When interviewed last night after making his Newcastle debut, 19-year-old Tom Allan described the experience as a “dream come true.”
The youngster came on, and it took a few minutes for him to settle his nerves. However, he grew into the game and became a threat down the right flank playing in the right wing-back role.
The Chronicle have interviewed Allan after a night he’ll never forget. This is what Tom had to say this morning about his debut:
“To be honest, I don’t think it could have gone any better. Maybe a goal, but I can’t get too greedy.
“It was a night I’ll remember for the rest of my life, I think, and to have my family in the stands just made it even better.”
We are thrilled for the local lad who also got the assist on Joelinton’s first goal since August. This is what the youngster had to say about his assist:
“The ball went into big Andy, and you know what he’s going to do, he’s always going to hold it up.
“So, I made the run off him, and he slid me down the line, and I’ve just done my best to put it in for big Joe, and luckily, he’s got on the end of it.”
It was a perfect combination for the goal when time was running out. It looked like Joelinton was going to come away with another night of frustration, but two Geordies helped to make sure that wasn’t the case.
Big Andy did a brilliant job to free Tom down the right. The youngster put in the cross that Joelinton was able to get on the end of.
While it was a relief for the Brazilian, it was some moment for the local lad.
Steve Bruce also spoke about Tom’s debut to BBC Newcastle after the match.
"He's been training with us for a few weeks now, and he's grabbed his chance.
"Great for him. A fellow Geordie, and from Cramlington. He'll enjoy the moment."
Steve Bruce speaks to @bbcnewcastle about Tom Allan, who made his Newcastle United debut in the win over Rochdale #NUFC pic.twitter.com/bHGCN546rf
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) January 14, 2020
Newcastle will face Oxford United at St James Park in a couple of weeks for a spot in the fifth round. Bruce is likely to take that match very seriously and field a strong team.
With a bit of luck, maybe Tom can get back on in the second half to get another appearance with the first-team.
Who Was Newcastle's Man Of The Match Against Rochdale?
- Miguel Almiron (40%, 653 )
- Matt Ritchie (31%, 497 )
- Matty Longstaff (15%, 246 )
- Joelinton (5%, 78 )
- Tom Allan (3%, 55 )
- Sean Longstaff (1%, 16 )
- Isaac Hayden (1%, 15 )
- Christian Atsu (1%, 15 )
- Jamaal Lascelles (1%, 12 )
- Karl Darlow (1%, 11 )
- Emil Krafth (1%, 9 )
- Florian Lejeune (0%, 7 )
- Andy Carroll (0%, 7 )
- Jonjo Shelvey (0%, 4 )
Total Voters: 1,625
48 comments so far
Big Bruce Stars.
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:27 PM
Comment #1Apart from a bit of relief and confidence boost games like this at least have the benefit of a look at background players in a proper competitive setting. Tbh that’s all i thought Bruce was going to do.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:29 PM
Comment #2Didn’t see much of him in the extended highlight but from the little I saw i was thinking he’s a bit like Ritchie!
Munster Mag
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:33 PM
Comment #3Well done Tom. Has this guy been touted as a big cheese from the academy? Bit concerned that our last winger was heavily praised but think he ended up at Gateshead? Hope for best.
martoon
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:34 PM
Comment #4hibbit – I perfectly fine it’s everybody else who’s grumpy 😉
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:34 PM
Comment #5Must admit I never read the headline content of the previous thread and judging from the comments nor did anyone else. Sorry Neil I/we still appreciate your efforts to add variety to the blog.
Oh and I don’t see him as a real possibility for us!
c-dog
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:37 PM
Comment #6Should we assume anything about the way Joelinton dismissed young Tom Allan in the celebrations following the goal?
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:38 PM
Comment #7Rob
Aye it was a games night, RPG session, suppose one day I’ll grow up and not play anymore!! 🙂
Probably when I get old!! 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:40 PM
Comment #8c-dog
I didn’t see it like that, I thought he was more intent on getting to Brucie to say thank you for his support!
hibbit
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:42 PM
Comment #9martoon LOL 😀
RobLeenio
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:43 PM
Comment #10c-dog, I wondered about that, I thought Tom Allan looked a bit narked that Joe didn’t want to celebrate with him and actually gave him a shove in the back.
