Alan Pardew

[AyeDubbleYoo]

[Conjo]

Has he ever?

[Guest Roger Kint]

 

Its the anymore bit, suggests that he scored many previously.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Ah I see, fair point.

[Happy Face]

When you look at our bench on Sat, our squad is not all that bad anymore. We are just quite unbalanced in terms of players we have in certain areas. A total lack of good wingers being one area and up front being another.

 

We had Anita, MYM, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Sammy all on bench and I think that's quite strong. Nowhere near what Chelsea etc have but a lot better than any outside of top 6

 

I think you could say the same since January.  This season we've only brought in Remy.  Harper, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Tav and Gosling going out.  In terms of bodies available, we should be worse off.

 

The squad improvement was all last winter though.  They've just needed a year to settle.

 

27 players started games last year and so far this season we've only needed 19.  3 of those have only started once.  Keeping the players that aren't good enough out of the first team and off the bench has been the biggest factor in our return to the upper echelons. The January signings that have been largely responsible for any individual errors that cost us points are making them with much less frequency now.  The majority of those players being in the running for the player of the month award.

 

 

 

 

[TRon]

When you look at our bench on Sat, our squad is not all that bad anymore. We are just quite unbalanced in terms of players we have in certain areas. A total lack of good wingers being one area and up front being another.

 

We had Anita, MYM, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Sammy all on bench and I think that's quite strong. Nowhere near what Chelsea etc have but a lot better than any outside of top 6

 

I think you could say the same since January.  This season we've only brought in Remy.  Harper, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Tav and Gosling going out.  In terms of bodies available, we should be worse off.

 

The squad improvement was all last winter though.  They've just needed a year to settle.

 

27 players started games last year and so far this season we've only needed 19.  3 of those have only started once.  Keeping the players that aren't good enough out of the first team and off the bench has been the biggest factor in our return to the upper echelons. The January signings that have been largely responsible for any individual errors that cost us points are making them with much less frequency now.  The majority of those players being in the running for the player of the month award.

 

 

 

 

 

I suppose that backs up the club response to criticism we didn't sign enough players in the summer, basically we did our business last January.

[themanupstairs]

Kudos to Pardew for finding a team that is grinding out results. 4 wins in a row in this division is always impressive no matter the circumstances in individual games.

 

Me personally, I'm not happy with our performance despite the result (yet again). Thought we were poor in the first half (West Brom being worse), gradually improving, but then came out in the second half looking p*ss poor and unable to adjust to West Brom pushing players forward. To my eyes we barely created a clear cut chance in 90 minutes of football at home to a mediocre team, and were yet again reliant on hoping the opposition were p*ss poor in the final third, which West Brom duly were - it's almost like Pardew has found a method of rope-a-doping the opposition just about enough to nick a lead and then hold on. I think Sissoko's cracker came against the run of play with the momentum being with West Brom, hence the reason why I'm not happy with the performance - it's not sustainable over the long term imo and we should be doing alot more with the players we have (including those sitting on the bench).

 

I'm sure the likes of Brett, Ian W, etc, were watching a completely different game (good attacking/creative football from us, solid defense, only one team going to win it, etc etc), but then that's part of what makes football such a great sport, i.e. the differing opinions on the same players, matches, managers, incidents, etc.

 

In terms of Pardew himself and the bigger picture, firstly I don't think this method of playing is sustainable over the long term (e.g. beyond this season), secondly that we're wasting some premium talent (Ben Arfa, Anita, possibly Marveaux) by having a manager who just can't work with them, and thirdly even if it is (e.g. we finish top 5 again), we'll be back to struggling again as he clearly hates European campaigns. And I suspect the latter is because his only real gameplan is all about containment and nicking the lead, which inherently relies on high levels of workrate, fitness, preparation, concentration, etc - add in a lengthy European campaign and the stamina/distraction issues kick in. Which is a shame really, as perversely I think Pardew's tactics are more suited to European football given the benefits of taking a more conservative containment approach.

 

Sorry like, but this is a cracking post. Monkey is spot on as usual. We created almost nothing from open play. We keep the ball well in our half and around midfield, but are absolutely dog shit hopeless in the final third. This recurring theme cannot continue for long, in addition to relying on a different in-form striker to bail us out every half-term.

