Newcastle have now gone over six hours without a goal as they stretched their scoreless streak to 4 matches in the 0-0 draw against Burnley this afternoon. Bruce made sweeping changes in his team, but it was only marginally better for the Magpies in the final third.
While they did launch over twenty shots, only four were on target, and none caused Burnley keeper Nick Pope any concern. With both Watford and Norwich picking up three unlikely points this week against top three sides, Newcastle are now inching closer to the drop zone.
Alan Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day, correctly pointed one of the main problems with this year’s club. That is in recruitment. Newcastle failed to address a glaring lack of goals in the squad this summer.
After today’s games, Newcastle are now the lowest-scoring team in the Premier League outright. They are still stuck on 24 goals and just don’t look capable of getting many more.
The Chronicle have published the following comments of Shearer’s from Match of the Day:
“Newcastle are the lowest scorers in the league. He had to change the system today and he did that, going to a four at the back and playing Joelinton on the left hand side and Dwight Gayle up front in search of trying to be more creative, trying to score more goals.
“It was slightly better than a lot of what we’ve seen in a lot of this season in terms of getting players into the box because that’s been a big problem for Newcastle.
“They did create a little bit more than they have been but that’s not difficult to do that. They were weak in their finishing once again when they did create with a couple of half chances.
“They had men in the box, which has been a problem but again they were lacking that killer instinct.
“Another game, no goals but that sort of sums Newcastle up because their recruitment has been rotten for them. It really has. That’s the frustrating thing for me.
“I’ve said it so many times this season and I’ll probably say it again – the recruitment, the lack of goals, the lack of creativity. For £80million, you expect and should have a lot more for that money.”
Newcastle did not add many goals this summer with their five signings even though three of them were attacking players. Joelinton, Andy Carroll, and Allan Saint-Maximin have just two league goals between them.
Bruce did take the restraints off a bit against Burnley, and the four at the back held up well. So there are some positives from Saturday’s display.
However, with only ten games left, where are Newcastle going to find the goals that will ensure safety? One possibility is that Dwight Gayle can get a run in the side and find some sharpness in front of the net.
While the 29-year-old can’t be relied on to carry the load at this level, he can get the odd goal now and again that we have not been getting over the past four matches.
Allan Saint-Maximin also has to stay fit. He’s still struggling with his hamstring injury, which forced him into a role from the bench against Burnley.
Another hope is that Valentino Lazaro can create some chances in this system from the right wing. He’s looked a threat going forward in his two starts and is more comfortable in the advanced role.
Finally, if Miguel Almiron can get a run of games as a number 10, he can get a few more goals this season.
Hopefully, these four players can contribute enough in the final third over the next 10 games to get us the three wins we need to stay in this division.
Who Was Newcastle's Best Player In 0-0 Draw Against Burnley?
- Miguel Almiron (39%, 496 )
- Jonjo Shelvey (16%, 202 )
- Matt Ritchie (12%, 153 )
- Dwight Gayle (9%, 109 )
- Martin Dubravka (7%, 93 )
- Javier Manquillo (6%, 74 )
- Joelinton (5%, 60 )
- Federico Fernandez (2%, 26 )
- Jamaal Lascelles (2%, 21 )
- A. Saint-Maximin (1%, 13 )
- Danny Rose (1%, 12 )
- Isaac Hayden (1%, 11 )
Total Voters: 1,270
120 comments so far
Jib
Mar 1, 2020 at 9:49 AM
Comment #81I reckon toon22 is a poster well known on the blog
who doesn’t appear so frequently now – like
Average Contents or Mr Tuff who also gets a younger
member of the family to post as well
Jib
Mar 1, 2020 at 9:50 AM
Comment #82On occasion it’s defo an adult posting , on others defo a juvenile.
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 1, 2020 at 9:51 AM
Comment #83Well after taking some time to think about yesterday.
We looked better going forward, not difficult really as it’s the first time in a long time we’ve tried to get forward. Do you give credit to SB for trying something different? Not sure as the fans have seen for weeks it’s not been good enough.
Defensively we looked solid enough still but I’m sure others will attack more than Burnley.
Better but still needs a lot more as we’re sliding right into the clarts. 6 or 7 points should do it.
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 1, 2020 at 9:52 AM
Comment #84Toon22
Did you really accuse Carltoon?
Remember what I said about credibility?
