Newcastle vs Tottenham match thread

[PleaseNotPoll]

Barring any major transfer news or a huge injury crisis at either club I still think us, you and Arsenal will be very closely matched this season in terms of league placing although we're probably the least fancied of the three to grab 4th.

Squad depth might be key in this respect if we all progress in the cups, as Pardew's not got a lot of European experience.
When he managed to drag West Ham into the UEFA Cup, he had a troubled start to that season and they rather hastily sacked him before Christmas.

It'll be interesting to see how everyone deals with the Europa League, as us and the Scousers have new managers and Pardew's not used to the packed schedule it can bring.
Could get messy!

 

[Graham Carr's Binoculars]

Squad depth might be key in this respect if we all progress in the cups, as Pardew's not got a lot of European experience.
When he managed to drag West Ham into the UEFA Cup, he had a troubled start to that season and they rather hastily sacked him before Christmas.

It'll be interesting to see how everyone deals with the Europa League, as us and the Scousers have new managers and Pardew's not used to the packed schedule it can bring.
Could get messy!

Agreed, he's come out and said that at least 5 of the first 11 on Saturday won't even travel this week, which I'm pleased with and would like him to adopt this team selection for at least each of the group games (should we qualify). I'd be happier if he made 11 changes truth be told.

Although I'm not sure if he's doing this as a one off as our game with Chelsea is on the Saturday and not the Sunday, Uefa refused to move our game to the Wednesday and Chelsea game can't be put back due to issues it would cause with policing the game.

 

[redwhiteandermblue]

My impressions:

Good first game for AVB. Given a squad lacking both a playmaker and an appropriate striker, his selection and tactics should have gotten one point and could have gotten three with a little luck. I liked seeing Spurs pressing, maybe because I hate to see it used against us. It's true, it does negate Spurs' strength on the counter, but it translated into Spurs having more good chances. I also think pressing is just what AVB does. It may work and it may not, but let's see how it works out. I would have started Vertonghen as well, but I could see his POV: away against a team with two dangerous strikers may be the time to start your veteran CB, not your new defender who looks to be better offensively than defensively.

Newcastle look stronger than either Spurs or Arsenal right now. Unlike them, they have an established team back, which includes two strikers better than anyone either Arsenal or Spurs have. Cabaye and Ben Arfa are also excellent.

One goal loss to a rival + two woodwork shots = it would be nice to get a little luck occasionally. A draw would have been fair.

Two winnable games coming up at home and no new striker (or playmaker). Levy and AVB will get a lot of flack if Spurs don't win them both. Levy deserves it, AVB won't (if he does this well in the next two games.)

Jonas' family, by whom I mean the officials, are in midseason form already: total crap. The ball was out. Walker got a yellow when he got all ball. The flag was up on a Spurs miss that was onside. And Jonas must have gotten four calls he didn't deserve.

Lennon and Bale were excellent.

Spurs looked incoherent near the Newcastle box early on, but improved. Gylfi, I agree, will be excellent, but this wasn't a great game for him. Everything was about a foot off.

VDV brought a composure and skill at the edge of the box which had been lacking, and which helped make the first goal. On the other hand, poor defending, which is all too typical of him, gave away the winning goal.

This is our main problem, avb wants us to play high up the pitch yet our best play comes from counter attacks so he has to figure out how to get us opening up teams when we have them pressed back, plus it doesn't help with having a lack of options up front.

As for the toon, you was poor first half, looked lacking in energy and lucky we never scored when we hit the woodwork twice, but thats our problem, we never took advantage and because you have players like ba, cisse and afra then they was always going to produce a bit of magic and that was the difference on the day.

So overall, yes a draw would have been fair but unless we sort out the attacking options then this type of result will be fairly common away from home for us.

 

[redwhiteandermblue]

Yup, disappointing result. A draw would have been a fair result, I thought.

But I don't feel bad on balance because AVB gave me more reason to hope he's going to be the right man for the job. Also, the fact of the matter is that as it stands, you have the better club. It was very difficult for us to convert a bunch of good chances into one goal, whereas you had players who created two out of nothing.

Alright lads, take it that result was a bit disappointing after your first half performance? Thought we shaded the 2nd and our 2 goals came from 2 great players doing 1 thing well.

From a Ton perspective we were poor yesterday, Cabaye was almost non-existent and Tiote was sloppy in possession, our front 2 looked tired and a bit off the pace but for now we can just put that down to Ramadan (and hope they keep scoring goals like Ba did).

For me the difference was Ben Arfa. He beat your midfield lads a good few times yesterday, opening up space that we would usually find with Cabaye's passing. Definitely my MOTM.

I think you, like Sunderland, badly need a good striker, but if can find one, you'll be a force this season. Pace on the wings and ability in midfield, plus Vertogen is class (very jealous you got him).

Anyway, good luck for 36 of the next games!