[jdckelly]

Alan Pardew: Good run traces back to home truth session at Goodison Park

2 Dec 2013 07:21

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew indicates United players have all pulled together since woeful first half on Merseyside

 

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Alan Pardew has revealed home truths in the visitors’ dressing room at Goodison Park are the real reason behind Newcastle United’s successful season so far.

 

Pardew was fuming that night after fans chanted: “We want our money back” and the moment could well be a major turning point in the season.

 

The Magpies’ boss still maintains his team did not play badly against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby defeat on Wearside.

 

He feels the foundations were laid for his team’s four-game winning streak on Merseyside two months ago.

 

The victory over West Brom fired United up the Premier League table and put Pardew in the box seat for the November Manager of the Month Award, which he will pick up later this week if his 100% record is deemed good enough to win an honour he has claimed only his once before in his managerial career - at West Ham.

 

When asked what the secret of Uniteds success was this term, he said: “Since the second half against Everton we looked at ourselves and said: ‘come on this is not us’. We had difficulties last year with injuries and the Europa League. We are together this year and we are ready. We said: ‘Let’s go – come on, let’s not make the errors we are making.’

 

“We won the second half against Everton and since that moment we have been very strong.”

 

United are now in their best run of form since April 2012, when Pardew led his side to Europe and went on to pick up both the LMA and Premier League Manager of the Year awards.

 

After his latest triumph, he added: “I genuinely sensed in the dressing room they believed they were going to win.

 

“Of course, the effort you have to have to put in to win in the Premier League was there for everyone to see. Our two wide guys must have done 12 and half kilometres – no problem.

 

“They were outstanding and that shape and resilience is getting us results.”

 

United now take their winning streak to Swansea City on Wednesday night.

 

When asked how long the winning run could go on for, Pardew said: “I don’t know.

 

“We have a tough game on Wednesday against Swansea. They are a good side.”

 

“I think it is difficult to win, especially against teams you are expected to win against. They are the most difficult.”

 

Pardew’s best sequence of wins was six on the trot at the end of the 2011/12 season.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alan-pardew-good-run-traces-6360123

so basically our turnaround this season is down to...............Mike Williamson?! 

[Elliottman]

Kudos to Pardew for finding a team that is grinding out results. 4 wins in a row in this division is always impressive no matter the circumstances in individual games.

 

Me personally, I'm not happy with our performance despite the result (yet again). Thought we were poor in the first half (West Brom being worse), gradually improving, but then came out in the second half looking p*ss poor and unable to adjust to West Brom pushing players forward. To my eyes we barely created a clear cut chance in 90 minutes of football at home to a mediocre team, and were yet again reliant on hoping the opposition were p*ss poor in the final third, which West Brom duly were - it's almost like Pardew has found a method of rope-a-doping the opposition just about enough to nick a lead and then hold on. I think Sissoko's cracker came against the run of play with the momentum being with West Brom, hence the reason why I'm not happy with the performance - it's not sustainable over the long term imo and we should be doing alot more with the players we have (including those sitting on the bench).

 

I'm sure the likes of Brett, Ian W, etc, were watching a completely different game (good attacking/creative football from us, solid defense, only one team going to win it, etc etc), but then that's part of what makes football such a great sport, i.e. the differing opinions on the same players, matches, managers, incidents, etc.

 

In terms of Pardew himself and the bigger picture, firstly I don't think this method of playing is sustainable over the long term (e.g. beyond this season), secondly that we're wasting some premium talent (Ben Arfa, Anita, possibly Marveaux) by having a manager who just can't work with them, and thirdly even if it is (e.g. we finish top 5 again), we'll be back to struggling again as he clearly hates European campaigns. And I suspect the latter is because his only real gameplan is all about containment and nicking the lead, which inherently relies on high levels of workrate, fitness, preparation, concentration, etc - add in a lengthy European campaign and the stamina/distraction issues kick in. Which is a shame really, as perversely I think Pardew's tactics are more suited to European football given the benefits of taking a more conservative containment approach.

