Yesterday’s display was woeful, and it wasn’t like it was against one of the better teams in the league since Brighton are like Newcastle and have very few Premier League class players in their squad.
But they defended well and deserved at least a draw yesterday.
As for Newcastle, the bad sign is that since we are now 5th bottom of the league it seems to be affecting some of our players and their confidence is low.
Joselu – shoots for goal yesterday
They are starting to show some anxiety already and remember most of our players are young and relatively inexperienced.
They realize we must do better in the next 12 games than we have in the previous 12 games when we have picked up a measly 5 points.
It’s one of our worst runs ever in the Premier League for the club.
14 points from the first 9 games and then 5 points from the next 12 games – what’s going on?
It will be yet another tragedy for Newcastle if we are relegated this season and it will be a complete shock to us since Rafa Benitez is the manager.
But that seems to be the reality as we cannot beat the teams we have to win against if we are to have any chance of staying up this season.
Maybe the gloom can be lifted tomorrow afternoon when we play an out of sorts Stoke City side who were hammered 5-0 at Stamford Bridge yesterday.
This is another game we should be winning or else things might look a lot worse in the Premier League table at the end of next month.
Yesterday we saw Bournemouth beat Everton 2-1 at home and go above Newcastle in the table.
Swansea, with their new manager Carlos Carvalhal in place, got a great 2-1 win at Watford.
Comments welcome.
4 comments so far
DubaiMicky
Dec 31, 2017 at 6:45 AM
Comment #1posada
Dec 31, 2017 at 7:02 AM
Comment #2Dubai
Had enough of this rhetoric. It’s not Rafa’s fault it’s the owner.
This group of players are under performing. Simple as that.
5 points from 33 is it.
Murphy 12 million wasted. Joselu 5 million wasted.
BHA played with a 34 year old up front who cost about 3 million.
However, he was effective. We had a similar player Daryl Murphy. Sold him and bought Joselu.
posada
Dec 31, 2017 at 7:08 AM
Comment #3On Gayle.
First touch was dreadful all game.
The old put down used to be his second touch is a tackle/header.
In his case there is no second touch as he is usually on his back side by then.
Just not balanced.
Watch him when he walks about the pitch.
looks like he has borrowed a pair of boots that are two sizes too small.
Worse actually, looks like he is walking in high heels.
What’s that all about.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 31, 2017 at 8:56 AM
Comment #4From the first minute to the last minute we were Sh*t
Sad state of affairs when a team like Brighton have more possession than Newcastle United at Home
Clueless a totally apathetic performance NO PASSION, lack of pace, movement, lethargic, no commitment, guile, idea, started slowly and got slower.
We failed to put two passes together back to our sideways backwards hoofball.
The 29th minute summed up our performance when Darlow had goal kick – not one player wanted the ball walked out of defence with their backs turned, not one of the lazy bastards turned to take the goal kick/pass from Darlow – so Darlow picks ball up walks to other side of the six yard box placed ball and hoof.
Haven’t a clue where Atsu who looked lost without Manquilla behind him and Ritchie were meant to be playing today and it showed both poor along with Gayle who has been practising his diving more than staying on his feet.
Rafa didn’t look like he had an idea how to change things yes brought of Ritchie who was having a mere – but Merino and Joselu I could not get my head around.
Can anyone tell me why RAFA drops a player after he has a decent game for the TOON – ie. Diame last two games. Mbemba – Wed night.
Saviet against West Ham and persist with the same subs Murphy and Perez
My merit mark assessment.
Darlow 5 – OK but distribution slow/shit along with his decision making and command of six yard box.
Yedlin 5 – Out of sorts today got easily beaten and no help from Ritchie.
Clark 5 – OK at centre of defence but distribution rubbish either sideways pass or hoof.
Lascalles 8 – Excellent game in central defence – barked out orders and won just about every header in the box. My MOM
Dummett 6 – OK defending but gives us absolute nothing going forward.
Merino 7 – Tried to get things going but with lack of movement/and class of players around him did not help.
Ritchie 4 – Woeful gave the ball away time and time again didn’t look interested.
Hayden 5 – Poor first half didn’t know he was on the pitch. Much better second half when he ran with the ball.
Atsu 4 – Another who looked lost today and afraid to tackle – seemed to be playing left half most of the game to fill the space in front of Dummett .
Joselu 7 – Battled away manfully against their towering defenders won his fair amount of headers but as of Wed night no one around him to pick up the scraps. Had to turn and go backwards most of the game as we lacked movement players going passed him for the ball.
Gayle 5 – Poor ball never stuck to him lost to easy all game passing poor movement of the ball poor – best when he plays on the shoulder of the last man – today played behind
Subs
Perez 3 – Didn’t know he was on the pitch
Shelvey 5 – tried to make things happen but lack of movement from our players did not help
Murphy 3 – Another who did nowt when he came on