For the third game in a row the game at The Hawthorns was one we could have won if we had taken the chances we had in the game.
On Monday we had chances before West Brom won the game after 78 minutes when Steven Fletcher headed the ball home under that arms of Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
It was an unlucky defeat but it’s now two in a row and we continue down there in the relegation places – third from the bottom on 17 points.
Fab Coloccini challenges Victor Anichebe
There were some good performances in the game and here are out top three players against West Brom.
- Fabricio Coloccini (41%) had a very good game and it started by Colo coolly clearing off the line after a couple of minutes and then just before 30 minutes was up he brilliantly blocked a good shot from Fletcher in the penalty area.
Fabricio put in a good performance and then after Paul Dummett had hit the cross-bar after 55 minutes Colo almost scored when he back-heeled the ball against the post but it went for a goal-kick.
That would have been a great time for us to go ahead.
Colo has taken some withering criticism this season, but to be fair to him in the games since the Leicester debacle, he’s played very well and starting to show some leadership on the pitch – by his example. - Chancel Mbemba (19%) is fast becoming one of our favorite players and for the fourth game in a row he’s in second place in the voting and he was very strong alongside Colo at the back on Monday afternoon.
Chancel reads the game very well and he often intercepts the ball and he is also strong in the tackle and seems to be getting better with every game.
We will need Mbemba to keep improving if we are to avoid the drop this season – and along with Gini Wijnaldum these two are our best signings from the summer. - Karl Darlow (9%) is third in the voting and that that may come as a surprise to some.
Yes – Karl could have done better with the Fletcher goal, but the young goalkeeper did make some good saves that Rob Elliot would have been proud of.
To his credit Karl made a great save after just 5 minutes and two good saves in the final 10 minutes of the game from Anichebe and then Berahino – but the damage was done by then – unfortunately.
Karl was very nervous with some of his kicking – but it was always going to be a tough test when he was brought in for his first Premier League appearance with only minutes to prepare for the game.
Comments welcome.
58 comments so far
Mister Tuff
Dec 30, 2015 at 1:06 AM
Comment #41jimmy – you suggest a scenario akin to a comedy sketch where the famous four at SJP are all bluffing and telling lies/exagerating to each other. None of them have the wit to be able to suspect they are being lied to and relay the bluff stories to Mr Tubbs who takes it all in.
lesh
Dec 30, 2015 at 1:20 AM
Comment #42Mr Tuff
jimmysmith
Dec 30, 2015 at 1:26 AM
Comment #43Yes, and lying to themselves, while they’re at it. We need a real shake up obviously, a dose of quality and reality, and of course we aren’t at all likely to get it. If we come through this season, you’d have to think we’ll just get more of what we got in our most recent window, and end up at best upper mid table year in year out. I think Ashley probably does want top eight, but is deluded if he thinks he can get it the way he’s going about it.
lesh
Dec 30, 2015 at 1:27 AM
Comment #44Mr Tuff
This time I might get to post – the mobile screen just flipped!
Anyways
Jimmysmith’s a cynic but mutual support for collective and individual security’s not as unlikely as you think.
The gang of four (the so-called board) will be found out, you can be sure. Charnley’ll get it as he’s supposed to be Chief Exec.
jimmysmith
Dec 30, 2015 at 1:33 AM
Comment #45Am I cynic? Life has taught me it’s best to be a skeptic and slightly pessimistic overall, but I suppose there’s always the danger of falling victim to cynicism if you follow the Toon.
jimmysmith
Dec 30, 2015 at 1:43 AM
Comment #46Actually I take that back. Two more windows like the last we will be a top eight proposition, if we stay up of course. But those two windows are imperative. Will we get them?
SPRINGY
Dec 30, 2015 at 2:21 AM
Comment #47we need a damn good jan transfer window…..and get them in as quick possible
The next Mike Williamson
Dec 30, 2015 at 2:50 AM
Comment #48We’ve barely won a game since Cabaye left. I think that sums up the effectiveness of playing two limited defensive midfielders more than the brilliance of Cabaye. I’d say our problems are 90 per cent down to our ineffective midfield. A good midfield protects the defence and feeds the strikers. ours do nothing except get high possession stats by doing backwards passes. We don’t need two men to do the job of half a man.
The next Mike Williamson
Dec 30, 2015 at 3:08 AM
Comment #49We’ve brought in a few number 10s for creativity but when Anita and Colback only pass sideways to our non wingers who charge forward they are cut out the game entirely. Shelvey will save is from relegation. I don’t think new strikers or defends will make a great deal of difference. give austin one chance per game and he’ll get 1 goal in 4 games similar to mitrovic.
Blofal
Dec 30, 2015 at 3:14 AM
Comment #50I’m sure Darlow has the makings of a very good keeper.
The guy was nervous. Good. That shows he cares.
