Newcastle were ahead in this game in the second half, but we just couldn’t hold onto the lead against a very good-looking Southampton side, and after Papiss Cisse and Gini Wijnaldum had put us ahead 2-1, it was Shane Long who equalized for the Saints with just 11 minutes to go in the game.
But this was a very good start to the new campaign by a good Newcastle side, and the lads should get better once they have played a few more games together.
Gini Wijnaldum scored this great second goal
Let us know who you think was the best player for Newcastle today.
Comments welcome.
90 comments so far
WWSBRD
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:18 PM
Comment #41LCBP
I think u are being very harsh on Tiote
Take a Chancel on me
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:18 PM
Comment #42pmsl WWSBRD
mickalfas
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:18 PM
Comment #43I’d be more worried if the transfer window was shut
Spend now !!
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:19 PM
Comment #44Also was strange to see haidara and obertan getting an assist each without being truly convincing !!!
Take a Chancel on me
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:19 PM
Comment #45WWSBRD
Tiote was rubbish when he came on
OneAlanShearer
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:19 PM
Comment #46Colback showing what I always knew he had in him. I hope schteve can get tiote playing well as if not we need to get a dm in quick.
HoboToon
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:19 PM
Comment #47Still bot over that 80 yard run from gini! What was that? Effort? Havent seen that in a while here
JackButler
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:20 PM
Comment #48Tiote isnt up to speed and hasnt kicked a ball since January, if people expected him to hit the ground running they need their heads checked.
maskedman
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:20 PM
Comment #49West Ham showed against Arsenal what a difference being Europa League fit means. Don’t under estimate the task we had today and with 5 or 6 players who hadn’t had much if any preparation. Lots to look forward to…
Noel Worst
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:21 PM
Comment #50Wiji beside Colback and Perez behind the ST against the Swans.
JackButler
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:23 PM
Comment #51After all the money Liverpool have spent they look a very, very average side
WWSBRD
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:23 PM
Comment #52Chancel
Haha sorry but I used to be the scoop master way back when and now fourth?! I feel like Arsenal
Tiote was rubbish when he came on but he always is when he has been out for a period of time his decision making is always slow for 2-3 games but once he gets back up to speed he will be much improved
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:24 PM
Comment #53I missed the game today! Was it a okay start for the season?
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:25 PM
Comment #54@wwsbrd
Tiote did used to be good in pardews old park the bus style hes not suited to playing pass and move
Anita is much better suited to playing in the middle to play the type of football that we played today most of the game !!
Tiote will get game time this season so he can maybe prove otherwise
JackButler
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:25 PM
Comment #55jesper
We played well mate, two simple mistakes cost us, but we bossed the game for long periods and the new lads looked very good by the end.
could be looking at a half decent season mate, first one for a long time 🙂
Take a Chancel on me
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:26 PM
Comment #56Stoke V Liverpool
is like watching 2 average mid table teams, probably where they will both end up
cyprus
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:27 PM
Comment #57Perez mustn’t lose his place and if Aarons is as good as he showed preseason he too must be played.
Obertan, for me, is one of the most frustrating players we’ve had. That cross was gold, but then he does so much wrong as well. Wish he could dribble… I’m concerned about that SDJ too. He seems way too slow for the PL, easily dispossessed, hope he’ll improve.
Steve must analyse what happened after the 60′, as we looked comfortable winners and suddenly lost control. Anita?
davetoon
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:27 PM
Comment #58Tiote was ok. He made a couple of important tackles but also gave the ball away when we had that bad spell towards the end of the game.
JackButler
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:28 PM
Comment #59I think its either or with Coldback and Tiote unless you are trying to close out a game. They are very much alike and neither offers the link up play of Anita
Take a Chancel on me
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:28 PM
Comment #60Anita’s injury changed the game no doubt about that
WWSBRD
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:28 PM
Comment #61LCBP
Problem with Anita is he isnt a destroyer and is easily bullied where as those are Tiotes strengths doesnt have to be either or and against better teams having Tiote in there will benefit us much more imo
Noel Worst
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:29 PM
Comment #62Tiote’s decision making has always been, is and will always be slow, making the the correct decision is a challenge in itself for him. Colback is Tiote minus the brain farts, with added mobility and better long shots. Tiote should be second fiddle to Colback and only in emergencies should they play alongside each other.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:29 PM
Comment #63JB…that’s good to hear mate • it’s very important with a good start I think;
…will get us point even when we don’t deserve it.
