Well, any optimism I had for this season pretty much fizzled away in a miserable game at Villa1Villa Park. The day started with me pretty optimistic and looking forward to United building on what despite the defeat was a promising display last week. An early meet with the Manchester Mags was met with a quick Breakfast pint before the relatively easy trip to Birmingham was made, one of of the positives of living in the most arrogant city in the world is that it makes awaydays a lot easier. Once at Birmingham the usual meet and greets were done with a few pints had in The Shakespeare, one of the few decent spots in a pretty awful city.

On to the game and United lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, don’t let that clown try and kid you otherwise, with the same 11 as last week lining up. Any intensity that was shown by United last Sunday was missing from this performance, United were slow in possession of the ball and the movement in the final third was awful. On that front we’re crying out for a striker or Cisse to be fit with De Jong providing the ammunition.

Despite Newcastle’s overall performance being poor we had a number of chances which could have led to us winning the game. A very good corner routine, Colback’s delivery has been a positive for me as has his performances in general, fell to Gouffran who missed a golden chance. Now, on Gouffran I know he has a lot of supporters but can someone explain other than putting a shift in what does he do ? Answers on a postcard please.

Gouffran’s chance was followed by chances for Cabella and Riviere, both should have done better, who are players that I worry may need time to bed in to this league. Something which I don’t really feel we have. In terms of chances for the hosts in the first half I can’t really remember them doing much with N’Zogbia looking awful in particular, could have been a hell of a player him, his attitude and appliance is something that’s gone missing with the lad.

A quick side note on their crowd, Jesus fucking christ they’re woeful. I’ve had people claim they’re their a bigger club than us! 30,000 for their first home game of the season after winning the week before. No wonder no fucker wants to sign for them. However, despite the piss poor attendance I must praise them their support of the applause for Liam & John during the 17th minute.

United started the 2nd half positively with Janmaat making some good runs forward and curling on effort just wide. Williamson should have scored soon after, however he can’t use his feet whatsoever so the chance went missing. It was nice to see that we’re still pursuing with that free kick! It makes you wonder what Pardew’s done all summer other swan round various Grand Prix’s with our fat goalkeeping coach looking like a smug bastard. Never have I hated a Manager more that I hate this prick, and we’ve had some shite n all.

It was a welcome sight to see Siem De Jong introduced, he was unfortunate not to win it for United after a clever bit of play by other sub Perez saw De Jong in on goal with the keeper however he was stopped by Guzan.

Williamson was sent off for a second bookable offence late on for what was a clumsy tackle, which will be not be the last one of his season.

All in all it was a pretty poor performance with United looking devoid of ideas going forward, hopefully something De Jong will inject in to the side. I fear for us in terms of scoring goals this season. A striker over the next week is essential, that or Cisse returns to his 2012 form. It’d be nice if both could happen.

If United don’t win the next two games then I strongly feel that people will start to turn on Pardew again, for me to be optimistic again I need the prick to go.

Anyway enjoy your week. Lets hope it brings a cup win and a comfortable win on Saturday.

Newcastle United: Krul, Janmaat, Williamson(Red Card)Coloccini, Dummett, Anita (De Jong 70), Colback, Sissoko, Cabella, Gouffran, Riviere (Perez 77 [S.Taylor 90+2]).

Their fans 4- Poor turn out for their first home game of the season. Again fair play to them for joining in the applause for Liam and John

Our fans 6- Urgent need of a new singbook. Got behind the team but the frustration is building. 

JACK McLANE

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