points 9, Pos 10th. 

 

This season we have no distraction and usually have a week to prepare for games, our record is:

 

Played 7,  Won 3,  Drawn 1,  Lost 3,  For 9,  Against 12,  GD -3 Points 10, Pos 11th. 

[Belfast Mags]

Well, we're nothing if not consistent. 

[Guest]

The only outcome we've had that we'd not have expected or would have been predicted though is Hull at home. We were always massive second favourites at Man City and Everton will be favourites at home against everyone bar what most people would think will finish in the top 6.

[BrettNUFC]

We are an improving side and i'm looking forward to saying how Pardew continues to develop it. Changes in style of play and formation have worked well imo so far this season. Although on the back of that good win at Cardiff, i do fear we might not see Ben Arfa/Anita starting for a while even if the Liverpool game doesn't go our way, with tough fixtures coming up, i can see Pardew being choosing a slightly conservative team selection through these fixtures which may see hba/anita used sparingly. I could never justify Ben Arfa being taken off or dropped for any league match but the Cardiff result did give me confidence we are still a good side without him and not a one man team like I was beginning to fear first few games of the season.

[TRC]

That has to be a wind up. We had a good 45 minutes, then nearly threw it away.

 

Pardew should be judged on what happens in the derby IMO, if we lose he should be hounded out. Up against the weakest Sunderland team since they went down.

 

 

[Guest icemanblue]

That has to be a wind up. We had a good 45 minutes, then nearly threw it away.

 

Pardew should be judged on what happens in the derby IMO, if we lose he should be hounded out. Up against the weakest Sunderland team since they went down.

 

 

 

60 minutes. But, yes, he should definitely be judged on that one game. Forget what has happened (bad and good, please don't hit me), and what is yet to happen. The derby is the game for him to be judged on.

[BrettNUFC]

That has to be a wind up. We had a good 45 minutes, then nearly threw it away.

 

Pardew should be judged on what happens in the derby IMO, if we lose he should be hounded out. Up against the weakest Sunderland team since they went down.

 

The first 45 was the best 45 without a doubt this year and arguably even all of the 5th season and that was without Ben Arfa in the side. If we had Ben Arfa in the second half, that still wouldn't have changed how things turned out. The players retreated after Willo's mistake but at least they showed grit and resilience to battle for the 3 points and not roll over and give them it. Problem is, once they scored we didn't utilise the counter as well as we could have done and struggled badly to get a good grip back on the game. We need to keep improving and put more consistency into our play and not just 20 minute spells or one good half, one bad.

 

If we lose the derby, he will be hounded and rightly so, whether or not it will be enough to have him sacked or not is another matter. Mackems will be a different proposition now Di Canio has gone, i actually don't think they've played as badly as people make out in recent games since he's left, they've not picked up the points but i think performance wise they've done alright against Liverpool/ManUtd.

[NG32]

That has to be a wind up. We had a good 45 minutes, then nearly threw it away.

 

Pardew should be judged on what happens in the derby IMO, if we lose he should be hounded out. Up against the weakest Sunderland team since they went down.

 

 

 

He keeps putting wedding dresses on scarecrows and trying to marry them off man.

 

[Flip]

 

I know you did. I was referencing Mick (the person I quoted), who seems to be in complete denial about any sign of improvement. Then again, you sometimes get the feeling Pardew could win the league this year playing Barcelona style football and Mick (amongst some people on here) would still want him sacked because the opposition scored a goal, or put us under some pressure after half time, or there was the occasional hoof from the back.

 

I'm seriously baffled that people could be so set in their opinions to the point where they become incapable of any objectivity. I'm a staunch Ashley hater/cynic, but if he outlined a credible ambition for the club I could get behind, and then followed it up with some good appointments and sustained investment I could be quite easily swayed. I'm not exactly a Pardew fan either, but if he gets creditable results over a period of time and plays some decent football along the way, I don't have a problem in giving him credit.

 

There have been a few patches of sustained dominance (15-20 minutes) in the first 7 matches this season that we've barely seen under Pardew so far during his time at the club, and that some would say represents the potential of the players at his disposal (on a good day I would add personally). The least those who were craving for it could do is perhaps acknowledge what they see with their own eyes, rather than deny it's happened at all..

 

You're absolutely nuts man, I mentioned an improvement in the 2 line post you quoted but don't let that get in the way of whatever crap you want to post.

 

 

Don't see why you even bother responding to him. The fact that he believes people on here actually rather get rid of Pardew than see us winning with him is enough. I do give him praise for being happy for us having some improved performances for 15-20 % of games, and let me add SLIGHT improvements. We've been fucking horseshit for most part, but let's just forget that and look upon the good 15 minutes where we tried to do something for once.

[tmonkey]

Hoofball was never the problem under Pardew imo. The problem was, and still is, that we play percentage football, which is different and not mutually exclusive to playing long ball - i.e. the players are clearly instructed to get the ball into the box/strikers as often as possible even if the pass isn't on (which is most of the time), with the theory being that just getting the ball into the box results in chances being created if the striker wins it and/or the knockdown and poor clearances favours us. "Get the ball into the box enough times and combined with individual ability the goals are bound to come, keep it tight and stay in position (i.e. no real movement) and opposition teams who are passing and moving will struggle to score" - that's Pardew's theory. There's no thought to passing and moving as a team, interplaying, getting reasonable numbers forward, and creating chances by working the all around and through the opposition - so whilst we are playing on the deck more compared to last season, the net result of the Pardew approach to football means that we just pass it around in straight lines without any intention to create anything until it's time for someone to lump it optimistically into the box/strikers. Hence, we constantly lose possession cheaply, whilst practically every game the opposition cut through us and create the better chances.

 

It's a philosophy you'd expect in the lower leagues, one where teams with players who "jump higher, win more headers, run faster, get the tackle in" make the difference, and I for one can't believe Pardew is getting away with it in the Premiership in 2013 with this squad of players. It's almost like he's trying to outsmart the opposition by using an approach that they aren't really expecting. And on that note, whilst there's zero evidence for this, I suspect that Pardew may be a "Prozone manager" ala Sam Allardyce, or something of that ilk in that he believes "percentage football" is more effective/efficient than a more creative passing game because a statistic somewhere will show that getting the ball into the box more often results in more goals. It would logically explain why Pardew's team plays this way, what he analyses during the 4 days of the training week where he works on defense/countering the opposition.

[nufc4eva]

The minimum we should get from Mackem game is a draw tbh, losing would be awful again and we should really be beating them.

 

Have no hope whatsoever that we will get a point or more against Liverpool and expecting to be humped all over the shop. Our biggest hope is Remy continuing to score and Cabaye stepping up his form.

 

I do agree that we seem to be playing less hoof ball overall so far and do appear to be attempting to keep ball on deck and play around especially in our half, however pardew still seem shit scared of what the other team are going to do and that's holding us back from assaulting a team

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Hoofball was never the problem under Pardew imo. The problem was, and still is, that we play percentage football, which is different and not mutually exclusive to playing long ball - i.e. the players are clearly instructed to get the ball into the box/strikers as often as possible even if the pass isn't on (which is most of the time), with the theory being that just getting the ball into the box results in chances being created if the striker wins it and/or the knockdown and poor clearances favours us. "Get the ball into the box enough times and combined with individual ability the goals are bound to come, keep it tight and stay in position (i.e. no real movement) and opposition teams who are passing and moving will struggle to score" - that's Pardew's theory. There's no thought to passing and moving as a team, interplaying, getting reasonable numbers forward, and creating chances by working the all around and through the opposition - so whilst we are playing on the deck more compared to last season, the net result of the Pardew approach to football means that we just pass it around in straight lines without any intention to create anything until it's time for someone to lump it optimistically into the box/strikers. Hence, we constantly lose possession cheaply, whilst practically every game the opposition cut through us and create the better chances.

 

It's a philosophy you'd expect in the lower leagues, one where teams with players who "jump higher, win more headers, run faster, get the tackle in" make the difference, and I for one can't believe Pardew is getting away with it in the Premiership in 2013 with this squad of players. It's almost like he's trying to outsmart the opposition by using an approach that they aren't really expecting. And on that note, whilst there's zero evidence for this, I suspect that Pardew may be a "Prozone manager" ala Sam Allardyce, or something of that ilk in that he believes "percentage football" is more effective/efficient than a more creative passing game because a statistic somewhere will show that getting the ball into the box more often results in more goals. It would logically explain why Pardew's team plays this way, what he analyses during the 4 days of the training week where he works on defense/countering the opposition.

 

Not far off, although I think you'd be surprised about the number of managers who think basically the same thing, even in the Premier League. Possibly one has just got the Man Utd job.