How was the defense ?
Slank
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:29 PM
Comment #64Jesper
It was live on Danish TV !
toonking
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:30 PM
Comment #65jack
I’m not going to be questioning this CB pairing too seriously just yet,it is the first game of season and things will always be difficult for new players. southampton did make a number of easy headers on the ball and whilst he is still adapting to his new league we shouldn’t be having 2 fullbacks getting 2 attacking and as a whole I don’t really like hairdryer much at all, dummet might be less attacking but he is most certain a great player defensively
corkypants
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:30 PM
Comment #66Noel worst i noticed it last season in krul aswell as his poor distribution timmy boy should be coming to take the pressure of at corners and freekicks the amount of times he is stood still on his line it all most happened a lot today aswell as the goals there was a perfect example just before gini scored when yoshida nearly scored in the end it was a good save from krul but he wpuldnt of had to make the save if he would of come to collect the ball in the first place
JackButler
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:31 PM
Comment #67Jesper
Mbemba settled well and looked better as the game went on, he and Colo split which cost the first goal and Janmaat lost Shane Long which cost the second goal. Haidara looked good going forward but was too slow in closing down Tadic when he was in a crossing position – Its a work in progress 🙂
corkypants
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:31 PM
Comment #68sorry if that last post didnt make much sense my yorkshire puds were burning lol
will die for the toon army
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:32 PM
Comment #69Anita & Colback for the Season and Wijnaldum in the CAM. De Jong shld b back up believe it. He has lost it.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:33 PM
Comment #70Also thought the subs didn’t really work I would have brought on Perez instead of Mitrovic and Aarons instead of De Jong to stretch them at the back which is exactly what they done to us with Mane and Long !
Happy with the draw as Southampton are a team that are in our mini league and we were more than a match for them despite them being ahead of us in preparation
Wayayman
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:34 PM
Comment #71Just got back in from the match. plus points are that mbemba is some player, his reading of the game reminded me of Woodgate who was the best CD I’ve ever seen play for us. mbemba’s pace and strength is impressive as is his passing and awareness.
I loved the way we played the ball out from the back without fail, not a punt up field until Anita went off. Anita by the way did a very good job and tiote looked off the pace understandably but he’s a sideways merchant and we really struggled when he came on.
Wijnaldum looked good, always trying to be positive and sissoko and him always threatened going forward.
Not so good – in fact understatement of the year- down our left side. Hiadara is not a defender. Not sure what he is actually as his first touch is very poor which gets him in trouble a lot in that position. Obertan despite his excellent break and superb cross is poor unless the ball is played in from of him.
All in all, good positive changes but decent team will punish us down the left. Both Southampton goals came down that side I think.
Marty-Toon
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:35 PM
Comment #72Can’t believe so many voted Colback ,made some good blocks and a couple of decent free kicks and corners but slows our game down too much.
Tiote was a poor substitute choice,Aarons could’ve come in and had Sissoko in the middle instead.
Would have Anita and Collocini in there instead of Colback(hasn’t lived up to the expectation ) and a new CB in beside Mbemba.
brklyngeordie
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:35 PM
Comment #73This is my honest opinion of what I saw
Krul- First goal thought he could have done better but so could Mbemba on that play; good save on Tadic early great save on Yoshida on set piece; Kicking still poor.
Mbemba- Had some good moments had some mental slips but boy is he night and day from Willo.
Colo- Pretty good not great doesn’t deserve the flak from ToonBrother; Should have been rewarded a PK after that gorgeous control on box in that play.