Do One Dinosaur ©
Mar 1, 2020 at 9:54 AM
Comment #85Four games without a goal, and then the last one scored was by a defender. Our forwards haven’t scored since dinosaurs last walked the earth. I know as I was there !!
geordietom
Mar 1, 2020 at 9:56 AM
Comment #86Droppy …
yep he did even Lesh had to put him right about it mate …
i cant be arsed to go back and find his post …
magpie6699
Mar 1, 2020 at 9:56 AM
Comment #87Considering that about 2/3 of voters on here expected us to lose in the pre-match poll, and that Burnley were 2nd in the form table only to Liverpool (before last night!) with 4 wins and a draw in their last 5 against some decent opposition, I thought our performance was a distinct improvement. 52% possession and 21 shots – just the final killer striker is clearly missing ( no change there!). Joelinton is not a centre forward but even if he scored a hat-trick he’d still get vitriol from some fans because they have their prejudices. I actually thought he did OK in the first half – a lot of decent hold-up and lay-offs from his right wing position. On the other hand, I thought Hayden and Shelvey were very average ( and I do rate them) and Danny Rose is yet to impress me. Why has Matty had so little game time – he puts in a feisty performance and doesn’t lose the ball as much as Sean? I was impressed with Lascelles, Fernandez and Manquillo, decent work from Almiron and Ritchie and for once Dubravka had very little to do against the Burnley thugs. I presume Matty, Sean, Schar and Lejeune should play in the cup, St Maximin should be well rested (!) and maybe Tom Allan to get a go?
geordietom
Mar 1, 2020 at 9:57 AM
Comment #88jib …
two different people other people have made comments about it …
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 1, 2020 at 9:58 AM
Comment #89Bills
Booing the players is never an intelligent thing to do. I can understand the frustration in the same way I can understand those who still go every week.
Thing is the players are low on confidence so effectively telling them they’re crap is not helpful at all.
Jib
Mar 1, 2020 at 9:59 AM
Comment #90droppy it’s always easier for fans to say we should
be playing this or that formation than for the manager
to actually implement it , when he has survival , personnel
and injury issues to contend with.
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Comment #91Jib
As much as we’d love a cup I think you’re right, rest anyone who is not 100% for Tuesday.
I think WBA will rest a few after having their lead cut yesterday.
geordietom
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Comment #92Droppy …
the fans were booing the Burnley players time wasting mate …
hibbit
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:01 AM
Comment #93just my take on yesterdays game,
i watched the full game then motd and then the clubs highlights, and yes it was a lot better, but is it good enough to keep us up ??
my biggest worry who will score the goal we so desperately need,
Burnley did come for a point and they got exactly what they wanted,
geordietom
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:05 AM
Comment #94https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-united-fans-deliver-anti-mike-ashley-message-live-tv-2005064
geordietom
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:06 AM
Comment #95if only we had bought a goal scorer in January…
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:08 AM
Comment #96Jib
I get that it’s difficult to change but these are professional football players. I don’t buy the argument that they can only play in one set formation or position.
It’s just another way of passing the buck by SB and the players. Blame somebody else rather than stand up and take control. Both Rochdale and Oxford tweaked their formations against us and
almost put us out of the cup. It’s a convenient excuse.
DubaiMicky
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:08 AM
Comment #97Jetro Willems on Dutch TV at the moment, take a look at what he’s saying via this Dutch Toon fan:-
https://twitter.com/robinnufc
Rotonda heights
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:09 AM
Comment #98I think many fans of long term standing honestly just don’t know how to feel or react any more. We had a great manager who somehow managed to reunite fans and the city and set in motion an incrementally forward thinking project for the club. The club from Rafa’s premise was, as far as he could achieve under Ashley, being put on a professional footing.
Now we have a complete muppet in charge who’s never really achieved as a coach and can’t get a tune out of an 80M forward line, allied to a chronic injury scenario and a laissez faire attitude to losing Matty L, or indeed getting a desperately needed proper striker. Maybe that was his first slap down from Ashley, although he allegedly had 60M to spend but thought there were no better options available than Joelinton.
Does staying up just mean more of Bruce and Ashley for the foreseable? The stadium isn’t even full with the freebie tickets. What an indictment that is. I had thought going down would starve Ashley of his SD advertising and nullify the effect of 52000 giving him money every home game, especially as we won’t be coming back any time soon under Bruce. I thought only when the club costs him money would he leave, but he probably wouldn’t even then.
Just feel numb and in limbo as if everything is just going through the motions and neither outcome, staying up or relegation seems to have too much relevance any more. We’re basically screwed.
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:09 AM
Comment #99Geordietom
I’m sure there would be a bit of that with the time wasting. But I’m sure there will have been a good bit of frustration and even panic at not winning again.
Jib
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:11 AM
Comment #100Some good footy today
Man U – Solskjaer growing into the job vs Uncle Carlo Everton
Sperz – Mourinho the fox vs Wolves and Nuno Espírito Santo
plus the Carabao cup final – can Dean Smith shock Pep
Rotonda heights
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:11 AM
Comment #101droppy
exactly. didn’t take arteta too long.
