Newcastle have put in a performance so far at Molineux this afternoon but have again suffered an injury crisis with two players picking up knocks. Bruce was forced to replace Paul Dummett and Dwight Gayle with more muscle injuries.
Newcastle came out in a 5-4-1 with Joelinton on the right and Almiron on the left. Dwight Gayle led the line, but Joelinton moved upfront with him when in possession. Isaac Hayden again played in defense, this time at right wing-back.
It didn’t take long for Newcastle to take an early lead. Minutes after firing a shot wide, Miguel Almiron got his third goal for Newcastle. Jetro Willems did well down the left flank to get a cross in that found Dwight Gayle.
Gayle did brilliantly to get the ball to the trailing Almiron, who obliged with another outstanding finish. He’s in some goalscoring form now.
Paul Dummett’s return to the team lasted all of 12 minutes as he was forced off with another injury. Florian Lejeune was brought on for Dummett, but the Frenchman moved into the middle of the back three with Ciaran moving to the left.
Very poor defending led to the equalizer just a few minutes later. On a corner, Federico Fernandez didn’t close down Leander Dendoncker quick enough, and the ball fell to the Belgian who tapped it past Dubravka.
Newcastle continued to play well but were forced to make a second change when Dwight Gayle suffered a hamstring injury in the 28th minute. The 29-year-old was replaced by Christian Atsu. It was the best we’d seen of Dwight all season as he was causing Wolves problems with his movement and work rate.
Martin Dubravka was called into action to save Newcastle once again as he made a spectacular save on a Raul Jimenez header from point-blank range in the 34th minute.
Joelinton received treatment on the pitch in the 38th minute with what looked like a groin injury. Andy Carroll was out warming up, but the Brazilian was able to continue.
We hope Newcastle emerge from the tunnel without having to make a third change before the second half like against Leicester City. They’ll also need to be ready for a likely Wolves surge in this second-half.
At St James Park, Wolves came out and were outstanding in the second half to get a 1-1 draw. Hopefully, that is fresh in Steve Bruce’s mind and he can have the lads ready.
96 comments so far
JP...from The Rock
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:32 PM
Comment #41We are crying out for a Adama Traore.
Mindshaft
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:33 PM
Comment #42Linton looked a little better playing off Gayle and miggy but he just can’t play as lone forward – time to sub him for Carroll or put Ritchie on and miggy in the middle
JohnReese
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:33 PM
Comment #43I find it difficult to defend Atsu because he has been really poor the last few times I’ve seen him but he’s not actually a winger. Prior to going to Porto he played as a 10. Ever since coming to Europe he’s been asked to play out wide because of his athleticism and it’s just not his best role.
ilovetoon8788
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:33 PM
Comment #44are we going to defend for our lives for the last 20mins like this?
completely embarrassing.
JP...from The Rock
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:33 PM
Comment #45What a difference a player like that would make to this team.
Hail Wor Ashley
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:33 PM
Comment #46Atsu simply isn’t quick anymore. Don;t know what the comms are on about ‘battle of the speedsters’. Atsu hasn;t shown any real pace for about 4 years.
Think he realises his limitations. Once considered a prospect, a speedy, tricky player then somebody like ASM comes into the team, you get your chance because of an injury to him before he can show what he can do, start off the season fairly confident and willing to battle for your place, provide a good assist for Joelinton at Spurs, but then ASM comes back show the gulf in quality by creating chances for himself and others in abundance, getting the adulation of fans and that hits confidence – he realises he’s a has been at this level and plays like one now.
catchy in norway
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:34 PM
Comment #47Dave, don’t act stupid, he was not a nice person with many things that any normal person would question. Child abuse being just one of them.
ilovetoon8788
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:34 PM
Comment #48we have been defending like this for 30mins. it needs incredible amount of concentration and discipline. wonder if it’s going to work.
Hail Wor Ashley
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:35 PM
Comment #49ASM is probably what Atsu once envisioned himself being at the outset of his career. Got to be difficult on the psyche when you see a younger, brighter version of yourself come into the squad and be clearly better.
