Newcastle’s tenuous situation has many fans anxiously watching results from around the league and wondering what impact they will have on our fight against relegation. Last night there was a match of interest as Brighton hosted Crystal Palace.
At kick-off, Brighton sat just one place and one point above us in the table while the Eagles were four points and in 14th. So both clubs were realistically still in the mire despite being better off than Newcastle.
Well, Crystal Palace snagged two goals from nothing to defeat Brighton with strikes from new signing Jean-Philippe Mateta and Christian Benteke, whose outstanding finish came in the final minute of stoppage time. Mateta did his best Ayoze Perez impersonation with a nifty backheel in the first half, which was his first goal since signing for Palace in January.
That result keeps Brighton, who dominated possession and had 25 shots with only one finding the target, firmly in the relegation muck along with Newcastle. So we suppose it was a decent result for us despite Crystal Palace now seeming safe. They take on Fulham at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Results from teams around us should be irrelevant as Newcastle need to be masters of their own fate. Wins are what will keep us in this league by season’s end. However, going on our recent run, wins are an elusive beast for the Magpies. Actually, points are.
Over the last 14 matches in the league, we’ve picked up just two victories. Even worse is we haven’t been drawing matches like Fulham have. Over this horrid 14 match stretch, we’ve lost 10 of them. So we’ve amassed just 8 points from 42 available. It’s no wonder we’re in this mess.
Picking up results was already a monumental task from this year’s group. Gone are the unlikely results, like Crystal Palace had last night, where we play awful but find a way to get points like Chelsea at home or Everton away from last season.
This year our record is a better reflection of our form, which until around three weeks ago, was just shockingly dreadful. So it doesn’t look good at the moment. Concerns are starting to be voiced from the media and former players.
One of those is Danny Simpson, who while Newcastle were last in this mess under Steve McClaren, was winning the league with Leicester City. However, Danny joined Newcastle, initially on loan, in the summer of 2009 when we had just gone down the first time under Ashley.
So he’s well versed in this era of Newcastle. The Chronicle has published the following comments Simpson, who is now a free agent, made to the BBC about his concerns for his former club:
“I am [worried about them].
“I don’t want to say that because I have some great memories from that club, I still follow them and I like Steve Bruce.
“But I think Callum Wilson is a massive miss and you look at the next few fixtures where Newcastle have Wolves, West Brom and Villa and Fulham have Palace, Spurs, and Liverpool.
“I think that next game where Fulham go to Palace away and Newcastle have Wolves, they can really close the gap there.
“Up in Newcastle, when the pressure is on, the pressure is really on.
“I know the fans aren’t in the stadium but you still feel it because it is a massive club.
“I do fear for them and I don’t want to say that. But Fulham are a team on the up and Newcastle are a team that are really struggling at the moment.”
Since Callum Wilson went down injured, Newcastle have lost both matches. While they were tough fixtures at Chelsea and Manchester United, he was such an important part of this team. Newcastle just don’t have a player in the squad that can make up for such an obvious void.
It could be argued the loss of Wilson is the biggest loss any club in the bottom half of the table could have suffered. Though Wolves may have something to say as the head injury to Raul Jiminez in late November derailed their season. However, they brought in Willian Jose in January, and while he hasn’t scored, they’ve lost just once since he arrived.
If Newcastle are to keep Fulham in the rearview, they are going to have to do it without Wilson for next month or so. While the sample size is limited and they were against top clubs, we’ve lost all four league matches Wilson has not played in.
So we need someone to step into Wilson’s void as the next two matches are absolutely critical for this club.
Loading ...
225 comments so far
Tsunki
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:12 PM
Comment #161It’s been odd that Fraser hadn’t figured much near the first team even in the cameos so far he’s looked lively and keen, I would have thought he would be a closer match to replace Wilson than Gayle who is more like a light breeze these days and Joelinton, who by all accounts is not actually a striker anyway, apparently so rumour has it they reckon.
Tsunki
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:13 PM
Comment #162Ah capn beat me to it.
hibbit
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:15 PM
Comment #163Captain he certainly has more to his all round game than Gayle
TheTinman
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:15 PM
Comment #164It’s as if he doesn’t want ASM and Fraser on the pitch at the same time. I think Fraser has shown up well recently.
