Newcastle dominated the possession on Saturday but couldn’t breach a stalwart Bournemouth defense. While the performance was lacking, with Eddie Howe calling it the worst of the season, two shots struck the woodwork while Neto was forced to make some dramatic saves.
Nevertheless, almost isn’t worth much and the Newcastle haven’t scored from open play in two straight matches. The return of Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin can’t come quick enough as they will solve some of the issues in front of the net.
Alexander Isak was brought in to make that difference but its early days for the young Swede. He took his penalty very well yesterday and has found the back of the net in 2 of his 3 matches.
Isak is still acclimatizing himself to a new country and league. While he struggled to make an impact against Bournemouth, it was largely due to a lack of creativity from his teammates.
After the match, Eddie Howe spoke at length about his new striker. He admitted the 22-year-old was left isolated at times but was overall pleased with his contributions. Here is some of what the head coach said as published in Newcastle World:
“He’s learning, and not just how the team plays, but also how his teammates around him play too.
“Again, there were flashes from him today, but I don’t think, as a team, we did well enough around him to get him into goalscoring positions.
“We didn’t feed him the ball early enough. He was a little bit isolated, and we didn’t get him involved enough in the key areas where he wants to be involved.
“Let’s look at the positives – he took his penalty brilliantly and he worked hard for the team.
“He definitely contributed, but we know we can get him involved a lot more than that.
“It’s certainly not a view that we’re playing with one striker – we’re playing with several attacking players. It didn’t really materialize today though, so we’ll look at that and analyze why.
“He is a versatile player, and we obviously moved him briefly to the wide left when Chris (Wood) came on.
“He can play in a slightly deeper role as well, so there is flexibility with him.”
Isak has been thrust into the deep end and despite a lack of service has been our only goalscorer over the past three matches. He has a bright future at the club and once Howe gets everything to click in the final third, this team will a very exciting one to watch.
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154 comments so far
lochinvar
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:16 PM
Comment #1Thirst
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:17 PM
Comment #2Y
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:18 PM
Comment #3Shoulda said thecond, drat!
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:21 PM
Comment #4Basically, the crux of the problem we have right now is that we have roughly half a dozen regulars who just simply aren’t good enough for where we want to be. Murphy, Fraser, Willock, Almiron, Wood and Longstaff. We simply could not replace all them in two transfer windows on top of the business we’ve already done.
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:22 PM
Comment #5I like this guy, no fear!
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:24 PM
Comment #6Nij
Shoulda just bought a whole team, huh?
…and hoyed them mentioned, away!
Vask
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:34 PM
Comment #7Key players we’ve had missing this season:-
Shelvey
Wilson
Guimares
Maxi
Consequently, we’ve yet to see our best team out on the pitch. We have to keep upgrading. Oh and let’s get those youths developing so when we do have a few injuries we have covering youngsters chomping at the bit. It’s all about time.
Fenham to Chalfont
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:34 PM
Comment #8Nijmegen-toon
After catching up today, just like to say you are a very level headed poster that is speaking a lot of sense. Seem to know your onions. Anyway a great addition to the Blog you are… I’m relatively new myself to this great blog so apologies if you’ve posted before and not new…
We need to keep the positivity going, we are making fantastic strides (we should have been playing championship football this season let’s not forget where many clearly have)..It’s the first time in a very long time a team has come to SJP (Bournemouth yesterday) that have defended so deep as if they were playing a top 6 team. What they basically achieved yesterday is what we have done many times past few years (shoes on the other foot now). Times are changing, however yesterday was clear proof that going forward we need to work on how to break these teams down with a better cutting edge. Eddie and his squad needed this as a lesson as we’ve not had to do this in such a long time and it told, with many of our fringe players not possessing the skills or knowledge on how to do this.