 

Sorry like, but this is a cracking post. Monkey is spot on as usual. We created almost nothing from open play. We keep the ball well in our half and around midfield, but are absolutely dog s*** hopeless in the final third. This recurring theme cannot continue for long, in addition to relying on a different in-form striker to bail us out every half-term.

 

Without doubt we are lacking cutting edge in and around the box, this is where HBA would come in handy. But to say we were ‘p*ss poor’ is a load of s****. We kept the ball well at times and built from the back without rushing things. There was a lovely move in the second half where we knocked it round for a good while before Santon fed Sissoko in the box which eventually came to nothing.

 

Tiote and Cabaye played some lovely stuff between them, and we seems to have runners off the ball which was nice too see.  it wasnt vintage but we’re getting there. As I say, its in and around the box where we seem to lack killer instinct. Even then, We are averaging nearly two goals a game at the minute.

 

On top of that, we restricted WBA to one shot on target (the goal).

 

People moaning for moaning sake imo.

 

[mrmojorisin75]

Kudos to Pardew for finding a team that is grinding out results. 4 wins in a row in this division is always impressive no matter the circumstances in individual games.

 

Me personally, I'm not happy with our performance despite the result (yet again). Thought we were poor in the first half (West Brom being worse), gradually improving, but then came out in the second half looking p*ss poor and unable to adjust to West Brom pushing players forward. To my eyes we barely created a clear cut chance in 90 minutes of football at home to a mediocre team, and were yet again reliant on hoping the opposition were p*ss poor in the final third, which West Brom duly were - it's almost like Pardew has found a method of rope-a-doping the opposition just about enough to nick a lead and then hold on. I think Sissoko's cracker came against the run of play with the momentum being with West Brom, hence the reason why I'm not happy with the performance - it's not sustainable over the long term imo and we should be doing alot more with the players we have (including those sitting on the bench).

 

I'm sure the likes of Brett, Ian W, etc, were watching a completely different game (good attacking/creative football from us, solid defense, only one team going to win it, etc etc), but then that's part of what makes football such a great sport, i.e. the differing opinions on the same players, matches, managers, incidents, etc.

 

In terms of Pardew himself and the bigger picture, firstly I don't think this method of playing is sustainable over the long term (e.g. beyond this season), secondly that we're wasting some premium talent (Ben Arfa, Anita, possibly Marveaux) by having a manager who just can't work with them, and thirdly even if it is (e.g. we finish top 5 again), we'll be back to struggling again as he clearly hates European campaigns. And I suspect the latter is because his only real gameplan is all about containment and nicking the lead, which inherently relies on high levels of workrate, fitness, preparation, concentration, etc - add in a lengthy European campaign and the stamina/distraction issues kick in. Which is a shame really, as perversely I think Pardew's tactics are more suited to European football given the benefits of taking a more conservative containment approach.

 

Sorry like, but this is a cracking post. Monkey is spot on as usual. We created almost nothing from open play. We keep the ball well in our half and around midfield, but are absolutely dog shit hopeless in the final third. This recurring theme cannot continue for long, in addition to relying on a different in-form striker to bail us out every half-term.

 

take your NEGATIVITY elsewhere sir, we don't believe what we see with our eyes in here (when we're winning), we look purely at the league table then close our eyes, put our fingers in our ears and scream NEGATIVITY until the doubters go away

 

that's how you discuss and analyse football good sir, we'll have none of your shit in here

[themanupstairs]

Kudos to Pardew for finding a team that is grinding out results. 4 wins in a row in this division is always impressive no matter the circumstances in individual games.

 

Me personally, I'm not happy with our performance despite the result (yet again). Thought we were poor in the first half (West Brom being worse), gradually improving, but then came out in the second half looking p*ss poor and unable to adjust to West Brom pushing players forward. To my eyes we barely created a clear cut chance in 90 minutes of football at home to a mediocre team, and were yet again reliant on hoping the opposition were p*ss poor in the final third, which West Brom duly were - it's almost like Pardew has found a method of rope-a-doping the opposition just about enough to nick a lead and then hold on. I think Sissoko's cracker came against the run of play with the momentum being with West Brom, hence the reason why I'm not happy with the performance - it's not sustainable over the long term imo and we should be doing alot more with the players we have (including those sitting on the bench).

