Three Points: Swansea Loss

Three quick takeaways from Newcastle United's 1-0 loss to Swansea at the Liberty Stadium:

Unlucky
Don't overthink this one. Newcastle had the better of the play for the vast majority of the second half in a tough venue against a team that monopolizes possession. Regardless of the final result, this was still a performance that demonstrated that Newcastle is headed in the right direction.

That said, you need to be opportunistic to get road wins against the Premier League's better teams, and Newcastle's finishing simply wasn't good enough today. Papiss Cisse's boom or bust season in front of goal continued, and Yoan Gouffran also wasted a premium chance. Newcastle look a bit too dependent on Moussa Sissoko to create scoring chances and, while the powerful Frenchman had his moments today, he needed a bit more help in the attack.

Indefensible
Can someone please explain to me how this game only included one goal? Both teams looked bright going forward and shaky at the back, although Newcastle clearly endured more wobbly moments.

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, so impressive last week against Southampton, was much less composed in his first Premier League start. The Wayne Routledge cross that led to Luke Moore's goal (seriously, Luke Moore is still in the Premier League?!!) was Yanga-Mbiwa's ball to win, regardless of whether Davide Santon also had a chance to clear it.

Yanga-Mbiwa and goalkeeper Rob Elliot also had a series of mixups throughout the game. Really, Steven Taylor was the only member of the back five (including Elliot) who had a good game.

Attacking alternatives
Newcastle's January spending spree greatly strengthened Alan Pardew's squad. But it's worth noting that Pardew was still lacking the sort of game-changing options from the bench that could have turned Newcastle's second-half surge into a win today.

Fans often clamor to see more of Sylvain Marveaux, which is understandable based on some of his skillful displays this season. But the diminutive Frenchman, who came on with Shola Ameobi in the 90th minute, is best suited to play in the hole, which also seems to be where Moussa Sissoko can most influence a game.

More than anything, Pardew could use a powerful striker as an alternative to Cisse — Shola fits that description, but is too inconsistent — and a couple of wide forwards or wingers who can add a bit of incisiveness to the attack. Hatem Ben Arfa's imminent return from injury will help, but a little depth and competition never hurts.

Comments

[MichiToon25]

I understand that Pardew was trying to get something out of the 11 that was looking better in the 2nd half but putting Ameobi and Marveaux on practically in stoppage time was a bit odd to me. Put them on in the 80th and give them a good 10 minutes + to settle in and get a few chances. They barley had 3 minutes out there. Just strange timing in my opinion.

[Jaeger]

would have liked to see anita play at some point... more mobile and attacking than tiote.. i realize it was 0-0 for most of the game but still think he adds a little more offensively than tiote. sissoko was great as normal which is nice to have in the squad... just too many missed chances that would go in with a little bit of luck.

forgettable match,
on to russia!

[Mathew]

Is anyone else losing faith in Tiote? He's guaranteed a yellow every game. He looked slow on the field and that caused a lot of late challenges. He doesn't track back and chase the ball like other players who are fighting for a spot.
He felt like the weakest link and If Anita had been on might have been a little different...

[Matt2050]

He needed to put Anita in for Tiote around the 70th, Tiote was done, at one point he even made a gesture when he was done and had to get back and cover. Pardew has all sorts of defensive options to come in off the bench but in this group, minus Ben Arfa, who can provide an offensive spark? When your only options are Shola and Marveaux offensively, its no wonder he delayed in making subs. I'd almost rather he sub Marveaux in for Sissoko later in games so that Sissoko can go all out for 70 knowing he can give way to Marveaux who fits in well behind Cisse. Even putting Shola on for Gouffran and going 4-4-2 maybe a better late change to go to for more offense

[Jaeger]

matt2050... or putting marveaux in for tiote and having sissoko drop more into defensive role with cabaye. i think he can do that just as well. big strong defender would still control the midfield

[Margie]

I'm not easily impressed. . . but that's ipmersisng me! :)

[Luis]

He always ceebreatls like that, forgive my ignorance but I think it is more to do with his religion than kissing the emirates turf.He however did not appear to want to rub it in to the crowd when he scored at all it was very muted his celebration. Be interesting to see his reaction to scoring against Chelsea for comparison purposes lol