Mediocre Season - A Blessing In Disguise?

So Pardew and his players have said they want to win the Europa League. This sort of rhetoric is pedalled in every pre-game presser and usually precedes a limited team selection and inexperienced bench. Tonight however, much like in Russia, I see us using pretty much the strongest players we have available and this will certainly be a signal of intent.

For the first time I actually feel like Newcastle are in a cup competition they're taking seriously, and that's almost entirely down to the fact that our league season is essentially a write off. IF we get past Anzi and IF we get a favourable draw in the next round (both massive ifs) then who knows? Gong out in the Semis or the final is far more exciting than flopping out of the group stages without even giving it a try...

Maybe this article should've waited until tomorrow, until after we know tonight's result and the draw for the next round, but if all our IFs come off, could you find the positives in having such a **** 1st half to the season? I know I could!

 

Personally, I think we have a chance. We should just go for it. I even think we could beat one of the bigger teams on our day. Bring it on...

 

If we win tonight then the EL's what this season will be remebered by otherwise we have seriously underachieved this season! But like I say if we can qualify for the next round and have a strong finish to the season in the league then I don't think many could complain.

 

I remember reading a few posts before this season started where people said top 10 and a decent cup run would be ok for them. We're not a million miles away from achieving that. Having a good end to a season would be a damn sight better than starting well and falling away at the end.

 

Sometimes you need to take one step backwards to take two forwards.

 

soemthing my cat never seems to understand when he has his nose against a door that he wants me to open

 

I'm proud of our performances in Europe regardless. We've equipped ourselves well and Pardew has been excellent tactically.

There is no getting away from the disappointment of the league season, we've underperformed. Board, managers, coaches and players are all culpable.

Even the fans have let themselves down for me on occasion. Although they've shown more patience than previously (when the gun has always been loaded), we still had many buckling at the first poor 6 months of Pardew's reign. As you all know I'm a big fan of giving people "genuine" time and showing a bit of pateince to allow a manager to build something over the long term. All the clubs with stability have done this. I accept that though that others see it differently.

All in all I'm a big believer that adversity makes you stronger. All of the above said stakeholders have learnt something from this period of our current path, or at least they should have:

- Board - don't rest on your laurels, the PL is brutal, you stand still and people glide past pretty quick
- Manager, coaching staff - don't panic under pressure. Pardew and his coaches did a little and it transmitted to the players. They started forgetting the game plan as a result. They still have more learning to do on the set piece front........I suggest they look at the likes of Stoke and Man U. Both use variety and clever decoys.
- Players - They have to learn not to panic. We had several wanting rid of the ball in that tricky period, afraid of making mistakes. Understandable as some had never been in that kind of situ at this kind of club. Hopefully they can carry that with them.
- Fans - Try not be so short sighted. Things can turn around pretty quickly and we are a bit bi polar at times. We need to learn to take defeats/bad periods/wins/good periods with a bit more of balanced outlook for me.

It is really really important we learn from this across the board. I've mentioned Moyes, SAF many times with regard to this kind of thing. They had much tougher times than we had and they have carried it with them ever since as a reminder of where they want to be. I fully believe it plays a part in their success

 

What an opportunity we have to show the world and europes best players what our intentions are.

ALL the premier league teams are out of the Champions League - otherwise the preferred choice to watch. But now none are in we should really showcase ourselves as a football club. If we get to the final then this would deem an attractive option for some of europes best players albeit its the Europa.

Lets not forget, we turn up to watch the club win trophies and THAT is what we can do this season. If pardew does win then he will go down in history as the manager who brought us some glory after all them years of jack ****!

The players will also go down in history.

Getting to the final would be an amazing achievement.

 

I made an article about this before.

The main reason I think this is a good season for us, is because it will give the owner and the chief executive a right kick up the anus. We need to spend money to maintain a healthy position, so if we want to achieve and maintain a top 6 finish like we hoped we would, we need to be spending and bringing in players.

We cannot rely on getting cheap miracles and random amazing free transfers all the time.

 

This!

 

Having a mediocre season is never a good thing, and until we're mathmatically safe, I certainly won't discount the possibility of this becoming an awful season!

We've lost out on a great deal of money by being further down the Barclays Premier League, and as I mentioned, we're not guaranteed to stay up yet!

If we beat Wigan Athletic this weekend I may start to relax a bit!

 

Indeed. Today will help shape my confidence moving forward.

 

Fair point, and obviously no fan wants to see their team falter, I just feel that if we were in and around the top 3rd of the table then Europa League would be pushed back down the list of priorities!