Tiote Could Have Saved Newcastle Against Spurs

To some degree, Newcastle fans were probably happy to see Cheick Tiote representing his country in the Africa Cup of Nations. Being out of England seemed to chill the transfer rumors that had swirled around him all season. He was better off in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon than turning up in London or Manchester on January 31st. The club didn't seem to miss him in the Premier League, either, as three wins in four matches reignited hopes of a surprise finish in the top four.

Well, Saturday showed just how crucial Tiote truly is to any sustained success Newcastle aspire to this season. As my co-blogger Tom pointed out, Alan Pardew's hapless side managed just 34.6% of the possession at White Hart Lane. Most of it was probably spent picking the ball out of Tim Krul's net. The 5-0 scoreline may have understated Tottenham's dominance of the match.

But we should remember that at full strength, Newcastle played an entertaining, free-flowing, and dead-even 2-2 draw against Spurs at St. James' Park in October. And it was Tiote who controlled the play that day; in fact, the home side won the possession battle by hanging onto the ball 55% of the time.

On Saturday, Spurs seemed to have a grip on the match from the opening handshake on. While we've praised Danny Guthrie's performance here in the past, he's not the sort of player who can neutralize a talented group of midfielders. Tiote, on the other hand, did just that against Tottenham in October, even though Harry Redknapp packed the midfield with Luka Modric, Scott Parker, and Jake Livermore.

In that matchup, Tiote performed his destroyer role with aplomb, with five tackles and five interceptions. Uncharacteristically, though, he also dominated the ball against Spurs. In fact, he had more touches of the ball (91), completed more passes (60 of 67), and did so at a higher percentage (90%) than any other player on either side of the pitch that day. Quite an impressive feat for a player who's often been thought of as a one-dimensional defensive midfielder.

That presence in midfield was what Newcastle lacked above all in this most recent game against Tottenham. No one challenged Redknapp's men at any point, whether through a timely tackle, an incisive pass, or even just a sustained, threatening spell of possession. The team went into North London and got steamrolled, something which wouldn't have happened if Tiote were available.

Tiote also gives Pardew a freer hand in choosing formations and tactics. After complaining that his options were limited against Spurs, he's able to go back to the 4-3-3 that he may prefer, and that we think can make a difference. The 5-0 rout should have set alarm bells ringing on Tyneside this week.  But Pardew thinks first of defensive solidity when considering changes. In that regard, Tiote is the ultimate "possession player," who takes the ball off the opposition and finds a teammate with it the vast majority of the time. He's the base that will allow more flexibility in team selection, and hopefully to more chances created.

Newcastle may still have come home empty-handed on Saturday with Tiote, but at least it would have been a contest worth watching.  The Ivorian enforcer may have been absent during the club's recent charge up the table. But his presence the next three months will be vital to any hopes of European qualification.

Comments

[TommyHarmer]

the Ivoirean Enforcer was unable to stop Zambia on Sunday, let alone Spurs on Saturday .....

[bob nippling]

This is silly. He could not have saved us at all. He could have maybe helped prevent 1 or 2 of the goals but the end result would have been no differe.t Just like the Liverpool game when he was playing.

[boogie]

Is this some kind of Joke? you really think Tiote would of changed the game that much? If your in a hotel room dont stand next to the bath.....

[Surrey Yid]

Rubbish - even Maradonna would not have saved you against Spurs on Sunday. COYS!!!!

[lee thomas]

what if spurs had vdv and sandro fit...it could have been 8-0 !!!

[lee thomas]

ps: c o y s !!!!

[Paul F]

The Fact that Livermore played at SJP should be enough to tell you that Spurs midfield was not at full strength that day

[Bob]

Hello, Spurs fans. Perhaps the Tottenham blogs aren't interesting enough to keep your attention...? Or maybe the club itself...?

(grin)

At any rate, you're more than welcome here. Have a look around, comment at will and enjoy.

[Big Mal]

If Kaboul, Van De Vaart and Lennon from our first XI had been fit we may have scored 8. What a pointless article

[Stuart]

Our club is not interesting enough? haha 3rd place, some of the best players in the world yet our club is not interesting. I just found the title of the piece amusing. The form Scotty and Luka are currently in, there is no way Tiote would have saved the game for you. We keep marching on!! COYS!

[Bob]

Winning, by itself, isn't necessarily interesting. If it were we'd be Man U fans. Newcastle, on the other hand, is always interesting. Sometimes like a horror movie, but interesting.

[dsicojew]

I think maybe Cabbaye and Tiote would have made a difference in the same way we are not the same without Modirc and Parker.

