Newcastle building on successful defence, says former forward
Sunday 9 November 2014 19:29, UK
Newcastle must not get carried away with their four-game Premier League winning streak, says Craig Bellamy.
Alan Pardew’s team have produced an incredible turn around in recent weeks, enjoying success in their last five outings in all competitions, including a 2-0 Super Sunday triumph at West Bromwich Albion.
Fifteen days ago we were talking about relegation, the manager was going to go. It was a nightmare scenario.
The victory, which moved Newcastle up to eighth in the table, sparked talk of the Magpies targeting a European spot but former St James’ Park forward Bellamy said they still have plenty of work to do – despite an improved defensive unit which has kept three clean sheets in a row.
“Let’s not get too carried away,” Bellamy told Sky Sports. “Fifteen days ago we were talking about relegation, the manager was going to go, it was a nightmare scenario for everyone involved in Newcastle.
“They’re on a good run at the moment. They’ve got QPR next and there’s an opportunity they could go and get three points there as well. That would make it five wins in a row in the Premier League, which is very, very difficult. But they aren’t going to get too carried away with themselves.
“They knew where they were a couple of months ago and how hard the situation was. Now it’s a completely different scenario.
“They’re defending solid, as a unit and they know exactly what they’re doing and they’re able to win games off the back of that.”
Jamie Carragher was also impressed with Newcastle’s backline.
The former Liverpool defender applauded the way Pardew’s side dropped off to deny in-form West Brom forward Saido Berahino space – although pointed out the importance of Ayoze Perez’s improvised opener on the stroke of half-time and Fabricio Coloccini’s second.
“That first goal was a killer,” he said. “You’ve got to be fair, the game in the first half, from both sides, nothing much was happening.
“Newcastle got the goal from nothing. Newcastle weren’t playing well. They improved in the second half and went 2-0.
“But what Newcastle did today was defend deep – and that completely nullified Berahino and also made it difficult at times for Victor Anichebe.
“The main man for West Brom these last few weeks has been Berahino and we just didn’t see him at all today.”
