This was the team for the 2-0 bubble bursting defeat at Villa Park, including the three second-half substitutions.
Here are our individual player ratings for the match.
Martin Dubravka – 7
- Dubravka made the saves to keep us in the match again. Not too much to do until the first goal where he could have set the wall up better. Could do nothing on the second one as he was completely let down by his defense. Made two outstanding saves on Ezri Konsa and Wesley in the second half. Looked a little shaky in commanding his area at times. Though, he was probably our best player last night.
Deandre Yedlin – 3
- Yedlin was exposed in the first half and had trouble with Jack Grealish. His foul on the Villa captain was a silly one in a dangerous area, and Newcastle were punished for it. He was a decent outlet up the pitch but didn’t provide too much service. Did well to pick out Andy Carroll with a second-half cross. His place could be under threat after this poor display. Emil Krafth could provide more defensive solidity against Manchester City this weekend whereas Yedlin is just going to get picked apart.
Paul Dummett – 3
- Paul was dreadful on set pieces last night. He fell asleep on the second goal as Anwar El Ghazi blew by him. He was also beaten in the second half on a corner that fell to Konsa, but Dubravka saved his blushes. He did make a few crucial clearances before being replaced by Andy Carroll. Paul will not keep his place after this display. It will likely be Clark back to the left side or Florian Lejeune to make his season debut this weekend.
Fede Fernandez – 5
- Fernandez was our best defender but was not as good as he had been over the past few matches. He seemed to have missed the presence of Lascelles in the middle and probably would have been a better choice to play in the middle of the back three rather than Ciaran Clark. His poor challenge on Grealish gave away a free-kick in a dangerous area which led to the second goal. He did have an excellent header late in the first-half that was saved by Heaton. It will be interesting to see where he plays next week. He should keep his place but Schar will likely be back on the right this weekend.
Ciaran Clark – 5
- Clark struggled in the center of the back three in place of Lascelles. He’s just not as commanding a presence as our injured captain. He did an ok job but struggled a bit with Aston Villa’s attackers. He’s going to be pushed by Florian Lejeune this week in training for sure.
Jetro Willems – 6
- Jetro was one of our better players on the night. He tried to create something down the left, but the team just couldn’t get anything fruitful going. He did a solid job defensively to minimize Aston Villa’s threats down his side of the pitch. Struggled to link up with Saint-Maximin as Newcastle just couldn’t get it going in the final third.
Jonjo Shelvey – 5
- It was a disappointing performance from Jonjo, but he may have been a victim of Newcastle’s conservative approach. He was set too far deep, especially in the first half. However, he played some threatening long-balls to Miguel Almiron and DeAndre Yedlin that they both squandered. He was not inspired by the captaincy, and his place will be under threat with Sean Longstaff back from suspension this weekend.
Isaac Hayden – 5
- Hayden was also a victim of the first half approach where Newcastle were far too passive in letting Aston Villa dictate play. Issac still put in some strong challenges, but nothing really stuck out for the 24-year-old. He had a decent shot on goal midway through the second half as he drifted in from the right but it was right to Heaton. He should keep his place for next week but could be under threat from either of the Longstaff brothers.
Miguel Almiron – 2
- Just a poor performance all around for Almiron. He squandered every opportunity he got and also was not as active as he usually is. His wayward shooting and heavy touches in good areas killed Newcastle last night. Defensively he was not as committed as we have seen in recent matches. He was far too easily beaten on an El Ghazi cross that found Wesley in the box. Luckily the Brazilian couldn’t get his shot past Dubravka. His place should be under threat for next week. Christian Atsu was an instant improvement as soon as he replaced the Paraguayan.
Allan Saint-Maximin – 6
- Allan again was our best threat going forward though he too was quite average in his attempts on goal. He had a great shot just before the break that forced Heaton into a fine save. He did his job on the defensive end but couldn’t form a link with Willems down the left like in the past few weeks.
Joelinton – 3
- It was another day of frustration for the Brazilian. While the effort was there, the quality was not. He didn’t hold the ball up very well and offered no threat in the final third. If we thought Andy Carroll could last longer than 45 minutes, we would be calling for Joelinton to be pulled from the team. However, Andy does not look fit enough to start just yet. The problem is that Newcastle have nothing behind Big Joe to allow him to find his feet. He is also screaming for some service. We need a player like Jack Grealish at Newcastle who can create in the final third. Our three forwards are not creators nor finishers and that is a big issue.
