Newcastle United v Manchester United - Official Build Up / Matchday Thread

I know it sounds wrong, but I really hope we get humped tomorrow. We've been below-par for longer than I care to remember and any more embarrassing scorelines will hopefully go some way to convincing Ashley that the current setup is not working out - be that Pardew or the players.

 

It sounds wrong because it is wrong. Regardless of the players or Pardew, fans are their to support their team to victory. No other viewpoint is acceptable for me with regard to this.

To be honest I'm not sure it would make much difference to Mike anyway.

 

I'd like to see Kemen, but after that, who else is there except Gosling? We have nothing.

#thanksmike#

 

Working on the basis that Pardew has more tactical nous than Guardiola who guided Bayern to a 1-1 draw against Man Utd, I'm pretty sure we'll end up comfortable 3-1 winners.

 

Tick tock............

 

What odds are you offering on that James?

 

3/1...........................

 

Would want better odds than that I'm afraid.

 

Your earlier line-up idea is probably preferable to starting gosling...

Eliott (I'd like to see Alnwick given a go but would be seriously harsh)

Santon (only fit right back)
Haidara (despite an absolutely abysmal showing at St Mary's I would give him another chance as Dummett got a few - looks like we need a left back though)
Willo (not his fault at St Marys the problem was down the sides)
Colo (as above)

Tiote (tried but was simply trying to cover holes left by others and fighting a lost cause)
Anita (as above but was quite poor in possession)

Remy - meant to be back, needs to be Possibly HBA with Remy still injured
Armstrong (may as well give him a blast)
Aarons (**** it)

Cisse (wasn't that bad at St Mary's considering the carnage happening behind him)

 

Aye but what are the chances of any PL manager being as mental as me and saying "you know what, we are playing Man U but **** experience I'm gonna throw these 2 novices in at 17 and 18". Even Southampton only use Shaw of that kind of age and with all due respect to our two young lads they are not Luke Shaw. Plus Southampton tend to use the likes of Ward Prowse or Chambers in games against those outside the clubs. Look at young Gallagher who is a similar age to Aarons, I think he has only started one game (albeit against Arsenal).

They are given more chances from the bench mind and they have a much deep set of resurces so you could argue (and I would) we should be forgetting the likes of Shola and Gosling. I just don't think anyone should kid themselves and think its only Pardew who holds back young lads. It happens across the PL and with much better managers.

 

I agree with you that Pardew should not be held directly responsible for the players lack of effort/commitment. But could the fact the "players like Pardew" also go some way to explaining a lack of effort on their behalf?

The fact they like him, could lead to complacency. Where he's so likeable, the players could let performance levels slip and not have the worry of a manager they don't like, tearing in to them. Pardew being likeable is not a bad thing, in theory, and it's definitely preferrable for dressing room harmony/morale.

There will be other contributing factors to the lack of effort in recent games, such as competition for places, or lack thereof.

But I don't think Pardew being likeable, completely exonerates him from blame for the lack of effort lately. It may not be conciously intended, but I do think it can breed complacency.

 

Its a good point. Striking the balance between being liked and disliked by players is tricky. Either extreme can lead to problems. But then look at Mourinho and Rodgers, ridiculously close to the players with an almost family atmosphere. Still very motivated. Takes all sorts I suppose. Bobby Robson was a bit more old school where he would be a father like mentoring figure, but there was always that line with him. SAF was like that with the lads he brought through or bought unless they pissed him off and then he'd just go cold on them.

Another key point which is always forgotten that you make is a lack of compeition for places. It undoubtedly means players know they are going to play. Earlier in the season when Cabaye was here, Anita was in and out a bit. When he was in, his level was incredibly high as was that of Cabaye and Tiote. They were scrapping for spots because they knew we'd switch to 442 at times. Tim Krul is another example. His level has dropped massively since Harper left. Now he may just have had a bad run, or could it be he simply does not see Eliott as a danger?

Pardew has to take his share too. There has to be some element of motivation from him and his coaching staff. Clearly they are now reacting to try to stop this nothing to play for attitude seaping in. Its too late though and the pressure is on now. The best managers and coaching teams proactively anticipate it. What he should have done is maybe found some ways to team bond after the Stoke game. Keep stoking the fires for sure, but sometimes think outside the box a little for how to illicit a response. It gets a bit stale just repeating "we must not drop our level, there is still plenty to play for". Footballers may be pretty thick but not thick enough to not catch on where they are.

I think selling Cabaye has an impact too. It is very demotivating if your club sell the most important player and then don't replace him. The club is almost saying "we don't see the point in replacing him". Even a loan would have been better than nothing at all.

Overall though the vast majority of motivation comes from within. Nobody tells Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez etc to do the extra hours and work at their game or fitness. No one needs to tell them "100% today" when they cross the white line. They want it, they have that hunger for it. Too many of ours lack a bit of desire at times.

 

Can't mention any of our mob in the same breath as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale or Lionel Messi.

 

Yep. I agree with pretty much all you stated here. Finding the right balance and approach is definitely the key. I guess that's what can seperate the good from the great?!

Equally, the competition for places problem can't be understated. He has been severly let down on that front.

I do think Pardew's lack of nous when not having a full squad to choose from let's him down. Don't get me wrong, he is seriously handicapped by only having a good starting 11* and pretty much nothing else. But I always felt that Premier League level managers should be able to get a result, by hook or by crook with more or less any 11 they have at their disposal. I will use Tony Pulis as an example (I loathe the man and his "style of play", by the way) of a manager that can get the utmost out of what he's given. I don't think we would take many out of Palace's starting 11 in our team, yet he manages to get results. Pardew's inability to coach a good performance out of his 11, when missing key players has always been one of my biggest gripes with his tenure.

As for Ronaldo, Messi, Bale, Suarez and the like - we could only dream of having players who are so entirely self motivated to succeed.

* it could be argued, we don't even have a "good eleven"

 

* it could be argued, we don't even have a "good eleven"

Have we?

 

I'm hoping for a draw, would feel like a win to me.

 

Rooney's out of today's match with a toe injury.

 

No excuse for losing then.

 

If we weren't so poor we'd thrash them. But you never know, no Rooney or Van Persie. They'll be relying on Chicharito and quite frankly, he is ****e (don't you know he'll probably score now).

 

I think Rooney is overrated.