Matt Ritchie has had a couple of rough seasons on Tyneside these past two years. He’s been plagued by injuries while his once cemented place in the starting eleven has become a thing of the past.
Earlier this year, he had a long spell out of the team. In his first appearance in over a month, Ritchie came on late against Wolves, who equalized soon after. Bruce made some ill-advised comments after the match about Ritchie not getting instructions on the pitch fast enough.
That week, the famous bust-up between the two occurred and Ritchie didn’t make another appearance for over a month. However, he came back in our draw against Tottenham after the international break and was a key cog in our recent 4-match unbeaten streak.
Ritchie’s passion has been on full display and likely played a big role in this campaign’s turn of fortunes. However, twice this season the Magpie mainstay was linked with a move back to Bournemouth.
There was talk this summer of Matt returning to the Cherries but that speculation gained plenty of momentum earlier this year. He was reportedly close to rejoining Bournemouth during the winter window.
However, Steve Bruce pulled the plug feeling he may at some point need to call on the 31-year-old’s experience in the second half of the campaign. It turned out to be a prescient call from the head coach as Ritchie has returned to some of his former glories over the past month.
The winger turned wing-back has given an interview to Sky Sports where he admitted that he felt his Newcastle career was coming to an end earlier this season:
“If I’m honest, yes, I thought my Newcastle career was over. As a kid I went on loan at a young age, when I went back to Portsmouth I could’ve stayed there longer but took the decision to move on and go and continue to play. I’ve always backed myself to get back up the leagues.
“It was difficult, it was probably my first spell in my career where I’ve been fully fit and not involved, so that was difficult mentally and physically, how to adapt and adapt my training. They’re challenges I’ve not had before.
“It’s about managing your body so you are ready when called upon, training throughout the week at the intensity which is going to be needed for the weekend, and when you’re not involved for a long period that can be difficult.
“I feel like I’ve come through it, learned a lot in the last six months and I’m pleased with how I’ve reacted personally to those challenges.”
Steve Bruce has often mentioned that one major factor in his confidence of Newcastle staying safe this season was the experience of a core group of players. Ritchie is a major presence in the Newcastle dressing room and one of the leaders off the pitch, and on it when he’s playing.
Ritchie touched on the obligation he feels to this club as one of the core group of players:
“At Newcastle, we have a core of players who have been at the club for some time, know what the club’s about and what the expectations are.
“We all have a duty to lead and try and perform, try to help one another on the pitch and off it. I do feel like a leader but we all have to take that responsibility for one another too.”
Ritchie’s future will likely be under the microscope again this summer, especially considering the season he has had. However, he’s been an outstanding servant to Newcastle United and hopefully this season won’t be his last.
174 comments so far
Mund
May 4, 2021 at 7:01 PM
Comment #1Showed what a top professional he is during this time and him getting back on the pitch and making a huge difference with passion and fight which lacked so much this year.
Imagine if Bournemouth could of matched his wages? Doesn’t bare thinking about
cyprus
May 4, 2021 at 7:06 PM
Comment #2Yes, I think it’s already over, but like WL says, this is Newcastle.
Ritchie, top professional, keep him.
Wenger on TV: Grealish, Madison, or Fodder? He was asked. Who’d he pick?
Grealish. Tend to agree. What a player.
Wenger for Newcastle, now? At his age?
You bet 🙂
Mourinho? He has a weak spot for us.
No way.
Ron Knee
May 4, 2021 at 7:12 PM
Comment #3BBC:
Been visibly shaking with angst since mid-afternoon. Am now vibrating at such a frequency that I’m pretty sure I could walk through a wall.
Mark, City fan, Oxford
magicmac54
May 4, 2021 at 7:30 PM
Comment #4Good evening guys, thats me finished work for today, looking forward to the Man City v PSG match, it should be a cracking game, i hope City win, it really sickens Manure of big time City doing well, that alone delights me. HWTL
Munster Mag
May 4, 2021 at 7:41 PM
Comment #5Magic, Alan McLoughlin déad. Its a shocker mate. Never forget that night against Billy Binghams crowd.
