Maritimo Performance More Famine Than Feast

Though yesterday was "Magsgiving" for American Toon fans, we had very little to be thankful for after watching Newcastle's 1-1 Europa League draw with Maritimo. True, one point was enough to qualify for the knockout stages, extending the continental run until late February. But it was another uninspired performance in a season packed with them, and a major regression from the promising attack displayed on Saturday.

Without Hatem Ben Arfa, who limped off with a hamstring injury late in the first half, Newcastle looked completely out of ideas. Maritimo won the possession battle 55-45. Let's repeat that: the 12th-place team in the Portuguese league came to St. James' Park and had 55% possession. That's simply not good enough, especially when the team lacked the quick counterattack that can balance out such a stat. 

The problem, once again, was too many long balls. And last night, the main culprit was Tim Krul. Obviously, there are plenty of times when the goalkeeper will launch the ball downfield. But when it is clearly not having the desired effect - Krul hit a teammate on only 8 of his 24 long balls - it's time to try something different. Especially when the back four against Maritimo had two players who love to run the ball out of the back in Davide Santon and Fabricio Coloccini. 

At one point early in the match, Santon won a free kick just outside his own box. Rather than simply playing it quick to keep the Maritimo players on their heels, Krul ushered everyone forward and fired the ball at Sammy Ameobi, who lost the header and sent Maritimo on the attack again. It got even worse in the second half, when Demba Ba was the only player over six feet tall in Newcastle's front six by the end of the match. Knowing that's the case, why would Krul continue to boot the ball into the abyss?

Since Ben Arfa will miss the match against Southampton on Sunday, it will be even more important to get the tactics right. Between now and then, Alan Pardew should stress one thing at every practice and team meeting: "Play it short, Tim." 

Comments

[tomfin]

padews got newcastle playing worse football than under big sam and jack charlton terrible to watch

[WallsendStu]

Last nights game was awful, the passing was terrible and I to am getting sick of the hump it and lump it style we have adopted. When one nil up we looked like a team playing for a draw not the win. Steven Taylor has made a lot of noise lately about having the support of the fans and sticking with the team. His action last night for their goal looked more suited to the bull ring than a football field as he did a very good job of getting out of the way and letting their man score. They need to realise they cannot live on last years achievements and start putting some effort in.

[89norcal]

Maybe the longballs are the sign of frustration by our players because our midfield cant hold the ball or even pass effectively. Impatience and desperation creeps in and before you know it, we've lost all shape and continuity.

Our squad is used to success now because of last year, and we've never been a team to WIN games from a goal or two down.