Tag Archives for " Newcastle "

1 Fast Break Attacks - It's All About Quick Decision-Making

By Rico Chan

It is not uncommon that teams (especially youth teams) fail to take full advantage of fast-break attacks due to poor decision making. Of course it is the players who are responsible for making those decisions on the pitch; but, as coaches, we can lay down some principles to guide such decisions. During Newcastle’s 3-1 win against West Brom, Newcastle’s Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba demonstrated some quick and accurate decisions that sealed 3-points for Newcastle as they push for a Europa League spot.

Newcastle’s 2nd goal: creating a 1v1 situation

It started with Ben Arfa advancing the ball under pressure with a 1 v 2 situation in the attacking half. I’ve highlighted the 3rd Newcastle attacker as his determination and pace in joining the attack was

0 Newcastle Fail to Punch Their Weight and Lose to a Late Knockout

By Matt Riley

Remarkably, Newcastle did not complete a single cross in the entire ninety minutes despite twelve attempts. Not only was Ba without the support of Papiss Cisse, his role became that of holding the ball up for Ben Arfa and Obertan rather than rampaging into the box.

Newcastle chose a cautious set up, understandably with Arsenal in search of their fifth win in a row ( three of those after going one nil down.) With four defenders and two deep lying midfielders in Tiote and Cabaye, Obertan was always going to find any linking play difficult with only Ba up front and Ben Arfa playing on the left of midfield to start but moving right to look  in vain for some meaningful possession.

Walcott attacks Whilst Obertan Back Tracks.

Obertan's isolation and eventual substitution in the sixty first minute contrasted hugely with