It wasn’t close at all as Alexander Isak has captured our poll as the Man of the Match for Friday’s 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest. The striker collected over 80% of the votes for his performance.
Loading ...Isak bagged both of Newcastle’s goals, which came in added time in both halves. The Swede should have had an assist on Elliot Anderson’s disallowed goal. The Geordie’s dream moment was cruelly destroyed by a baffling VAR decision.
Anderson came on in the second half for the injured Allan Saint-Maximin and made an immediate impact. While the goal was taken from him, his performance could linger as his coming out party.
Both Isak and Anderson have received plenty of accolades for their displays. Isak is likely now the first-choice striker with Callum Wilson struggling to find his form since the international break.
Anderson’s exploits will hopefully earn him more minutes down the stretch. The 20-year-old was simply sensational in what was his best performance in a Newcastle shirt.
For the second week running, Alan Shearer has named Isak in his Team of the Week. He was the lone Magpie in the 2-1 win against Wolves and is again named in this week’s team.
Presenting @alanshearer's Team of the Week ? pic.twitter.com/4lW2EAucPl
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 20, 2023
161 comments so far
Dubai Micky
Mar 21, 2023 at 9:42 AM
Comment #1Sneaky one….
clinath@ed
Mar 21, 2023 at 9:46 AM
Comment #2Adamn
That commentator #149 made a lot of sense. Hadn’t thought of it in that way.
magscar
Mar 21, 2023 at 9:50 AM
Comment #3Adam
A ball playing ball winner can’t beat it 🙂
i do think the right midfielder alongside would gave him more licence though if they could switch
Adamn_92
Mar 21, 2023 at 9:56 AM
Comment #4Clinath
I could be totally wrong, just the way I see it when I watch us play. Plus if a player is 99 times out of 100 the best player on the pitch, I don’t think we need to worry about changing his role haha
Magscar
Potentially aye, he could pivot with another midfielder of a similar mould. I think he’s just so good at what he does that we can just build around him as the focal point though. Imagine a Maddison type player added to that midfield 3 of Bruno and any of Joelinton, Willock or Longstaff. We would have all boxes you’d want in a midfield ticked 🙂
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 21, 2023 at 9:56 AM
Comment #5The 20% that didn’t vote for Isak as MotM is proof why alternative viewpoints are not always worth considering seriously…quite baffling for anyone to vote for anyone other than Isak in that match.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 21, 2023 at 9:56 AM
Comment #6This summer it seemed like Spurs had done some decent business but none of his signings have really excelled
Richarlison looked good at Everton but maybe that was his level a star in a smaller team?
Bissouma probably one of the most desirable midfielders in the world at the time playing for Brighton where is he now?
Perisic yeah looks to slow at times to be a winger or wingback in the premiership think hes only scored his first goal at the weekend
Romero was signed permanently but he is very very rash at times
So there hasn’t been a leap forward in terms of progress because the signings haven’t worked out
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 21, 2023 at 10:04 AM
Comment #7I think Richarlison is similar to Mitro and ASM in personality. They all seem to feel a need to be loved and be the main man in their team. I think it stems from an underlying lack of confidence that can sometimes manifest like over-confidence.
I think all 3 players would struggle in a role where they’re not regular starters. I said this about ASM long before he became our (not so) super sub under Howe too. That’s why I think he didn’t move to a CL club before.
Rotonda heights
Mar 21, 2023 at 10:12 AM
Comment #8Surely for the fee and wages involved there have to be way better options out there than an injury prone 26 year old thug like McTominay. Manu Kone 21 and Khephren Thram 22 come to mind. No PL experience but nor had Bruno, Botman and Isak.
Some people think that David batty basically replaced Lee Clark and disrupted the team’s rhythm when we were 12 points clear of Manu.
Rotonda heights
Mar 21, 2023 at 10:16 AM
Comment #9Very bad for us if Poch returns to Spurs.
Adamn_92
Mar 21, 2023 at 10:20 AM
Comment #10Don’t know why Poch would want to return to Spurs. Pretty sure he had some choice words about the board when he was last there, will have seen nothings changed going by Contes comments and he was fired pretty harshly and unfairly. Why would he want to go back to the exact same situation?
clinath@ed
Mar 21, 2023 at 10:29 AM
Comment #11Adamn
Agree on 99% of what you said there. I’m just not sold on Maddison!
He would be an improvement on what we have, but when I’ve watched Leicester he always seems to spend a lot of the time just standing around.
Transfer Sage
Mar 21, 2023 at 10:44 AM
Comment #12LCBP
From what I’ve read and listened to on Spurs and Conte, it was never going to work.
He’s a serial winner of league titles but he tends to do it in teams with the highest budget / wage bill (to be fair, that’s the case for most managers/clubs with the odd exception) and spurs are 7th on wage spending. He isn’t a manager for a long term building project.
On the tactical side, what I’ve read he has the same exact build up patterns every single game. If it doesn’t work, he changes personnel and not the approach, which is causing them to be predictable and easier to defend against.
