"I Was Wrong!"
By Dave Eadevic
April 28 2012
It’s ok though, I’m married so it’s not like I haven’t had the practice.In fact one as a philosophical experiment I went into the middle of the wood where no woman could hear me and said something out loud. According to my wife upon my return she had the feeling I was in the wrong, but couldn’t be more specific.
However when it comes to Newcastle I have a habit of being right, not about us winning things of course, which I feel at the beginning of every season, only for those hopes to be dashed, usually by about the end of January.
I am usually right about managers though, when Keagan returned and the bar I was in at the time was in celebratory mood, I was the pessimist in the corner saying, personally I can’t see him and Ashley working, it will be a disaster and he’ll leave in a sulk.
When Dalglish came I said no chance it will be boring and negative and we will still win nowt. Again the minority. I could go on, but let me just say I have a pretty good track record.
So when Pardew came on the scene, my hopes were to say the least not high. I believe I mentioned relegation once or twice, during my more sombre phases.
In the summer when players were leaving, for me three of the better players at the club, it was looking more and more that my doom laden prophecy was on the mark.
The players coming, well to be truthful I hadn’t really heard of them, my expectations were to say the least reaching all time lows. Even, I reasoned even if they are any good, it will take time for them to settle in the premier league, everyone knows that. It’s not like they can just walk in and adapt, a year at the least and by then of course we will be in the championship.
So imagine my delight this season, I have waited and waited for the bubble to burst, but it’s just kept running like a 22 legged creature from some insane acid laden trip. It must haunt the perennial press favourite sir harry bung a lot’s dreams like a phantasmagorical footballing creature from the depths of a lovecraftian nightmare.
He kept assuring us that we were not good enough, tried to derail us by blurting out Ba’s release clause to everyone that would listen, in fact it seemed that the only words not in this man’s vocabulary were ‘no comment’.
But still if I got it so wrong how can I blame him for the same offence?
This season, no matter what happens from now on in has been one of the best seasons I can remember, I think it was helped by my initial low expectations.
So all I can say is Mr Pardew, I was wrong, thank you for showing me how wrong.
Now make it perfect champions league, and the return of ST JAMES’ PARK name!
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But...I do feel at times we win despite his tactical naivete. He was outfoxed by Martinez on Saturday not unlike how Jol got the better of him. These are clubs with inferior first squads who have not performed as well as us over this season and in Wigan's case, several seasons. I do think we need a more tactically adept leader (or specialist coach) to move us forward another step or two. Continental managers are more into their tactics than Englishmen (no prejudice; we yanks are more like y'all on that) and I think we'll see the effect of that next season in Europe. I almost wish a guy like Poyet would have a horrible start to next season and get sacked, so we can bring him in as an assistant.
AP has done fantastic, but I am sure there will be plenty of pundits slagging us off again next year, as the expectation will be stupid on what we can achieve, and with the budget we have it will be hard to maintain the standard next season. I do think a few signing 1st team and squad players in the right position and we could try and compete properly next year.
AP big test next year, will be to hold on the players, unearthing gems again, pushing up the league as well as keeping us in europe as long as he can
AP suprised me as I for one slagged him off, but he has brilliant for the club. Keep up the good work
Quote:tunyc
But...I do feel at times we win despite his tactical naivete. He was outfoxed by Martinez on Saturday not unlike how Jol got the better of him. These are clubs with inferior first squads who have not performed as well as us over this season and in Wigan's case, several seasons.
While Martinez, Jol, and a couple others have gotten the better of Pardew this season, it is worth noting that he also has bested Rodgers (20% possession and we still kept a clean sheet and scored twice), Dalgliesh, Pulis (twice), and most notably Fergie this season.
When Pardew gets it wrong, he gets it well wrong, but I would say his tactics have been spot on more often than not. In our recent 8 game run (7 wins and the hammering at DW where we have won just once since 2005), Pardew has come out with different game plans every match. When we came out flat against Wigan and Moses took advantage, Pardew made the wrong tactical switch to try and use Wingbacks, but I'd rather see him try and fail than stick to his guns like most of our previous managers did.
Pardew is among the finest player managers I've seen in recent years. His handling of Ben Arfa has been phenomenal; the early criticisms to get Ben Arfa motivated have proven crucial in the lad's development. Pardew has turned James Perch into unquestionably the most improved player in the entire league, and Danny Guthrie isn't far behind. He convinced Colo and Krul to sign long term contracts, well before we had secured European vacations. Pardew's understanding of his players is the finest we've had at this club since Sir Bobby, and Pardew hasn't even forgotten his strikers' names (granted it's easy when they are both Demba).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:05:05:16:40:28 by waffles.
Also special mention about how he has handled Santon also. Didnt start him straight away and introduced him gradually. A couple of months back he struggled a little so he was withdrawn. Since he has come back in he has been one of our best players.
Very excited about how good he could be in the coming seasons.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:05:05:17:06:11 by Biffins Bridge.
This season has been brilliant but the chances of re-creating the same magic again next season is going to be hard, as Chelsea won't be as sh@t next year, and you can see Liverpool to spend more cash. Take in the extra games of Europe and we could finish struggle a bit like how Fulham and Stoke have done when they have been involved in Europe
Personally he needs to be given some flexibility if things are to go wrong as he has done a brilliant job and we are well ahead of what the club targets. I do think with stability in the club which we seem to be getting then we will progress over the years with the plan the club has on and off the pitch
Keep up the good work AP
i dont want to see our first team players playing in all of the stages of the cups like this year!
We've got a strong backbone of a cup team already which can have the gaps filled by the young lads who need experience and pitch time.
