Alan Pardew: “I don’t think we should hide from the fact this is a test of character now. The pressure is going to build as we get towards the Wolves game as well on the back of this result.
“It has not been an ideal day, but I think we have the quality between the players and the staff to get out of it and get the next result in.
"We have some characters in the side and there was some words said after the game that I thought were spot on.
"I think we all know where we went wrong.
“It is nice to come in (after a game) to hear the players’ opinions reflect your own in what went wrong.
“That is not going to become public, that is between us. In the dressing room we know we have to knuckle down now, and in the next four games do the job we need to do, and not leave it too late in terms of getting over the line.
“That is now the priority. It was constructive after the game and it was the right message.
"The bottom of the table is mad and it is something we don’t want to get involved in. We’re too close for comfort.
"We’re not burying our heads in the sand about it, we have to face reality and get over the line as quick as possible.
“I think when you play Stoke the set play situation is something you have to deal with. We played three centre-halves to combat that and it has not worked.
“I thought Sol (Campbell) would cope with aerial threat better than Steven (Taylor) and that is why I gave him the nod, no other reason to be honest.
“The two goals after half-time changed the game because up to that point we had subdued them quite well.”
STOKE CITY 4 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
STOKE: Begovic, Wilson, Shawcross, Huth, Higginbotham, Pennant (Whitehead 80), Delap, Whelan, Etherington (Pugh 60), Jones (Fuller 88), Walters.
Subs Not Used: Sorensen, Collins, Diao, Wilkinson.
NEWCASTLE: Harper, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell (Gutierrez 66), Jose Enrique (Ferguson 23), Simpson, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Lovenkrands (Ranger 61), Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Steven Taylor, Kuqi.
Att: 27,505
Alan Pardew got his tactics sadly wrong at Stoke on Saturday, going for five at the back because "the Stoke pitch is too small for wingers".
That meant Jonas Gutierrez was relegated to the bench and Sol Campbell was drafted into the middle of the defence.
Stoke scored four goals for the first time in a Barclays Premier League game as the Magpies crept nearer to a relegation place.
A week after securing a place in the FA Cup semi-finals, Tony Pulis' side cruised past the Tynesiders with a clinical display which moved them above their opponents and into the top half of the table.
Jon Walters opened the scoring after 28 minutes and the floodgates opened after the break with Jermaine Pennant, Danny Higginbotham and Ricardo Fuller completing the rout.
Newcastle have taken just one point from their last three games and may now start looking over their shoulders with only a four-point buffer separating them from the relegation zone.
It proved an unhappy return to the side for Sol Campbell, in for Steven Taylor in one of three changes to the team that lost to Everton.
Joey Barton was back after a thigh injury with Jonas Gutierrez stepping down while Shola Ameobi was preferred to Leon Best.
Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic returned between the posts for Stoke with Thomas Sorensen back on the bench.
It was Newcastle who were the first to show with Ameobi turning quickly in the fifth minute and firing a shot into the body of Begovic.
Five minutes later Ameobi won a free-kick out on the left after he had been tripped by Marc Wilson.
Barton delivered the ball into the area but it was easily cleared to safety.
Stoke responded in the 12th minute and Wilson got clear of his marker only to head wide of the post from Pennant's corner.
Then Rory Delap launched a long throw into the area in the 17th minute and Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper took no chances, punching the ball clear.
It was an even game at this stage and Jose Enrique scampered forward for the visitors four minutes later but his delivery was poor and Ryan Shawcross cleared comfortably.
Enrique seemed to pick up a knock and was immediately replaced by Shane Ferguson.
Stoke took the lead in the 27th minute when Newcastle failed to deal with a cross from Pennant. Walters was the first to react and send a header over Harper for his eighth goal of the season.
However Newcastle made a spirited response and Barton fired a free-kick narrowly over the bar.
The visitors kept up the pressure and Kevin Nolan carved out a good opportunity moments later. His cross took a deflection and looped over Begovic but the keeper managed to get a hand to it and divert the ball away.
Nolan was then dazed following a challenge by Walters but soon recovered.
Newcastle were beginning to look dangerous as half-time approached and Ferguson got in a good header only for Begovic to be equal to it.
Stoke extended their lead just a minute into the second half thanks to a string of defensive errors by Newcastle.
Harper failed to clear properly and Matthew Etherington eventually swung a cross in from the left.
The ball took a deflection and Campbell back-headed it but only into the path of Pennant, who made no mistake.
Former England defender Campbell was left shaking his head in disbelief at making such a basic mistake.
Three minutes later Stoke made it 3-0 with Newcastle again all at sea at the back.
Higginbotham drove a free-kick straight through the wall and past Harper who was rooted to the spot.
Pardew by this point was out in his technical area with a look of bewilderment at how the game had suddenly unfolded.
Newcastle hit back and Ferguson skipped past two defenders in the 66th minute but saw his effort blocked by Begovic.
