Three conclusions from Newcastle United's enthralling 1-1 draw with Southampton at St. James' Park:
A fair result for a well-played match
Newcastle failed to protect its one-goal halftime lead and couldn't cash in on any late chances to rescue a win. But it's hard to be too angry over a point from this one, considering the performance and the opposition.
It was a back-and-forth game, contested by two good teams that pushed each other for 90 minutes. Southampton had more of the ball in the first half, but Newcastle looked dangerous every time it attacked. Then, Southampton turned it up a notch to get its equalizer, and Newcastle responded by closing the match with a flurry (albeit one that didn't result in a goal). Loic Remy's incredible second-half miss — he should have also buried a chance in the first half, but at least he put that one on goal — cost United, but the Saints' Steven Davis also hit the post with a wicked volley. A draw felt like the fair outcome.
Anyone who couldn't appreciate this game and the performances of both teams probably isn't a genuine soccer fan.
What just happened?
Have you ever seen such a bizarre final few minutes of a game?
First, Moussa Sissoko, who stood out all game along with Vurnon Anita (who capably filled in for Yohan Cabaye), Cheick Tiote and Mathieu Debuchy, inadvertantly hit referee Mike Jones in the face in the midst of an argument with Southampton goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. Jones went down a little bit theatrically, but he most likely wasn't expecting to get popped in the face, and Sissoko did get him in the nose and eye. Credit to Jones for not overreacting and pulling out a card.
A few minutes later, a late tackle on Newcastle substitute Massadio Haidara prompted a melee involving members of both teams' coaching staffs. Newcastle goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman did something to get himself removed from the dugout, and John Carver looked angry. Angry John Carver frightens me.
A sign of things to come?
For the second time in three games, Alan Pardew made a second-half switch at left back by sending on Haidara for Davide Santon.
At Swansea, Santon simply looked gassed. That didn't seem to be the case on Saturday, but it's worth noting it was Santon's loss of possession in midfield that sprung the counter attack that gave Southampton its equalizer.
For all the defensive improvements Santon has made since arriving from Inter Milan in the summer of 2011, he hasn't developed much with his on-ball decision-making. He still routinely dribbles his way into hopeless situations, which is exactly what happened on his costly giveaway. And Santon's crossing is about as impotent as it gets, at least from the left flank. Haidara, on the other hand, looked back to the promising player we saw last season — powerful, fast and direct. (Although Hatem Ben Arfa must not have been too impressed, considering he had Haidara wide open on the left during a late foray forward, but opted to dribble into traffic; shocking!)
This isn't to say Santon should be sold come January, when he'll turn 23. But with Haidara and Paul Dummett providing Pardew with intriguing left-footed alternatives, Santon shouldn't be the automatic choice at left back anymore. I've said it before and I'll say it again: The idea of Santon playing further up the field intrigues me.
Completely agree with your assessment of Santon's give-away although it seemed like the S-Hampton goal was coming. Can't remember at the moment, but was that off of a set-piece that got played back to Santon? I'll admit to grading Final Exams during the match so I wasn't paying as much attention as possible, but it seemed as though NUFC were horribly exposed at the back with only Colo trying to defend two S-Hampton players so I'm thinking there had to be something out of the ordinary happening.
Also, wonder what you guys thought of Pardew's apparent willingness to throw players forward at the end to go for the win? I'm thinking back to last year's games against Norwich and West Ham (they were after New Year's but not sure if they were home or away). Is this a sign of Pardew's faith in his team this term?
Posted by: UK PhD | 12/15/2013 at 10:30 AM
To put Santon's positional waywardness into perspective, he was in a no.10 position when he gave the ball away before sauntering back having been dispossessed - whilst in fairness, he was so out of position at the time that Usain Bolt would have struggled to make up the ground. He's an interesting player. Very technical - great feet, crisp touches and glides swan-like on the ball - the potential is there, but those qualities don't win games in the present, and his seldom effectiveness from encouraging final third positions neither outweigh his defensive lapses, or encourage me to share the view of the article that he is a forward/wide player in the making. I highly rate Haidara - and M'biwa - in the left back slot, but I would stick with Santon as he is still young, and has shown some improvement on last season. Pardew's subbing of him will help focus his mind, although as others have said it's a waste of a potentially valuable attacking reinforcement from the bench whilst in continues.
