Newcastle United v Maritimo - Official Build Up / Match Day Thread

Another shower of ****! That was probably the strongest team we could send out, and yet they looked like they'd never played together - again!
What on earth are they doing on the training ground?! Because we look like we have absolutely no game plan whatsoever. Completely clueless throughout the whole game. I swear, I can't bear to watch another set-piece by us - it has to be the most excruciating aspect of our game, and there's quite a few of those at the moment! Honestly, if the opposing team just stood off us and didn't attack the ball, we would still conspire to balls it up.

I honestly can't find any positives to take from this, and am finding watching us this season like pulling teeth.

Funny how Pardew hasn't done any phone-ins this season - I wonder why that is?! The guy is clearly deluded if he thinks we're playing well, but just missing a bit of luck, or whatever crap excuse he comes out with.

So, so frustrating.

Rant over.

 

Our midfield is pretty dire with Cabs. Well, am not really surprised, we have no passer in the side. Ben Arfa is more of a dribbler but he can also pick a pass here and there but without either..clueless.

 

We've seen plenty of crap for years. Other clubs - especially the great unwashed on wearyside would love to be in yewrope!
Keep the faith - we live to fight another day, and who knows, playing crap now may pay dividends later.
We've been noced out before when we've played well!

 

This is very true I guess. Cheers Davieboy.

 

Saints fan in peace. Firstly well done for qualifying for next round. Secondly, I want to express my huge gratitude to Alan Pardew for fielding Ben Arfa and Cisse tonight! Was that the first time in the groups he's started with them? Assuming they're both out for Sunday, I can't believe our luck! (And yours as well). I am delighted we are playing you on Sunday. No offence intended but you have had back to back defeats in the league and you've got your best defender out, your best CM out, and potentially 2 of your best attacking players out. Not taking you for granted but tonight has made me a lot more confident for Sunday.
Anyway, good luck for the season (apart from Sunday and the other time we play you). I have always liked Pardew, he did a great job at Saints.

 

First time Ben Arfa played at all in Europe this season. Cisse has played a couple times already. With or without those two, your lot will turn us over. We are a rudderless ship at the moment. Unless your 'keeper decides to start throwing the ball in the net, then I can't see anything other than a Saints win. I wish I could say it'll be a great game, full of chances for both teams played at a frenetic pace. But it wont be.

I'd say 2-0, or 2-1 to you guys.

 

Not overly optomistic about Sunday now, especially with HBA and Cisse out. As whack&blite says, we're a bit like a rudderless ship. Some harsh talking needs to be done in the changing room before Sunday.

Met a few of the people that will be travelling down to Southampton and none of them are overly optomistic.

I'd be more than happy with a draw at the moment.

 

We looked ****ed for Sunday. Its a case of patch up and send out who we can. Problem is whatever side we put out will not have much game time together. It'll have to be dogged as opposed to pretty. Our luck is so poor at present.

 

This European campaign was always going to be difficult to manage due to our summer non-spending, and it has turned out to have not only been poor entertainment but to have cost us some playing staff at a time when other injuries and suspensions have wiped out so many of the our squad.

Pardew is doing all he can with the squad he has. But small squads and extra games hardly makes for a cauldron of excitement.

I guess we're fooked for Sunday, and even a team as poor as Southampton will be optimistic that they can score more than us.

On last night's performance, from seeing near enough our best team, the worry is that for the next 6 to 8 weeks, we have a team that will find it hard to beat any Premiership team.

We've got a period of battling to be better than any side in the bottom four - sorry Pardew but your spin is, well, just spin.