It was a very disappointing first half for Newcastle as they trail 2-0 at the break. Our defense was hard to break down, but two free-kicks have proven to be Newcastle’s undoing. The lads have shown very little threat in the final third.
Newcastle started off the game by sitting very deep and inviting pressure from the hosts. There were a few nervy moments at the back, but Newcastle were able to come away unscathed early on.
However, a silly foul from DeAndre Yedlin on a through ball to Jack Grealish led to free-kick just outside the box. Conor Hourihane’s subsequently curled the free-kick around Joelinton on the edge of the wall, and Dubravka was beaten at this near post. It was a poor foul and the wall did not do its job.
Just four minutes later, in the 36th minute, Conor Hourihane stepped up again for another free-kick from a Fede Fernandez foul. Newcastle failed to account for Anwar El-Ghazi, who was able to get on the end of the delivery and put the ball in the back of the net.
Newcastle’s plan to soak up pressure and hit Aston Villa on the break has not worked. While the defense was solid in open play early on, they did not get the job done on the two set-piece goals. DeAndre Yedlin is also being targeted by Aston Villa and is struggling.
We would expect Villa to sit back a bit in the second half. Bruce will have to make some adjustments and try to at least salvage a point.
181 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Nov 25, 2019 at 8:59 PM
Comment #1Rare repost.
They’ve obviously done their homework and are counter attacking our counters, so as well as putting together their own attacks they are exploiting our rare and toothless ones. Still, a bollocking at half time and a heads together we might salvage a point.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Nov 25, 2019 at 8:59 PM
Comment #2@Catchy
If you ask Villa fans this is exactly the tactics that Bruce used for them which got him sacked! Smith destroyed him every time when he was managing other teams so you would like to think he would try something different!
Its games like this where Shelvey is just a liability his lack of mobility leaves us with a big gap in the middle which Villa are just waltzing through
Mindshaft
Nov 25, 2019 at 8:59 PM
Comment #3We need to make changes big time – Bruce needs to show some bottle
Scythe For Bruce
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:00 PM
Comment #4Bruce has to make a change at halftime. He can’t send out the same team in the same formation. It’s just not working. This is where he proves he knows what he’s doing (which he doesn’t).
DubaiMicky
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:01 PM
Comment #5It’s nearly 1am here, do I stay up for the second half? Not if the same team come out.
Gotta feel for Joelinton, ran the length of the park into their penalty area, kept on going, no support. And what happened to Miggy? A great pass by (I think SaintMaxi), and then missed the ball!
Can’t see us getting back into this unless there’s a major change.
Mindshaft
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:01 PM
Comment #6Strange the Ashley apologists are missing tonight
TomaKaThor
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:01 PM
Comment #7Il eat my hat if there’s any change in subs or tactics
peterk3
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:02 PM
Comment #8Bring back Joselu
Mindshaft
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:02 PM
Comment #9I’m not blaming Bruce as we all know his limitations – until Ashley goes we’re stuck with this level
TomaKaThor
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:02 PM
Comment #10No changes..shock
peterk3
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:02 PM
Comment #11No changes
Ron Knee
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:02 PM
Comment #12No changes.
Mindshaft
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:02 PM
Comment #13Peterk – well he’s outscored our front three so far
Sports Direct FC
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:03 PM
Comment #14Villa 17th in the table and we acting like they are Man. City.
ilovetoon8788
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:03 PM
Comment #15Why the f must shelvey drop into the cb position to recieve a pass for his Hollywood pass? We have 3 cb. He should recieve the ball in the middle not at the cb zone.
IrishRob
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:03 PM
Comment #16Dont know why Joelinton is bring killed on here, he cant do anything on his own, its really not his fault yet everyone is blaming him. I feel so sorry for him.
ilovetoon8788
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:04 PM
Comment #17Agreed. It’s totally not joelinton fault he’s so isolated with the rest of the team sitting so deep they might as well be in the stands.
Hail Wor Ashley
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:05 PM
Comment #18No changes. Dear God. A bit of boldness please!
There we see our 2nd half plan, give it to ASM and hope for him to produce a magic moment.
TomaKaThor
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:05 PM
Comment #19While this is a positive start, all I see happening is them getting a 3rd
peterk3
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:05 PM
Comment #20Its no good putting crosses in the box, we never win them.
IrishRob
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:05 PM
Comment #21Shelvey either passes 40 yards up the pitch or passes backwards when everyone else is going forward. It’s all he can do.
Atsu on for Miggy, Schar on for Dummett, Matty on for Shelvey. Then wed have at least a fighting chance. But bruce wont even use a bloody sub.
JP...from The Rock
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:06 PM
Comment #22This is better Newcastle. Keep up the pressure and we’re bound to score.
cyprus
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:07 PM
Comment #23Why can’t we start like this?!
peterk3
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:07 PM
Comment #24JP- want a bet
Hail Wor Ashley
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:09 PM
Comment #25Gaylke would be across the first man there with that cross from Fernandez.
MikeAshleysWallet
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:09 PM
Comment #26Not enough movement off the ball still. Howay man Bruce sort it out 🙁
Mindshaft
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:12 PM
Comment #27Our defending is awful
Nufc-83
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:12 PM
Comment #28Shelvey really is a useless player in his current mindset. Whoever told him he was a cb/cm was clueless (or he made himself that). Look at the positions grielish is picking up in the final third. The day we sell shelvey is the day this team improves dramatically
Nufc-83
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:12 PM
Comment #29Gayle on now!!!!
droppy in Wallsend
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:13 PM
Comment #30Wow we ran a bit for 5 minutes. What in the name of Christ do we work on in training? Can’t defend a set piece can’t take a set piece, quite a few who can’t makes simple pass or control a ball. One day I will learn not to actually believe we may be turning a corner. Shamefully poor.
Nufc-83
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:13 PM
Comment #31Bruce rabbit in the headlights syndrome has struck again!!
JP...from The Rock
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:13 PM
Comment #32How many corners have Villa won already geeeez!
Mindshaft
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:13 PM
Comment #33Guess our 5 min spell is over
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:13 PM
Comment #34Feel sorry for Joelinton our tactics are either hoof it up to him to chase or pass it to our wingers and expect them to beat 3 or 4 players from their own half to create a chance
MikeAshleysWallet
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:14 PM
Comment #35Bringing Gayle on is a pointless exercise while we not getting the ball into dangerous areas. He gonna beat 6 players and score?
AncientC
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:14 PM
Comment #36What is the point of having Carroll on a pay-as-you-play deal if he is only going to get the odd 10 minutes. Carroll steps on the pitch and he gets paid for 90 minutes of football, but he’s used for a fraction of that.
Bruce cannot go on keeping him wrapped up in cotton wool. Throw him in and go for it, and let him get crack on with the rest of his career, or put any doubts to rest if he breaks down. The answer is staring Bruce in the face.
boss hoggs atm
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:14 PM
Comment #37Hail the Bruce lol
Nufc-83
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:14 PM
Comment #38ASM starting to look gassed again what is up with this kids fitness!
IrishRob
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:14 PM
Comment #39This is ducking comical and Bruce is looking like a dear in the headlights. Subs, arent they a type of sandwich?
Mindshaft
Nov 25, 2019 at 9:15 PM
Comment #40Straight through our midfield yet again