Munster Mag
May 4, 2021 at 7:42 PM
Comment #6Wenger, I’d take him in a heartbeat!! Two years and then let him be a DOF and choose an exciting foreign coach. Dream time!
magicmac54
May 4, 2021 at 7:54 PM
Comment #7Munster Mag
Good evening mate, yes i heard the sad news about Alan Mc Loughlin on the car radio coming home from work, i remember like it was yesterday him scoring that goal at windsor park, and the stupid antics of Billy Bingham that night, the atmosphere was toxic and poisonous that night. Munster the Man City v PSG is on RTE mate
Rotonda heights
May 4, 2021 at 8:00 PM
Comment #8Carson
If bein / Qatar were blackmailing the PL with threatening to pull out of the TV rights, why didn’t the PL tell them to do one and bring on the Saudis to take the TV rights on. Ridiculous that blackmail wouldn’t be seen as just as corruptible as an alleged bribe.
It’s funny ash used to say he couldn’t compete with sovereign states, ie city !!
Wor B
May 4, 2021 at 8:03 PM
Comment #9Bizarre scene, snow/hail covered pitch at Man City!
Mund
May 4, 2021 at 8:05 PM
Comment #10RH
I look it how the OCG do it in the best show on telly 🙂 they have them by the balls with something. Why deny the Saudis who would bring millions upon millions to the league and change the structure of the whole of north east. It would breath much needed life into a forgotten about area.
Why? It makes no sense to stop it, unless they had them by the short and curly’s
Wor B
May 4, 2021 at 8:08 PM
Comment #11Penna to PSG overturned no hand ball.
Wor B
May 4, 2021 at 8:12 PM
Comment #12Man City 1-0 PSG
Tackle from behind
May 4, 2021 at 8:14 PM
Comment #13Wor B
I was over at Kendal today and it snowed most of the way back over the moors at Middleton.
Snow covering all the high hills and crags too.
9
May 4, 2021 at 8:22 PM
Comment #14NUFC glaring weaknesses are (a) midfield, and (b) striker cover. AC and DG are no longer fit for purpose and need ditching. The young’un is too much of a gamble at the minute, so a strong PL striker needed as cover/competition to our excellent centre-forward.
If anybody was blind enough not to see, Shelvey/Sean/Ritchie (add in Matty if you like) don’t cut it. Arsenal reserves were all over them all match and this is by no means a surprise or a one-off. We need a fit Hayden and TWO top-class midfielders, then we can have a chance. The absolute top priority is our midfield.
toonluvva
May 4, 2021 at 8:25 PM
Comment #15Who selected the ref for the Citeh v PSG match.
He doesn’t even know the the handball rule. Two given and neither were actually handball.
Geordie-john
May 4, 2021 at 8:26 PM
Comment #16Matt Ritchie is an excellent player that gives his all to NUFC almost every time he actually gets selected to play.
In my opinion he should be up there as a possible skipper for the side instead of Shelvey who never seems to open his mouth when on the pitch apart from getting many short pointless passes which he then gives away or loses.
We need the likes of Matt Ritchie in the squad keeping the sometimes lazy players on their toes for 90+ minutes.
He’s a fearless fighter on the pitch.
Just a fan
May 4, 2021 at 8:30 PM
Comment #17Mund
Just leave it alone
It’s the hope that kills us.
If it happens it happens
Wor B
May 4, 2021 at 8:31 PM
Comment #18Tackle
Love that drive down the M6 then drop off into Kendal, used to do it regular in Ford Ranger 4WD beast, no worries about a sprinkling of the white stuff. 🙂
Mund
May 4, 2021 at 8:33 PM
Comment #19JAF
Couldn’t you just skip my posts? Hope is all we have
Mund
May 4, 2021 at 8:36 PM
Comment #20Sky Sports News
@SkySportsNews
Chelsea have decided to include fans in board meetings from July 1 to ensure “supporter sentiment” is considered in decision-making.
Tackle from behind
May 4, 2021 at 8:40 PM
Comment #21Wor B
I’m in the dales, so straight over the tops via Middleton and Kirkby Stephen, lots of country lanes, sheep and tractors to negotiate.
Quattro does it in style & speed – great drive.
WLtoon
May 4, 2021 at 8:44 PM
Comment #22Mund,
Your sentiments are spot on mate but do you honestly think the PL and their cronies give to hoots about the north east , redevelopment of our region will be the last thing on their minds atm, if it enters their thoughts at all.
