Both Jack Colback and Aleksandar Mitrovic have come in for some heavy criticism over the last few games for their performances for Newcastle.
And if you believe everything you read in the last few days then Mitro is on his way out of the club this summer, but the way he played last night when he came on for the injured Dwight Gayle you wouldn’t have thought that.
The Serbian was full of energy and played very well for us and he was a thorn in the side of the Villa defense and he behaved himself too.
🙂
Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates Yoan Gouffran goal
Jack Colback in the background
Let’s give the 22 year-old some credit because he put in a good shift for us and his overall play was much improved.
Mitro hasn’t played for a while and it looks like the more he plays the more he is returning to something like his best form.
And if Dwight Gayle is out for any length of time, we will need Miro to step up to the plate and this lad can still be a hero for us this season.
Jack Colback has also not played too much this year but last night, especially in the second half, the local lad looked better than of late.
He worked his socks off for the cause and his passing and general play looked a lot better.
With Isaac Hayden out for four weeks with his ankle injury, Jack has a big role to play and this is his big chance to show his worth to his home-town team.
Colback and Mitrovic generally get criticized after games these days, but we thought both of them did their job last night and hopefully both players will continue to get better as they play more games.
That’s the thing we need ti happen is we are to be promoted this season.
Let’s give these two lads credit in what was a huge win for us last night.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
53 comments so far
ShirebrookToon
Feb 21, 2017 at 9:32 AM
Comment #1I think the game changed in our favour when Mitro came on. His hold up play and bringing others into play was the best I’ve seen from him this season. Keep it up Big lad!
toontaff2
Feb 21, 2017 at 9:36 AM
Comment #2Bring on the next BRISTOL – City, not WorHenri!!
5-1, at last!!!
My favourite score 5under1and!
toontaff2
Feb 21, 2017 at 9:37 AM
Comment #3Gayle def held hamstring in response to a team mate’s question – looked like a precaution, but who knows?
Jib
Feb 21, 2017 at 9:40 AM
Comment #4toontaff2
His teammate said
“Hold your hamstring Dwight – to save face”
ShirebrookToon
Feb 21, 2017 at 9:40 AM
Comment #5Roll on Saturday!
toonincheek
Feb 21, 2017 at 9:40 AM
Comment #6Was the Gayle substitution not instigated by Gayle himself
indicating he wanted to be subbed?
So – anyone who suggests it was a tactical substitution must
think Gayle is in charge of tactics?
And Rafa is just in charge of the tic tacs.
WWSBRD
Feb 21, 2017 at 9:41 AM
Comment #7I must of missed something last night tbh but to me the game didn’t change until we got the goal then second half Villa didn’t press anymore
Thought their left side was good throughout though. Shame we didn’t get Taylor in Jan
Jib
Feb 21, 2017 at 9:48 AM
Comment #8Taylor isn’t fit to lace Dummett’s boots
Ritchie had him owned in the second half
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 21, 2017 at 9:54 AM
Comment #9just in
Poor first half both teams were poor passes went astray no movement – creativity- actually the looked as if they lacked confidence.
First goal sloppy but it came as a great relief to all. second half there was only one team going to win.
marks
Darlow 7 – did well great black second half to keep the score at 2-0
but rash charge out and dive at Hogans feet – sure ref was going to point to spot until seeing linesman flag for offside.
Dummett 9 – my Man of the Match defended like a trojan got in some great blocks and second half got forward a lot more.
Lascalles 6 – weak link in the defence – scored but very slow and ponderous on the ball looked as if he lacks confidence with what to do with the ball. his mistake nearly led to goal.
Clark 7 – rock at the back played well and used the ball well.
Yedlin 7 – Another solid display but looked tired second half.
Goufran 6 – scored but little else backed out of numerous tackles tonight – not want we want to see
Colback 6 – poor first half second half a lot better and got/carried the ball forward. Mind you slow on the ball and gets caught in possession to often.
Shelvey 7 – Did OK but his radar was a tad off tonight with his long passes.
Ritchie 6 – Plenty of running but end product not the best. alright performance
Diame 6 – Poor first half excellent second half must of had a rocket up his arse at half time.
Gayle 4 – didn’t looked fit.
Mitro 8 – Thought he had a good game when he came on chased everything battled well – held the ball up – linked up play and got back and defended to.