[Flip]

Hoofball was never the problem under Pardew imo. The problem was, and still is, that we play percentage football, which is different and not mutually exclusive to playing long ball - i.e. the players are clearly instructed to get the ball into the box/strikers as often as possible even if the pass isn't on (which is most of the time), with the theory being that just getting the ball into the box results in chances being created if the striker wins it and/or the knockdown and poor clearances favours us. "Get the ball into the box enough times and combined with individual ability the goals are bound to come, keep it tight and stay in position (i.e. no real movement) and opposition teams who are passing and moving will struggle to score" - that's Pardew's theory. There's no thought to passing and moving as a team, interplaying, getting reasonable numbers forward, and creating chances by working the all around and through the opposition - so whilst we are playing on the deck more compared to last season, the net result of the Pardew approach to football means that we just pass it around in straight lines without any intention to create anything until it's time for someone to lump it optimistically into the box/strikers. Hence, we constantly lose possession cheaply, whilst practically every game the opposition cut through us and create the better chances.

 

It's a philosophy you'd expect in the lower leagues, one where teams with players who "jump higher, win more headers, run faster, get the tackle in" make the difference, and I for one can't believe Pardew is getting away with it in the Premiership in 2013 with this squad of players. It's almost like he's trying to outsmart the opposition by using an approach that they aren't really expecting. And on that note, whilst there's zero evidence for this, I suspect that Pardew may be a "Prozone manager" ala Sam Allardyce, or something of that ilk in that he believes "percentage football" is more effective/efficient than a more creative passing game because a statistic somewhere will show that getting the ball into the box more often results in more goals. It would logically explain why Pardew's team plays this way, what he analyses during the 4 days of the training week where he works on defense/countering the opposition.

 

Not far off, although I think you'd be surprised about the number of managers who think basically the same thing, even in the Premier League. Possibly one has just got the Man Utd job.

 

That's true, but that doesn't mean in still doesn't belong in the lower leagues rather than the Premier League. There's a reason to why quality is falling while money is increasing in this league, and it's all down to philosophy. This league has everything to have the best teams in the world competing for the CL year in year out, but that hasn't been the case with some few exceptions. With the money involved in these clubs all four PL teams should reach a minimum of quarterfinals each year.

[TRon]

Hoofball was never the problem under Pardew imo. The problem was, and still is, that we play percentage football, which is different and not mutually exclusive to playing long ball - i.e. the players are clearly instructed to get the ball into the box/strikers as often as possible even if the pass isn't on (which is most of the time), with the theory being that just getting the ball into the box results in chances being created if the striker wins it and/or the knockdown and poor clearances favours us. "Get the ball into the box enough times and combined with individual ability the goals are bound to come, keep it tight and stay in position (i.e. no real movement) and opposition teams who are passing and moving will struggle to score" - that's Pardew's theory. There's no thought to passing and moving as a team, interplaying, getting reasonable numbers forward, and creating chances by working the all around and through the opposition - so whilst we are playing on the deck more compared to last season, the net result of the Pardew approach to football means that we just pass it around in straight lines without any intention to create anything until it's time for someone to lump it optimistically into the box/strikers. Hence, we constantly lose possession cheaply, whilst practically every game the opposition cut through us and create the better chances.

 

It's a philosophy you'd expect in the lower leagues, one where teams with players who "jump higher, win more headers, run faster, get the tackle in" make the difference, and I for one can't believe Pardew is getting away with it in the Premiership in 2013 with this squad of players. It's almost like he's trying to outsmart the opposition by using an approach that they aren't really expecting. And on that note, whilst there's zero evidence for this, I suspect that Pardew may be a "Prozone manager" ala Sam Allardyce, or something of that ilk in that he believes "percentage football" is more effective/efficient than a more creative passing game because a statistic somewhere will show that getting the ball into the box more often results in more goals. It would logically explain why Pardew's team plays this way, what he analyses during the 4 days of the training week where he works on defense/countering the opposition.

 

Not far off, although I think you'd be surprised about the number of managers who think basically the same thing, even in the Premier League. Possibly one has just got the Man Utd job.

 

Yes but we do it really badly. If it was done in an organised and effective way, you could at least give Pardew some grudging respect for it.

[TRon]

We've tried to play a bit more football this season that much is clear and Pards kind of hinted that was due to having more/everyone available again...But we still sit back and we still are over reliant on individual moments rather than what might pass for a concerted game plan and more drilled attacking movement...It's been a better in some games but I always have this fear that at any time we might be back to square one - and that is my core mistrust of the manager.

 

This, in a nutshell. We look like a team trying to change the way we play but any observer watching it would think the players have probably been told "pass it about a bit". You can't really see much evidence of players working in tandem either going forwards or defending.

[KaKa]

Yeah, we don't really look like we work much on drills to actually develop a passing and movement game.

 

It's almost as though the players have been told they have permission to pass the ball on the ground, and that is therefore meant to revolutionize our play.