Following his side's three-goal drubbing at the hands of rivals Sunderland, Alan Pardew bemoaned his side's lack of game-changers while Black Cats boss Gus Poyet admitted it was one of his best days in management. Newcastle were without both Yohan Cabaye who has been sold to Paris St. Germain for £19 million and the suspended Loic Remy following his bad-temepred display against Norwich. And with Newcastle's bid for Lyon midfielder and Cabaye replacement Clement Grenier falling through, Pardew felt it was a dearth of game-winning players that helped his side fall to a 0-3 defeat. He said:
"Well listen, I think when you lose a player of Cabaye's class, you want to replace him, but I had to accept what was in my kitty today going forward. I'm going to try get the best out of the group I've got. "Loic Remy was a big loss today I thought we created chances but there was a lack of conviction in our finishing today, which he certainly doesn't lack. He was a big loss today. "Standing on the sidelines today with the team where we were, it would've been nice to have a player to give us a boost for the second half of the season, but there's not. What else can I say? "The bottom line is that the players have gone, and I've got to find a gameplan that's going to work for us."
Home advantage counted for nothing today as the Magpies were shot down by a Fabio Borini penalty, an Adam Johnson tap-in and a final goal from Jack Colback, which condemned Newcastle to consecutive 0-3 home derby defeats. And Pardew admitted the players and staff would have to bear the brunt of the Geordie Faithful's dissatisfaction, adding he intends to channel it into next week's game.
"Of course there was a lot of frustration, the third defeat we've had in the derby, the second one at home by the same scoreline as the game last year you know, you have to accept the criticism that's going to come your way. "As players and staff we accept that and hopefully get a reaction at Stamford Bridge. " In terms of the league position, we're ok. But today is a blow, and it's hard to take up here football and this particular fixture means so much to them , and it'll scar the season, as this defeat always does. "The only thing I can do is prepare the team as best as possible for Saturday, and that's what I'll do."
In contrast, opposing manager Gus Poyet couldn't have been happier about a result which sees them climb out of the relegation zone and into the heady heights of 12th place. Yet despite being happy at just the victory, the Uruguayan admitted that the comprehensive nature of the victory in the 150th Tyne-Wear derby made the result all the sweeter. He said:
"Of course three points is the most important I don't know how many people suspected this but I've been telling you for a few weeks now that we've been getting better away from home and we are a difficult team to play against. "I mean if you've got a chance with a penalty and you take it, then it becomes more difficult for the home team, so it's one of my best days in football as a manager, no doubt. "It's the players; the players deserve all the credit because you've got to be fit, you know how difficult it is to play a derby, you know how strong the home team is going to be the fans, the pressure and you need to be strong in defence and play the football we want to play. "And the players are enjoying it, so all credit to the players, they were outstanding today we defended well, we created chances, we scored at the right time, so I'm very impressed."
Singled out for praise was new signing Liam Bridcutt, who moved from Poyet's former club Brighton this week for £2.5 million. The defensive midfielder's selection was made necessary by an injury to Lee Cattermole, but the former Chelsea man was still full of kind words for his player, talking up the bond they have.
"He knows the role perfectly, if this there's one person in the world who knows the role I want tht player to play it's Liam. "Not being able to play Lee Cattermole he was injured the last couple of games it was a relief for me to have Liam in the team and I had no doubt about playing him in the team today because I know that he knows what I want in that role. "The best thing for him is that we won. He was calm, he passed the ball properly, he kept his shape, he played for ninety minutes he didn't play for a month so he's a happy boy today and I'm pleased for him."
Newcastle have now lost three consecutively and travel next to Stamford Bridge to face title-challenging Chelsea the Black Cats face comparatively easier opposition in Hull.