At the end of the day, he went straight to young Tom and tapped his hand (low five?), then pushed him away so he could go and thank Bruce before getting swamped by the rest of the team. Fair enough in my eyes.
RobLeenio
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:49 PM
Comment #11Young Tom Allan – rabbit in the headlights when he came on, didn’t know when to sit back on the right of defence or when to push up, lost the ball under his feet a couple of times and let it run out of play and misplaced a couple of passes.
However, he soon settled down and got stuck in. His positioning was much better once he wasn’t over-thinking it and his close control became much better. He’s not much like Ritchie, he likes to play on the shoulder of the full backs, ready to run onto the ball played behind them, confident in his pace, which is significant. He can beat a man also, less with trickery and more with acceleration.
He reminds me more of Keith Gillespie who used a burst of speed to get past his man and get the ball in. He hugs the touchline the same way Gillespie did, too, I haven’t seen anyone stick so close to the line as he did in years, it was like he was on rails.
Much more to come from this young man, he has pace, close control, the ability to pass and vision. Not the finished article yet, but we should see more of him this season.
c-dog
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:50 PM
Comment #12RobLeenio
Joelinton obviously frustrated with his treatment by the fans(which in my opinion is warranted) and was eager to show Bruce his gratitude for sticking with him. I probably forget too often how young he is. But even when the ball isn’t going in the net for him he needs to keep his head down and work his socks off. And it’s up to Bruce to get that from him.
hibbit
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:50 PM
Comment #13c-dog @6
we have enough problems without making stuff up. they left the pitch arm in arm laughing and joking with each other !!!!
c-dog
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:51 PM
Comment #14^^^ & EGB
c-dog
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:51 PM
Comment #15all right hibbit
cool your jets
only starting a discussion
RobLeenio
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:57 PM
Comment #16c-dog #12, I agree with all of that. His game wasn’t the best last night, but it’s amazing how much better it became in the 10 minutes after he scored.
He nearly set Big Andy up for the goal of the game.
I mentioned last night, too, the only reason that the Rochdale defender scored the OG was because Joe was right behind him and would have got on the end of the cross if he didn’t stick his foot out.
Beast of a cross by Ritchie, but he had to have a target in the first place and Joelinton was that guy.
hibbit
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:58 PM
Comment #17Tom Allan is nowt like Ritchie if i had to compare him with any of our ex players i would say he’s more of a Stu Barrowclough
c-dog
Jan 15, 2020 at 2:05 PM
Comment #18Ritchie is class
fairscup
Jan 15, 2020 at 2:15 PM
Comment #19Yea – Ritchie is class – wicked balls at pace into the box – difficult to deal with – hope he plays @ weekend
Reilly
Jan 15, 2020 at 2:19 PM
Comment #20Craig Hope
@CraigHope_DM
· 35m
NUFC must make decision on future of Dan Barlaser or risk losing him for free. There’s a feeling among some he could be worth another look after improvement during loan spells. Currently at L1 leaders Rotherham & boss says he’s their most important player
Mindshaft
Jan 15, 2020 at 2:21 PM
Comment #21I hope Ritchie plays against Chelsea if only to take set piece deliveries from S Longstaff – how he was nominated to take free kicks and corners is beyond me, he’s terrible at them
martoon
Jan 15, 2020 at 2:33 PM
Comment #22i think Rob mentioned this earlier but it was good to see Miggy being left on the half way line when we were defending a corner. At the game I’ve been driving Mrs martoon crazy saying this – it just makes sense because he hasn’t got much height to help out and is the perfect person for the out-ball.
c-dog
Jan 15, 2020 at 2:45 PM
Comment #23Bruce is extracting a phenomenal level from Almiron
Hopefully his form is maintained. Joy to watch. Great player. Works very hard every match.
widowmagandapoke
Jan 15, 2020 at 2:55 PM
Comment #24Tom Allan. A proper football name like in the sixties.