Haidara- Played ok going forward had decent link up with Obertan but to much watching the ball for me and needs to make sure he just marks his man and not allow runs behind him
Janmaat- Truth be told not his best game and was at fault for second goal lacked desire on that cross
Colback- Solid made two game saving interceptions at end of game for me just needs to think forward little more for me when ball is at feet
Anita- played well till hurt has nice understanding w/ Colback
Sissoko- Played well had some good moments and nice pass to Wini early in game needs to stay
Obertan- Not bad nice cross on Wini goal always offers pace seemed to work well with Haidara for the most part
Wini- Great goal should have scored early on in game but was blocked by Davis set piece deliveries could have been better but def looked quality
Cisse- Has disappointing spells in games and frustrates but somehow always finds back of net and that is a great thing
Subs- Mitro looked a bull; De Jong not much; Tiote not in form and really needs to move ball quicker or will never fit in with what we are working towards
Colback- Solid made two game saving interceptions at end of game for me just needs to think forward little more for me when ball is at feet
Anita- played well till hurt has nice understanding w/ Colback
Sissoko- Played well had some good moments and nice pass to Wini early in game needs to stay
Obertan- Not bad nice cross on Wini goal always offers pace seemed to work well with Haidara for the most part
Wini- Great goal should have scored early on in game but was blocked by Davis set piece deliveries could have been better but def looked quality
Cisse- Has disappointing spells in games and frustrates but somehow always finds back of net and that is a great thing
Subs- Mitro looked a bull; De Jong not much; Tiote not in form and really needs to move ball quicker or will never fit in with what we are working towards
JackButler
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:35 PM
Comment #74toonking
If Haidara closed down his man quicker to stop the crosses he would have had a very decent game, but he’s still young and learning and think he will be our number one left back going forward.
Mbemba has pace and strength, just needs time now but he already looks miles ahead of both Saylor and Willo, but its Colo who worries me at this point as his lack of pace costs us more often than not, but cant see him being replaced after retaining the armband and the new contract
Big Pappa Cissé
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:36 PM
Comment #75Well overall I was impressed with the game although 3 points would have been ideal .
That performance shows how different we are under McLaren, and we actually look like we have a plan and were the better team for the most part .
I think anyone who wanted Cisse & Sissoko sold should give their head a shake, as they still have vital roles at this club IMO, and today proved Moussa is best on the right.
However defensively we are still poor . I know it was Collo & M’bemba’s first PL game together so it should improve, but we definitely need a new LB . I was prepared to give Haidara a chance, but he isn’t cutting it and Janmaat is making him look like a pub player .
Overall pretty happy with our performance and the season is shaping up to be promising. Just hope we plug our defensive holes and that Anita is okay . The game changed after he went off .
brklyngeordie
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:36 PM
Comment #76Sorry bout the sloppy post hate doing it from phone
Rotonda heights
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:38 PM
Comment #77i think the only disappointment for me were haidara and especially janmatt who was culpable for both goals and giving the ball away a lot in promising positions..
But it was great to see attacking pass and move football after so long and I’m sure if anita hadn’t been injured aarons could have had an impact in the last 20 mins.
anita is very effective in keeping things moving wheeas tiote slowed everything down again
IITianToon
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:38 PM
Comment #78I am watching the Stoke game, and their supporters are singing and bouncing, and that is putting the pressure firmly on Liverpool. How come our fans get so nervous and edgy the moment the opponent fashions a good moment. Also when a player plays the ball back, people get on their back. And I do not agree that it is always the players’ responsibility to give the supporters something to cheer about. Sometimes it has to be the other way, and consistent support, which should continue even if a player makes a loose pass, or plays the ball back from midfield.
It is time we turned up the volume, and allow the players to play with freedom and without fear of being booed after a mistake
beefman13
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:38 PM
Comment #79Fair result, better chances for the saints imo, we had three very possible penalty shouts, i have to say Colo is disaster, flat footed, slow, hopeless at defending crosses, should not have played with no pre season for starters.
Overall we looked good on the break, but the cheque book has to come out again, all the danger came from Haidaras side of the pitch,far far too much time given for crosses coming in, do our defenders even talk? In the end we could have lost this match by a couple of goals, there were positive signs but the same old mistakes and the other team did their homework so fair play to them.
The Newcastle Armchair
Aug 9, 2015 at 4:39 PM
Comment #80Steve McClaren at todays game
https://imgflip.com/i/pausb?merp=1439131916.62