Uncertain Toon
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:35 PM
Comment #50No doubt we were linked with that Traore bloke at some point in the past!
Mindshaft
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:36 PM
Comment #51Bruce really needs to get Linton off now – he’s basically doing nothing , no press and mostly just strolling around
ChicoUSA
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:37 PM
Comment #52Where would we be without Dubs!
JP...from The Rock
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:38 PM
Comment #53Why the hell have we parked the bus all of a sudden!?? See what happens when we park the bus!?? They nearly score again!! Brucey sort it out!!!!!
catchy in norway
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:38 PM
Comment #54Atsu, Rafa signed him, then signed Murphy as first choice, then with in a couple of month Kennedy was signed to do what his first 2 left wingers couldn’t do.
TomaKaThor
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:39 PM
Comment #55Bruce will wait until they score to bring Carroll on.. Sigh
RUNAWAY777
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:39 PM
Comment #56Why has bruce not put carroll yet of we het beat its down to him again hanging on for draw
DeanToon88
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:39 PM
Comment #57Sick of Newcastle playing defensive and having no possession, bruce needs to go, unfortunately, we need a proper manager that has a clue, the championship standard of most of our players is starting to show now, we shouldn’t be struggling against teams that are there for the taking, it’s becoming all too common now and I’m sick of it.
Mindshaft
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:39 PM
Comment #58Dubravka already player of the season
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:39 PM
Comment #59Bruce as usual standing with his hands on his hips looking clueless make the change before its too late
JP...from The Rock
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:41 PM
Comment #60Hail, we need to sell and replace him with a new young prospect. Hanging on to him does no one any favours.
jane
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:41 PM
Comment #61we are trying to defend so what do we do we bring on a striker!
JP...from The Rock
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:42 PM
Comment #62Another rookie move by Atsu that nearly cost us dearly. Bloody hell!
TomaKaThor
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:43 PM
Comment #63Atsu with a great ball through… for them
ilovetoon8788
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:45 PM
Comment #64i’m giving Atsu 1/10 today. completely hopeless.
davetoon
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:45 PM
Comment #65Atsu having a mare
cyprus
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:46 PM
Comment #66Five minutes remaining. Anyone could snatch this.
Come on Andy.
Uncertain Toon
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:46 PM
Comment #67Dirty git that Jiminez like, good player though
JP...from The Rock
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:46 PM
Comment #68Ffs Atsu! Just fcuk off already!
DeanToon88
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:46 PM
Comment #69sell atsu simple as that
TomaKaThor
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:46 PM
Comment #70Atsu shouldn’t even be near the bench
Moonraker15
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:47 PM
Comment #71Carroll can help out defensively and hopefully hold play up when we break. Joelinton needs a spell out of the team! He’s a knacker!
JP...from The Rock
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:47 PM
Comment #72When we had the chance to out number them in the box and Atsu completely misses the ball to gift them possession again. 1/10 rating for sure. What a waste of space.
davetoon
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:50 PM
Comment #73Lucky for us Wolves have been pretty ordinary in the second half
JP...from The Rock
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:50 PM
Comment #74What the hell has Muto got to be doing for Atsu to get ahead of him? Now that’s demoralising!
lesh
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:51 PM
Comment #75Water under the bridge, but Traore went Wolves from Middlesbrough for £18m. Too expensive for Ashley one might guess.
AncientC
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:52 PM
Comment #76Traore apparently being linked with Man City. Hopefully their scouts were not paying attention to Almiron.
Hail Wor Ashley
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:52 PM
Comment #77Comms saying it’s amazing we haven’t had a pen this season as it’s January. Pal, we didn’t get a pen for over 100 games before.
Hail Wor Ashley
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:54 PM
Comment #78A rather drab draw.
Almiron MotM.
We need a RWF and a ST.
Inquest into our fitness and conditioning regime, Bruce’s decisions on returning players needed.
AncientC
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:55 PM
Comment #79A point away to Wolves will be a good result. At the start of the game the bookmakers had Newcastle 7/1 to win.
jane
Jan 11, 2020 at 4:55 PM
Comment #80finished