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Pacos De Ferreira 1 Newcastle 1 – Match Report

11 years ago
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Pacos De Ferreira 1 Newcastle United 1
Tuesday 23rd July 8pm

After spending a few minutes scouring the internet for a stream of tonight’s friendly, watching this first half I can’t help thinking I would have been better off watching paint dry.

I was hopeful, especially after seeing the line-up, but to be honest I should have known better.

We’re playing (or were) Elliot in goal, Debuchy at right back, Mapou at left, centre halves of Taylor and Colo.  Midfield consists of Sammy Ameobi, Tiote, Cabaye, Sissoko, Ben Arfa and then we have that old crazy horse Shola up front.

We have been dreadful and Colo has been sent off for trying to strangle an opponent.

We went 1-0 down after 15 minutes when they got in behind our 5 man midfield (all ball watching) and pulled the ball back to a free man on the edge who slipped it past Elliot.

We have given the ball away cheaply, we have no attacking prowess, no one understands where they’re supposed to be playing, it’s a shambles.

Proof to me yet again that Cabaye, Tiote and Sissoko can’t be in the same team – there’s no balance.  Both Ameobis are slow and lack awareness on the ball – give it away too cheaply. Tiote can’t pass the ball 20 yards.

Seriously, we have just continued where we left off at the end of last season

We’ve just kicked off the 2nd half;

A better tempo to the 2nd half, without Cabaye – Tiote has stepped his game up.  Gouffran offers more threat down the left and there’s more energy in midfield with Jonas chasing opponents down.  Santon is getting forward on overlaps, all this was missing in the first half.

61 mins – Excellent run from Santon who crosses for Shola to score – 1-1!

70 mins – Another great run from Santon who crosses the ball to the far post as Debuchy runs onto it and volleys first time over the bar.

Ameobi subbed for Marveaux on 73 mins – why are we not giving Adam Campbell a good run?

Marveaux down the left now and Le Gouff as lone striker.

75 mins – Santon ventures forward and cuts in from the left, his shot sails over the bar, at least he’s creating chances.

78 mins Sissoko off – Vuckic on,  Taylor Off – Williamson on.

82 mins Looping cross from Jonas headed back by Debuchy and then headed onto post by Vuckic.

84 Mins Debuchy for Dummett, Santon switches to right back.

86 mins Gouffran limps off with boot in hand – only 4 mins for Adam Campbell yet again.

88mins Campbell heads into arms of keeper.

89 mins Rob Elliot is beaten with a deft chip, lucky that Vuckic tracked back and cleared off the line.

Final Score is 1:1

We have controlled the 2nd half without really threatening, it’s all too pedestrian and lacklustre, just nowhere near good enough for the Premier League, in watching the game I quite honestly can’t explain the formation or who’s playing where or what the tactics are.

We can expect the usual Pardew quotes of taking positives – I can’t see many on this performance.

The major issue we faced last year was a lack of goals, I’m seriously concerned that we are worse off.

Scorecard – 4/10 MUST DO BETTER

Newcastle United: Elliot, Debuchy (Dummett 85), Steven Taylor (Williamson 78), Coloccini, Mapou, Tiote, Cabaye (Jonas 46), Sissoko (Vuckic 78), Ben Arfa (Danton 46), Sammy Ameobi (Gouffran 46 (Campbell 87)), Shola (Marveaux 73)

Unused Sub: Alnwick

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