Newcastle: Pardew Gets Selection Wrong AGAIN

The teams are in, and once again it looks like Alan Pardew has got it wrong. This is how the team will line up against Swansea City: Starting XI: Krul; Janmaat, Coloccini (c), Williamson, Dummett; Colback, Tiote, Sissoko; Obertan, Cisse, Gouffran. Subs: Elliot, Haidara, Anita, Ameobi, Cabella, Riviere, Perez. Dropping Emanuel Riviere for Papiss Cisse is not wrong, and even bringing in Gabriel Obertan for Remy Cabella isn't all that bad (even if he won't make it to the end of the game). The issue is the decision to apparently change the system to a 4-3-3, with Obertan and Gouffran playing in wide attacking positions. The truth of the formation Pardew has put out is that it is a dynamic 4-3-3, designed to adapt when the team doesn't have the ball. In other words, it is going to be the same confused 4-5-1 system Pardew has been peddling unsuccessfully for the start of the season. For all of his talk about making changes and trying to get the team to work effectively, Pardew continues to ignore the fact that it is the system, and not just the individual players that is to blame for the results so far. And frankly, his decision to endure with the same system (dressed up in a different name) smacks of the arrogance he claims isn't part of his nature. The 4-2-3-1 system didn't work, but today's team sheet will show no difference at all in the way the team plays, but will allow Pardew to claim that he has listened and adapted, and that luck just wasn't on their side. If only Newcastle could just call on someone like Philippe Albert, as the Independent claimed they would for today's game...