The Saudi`s buying the Toon would be the best thing that could happen to the region, not just the club, but unfortunately the PL , Masters , Hoffman and the rest don`t give a shite about the what would be good or bad about the area, they are alright Jack, that`s all they are bothered about.
Optimistic prime
May 4, 2021 at 8:46 PM
Comment #23In other news.
From July 1st Ashley will have the boardroom soundproofed, so he doesn’t have to listen to the peasants moan.
9
May 4, 2021 at 8:46 PM
Comment #24Geordie John,
Fully agree Ritchie’s presence, determination, and commitment. A solid citizen. Unfortunately, the footballing skills and quality needed in the PL never got a mention in your post, quite wisely in Ritchie’s case. Our midfield is our glaring weakness, we need changes to improve, and that definitely means Ritchie replacing.
The Prince's Mate
May 4, 2021 at 8:50 PM
Comment #25Watching the City v PSG tie….football,from another planet compared to our dross….hope Pep wins the final he certainly deserves it
Wor B
May 4, 2021 at 8:52 PM
Comment #26Tackle
Stayed at a caravan site just outside Barney a few years ago. Loved it, almost as nice as Northumberland. 😉
The Prince's Mate
May 4, 2021 at 8:53 PM
Comment #27I must have been through a snow shower, my shirt is covered in….oh, its dandruff….
The Prince's Mate
May 4, 2021 at 8:57 PM
Comment #28I see kipper lips ferdinand is back on the box talking above everyone as usual….tosser
Mund
May 4, 2021 at 8:57 PM
Comment #29WL
Yea mate they couldn’t give a hoot about the area. You would think they would welcome such investment tho to the league and one of its partners. It would make the brand stronger and add more competition which is surely what everyone wants at the PL and what football is supposed to stand for.
onmeedsun
May 4, 2021 at 8:59 PM
Comment #30PSG causing City to give a lot of ball away but they’ve ridden their luck a bit. Ball not travelling in City’s attacking half compared to PSGs. Players or pitch. Well soon find out. Next goal could win this for either team. Not over yet but I’d like City to win it, if only to Piss off the others.
Tackle from behind
May 4, 2021 at 9:00 PM
Comment #31Wor B
Barney is nearly 25 miles away from me, but I know what a caravan park is
🙂
magicmac54
May 4, 2021 at 9:05 PM
Comment #32The skill vision technical awareness, mobility in the City v PSG match really is from another planet and a joy to watch.
Uncertain Toon/World
May 4, 2021 at 9:10 PM
Comment #33I see the exclusive that Keith Patterson was talking about hasn’t come to fruition yet. He probably shouldn’t have mentioned it, getting folks hopes up unduly.
Do we have a situation whereby the EPL need the government to make legislation to prevent the shyster 6 from any shenanigans in the future?
The ESL fiasco has effectively allowed the government in officially!
And they would love the Saudi Riyal pouring into the Newcastle area. Gets the toon off their books for a while.
We’ll push your legislation through for you Dickie, but we want something in return because this is politics now, and you already know exactly what that thing we want is 🙂
Uncertain Toon/World
May 4, 2021 at 9:14 PM
Comment #34And Hoffman won’t get in trouble with his Qatar overlords because he can just say we couldn’t stop it once the government were involved.
Wor B
May 4, 2021 at 9:25 PM
Comment #35Man City 2-0 PSG
Mahrez again
Carson80
May 4, 2021 at 9:26 PM
Comment #36RH I think this goes all the way back to the Qatar bailout of Barclays Bank (whose VP at the time was none other than Gary Hoffman) which saved the then Labour Government from having to bailout the bank. Qatar bailing Barclays out led to further investment in the bank from Sheik Mansour and other wealthy individuals. This is why he is so beholden to Qatar and why he wouldn’t as you say tell them to do one.
The Prince's Mate
May 4, 2021 at 9:26 PM
Comment #37Well done Citeh….Foden? sheer class
John Tudor
May 4, 2021 at 9:26 PM
Comment #38Are you watching Bruce
Wor B
May 4, 2021 at 9:28 PM
Comment #39Said this before but worth saying again.
Football but not as we know it. 🙁
Different planet.
The Prince's Mate
May 4, 2021 at 9:29 PM
Comment #40Citehs defence has been outstanding tonight