 

I'm sure the likes of Brett, Ian W, etc, were watching a completely different game (good attacking/creative football from us, solid defense, only one team going to win it, etc etc), but then that's part of what makes football such a great sport, i.e. the differing opinions on the same players, matches, managers, incidents, etc.

 

In terms of Pardew himself and the bigger picture, firstly I don't think this method of playing is sustainable over the long term (e.g. beyond this season), secondly that we're wasting some premium talent (Ben Arfa, Anita, possibly Marveaux) by having a manager who just can't work with them, and thirdly even if it is (e.g. we finish top 5 again), we'll be back to struggling again as he clearly hates European campaigns. And I suspect the latter is because his only real gameplan is all about containment and nicking the lead, which inherently relies on high levels of workrate, fitness, preparation, concentration, etc - add in a lengthy European campaign and the stamina/distraction issues kick in. Which is a shame really, as perversely I think Pardew's tactics are more suited to European football given the benefits of taking a more conservative containment approach.

 

Sorry like, but this is a cracking post. Monkey is spot on as usual. We created almost nothing from open play. We keep the ball well in our half and around midfield, but are absolutely dog s*** hopeless in the final third. This recurring theme cannot continue for long, in addition to relying on a different in-form striker to bail us out every half-term.

 

take your NEGATIVITY elsewhere sir, we don't believe what we see with our eyes in here (when we're winning), we look purely at the league table then close our eyes, put our fingers in our ears and scream NEGATIVITY until the doubters go away

 

that's how you discuss and analyse football good sir, we'll have none of your s*** in here

 

[Cronky]

Alan Pardew: Good run traces back to home truth session at Goodison Park

2 Dec 2013 07:21

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew indicates United players have all pulled together since woeful first half on Merseyside

 

Share on print Share on email

Alan Pardew has revealed home truths in the visitors’ dressing room at Goodison Park are the real reason behind Newcastle United’s successful season so far.

 

Pardew was fuming that night after fans chanted: “We want our money back” and the moment could well be a major turning point in the season.

 

The Magpies’ boss still maintains his team did not play badly against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby defeat on Wearside.

 

He feels the foundations were laid for his team’s four-game winning streak on Merseyside two months ago.

 

The victory over West Brom fired United up the Premier League table and put Pardew in the box seat for the November Manager of the Month Award, which he will pick up later this week if his 100% record is deemed good enough to win an honour he has claimed only his once before in his managerial career - at West Ham.

 

When asked what the secret of Uniteds success was this term, he said: “Since the second half against Everton we looked at ourselves and said: ‘come on this is not us’. We had difficulties last year with injuries and the Europa League. We are together this year and we are ready. We said: ‘Let’s go – come on, let’s not make the errors we are making.’

 

“We won the second half against Everton and since that moment we have been very strong.”

 

United are now in their best run of form since April 2012, when Pardew led his side to Europe and went on to pick up both the LMA and Premier League Manager of the Year awards.

 

After his latest triumph, he added: “I genuinely sensed in the dressing room they believed they were going to win.

 

“Of course, the effort you have to have to put in to win in the Premier League was there for everyone to see. Our two wide guys must have done 12 and half kilometres – no problem.

 

“They were outstanding and that shape and resilience is getting us results.”

 

United now take their winning streak to Swansea City on Wednesday night.

 

When asked how long the winning run could go on for, Pardew said: “I don’t know.

 

“We have a tough game on Wednesday against Swansea. They are a good side.”

 

“I think it is difficult to win, especially against teams you are expected to win against. They are the most difficult.”

 

Pardew’s best sequence of wins was six on the trot at the end of the 2011/12 season.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alan-pardew-good-run-traces-6360123

so basically our turnaround this season is down to...............Mike Williamson?! 

 

He's made a crucial contribution, yes. If you're weak at centre back, that saps the confidence of the whole team.

 

He's an organiser and he gets his head to the ball. We were lacking in those basics and he's plugged that gap.

