Newcastle’s listless start against Chelsea did not befit a team just one spot above 18th in the table and heading for a relegation fray. There needed to be a sense of urgency from the opening whistle but Newcastle came out of the gate with an air of complacency.
A struggle against the in-form Blues was likely in the cards no matter what, but the difference in approach for the second half made the first 45 minutes all the more unforgivable.
Jamaal Lascelles returned after missing the last two matches to captain the team last night. Lascelles made an early goal-saving tackle on Tammy Abraham, which after the match Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel labeled as reckless saying:
“He risks too much of an injury of the opponent and, for me, it’s a foul because of that. It’s reckless but it was not to criticize. It was just to discuss with the fourth official.”
So what is Jamaal supposed to do, just let Abraham have an unobstructed shot on goal?
It was good to have the captain back but in the end, it didn’t alter the outcome as some poor defending led to two Chelsea strikes in the first half. That proved to be all they needed despite the improved second half from Newcastle.
Lascelles was interviewed after the game and he was disappointed with the Magpies’ start saying they needed to be nastier. This is what he said as published in The Chronicle.
“I just think we did not start well enough.
“From our goal-kick, we kicked it out for a throw-in and that set the tone.
“We need to realize we shouldn’t need to go one or two down to get going.
“We were off them a bit and made it easy.
“Against a team like Chelsea you have to be nasty and if you don’t do that their quality will come through.”
Newcastle’s next match is on Sunday at Old Trafford. The table could shift dramatically by then with Fulham to play twice prior to kickoff. The following day is also one to watch as Brighton host Crystal Palace.
We once again have to keep our eyes on the teams around us but Newcastle still have their fate in their hands. But it’s going to take consistency and wins for that to remain the case much longer.
468 comments so far
magicmac54
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:23 PM
Comment #121Mund
Good evening Mund lad, great to see you back again my friend, i never like to see anyone leave the blog, lets hope Regan also returns to the fold, we need all Newcastle fans to stay United as the real enemy is that grotesque and repulsive waste of space Ashley. PS I hope you and your family are all very well mate?
Optimistic prime
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:24 PM
Comment #122Cheers Mund
Mund
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:27 PM
Comment #123Magic
How’s it going mate? All is good on this side hope all is well over there?
It’s hard for the whole fanbase to be United on these times as nice as an idea it is, it’s just not possible now with tensions high and emotions scarred. Plus the fact Bruce is at the helm 🙁 it’s an absolute misery being a Newcastle United fan.
We need this takeover or it’s over for this club.
But I still think it won’t be long before we hear something big. Hopefully by the end of the month and I don’t mean an announcement just some news that will give faith back to the fans who have lost all hope.
Munster Mag
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:28 PM
Comment #124Everything is moderated.
You just got spanked.
Well overdue. 🙂
Optimistic prime
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:28 PM
Comment #125If I was Stavely looking at the club today, I’d be asking, does Ashley want to sell.
It’s not even neglect, he’s consciously risking the sale, in all matters of ways.
That’s if a sale is even in the Pifs mind atm.
clinath@ed
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:29 PM
Comment #126OP sadly, you are probably correct. Is £200M too much for us, the first season relegated? Very much a gamble, but the potential to recoup is great.
Munster Mag
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:29 PM
Comment #127Mund, welcome back.
We’re gonna do a Sunderland if we’re not careful mate.
simon376
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:29 PM
Comment #128Welcome back Mund, good to see you again
Mund
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:29 PM
Comment #129No problem OP
If there was some official confirmation I’d have it all over the blog as it will be huge news.
Love to be a fly on the wall in Nassau over the weekend 😉
jane
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:30 PM
Comment #130“But I still think it won’t be long before we hear something big. Hopefully by the end of the month”
it took 2 posts!
clinath@ed
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:31 PM
Comment #131Liverpool vs Leipzig
Or
Barcelona vs PSG
Mund
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:32 PM
Comment #132Munster, Simon
Just took a break as I was losing myself on here and it wasn’t a good look but reflection is always a great thing.
Thanks lads
Optimistic prime
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:32 PM
Comment #133https://youtu.be/Jne9t8sHpUc
Has this been playing over the blog the last week?
Great White Hunter
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:32 PM
Comment #134Welcome back Mund, hope you are well, appreciate your info…..as ever. Cheers.
clinath@ed
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:32 PM
Comment #135Hope you are correct, Jane
Optimistic prime
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:32 PM
Comment #136By the way, awesome track and album.
Optimistic prime
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:33 PM
Comment #137The Ozzy Osborne rip of her video is worth a look too
onmeedsun
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:34 PM
Comment #138Mund
I agree, the club is f***ed if we go down and no takeover, and if we do stay up but Ashley and Bruce still in their seats next season will be very ugly.
Don’t think I can keep going if there is no fundamental change. We are all just watching the club we love be abused by the wilful neglect and can do nothing about it. Too much for me.