Campbell was then replaced in the 66th minute by Gutierrez as Newcastle tried to get some kind of hold on the game.
Newcastle were determined to save face and Barton whipped in a free kick after 78 minutes and Begovic did well to turn away at the post.
However Stoke were content to sit deep and let the visitors come onto them near the end of the game.
Stoke completed a convincing victory thanks to a fourth goal from substitute Fuller in stoppage time. Fuller got on the end of a pass from Walters to thump a shot beyond Harper.
MAGPIES IN EUROPE
The book comes out in two weeks time, and if anyone would like their name (or a family member) mentioned on the back page, please contact me: Kevnumad@fsmail.net
There is no charge or any obligation to buy the book.
It is a "thank you" to all NU-Mad readers.
NEWCASTLE UNITED FIXTURES
Saturday 02nd April 2011
Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00
Sunday 10th April 2011
Aston Villa v Newcastle United 16:00
Saturday 16th April 2011
Newcastle United v Manchester United 12:45
Saturday 23rd April 2011
Blackpool v Newcastle United 15:00
Sunday 01st May 2011
Liverpool v Newcastle United 12:00
Saturday 07th May 2011
Newcastle United v Birmingham City 15:00
Saturday 14th May 2011
Chelsea v Newcastle United 15:00
Sunday 22nd May 2011
Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion 15:00
NEWCASTLE UNITED 2010/11
PREMIERSHIP
STOKE 4 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell (Gutierrez 66), Jose Enrique (Ferguson 23), Simpson, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Lovenkrands (Ranger 61), Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Steven Taylor, Kuqi.
NEWCASTLE 1 EVERTON 2 (Best)
Harper, Steven Taylor (Ferguson 65), Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Ameobi 43), Simpson, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Kuqi 85), Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Perch, Richardson.
NEWCASTLE 1 BOLTON 1 (Nolan)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez (Campbell 87), Lovenkrands (Ranger 64), Best (Guthrie 75).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Perch, Ferguson, Kuqi.
BIRMINGHAM 0 NEWCASTLE 2 (Lovenkrands, Best)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez (Campbell 87), Lovenkrands (Ranger 64), Best (Guthrie 75).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Perch, Ferguson, Kuqi.
BLACKBURN 0 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Simpson (Perch 76), Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Kuqi 90), Lovenkrands (Ranger 77).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Guthrie, Ferguson.
NEWCASTLE 4 ARSENAL 4 (Barton 2 (2 pens), Best, Tiote)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Guthrie 89), Lovenkrands (Ranger 73).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Perch, Ferguson, Richardson.
FULHAM 1 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Best (Lovenkrands 72), Ameobi (Ranger 13).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Perch, Ferguson, Richardson.
NEWCASTLE 1 SPURS 1 (Coloccini)
Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Guthrie (Perch 74), Nolan, Gutierrez, Best (Lovenkrands 65), Ameobi (Ranger 88).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Xisco, Ferguson.
SUNDERLAND 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Nolan)
Harper, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Smith (Guthrie 37),Gutierrez (Gosling 90), Best (Lovenkrands 88), Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Routledge, Perch, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 5 WEST HAM 0 (Best 3, Nolan, Lovenkrands)
Harper, Simpson, Steven Taylor (Williamson 46), Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez (Ferguson 66), Lovenkrands, Best (Ranger 64).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Routledge, Perch.
WIGAN 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ameobi)
Harper, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan (Smith 86), Tiote, Gutierrez, Ameobi (Best 77), Lovenkrands (Routledge 70).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Williamson, Perch, Ranger.
TOTTENHAM 2 NEWCASTLE 0
Krul, Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Perch, Tiote (Lovenkrands 79), Barton, Routledge, Simpson, Smith, Gutierrez (Ranger 67), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Williamson, Xisco, Best, Kadar.
NEWCASTLE 1 MAN CITY 3 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ranger 60), Barton, Tiote, Gutierrez, Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Williamson, Guthrie, Perch, Smith, Best.
NEWCASTLE 3 LIVERPOOL 1 (Nolan, Barton, Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Barton (Routledge 90), Nolan (Smith 87), Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 63).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Perch.
WEST BROM 3 NEWCASTLE 1 (Lovenkrands)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ranger 74), Guthrie (Smith 73), Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Lovenkrands 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Perch, Best, Kadar.
NEWCASTLE 1 CHELSEA 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Guthrie, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 77).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Perch, Smith, Best, Kadar.
BOLTON 5 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 71), Nolan, Smith, Gutierrez (Campbell 77), Carroll, Ameobi (Lovenkrands 72).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Perch, Steven Taylor, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 0 FULHAM 0
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 76), Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Carroll, Lovenkrands (Ranger 76).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Smith, Xisco, Steven Taylor.
NEWCASTLE 1 BLACKBURN 2 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote (Routledge 88), Gutierrez, Carroll,Ameobi (Ranger 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Lovenkrands, Smith, Steven Taylor.