Atsu 5 – not on long enough but brilliant cross at the end pity no one gambled on getting in the box.
All – in – all not the best display but got the result we needed.
Crowd brilliant at start but went quite until Lansbury lifted the crowd with his own goal
Fostino
Feb 21, 2017 at 9:56 AM
Comment #10The poorest player in the pitch last night for toon was Diame. ..wasteful…clueless with the ball. Needs to step it up. He was slightly better in 2nd half but still contributed littLe. He doesn’t link up well with mitro either so if mitros starting sat…He’s better off as an impact sub.
On another note I think astu 6 mins cameo last night suggests he deserves a start. Seeing as we have 3 tough away games coming up..Let’s start him in our home game on sat against Bristol. No doudt goofy will get the nod for the 3 away games.
martoon
Feb 21, 2017 at 9:57 AM
Comment #11WWSBRD @7 – I thought their No. 26 was their best player – a big lad but fast as well (I’ve forgotten his name). Defensively he gave Yedlin a tough night although to be fair Yedlin stuck to his task and did quite well.
Our Toon
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:00 AM
Comment #12Wwsbrd
The game changed when mitro came on as he played a massive part in the goal, our overall play was slightly better in the first half and he caused them issues by getting stuck in with controlled aggression.
WWSBRD
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:01 AM
Comment #13martoon
Kodja I think? Former Bristol City lad if we are thinking the same fella. Aye I thought he was good iffy end product but Yedlin was good all night
Jib
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:02 AM
Comment #14Jonathan Kodjia
G
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:06 AM
Comment #15That the Villa player with the girly hair? Their best player imo
Shoulders knees
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:09 AM
Comment #16G
Do you mean our Henri?
WWSBRD
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:10 AM
Comment #17Our Toon
If u say so mate not really how I saw it though. He did win the header for our first but other than that he didn’t do anything of note for me, he wasn’t bad saying that though but never looked like scoring to me
WWSBRD
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:11 AM
Comment #18G
The lad that kept being referred to as Thor? I couldn’t work out what position he was playing
martoon
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:11 AM
Comment #19Thanks guys Kodjia was his name.
G – their player with the girly hair was No.20 if I remember correctly but I don’t know his name either.
martoon
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:14 AM
Comment #20I think he’s their Icelandic player – missed a sitter in the first half.
Shoulders knees
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:17 AM
Comment #21BJARNASSON?
anthc
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:18 AM
Comment #22I thought the game in general was poor but we done what we had to. I really wanted to give these a good spanking but suppose I’ll settle for lansbury scoring an own goal.
I too thought mitro made an impact when he came on. Gayle most of the time gets shoved off the ball and his pace is often neutralised at home as teams park the bus. He’s still our first choice but I think mitro deserves a pat on the back last night.
Poor hogan too, just signed for that shower of sh*te and stretchered off. The brummie accent too, some of their singing was comical. Them and forest with the champions of Europe shite. Counts for nothing now two crap teams in a crap but difficult league and struggling. I hope they go down again.
Jib
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:20 AM
Comment #23Martoon
Birkir Bjarnason
number 20
May I politely suggest
specsavers™
sing in the corner
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:26 AM
Comment #24Mitro’s display was pleasing and well times with Gayle struggling.
One thing I notice with Mitro.. Think he could improve by making moves in the box before the ball is played in. Tv is great these days, definitely has its merits but one thing you get to see a little more of at the game is players’ activity off the ball.
Mitro reacts to the ball more often needs to develop instinctive play and move early. There were some great balls into the box,he should be getting on the end of more with a little 5 yard gamble to get round or in front of his man. He would certainly get more joy that way rather than needing a pin point ball right onto him.
Just my take on him…
Ron Knee
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:35 AM
Comment #25Mark Douglas:-
“No club in the history of the Championship on 69 points after 32 games has failed to go up and the mathematics are in United’s favour – 21 points should do it now.”
giimps
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:35 AM
Comment #26iv gotta say even though iv been banging the drum to start Mbemba ahead of Colback , the Ginger Pirlow was playing last night and not sideways jack.
He was one of our best players vs the Villains, he did the hard yards well and hardly gave any dangerous free kicks away (even though the ref was clearly a numpty, imagine him in the premi and the likes of rooney shouting in his face, there would only be about 5players on the pitch atthe end of the game) he brought the ball forward a couple of times and was even passing the ball forward…..if he keeps playing like that i may change my opinion on him, he has shown he can do it now, he just needs to keep doing it whenever hes on the pitch.
