That was another dreadful first half from Newcastle. While we’ve had the bulk of possession and more shots than Newport, the hosts are playing with much more continuity and confidence.
Newcastle played in a 4-2-3-1 with Ryan Fraser on the left and Jacob Murphy on the right. The Magpies had much of the ball to start but some lackadaisical play led to a shock 1-0 start for the Exiles.
The hosts took the early lead inside of 5 minutes and it was poor from Newcastle. Right-winger Scott Twine rifled a shot from distance that rebounded off the crossbar. The ball was not dealt with as Tristan Abrahams delivered a follow-up effort that bounded off Mark Gillespie and into the net.
Newcastle continued to have much of the ball but failed to create many clear cut chances. Jacob Murphy decided to take matters into his own hands and forced Newport keeper Nick Townsend into two saves with shots from distance just after the 20-minute mark.
Just after the half-hour point, Newcastle picked up the pace a bit with a few runs and crosses into the box. However, nobody was able to latch onto any of the deliveries and Newport handled the danger.
Newcastle’s best chance thus far came in the 39th minute when Javier Manquillo launched a cross from the right that Ryan Fraser headed back across goal. The ball landed to Jonjo Shelvey about six yards out but he fluffed his shot and it rolled harmlessly to Townsend.
Newport closed the half pushing for a second. They had two good chances with shots from inside the box but both were hit too high and didn’t threaten Gillespie.
Jacob Murphy has been the best Magpie so far and there have been some poor performances from some of his teammates. They need to come out with much more urgency and tenacity in the second half or this is going to be an abysmal defeat.
330 comments so far
GhostToon
Sep 30, 2020 at 7:46 PM
Comment #321Bambams
Spot on apart from admitting what a complete c@ck he is at everything.
Mund
Sep 30, 2020 at 7:46 PM
Comment #322Regan I bloody wish they’d take him….
simon376
Sep 30, 2020 at 7:46 PM
Comment #323Mund mate, tell me about it despite our ages, the two Dad in 70’s and one with no skill and two sons one 50’s and other 45 with again no skill, sure we would improve them no end
DrGloom
Sep 30, 2020 at 7:47 PM
Comment #324Catchy – surely you can’t say that was good football, ffs we were playing Newport not Burnley
nufcursed
Sep 30, 2020 at 7:47 PM
Comment #325it’s scary to see how low expectations of newcastle supporters have dropped.
being glad we scraped through against a league 2 team?!
bruce is a dinosaur, he needs to teach his players some technical skills so they can actually pass a ball.. or cross.. or run.. or defend.. gonna be a same old newcastle season again..
Regan
Sep 30, 2020 at 7:47 PM
Comment #326Mund. ..
I’d drive the footer down there mate
jimiley
Sep 30, 2020 at 7:49 PM
Comment #327You get one 40 yard sprint out of Shelvey per game and he is knackered for the rest of the game. He is the midfield general who plays on the D and just jogs about. Is it any wonder our midfield is bereft of creativity.??
Rotonda heights
Sep 30, 2020 at 7:50 PM
Comment #328Tang
No one listens to him anyway.
nufcursed
Sep 30, 2020 at 7:51 PM
Comment #329can we please draw newcastle next round? that would be a walk over…
oh crap!
Rodzilla
Oct 1, 2020 at 9:33 PM
Comment #330Carroll was a waste of space last night. We’ve never managed to fill the void after Asprilla/Shearer/Ferdinand/Ferguson as far as strikers go. Yeah we’ve had a few, and a shout out needs to go to Shola, who, during his career received a LOT of stick but I’d take him back now, if only I could work out the instructions pamphlet for my time machine.
As much as I hate to say it Joelinton made a big difference when he came on last night. Clearly not a No.9 but he does have something to offer when drifting in from the left. The club fkd up big style by handing Joelinton the No.9 shirt, with a huge price tag on his shoulders and massive boots to fill. It’s down to Bruce to use him correctly.
I think we’ll see a lot more from the lad this season. Best of luck to him.