That said we beat you away too so maybe not.

Anyway good luck beating Chelski and the scum to 4th place.

COYS

[Mr Ginola to you]

The only thing that would save you on saturday was an intevention from God (Take note Maggots singing about foreskins on the tube...)

[bob nippling]

You didn't beat us away you goon.

[GeordieDan]

Banter or no banter from this NUFC fan's point of view Spurs were just unplayable on Saturday and as everyone has already said Tiote wouldn't have made a difference in the slightest.

The first 2 goals especially came fast up the right wing and a million miles from where Tiote would have been.

We were outclassed and outplayed on the day.

Spurs fans shouldn't take the piss too much though. Their wage bill as a consequence of 'Arry's spending will be their downfall in the future and Arry won't be around too much longer to work his magic.

It wasn't that long ago we were beating you 4-1 comfortably. Things change in football. FAST.

[Cheik & Bake]

Well, no surprise that the Spurs fans come off as arrogant in the comments. You drew 2-2 with us when we had our full team out and beat us 5-0 when we had James Perch & Danny Guthrie in centre midfield. Well done. Did I misread the article and it in fact said that were Tiote playing Newcastle would have thrashed Spurs? No? Didn't think so. The article infers that he would have made a difference, which to me seems undeniable.

[Mr Carr]

All of you knob head Tottenham fans, you dreaming if you believe 2 players cant make a difference. Take bale(a beast) and Ada(4 assists) out your team, on the same day we play Tiote, Cab, Cisse, Ba. You gave us a hiding at white hart lane but couldn't do the double over us. Congrats . We drew 2-2 at Saint James, Ameobi rocket. As i said your having a bath.

Although, I would love to see Tott win the league. Now, jog on.

[superyid]

you got lucky if I remember with the 2-2 at home, freidel fucked up and palmed the ball into your strikers path who scored with 3 mins to go.

[Jaeger]

tiote wouldn't have changed from spurs scoring. again maybe 1 or 2 may have had an alternate ending or his possession could have led to a newcastle goal. either way our back line was in poor form.

spurs wont win the league this year. next year is probably their best chance, provided old 'arry redknapp doesn't leave for the national team job. newcastle was a whole new team this fixture then back in the fall. steven taylor was playing along with tiote and cabaye, and ryan taylor. i dont see how we were lucky with the 2-2 draw. stuck up london snobs, spurs fans.

[Matt]

Wow, I really stirred the pot today, didn't I? So first of all, to comment #1, Zambia beat Ivory Coast on penalties Sunday. The match ended 0-0. And Tiote scored his penalty. So outside of replacing his keeper during the shootout, I'm not sure what more he could have done to stop Zambia. (Ivory Coast didn't allow a single goal during the whole ACN, by the way...)

Spurs fans: I believe in the article I said that 5-0 flattered NUFC. It could very well have been 7 or 8. But the point of the post was that Tiote had a stellar game at SJP against Modric and Parker. Modric had 58 touches in that one compared to 120 on Saturday. You may well have won, but it wouldn't have been in the "Barca vs. Segunda Division opponent" fashion that it played out.

NUFC fans: I can't claim that Tiote would have stopped any of the particular goals that were scored in the game. The argument was more that Newcastle would have had a better hold of the game via the midfield and that Spurs' wingers and fullbacks wouldn't have been queuing up outside the 18-yard box for 90 minutes.

[Mighty Spurs]

Spurs fan here and I like the Toon hope you beat cheatski and goons to 4th place. But seriously, all joking aside your midfield could have included Chuck Norris, Superman, The Incredible Hulk and a Terminator and we still would have destroyed you the force was with us, it was epicness awesomage personified. Not a team in the land could have lived with the mighty Tottenham :-) best of luck for the rest of the season!!

COYS

[bob nippling]

Well, having those in our midfield wouldn't have been very beneficial considering none of them are very good at football...

[Ryan]

@ Mighty Spurs- You guys did have a tremendous day, I agree with that. But, for every stellar day like you had, you will have a shocker too. If you honestly think Spurs would beat Newcastle with our full squad 5-0 every time, you need to wake up. I give you guys credit for a great game last week, but it's not indicative of the quality of our side at all. We just had a shocker of a game. It happens to even the best teams.

Fact is, we are climbing back to the top where the mighty Toon should be every year. We have great talent in the squad, just signed another great striker to partner with Ba, and actually will be able to meet the Financial Fair Play rules when they come into effect. Things are certainly on the up for Newcastle right now. Best to be aware of us heading into the future.

Howay the Lads!

[Rob]

piss of london pricks