A very good result last night, both teams were poor in the 1st half but we were the better team overall and deserved the points and clean sheet .onward and upward, Another game on Saturday with different challenges , hopefully Rafa can use his lockpicking skills to get us another 3 points and the other games results go for us too.
Hwtl Hwtf
martoon
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:38 AM
Comment #27Jib – I can see them fine it is remembering their names that is the problem 🙂
cyprus
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:40 AM
Comment #28Sing,
Didn’t notice too many great balls into the box and very few real chances.
Still, apparently we had 6 shots on goal. Can’t remember them all. Two scrappy goals, Shelvey’s free kick, Colback, Mitro header and…?
Lindisfarne
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:42 AM
Comment #29Good win if slightly frustrating watch, but a good atmosphere in the most part. Diame is a bit of a conundrum, he closes down very well but can not link up with other players. His poor passing is not helped by the lack of options and either the striker being swamped or in the case of Mitro, not finding space. Admittedly that’s not his game, but it was a disappointing attacking display at home. Thank goodness for the three points.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:47 AM
Comment #30Neil Taylor not fit to lace Dummett’s boots? WUM is at it again. Dummett is, and constantly has been, our team’s weak link for the last number of seasons – even when we had nothing but dross in our squad. He’s a terrible LB but at Championship level ‘does a job’
Defensively he’s a big improvement on Davide Santon but that’s because he was as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Dummett and Gouffran on the left wing makes me long for the days of Enrique and Jonas’ interplay, beautiful to watch at times.
Gouffran, Colback and especially Dummett should either be moved on or a few more ‘purples’ bought to take their place in the squad.
Jib
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:49 AM
Comment #31I see Moyes was at SJP last night.
He must be shitting his pants at the thought of a return to Goodison this weekend.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:49 AM
Comment #32toontaff22,
The chant “Henri Lansbury, we hope you get AIDS” was a bit naughty. I never laughed, honestly.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:49 AM
Comment #33Also, in the 6 minutes that he was on the field Atsu looked sharp on the ball and played the best ball into the box the entire game. Player of genuine quality who deserves a start but likely doesn’t because of Dummett’s defensive failings that he cannot compensate for but which Goofy can.
Byker Boy
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:49 AM
Comment #34Although Colback did have a reasonable game, he was almost caught out a couple of times in dangerous positions. He still continues to give away needless free kicks in many ways he has now adopted the role that Tiote did in his later stages for the Toon which is worrying. Prefer Anita to take over this role as soon as fully fit until Hayden returns.
cyprus
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:50 AM
Comment #35We haven’t lost a PL game since last year!
And we need like 6-7 wins, right? Come on lads, and draw or beat those two chasers. Hope they draw in their match.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:50 AM
Comment #36Was that the Jimmy Bulllard impersonator? He looked lively, I wouldn’t say it was a sitter mind.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:52 AM
Comment #37Byker boy,
He done a full on Williamson in our half before giving the ball away, luckily Villa are shite. He sprayed a lovely ball out wide later though and was unlucky with that effort of his.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:54 AM
Comment #38martoon,
It’s common knowledge that Jib knows the name of every oppo player and where they were born, that’s if wiki got it right mind.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:54 AM
Comment #39Honestly, I think we’ll win at least 2 out of the 3 crucial away games over the next few weeks which will essentially all but guarantee our automatic promotion although admittedly I’d 100% snap your hand off for a draw at the AmEx right now.
SPRINGY
Feb 21, 2017 at 10:58 AM
Comment #40colback did ok but started doin “the tiote turn” alot and nearly got caught a few times on the ball,he puts the shits up me when hes on the ball,but had a decent game probably down to more fitness,thought lascelles and clark cleared everything in the air,they seemed to tower above there strikers and won everything…and seemed to have been told to not dick about just defend and clear,better with odd blemish….goofy though he scored was weak as water,soft in the tackle,pulling out of challenges and when he had the ball kept turning in field into bodies and losing the ball…..if we are to play with mitro can we have left footer on the left to cross the ball and right footer on the right at some stage in the match…. so they can cross the ball on the run instead of cutting back all the time…..seen ritchie and goofy do that so many times its predictable and irratating..just switch wings from time to time…..really is a pet hate of mine and boils my piss.