Matt Ritchie had a good game yesterday for Newcastle and was one of our better players. His versatility was on display as he moved into central midfield when Jonjo Shelvey had to leave with a minor knock.
Matt spoke to NUFC TV after the game yesterday and, like the rest of the players who made comments, expressed disappointment with the result but optimism about the performance.
He spoke about our two latest record signings in Miguel Almiron and Joelinton a bit and how they should prove to be exciting going forward. He also spoke about the poor goal but took some consolation that it was preventable.
This is a little of what Matt said yesterday after the game:
“I thought we performed really well in spells, we got into some really good areas.
“The quality wasn’t quite there in the final third – speaking for myself, really, I feel I should have had a shot on one and there was one cross that I felt I should have done better with personally.
“We got into some good areas, created some in the final third – I thought Miguel and Joe were a real handful.
“Miggy was fantastic throughout the whole game and I’m sure that will excite everyone involved with the club, so there are certainly positives to take.
“Defensively we were very solid, very sound, and it’s just disappointing that the goal came from a little bit of sloppy play from us rather than outstanding play from Arsenal.
“Playing top teams with top players, you have to limit them to very little. We did that and they probably only had one or two shots on our goal.
“But at the top level, they take them and Aubameyang, a top striker, did that, so it’s frustrating. But we need to dust ourselves down and move on.”
We thought the performance was a good one yesterday and subsequent viewings, with emotion removed, makes that clear. Matty Ritchie played very well and Almiron and Joelinton caused Arsenal problems especially in the first half.
The boys lacked a bit of cutting edge in the final third but it was the first competitive match for Joelinton and Almiron together so they will only improve. We also thought that Isaac Hayden and Fabian Schar were excellent. There are a lot of positives to take from yesterday. We are glad the leaders of this team are putting an emphasis on that.
137 comments so far
Genjikai
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:25 PM
Comment #81Posada you know nothing about me or TMG ive gave you loads of info today to do some research yourself.
You cant even be botherd to do that yet keep mouthing off.
Called out is your way of saying “ive questioned your actions and you dont like it”
End of the day weve even invited you to the next meeting again you dont know me, you dont know what i say in the meetings because you dont attend.
Your clearly miffed about something.
If you want to talk numbers it hard to put a number of it due to wor flags and them lot being with us, london magpie group and there numbers, nw mags and there numbers. So what figure are you actually looking for?
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:26 PM
Comment #82Martoon
17th
38pts
Player of the season. Hayden
Top Scorer. Joelinton
Goals scored 9
Cups. Out first match in both.
toon kk
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:27 PM
Comment #83Martoon
Final position, 17th
Final no. Of points 38
League Cup, 4th round
FA Cup, 4th round
Player of the season , Almiron
Top scorer, Joelinton
No. Of goals by top goal scorer, 12
MidlandsMag
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:33 PM
Comment #84Genjikai
Didn’t see Match of the Day but it is good to hear that you made an appearance!
Anglo Saxon
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:34 PM
Comment #85posada What you trying to do mock the boycott lads for at least having a go or do you feel guilty for not going, don’t understand where your going on this one all day goading leave it out.
Genjikai
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:35 PM
Comment #86You could only see me forehead
beermonkey
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:36 PM
Comment #87essex
secretly i like to think i am good at ten pin bowling the reality is it wont belong before my 7 year old beats me
toon kk
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:43 PM
Comment #88Imo fans going to the match well done for supporting the team, that was your choice.
But I thought those who chose to boycott should be congratulated, there anger and frustration was shown to MA it also got good coverage on the TV.
dougie
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:44 PM
Comment #89Yesterday’s performance was shite, simple as that.What planet are you on thinking our forward line was dangerous,they were pants.The worst arsenal team I’ve seen in premier league history and we never laid a glove on them.Totally embarrassing in my opinion.The parasite gets rid of our quality strikers and replaces them with untested kids in the hope of a big payout in 11 months.And as far as Richie is concerned he needs to wind his neck in cos he’s a championship player at best.Shame on the sheep for going there to watch the dross.@ghost club,no ambition.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:44 PM
Comment #90beermonkey
I used to go to the all night one up the hill in Newcastle in the sixties and I was pretty good at the time more strikes than owt else but I reckon time has caught up with me now although my missus (who beat me, in the game, won’t mention owt else) reckons I was trying too hard. Probably right! 🙂
posada
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:46 PM
Comment #91I’m having a go at them because they are causing grief among supporters.
