This was Newcastle’s sixth defeat in eight games in all competitions and if we keep playing like this it is going to be almost certain relegation from the Premier League – and tonight’s game was against at best – an average Everton side – who had not won in their last five league games.
Aaron Lennon opened the scoring after 22 minutes when his right footed shot beat Elliot – and it was all too easy.
And then Rolando Aarons clumsily brought down Aaron Lennon after 83 minutes and Everton went 2-0 up after Ross Barkley easily beat Elliot from the penalty spot.
And then deep Newcastle into stoppage time to make things a lot worse, we gave away another penalty for a foul on Barkley which the player himself again converted and Jamaal Lascelles was sent off.
Should we go on?
Ross Barkley after scoring first penalty to put Everton 2-0 up
That will not help matters one little bit and a lack of discipline from Newcastle in the last 10 minutes of playing time cost us two goals with two young inexperienced players giving the penalties away.
It was reminiscent of the mess we saw under John Carver last year and it would be interesting to see what Mike Ashley thought of this complete shambles – and it was a game we had over 10 days to prepare for – what were they doing on the training field?
Add to that the fact that Everton hit the woodwork three times in a six minute spell in the second half and the Magpies did not deserve to get anything pout of this game – and we didn’t.
The players we have should be getting a lot more points than 21 from our first 24 league games – the results are simply atrocious and this is the lowest points total we have ever had in the Premier League after 24 games played.
And no doubt Steve McClaren will come under some pressure now as he doesn’t seem to be capable of getting Newcastle to play consistently – this was a complete shambles of a display from NNewcastle.
We started the season poorly after spending a massive £52M in the summer and got just 3 points from the first 8 games but we haven’t done too much better in the next 16 games with just 18 points.
After 5 minutes it took a great save from Rob Elliot diving low to his left to keep the ball out but after 22 minutes Everton – after threatening went ahead through Aaron Lennon.
Th ball was played to him and he hit the ball with his right foot through Wijnaldum’s legs and into the goal past what looked to be an unsighted Rob Elliot.
It was a poor goal to concede and too easy for Everton.
Newcastle lacked any kind of threat up front apart from a couple of decent runs by new boy Townsend, but just before half time it was good play by Chancel Mbemba that prevented a second Everton goal but he seemed to hurt his foot as he slid in.
Another injury and on came Jamal Lascelles.
Half time came without Newcastle having one shot on target and not one corner and it’s not like Everton looked world-beaters.
Paul Dummett was replaced by Rolando Aarons at half time and after 55 minutes on came Aleksandar Mitrovic for Saivet as McClaren knew he had to find a goal from somewhere.
It was Rob Elliot again who saved Newcastle after 56 minutes when he turned a good Ross Barkley shot onto the cross-bar and then three minutes after a free kick from Everton was headed backwards by Jonjo Shelvey and it beat Elliot but came back off the cross bar – two lucky escapes for Newcastle.
Then the two stupid penalties which made the scoreline a lot worse and our goal difference is now a shocking -19 – the second worse only to Aston Villa in the Premier League.
We may have brought in some decent midfielders in January but out defense simply isn’t good enough for the Premier League and hasn’t been for a couple of years now.
We’ve spent a lot of money in the last two transfer windows but not always on the right players or the right positions.
There should be alarm bells going off at Newcastle after this insipid display and Mike Ashley has the right to ask what has he got for his £81M spent in the transfer market since last season.
Not much.
And Steve McClaren just doesn’t seem to be able to get the job done with the decent to good squad he has available.
That’s the reality after this disgraceful performance.
Teams:
Everton (4-2-3-1): Joel Robles; Seamus Coleman, Phil Jagielka (c), Ramiro Funes Mori, Bryan Oviedo; James McCarthy, Gareth Barry; Aaron Lennon, Ross Barkley, Tom Cleverley; Romelu Lukaku
Substitutes: Jindrich Stanek, Leighton Baines, Darron Gibson, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar, Gerard Deulofeu, Arouna Kone
Newcastle (4-4-1-1): Rob Elliot; Daryl Janmaat, Chancel Mbemba (Jamaal Lascelles 42), Fabricio Coloccini (c), Paul Dummett (Rolando Aarons 45); Moussa Sissoko, Henri Saivet (Aleksandar Mitrovic 56), Jonjo Shelvey, Andros Townsend; Ayoze Perez
Substitutes: Karl Darlow, , Steven Taylor, Yoan Gouffran, Seydou Doumbia
110 comments so far
lukes26
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:01 PM
Comment #41manxpie
Yeah, its just strange, because colback doesnt seem to do much. But he must be the missing ingredient, because weve looked horrible without him
Rotonda heights
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:02 PM
Comment #42BandB
I was always very worried that CB and LB had not been addressed..
What is more concerning is SM’s continually negative tactics, especially away from home, playing people out of position and making bizarre subs. Sound familiar.
And before people say it, please not David Moyes. We need a dynamic, exciting manager.
