The true faith : TIFOSI have given their verdict upon the fantastic away win at Villa Park on Saturday. Coming uyour way is a good feeling about Hatem Ben Arfa (well, there is until I remind you it is Joe Fucking Kinnear who is charged with renegotiating his contract and the pound signs will be rolling around in Ashley’s head now) and Remy had a great game (not our player and with every good display increases his value and puts himself further from our reach on a permanent deal). Anyway, as the Buddhists amongst you, its best to just live in the moment so on that thought . RRRRRAAAAGGGGHHH
This is all for you, so please jump in and join the craic.
MATT STARK
Poor passing, lack of ideas, defence as rickety as a bag of broken bones, no shots on target…a fair summation of the first half, but not ours!
CHRIS LAWS
Positive vibes started seeping from this one as soon as the teamsheet was printed. Anita retaining his place ahead of Tioté and thankfully the liability that is Steven Taylor on the bench, certainly gave me a good feeling. We’ve been playing with two upfront as of late, but went with two wide in this one, Remy performing very well and stretching his side of the field, but once again, like two weeks ago, this one was all about Ben Arfa. He’s so tricky and an absolute bastard nightmare when he’s up for it, and recently, he’s been very up for it. Cabaye looked very influential from what I saw in the middle of the field, I’m not sure, we just seem to have a bit more confidence on the ball and boy does it fucking tell. Last year we repeatedly humped it long, over a very good set of midfielders, this year we are using them and are reaping the rewards. The big let down on today was obviously the goal, as it looks as if it could have been easily avoided. Three Villa strikers jump, yet not a single NUFC defender. Poor. Dare I say we might have let that one go at the end of last year when nerves had set in, but this time around, with added confidence I’ve mentioned, we went back at them, and although their keeper won’t be happy with his role in the winner, Gouffran was still on hand for a tidy finish, something he’s been sorely lacking so far this year. Beating these cunts on their own turf is always a joyful experience after ’09. Sob on the Tyne indeed! 3 – Ben Arfa. 2 – Yanga Mbiwa 1 – Remy.
STEVE FARRELL
For the second game running, we have managed to put in a performance that truly warranted the three points – all the better coming at a team who danced on our graves back in ’09 – an image most of us have not forgotten. I was pleased with the way that we lined up. I had a feeling that Pardew might have immediately reinstalled Jonas, Tiote and Taylor back into the team given that they were all available. Thankfully, the boss has also realised that on current form no one really deserves to be dropped in order to accommodate them. I’m loving Anita getting an extended run in the team. It’s baffled me as to why we can’t find a place in the team for our excellent Dutch international. Mbiwa was solid and looks better as each game goes by. Remy once again impressed in his full debut, and was crucial in the build up to the first goal. Most of the plaudits will go the way of Hatem, and rightly so. If we manage to get a full season out of him – I’d be very optimistic about our prospects. On the other side of the coin, you’d have to fear one of the big boys coming sniffing if he does maintain his form and fitness. It makes getting him tied down on a long-term contract an absolute priority in the coming months. The bloke is a magician. Although he can frustrate when he wants to do EVERYTHING himself, his ability to change a game as he has on countless occasions most definitely makes up for it. It’s a big if, but if we can keep the spine of this side fit for most of, or even better all of, the season – we will have a very decent season. There are enough match winners in that XI to see us through well. Hopefully more of the same next weekend.
SAM DALLING
Last week I said I’d bounced down the Gallowgate steps. Next week I’ll definitely be springing back up them. A first 3 points on the road has, for the time being at least, put some swagger back into Newcastle United. Hatem put us ahead and preceded to look every bit the player we all know he can be. A full season of Ben Arfa at full tilt is certainly a mouth-watering prospect. Fingers crossed. Remy brings a new dimension to our attack, Moussa bossed the middle of the park and it was great to see Gouffran on the score sheet.The lad’s taken some flak in recent weeks, with his inability to convert chances costing us a couple of points, but there’s a half decent player in there. A world-beater he’ll never be, but at the very least he’s worthy of half an hour off the bench. Hopefully he can break his SJP hoodoo next week if given the chance. At the back Mapou rightly retained his place alongside our skipper and once again they put in an accomplished display. Only a rare moment of madness from Tim prevented a third consecutive league shut out, but the class oozing from the pair of them was obvious for all to see. If we can keep them together this partnership will only flourish. And fair play to Pards. I’ve been critical of him in recent times, but credit where it’s due he got it right today. His tactics and team sheet were attacking and even his subs were spot on. For now it’s a case of roll on next week. There’s no easy game in this league, but if we serious harbour ambitions climbing the table then three points are vital. Do that and we’ve made a very decent start.
NEIL GATENBY
Well, well, well….who’d have thunk it? The right players, playing in the right position, Cisse not isolated, Anita and Mapou retaining their place (rightfully so) all add up to an away win! I’m not the biggest optimist in the world, more of a curmudgeon but I actually thought that if we went with the right team we could beat Vile. The fact that Alan didnt do his usual and bring Tiote, Taylor and Jonas back really heartened me, could it actually be sinking in with him we have better players than those three? Dont get me wrong, I love Jonas but I think his legs have gone, as for Tiote he seems to have lost the plot recently and Taylor…well he’s whacky Stevie Fistpumps isn’t he? He needs to settle down and stop going on like a dick.
