From www.theswanseaway.blogspot.co.uk Swansea v Newcastle - Proof that just because you play the same system, it doesn't mean you play the same way. Almost exactly a week after Swansea put the finishing touches to their Wembley demolition of Bradford City, they had, realistically, a much tougher obstacle to overcome in the form of a newly-resurgent Newcastle United. Much has been made of the Geordie's transfer policy of late, and Graham Carr in particular continues to spearhead a campaign which has so far produced gem after gem, and shows no sign of abating. Reading through some previews before the game, it was interesting to note that some Newcastle pundits and bloggers were predicting lineups with up to nine changes when compared with the XI that took to the field against Swansea in November. As it turned out there were indeed eight changes in personnel when compared with the counterpart fixture, but it was a case of different team, same result. A much changed, heavily French side took to the field against the Swans this time around, and from the word go they harried, harangued and pressed the Swansea players in a manner I haven't seen any other team achieve over the entirety of the ninety minutes.They were exceedingly physical at times, and sadly, I have to say I think some heavy challenges were the result of previous niggles going unpunished by young referee Craig Pawson. Taking charge of a Premier League game for the first time, Pawson's previous "big match" exploits came in the form of a Capital One Cup game between West Ham and Wigan, the League Two playoff final, and 12 Championship games, which to me doesn't sound like a particularly length or impressive CV. Normally, novice referee's are appointed to games where the top brass don't expect too many issues, but Newcastle are developing into a team who will, if allowed, push the boundaries of what is both acceptable, and safe. Tiote and, surprisingly for me at least, Cabaye, constantly niggled away at the Swansea midfield, leaving the foot in and nudging into people, culminating in Cabaye going straight through the back of Nathan Dyer (right in front of me) on the touchline. Dyer was facing the byline, doubtful knew that Cabaye was approaching, and the Frenchman clattered straight into him from behind at roughly knee level - poleaxing the diminutive winger but, miraculously, not seeming to cause major injury. Cabaye only received a yellow card for his sins, so was free to rejoin Tiote in the centre of the midfield. It should be noted that from where I sat it looked like Ben Davies got away with a shocking tackle too, but it was on the opposite side of the pitch from me so it was difficult to judge. He didn't pick up a card for that one, so it's possible he did, as he protested, take the ball first. I don't want to take away from many aspects from Newcastle's game though. Their pressing was outstanding, and is, if you don't have a team littered with Rooney's and Aguero's, the most effective way of stifling a team who play like the Swans - however in the first half at least the Swans appeared to have all the answers to Newcastle's questions. Swansea's forward line of Michu, Pablo, Dyer and Routledge is currently rotating beautifully, even if, more often than not on this outing, the final pass eluded it's man. The Swansea full-backs, too, are enjoying more freedom of late. Ben Davies and, in particular I thought, Angel Rangel were outstanding. When Rangel loses possession there isn't a nanosecond before he's accelerating in an attempt to reclaim the ball - his work rate and passion for the cause is absolutely undoubted. He's clearly still enjoying himself in South Wales: Mostly token soundbites from Angel "He feeds who he wants" Rangel there, but all positive - looking to push on while still keeping our feet firmly grounded in the knowledge that, for a few few years at least, any top-ten finish would still be classed as "punching above our weight". It's fair to say that the Swans controlled the first half almost completely - lots of one-twos and neat interplay doing everything but providing the final pass as the Swans looked to open the scoring. Michu seemed to muscle a defender fairly and go through on goal, but referee Pawson adjudged him to have acted illegally so that one never happened, and then ten minutes later a few quick Swansea passes led to first, Ben Davies getting munched late and second, Swansea again breaking clean through on goal. Clearly no advantage there, so the referee called it back again. Ashley Williams had a chance in front of a seemingly open goal, but it bounced up awkwardly and his improvised volley was a scuffed affair, and the ball drifted agonisingly towards the net before being cleared by a Newcastle player on the line. Half time, and 0-0 was perhaps slightly harsh on Swansea who had fashioned a couple of decent chances