DubaiMicky
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:15 AM
Comment #102Sad thing is Rotonda, if we go down there’s no way the fat twat will be able to sell us. No one will offer anywhere near the amount he allegedly wants for us.
We gotta hope that we somehow survive and get bought out once we have guaranteed safety. So that’ll be June then.
geordietom
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:15 AM
Comment #103Droppy …
players should be able to adapt to any changes , the manager should through out the week try a new system , then make changes through out the game . hope he keeps playing the way we played yesterday but its horses for courses mate …
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:17 AM
Comment #104Rotonda
Oddly enough I was going to say Arteta, who has very limited managerial experience, saw us doing well at the Emirates first half. He dropped Ceballos ten yards deeper in the second half and he had the freedom to pull us apart. SB didn’t react at all, his 20 years of experience and he had no response.
lesh
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:19 AM
Comment #105Geordietom
You said that even lesh had to put the frog right about his Carltoon comment. Even lesh? EVEN?
Haven’t you noticed that before the frog had a pop at Carltoon, ‘even lesh’ has had a word with toon22 about wrongly pointing at others?
lochinvar
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:19 AM
Comment #106Say hello to our next manager
Steven Gerrard said he needs to do some “serious thinking in the next 24, 48 hours” after lacklustre Rangers were dumped out of the Scottish Cup by Hearts.
MagpieRanger
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:21 AM
Comment #107Sack the board!
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:23 AM
Comment #108Oddly we lacked the thing we’ve had a lot this season, luck.
Plus side is if we create as we did yesterday some goals will surely come.
I think Wet Spam and Watford gives it a far worse look as the gap is now only 5 points.
Jib
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:27 AM
Comment #109Rotonda heights
Arteta is the worst example you could have picked.
He’s rapidly binned Unai Emery’s tactics and reverted
back to Wenger’s way of playing out from the back.
A system that Arsenal have played for years.
Jib
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:32 AM
Comment #110Talking of Carltoon , that guy on Saturday Night Takeaway was not me
I vaguely recognise him – but as lesh rightly says – there must have been
dozens of drivers who ran in and out of the Mitre in the 90’s
fairscup
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:39 AM
Comment #111Same team Tuesday (except Lazaro for Manq. & Darlow), bench Maxi bring on only if needed if feeling hammy.
Need to bed this team and system in and should be enough to beat West Brom, Gayle our best chance of scoring.
Mad Frog Boom 22
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:43 AM
Comment #112Fakeover 22 – 0 Takeover
#supporttoon22 #frogtheblog
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:43 AM
Comment #113Jib
How can you say Arteta is a poor example?
He’s changed style in far less time than Bruce has had.
He doesn’t react to things anywhere near quickly enough.
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:47 AM
Comment #114As for the players having been indoctrinated to play only one way, which is a nonsense in itself, what happens if we have a player sent off?
It’s just another excuse, and the players need to look at themselves a little too, have a little confidence if plan A isn’t working try something different, it’s not as difficult as it’s being painted out to be.
Rotonda heights
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:50 AM
Comment #115jib
Thanks for the put down as per, but I’d rather listen to Droppy who actually knows what he’s talking about.
Arteta was responsible for what a lot happened at city too. Teams basically fall into 2 camps 1) the liverpools, citys etc who all play out from the back with players happy to receive the ball to feet and can play 1 or 2 touch football very quiickly transitioning or 2) The allardyce, bruce, pardew, pulis school of 10 men behind the ball, hoof it and can we nick 1. It’s only taken bruce 28 matches to be shamed into finally trying something different which lo and behold was a bit better.
The Sheikh'sMate
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:50 AM
Comment #116Young Longstaff on £850pw?? a good salary if he was a joiner, brickie, etc but he’s not… So pay him the going rate you miserable t.. t, or is he another gem your going to let slip through your fat gruby fingers you miserable shoit
hibbit
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:51 AM
Comment #117fairscup
if Maxi is feeling his hammy he shouldn’t be anywhere near the team, the last thing we need is him sidelined for a few games,
bill
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:53 AM
Comment #118Toon 22,
The problem is the points per game are on a downward trajectory. It will be touch and go if we survive considering other teams are now reacting to their lowly positions. It is well known that a team looking safe often drops into the mire and is relegated.
fairscup
Mar 1, 2020 at 10:54 AM
Comment #119Probably right Hibbit.
Jib
Mar 1, 2020 at 11:00 AM
Comment #120I think most readers will get my point
Arteta didn’t change anything he reverted BACK to the
Arsenal way