Newcastle Club Focus – Unbeaten Magpies continue to soar
Newcastle stretched their unbeaten run to six games this season as they came from behind to take a point at Villa Park. Another goal from striker Leon Best earned a well deserved draw which could have been more but for some fine saves from former number one Shay Given. On the whole it was a much improved performance when compared to the previous game against QPR when Newcastle were very much second best. On Saturday Alan Pardew’s side enjoyed much more of the ball and statistically had the better of the game.
One of the keys to the away side’s ability to take control of the game was the performance from their central midfield duo of Cheik Tiote and Yohan Cabaye. The partnership is currently at a fledgling stage as both players try to adapt to each other’s style of play but the potential appears to be promising. Despite the trend for the majority of Premier League teams to pack the midfield, especially away from home, Pardew has generally stuck to a 4-4-2 formation all campaign. At times this has led to the midfield area getting over-run but at least it gives greater options in attack. On Saturday with both sides employing four man midfielders, there was more of an opportunity to take a foothold in the game.
Tiote was at his usual industrious best breaking up the play while using the ball intelligently. In contrast Cabaye was able to provide the Magpies most dangerous attacking threat. The French international came close to scoring on three separate occasions and also provided a threat with his delivery from set pieces. He was denied from opening his goalscoring account for his new team by a combination of the woodwork and a fine late save from Shay Given.
Alan Pardew was delighted by his side’s performance and felt that they were deserving of taking all three points. As well as praising the performance of his central midfielders, he also singled out goalscorer Leon Best for his performance. "Leon is a guy who has been around the game a long time," said Pardew. "He has not really had the chances at Premier League level that he feels he deserves. Leon has great belief in himself. He gets a start, he gets a goal, and he keeps the shirt, it's as simple as that in my book.” Best now has one of the best goal to start ratios in the Premier League as he continues to surprise fans and pundits alike. It has taken Pardew some time to warm to the 24-year-old but he is now a key member of the team.
Newcastle travel to Nottingham Forest in midweek for a League Cup tie. Hatem Ben Arfa has been pencilled in to make his first appearance of the campaign as he looks to build up his match fitness. There could also be starts for the likes of Dan Gosling, Sylvain Marveaux and Sammy Ameobi. Forest have made a dreadful start to the season and the pressure is already mounting on manager Steve McClaren to turn it around.
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