ARSENAL 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 82).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Smith, Steven Taylor.
NEWCASTLE 5 SUNDERLAND 1 (Nolan 3, Ameobi 2 - 1 pen)
Krul, Jose Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Simpson,Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Ameobi (Ranger 86), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
WEST HAM 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Nolan, Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Guthrie, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 2 WIGAN ATH 2 (Ameobi, Coloccini)
Krul, Perch (Ranger 89), Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 66), Tiote, Barton, Gutierrez, Lovenkrands (Ameobi 60), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Kadar.
MAN CITY 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Gutierrez)
Krul, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini (Campbell 36), Jose Enrique, Ben Arfa (Routledge 7), Nolan (Carroll 76), Tiote, Barton, Gutierrez, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 1 STOKE CITY 2 (Nolan pen)
Krul, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Ben Arfa (Gutierrez 62), Barton, Tiote (Ameobi 74), Routledge, Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Ranger.
EVERTON 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ben Arfa)
Harper (Krul 35), Perch, Coloccini, Williamson,Jose Enrique, Routledge, Tiote, Barton,Ben Arfa (Gutierrez 84), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Campbell, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 0 BLACKPOOL 2
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ameobi 81), Smith (Lovenkrands 62), Barton, Gutierrez (Ben Arfa 73), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Ryan Taylor, Tiote.
WOLVES 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Harper, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Barton, Gutierrez, Nolan, Carroll (Ameobi 81).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Kadar, Vuckic, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 6 ASTON VILLA 0 (Barton, Nolan 2, Carroll 3)
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ameobi 76), Smith (Ryan Taylor 76), Barton, Gutierrez (Xisco 80), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Vuckic, Tavernier.
MAN UTD 3 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Nolan (Ameobi 71), Barton,Gutierrez (Xisco 80), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Vuckic, Ranger, Tavernier.
FA CUP
STEVENAGE 3 NEWCASTLE 1
Krul, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Simpson, Barton, Smith (Tiote 58), Nolan, Routledge, Lovenkrands (Airey 78), Best (Ranger 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Guthrie, Kadar, Ferguson.
CARLING CUP
NEWCASTLE 0 ARSENAL 4
Krul, Perch, Williamson, Kadar, Ryan Taylor, Routledge (Gutierrez 56), Guthrie, Smith (Barton 71), Vuckic, Lovenkrands (Carroll 57), Ranger.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Tiote.
CHELSEA 3 NEWCASTLE 4 (Ranger, R Taylor, Ameobi 2)
Krul, Ryan Taylor (Tiote 63), Campbell, Coloccini (Williamson 63), Ferguson (Barton 90), Ranger, Gutierrez, Vuckic, Smith, Ameobi, Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Nolan, Carroll, Ben Arfa.
ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2 NEWCASTLE 3 (Ryan Taylor, Ameobi, Lovenkrands)
Krul, Ryan Taylor, Kadar, Tavernier, Ferguson, Ranger, Donaldson, Vuckic (Nolan 90), LuaLua, Ameobi,Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Williamson, Barton, Routledge, Perch, Smith.
PRE-SEASON
CARLISLE 0 NEWCASTLE 3 (Best, Ranger, Vuckic)
Harper (Krul 46), Tavernier (R Taylor 46), Coloccini (S Taylor 46) (Henderson 81), Williamson (Perch 46), Enrique (Ferguson 46), Inman (Routledge 46), Smith (Barton 46), Nolan (Guthrie 46), LuaLua (Vuckic 46) , Carroll (Best 46), Lovenkrands (Ranger 46).
NORWICH CITY 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ameobi)
Krul, Taylor (Routledge 45), Tavernier, Coloccini (Williamson 45), Diaz (Ferguson 57); Ranger (Xisco 45), Barton (Smith 45), Nolan (Guthrie 45), Vuckic (Edmundsson 72); Best (Lovenkrands 45), Carroll (Ameobi 45).
NEWCASTLE 2 PSV EINDHOVEN 2 (R.Taylor, Best)
Harper, Perch, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Guthrie, Nolan, Smith, Ryan Taylor, Lovenkrands, Ameobi. Subs: Carroll, Xisco, Best, LuaLua, Krul, Vuckic, Ranger, Donaldson, Tavernier.
DEPORTIVO 0 NEWCASTLE 0 (NUFC win 5-4 on penalties - Lovenkrands, Nolan, Carroll, R Taylor, Barton)
Harper (Krul 46); R Taylor, Perch (Tavernier 52), Coloccini, Enrique; Routledge, Barton, Guthrie (Nolan 46), Xisco (Gutierrez 46); Carroll, Best (Lovenkrands 73). Subs (not used): Smith, Ferguson
RANGERS 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Lovenkrands)
Harper; Perch (Tavernier 81), Coloccini (Ferguson 81), Williamson, Enrique (R Taylor 56); Routledge (Xisco 83), Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez (Lovenkrands 69); Carroll (Ameobi 46).