Optimistic prime
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:39 PM
Comment #139Biden has lifted the blockade on Saudi.
Not sure if it’s been mentioned or makes any difference.
Looking for anything other than the impending doom on the horizon.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:40 PM
Comment #140No Munster, they’re not, your comments were panned until reviewed then you were threatened with it again.
Romford mag
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:41 PM
Comment #141https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hope-president-biden-open-door-19853389.amp
Mund
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:41 PM
Comment #142Cheers GWH
onmeedsun
I can’t think of that scenario mate as it’s a dark dark place and darker than any year of Ashley’s regime.
Bruce is making things worse for us and Ashley is a gambling idiot for sticking with him.
I do think we will have enough to stay up and I think Wolves is a huge game a definite 6 pointer IMO
I just believe that this will be the end of this nightmare and Ashley will be gone and we will be born into a reality of no worry or misery, which I can’t even fathom. Waking up and feeling like crap about your football team and worrying about every single element of the club 🙁
For me that’s the most important part of the new era not being down in the dumps about your football club anymore, not being ashamed and have every other fan pointing there finger and laughing at us, just being able to sit back relax and look at the blank canvas of hopes and dreams yet to be painted.
magicmac54
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:42 PM
Comment #143Mund
Good to hear your all well mate happy days, everything is well at my end thanks, ive never seen the fan base as low before, even Bills son has had enough, i honestly dont know what is going to happen in reference to the takeover, but like every fan iam totally desperate for it to go through, one thing i will say is no matter what happens Ashley will come out of this smelling of Roses.
Munster Mag please lets all keep the peace mate, time for everyone to show respect on here and the fans need to show solidarity and keep a united front against Ashley.
Optimistic prime
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:43 PM
Comment #144https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hope-president-biden-open-door-19853389
Mund
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:44 PM
Comment #145OP
IMO like I’ve mentioned before Biden and lifting the blockade has a big significance to the takeover kinda of like a domino piece 😉
Mund
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:46 PM
Comment #146Kind*
Optimistic prime
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:48 PM
Comment #147Mund
Impending doom on the horizon has me grasping.
You’re probably right, my problem is, will the dominoes take too long to fall.
It’s like one of those movies, where someone is climbing a rope to safety, unfortunately the ropes burning about to snap and there’s a long way too the top.
Find it hard to be positive, after around two dozen kicks in the nuts and the clock is ticking!
onmeedsun
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:50 PM
Comment #148Mund
I just hope Staveley is able to convince the consortium to commit to us (assuming of course it’s given the green light) irrespective of where we end up this season. The fans would back them in their thousands, including me, and they would receive huge plaudits for backing us in adversity.
Reilly
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:50 PM
Comment #149Come on man,i know we all want this takeover sorry not want we need,but Biden lifting the blockade has zero to do with the takeover.
Munster Mag
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:51 PM
Comment #150Dr Gloom, apparently Bónna loves the diamond so if we’re not careful we’ll get more spankings.
Chelsea isn’t a major concern, depressed as we are. The sad fact is that few, maybe none, of our players are good enough to get on their team.
As with arsenal, the difference in speed and skill across the board is startling.
Optimistic prime
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:51 PM
Comment #151Suporting nufc Isnt a case of plan for the worst, hope for the best, more like, plan for the worst, expect it to be worse than you thought.
Mund
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:52 PM
Comment #152OP
Honestly I totally understand and watching our lads play doesn’t make things easier.
With regards to Biden it will make things happen faster between Saudi and Qatar as without them making some kind of peace there will be no takeover but the good thing is they are and have been making good headway with that as well over the last couple of weeks.
I just hope there’s some positive news to come out that no fan can deny
Optimistic prime
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:53 PM
Comment #153Onmehead
Anyone committing to Nufc atm, needs committed!
Mund
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:53 PM
Comment #154Not directly Reilly
magicmac54
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:53 PM
Comment #155Onmeedsun
Sorry i didn`t get back to you sooner my friend, i had things to do when you sent your last post, we can only hope we are going through the darkest hour before the dawn mate.
Reilly
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:54 PM
Comment #156Plus buying Newcastle would have nothing to do with american trade deals.Which are in the billions.
jazzyp
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:55 PM
Comment #157https://twitter.com/i/status/1361744965030838273
magicmac54
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:56 PM
Comment #158https://youtu.be/S6g4IFJE4oc
Mund
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:56 PM
Comment #159Maybe some people see things others don’t?
Theres always connections in life that sometimes we never know about.
Biden is a domino piece that’s all he will have no direct influence over the Newcastle United takeover
Optimistic prime
Feb 16, 2021 at 7:57 PM
Comment #160Reilly
Knowing Ashley will do sfa, I’m looking at anything, I’m about ready to rip a tea bag open.