Newcastle-Spurs, The Morning After

Opinions can't be based solely on one match, particularly a season opener.

But here are a few of the thoughts bubbling through my head the morning after Newcastle's 2012-13 debut, a 2-1 win over Spurs:

• We may have all overstated the need for another center back. I went into yesterday believing Newcastle would be crazy not to sign a central defender before the end of August. I still think United should add one, but I'm not as convinced that's it's a must addition after seeing the display James Perch put forth. He didn't misplace a pass - 46-for-46, while partner Steven Taylor was 39-for-40 - and his mobility was an asset at the back. That said, Jermain Defoe playing alone up top may not have provided the most definitive examination. If Taylor stays healthy - always a big if - Newcastle might be OK with Perch as its fourth center back.

• Jonas Gutierrez will find a way into the lineup more often than not. Jonas' passing numbers (27-for-34) weren't necessarily spectacular and he didn't create any scoring chances (his late long-range shot was an easy save for any goalkeeper), but he was my clear-cut man of the match. His work rate and adaptability allowed Alan Pardew to alter his formation on the fly. As usual, he was dogged in tracking back and closing players down and he was a constant outlet to relieve pressure. Vurnon Anita will push for a place in the lineup, but we shouldn't count out Jonas just yet.

• Newcastle's ability to retain possession isn't good enough in a 4-4-2 formation. Newcastle and Spurs appear to be pretty evenly matched at this point, which probably contributed to the general raggedness of yesterday's match. But United also showed a disturbing inability to retain possession and build anything with it while operating out of a 4-4-2 look in the first half. Newcastle ended up winning the possession battle (52-48) and outpassed Spurs by volume (329-for-404 vs. 308-for-371) after Pardew pushed Jonas into a more central position and pulled Demba Ba back to the left. But United's possession play still looked like a work in progress: 66.6 percent of its completed passes were in its own half, while Spurs completed 51.9 percent of its passes in the attacking half.

• Davide Santon at left back can be frustratingly predictable. Erik Pieters was spotted in the stands; whether the Dutch left back was in attendance to merely watch pals Tim Krul and Anita play or to discuss a move to Tyneside is unclear at this point. Either way, I'm more convinced than ever that Newcastle should scrap a move for Mathieu Debuchy and land a left-footed left back. It's not that Santon played poorly. But time after time, he ventured forward, only to cut inside to get the ball on his natural foot. There was no threat of a cross from the byline. That problem could be solved by introducing Sylvain Marveaux to the lineup, but that would have to come at the expense of another midfielder. The better option at this point seems like signing a left back and allowing Santon to compete with Danny Simpson - who played fairly well yesterday, all in all - on the right side.

Comments

[Cheik & Bake]

Jonas played well but Ben Arfa was easily man of the match for me.

[Aaran]

Jonas was as usual average, he is a squad player, if we are at home I would much rather Marvaux for his attacking ability, bring on Jonas at the end (if we are winning) to waste time.

[john smith]

Jonas is way overrated.

[Andrew]

"Jonas is way overrated."

What?! People only see the glamour of the game sometimes. If we didn't have Jonas playing, Aaron Lennon would've walked all over Santon. Jonas is the hardest working player on the pitch. Not only does he do the dirty work like tracking back, he gets his foot in, often gets the ball moving again, and contributes with shots, dribbles and passes in the final third. To say he's overrated... it's just so short-sighted, and I cannot comprehend nor communicate how wrong you are.

Marveaux and Ben Arfa are absolutely prettier to watch and will turn a game for you, but without players like Jonas, you'll never get in a position to utilise them.

[rab]

I agree Andrew, you are 100% right, some people just see attack and not defence what so ever, Ginola fantastic but never tracked back what so ever

[MarsMve]

Excellent insight. I have heard reports that Jonas played some LB for Argentina. Is this true? if so that seems to add a nice bit to the lineup and firms up the rotation

(4)RB-Santon CB-Coloccini CB-S Taylor LB_Jonas/new add
(3) RMF-Cabaye CMF-Tiote LMF-Anita
(3) Striker-Ba AMF-Ben Arfa Striker-Cisse

Seems pretty explosive and provides solid ball control from the back with strong wing play from Santon and Jonas.

Jones seems so versatile, with a nice combination of skills to play LB. I do question his pace, however his feel for the game should counter this reservation.

Does this not seem like a contending starting 11?

Mike

[sidekick]

Jonas played at RB for Argentina.
He is right footed.
Newcastle signed him as a right winger.

[sidekick]

Santon is also right footed and played RW, RB and LB in Italy.
He prefers to play at LB.
Most Toon fans agree he is better at LB than RB.

[Munster Mag]

Most Toon fans? But most Toon fans havent seen him play right back.....he is a very ordinary defender at present.

[Dave From Newcastle]

Jonas was not good playing at the back for Argentina and was there only because they were out of options. It might be worth an experimental go just in case. I also think that should NUFC sign a RB or LB that Simpson can be worked in as a CB in case of injury to Taylor.

BTW, anyone want to take a stab at Thursday's lineup for a game in Greece 2 days before a game at Chelski?

This is 100% a hunch and not based on anything, but my guess is Tiote, Cabaye and anyone banged up does not even make the flight:

Harper
Ferguson, Williamson, Taylor, Perch
Marveaux, Anita, Obertan, Jonas
Vukic, Ameobi

Mostly a 4-5-1. Cisse and Sammy Ameobi would be the impact offensive subs off the bench

[Ryan]

Agree with most on Jonas other than John Smith. Jonas is one of my favorite Toon players. He won't score pretty goals like Cisse, and he won't make pretty, life saving tackles like Saylor or Colo. But, he gives his all, 100% of the time. He can play a lot of roles, and is the hardest working player on the pitch. He has a ton of value and it's sad that there are a few people out there that can't see it. Any team would be lucky to have a player like Jonas.

[Adam]

I'm sorry but calling Jonas overrated is utter madness. His work with the ball and without is absolutely essential to the team. Not only does he protect our leftbacks but he wins free kick after free kick dribbling the ball out of danger.

[Steve Fowler (Yank in Geordieland)]

Agreed in saying we don't actually "need" another top CB, although it'd be nice. Personally I see Willo as a back-up. The key to our defense is STaylor staying fit as said previously.

Also agree that Jonas will find a way into the line-up. Obviously Pardew has made him Captain for Spuds game, which says a lot. While Jonas can be frustrating at times, his work-rate is undeniable and helps back on defense. Yes, he has played in the FB position before, but he isn't a FB, and his defending leaves a lot to be desired compared to a true defensive player. I've seen him get caught sticking a leg in against players many many times before, even in midfield. To stick him at LB would be an idea, but it would have to be against a lesser team (maybe a trail in a European game) to see how it goes first in my opinion. Also, I think Jonas (correct me if I am wrong) was either the leader or runner-up in winning free kicks in the EPL last year. That alone is worth keeping him in the line-up, if we can manage to score more set play goals.

I agree Anita will be pushing hard for a place in the starting 11. I didn't think we held the ball very well in general against Spuds, and think this will improve once Cabaye comes into fitness (he looked off the pace).

Also agree that Davide Santon at LB can be predictable, but at the end of the day, he's a RB and a right footed player (dominantly). The Erik Pieters story is just he was checking out Timmy and Anita. I personally would rather see us bring in a LB (maybe one like Pieters who can play CB as well; the guy from Montpellier?) and push Santon to RB. Don't know about Pieters though. He looked bad against England who played speedsters on the wings in the friendly that was played, and has a history of injuries.

Speaking of Sylvain Marveaux where did he go? He didn't even make the bench? Is he injured again?