[Happy Face]

This recurring theme cannot continue for long, in addition to relying on a different in-form striker to bail us out every half-term.

 

I'm as equally inclined to say that Cisse's baron spell cannot go on as i am to say that Remy's purple patch can't.

 

Ramsay and Giroud have 55% of Arsenal's goals.

Remy and Gouffran have 63% of our goals.

Soldado and Sigurdson have 64% of Spurs' goals

Rooney & Van Persie have 68 % of Man U's

Sturridge and Suarez have 72% of Liverpool's.

 

Having an in form goal scorer or two is vital to the majority of teams that want to be doing well.

 

[Guest neesy111]

It's good that the midfield have started to score goals, means we aren't reliant on 1/2 strikers to bail us out.

[Cronky]

I don't really buy into this 'in form' idea. Cisse doesn't offer a physical presence up front and doesn't create anything for his team mates. Shola does, and that's why he's rightfully in the side.

[Zero]

Our squad is good / strong enough to play 38 league games in full strength, and in that sense we really should finish top 6.

 

Completely different story if we have to play in EL. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I wasn't watching a different game at all really, I do think we deserved to win though.

 

I think this talk about what kind of winning is 'sustainable' is nonsensical to a large extent. We've won four in a row, that's not bad. One spell we're relying on Cisse, now we're relying on Remy, then we're relying on unexpected goals from the liked of Sissoko. Then we're criticised for not spreading the goals around enough, though we just got a win when Remy wasn't playing well.

 

I know what people mean, it's true we aren't dominating teams over 90 minutes. But who is? Even the likes of Chelsea are relying on set piece goals, and even Man City can only do it every other week.

 

Nothing I've posted recently would lead anyone to believe I think everything's great. Bit you know, sometimes it's a good idea to enjoy a bit of success without constantly worrying about when it's going to end.

[Guest firetotheworks]

I know what people mean

 

 

Do you?

 

 

it's true we aren't dominating teams over 90 minutes.

 

No.

 

 

[themanupstairs]

This recurring theme cannot continue for long, in addition to relying on a different in-form striker to bail us out every half-term.

 

I'm as equally inclined to say that Cisse's baron spell cannot go on as i am to say that Remy's purple patch can't.

 

Ramsay and Giroud have 55% of Arsenal's goals.

Remy and Gouffran have 63% of our goals.

Soldado and Sigurdson have 64% of Spurs' goals

Rooney & Van Persie have 68 % of Man U's

Sturridge and Suarez have 72% of Liverpool's.

 

Having an in form goal scorer or two is vital to the majority of teams that want to be doing well.

 

You are absolutely right of course. Having said that, if you watch all the above goals scored between all the above players you will notice a glaring difference in the way they were scored. We create nowhere near as many clear cut chances as the above pairings get (barring Soldado & Sigurdsson).

 

The football we play relies on scraps and moments of individual brilliance in the majority. Naturally, scraps and wonder goals are part of football, but they are not as sustainable as playing in a way that creates more clear-cut chances for your forwards and midfielders to score from. The worry is, if we go through a barren "unlucky" spell, where we get no scraps to feed off, and Sissoko/Cabaye/Remy don't pull rabbits out of hats for a while, what do we do then?

 

Surely there must be a way to score "easier" goals with a more distinct style of play? This is clearly evidenced by Cisse's horrendous lack of form. Yes he's missed one or two sitters, but they come so rarely. A forward lacking in form and confidence needs even more service. We spent bloody 10M on the lad, might as well figure out a way to get that confidence back up again. (Not excluding Cisse from criticism here at all, as I believe he also needs to pull his finger out).

[Yorkie]

To say our gameplan is unsustainable isn't correct, imo. We'll get results against the majority if we keep playing like this. However, an injury to one of Gouffran or Sissoko (a wing pairing that he's fluked upon, really) will throw that whole gameplan out of the window, because it's as reliant on their incredible stamina as it is Remy's goals. So it's unsustainable in the respect that the squad is still imbalanced/lacking in strength-in-depth.

 

But that was always going to be the case if we intended to go 4-4-2 without buying a winger.

[themanupstairs]

I wasn't watching a different game at all really, I do think we deserved to win though.