Apart from 25 mins v west ham we have been shambolic pretty much all season.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:02 PM
Comment #43ToF,
Exactly
leedavid2015
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:03 PM
Comment #44lets face it, this was shocking! everyone and his dog thought townsend was purchased for wing play for mitrovic and then he is dropped! the game was over by half time as everton’s heads were up and confidence returned.. Then we suddenly have Aarons in at left back again, since when was he turned into a left back?? McClueless is lost in this league and seeing his face on the bench knows it..
we could spend a few billion and still go down under this clown, how could we find someone worse than Pards..
Ketsbaia9
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:03 PM
Comment #45Saylor has to start next match. Aarons may have to play at left back again.
We could play 3 at the back and play with Saivet and Tiote as holding players.
colno9
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:03 PM
Comment #46VanToon. Exactly the sort of thing i was thinking. This group of players is better than that display. playing the same players who do not perform, and expecting a different result it idiocy.
McClaren has shown he has neither the tactics or immagination to turn things around.
WWSBRD
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:03 PM
Comment #47Christ sake man am just sick
Sack him, we are better than this
Can’t even be bothered to tear into the players
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:03 PM
Comment #48Can anyone tell me what tactics we played first half
Playing Perez up front on his own and playing the long game – utter bollicks crap stupidity.
Ain’t going to pick up another point playing like that.
Looked like little boys lost on holidays first half did not get near their players
Shelvey – shit
Sissoko – shit
Wiljanum – oh was he on the pitch
And injuries to two of our defenders.
I ganna a be a canny defensive formation for Saturday and a frustrating day.
If I were Pulis I would play Berinho from the start fit or unfit he’ll score.
Looks like we are going to have the most expensive team ever to play in the championship.
lochinvar
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:04 PM
Comment #49Everton have scored 43 goals this season
Newcastle 25.
Might be a clue in there.
toon kk
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:04 PM
Comment #50I was all for giving Macca a chance but those pathetic tactics Prooves he needs to go. But the players need to get a grip.
sparky55
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:04 PM
Comment #51if I was an out of work manager I’d still ignore any incoming phone call on me mobile with a number starting 0191.
The poison chalice will soon put on view again but still not sure who’d be brave enough to take us on.
Rotonda heights
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:04 PM
Comment #52aarons has never been no ever will be a LWB or a LB. He was once a very promising winger.
We have a manager with no plan B or seemingly much forethought.
lukes26
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:04 PM
Comment #53So our CB options are Satka, Saylor or Janmaat with out Mbemba. Yesh
NoahJ
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:05 PM
Comment #54@41
I actually want us to drop sissoko in favour of colback on saturday. It sounds ridiculous, but even though he’s probably our *best* player, sissoko makes the team imbalanced (at least where he’s being played now)- because he’s not a winger, so he tries to bring it inside, but he always just gets tangled up, and loses the ball.
I lost count of how many times we stupidly just gave the ball away tonight.
It’s simple things, we just need balance!
NYMAG
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:05 PM
Comment #55Absolutely atrocious performance against a side that hasn’t won a home game since November. Aside from Elliot and Saviet who I thought was doing a decent job every performance was poor. But a few need singling out:
Shelvey gave the ball away so many times and looked so cumbersome. Really worrying.
Sissoko was utterly pathetic, lazy, kept giving the ball away with sloppy passes and caught in possession so many times. He should not start against West Brom
Lascelles, he’s not a premier league player, never will be
Gigi, almost invisible, his heart was not in it, couldn’t do anything to impact the game.
Mit same old story, comes on and misses an absolute sitter. Useless.
LoughboroughDelight
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:05 PM
Comment #56Aye that is footie. Hearts on sleeves believing in the unlikely and taking hope from a slight glimmer or waiting for Lady Luck to give us our turn.
We were hopeful as money was spent, transfer policies were changed a slight of hand plastered over the cracks……but the cracks have become caverns and we are now angry again…
I do not believe that a win on sat will turn the tide back though…we are too far gone and we need a winning streak to close the gap.
I am a fool and I will carry on being a fool. I hope and I pray and then I cry,…
spaghetti bandit
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:05 PM
Comment #57Mclaren out
stripes1009
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:05 PM
Comment #58Utter rubbish……if that’s the best we can offer……send for the ‘special one’……NOW.
Toon Tang
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:05 PM
Comment #59I bet Doumbia’s sat thinking “thank chuff I’m on loan”
SPRINGY
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:06 PM
Comment #60its not the defeat…its the manner of the defeat….basically gave away a half due to bad team selection,the lack of players turning up is absolutely shocking….
decent;
elliot
janmaat
townsend
saivet
poor;
the rest
utter shite;
sissoko
gini
unbelievably poor,spineless,talentless performance.
NYMAG
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:06 PM
Comment #61We look like relegation fodder, no idea where the 6 or 7 wins needed are going to come from.
