Five Lessons Learned: Tottenham 2-1 Newcastle
It’s very easy to blame people for the loss, but to be quite honest, we were beaten by a better side. Watching the game, I was really impressed by how well Spurs were threading the ball around the pitch so fluently, and in the end, I don’t have too many complaints. Here’s a look at some of the things that stood out in the match:
1. Tim Krul was brilliant
I thought that apart from his kicking, Tim Krul was outstanding today. 3 or 4 times he denied Gareth Bale. Tim couldn’t do anything with the first goal; Perch just didn’t jump in the wall so the Dutch number 1 had no chance. His kicking was slightly disappointing, but that should not distract from what was a superb goalkeeping performance.
2. Jonas simply isn’t a starter
Where should i start with Jonas Gutierriez? Last weekend his header against Chelsea was outstanding but he went back to his old ways today; he was very Poor. Its hard to see what Pardew see’s in his game that tells him to start him every week over Marveaux. His passing & his work rate has gone seriously downhill this season which is extremely disappointing. I can’t wait for Hatem Ben Arfa to be fit again.
3. Yoan Gouffran’s injury changed us
Yoan Gouffran was outstanding in the first half and thoroughly deserved his goal. But when the new lad got injured it affected us massively. Marveaux came on and hardly touched the ball. The counter attack was used a few times in the first half but after the injury, it completely changed our game plan. Hopefully he will be back soon. I struggle to think of many sides with a better midfield than us when we have a clear injury list.
4. Sissoko marked out of the game
Moussa Sissoko was nothing short of outstanding against Chelsea but Spurs must have done their research on the big man as he had 2 or 3 players round him for most of the game. The only time he got away from his markers he set up Gouffran’s goal. I’m still extremely excited about Sissoko but he had a quiet game today.
5. Push Santon forward as a winger?
What do you guys think about pushing Santon forward as a winger? He isn’t the best defender in the league but he is great going forward. He let Aaron Lennon have too much space for my liking today, and backed off too much. We were also very lucky we didn’t concede a penalty for his hand ball too. I would love us to push him forward and try someone else in there like Haidara.
By Paul Milloy ( Follow me at @Milloy11)
The Spectator's View 
Shame we did not do our homework on Bale. Referee was a joke. Did everything but score for Spurs.
As a Spurs Supporter i am glad to hear that Gouffran’s x-rays are positive and hope he makes a speedy recovery, he was your best player at the time.
You should take plenty of positives from the game and trust in Pardew, you are definately well on the up, some good buys there. Cheers .
TO be honest, we can’t deflect the blame towards the referee. Spurs were a lot better than us and I’m happy to accept that. If we can replicate their fast and fluid style of play, it would be well suited to our players, especially ben arfa
thought he favoured geordies if anything def. penalty for spurs for handball just after own goal equaliser but i dont think you,l get relagated
jrw; the ref had FA to do with your loss. You have a good team, but we have (imo) a bit better one. Add in Bale in good form and Pardew’s less than ambitious tactics in the second half, a Spurs win wasn’t surprising.
Your spot on about trying Haidara at fb and moving Sants onto the wing. Davide is a class player but blind freddy could see he was giving to much space to lennon.
Jonas was a starter last season in my eyes. Also in my eyes he is purely a bench player this season.
Great call on Santon, though is Haidara or Mbiwa the one to slot in at LB?
Perhaps Santon and Debuchy could both be proper wing backs and we could switch to having three CBs and Anita (or Tiote, or even Perch) in the DM role – that would put all out best defenders on the pitch and give us a much stronger attack, esp with Sissoko, Cabaye and HBA all fit.
Also, while it is true Spurs were better than us on the day (and they have a pretty good squad overall), and (though I don’t much care for him) AVB appears to be doing very well, plus I can’t help liking Spurs supporters (esp compared to Chelski scum), still, whenever NUFC lose, of cause it is the Referee’s fault, (the damn, one-eyed, opposition-supporting, cheating git).