Author Profile - James Wallbridge ( 15 Posts )

Writer James Wallbridge asks why do so many Newcastle fans feel it difficult to feel a little bit of optimism after the transfer business so far.

James Wallbridge looks at a route to redemption for Alan Pardew at Newcastle United next season.

Michael Laudrup won Swansea’s first trophy last season before being sacked this time around, James Wallbridge argues he is ideal to replace Pardew.

The Alan Pardew tactics of safety first have produced mixed results, can he now go on the offensive and raise the bar?

The question for Pardew, does he take out Ameobi, keep the same midfield 4 of Sissoko, Cabaye, Tiote, Gouffran and play Ben Arfa in a free role behind Remy (or stay with the same line-up against Chelsea), or does he totally drop the idea of 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 and go to a basic, rather defensive 4-5-1 with a midfield five of Sissoko, Anita, Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran.

Pardew has always been tactically inept, has never had a plan B in a match. We only seem good when we play the 4-3-3 but again Pardew thought we should play 4-4-1-1 against Everton so that the wide midfielders could help Debuchy and Santon against Baines, Mirallas, Coleman, but it didn’t work because we could never get a foothold in the game.

First of all, they’ve actually carried on spending and bought in some decent players, in fact they’ve spent more! Bringing in the likes of Bony, Pozuelo, Jordi Amat, Shelvey – who I think are excellent signings. Whereas we only bought in Vernon Anita, as the only senior signing after our leap forward season.

If we finish in the top 8 this season, then I think Pardew is the man to take us forward, if we don’t, then we will have to find someone else.

Maybe this summer isn’t going to be all doom and gloom, perhaps we are going to see Newcastle being very active in the transfer window in the coming days or weeks, though I hope we can get in our targets for the last few games of pre-season.

This is what I call a successful transfer window for us…

I did my research and created a list of 7 players that I’d like to see us sign. Working on Ashley’s maximum budget of £20-25million and not going for players with too high a reputation.