The Newcastle United Blog

Written by Dr. Ed Harrison

3:28pm Monday, September 23rd, 2019

Commented 33 times

A few weeks ago we played at Norwich and were basically well beaten 3-1 with our goal coming in stoppage time from Jonjo Shelvey.

Of the first few games, this was by far the easiest game, and we failed miserably with the team disorganized and not having much fight and determination throughout the game.

We recovered nicely in the next game to win 1-0 at Tottenham.

And it was a terrific victory built on good defending – a never say die attitude from our players – and a little bit of luck.

But we have now returned to a display on Saturday at home to Brighton that was just pitiful – especially in the first half.

Brighton, who with Norwich are expected to be fighting relegation along with Newcastle this season – played us off the park in that first half.

The question was when would they score their first goal – but they didn’t – because of some terrible finishing.

If Brighton had any kind of scoring power upfront, they would have had the game wrapped up at halftime.

Steve Bruce on Saturday – switches the formation to four at the back

In the first 30 minutes, the Seagulls had close to 80% possession as our game plan seemed to be to concede possession to the opposition.

But at home, we must show more authority and ambition.

And after 20 minutes of the game, it again looked like some Newcastle players were confused – Schar, in particular, asking the manager what position Manquillo was supposed to be playing in.

It seemed like the players were not familiar enough with their jobs as part of the overall game plan; it reminded us too much of the Norwich debacle.

One thing we always got from Rafa Benitez when he was here was fight and determination and urgency – especially against the teams around us in the league table.

But this is now the second time in six games the lads have not turned up for a match against a (supposedly) weak side. And we weren’t much better in the 1-1 draw at home to Watford who were hammered 8-0 by Man City on Saturday.

Steve Bruce has to get his teams ready for every single match.

It’s disturbing we have gained just one lucky point against Brighton and Norwich – two games we were looking to win.

This could be a reflection on manager Steve Bruce – that he cannot get the best out of his team. – and in some games – for whatever reason, they simply are not ready for the game.

Too many games like Saturday’s this season

and we will be relegated.

Newcastle are already favorites to be relegated with some bookmakers, and we cannot afford points to be thrown away by our players failing to turn up for matches.

Saturday’s game looked too much like the Steve McClaren era – although not as bad.

The lads stuck to the task of getting a point in a match we didn’t deserve anything from.

That was the only positive Saturday plus Fabian Schar’s magic clearance off the line on 75 minutes (what a player this lad is) and the appearance of big Andy back again in a black and white shirt.

We want Steve Bruce and the players to succeed in these difficult times – and we are right behind them – although the same cannot be said of Mike Ashley.

He needs to sell Newcastle quickly so we can save the club – maybe from another relegation.

Comments welcome.