Fabricio - out of position - Coloccini
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:07 PM
Comment #62In the end it’s Carr that played both Ashley and Charnley into hiring McClaren, his good friend and ally.
He was blinded by one good season in Twente and forgot his multiple poor ones before and after that.
Thank you Carr! I think both him and McClaren shold be removed from this club.
VanToonMan
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:07 PM
Comment #63McClaren out – Harry (short-term) in or Rodgers but not sure he is able to have the desired effect immediately.
McClaren has had more chance than Pardew – he’s had £80million within less than a year!
manxpie
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:07 PM
Comment #64well i thought we’d keep the ball a hell of alot better than we did and why we bypassed the cm i do not know but sisko and gini can’t get away with it again 2 shocking performances away from home again
Rotonda heights
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:08 PM
Comment #65jail
i don’t think mourinho would want a relegation on his cv. Chelsea are only just recovering now.
Sampauli the chile guy would shake things up
Lanzatoon42
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:09 PM
Comment #66Your right noah j why play perez alone with wingers, formation was like someone who has not got a clue what to do!!! Mclaren needs to go NOW before its too late if its not too late NOW. Just do us all toon fans a favour mclaren and just GO!!!
stripes1009
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:09 PM
Comment #67Someone has suggested on here that Sissoko is our best player…….somebody please give me a ring when he puts a shift in……He should feel guilty every time he picks he picks his wage packet up…….
manxpie
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:09 PM
Comment #68rotonda wat about neville? 🙂
lukes26
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:10 PM
Comment #69things must be apocalyptical if we’re looking to Redknapp for answers
AncientC
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:10 PM
Comment #70” and tonight’s game was against at best – an average Everton side – who had not won in their last five league games.”
I wouldn’t call the Everton side average. The truth is, they have better players and were at home. A fairly predictable result, but the calamity involved is difficult to accept.
It is against West Brom that we will find out if this side can stay up.
Toonacious T
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:10 PM
Comment #71If Schteve was going to play one up top it surely had to be Mitro. Who can at least hold it up and get the team up the park. Again tonight Mitro proved he is a terrible finisher, even from 8 yards out. Colo looked like an old man out there tonight and the fact the club has went this many transfer windows without buying his replacement is criminal. Aarons at LB showed his inexperience and Dummet doesn’t look mentally or physically sharp. Shelvey’s fitness is still way off the mark and I lost count of the amount of times both he and Sissoko gave the ball away in midfield. Janmaat cannot cross a ball. If it wasn’t for Elliot’s heroics we could have conceded six. Gini was totally anonymous…again. Townsend worked hard and looks incredibly fit all things considered but spent the majority of his energy covering back. This was against a struggling Everton side don’t forget. We are in some serious dodoo and should have bought another CB and a LB in the summer if not in January. This Doumbia guy will need to be scoring 3 every match the way we are defending. Barkley’s second penalty shows you how easy it is for mediocre teams to clean take the p!$$ out of us. Bringing my son over from Belfast for his first match against Sunderland and I’m actually dreading it now. Brutal supporting this club. Absolutely gutted.
SPRINGY
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:11 PM
Comment #72the 2 things sissoko did today of any use….
1)cross for mitro miss
2)kick the ball in his own face.
thats it!
Toon Tang
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:11 PM
Comment #73Manx, Gini doesn’t do ‘away from home’ mate, goes missing all the time for some reason. Is it Mc’s tactics or what?
Rotonda heights
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:11 PM
Comment #74over rated at 35
spot on, really couldn’t put it any better.
LoughboroughDelight
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:12 PM
Comment #75Get a McDonalds manager in – they understand pressure, hustle and getting the best out of a team that is underachieving or more realistically 45%crud.
They also expect low wages…
Mackems are from MORDOR!
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:12 PM
Comment #76Onwards and upwards. Only positive thing I can think. Not really worth the watching that one. Still, looking forward to seeing Doumbia. As much as Mitro can’t score, his link up olay may well work with Doumbia.
SJP lift required for all players this Saturday
toon kk
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:12 PM
Comment #77Barcelona beat Valencia 7-0
Without Elliott we would have had the same thumping.
eaststandgeordie1982
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:12 PM
Comment #78Our next 5 games WBA, Chelsea, Stoke, Bournemouth and Leicester
Toon Tang
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:13 PM
Comment #79On the plus side ‘The True Geordie’ video will be purely belter.. 🙂
BandB
Feb 3, 2016 at 10:14 PM
Comment #80RH
I’m not as shocked as most people are.
Escaping relegation this season will have been an achievement.
We took a lot of gambles this window. Some may take a while to pay off, if they do. But others will go bust straight away.
Sometimes you can see things coming a mile off. Like they are inevitable. Like Quint getting gobbled up by that shark in Jaws.
Like a big emperor in no clothes that everyone is pretending look gorgeous.
Tonight is where we are. They are going to need a lot of carrying to get anywhere near that line. So tonight I’m sad, not angry.