 

I think this talk about what kind of winning is 'sustainable' is nonsensical to a large extent. We've won four in a row, that's not bad. One spell we're relying on Cisse, now we're relying on Remy, then we're relying on unexpected goals from the liked of Sissoko. Then we're criticised for not spreading the goals around enough, though we just got a win when Remy wasn't playing well.

 

I know what people mean, it's true we aren't dominating teams over 90 minutes. But who is? Even the likes of Chelsea are relying on set piece goals, and even Man City can only do it every other week.

 

Nothing I've posted recently would lead anyone to believe I think everything's great. Bit you know, sometimes it's a good idea to enjoy a bit of success without constantly worrying about when it's going to end.

 

This is the crux of it Ian. I disagree. The better sides are dominating games they should be dominating. Sure, the league is more open this year than previous editions. But why does that necessarily mean that we can't ask for our team to at least TRY to score the 3rd and 4th that would kill the game off? Why can't we ask to be entertained? Everton did it against Stoke, Liverpool regularly do it at home against the weaker sides. It's the "nature" of football that say 7 times out of 10, the better side will dominate a match at home to a less fancied side.

 

Of course you get your anomalies, and off-days etc., but those become understandable when you don't consistently see a discernible drop-off in attacking play and focus on backs to the wall defence, when you're 2-0 at home to Norwich/Hull/WBA. Has a lot to do with the damp atmosphere at home as well. Imagine the place if say 5 times out of 10 we won by a comfortable 2 or 3 goals against the weaker sides, playing a cohesive attacking gutsy brand of football.

[Guest Haris Vuckic]

To say our gameplan is unsustainable isn't correct, imo. We'll get results against the majority if we keep playing like this. However, an injury to one of Gouffran or Sissoko (a wing pairing that he's fluked upon, really) will throw that whole gameplan out of the window, because it's as reliant on their incredible stamina as it is Remy's goals. It's unsustainable in that respect.

 

But that was always going to be the case if we intended to go 4-4-2 without buying a winger.

 

How has he fluked upon it? He put Sissoko out wide when everybody was kicking off about it & he persevered with it. He's got other options other than Gouffran to play so I wouldn't say that's a fluke either.

 

It sounds more like his idea of the players he has rather than some fluke. In addition he's worked brilliantly to get Gouffran playing like he has.

 

I think if it was most other managers other than Pardew doing well people would be more receptive but a couple of people went over the top calling Pardew worse than shit last year so now he's getting results they don't know how to handle it.

 

Hence looking for any reason possible we don't ''deserve'' a win.

 

Anyway I'm just enjoying the wins. 

 

 

[TRon]

This recurring theme cannot continue for long, in addition to relying on a different in-form striker to bail us out every half-term.

 

I'm as equally inclined to say that Cisse's baron spell cannot go on as i am to say that Remy's purple patch can't.

 

Ramsay and Giroud have 55% of Arsenal's goals.

Remy and Gouffran have 63% of our goals.

Soldado and Sigurdson have 64% of Spurs' goals

Rooney & Van Persie have 68 % of Man U's

Sturridge and Suarez have 72% of Liverpool's.

 

Having an in form goal scorer or two is vital to the majority of teams that want to be doing well.

 

You are absolutely right of course. Having said that, if you watch all the above goals scored between all the above players you will notice a glaring difference in the way they were scored. We create nowhere near as many clear cut chances as the above pairings get (barring Soldado & Sigurdsson).

 

The football we play relies on scraps and moments of individual brilliance in the majority. Naturally, scraps and wonder goals are part of football, but they are not as sustainable as playing in a way that creates more clear-cut chances for your forwards and midfielders to score from. The worry is, if we go through a barren "unlucky" spell, where we get no scraps to feed off, and Sissoko/Cabaye/Remy don't pull rabbits out of hats for a while, what do we do then?

 

Surely there must be a way to score "easier" goals with a more distinct style of play? This is clearly evidenced by Cisse's horrendous lack of form. Yes he's missed one or two sitters, but they come so rarely. A forward lacking in form and confidence needs even more service. We spent bloody 10M on the lad, might as well figure out a way to get that confidence back up again. (Not excluding Cisse from criticism here at all, as I believe he also needs to pull his finger out).

