The first thing about yesterday’s game is that Newcastle didn’t play well at all and there was no sparkle in the Newcastle side – especially up front which was one of our weaknesses last season.
But on the positive side we are like a car idling or in low gear and will get up to speed after a few more games – the question is where we will be a Ford or a Mercedes once we get up to full speed.
Most of our players were brought in late this summer, so a lot of them are not starting.
But once everybody is up to speed, we have to think that Federico Fernandez, Ki Sung-yueng, Yoshinori Muto and Salmon Rondon will be in the first eleven.
Hopefully, we will be a better team once these four players are up to speed as far as fitness and tactics go.
Mo Diame did not have one of his best games, and he may soon be replaced by Sung-yueng who had a full season at Swansea playing well alongside Jonjo Shelvey.
Rafa Benitez – we made too many mistakes
This is some of what Rafa said after the game with a view of the Cardiff City side:
“They have the team spirit that you need to compete.”
“If we managed the ball better maybe we could have had more clear-cut chances.”
“But if they can keep fighting in the way they do, sometimes a corner goes in and changes the game, or a throw-in or a free-kick, they have the tools to compete and to win.”
“It was a very strange game. We knew they would be physical and it was like that.”
“We put ourselves under pressure and made some mistakes.”
We have now earned one point and scored one goal in our first two games – better than we have done in the previous two seasons under Rafa – in the first two games.
And now we face Chelsea (H), Manchester City (A) and Arsenal (H) – three top six clubs in a row.
After the game next Sunday at home to the Blues, we will travel to Nottingham Forest the following Wednesday (29th August – KO 7:45pm) for a tough second-round game in the EFL Carabao Cup
Comments welcome.
193 comments so far
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:01 PM
Comment #81just a fan #76 i have an edge on the ledge ha ha ha ha your some langer lad thats one fact i do know
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:07 PM
Comment #82well jasper the feeling is definitely mutual ,reading about how rafa is making mistakes and tactics and joselu and other bull crap that you come out with has put me back on the drink after 5 years sober you scandinavians are a repetitive bunch of bores.
Just a fan
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:08 PM
Comment #83The ledge
What’s a Langer lad?
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:10 PM
Comment #84just a fan no bother pal thanks for the advise ,do you think you lot will be promoted this year ?
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:12 PM
Comment #85just a fan presuming your a man and not had a sex change .go to the toilet pull ur zip down take out your d..k bazam a langer
Just a fan
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:13 PM
Comment #86I will lend you a spade if you want to dig a bigger hole you have got yourself into
Just a fan
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:15 PM
Comment #87Langer is that one of your Sunderland phrases?
Just a fan
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:19 PM
Comment #88The ledge
Ok nice chatting to you. Got to go to bed now after I get these cheesy chips out of my vest.ok one cheesy chips mention to many.
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:25 PM
Comment #89just a fan #87 no its cork phrase you know that though because keano was your manager. night pal good chatting with ye
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:26 PM
Comment #90just a fan #86 wouldnt be the first hole i was in and sure hope it not the last
Jail for Ashley
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:26 PM
Comment #91Jiblets,
Mainz avoided the drop with one game spare. With only four games to go they were in third bottom.
AP | 4:54 pm EDT April 16, 2018
“as Mainz beat relegation rival Freiburg 2-0”
“Defeat meant Freiburg took Mainz’s place in the relegation zone due to an inferior goal difference”
That to me Jibbers is a good old relegation dogfight, doesn’t matter what country you’re playing in.
Is there no end to your bullshit?
Jib
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:26 PM
Comment #92I said to my missus this game would be
a stroll in the park for Man U
I didn’t realise they were going to go strolling
round the park all afternoon
Jib
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:30 PM
Comment #93Tweren’t bullshit
You’ve said it again for Christ’s sake
There’s no such thing as automatic
relegation for 3rd bottom in the Bundesliga
They playoff with 3rd top of the 2nd tier
how hard is that to grasp.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:31 PM
Comment #94“A surprise victory for 1. FSV Mainz 05 over Borussia Dortmund secured their Bundesliga status on a day when all 18 teams were in action simultaneously, but three teams remain in fear of the drop going into the final weekend”
A surprise to everyone but Jiblets who understands Gorman football so well a penultimate game escape can’t be card a relegation battle.
Is there really no end to your bullshit???
Jib
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:31 PM
Comment #95And
You take ages to research stuff
can you not get somebody who is
better with computers (like the tea boy)
than yourself
RUNAWAY777
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:32 PM
Comment #96chris hughton did nothing wrong when at the toon lost one game against wba away and got sacked on the monday well he’s doing a fanatic job with brighton with the backing of the club of cause a real gentleman chris is, man utd are all over place .
Jail for Ashley
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:32 PM
Comment #97Jib,
Play off shmay off, it’s still a relegation battle!!!
Pottsclock
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:34 PM
Comment #98Mourinho will be gone at Christmas when they realise that they’ll struggle for a Champions League position. Just a prediction.
Hail Wor Ashley
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Comment #99Hoots lads showing all the qualities we did 2nd half of last season and everything that we lacked yesterday.
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Comment #100runaway777 he is doing a great job at well run football club
Jail for Ashley
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Comment #101No Jiblets,
I’m at work and not spending all day in front of the computer.
Just a fan
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Comment #102The ledge@90
What hole would that be. You intrigue me lol
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Comment #103The ledge…of you don’t like to read about our games and how the went down you’re on the wrong blog!
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:41 PM
Comment #104*of = if
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Comment #105The ledge…are you back on the drink you say? Makes sense
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:45 PM
Comment #106jasper i didnt say that just dont like your repetitive crap thats all no harm done we are all grown ups here
i enjoy most of the posts on here even some of jibs{apart from the pro ashley stuff } but you would turn anyone to drink ,not the drugs yet just the drink but id say i will soon be hitting the pipe
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:46 PM
Comment #107just a fan#102 the one your giving me a spade for pal
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:47 PM
Comment #108well jesper after reading your posts a needle would look appealing
Just a fan
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:48 PM
Comment #109Why would you hope it’s not the last?
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:49 PM
Comment #110jasper i am back on the drink gave up 5 years ago my own choice .my wife lets me make my own choices you know
oh wait you dont sorry pal
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:50 PM
Comment #111just a fan because i will have sore hands you know
Canuck Mag
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:51 PM
Comment #112For those slagging rafa off for not starting all our new signings, just look at Brighton. Spent bigger than us, with all their new big signings sitting on the bench. Proper managers can see they need time to bed in.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:52 PM
Comment #113Then close your ears pal!
Just a fan
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:54 PM
Comment #114The ledge
Are you a grave digger
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:55 PM
Comment #115jesper dont you mean my eyes ?
Jib
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:55 PM
Comment #116Jail for Ashley
Play off shmay off, it’s still a relegation battle!!!
Honest it’s not
Wolfsburg who were third bottom stuffed Kiel
and each side stayed in their respective leagues
Mainz all season were never lower than 16th
and were never in danger of an automatic relegation spot
the ledge
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:56 PM
Comment #117just a fan nope you said i was digging a hole just going along with you pal
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:56 PM
Comment #118No the ledge…I mean close you ears seeing as you complain about having to listen to reason from Scandinavians!
Reilly
Aug 19, 2018 at 5:58 PM
Comment #119jose needs a new home.
Jib
Aug 19, 2018 at 6:03 PM
Comment #120reilly
I think he could be finished in the UK