Newcastle United Thursday Links: Heavy On The Pardew

Good morning! Apologies that this is a little later than it has been going up lately, but here it is. Alan Pardew's anniversary comes up this weekend, and so of course there's a lot of talk about that. If you missed Robert's piece on the anniversary of Chris Hughton's firing, make sure you get back and read it as well. There are many ideas about what Newcastle will do defensively, but newly troubling is that Danny Guthrie has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks with a groin injury (at what point does this injury become a troubling trend where we need to start asking questions?) And so it goes. Cheik Tiote is still out (at what point do we write off his Newcastle career?), and we are maybe one player away from a full-blown injury crisis. Happy Thursday!

A Festival Of Pardew

Alan Pardew eager to mark one year with win - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive

I would be fine with this- for piece of mind and maximum flexibility in the second half of the season, we really need to take max points from our winable matches in December.

Pardew happy to give young players a chance - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive

The link title is just a bit of a misnomer, this artcile also disects some of the reasons for AP's success in his first year at Newcastle.

Pardew calls on Kadar - Black & White - Shields Gazette

I don't really know what the behind the scenes reasons are that AP is reluctant to play Tamas, but in a vacuum, I would rather play a young center back than force a full-back to try to be a center back.

Pardew concerned over Magpies’ contracts (From The Northern Echo)

It promises to be a crucial period for Newcastle as they approach the January transfer window. As well as the uncertain futures surrounding their current players, there will also be a push to add to the squad. The defensive crisis being faced by Pardew at the moment has shifted the onus on strengthening his options to play across his backline.

I am now completely nervous about January. I think I'm nervous enough for it to be it's own post.

Links about players!

Danny Simpson braced for new position - NUFC News - NUFC - JournalLive

Every defender save Ryan Taylor has been linked to a center back run out against Norwich. Whomever it is going to be, needs to be strong positionally and aerially... Norwich have scored the most goals off headers in the league.

Newcastle hit by Guthrie blow - Black & White - Jarrow and Hebburn Gazette

But boss Alan Pardew today revealed the 24-year-old will be out for between four and six weeks after aggravating a groin strain he’s been nursing lately. And with Tiote also out of Saturday’s trip to Norwich City after failing to recover from his knee injury, Pardew’s midfield options are limited.

Yeah... it's not panic time yet in the midfield... but almost. I don't believe that this article mentions Mehdi Abeid who should be back from Algeria U23 duty... there are options... mostly unproven options... but options.

Ryan Taylor: Festive joy is in NUFC's hands - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive

Taking a look at the table, Newcastle are in a position to, despite the injuries, put themselves in really good shape as a top-6 club if we can take the points that it looks like we should take in December. There is a decent gap from Newcastle to 8th in the table, so if we can make hay while the sun shines, it could be an injection of good feeling to counteract the injury stuff...

Taylor and Cabaye set to reach 100-mile mark - NUFC Latest News - Newcastle United - ChronicleLive

Taylor doesn't surprise me in this stat... Cabaye does a little bit. We run a lot.

Newcastle United’s Yohan Cabaye sends out a rallying call - Newcastle United - Sunderland Echo

"There are a lot of games coming up now that we can win. The team spirit’s still good here, and by staying near the top five or six means it stays good. "Every game we go into, we go for the win and to help the team climb the league."

Yohan Cabaye gets the canned quote honors today. We've got spirit!

Nol Solano for Hartlepool?

Nolberto Solano ideal for Hartlepool United manager job - Football - Sport - JournalLive

Joe Allon thinks so... why not?

Those are your links for this morning-- stay tuned.. today should be fun!