whilst having to deal with intense Toon pressure throughout. The second half started and almost immediately Alan Pardew's men managed to get more of a stranglehold on the game. They had a decent twenty/twenty-five minute spell of possession but, in reality, the best they could muster was a couple of drives from distance (admittedly tasty with one cracking the woodwork after an excellent touch from Vorm) and a decent cross from the left which sadly (for Newcastle) no-one could connect with. And so, the scene was set for Luke Moore. Almost a year since his last league goal for the Swans (THAT goal against Manchester City) he again, essentially, repeated the feat. Drafted into the fray with less than ten minutes remaining, you'd expect it to be a fun experience as you'd be full of energy and able to completely tear around harassing a tiring defence - but in truth he didn't really do that, and I don't think anyone expected him to. He does, however, possess a decent first touch and seems to be developing a knack of scoring important goals - and this was no exception. Taking advantage of a defensive mix-up, Moore was simply in the right place at the right time, throwing a couple of dummies in for good measure before his shot was actually blocked, the subsequent deflection guiding the ball past the wrong-footed keeper and into the back of the net. The goal came with roughly five minutes remaining, and in truth it left Newcastle with no real hope. It came at a point when the Swans had taken control of the game back off Newcastle, and were in the ascendancy, knocking the ball around well and finding space, and Ki almost made an immediate impact off the bench - his header from a corner being cleared off the line. This was a game against two separate Newcastle teams. One who have a clearly excellent work ethic, an understanding of their roles within the team, and the footballing ability to back it all up, and one who, sadly, seemed to be intent on time-wasting from minute one. The goalkeeper Elliot was one of the main culprits, labouring over any action all game, and when Moussa Sissoko went down on 80 minutes Ashley Williams was clearly unhappy with what he deemed to be time-wasting, and the two squared up in a "I've got the best stare and the biggest chest" competition before being separated and given what was probably a fairly patronising talking to by the ref. Sissoko had gone down after bursting into the right channel before hooking a shot to the left of goal in what was, in reality, Newcastle's last real effort on goal. If Sissoko was play-acting in an attempt to gain unfair advantage, he got his just desserts minutes later when Moore's fumbled effort crept in. Not pretty, but nobody cared and the Swans can now reflect on having picked up 40 points with 10 league games still to play. Freudian Slip? On a final note, has anyone else watched the full post-match press conference yet? Laudrup was fending off the usual mundane questions, but something he said made my ears prick up. When talking about how we've got the current top five teams in the league yet to play, he moved on to say: I'm no psychologist, however I do know we finished damn near where West Brom finished last year, and see no reason why we shouldn't be aiming as high as our Midlands counterparts - especially given this season's exploits. We all know it's unlikely, and it would likely involve winning most of our remaining games, but it seems Michael Laudrup has one eye on a very lofty league finish indeed.
Great report SS and thanks - didn't get to see the game yesterday so very nice to have a recap. I see you really avoided any commentary on Monk. As for ML, I think you will see him working hist tail off to challenge for everything left on the table. There are 10 games left, with a maximum of 30 points to play for. If we win 50% of the games, 55 points is the target, which would put us around last season's 7th place finish (56 points). Our record against top half teams is still pretty good, ranked 6th, and so it will be interesting to see exactly where we end up. Looking at it another way, the higher we finish, the bigger the squad bonus and the more we have in the kitty for player acquisition.
Thanks - balanced, good. I've had a great time looking through the postings of deluded Newcastle fans .. utterly hilarious and as I mentioned totally deluded.
Don't call them deluded - Knackered has got in trouble on their board for that! Maybe 'disappointed' is more appropriate?
Yankee - I was worried about Monk for the first 20 minutes but thereafter he won every single header I saw him go for. He also managed to mistime a free header when he should have done better but he did well, I thought. Newcastle were so intend on pressing the Swans most of the decisions were made for us in terms of pass selection - he just had to get rid of the ball quickly, every time!
