Newcastle are six matches into the campaign and in decent shape in the league. The Magpies have suffered from numerous baffling refereeing decisions that have cost them some potentially critical points.
Newcastle are still primed for a run into the top half of the table currently positioned in 11th on 7 points. They’ve also been without some key stars over the past few hectic weeks in which the schedule was very congested.
One player has consistently risen to the occasion early in this campaign. That is goalkeeper Nick Pope. The 30-year-old was again in fine form in the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace making some crucial saves.
Pope and his stingy defense picked up the third clean sheet of the season on Saturday. For his performance, Nick has topped another poll as Newcastle’s best player as he collected 30% of the votes.
Loading ...The England international could be the league’s signings of the season if he can keep up his performances. If you take into consideration that he cost just £10m, his addition has to be one of the summer’s steals.
Joelinton and Kieran Trippier round out the top three with their performances. The pair have featured heavily over the past couple of weeks. They’ll be glad the schedule returns to one match a week until the latter half of October.
221 comments so far
Toon fans bad
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:31 AM
Comment #81Jail & NY,
Same here on Dubs, I actually don’t get any part of what’s gone on there, doesn’t seem any rhyme or reason going on at all.
Perfect time for Dummet and Ritchie to square their badges away now and it’s done. Can still leave next year to the champo. Unless they don’t want to go into it of course.
lochinvar
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:31 AM
Comment #82Zen
Clouds
Waterfalls
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:34 AM
Comment #83The thing is though I would class Dubs as essential, a top club needs two keepers it can rely on and I don’t think Darlow is that man.
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:39 AM
Comment #84Had we of know that Dubs wanted to leave (maybe we did) an ideal scenario for me would have been to let him go for a fee along with Darlow and brought Fraser Forster home. Ben Foster was on the radio saying some keepers are very happy to be number 2 and Forster, a ribble and experienced PL keeper could have been that man for us.
Toon fans bad
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:43 AM
Comment #85Maybe Howe said initially he wouldn’t be bringing a keeper in. Pope becomes available at 10 mill and it’s too good a bargain for the club to pass on. Nowt from any other club on Pope, seems Burnley offered him to us direct. Or we had 1st dibs as part of Wood deal.
Howe just left it to Dubs to decide and he wanted to go. He knows he wouldn’t be No1 when we really kick on anyway.
I’m thinking the club hated doing the deal with Manure, but out of respect for Dubs got it done.
Didn’t get folk not being happy with Dubs about what he said.
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:43 AM
Comment #86A ribble??? 😀 is that rabble or reliable :scratchingchin: emoji
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:45 AM
Comment #87Tfb,
“Didn’t get folk not being happy with Dubs about what he said”
Must have missed that, what did he say that upset people?
Toon fans bad
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:52 AM
Comment #88Aye, they’ll be on the look out for a new no 2 for Pope no doubt.
Is it Langley in the Academy?
They could be hopeful he’ll progress.
Does seem the GK area is low on their priority list at present. Obviously all changes with a bad injury for Pope!
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:53 AM
Comment #89Mind you, I seen the ‘United’ tweets, it annoys me when I hear other people calling them that, it really pi$$es me off when I hear our own fans calling them that. I understand that those supporting us in different areas can do it as everyone around them calls them that, but for Dubs to do it. Meh!!
lochinvar
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:53 AM
Comment #90So Lee Mason has been dropped by his peers at VAR from being a VAR official for one game only ?
They must be doing as they are told by their mates who wear red.
Couldn’t make a decion to save themselves.
Need to get that checked.
Over to the monitor we go.
Yep, Emperor Ming tells them what to do.
Toon fans bad
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:54 AM
Comment #91I think he didn’t mention Eddie at all in his leaving thingy. I read it on the tw@tter I think
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:54 AM
Comment #92Tfb,
Aye, maybe they’ve seen enough of Langley to think he could progress and unlike poor Jack Alwnick who got thrown in to the deep end of a really shite defence, they’ll handle him properly.
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:56 AM
Comment #93Tfb,
Maybe is ego has been bruised and he’s thrown a tantrum when Eddie H has told him he’s being replaced. As I said earlier, I doubt we’ll ever know.
Toon_Barmy
Sep 6, 2022 at 7:57 AM
Comment #94People flapping that we’ve lost Dubs but have you realised that it’s the same situation we were in last year? In fact, we are stronger in the goalkeeping department than we were last year as Dubs was picking up injuries and Pope is the better keeper so calm doon
Toon fans bad
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:03 AM
Comment #95Loch,
Last time he fecked up early in the year he was off the weekend list and given counselling before his return 🙁
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:08 AM
Comment #96Toon_Barmy,
I’m not sure anyone needs to calm down, we’re just discussing Dubs leaving. His injuries last year did leave us very vulnerable with Darlow in goal and we’re back to that if Pope gets injured.
Toon fans bad
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:10 AM
Comment #97Toonbarmy,
You have an odd understanding of the term flapping pal 😆
CLINT FLICK
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:10 AM
Comment #98Dub obviously wanted to go, specifically, to manu. Didn’t wanna fight for his place here.
He thinks manu’s bench affords more cred than ours.
Forget him. He aint coming back.
Most players who think the grass is greener end up benched or disappear.
Lord Scattercash
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:10 AM
Comment #99Mason was only suspended for a week because the optics of not suspending him would have be untenable.
Hopefully the full investigation will see him put to grass…there is no defence to the havoc theyve created and someone will have to fall on their sword.
Dubai Micky
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:11 AM
Comment #100VAR wasn’t introduced because of Leicester, that’s absolute rubbish, it’s operated worldwide in the States, in Europe, in the World Cup everywhere. To think it was pushed by 6 teams is laughable.