 

There is a large dose of truth in that although if you point it out you will probably be accused of moaning. Look at our goals in the last two matches for example. Norwich gifted us both our goals last week, Gouffran would never normally be allowed to head into an empty net like he did on Sunday, and then there was a wonder strike from Sissoko. We still don't look that good in the final third but we are causing teams problems and it's leading to goals one way or another.

[Happy Face]

This recurring theme cannot continue for long, in addition to relying on a different in-form striker to bail us out every half-term.

 

I'm as equally inclined to say that Cisse's baron spell cannot go on as i am to say that Remy's purple patch can't.

 

Ramsay and Giroud have 55% of Arsenal's goals.

Remy and Gouffran have 63% of our goals.

Soldado and Sigurdson have 64% of Spurs' goals

Rooney & Van Persie have 68 % of Man U's

Sturridge and Suarez have 72% of Liverpool's.

 

Having an in form goal scorer or two is vital to the majority of teams that want to be doing well.

 

You are absolutely right of course. Having said that, if you watch all the above goals scored between all the above players you will notice a glaring difference in the way they were scored. We create nowhere near as many clear cut chances as the above pairings get (barring Soldado & Sigurdsson).

 

The football we play relies on scraps and moments of individual brilliance in the majority. Naturally, scraps and wonder goals are part of football, but they are not as sustainable as playing in a way that creates more clear-cut chances for your forwards and midfielders to score from. The worry is, if we go through a barren "unlucky" spell, where we get no scraps to feed off, and Sissoko/Cabaye/Remy don't pull rabbits out of hats for a while, what do we do then?

 

Surely there must be a way to score "easier" goals with a more distinct style of play? This is clearly evidenced by Cisse's horrendous lack of form. Yes he's missed one or two sitters, but they come so rarely. A forward lacking in form and confidence needs even more service. We spent bloody 10M on the lad, might as well figure out a way to get that confidence back up again. (Not excluding Cisse from criticism here at all, as I believe he also needs to pull his finger out).

 

I think it's clear to anyone watching that we aren't trying to score perfect goals.  We don't play it into the box on the deck and bamboozle defences with our attacking movement.  But what we do is effective.  We have a lot of attempts.  And if you have a go ten times, one of them has a chance of coming off, whether it's from a long range whack, a cross into a crowd of bodies or a through ball on the break. 

 

 

[themanupstairs]

To say our gameplan is unsustainable isn't correct, imo. We'll get results against the majority if we keep playing like this. However, an injury to one of Gouffran or Sissoko (a wing pairing that he's fluked upon, really) will throw that whole gameplan out of the window, because it's as reliant on their incredible stamina as it is Remy's goals. It's unsustainable in that respect.

 

But that was always going to be the case if we intended to go 4-4-2 without buying a winger.

 

How has he fluked upon it? He put Sissoko out wide when everybody was kicking off about it & he persevered with it. He's got other options other than Gouffran to play so I wouldn't say that's a fluke either.

 

It sounds more like his idea of the players he has rather than some fluke. In addition he's worked brilliantly to get Gouffran playing like he has.

 

I think if it was most other managers other than Pardew doing well people would be more receptive but a couple of people went over the top calling Pardew worse than s*** last year so now he's getting results they don't know how to handle it.

 

Hence looking for any reason possible we don't ''deserve'' a win.

 

Anyway I'm just enjoying the wins. 

 

No one isn't enjoying the wins. Some of us are just pointing out that the football we play is somewhat disjointed and inconsistent. What Pardew has managed to do in this run is get the players visibly up for the games (something he failed to do on many occasions last season), and for that he deserves credit. That motivation and "will to win" is the only consistent element I have noticed during this run. The football remains pap. We play some lovely stuff out of the back and into the middle third. If he wants to keep this up, he must work harder on translating that into the danger areas.

 

And for the record, this idea that people WANT Pardew to fail is absolutely ridiculous for obvious reasons. Unless you are a mackem, you want whoever is NUFC manager to succeed.