I agree with the disappointed bit, don't call them deluded they are a good bunch on the Toon board to be fair and there's been no need of some of the wumming going on there. They're a massive club and I don't blame them for being disappointed
I have just watched the game on goals on sunday. What is it with pardew, what a horrible man. I cant stand the pretend hand shakes at the end of the game. The ignorant twat couldnt be bothered to even look at Laudrup and just touched his hand. Yes, he is upset at the loss. But manners and couertesy cot nothing. He is a loathsome miserable ****er. In total contrast to their fans who were great inside and outside the ground yesterday
Good assessment Scott, I thought this was a good, fair report from the Express too http://www.express.co.uk/sport/foot...ully-boys-get-Swan-in-the-eye-from-Luke-Moore
Good report Scott. Pardew does talk some crap sometimes... "watching from the sideline, you could see that they had settled for a draw. They knew what they were doing to stay in it, I honestly thought that" Yes, that's why Laudrop subbed a midfielder for a striker who scored the winning goal.. Burk.
And that goal was the only shot on target in the second half. Never mind rangels excelent cahnace and Ki being through on goal.
I don't post here any more but pop onto other boards. I'm posting now to set the record straight. I used the word 'deluded' on the Toon board on a thread that was titled "We Should Have Won That Game Comfortably". I think that is delusional, but others may disagree. What is particularly disappointing is that when I defended our club from jibes that we're a "two-bit Club" and that we're "Welsh ****ers" Dilli weighs in with personal comments directed at me. Way out of line - particularly as the Toon poster who made those comments later apologised for the comments saying he was drunk. Good write-up Scott.
The game was full of ifs and buts, If Ash scores the easiest chance of the game early on then game over. They didnt have one shot on target in the first half. I have to be honest they put us under pressure towsrds the end of the second half. When we appered to be tiring. They had 2 long shots, From cabaye and sissoko. Cabayes was hell of a strike and a great save. where as sissokos was ok and a good height to be easily saved. They had 2 other chances and failed to hit the target. Not forgeting their rough arm tactics and could well have been down to 10 or even 9 for their constant fouling. How Tiote gets away with it is incredible. To be fair i thought a draw would have been a fair result. But, you have to take your cahnces and they didnt. therefore a nice 3 points. But, for the toon to say they should have won it comfortably is as Kj says Deluded
TLF I also agree with you on Pardew. I can understand disappointment but he's just not a nice guy I'm afraid.
You went on another board to wum and you got it back both barrels. So I was right then you didn't learn from your recent ban. Glad you don't post here anymore the forum is much better for it and the arguing has stopped. Just a shame that someone had to apologise on the Toon board for your behaviour because they've always been a decent bunch by and large and they keep the odd moron they have in check themselves.
"You went on another board to wum and you got it back both barrels" Those who know me (and you don't) know full well I'm a closet Toon fan so I wouldn't do this. Evidence please? Even you can cut and paste. To repeat, I took exception to the idea they should have won "comfortably" as it was delusional. At least one of our own agrees. That's an opinion, not a wum. After your antics with QPR and Liverpool fans and the throwing of toys in the recent mod elections I really don't think you should give advice on wumming, boy. But to then openly criticise a fellow Jack on another board when I've done nothing to you is bad form. Some of their fans were openly abusive about my Club and I responded without profanity. You have done the same in the past yourself - in far more colourful terms than I. One of their posters has now openly apologised saying he was drunk. But you know this. Now I suggest if you have issues take it to PM as this is getting out of hand.
Oh well, I tried. In the absence of a simple cut n paste from you Dilli I suggest that if you have an issue with me take it to PM. You've clearly got a bug up your ass about me and I don't know why. But the other posters don't need this crap, whatever the case.
Seriously guys, no one cares. No one. Great write up Scott! Don't really know where pardew is getting all this tripe about them deserving to win etc, apart from cisse the only clear chances they really had we're from distance. Keepers are expected to be making them saves regardless of how well they are struck. A good well earned 3 points and onto the 40 mark. Times are very good right now!
I agree I want to talk about football and have the occasional chuckle at Cardiff. Not in the slightest bit interested in knackeredjack having an issue with another poster. Very good article by the way and some definite sour grapes from Alan Pardew
