Matty Longstaff got a run out with the Under-23s this afternoon against the West Brom Reserves. Matty and his teammates played well against a very experienced side that featured a lot of first-team players for the Baggies. Ultimately the lads lost 2-1 on a goal in stoppage time by former Welsh international Hal Robson-Kanu.
Newcastle did get another goal from Thomas Allen whose penalty made it four goals in the last four games. He also turned 20-years-old today.
Happy birthday to @Tom_Allan99, who turns 2?0? today! ??? #NUFC pic.twitter.com/KaUjnCyXvH
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 23, 2019
Under-23 coach Neil Redfearn spoke to nufc.co.uk after the game and was delighted with the performance put in by the youngsters:
“I thought the lads were absolutely outstanding. We created the better chances, and we were the better football side and controlled the game. If you look at the team they’ve put out, you’re talking about five or six first-team players.
“It was a great performance from us, and we’re going in the right direction.”
The Newcastle side featured Matty Longstaff and Jamie Sterry, but the West Brom team had a number from their first-team. In addition to Robson-Kanu, West Brom sent out captain Chris Brunt, Omani international Ali Al-Habsi, and Egyptian international Ahmed Hegazi.
Redfearn went on to name a few of the standout performers today. He was particularly impressed with the midfielder trio of Jack Young, Matty Longstaff, Mo Sangare.
This is what Redfearn had to say about the performance and how his youngsters are improving each week:
“We played a bit differently with Matty (Longstaff) coming in and played three in midfield with Luke (Charman) down the middle. I thought the wide players caused them all sorts of problems in Rosaire (Longelo) and Tom Allan.
“I thought the three midfielders were outstanding today in Jack Young, Matty Longstaff, and Mo Sangare. That’s the way to compete in midfield – energetic, aggressive and passing the ball well which gave us a real platform to go and play on.
“Going back to the process, these boys are improving and getting better and better every week. There’s a confidence about us now and a bit of a swagger when we play.”
While they didn’t make it three wins in a row in Premier League 2, they have added another good performance after starting the season with three straight defeats.
91 comments so far
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 23, 2019 at 10:32 PM
Comment #81Oops shush keep it down don’t mention the teacakes let me do the talking……
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 23, 2019 at 10:34 PM
Comment #82Genji i am slowly crafting a considered and erudite email. I’ve got the outline bullet pointed. Couple of last minute changes to pencil in….
Online Guy
Sep 23, 2019 at 10:43 PM
Comment #83Not sure if this is out there ? Was informed
Dubai royal family were in Newcastle on Friday
Boeing 747 private jet Belonging to Royal family Newcastle airport .
Might be something and nothing .
Genjikai
Sep 23, 2019 at 10:47 PM
Comment #84Online guy
I mentioned this to magpie ranger.
Rob missed it he wasn’t on plane watch
2 flight came in one wed one thursday.
Hows it going fella?
Genjikai
Sep 23, 2019 at 10:48 PM
Comment #85One had a blue stripe down it. If thats any help.
Tsunki
Ill pencil in a reply in 6 months time….
Jail for Ashley
Sep 23, 2019 at 10:48 PM
Comment #86OLG,
What was the WHO reference, why did you think Jib knew what you knew and since it’s all gone quiet, don’t you think it’s about time you came clean?
Reilly
Sep 23, 2019 at 10:51 PM
Comment #87munster you keep bashing Rafa over a rumour!
Reilly
Sep 23, 2019 at 10:52 PM
Comment #88grouse shooting
Nicky the ball tosser
Sep 23, 2019 at 10:56 PM
Comment #89I think the poor passing on Saturday was essentially down to being given the run around by a team given far too much space between the lines. I’ve seen the same players knock it around at pace on the counter, and keep possession once we’ve restrained the opposition, both this season and last, so I’d put the performance v Brighton down to the way we set up. Way too stretched, with the back 3 and Joelinton far too far apart allowing them to just play they’re passing game through us with relative ease. If Bruce is going to get us playing a more expansive game ourselves, he’ll need to do it gradually now that we are six games in, it takes a well thought out strategy and a full preseason with the players, tough to do it once the season is underway, and impossible if you haven’t got a very clear idea of how you want to play, which he appears not to have. But the one thing he can’t do for sure is allow the players to stretch our defensive shape like we saw on the weekend.
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 23, 2019 at 11:52 PM
Comment #90OK
I’m not a football coach, but if I want my players to play the same way that most other teams like Brighton and any other team who we play against seem able to do, what do I do on the training ground.
I’m baffled as to why we can’t seem to do it, few of the teams around us have superstars so how can they do it with players no better than ours (on paper anyway).
We’ve hardly dominated any team with possession football in the last 5+ years so what is the missing ingredient, I would guess repetitive passing drills and training should be key but is it?
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 23, 2019 at 11:56 PM
Comment #91OLG
Possibly trying to set up the extradition of someone who insulted them!