Newcastle: 10 Major Mistakes Pardew Has Made In 2014

10. That Bloody Set-Piece Model

The biggest benefit of Mike Williamson being injured is that it stops the team from setting up every single set-piece that isn't deemed direct (i.e. most of them) as a knock to the back post for the centre-half to head across the goal or into the back of the net. It might be a nice idea on paper, and Williamson's height can surely be seen as an advantage, but it fundamentally ignores three key points: 1. Mike Williamson cannot head balls where he wants to, or with enough power to trouble anyone. 2. Our set-piece takers usually cannot get it onto his head molested anyway. 3. We have literally six players on the pitch who would be more of a threat as the target for a crossed ball. Quite why the coaches have not realised that the current set-up has provided a worryingly low number of goals and is probably not the best way to go is baffling. Surely Pardew must have at least once scribbled something about it on his note-pad during a game?!