By Nathan Smith After our somewhat surprising and remarkable achievements last season – are we beginning to become victims of our own success? Our expectations levels, rightly or wrongly have sky rocketed since finishing fifth. In the wake of the shock home defeat to West ham it has made me ponder over whether our fans have fallen into a false sense of security? I’m not debating the fact that we should be disposing the likes of West ham at home. But quite frankly it would be ridiculous and unrealistic to expect us to win every single home game. However, we are entitled to demand a certain level of performance. Something we have been deprived of for large chunks of the season. So we are 11 league games into the new campaign and we already have genuine reason for concern. The team looks devoid of any ideas, rugged, lacklustre and disjointed. The cracks were appearing with every passing week. We relied on luck or/and individual brilliance from either Cabaye, Ba or Ben Arfa to save our blushes and temporary paper over the cracks. Unfortunately neither came against West Ham and we deservedly lost. The style Pardew preaches in his pre-match press conferences and the style we see on the field of play conflict. Pardew talks of “putting bums on the edges of the seats”, but more often than not the fans walk away from St James’ Park with sore neck; looking up as we launch an onslaught of hopeless long balls. Looking at our team line-ups this season, it’s evident that Pardew doesn’t have the personnel at his disposal to play the brand of football he wants. More often than not it has been the case of square pegs in round holes. Players like Jonas; for all his heart endeavor and versatility, does he really warrant an automatic starting place week in week out? Playing Jonas in central midfield is ridiculous. Other than run, run and run some more with the occasional running into the imaginary brick wall thrown in, what is his purpose? He doesn’t possess the skill to play in the middle of the park. Another dilemma Pardew faces is the Cisse-Ba partnership. Something has to give. Papiss up until now has had an absolutely shock horror of a season. To make matters worse, it’s clear as day that him and Ba cannot work together. Ba and Shola is a far more compatible match but are we really going to use Shola as one of our two first choice strikers? What are the solutions? It’s quite simple, the system needs re-thinking. 4-2-3-1 is far more modern and appropriate for the players we have at the club. The lack of competition for places is worrying. Introducing youngsters will give the team a new lease of life. Perhaps it’ll give certain under-performing senior players a much needed kick up the back side. Before anyone thinks this is just your typical footy fan after a disappointing result; emotions running high and things said without thinking etc… It’s not. Our league campaign has been dreadful, totally unacceptable for the players we have at the club. Do you agree with Nathan? Let us know your thoughts? Author: Nathan Smith is a 22-year-old Newcastle fan living in London. He supports the Toon because of his nan and has done since he was 6-years-old. His favourite memory is watching Newcastle play at the old Wembley Stadium.
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