Blofal
Dec 30, 2015 at 3:24 AM
Comment #51@ The next Mike Willamson
I completely agree. I wrote a long post about that yesterdays.
Our defensive frailty and our lack of attacking threat is primarily because of our midfield.
Shelvey is a must.
I still maintain that although he is one of our better players Sissoko leaves us unbalanced. Too good to leave out but not good enough for the midfield he is basically now a RAM which is really where Gini should be. Gini is also too good to leave out but also can’t command CM so he plays out left but he is not a wide man.
At the moment to be honest I would prefer a 4-3-3. Gouffran is not good enough but he is a grafter and can play out left. If Sissoko wants to be a winger then play him as a winger. We need better midfielders.
——————–Elliot
Janmaat – Mbemba – Coloccini – Dummett
—-Wijnaldum–Colback—Gouffran
Sissoko———-Mitrovic——–Thauvin
Bench: Darlow, Perez, De Jong, Tiote, Toney, Lascelles, Mbabu
The overrated Frenchman
Dec 30, 2015 at 5:33 AM
Comment #52B&B @18. The midfield is poor.
B&B @29. The midfielders are decent.
That’s not me taking the piss, it just neatly sums things up. A squad thrown together with no rhyme or reason other than the financial gain to be had by the “interested parties”. And a manager out of his depth in Premier League 2015 style, unable to cope with a squad that isn’t “colour by numbers” and is outwitted by his opposite number game after game.
Nufc-83
Dec 30, 2015 at 7:11 AM
Comment #53Blofal totally agree and the next Mike Williamson it’s clearly a midfield mistro that we are missing so badly.
I also think we desperately need a lb who can actually play football aswell though.
nut meg
Dec 30, 2015 at 7:12 AM
Comment #54If anyone’s interested here’s some stats from transfermarket about the Russian Alan Dzagoey who we are reported to be after.
http://www.transfermarkt.com/alan-dzagoev/leistungsdaten/spieler/69683/plus/0?saison=ges
nut meg
Dec 30, 2015 at 7:17 AM
Comment #55A VIDEO TO LOOK AT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjtf4Jb46Ic
cyprus
Dec 30, 2015 at 7:18 AM
Comment #56Haha,
Darlow? Ed, they were having a laugh mate. Yes, he made a couple good saves but he was a nervous wreck and that goal should never have been scored. He was as bad as that other poor young lad. Simple: with Elliott in goal we would not have lost. PS. Disclaimer: Maybe he’s good, don’t get me wrong, you can’t judge a man by one game. Given let a soft shot slip through his legs (vs. Chelsea) remember…
Ian Toon
Dec 30, 2015 at 7:29 AM
Comment #57The Times Wednesday, December 30:
Alan Shearer leads tributes to lost friend Pavel Srnicek
Srnicek died aged 47 after suffering a cardiac arrest before Christmas
Srnicek died aged 47 after suffering a cardiac arrest before Christmas Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Jason Mellor
Last updated at 12:01AM, December 30 2015
Newcastle United supporters have launched a floral tribute to Pavel Srnicek, who has died aged 47 after suffering a cardiac arrest before Christmas in his native Czech Republic.
Alan Shearer, Andrew Cole, Steve Harper and Robert Lee, his former team-mates, plus members of Steve McClaren’s squad, led the tributes to Srnicek, who made almost 200 appearances in two spells on Tyneside after signing from Banik Ostrava in 1991.
“So very, very sad to lose my friend and former team-mate,” Shearer tweeted. “My thoughts are with his family at this awful time.”
Harper, the former Newcastle and Hull City goalkeeper, said: “A truly beautiful soul has left this world far too early. Thank you so much for everything you did for me Pav.”
Petr Cech, the Arsenal goalkeeper, said: “RIP Pavel. All thoughts are with your family.”
Tim Krul, the present Newcastle goalkeeper, said: “Such a tragedy. It’s an honour to have known and worked with you. Great man and a legend, puts things in perspective.”
Srnicek, who collapsed while out jogging, also had spells in goal at Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and West Ham United. He played 49 times for his country.
Steve Wraith, his agent, said that final brain scans on Monday had shown irreversible damage and the decision had been taken to turn off the life-support machine at the hospital in Ostrava where he had been in an induced coma since December 20. He had returned to Newcastle a week before his collapse to promote his autobiography.
Supporters have begun to lay flowers at St James’ Park as a mark of respect. Further tributes are planned at Newcastle’s next home game, against Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League on January 12.
A club statement said: “Our thoughts are with Pavel’s family, many friends and former colleagues at this very difficult time. Supporters wishing to lay flowers at St James’ Park are welcome to do so at the Alder Sweeney Memorial Garden.”
jimmysmith
Dec 30, 2015 at 9:14 AM
Comment #58Well done Ian Toon.