As you’ve mentioned (as I did yesterday) the minority of posters calling for Work Eddie’s head after one dodgy performance is entitled behavior and totally uncalled for. We are not at that stage yet as we are still a club still in transition. Eddie is the right man to ensure we keep ahead of the curve to get us where we need to be. As mentioned those casting stones need to appreciate Eddie and many of this squad pulled off a monumental effort to ensure we are playing in the EPL this season. Some people have such short memories, but I appreciate that how some are.
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:37 PM
Comment #9Fenham
Nothing to add to that.
😉
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:38 PM
Comment #10Vask
Also, good point.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:39 PM
Comment #11CLINT FLICK,
If we were playing FM 2003, indeed lol
valle
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:44 PM
Comment #12I could see Isak being used on the RW when Wilson gets back, so a front 3 of Maxi, Wilson and Isak.
investinyouthtoon
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:44 PM
Comment #13Can’t say I read too many comments after yesterday’s match, but can’t seem to recall any genuine posters who are calling for Eddie’s head.
Yes they may be venting in frustration, with emotions running high, but Eddie is the first proper manager we’ve had in years and deserves time.
As for teams parking the bus (not a new tactic), any manager that can’t overcome that and says so, will not last five minutes in football.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:49 PM
Comment #14Fenham to Chalfont,
We could have quite easily been playing in the championship given the mess Ashley and Bruce left behind. It wouldn’t have been disastrous as we tore the place up but would have set us back three years. Now people are assuming that the owners are expecting Howe to have us sixth because they’ve spent a measly £200M. They’re all footballing people at the club now and Howe obviously has their ear. He’s bought himself eon’s of time with what he has done so far and the way he has carried himself and behaved. Anyone who thinks he’ll be getting sacked for tenth and £200M spent have seriously misjudged the situation. In my opinion.
Nijmegen-toon
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:51 PM
Comment #15investinyouthtoon,
Nobody was calling for his head but a few suggesting the owners might. We shouldn’t even be entertaining such conversations.
Fenham to Chalfont
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:58 PM
Comment #16valle,
#12 That will be the new front 3 for me too, the team I would like to see injury free until January is:
+++++++++++++Pope+++++++±+++++++
Trippier ____Schar______Burn_____Target
_________________Bruno_________________
______Almiron__________Joelinton_______
Isak _____________Wilson___________Maxi
Eddie clearly prefers Burn over Botman to ease the young man in. I also really believe this team needs Almirons tenacity and he can be a great shout in MF with his industry, closing down chasing/hunting harrying for the ball who works well with Bruno. He can quite easily be a box to box and switch to a No10 when in the front foot. Just until January when Maddison is brought in. That’s a huge piece of the jigsaw. I think we will get him and one of the reasons we didn’t go all in on Paquata just my humble opinion of course.
investinyouthtoon
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:58 PM
Comment #17Nijmegen-toon Thanks for confirming that. I thought I may have missed those remarks, which if were said as sincere then they’d be idiotic.
I agree those comments re eddies position at the moment are not welcome and shouldn’t be entertained. BUT how our majority owners may feel in 12-18 months time (or whenever things don’t go to plan) is anybodys guess. Wealthy people/groups have on occasion made rash decisions.
Fenham to Chalfont
Sep 18, 2022 at 6:59 PM
Comment #18Nijmegen-toon
#14 as
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM
Comment #19Nijmegan
😀
Fenham to Chalfont
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:01 PM
Comment #20Nijmegen-toon
#14 as CLINT FLICK would say; nothing to add to that, another great post from you mate 🙂
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:04 PM
Comment #21Genham
😉
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:04 PM
Comment #22*fenham
Sorry mate
😀
Fenham to Chalfont
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:06 PM
Comment #23Nijmegen-toon is very quickly turning into one of the posters you want to read as his posts are well thought out and balanced.
Nijmegen-toon
Welcome to the Blog mate,. Are you Sir Eddie Howe? hey or possibly Mehdad by any chance 😆
Fenham to Chalfont
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:07 PM
Comment #24Nee bother FLICK CLINT 😆
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:08 PM
Comment #25Omg
No football for weeks, now…again!!!