33 comments so far

martoon
Sep 23, 2019 at 3:37 PM
Comment #1
I’m starting to wonder if agent Bruce is actually a double agent – a cunning plan by the makems! 😉
6
Jail for Ashley
Sep 23, 2019 at 3:37 PM
Comment #2
Lilongwe,
Come off it, if Rafa had of had 61M pounds spent on him and he targeted a point a game after two season back then we’d all have given him pelters.
11
Genjikai
Sep 23, 2019 at 3:54 PM
Comment #3
Tsunki
Yes in spam
Funnily enough yours is the only one that has ever went in there?
4
Peter Beardsley
Sep 23, 2019 at 3:55 PM
Comment #4
Yes I am the real Peter. Many of you have said you would like to see Shar in CM. If enough of you type ‘Sexy Shar is the centre of my world’ in the comments I’ll put a word in to Bruce.
2
Genjikai
Sep 23, 2019 at 3:55 PM
Comment #5
Op
Did ashley pay his son in law a similar sum of money?
4
Lilongwe Geordie
Sep 23, 2019 at 3:58 PM
Comment #6
Jail,
He would. After 2 seasons.
2
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:02 PM
Comment #7
Genjikai probably because it’s a completely fake account ha ha.
2
Genjikai
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:06 PM
Comment #8
Tsunki
Dont be breaking my heart.
2
Genjikai
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:06 PM
Comment #9
Maybe cause your the only one thats emailed me haha
3
IrishRob
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:07 PM
Comment #10
I’m actually in love with the nickname “high level Rob”. Bleatin thanks so much for coming up with that one. I’m well chuffed! Can’t wait to use it irl.
0
Genjikai
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:15 PM
Comment #11
https://twitter.com/MagpieGroupNUFC/status/1176150620488851456?s=19
Where ever you are mike, we are mike.
17
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:16 PM
Comment #12
Martoon
From earlier, maybe the clubs holding out for media or fan reaction before deciding if this is a full season thing.
2
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:17 PM
Comment #13
Genj
I believe so
2
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:33 PM
Comment #14
Anyone seen the video of Ashley being confronted by a Nufc fan telling him to sell the club
6
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:35 PM
Comment #15
In knightsbridge, think its today.
3
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:37 PM
Comment #16
Ahh, it’s a month back
2
Jib
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:38 PM
Comment #17
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Anyone seen the video of Ashley being confronted by a Nufc fan telling him to sell the club
Try comment # 11
DOOOHHHH !!!!
4
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:40 PM
Comment #18
Jib
I usually converse with Genj away from here, that’s why I didn’t check his link plus I dont use Twatter as you know.
4
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:41 PM
Comment #19
Its took a while to circulate.
2
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:43 PM
Comment #20
I should get into the 21st century and join Twatter but I really don’t want to.
3
MagpieRanger
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:47 PM
Comment #21
Fair play to that fella confronting Ashley! He done well not getting aggressive.
8
Jib
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:48 PM
Comment #22
OP
If a dopey dunce like Jail can tweet
I’m sure you can
3
MagpieRanger
Sep 23, 2019 at 4:49 PM
Comment #23
As you can see in the video Jib rushes to protect Ashley, how much you getting paid? Hehe
14
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 23, 2019 at 5:02 PM
Comment #24
Jib
I’ve no intention of getting Twatter, from outside it looks like a place for Narcissists or stalkers.
If someone links it on here sometimes I try the link other times I dont bother. It usually says “try again later” or “join to see more” now and again I get to see the link.
Not my thing, use Instagram sort of use FB.
3
Jib
Sep 23, 2019 at 5:08 PM
Comment #25
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
I don’t use it either
as you rightly say it’s a place for Narcissists or stalkers.
2
martoon
Sep 23, 2019 at 5:08 PM
Comment #26
#BoycottAshley ( OP) @12 You could well be right but we don’t know yet including the writer which is my point
2
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 23, 2019 at 5:13 PM
Comment #27
Martoon
Which makes it perfect to argue and disagree about
😉
I mean talk/debate.
It’s a strange move for the club, unless theres been increasing trouble at away games. I would’ve thought all tickets could be traced without being a member, more difficult but doable.
I’ll have to wait until the next away tickets go on sale too see what the club does…
0
Genjikai
Sep 23, 2019 at 5:16 PM
Comment #28
Didnt this start with norwich and the away tickets?
Discard if that has already been mentioned
0
hibbit
Sep 23, 2019 at 5:27 PM
Comment #29
OP
i think that’s exactly what the clubs doing waiting to see what kind of response they get before deciding if its a long term feature,
or is it possibly just another way of getting fans to pay the £35 to join the membership scheme just another underhand way of getting money from the fans 😉
1
Belfast
Sep 23, 2019 at 5:28 PM
Comment #30
How much is Tsunki asking for Genjikai ?
Don’t be letting him drink pints from his Welly boots.
3
jimiley
Sep 23, 2019 at 5:33 PM
Comment #31
Brighton had 75 per cent possession in first half and nearly 70 per cent over 90 mins.
Utter bollocks. A real embarrassment.
No pride in the shirt.
We used to give the best teams in the league a proper fight. We used to take them on one for on e. And I am not talking about Keegans team. I mean all the Toon teams throughout the second half of 20th century.
Now we defend our box at home against Brighton.
Its a disgrace. Enjoy the season under the leaders Bruce and Ashley. You can believe every word they utter.
6
Genjikai
Sep 23, 2019 at 5:37 PM
Comment #32
Belfast
You imply im some cheap floosy?
0
IrishRob
Sep 23, 2019 at 6:01 PM
Comment #33
Hes saying in the picture, gimmie 4 more matches before you judge me. Lol
1

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17 February, 2023

I have an update on what's happening with my treatment for prostate cancer.

Last week, my oncologist called me late in the day and said he thought it was best to terminate my treatment with radium 223 dichloride because it was having such a negative effect on my health - specifically my digestive system.

I had completed 3 of the planned 6 infusions.

They had looked at the bone scans and three CAT scans I had early last week, and they showed no signs of the cancer spread being slowed or stopped: in fact, it was continuing to spread and my PSA account continued to rise.

The only treatment left now is to go back and have another bout of chemotherapy with docetaxel being the medication used.

I understand this will be a 7-month job with 10 sessions 3 weeks apart - almost double my first chemo treatment in Apil 2017, when I has 6 treatmnts.

The problem I have is that I'm in a very poor physical state right now, due to my digestive system being basically torn apart by the radium 223.

The radium 223 has leaked into my digestive system and caused me to have severe diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn, and it was (is) very serious.

They said it was too dangerous to proceed with the radium 223 treatment, with little benefit being shown.

I am also suffering from severe exhaustion, basically, because I have zero testosterone, and all the treatments I've had for the cancer, have further lessened the energy available to me.

It reminds me of the saying that if cancer doesn’t kill you - the treatment will (laugh).

It will probably take up to 8 weeks to get back to a physical state where I can start chemotherapy, and that's where I am now, but the cancer continues to spread in the bones.

I've also been put in touch with the dietitian from UNC Healthcare, who will help me get back my health - she is very helpful.

So that's where it stands it's been quite a journey over 12 years and I think I've had almost every treatment available.

It has really taken a toll on my body and on my energy, but that's where it stands and obviously, I'll do the best I can in the upcoming months with chemo and hope I can get through it.

It is as it is - and another challenge in life.

Ed Harrison