Brighton Defeat Predictable Yet Painful

Undoubtedly like most Newcastle United fans, I fully expected the worst ahead of Saturday's third round FA Cup match.

Away at Brighton. With an undermanned squad. Could you get a more obvious upset? Newcastle predictably crashed to a 2-0 defeat against a Brighton team that looked hungrier, better organized and more skilled.

Newcastle's thin squad hardly needs more games, so from that standpoint the loss wasn't much of a blow. Still, the performance was downright atrocious, even when taking into account the patchwork nature of the team Alan Pardew was forced to field. Brighton thoroughly controlled the match, outpassing, outcreating and outworking Newcastle.

What else is there to say that hasn't already been written this season? Newcastle isn't playing attractive or effective soccer and hasn't done so for most of the season. Fans have griped about formations — turns out the 4-3-3 isn't a cure-all after all, eh? — and tactics, but those seem like minor points compared to the complete lack of confidence and grit in the team at the moment.

As badly as Pardew needs a new center back and striker, Newcastle could stand to add an on-field leader or two this month. Perhaps Yohan Cabaye and Steven Taylor will fill that void when they return from injury, which could happen Saturday at Norwich. Still, mental toughness should be a key part of the evaluations of potential new signings. Newcastle hardly needs any more players who wear the looks of lost boys when things aren't going their way.

Of course, as Pardew was keen to point out, a significant portion of Saturday's squad were youngsters who shouldn't be featuring for the first team just yet. That the decision makers at the club believed some of those players would provide sufficient depth this season looks downright laughable now.

Forgive Newcastle fans for failing to see the humor.

Comments

[rob]

I am tired of watching old FA Cup reruns on FSC year-after-year as we bow out to lower division sides early in the tournament.

[geoff777]

Lost 12 out of the last 14 - wins against Wigan (who wrongly played with 10 men most of the match) and QPR at home 1-0 (not pretty).

Three FA Cup losses to lower league opposition out of three for (Cup loving?) Pardew.

Three strikes and out isn't it?

Sack him today, Martinez please.

[Ryan]

I don't understand why we haven't taken this cup more seriously over the past few seasons?? Pardew is so hungry to win trophys why not try with the fa cup ?? i understand this loss but the excuses are starting to add up this season. Also, what is the likely hood that remy actually gets signed ?? Ashley has been so reluctant to actually spend money on quality players.. i already feel as if this window will be the the summer window where we chase two players for the entire month but no one ends up coming in . I pray that isnt the case but you guys would understand why I worry. New to the site but had to comment after this terrible loss to a lower division side again

Ryan

[Mathew]

I understand he didn't have many players to chose from. However it's criminal that when young players come up and have their chance they don't play like it's their only chance. Newcastle was diss interested in this game until 10 minutes to go. That's bad coaching! I'm not saying Pardew should be sacked I think that's been the problem with Newcastle too eager to sack a manager and start over. He clearly wants to get out of a relegation battle and re-focus on the Europe league and next season!
Still I've been saying since the season started we didn't spend enough on defense and now we're being punished for it.

[KYToon]

I'm not too keen to blast Pardew's selection due to the decimation of the squad, but I am almost positive that as recently as the past two weeks Pardew went on record as saying NUFC saw the FA Cup as a trophy to "attack" (or something similar) this year. Then, although like the OP I saw this setback coming, the team comes out with such little emotion that it was almost too difficult to comprehend.

[Jaeger]

i would say that the players seem to be going through the motions a bit more lately..the youngsters should be fighting hard to prove their talent when given the chance, but it takes time to develop a chemistry with the first squad....

dont sack pardew now... only if we get relegated...

need 2 more players in. for sure a CB and im still not too sure about remy and if he'd be good for us..

[rob]

If Pardew wants Sly and Hatem on the wings then a creative central midfielder must also be signed. The two seem to fight injuries a lot so we cannot even rely on their production on a week-to-week basis.