Yawn!
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:08 PM
Comment #26😀
Fenham to Chalfont
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:09 PM
Comment #27OK I’m off as we have a service on the village green and a 2min silence for our beloved Queen Elizabeth II.
God save the Queen, Long live the King xx
Enjoy your evening all 🙂
Vask
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:28 PM
Comment #28What you taakin about Clint man!
There’s loads of highly entertaining international football on. 😉
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:36 PM
Comment #29How times change, Jonjo was being castigated and sold off by many on here, now he’s suddenly going to be our saviour.
I hope he is but don’t expect him to hit the ground running, EH will need to nurse him in carefully.
SirRhosis
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:40 PM
Comment #30Things that make you go …hmmmmm?
C and C Music Factory by the way, in case anyone of a certain age was wondering
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF2ayWcJfxo
check the toastie
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:43 PM
Comment #31Jonjo does have his strengths and creating a chance or two is definitely one if them. He has plenty of weaknesses an all mind. But has been a miss in this current squad.
We are a set off fans who booed Sir Bobby’s team off the pitch and called for his head.
If folk think Eddie wont get the same from a few on here if we are struggling a touch are a little deluded.
Free year for Eddie this year for me. Shouldnt be a consideration to be discussed his future. Gunna be here for ten years is Eddie. Legend.
As folk have said some of our squad is pretty shite.
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 8:11 PM
Comment #32Vask
Exactly!
International footbore!
😀
CLINT FLICK
Sep 18, 2022 at 8:15 PM
Comment #33Cue the civil war!
Mund
Sep 18, 2022 at 8:16 PM
Comment #34What was the rules with the coc on Alts…?
Immediate ban…?
Begs the question why one would say I’m leaving to then come back with another alt…
Strange behaviour indeed
valle
Sep 18, 2022 at 8:16 PM
Comment #35Fenham
Good team mate, I would like to see that get a chance. I have a feeling that miggy would be better in the middle.
Pat Mania
Sep 18, 2022 at 8:18 PM
Comment #36Howe are Everton only 1 point behind us?
Mund
Sep 18, 2022 at 8:25 PM
Comment #37Wor Flags ??
@worflags
·
1h
With the 1-year anniversary of the takeover on the horizon, we’re looking for people to send us their best photos from that day in October 2021, as well as any quotes that stand out from back then. #NUFC
Mund
Sep 18, 2022 at 8:26 PM
Comment #38The Magpie Channel
@MagpieChannel_
We are so lucky to have Amanda Staveley as our owner. She’s unbelievably sound, genuinely cares about the club & to give YouTubers her time for interviews speaks volumes. Full video https://youtu.be/taD8vkedys4 #NUFC
Mund
Sep 18, 2022 at 8:29 PM
Comment #39A thread:
Taken a look at how we have developed over time under Howe. It feels like a good time to do this given the disappointment yesterday. Below are the averages per game for a variety of key stats. Only included games under Howe. #NUFC
https://mobile.twitter.com/JakeJackmann/status/1571519656476696576
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 18, 2022 at 8:29 PM
Comment #40Really does feel like some want change for change’s sake, despite the protestations that isn’t the case.
Almiron doesn’t look good enough a right wing for the long-term but none of the other available options look better:
Fraser – better on the left and needed while ASM is injured
Murphy – very limited player who has done very little for us
Ritchie – years past being a starter on the wing
Willock – never played in this position to my knowledge and struggling in his best position
Joelinton – he was shocking in those positions for us and is excellent in the middle
Anderson – a young player just starting out, no evidence he can play on the right wing
I think people underestimate the expertise to play in a new position in professional football. Quality defenders would easily deal with an inexperienced player at right wing unless that player had an abundance of skill or speed. Almiron has the experience and the speed but not the skill, none of our players have all 3 for that position.