One thing that is important this season, is that the Newcastle players learn from each of these early games in the Premier League, and especially from the mistakes they make.
Chris Hughton – we have to learn from our mistakes
They certainly made a few mistakes on Saturday, too many, in the surprise 2-0 defeat against Blackpool, and most of those were in front of goal, where they missed just too many good chances.
As we had expected, Chris Hughton was calm after the game, but he would know there was great concern from the Newcastle fans that Newcastle lost their 26 game unbeaten home record to a side, who although they have started amazingly well in the Premier League, are still backed heavily to be relegated this season.
That hurts, and that’s not meant to be an attack in any way against the Blackpool club, and for sure it was a tremendous victory for them and their so colorful manager Ian Holloway.
Hughton was happy enough with the overall Newcastle performance, because the side are still making chances, but the two goals they gave away were poor ones, especially the first one from a penalty late in the first half.
Chris said today:
“If I look at the way they played and the chances they had, they had minimal goalscoring chances.”“The first one comes from a penalty, where have three players around the ball.”
“The second from DJ Campbell comes when we are pushing bodies forward.” “That was a frustrating one to give away, but I don’t think we are vulnerable to the counter-attack.” “We have to give them credit, they defended very well and the goalkeeper had an inspired day.”
“It was not a good day in front of goal for us and they have reaped the rewards from that.” “I don’t want to take anything away from Blackpool, but it was a game we should have won.”
We now have to hope the lads will react to adversity the way they did last season, by really looking at what they did wrong, hold their hands up, and learn from their mistakes and the dreadful result against Blackpool.
And captain Kevin Nolan’s interview immediately after the games suggested the players were embarrassed by the defeat, and are determined to put things right against Everton at Goodison on Saturday afternoon, although that looks a difficult game from which to get any points. Kevin had a poor game on Saturday.
Chris added:
“We can gain things from a defeat and there is a group of lads in there (the changing room) who know we should have won the game.”
“We would feel more down if it was the actual performance which was the problem and we had not created anything.”
“There are enough positives to take us into the next few games.”“We have been good in front of goal before now. We probably created as many goalscoring chances against Blackpool as we did against Villa.”
This week will be a big test for the Newcastle squad.
It’s happened now – a terrible result and at home too, and it’s a result you would expect if Newcastle are to be relegated this season – and that’s a very scary way to look at being beaten 2-0 at home by Blackpool. I wish I hadn’t even mentioned that now.
We have to hope the players will take a good hard look at themselves this week, and come out fighting like crazy at Goodison Park on Saturday, and also get back to playing solid team football, that can get the team some points at Goodison Park.
We need them and it will hardly be easy.
Comments welcome.
6 comments so far
Selbymag
Sep 13, 2010 at 10:28 AM
Comment #1A draw at Goodison would be a great result, this one is not about the performance but the result.
Everton rarely lose at home (i believe only twice last season) and are solid at the back.
Im assuming Chris will set up a team based on not losing the game and take the battle to them in midfield. I would hope to see Tiote given a run out if he is match fit and ready to rock.
Saturday was a terrible result but more due to it being “one of those days” where we wouldnt have scored if we had played all night.
We created chances and were the better side, just gave away a daft penalty and got caught on the break chasing the game which was bound to happen.
GeordieDan
Sep 13, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Comment #2As much as I was gobsmaked at Hughton putting out a 4-5-1 formation against Blackpool I think that is almost certainly the way to go against Everton. Now that is going to be a serious battle to get points from.
Slightly off topic but as much as I love Jonas, I have to be honest he just doesn’t produce enough: He never scores, very rarely gets a decent cross in, gives away possession, A LOT MORE than he used to and I remember when he used to run almost the full length of the field to make a recovering tackle if we had lost possession and come out of the tackle 9 times out of 10 with the ball-where has that side of his game gone?
Sorry Spidey but with Ben Arfa in direct competition I really would drop Jonas, if nothing else just to give him a kick up the @rse and let him know he needs to work on a lot of his game to be a Premier league mainstay.
Other than that it is CRIMINAL that Lovenkrands scores 16 goals last season and has had 1 small sub appearance only this season as we prepared for the (hardly top quality) Blackpool by fielding 1 striker????
4-5-1 against a team we should have comfortably beaten was asking for trouble from the start. WAY TOO NEGATIVE MR HUGHTON.
But for Everton I think that has to be the way to go. Horses for courses; as long as we make sure we can go 4-2-2 or even 4-3-3 against weaker teams, especially at home!
HWTLs
antmanbee
Sep 13, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Comment #3I reckon the 4-5-1 is more to do with with Hoots keeping Nolan,Smith and Barton happy, than tactics…
WesJameson
Sep 13, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Comment #4yeah, a test to far im afraid
GeordieDan
Sep 13, 2010 at 1:13 PM
Comment #5BTW : any of you lads following our NUFC blog fantasy football league?
We’re currently ranked 23rd out of 205,361!!!!
Not bad at all eh? And who sez Geordies don’t know their football? Ha.
(plus I’m 9th out of 405-just thought I’d get that in there. :oD )
TOONTOONTOON
Sep 13, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Comment #6GeordieDan whats this 4-2-2 i have conferdence in our team but giving them 2 extra players whats that about mate.Andy carrol no more of these ill be the daddy statements before a game please do ya talking on the pitch i dont mind the statements after the game after you have bang in a couple of goals mate.We did not see any of these silly statements before a game last season.