Lord Scattercash
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:14 AM
Comment #101Dubs nowhere near as good as Pope…especially when commanding his box and coming out in the air…and he knew that so he made the only decision he could…move on for more money and the chance of a domestic cup win.
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:17 AM
Comment #102DMicky,
Hawkeye has operated for as long as I can remember in tennis and cricket and VAR has been discussed even before Lampards goal in SA against Germany.
Raj of Hailsley
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:19 AM
Comment #103Sparky55,
I think the most likely is that his ego has been bruised when Eddie H has told him he’s bringing in Pope, he’s thrown a strop and wanted out as soon as Man U came calling. All based on my humble opinion of course.
CLINT FLICK
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:21 AM
Comment #104Raj
Pretty much, that…imv, also.
Harmonious lockeroom is more important than a player’s personal stance.
Lord Scattercash
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:21 AM
Comment #105VAR doesnt allow human interference on deciding offsides and goal line technology sorts out whether or not the ball is over the line…everything else requires human decision making and thats why it’ll always fail and never be perfect.
No results will ever be retrospectively overturned, so all we’ll get is apologies and suspensions til the cows come home
To make things better all they need to do is look for guidance from world rugby…and things will improve significantly but never be perfect.
Toon fans bad
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:23 AM
Comment #106Clandestine introduction of VAR by the shyster 6 😆
CLINT FLICK
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:24 AM
Comment #107Lord
So long as there are vested interests, and there are, the way var is run will be suspicious, suspect, and substandard in this country.
Lord Scattercash
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:25 AM
Comment #108Jail@103…I’ve no doubt thats part of the equation…but deep down he knew he would never remove Pope unless he was injured…so he turned left into easy street.
Lord Scattercash
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:27 AM
Comment #109Clint…where there’s money there’s always a vested interest…and the Prem is awash with money.
The only good thing is they will have to give in to more oversight…but they will slow it down as much as they can.
CLINT FLICK
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:27 AM
Comment #110https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nick-pope-fabian-schar-newcastle-24936644
Pope!
CLINT FLICK
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:30 AM
Comment #111Lord
You got it!
It’s what we have to view, know, put up with…boring or what?
It’s the petty excuses that grind my gears, like we haven’t heard it all before.
Sigh!
CLINT FLICK
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:32 AM
Comment #112https://www.themag.co.uk/2022/09/former-newcastle-united-star-needs-your-help-with-care-costs-suffering-from-sports-related-dementia-john-tudor/
A very worthy cause!
Lord Scattercash
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:33 AM
Comment #113Clint…all that article says to me is the midfield arent doing their job and the defence is constantly under pressure.
They are not positive stats.
The stats you want are clean sheets, goals scored, chances created and midfield tackles.
CLINT FLICK
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:37 AM
Comment #114Lird
I agree.
Midfield is everything, imv.
But, at least Pope and Schär are doing their jobs. Is all.
Not enough creativity from mid.
Mid protects the back 4, whilr feeding the front 3. We’ve bypassed it for years. At least Eddie’s started to address it.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:40 AM
Comment #115The conspiracy theories are flowing recently…VAR was introduced to stop a team like Leicester winning the league??? Nuts.
Fans have been demanding VAR and goal line technology for years to stop the absolute howlers. It’s definitely reduced the number of howlers (especially goal line tech) but there are still obvious problems with how it’s used.
I’m all for positivity but I don’t like the attitude that everyone is out to get us.
Lord Scattercash
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:44 AM
Comment #116Clint …agreed…but you need at least 5 players of Bruno and Joes ability and standard to do that all season long to cover for suspensions, injuries, dips in form, and internation duty.
We could have got Paqueta but he went to probably our nearest rival for a european slot. Wtf!
The drop in standard from Joe or Bruno to Willock is wide enough, but the drop in standard to Longstaff is far too wide.
Shelvey out for the best part of this year means we are far too light in midfield which is why the stats show we’re under the cosh.
You have to control midfield to win games. We aren’t atm
CLINT FLICK
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:56 AM
Comment #117Lord
Agin, agreed.
At least 2 more creative mids needed.
It’s the finding the killer pass that we’re missing…forever!
Killer ball, rather than just crosses, is what’s required. If maxi and miggy could do that, consistently… Elliott may grow into it.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:57 AM
Comment #118For those on the blog who think Tesla is a car. They stole everything off him, then his name. Or put it another way, Galileo, Newton, Einstein or Tesla? Toss of of a coin. we definitely did not have one of them as our ref this week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok8JDXSYw1U
dazzler
Sep 6, 2022 at 8:59 AM
Comment #119The idea that the big 6 conspired with the FA to prevent outlier seasons with unlikely league winners is hilarious. Seasons like that bring more eyes to the product, which increases future revenues so I am not sure the big 6 would adopt such short terminism.
VAR was being released worldwide, and if memory serves weren’t the premier league clubs opposed to the idea at first and it was somewhat forced upon them?
The problem isn’t the tech, it’s the doylems in charge of it. It’s not a conspiracy, it’s negligent and arrogant use of the process. It’s not being used to reverse clear and obvious errors in the officiating enough, it’s used to back up clear and obvious shite decisions made by the on-field officials.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 6, 2022 at 9:00 AM
Comment #120Lord Scattercash – the expectations from some of the fans of the squad have increased at an unsustainable rate. 12 months ago, most of us just wanted our team to compete and to not be in a relegation battle. Most of us would have been ok with a solid and safe 13th or 14th if you’d asked us before last season started. After our start, most would have been happy with 17th!
Now, we’ve got fans saying what we need if we’re going to break into the top 6 or even top 4. You mentioned West Ham so compare our team and squad to them. How do you think we measure up?