'Itty Bitty' Game That Turned Toon's Way

Last updated : 28 October 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon, Ben Arfa, Cabaye, Perch, Gutierrez, Ba, Shola Ameobi.
Subs: Harper, Anita, Cisse, Obertan, Steven Taylor, Sammy Ameobi, Ferguson.

West Brom: Foster, Tamas, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Morrison, Gera, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Odemwingie, Lukaku.
Subs: Luke Daniels, Popov, Rosenberg, Long, El Ghanassy, Jara Reyes, Fortune.

 oAlan Pardew: "I mean you have to feel for West Brom and Steve today, as they played well today.

"I thought first half we probably just edged it, we were a good side in the first half but second half we lost our way a little bit, so many mistakes and then West Brom started making mistakes.

"It was an itty bitty game but our work-rate was great and we showed a bit of character here and there without having any real quality, a couple of moments and in the end we get a break and we haven't had many this season so we will take that with both hands.

"They always saw that if you're on a barren run you get one of your bum or knee or shin then it gets you going hopefully that will because it is nice to have a striker scoring, Demba scored today but then got injured so we are going to look to Papiss now.

"Ba just feels like there is a nerve issue going on, so we are going to have to inspect that and see what it turns up this week.

"I was so frustrated with some of our play and the goal just took me by surprise and wasn't expecting us to score, we probably didn't deserve to score but we have and fortunately for us we needed it and it has put us in a great position, and we have had a great week - we have had five great halves, two against Sunderland, two against Brugge and one today.

"It is an impact, we haven't played well on the Sunday after the Thursday, I thought we were tired, mentally if not physically and it takes its toll - but we have had a terrific week really and worked really hard and got the break."

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