This boycott thing was always going to do that.
Try disagreeing with them.
You won’t be tolerated.
Mock them ? I’ve asked them a few hard questions that they don’t like. That’s because they can’t answer them.
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:46 PM
Comment #92St Max was running into wide areas, that the wingbacks should have been operating in, when he should have been playing off Joelinton’s shoulder. We had Ritchie and Almiron playing in the Hayden, Longstaff roles, never having done so before. Hayden as the defensive central mid pivot, which he actually suits, but hadn’t played before in that system.
Ki should have been on the bench, and come on for Shelvey. Ritchie kept at wing back. St Max for Almiron, with instruction not to roam into wide positions, and ideally Carroll for Joelinton, had he been fit. He wasn’t, so Muto and St Max up top and in tandem for the last 20, two smaller forwards with fresh legs. Longstaff was leggy admittedly and a bit out of sorts, but he came off too early regardless. We really lost our shape in that final 30.
The bench and subs were very odd.
Jib
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:47 PM
Comment #93MARTOON
Final position, 7th
Final no. Of points 58
League Cup, 5th round
FA Cup, 5th round
Player of the season , St Maximin
Top scorer, Almiron
No. Of goals by top goal scorer, 22
Moonraker15
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:51 PM
Comment #94You know the protests and boycott is having an effect, when Charnley is frantically announcing they are going to spend big! The world and his dog knows and accepts Ashley is a pathetic excuse for an owner. The only one now shouting support is Ritchie, who probably wants a new contract; even Sky Sports are muttering begrudgingly support for the fans, not Ashley! The stadium looked totally lifeless yesterday and although only 5k down the empty seats were many. They obviously counted the ST holders who didn’t attend! It’s working!
Anglo Saxon
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:52 PM
Comment #95posada there’s only one group on here causing confrontation and that’ Ashley and co my friend.
Moonraker15
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:54 PM
Comment #96Jib @92
Is that YOUR prediction? Fck me you’ve lost the plot completely! Haha
Genjikai
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:55 PM
Comment #97Posada
Its you making it seem like the answers are hard questions there not ive gave you a way to find your answer. Its you that keeps going on and on and on.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:56 PM
Comment #98I haven’t seen it but it seems that Hayden clearly showed his opinion at the Longstaff substitution, must have confused the players somewhat?
toon22
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:56 PM
Comment #99Hiya posada
Wish I was as big a toon fan as you
😉
toon22
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:57 PM
Comment #100Hiya JIB
It’s probably a good idea you keep well away from football gambling
Hahahahaha
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:57 PM
Comment #101Posada
Did a few fans manage to hypnotise 10,000 fans to boycott, or was it subliminal messaging?
Those who boycotted or protested were grown women and men, I’m sure they are capable of making their own minds up.
You’re just upset more people had the balls to say enough is enough than you expected, boo hoo.
Next time there will be more empty seats and fans outside!
#BoycottAshley #ashleyout
Genjikai
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:58 PM
Comment #102What you miffed about, that ashley has chased away wor flags?
We caused no one any grief yesterday.
We set out on a peaceful protest and thats how it went.
We got the desired coverage and as stated this is the start of our campaign. People join us all the time like tonight 4 more lads have joined the group.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:58 PM
Comment #103Jib
Younon the mixer tonight?
jasper
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:58 PM
Comment #104Martoon
Final league position 12th
Number points 54
League Cup. 4
FA cup. 6
Player of season. Almiron
Top scorer. Joelinton
Number of goals. 15
Genjikai
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:00 PM
Comment #105Could be 5 if you email posada
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:02 PM
Comment #106In this system St-Max won’t be on the pitch long enough or often enough to win player of the year. He seems to be in competition for the second striker role with Almiron. He is fast and strong, as well as tricky though. I think all our new signings are physically impressive, and 3 of them very fast, Krafth also has a bit of pace, or at least moves well. That’s a very good thing.