Subs
Andy Carroll – 5
- Andy did a decent job when he came on but like Joelinton didn’t get too many opportunities. He showed his technique when he won a Yedlin cross and superbly chested it down for a right-footed shot. Unfortunately, it was right at the Villa keeper. He’s still likely to remain a part-time player going forward.
Dwight Gayle – 5
- Poor Dwight Gayle got on the pitch for his longest outing of the season and got just 2 touches. He was reportedly agitated after the game with the lack of service his way. It’s not working out for Dwight who needs more time on the pitch. However, the only way to get him in is to change the system. After the debacle at Leicester City, we have grave concerns about Bruce trying that.
Christian Atsu – n/a
- Not enough time on the pitch to give a rating though Newcastle seemed to improve as soon as he replaced Almiron. It may be time to bring the Ghanaian back into the team.
Who Was Newcastle's Best Player In 2-0 Defeat At Aston Villa?
- Martin Dubravka (44%, 322 )
- A. Saint-Maximin (28%, 203 )
- Jetro Willems (8%, 55 )
- Federico Fernandez (4%, 27 )
- Andy Carroll (3%, 20 )
- Isaac Hayden (2%, 17 )
- Jonjo Shelvey (2%, 17 )
- DeAndre Yedlin (2%, 15 )
- Miguel Almiron (2%, 11 )
- Joelinton (1%, 10 )
- Dwight Gayle (1%, 9 )
- Christian Atsu (1%, 9 )
- Paul Dummett (1%, 8 )
- Ciaran Clark (1%, 5 )
Total Voters: 728
29 comments so far
IrishRob
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:10 PM
Comment #1High level is the best!
Nufc-83
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:13 PM
Comment #2Essex let’s see but I’m certain you won’t be proven correct as Shelvey will soon be dropped as even Bruce is not that stupid.
Bleatin go and put your red nose on it’s time to perform in the circus.
hibbit
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:18 PM
Comment #3Jib try and keep up mate this is just not good enough from you 😉
https://www.google.co.uk/search?sxsrf=ACYBGNS8YdBpcT1aLkOml5WLKOzzbBVngw%3A1574777604455&ei=BDPdXbHBG6-Z1fAPw4SxoAs&q=newcastle+united+u23+vs+stoke+u23&oq=newcastle+united23+v+st&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i22i30l2.2917.10907..16195…0.2..0.142.730.4j3……0….1..gws-wiz…….0i71j0i13j0i13i30.2uvtADMPFfI#sie=m;/g/11fmq00_x5;2;/g/11d_2_t2j8;dt;fp;1;;
toon kk
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Comment #4Almiron and Joelinton NEED to be dropped for a few weeks to the bench play Atsu and Gayle instead.
Ron Knee
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:22 PM
Comment #5Our players are mostly very average so sometimes they can have a good game, other times a stinker. Rafa, just like Bruce, had to grapple with this problem. Rafa found a pragmatic – and sometimes boring – solution. Can Bruce do the same?
JohnReese
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:27 PM
Comment #6I genuinely think the way for us to get the best out of Shelvey is a 3 man midfield but we’d have to sacrifice a defender and I just don’t know if Bruce has it in him to chance tactic again after the Leicester game. I think we looked marginally better (not difficult) after changing to 4-4-2 last night but we were so ridiculously open that a side like Villa were just walking through us. I can only imagine the damage City could do. I think we’ll just have to suffer through till January and hope that we don’t end up cut adrift at the bottom and look to rebalance the squad as much as possible during the transfer window. Problem being teams could hold us to ransom and if we’re not actually in the relegation zone I’m sure our fearless leader would see it as unnecessary to change anything.
Jib
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:29 PM
Comment #7hibbit
I’m having a bad morning
🙁
Jib
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:32 PM
Comment #8I’m having a bad morning he says at 14.29
See !!!!!
Jib
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:33 PM
Comment #9John Reese
Villa played 4 – 3 – 3 but transitioned very well
Mister Tuff
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:34 PM
Comment #10Even in these worrying and sombre times you can still get a laugh on the blog.
I speak of course about that “Johnny come lately” Toon fan Jib Jibberish who is reporting year old U23 fixtures as being played last night. Plus Sorenson scoring the winner. Any proper Toon fan knows he is currently with Carlisle and his lot at Carlisle has been debated on here many times.
What a complete knacker. Just shows he knows nowt about the club and really illustrates anything he does post is straight off Google and not understood.
Another gaffe by the blog bufoon/goon.
Still get a laugh though from this blockhead/pigeonbrain.
Hahahaha .
Mister Tuff
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:37 PM
Comment #11Jibberish – please take up my longstanding advice – change your game -please.
You could find a home surely reporting on Ladies Rugby or Ladies wrestling.
Just a fan
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:43 PM
Comment #12Jib
I see Jacob Reese mog has left his castle to join the plebs and get on your case.
Jib
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:45 PM
Comment #13I thought when I was first to report my own stupid gaffe
and hold my hands up.
No dickhead would be so prickish as to mock me for it
Silly me
Mindshaft
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:52 PM
Comment #14Actually what has happened to the honourable member for the 18th century – Reese Mogg seems to have been extremely quiet in the election run up… sorry non footy talk but I’m too depressed to talk about last nights dreadful toon performance any more
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:56 PM
Comment #15Jib
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:45 PM
Comment #13
I thought when I was first to report my own stupid gaffe
and hold my hands up.
No dickhead would be so prickish as to mock me for it
Silly me
Really, how long you been on the blog? 😉
Jib
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:59 PM
Comment #16Bill
Ha ha ha
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 26, 2019 at 2:59 PM
Comment #17Have to admit when Jib posted that comment i was thinking; what, he’s back with us, great.
Reality was a bit of a let down.
Just a fan
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:00 PM
Comment #18Reese mog has went back into his coffin in his dungeon after what he said about Grenville.
Probably won’t surface untill after the election.
Mag :P
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:09 PM
Comment #19Honestly, I think we need to start playing players in there best positions.
……………………Dubravka
Yedlin….. Schar….. Lejeune….. Willems
…………. Hayden… S Longstaff
.. Atsu……….. Almiron………. ASM
………………….Joelinton.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:11 PM
Comment #20U23s team last night, copied from the NUFC site.
Newcastle United Under-23s: Jake Turner, Lewis Cass, Oisín McEntee, Ludwig Francillette, Oliver Walters, Jamie Sterry, Jack Young (Yannick Touré 83), Elliot Anderson, Adam Wilson (Rosaire Longelo 46), Victor Fernández (Mo Sangare 46), Tom Allan (c).
Subs not used: Ryan Barrett, Dan Langley.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:13 PM
Comment #21Highlights of the game are on the NUFC site, pitch is a bit rough looking!
IrishRob
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:17 PM
Comment #22Tuff I see a fan who wants to fit in and wants to know more stuff. He made a mistake it’s easy do. I love toon to my soul and didnt know Sorenson is on loan at Carlisle. In fact I could barely name a player even on the u23 squad. It doesn’t mean anything. In fact the only people that are likely to know that are people born and bred in the city. And even then my guess is the vast majority of them dont follow the u23’s religiously. That’s why there ain’t 52k showing up at their matches.
In you I just see a wanker who wants to make people look stupid for not knowing the same information you know.
Mindshaft
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:18 PM
Comment #23Almiron spotted doing extra training !! https://twitter.com/OMills_22/status/1199060277075095555?s=20
IrishRob
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:21 PM
Comment #24Was just gonna to say something similar ebg. People on here arent interested in the facts they are interested in making other people look stupid to make themselves look smart.
The very definition of correcting someone who already corrected themselves is idiocy! The reason they do it anyways is because they dont have the brains to come up with something themselves. I see it on here all the time.
Jib
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:22 PM
Comment #25Dubravka
Yedlin Schar Lascelles Lejeune Ritchie
Hayden Longstaff
Perez Rondon Atsu
The side that beat Man City last January
IrishRob
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:24 PM
Comment #26Ouch what a clumsy fool, that was a hard landing! But things like that are the exact reason players like Miggy arent going so well. Imagine running your heart out and trying EVERY SINGLE MATCH then waking to ti see that. No wonder the kid is ruined already.
Mister Tuff
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:34 PM
Comment #27Nowt worse than folk trying to make themselves look smart – -even worse folk declaring they are smart.
Hypocrites are just as bad.
Mindshaft
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:34 PM
Comment #28IrishRob – Well if thats the case you can hardly have a go at shelvey for playing badly last night – wasn’t it yesterday you wished somebody would murder him ????
Mindshaft
Nov 26, 2019 at 3:37 PM
Comment #29The irony by some posters on this blog is truly astounding