The result was fair but still frustrating considering our 1st half superiority and 1 goal advantage. We really need more goals in this team. I don't think it's a coincidence Shola's replacement with Cisse preceded the goal either. Whilst Cisse is still the more likely scorer of the two, we surrendered shape, control and the ability to trap the ball. I don't think Shola's the longterm answer, but the mere fact he isn't Cisse has liberated the team, such has been Cisse's near complete shut-down as top level footballer.
I feel sorry for Ben Arfa - he's been cast as tweedle-dum to Cisse's tweedle-dee. and lumped together as luxury types that this team cannot hope to integrate whilst winning with regularity. Those last 30 mins gave a clear demonstration of how one is a huge asset to our attacking potency, and the other is (sadly) holding us back at the moment.
Posted by: geordiepat | 12/15/2013 at 10:57 AM
Santon isn't so much a winger in the waiting as a defender in the making. He did, after all, start his career as a Right Winger before Mourinho (I think) moved him to Left Back. Debuchy needs to be in this kids' ear. I don't think only 4+ years (especially later years) a decent defender makes.
Maybe Santon is the long term replacement for Gutierrez? I can definitely see him as able to replicate Guti's play; including final product...
Posted by: Ocorious | 12/15/2013 at 12:17 PM
this crystal palace match is a good opportunity to test haidara (or dummett) to see what they can do over 90 minutes... and revert to a 4-3-3 with gouffy remy and ben arfa up top and tiote anita and cabye in the midfield. that should bring out our attack and hopefully dominate possession against a weaker side...
need 6 points out of these next two games.
Posted by: Jaeger | 12/15/2013 at 04:40 PM
5 games in 15 days will certainly give guys like Haidara, Anita, Cisse, Sammy, and M'Biwa chances to get in and impress.
Curious to see what others would gauge what success looks like for these 5 matches. I would be thrilled with 8 pts and a win over Cardiff but would not shed any tears over 6 or 7 and a win. While trips to Palace and WBA are winnable both are in the relegation scrap and will have relatively new managers, and Arsenal is atop the table for the moment. The Stoke win is the one that must be 3 pts. Would be nice to finally get a win on Boxing Day.
Posted by: Dave from Newcastle | 12/16/2013 at 08:22 AM
I'd like to say "seven points with a win against Cardiff City would be a fine display" but it would be a disappointment. Why?
Are we a mid-table scrapper or a top-6 contender?
Since it looks like we are more the former than the latter we need to take maximum points from lesser sides. That is what good clubs do...they beat teams to which they are superior. (unlike a number of American NFL teams we all know) Crystal Palance and Stoke are lesser sides...good teams would win those matches. WBA is better, but still we should beat them.** That's 9 right there. If Arsenal is better than we are (and they likely are), and/or we realistically don't expect to win, we should still feel we have a good chance of securing a draw.
It is all there waiting for Pardew and company. If they haul a good number of points, we're top-6 bound. Failing that, we'll likely be looking at a mid-table finish. It is up to squad and Pardew. Get the job done on the pitch and everything takes care of itself.
**(We'll probably be wearing the bright yellow kits against WBA, too...so that's a good omen)
Posted by: MNTOONARMY9 | 12/16/2013 at 03:16 PM
Editing error: "Since it looks like we are more the latter than the former..." Sorry for that, lads.
Posted by: MNTOONARMY9 | 12/16/2013 at 03:20 PM
being a Bucks fan, you'll be more than familiar with NBA parlance Tom. Santon is what hoops commentators would call a 'tweener'; talented but having neither the required skillset for one position (FB) or another (winger). He's consistently disappointing in the final third, forcing ill-conceived passes (see Soton's goal), crossing aimlessly or being unable to find teammates with cutbacks.
Re. the match in general - interesting tactically but can't say that I enjoy any game in which my team hardly has the ball and is unable to keep it when they get it. 40% possession at home! In general I don't like the way Pardew's NUFC teams play, being too reliant on old-school 'hoof and play for 2nd ball randomness'
Posted by: M | 12/16/2013 at 07:23 PM
i didnt see the classic hoofball play against Man U, so it's not every game. I also think that people (not personally you, M) just label it hoofball the second they see one lob that doesnt turn into a scoring chance. sometimes its needed to clear the lines, change the "field position" of where you set up your defense and try to pin the opposition back, and put a lot of pressure on the back line. i think southampton did well with that and it does create turnovers and chances.. a la santon.
this week vs. palace i could see the team playing much more in the pass and move style of play, especially with cabaye back and a more aggressive team.
Posted by: jaeger | 12/17/2013 at 08:51 AM