Jib
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:08 PM
Comment #107Moonraker15
I was at SJP on Sunday ( that’s NUFC’s home ground btw)
and we had 3 debutants to the PL and a fairly disrupted
pre-season.
The pitch was sopping which deffo had an effect on passing
The Toon had one more shot than Arsenal (both had 2 on target)
The Shelvey injury was spotted early by SB and he reacted fast
bringing on Willems to cover immediately.
Lobby still hasn’t recovered properly
There were lots of performances to provide hope for the future
Stick to whining about the owner
and leave the footy to us that know stuff
posada
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:11 PM
Comment #108toon22
Aug 12, 2019 at 8:56 PM
Comment #98
Hiya posada
Wish I was as big a toon fan as you
**********************************************
It’s nice to be popular.
You’d know all about that.
c-dog
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:11 PM
Comment #109Callum chambers is one of the worst defenders in the league. He looked like van dijk on Sunday
Anglo Saxon
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:12 PM
Comment #110JIB
MARTOON
Final position, 7th
Final no. Of points 58
League Cup, 5th round
FA Cup, 5th round
Player of the season , St Maximin
Top scorer, Almiron
No. Of goals by top goal scorer, 22 HAHAHAHAHAHA
c-dog
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:12 PM
Comment #111Almiron is not a second striker
Wide of a front three he could excel
Jail for Ashley
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:20 PM
Comment #112Nicky,
He’ll be told he has to fit him, Almiron and Linton at all costs.
Lascelles sells sea shells by the sea shore
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:22 PM
Comment #113Martoon
Thanks for doing it for another year pal!
Final No. of Points 42
League Cup Round 4
FA Cup Round 5
Player of the Season Almiron
Top Goal Scorer Joelinton
No. of Goals for Top Goal Scorer 12
ronaldo aarons
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:25 PM
Comment #114Came across this earlier and thought it might interest a few posters.
Bit of a tactical insight from Mourinho, with a touch on Rafa Benitez and Schar in the goal we conceded v arsenal.
https://mobile.twitter.com/CatenaccioIG/status/1160845400087175168
ronaldo aarons
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:27 PM
Comment #115Could easily discuss the pros and cons with other factors about it but instead I’m thinking that Steve Bruce sees that and thinks what the hell is he going on about!
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:28 PM
Comment #116Yeah, I think 3-4-3 is a good system with the players we have. Allowing an 11 and bench that can change to a 4-4-2, or the 3-4-2-2 that Bruce likes, as the situation in each game demands.
…………………Dubravka.
……..Scharr….Lascelles…Lejeune.
Manquillo….Hayden..Longstaff….Ritchie.
…….St- Max……Joelinton……Almiron.
Darlow
Fernandez/Dummett/Clark
Willems/Krafth/Yedlin
Ki/Shelvey/Longstaff
Muto/Gayle/Atsu
Carroll
In a 3422, we actually have 5 players vying for the second striker position, and only 4 central mids to cover 3 on the pitch, unless you count Matty Longstaff, who probably should be out on loan in Div one.
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:31 PM
Comment #117…..the 3-3-2-2 that Bruce likes…
Paully
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:31 PM
Comment #118Lascelles you need your league position mate
Moonraker15
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:36 PM
Comment #119Jib
I think you’ve just lost even more credibility, if that’s possible, with your prediction. I love AS-M type of player but he’s not gonna be on the pitch long enough to be player of the season; Almiron 22 goals? Maybe if he’s here for 5 years! (he won’t be) and pos 7th with 58 points!
You are about to find out how good Rafa is sunshine!
bettyswallocks
Aug 12, 2019 at 9:37 PM
Comment #120Martoon……………
Final league position. 16 th
Number of points 41
League Cup 4th round
F A Cup. 3rd round
Player of season…… Longstaff
Top goalscorer …..,, Gayle
No. Of goals …….. 17