1. 4-3-3, Not 4-2-3-1
For the first winless games of the season Newcastle played a 4-2-3-1 system that was widely criticised for alienating the lone striker, dallying on the ball and having no natural width. Pardew stuck with it, but now he seems to suggest we have changed to 4-3-3. Some fans aren't fooled - Pardew is still pretty much playing the 4-2-3-1 when the opposition has the ball, though with the wingers tucked back and the striker patrolling a similar area to the number 10, so it's more like a staggered 4-4-2, absorbing pressure. The difference is in the fluidity of play, and the shape of the team when attacking - which is sort of the same thing really - as Newcastle wouldn't be able to play the 4-3-3 without quickly moving the ball out of defence and allowing the wide men to join in the attack. But if the manager is openly referring to a different formation, then presumably he at least thinks something has changed. Does Pardew deserve credit for making these changes that he definitely seems to think he didn't make?