Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

News

One of my mates thinks I’m unfair on Gouffran…

9 years ago
Share

Compliments of the season to all Newcastle fans everywhere, be it a Pardew lover or hater…more of that later!

What a timely boost yesterday was, after an awful start we fully deserved the three points against Everton, with Ayoze Perez again being the main man. I am running out of superlatives for this young fella, just hope the vultures are not circling in January hoping to tempt Ashley to sell.

I used to love the transfer window but all it does now is fill me with dread, right up until the last seconds.

Boxing Day against Man Utd, I actually did not think we were that bad, a jinxing run from Perez and a nailed on penalty shout could have seen us two ahead before Man Utd scored.

(To feature like Brian, send in your articles for our website to contribute@themag.co.uk)

Even after they scored, such was their attacking formation I still felt an opportunity on the break could well have come our way, that is until a terrible pass from the again awful Gouffran led to their second goal. Then for the first time this season I saw a collective drop of heads.

Pre-match yesterday one of my mates accused me of being unfair on Gouffran with what I write, this was after I voiced my disgust at him again being in the team. His opinion was that I, and many others, were making him an unfair scapegoat. I have to disagree, in my eyes Gouffran brings nothing to the team, and I think my point was vindicated when Everton scored after 4 mins.

Gouffran is only in the team because of his work ethic, yesterday he was caught napping as a through ball completely caught him out and 2 seconds later we were one down!

Anyway, moving on, the comeback was excellent and just the tonic after the last couple of results, but I was a tad relieved on full-time!

Last night texts started coming in that Pardew was off to Crystal Palace, and while nothing was confirmed, nor is yet at the time of writing, it seems the bookies think this is nailed on!

I have mixed feelings about this because the timing is awful, I have always had a foot in the ‘Sack Pardew’ camp, but I have also given him credit for the results that saw us rise to 5th place recently. Also, with the January transfer window approaching I wonder what effect it will have on the players should he leave.

Without a doubt the players are with Pardew, and no matter how much stick he got from the stands the team stayed with him, and his sudden departure could upset this…

I also have to look at manager-wise what is out there, who would indeed want to work for the tight fisted tyrant that is Mike Ashley?

Then you have to look at the stock of anyone  who is willing to work for him, the lower the stock of manager then the higher the chances of him willing to work for Ashley.

Catch 22.

Maybe Mike will surprise us by ….oh forget that for sure!

So we are halfway through the season with a very winnable game against Burnley coming up and an equally winnable FA cup tie away to Leicester, so my glass is not as yet half empty, lose on Saturday and it will be.

Who will be manager of Newcastle on New Year’s Day, will Palace pay the alleged £5 million compensation to Newcastle, is Pardew going to Palace a cheaper option for Ashley to get rid (sacking him would have cost money) , is it all just rubbish anyway?

Whatever happens we can be sure of one thing, supporting Newcastle United won’t be dull in 2015, it never is, we are always just a couple of results from disaster, equally we are always just one step away from front page headlines.

At one point 2014 promised so much but delivered so little, unthinkable off the field tragedies bought a sense of perspective to everyone in football,  and the legacy of those tragedies will not ever be forgotten.

And while John and Liam and their families will always be in our thoughts, I would also raise a glass to Sunderland fan Gary Ferguson for his actions and efforts.

Let us hope 2015 is a good year for all – both on and off the field.

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks