Alan Shearer has tweeted the following response to Newcastle’s 2-1 win against Southampton today.
Not pretty at times but a great 3 points for the Toon. Very good substitutions that worked very well. ???????? #NEWSOT
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) December 8, 2019
It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance for sure from this team, but ultimately, they did what they had to do. After a woeful first half, Bruce made an important change by bringing on Fabian Schar, who could play the ball from the back rather than pumping it up the pitch.
However, Schar did not handle the long ball from Jack Stephens as he seemed to duck under it for Danny Ings to run onto it for their first goal. Schar was a warrior after that and helped give us some quality passing from the back.
The most critical substitution was Andy Carroll, who changed the game. Joelinton was very poor and just is not getting into games. Carroll came on and was involved immediately. He set up Jonjo Shelvey with his cross, and his second assist in two games.
Then Sean Longstaff launched a rocket that Alex McCarthy couldn’t handle. Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar were perfectly positioned with the Argentine putting it away.
While the performance was infuriating for the first 60 minutes, Bruce made the right moves, and we come away with the full three points.
30 comments so far
cyprus
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:17 PM
Comment #1Joint 8th, a points away from European places?
Amazing.
Andy Carroll changed the game.
MOM? I’m going to give it to Dubravka, again, though he didn’t need to do as much. Close, in second, the big man.
Yes, Almiron and ASM also did their thing.
Credit to the two goal scorers as well.
cyprus
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:17 PM
Comment #22 points away…
catchy in norway
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:24 PM
Comment #3you have to find a place for Longstaff, what a shot the kid has. Big Joe needs more support, he is invisible out threre.
never been a fan of manquilio, but am the first to admit he has looked solid both in defence and going forward.
Miggy reminds me of Spider man Jonas, runs and runs, and does so much for the team.
players left a lot of blood out there today for Bruce.
Our Toon
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:26 PM
Comment #4Indeed subs changed the game, well done bruce. Wasn’t a good performance at all but 3 points is huge, ASM has been playing with an ankle injury so I dont think the injury is hamstring related. He needs to wrapped up and rested now.
Coming from behind again, credit to the lads. Quite funny reading some of the comments, especially the likes of moonraker!!
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:26 PM
Comment #5Greatresult, good comeback, shame Carroll is unlikely to ever be fit emough to start week in week out. Result masks a disapointing display that really needs to be addressed, but hats off to the team for keeping going, and Bruce’s 2 changes playing critical roles in the goals (all 3 if you include Schaar for the Saints goal..)
Moonraker15
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:26 PM
Comment #642000 gate!
catchy in norway
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:26 PM
Comment #7Shelvey scoring goals because he is alowed to play higher up the pitch, instead on being instructed to sit on the halfway line and send Hollywood balls over the top.
funny that
Our Toon
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:27 PM
Comment #8Carroll not such a bad move to bring him back after all was it? Another assist, smart decision by whoever’s made it at the club!!
Mindshaft
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:28 PM
Comment #9We were awful all game, Carroll made a difference for sure as he at least battled for balls where Linton stood and watched – I’m sick of feeling sorry for Linton, Bruce needs to put him out of his misery and either find out which position he actually plays or sell asap ( I know we’ll have to take a huge loss but so what, whoever sanctioned buying him should be sacked)
Ron Knee
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:29 PM
Comment #10You want to sack Ashley, Mindshaft?
Mindshaft
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:29 PM
Comment #11Our toon, you could bring me on for Linton and I’d look good – we should have bought a proper striker in the first place
Pottsclock
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:29 PM
Comment #12It’s great and unusual at this time of the year to see us with a reasonable gap to the relegation area. Had almost forgotten what that is like…time for a relaxing Christmas.
But actually I don’t think we’ve played that well. We’re very fortunate today also fortunate against Sheffield United. Yes, in there are some stella performances but they’ve been stella defensive performances.
Today I think many players just looked weary. Time for Bruce to use the squad and ideally change formation at home to give us for of an attacking balance.
Jib
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:29 PM
Comment #13Funny how so many of the game-time whiners
disappear after we win.
Particularly after a reminder about how shite
the mackems are.
kc2012
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:29 PM
Comment #14Great comeback to earn another win and a massive 3 points.
Not the prettiest of games but a solid win and one that puts us just 2 points of the Europa league place.
Steve Bruce deserves huge credit from us all no matter what we thought about his underwhelming appointment at the start of the season and he got his substitutions and timing absolutely spot on Today.
Andy Carroll was the game changer for me. Won everything in the air and that cross for Shelveys goal out of nowhere was brilliant. I feel for Joelinton but for me now Carroll is our main man up there.
That trickery and nutmeg from Saint-Maximin in the first half was abit special also but I do hope he improves his end product at some point.
UP THE TOON! Well done Stevecastle United again!
Mindshaft
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:29 PM
Comment #15Ron – most definitely
Mindshaft
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:31 PM
Comment #16Jib – does anyone actually care about the mackems ???
That was a god awful display but a welcome 3 points, it definitely isn’t going to pull the missing 10,000 back in to the ground though
Ketsbaia9
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:32 PM
Comment #17Still need at least 4 new players in January. Hopefully ASM is back for the Man U game. Joelinton should be released. Gayle always looks fed up. Should be playing more.
Ron Knee
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:32 PM
Comment #18We can dream!
Our Toon
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:37 PM
Comment #19Mindshaft
Problem with modern day fans is they expect wonders from players from day 1, I can give plenty of examples of players that struggle in there 1st season. Some come good in 2nd season but if joelinton puts in them kind of performances next season then I’ll write him off.
Time will tell if he fails but he certainly needs to do alot better than he currently is
Hail Wor Ashley
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:38 PM
Comment #20kc2012
ASM doesn’t have fantastic end product to match his dribbling skills, yet, but he’s done alright, just often passes it to Joelinton or Almiron in good positions to score who invariably mess it up.
Almiron is better at LW as some said, so if ASM is injured might be time to move him over to that side, especially with Carroll starting more, natural width and crosses for him to attack. Might even be worth trying Yedlin at RWf to retain that speedy threat in ASM absence.
ronaldo aarons
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:38 PM
Comment #21Poor first half, better second half bar the lapse in defence. Horrible goal to concede. Great result and another game where we have come from behind to win. Good stuff that.
Joelinton is on a hiding to nothing playing as the target man. Said at the start of the season that it will be the case. Funny how playing a player who has never played that role struggling to do it where we see a player in Carroll, after all his injuries, still looking suited to the target man role.
Our Toon
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:39 PM
Comment #227 points off the drop and 2 points off 5th, I must be dreaming as I fully expected it to be alot worse!!
West Lancs Geordie
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:42 PM
Comment #23Does anyone think that Ashlie is going to sanction any spending in January? The man will think we’re safe for another season now so why splash the cash?However we do need a proven goalscorer as sadly we all know that Big Andy can not play for 90 minutes nor indeed on a regular basis. I think Jarrod Bowen would be a good punt especially if Gayle is to be sold but we also need a midfield destroyer cum playmaker as we are so reliant on Shelvey at present. Also need Ritchie back but this now looks unlikely until well into January. Thought Willems was poor today and could very well have given away a goal with his atrocious distribution.
Hail Wor Ashley
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:46 PM
Comment #24Clark subbed due to a calf injury apparently.
Hail Wor Ashley
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:49 PM
Comment #25How do we know Andy can’t play 90mins yet? He’s literally building his fitness sstill after long lay-offs. Payed 70 the other night and that was his first start in how long? Do we need him to play 90? If he can get 70-80 a match that’s more than enough.
Bowen simply has to be got, though I’m sure fans of other clubs think the same. Fraser from Bournemouth would be a very good signing too. 6 months left on his contract.
West Lancs Geordie
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:49 PM
Comment #26This is a very poor Premiership this season so wrong to get over-excited about our current place in it. Both Man City and Arsenal are very beatable at present given their injury lists. Norwich and Watford look gonnas and both Leicester and Sheff Utd are over achieving. Can’t see anyone stopping Liverpool from winning the title this season.
Be just like us to lose at Turf Moor on saturday especially after all the hammering Burnley have had over the past few weeks.
toonbrother
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:49 PM
Comment #27only a moron who HATES newcastle united would advocate the return of Ritchie at Willems’ expense
Some of you are a joke.
Just waiting around for Willems to make one mistake to justify your bias against him
He has been absolutely brilliant for us
Goals assists defensive solidity
He has been a gigantic upgrade on Ritchie who’s only quality is his so called “passion”
West Lancs Geordie
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:55 PM
Comment #28Good points raised HWA . Not sure the Hull owner would sell Bowen to us as Bruce did not leave him on the best of terms. I too like Fraser who must be key to Howe and keeping Bournemouth up. AC is doing a great job and his enthusiasm is rubbing off on the other players. Must be good for the dressing room. We haven’t lost many games that Clark has featured in. We need to use the whole squad. Matty Longstaffe and Yedlin didn’t even make the bench today.
West Lancs Geordie
Dec 8, 2019 at 4:58 PM
Comment #29Toonbrother. It is just one man’s opinion against another . No need to be damned right rude and call another a moron just for expressing a view. I take umbrage with that !!!
9
Dec 8, 2019 at 5:20 PM
Comment #30Is Joelinton any use?