Unused Substitute
Jan 15, 2020 at 2:58 PM
Comment #25Joy to watch is an understatement. We, in fact, have become real scary under the able guidance of our attack minded head coach. We don’t need goal scorers, when we can force our scared opponents to pitch in with own goals and turn possession over in front of their net with us only needing to tap in. I’m certain that this fairytale will continue through the season and anyone having a doubt should be banished into oblivion.
fairscup
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:04 PM
Comment #26Get Matty tied down to a contract ASAP – he is going to be top class
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:05 PM
Comment #27Martoon
I mention in my post this morning about Miggy standing on the half way line for their corners
Great to see been banging on about defending corners with all eleven in the box for the past few seasons, which leaves us no outlet when keeper catches the ball or we break out.
More of please !!!
Ron Knee
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:05 PM
Comment #28“…we can force our scared opponents to pitch in with own goals…”
*League One opponents*
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:06 PM
Comment #29Sad thing is is that Tom possibly will not get another game with ASM coming back along with Ritchie, hope that’s not the case but realistically it probably will be.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:09 PM
Comment #30Unused sub
Nice bit of sardonicism. 🙂
martoon
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:10 PM
Comment #31You always knew with Miggy that once he got his first goal he would be away however with Joelinton I’d like to say the same but I’m not so sure ………………..
Bring back benitez
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:12 PM
Comment #32Munster Mag
Jan 15, 2020 at 1:31 PM
Comment #15
I’m glad I and a few others managed to show a slightly different version of events some of you fools who were so star struck you couldnt see in front of you. Well done, its a different landscape now, just took a lot of effort. Thankful for him, but finally in a position to analyse him more accurately, and still appreciate him . Much of that was generated by the hateful figure of Bruce doing much the same job over a few months. Must have been quite a shock for some, and clearly a bit disappointing for others. So well done Taliban, for a more balanced analysis, Just took you a while
?
. No doubt when Bruce slips again you will be back on screaming for his removal and the burning of all fans who just wanted to let the man be judged on what he does for NUFC, good bad or ugly.
WOW, I’m so glad Munster was here, pulling Rafa apart.
He has taught the blog how to criticize an elite manager (after he’s left)
Munster we thank you for teaching us the ways of blogging in a fair and balanced way! We salute you.
toon22
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:13 PM
Comment #33Yeh
Miggy is looking a lot better of late
Might be better playing to his strengths instead of Joes
martoon
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:13 PM
Comment #34Charlie @27 – Sorry, yes it was you not Rob who mentioned it but easy to get you mixed up now Rob has become our intrepid reporter I just hope we continue to this even in the PL and not just in the cup.
hibbit
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:18 PM
Comment #35Charlie/Martoon
Miggy is such a threat from that position especially now that he’s found the net,2 players having to pick him up last night which was great to see, lets hope we carry it over into the Chelsea game
fairscup
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:22 PM
Comment #36Lejeune completely missed a simple header which led to their goal – how many is that down to him?
Joelinton in my opinion would not have got to the Ritchie cross if the defender had not deflected it in.
Jib
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:36 PM
Comment #37https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/status/1217363288880832513
Unused Substitute
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:41 PM
Comment #38How we dealt with Rochdale by never letting revealed the pathway to salvation. Hallelujah.
Now we suddenly know how Chelsea, ManCity, Liverpool and others of lesser consequence could be demolished. An unscrupulous owner has turned into a benign facilitator for many and a head coach with zero perception into a genius.
Let our performance against Everton not distract us from our newfound vision. Let’s forget that our midfielders and wing backs are are always pinned back within our quarter when we face any team except perhaps WHU. Or that against Leicester we looked exactly like how Rochdale looked against us for 45 minutes at Rochdale and for 90 minutes at SJP. Or that most of our points have come because of one man only; Dubravka. Probably it’s time to forget the continuous nightmare of the past 13 years even and enjoy whatever scrap appears on our plate.
RobLeenio
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:47 PM
Comment #39fairscup “Joelinton in my opinion would not have got to the Ritchie cross if the defender had not deflected it in.”
With respect, that’s kinda moot. the fact he was there and potentially would have got to the ball meant Ritchie had a target for his cross and that meant that the defender had to try for the interception. It’s not like it was a back pass which trickled past the keeper, this own goal was essentially forced by good forward play by our lads.
Reilly
Jan 15, 2020 at 3:48 PM
Comment #40Villa are after Slimani