DrGloom
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:15 PM
Comment #165For once I agree with Lee Ryder – Fraser looks completely pee’d off and looks like he wishes he’d gone elsewhere…. still , the pay packet must lessen the blow a bit
Can imagine Hendricks is now wishing he never came ( sadly so do we )
Lewis has lost all confidence and looks a liability
Miggy (or his agent) talking about a new club
A whole bunch of players out of contract in summer and happy to go no doubt picking up hefty signing on fees elsewhere
This doesn’t sound like a happy camp at all
Optimistic prime
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:15 PM
Comment #166Tsunki
Most have been asking since the 3rd or 4th game why we haven’t seen him.
Several opportunities to get him on pitch with Asm and Almiron.
He looks lively on the left, dangerous and tracks back.
Baffled why we’ve hardly seen him
captainmarvel
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:15 PM
Comment #167Great minds, Tsunki great minds!! Haha..
captainmarvel
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:16 PM
Comment #168Seriously though he is strong, with great pace, well suited to that role…
DrGloom
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:17 PM
Comment #169TheTinman – wasn’t that long ago Bruce was saying he had never had ASM and Fraser fit to play together and now they are he won’t play them… wish he would make his mind up or at least stop making excuses up
Tackle from behind
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:18 PM
Comment #170I’d bet there are a lot of them that are not happy.
Happy enough come pay day though eh.
Why don’t they just go out and give it 100% for the full 90+ minutes, stop snivveling and dig in, then the results will come and they can be happy that they are safe and have played to the best of their ability.
Absolutely not a drop of sympathy from me for any footballer – they get paid more in a week than most of us get in a year.
If they expect a comfy life and a cuddle on top, they can fluff off.
Optimistic prime
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:18 PM
Comment #171I’d drop Asm for Fraser at the minute, wouldn’t think twice about it.
Asm doesn’t want to know at minute, easy to mark, usually stood about near half way line.
Doesn’t do enough going foward, to warrant not tracking back.
Carson80
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:19 PM
Comment #172Been saying for over a week now Fraser should be starting up top, he’s a stocky little fella with pace and trickery.
Optimistic prime
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:21 PM
Comment #173Gayle shouldn’t get on the pitch for us again, no new contract either, no way.
captainmarvel
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:21 PM
Comment #174It only goes to show how badly run NUFC is when the owner could not give two thingy mebobs what the coach brings to his team..
Munster Mag
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:23 PM
Comment #175Good three points for Fulham tonight no doubt,will it be enough to relegate us I’m not too sure but I wish it was.I still think we will just scrape enough points to survive.I,ve said from day one the sight of Bruce on the touchline makes me physically sick and the longer he is here the more despicable this horror show becomes.This fantasy story about a takeover happening beggars belief.When will these fantasists accept reality!The parasite will not sell Sports Direct FC willingly unless it no longer has any strategic importance to his tat shop empire.The only way the parasite relinquishes control is when there is nothing left for it to leech.It would be better for the club to go into the championship for three or more seasons to get rid of the slug than have this constant purgatory that we have endured for 13 years.Wake up and smell the roses ffs,there is no takeover on the horizon
Now that’s a goon’s post Rotonda!
Carson80
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:24 PM
Comment #176Anyone else got Disney + and been watching this new Starz, is there some good stuff on there or is it rubbish. Keep trying to check what’s on but the kids keep saying they want to watch things on there.
DrGloom
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:24 PM
Comment #177Carson – not sure being a stocky little fella helps , don’t think any of the current EPL top scorers are anything but slim and athletic, actually three of the top five are midfielders… need Shelvey to step up 😀
captainmarvel
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:25 PM
Comment #178“Coach” Bruce is coachless..
Mund
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:26 PM
Comment #179Carson
No but WandaVision is the business or Mando which is the best telly on telly!
