Never Mind, Alan, You Can Stay

When considering Alan Pardew's position in the wake of Newcastle United's disheartening 2-1 defeat to Reading last weekend, I felt that, more than anything, the club simply needed a shakeup.

Which is why I wrote that, despite it being unfair, Newcastle might just have to fire Pardew to spark some life into its slumping team.

Well, you can go ahead and scratch that idea.

None of us saw this week's spending spree coming. We all figured Newcastle would sign a player or two before the close of the January transfer window. Based on Newcastle's track record under Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias, though, the best guess was that it wouldn't happen until the final few days of the window as the club tried to wring the best possible value out of any deal. I thought Newcastle would add only what it felt was necessary to avoid relegation this season, even if that meant taking a bit of a gamble. Again, that's based on the club's track record under Ashley.

Instead, Newcastle transformed its squad by purchasing two rock-solid acquisitions in midfielder Moussa Sissoko and center back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, a versatile forward in Yoan Gouffran and a promising young left back in Massadio Haidara. All in the span of four days. That just doesn't happen very often.

I'd say the board has sufficiently slapped some life into the team. We can criticize Ashley and Llambias for not acting so boldly last summer, but they deserve credit for reacting swiftly to Newcastle's first-half struggles.

That's not to say Pardew is off the hook. He now has the necessary tools at his disposal to mount a charge up the table in the season's remaining four months. With those new players comes a certain level of pressure. He thrived under the strain of a similar vice grip two years ago in the wake of the Andy Carroll sale. Let's hope he does so again.

Comments

[Larry]

I love this site, but I think the "Pardew out" talk of the last post was premature. Let's see what our gaffer can do now that he's got some serious reinforcements.

[Tom]

Larry: Thanks for reading. Like I said in the post, to me these signings were game changers. The reason I wrote the previous one was that I felt that losing had simply become ingrained in the team and I thought the only realistic way to shock that out of its system might be zipping Pardew, even if it wasn't necessarily fair. I didn't realistically think they'd go out and make such a big splash in the transfer market, though. It'd be far too much change to axe Pardew now.

[Jaeger]

should be a lift for all of the players. we just need a big win against villa to cement the foundation that things can turn around... honestly all we need is a consistent striker (preferably not french just to humor arsene wenger) and no further big injuries to key players and this is a top 6 club on paper... make or break time for pardieux now.

[sidekick]

Sorry Jaeger , but I believe Shola will start and play full 90 minutes against Villa , so no big win. We should scrape a result though.

[Mathew]

I think it's a little soon to think we'll just blow out Villa - they're in a relegation battle with us and it's an away game. They've heard all week about all the 'Frenchys' Newcastle has been buying and are expected to walk in and thump them. These guys haven't even had 1 full training session together. I'm hopeful for a win but more sure we'll get a result against Chelski in a couple weeks. It's perfectly set up with BA returning and our new lads starting to gel (OK Wishful thinking) but still don't expect 5 goals against Villa

[joppadoni]

too true Sidekick. many peeps thining the names will make the squad, well they dont do they. it will very likely be a tough match although the lift the new players will bring should up our game. as you say though villa will be looking to up theres respectively. im hopeful, although im not expectant, of something from the game. siginigs this week have been a welcome boost. i hope all can further their careers internationally with us and help us become a team we like to watch and, hopefully, we do well.

TTBaWA!

[Andrea]

Bonsoir!

Love the renamed blog title! It is appropriate, seems Newcastle is selling berets.