Newcastle United lost again in the Premier League last night as they fell down against Stoke City. Although an OK performance from the Magpies, Alan Pardew once again took the blame from some poor attacking movement, and for once I get it.
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As regular readers will know, I am a big supporter of Alan Pardew, or rather I support the idea that a manager shouldn’t be sacked one month after the transfer window closes. However, last night I felt that he could have done more to avoid defeat and – although a win would be tough to come by – a draw would have been acceptable.
Alan Pardew’s Tactics
Newcastle trailed at half-time by a good header from Peter Crouch – who by the way has now scored as many goals as Dennis Bergkamp – after a failed attempt at an attacking move. Stoke nearly doubled their lead shortly afterwards when a clear penalty was turned down by the referee and his assistant.
But being behind at half-time is something that all Newcastle fans are used to by now but what Pardew did next surprised me. Moussa Sissoko had been having a dreadful game, misplaced passes, lack of tracking back and off-target shots meant he was a prime candidate for substitution. However, the manager decided to take off Emmanuel Riviere and replace him with Papiss Cisse.
Newcastle started the game with just one player upfront in Riviere and I was all for Cisse being brought on, however I was hoping he would come on to compliment the Frenchman. Pardew could have taken Sissoko off and brought on Cisse to play with a more conventional 4-4-2 formation. Alas it wasn’t to be.
Newcastle never really got near scoring except from when Jack Colback – who couldn’t get the ball above five yards above the ground from corners – somehow blazed over the bar from the six-yard box under no real pressure. Could two upfront have changed this, maybe not, but it would have the given the team extra impetus to go forward and create chances.
Mike Ashley
“He’s got one more game. If we lose against Stoke on Monday night then he’s gone. I have had enough. Dead. Finished. Over.”
Mike Ashley watched the game from the stands last night and after his rant a few days ago he seemed less than impressed every time the camera cut away to him (about every two minutes). However, he has given Pardew another chance it would seem after Sky Sports sources announced the following statement today.
"“Alan Pardew’s job as manager of Newcastle United remains safe for the time being.”"
The key part of that statement is “for the time being”. How long could that be? One week, two weeks, a month? Only Mike Ashley and his cronies know the answer to that one, but what does seem clear is that Alan Pardew will be in the dugout when Newcastle play Swansea City next Saturday, and even after that should they lose.
Pardew wants to keep the job at Newcastle United and he is fighting for his place he says. However, with fans becoming increasingly irate at the teams performances many are calling for him to take the initiative and leave. He won’t if we are to believe him and as I have previously said, Newcastle fans need to stick with him. Support the team and the manager and dissent only towards Mike Ashley.