This is the way
Mund
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:26 PM
Comment #180Munster
Fulham 3 points tonight? They don’t play mate
DrGloom
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:27 PM
Comment #181Munster – Think the Bruce comments are fine in Rotundas post – every time I see Bruce on the touchline I cringe a little inside at his ineptitude standing there clueless with his hands in pockets ( probably rubbing his manure undies)
captainmarvel
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:27 PM
Comment #182Remember Supermac? Super stocky sh1t off a shovel to go with it..
DrGloom
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:28 PM
Comment #183I already have Netflix and Amazon Prime ( albeit the latter mainly for deliveries ) , can’t really justify Disney+ especially as my kids have grown up
DrGloom
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:29 PM
Comment #184Captain – agreed, but that was when defenders smoked fags and had a can of special brew at halftime 😀
Carson80
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:31 PM
Comment #185Mund that Mandalarian was quality, it was like mini Star Wars movies. Luke Skywalker on the last episode was the cherry on the cake. Gotta wait till December now for 3rd season and Book of Bobba Fett. Not started watching Wandavision yet but will soon.
captainmarvel
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:32 PM
Comment #186Stick young Anderson on the wing if he is anything like Geoff Allen he will get the ball to Fraser…
Tsunki
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:32 PM
Comment #187Munster are you the only one who can’t see the context? 🙂
Honestly just let it go.
Carson80
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:33 PM
Comment #188DrGloom never to late to bring out that inner child, so many superhero cartoons on from when I was a lad.
Tsunki
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:34 PM
Comment #189Carson WandaVision is a bizarre slow burner if you had to watch week by week, thankfully now you can binge watch but I have to tell you it takes about five episodes before you start getting an idea of what’s going on 😀
captainmarvel
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:34 PM
Comment #190McDonald could have been a sprinter his times over 100 yards were amazing..
DrGloom
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:35 PM
Comment #191I definitely don’t want us relegated, Ashley sacked Carver after he kept us up and I’m hoping he’ll do the same with Bruce.
If we get relegated I fear we’ll end up in champo or worse for years to come, for those who remember the days before KK ( first time ), they’ll know even having Ashley is better than the shite we had then
Reilly
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:36 PM
Comment #192NUFC 360
@NUFC360
·
39s
Martin Dubravka will replace Karl Darlow in Newcastle goal against Wolves [Telegraph]
TheTinman
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:36 PM
Comment #193Everybody stop what yer doing! We’ve all just bloody agreed Fraser should start up top. Mark this day in your calendar. The day the blog agreed. Actually best mark the time as well because we will all fall out before 5 I’m sure 😀 😈
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:37 PM
Comment #194Onmeedson
Agree
Our downward spiral started when Hall and Shepherd decided to float the club with the share issue and stated taken money out the club £40 odd million – Hall saw he could not compete with Abramovich when he bought Chelski. Got out sold to Sheherd who’s heart ruled his heart spent money on players and wages we could not afford. Sold to Ashley thought it was a cash cow started well but declined to the mess we are in now
DrGloom
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:39 PM
Comment #195Charlie / Onmeedson – agree, Sheperd and Douglas Hall weren’t great but I’d have them back over Ashley
Novocastrian66
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:40 PM
Comment #196The Mandalorian is better than any of the new Star Wars films with the possible exception of Rouge One. The Rise of Skywalker is complete and utter drivel.
Tsunki
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:43 PM
Comment #197You’d have FFS and the Halls over Ashley? Are you mad? We haven’t got a trophy cabinet so what’s the point of being in Europe or Cup finals? Where would we put the silverware?
😉
Not another deJong
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:43 PM
Comment #198“”Dermott Gallagher on Talksport saying the elbow on Lascelles was VAR checked and that he feels Lascelles runs into Maguire’s elbow””
Rashford didn’t even touch Willock
Carson80
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:45 PM
Comment #199Cheers Tsunki, think Bucky and Falcon series is coming soon as well.
Anyone any idea when Lord of the Rings and Jack Reacher series coming to Amazon Prime.
Could do with Netflix getting the Premier league rights as well so I can sack SKY off.
martoon
Feb 23, 2021 at 4:45 PM
Comment #200Now I know how Jail is so good at FF 😀
‘PL players warned about fantasy football risks’
http://www.skysports.com/share/12226700