For all the money spent, they also have a pretty poor crop of defenders. Eric Dier is not a top level CB, their fullbacks aren’t anywhere near good enough and the rest of the CBs are below par too. Add into that they don’t have a top quality midfield, they really a lot on the brilliance of Kane, who is limited in this system when it misfires.
From journalists closer to Spurs, there is also an unwillingness from the players to buy into his methods. They don’t see the system as working well and it’s boring with a lot of running, not a recipe for a happy camp.
I read recently that in most Guardiola teams he has some deeply unhappy players, usually around 5-7 at any one time. The difference is, they suck it up as they win and play attractive football.
Mag52
Mar 21, 2023 at 10:46 AM
Comment #13Hopefully Conte, if he is still there, will stay at Spurs for a little longer because, if he has lost the dressing room, as is likely, players have a way of getting rid of managers they don’t like by not turning up for games, and that can only be to our advantage in the run in to the end of the season.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 21, 2023 at 10:54 AM
Comment #14One of the key things to consider about wanting to play Bruno higher up the field is that he has stated, on multiple occasions, that this is where he *wants* to play. He’s an excellent 6, but in more advanced positions in the second half of last season, he was also an excellent 8. If we want to keep Bruno happy then being able to accommodate him in his preferred role would be a good move to make.
This season he has had to play every role in the 6 as we don’t have anyone else competent enough to play there and yes he’s been excellent, but if we can keep our best player happy, unlock more to his game and improve the squad all at the same time, why wouldn’t we?
Rotonda heights
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Comment #15Adam
Poch said he never wanted to leave spurs in the first place and always wanted to go back there one day.
Adamn_92
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:05 AM
Comment #16RH
Very strange, i’m sure I remember him saying something similar to Conte about the board/club but obviously not in an aggressive manner or finger pointing way quite like Conte haha Now you mention it I think I do recall him saying he wanted to go back as he felt he had unfinished business there. Just seems odd as he’d be going into the same issues there again regarding owner and stuff you’d imagine.
lochinvar
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:13 AM
Comment #17Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is facing a lengthy ban after the Football Association said its standard punishment for his sending off at Manchester United was “clearly insufficient”.
What on earth are the FA doing talking about the position before they have resolved and prescribed a decision.
And Fulham has landed an additional charge of failing to control its players in the Old Trafford encounter.
Why have manU not been charged again as their players were persistently all over the ref , surrounding him and being aggressive and gobby. Bear in mind that the FA have charged and fined manU at least twice this season for exactly that reason and they were warned that further action would follow if they did it again. Which they have, yet the FA have done nothing ? Zilch, nowt, zippo. Have they been influenced not to ?
If you ever wanted proof that large organisations are incompetent ( you can choose other words ) see above. Alongside Parliament, Met Police, Hs2 and so many more.
Lets see what transpires at SJP when ManU play United and feel aggrieved with something. The ref will need body armour with that lot. Could be an interesting watch. Will the ref send off multiple manu players ?
Rant over.
Rotonda heights
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:16 AM
Comment #18Again I’m not really sold on this having to buy British agenda. Maddison is very good, but he’s nearly 27 and becoming more injury prone. Veiga or Mikel Merino would be ideal if he’d ever consider coming back here. Absolute rolls royce of a player.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:18 AM
Comment #19Loch
Let’s not get it twisted, Mitrovic and Fulham deserve to have the book not only thrown at them, but well and truly launched. I personally have no issue with the FA coming out and saying the standard 3 match ban is insufficient – it’s laying the groundwork for a lengthy ban for Mitro – rightly so.
I agree that Manchester United get away with crowding the ref way more than is acceptable, but that doesn’t make how Fulham behaved acceptable – especially Mitrovic. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Rotonda heights
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:24 AM
Comment #20Lochinvar
because they’re Manu !!!
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:27 AM
Comment #21@TS
I can only think Spurs thought they were getting the Conte that had just won the title with Inter Milan!
That team played 352/343 and were actually really good to watch very aggressive and full of energy although they did sign a few premier league players who bullied the Italian teams
I thought they would maybe get that with Son, Kane and Kulekevski but it seems with the way prem teams press and really make life difficult for you it is making his tactics seem outdated against fresher teams like us and Brighton and he has only just went more defensive as the weeks have gone by
The way the prem is at the moment its very very difficult for a team who wants to sit deep and only counter for a whole game to be successful
Mag52
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:33 AM
Comment #22Fulham apparently have a history with that ref this season, when in an earlier pl game he denied them two hand ball penalties, and then apologised for his mistakes after the match.
No excuses for what the manager probably said to him, but in some ways understandable.
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:33 AM
Comment #23Man Utd are really smart at their bad behaviour being just inside or along the line. Their players don’t really lose their cool and go mental, they just keep badgering away and hope to influence the ref in some way. They’ve done it since Fergie was there and they’re good at it.
I’d rather they just enforced the respect rule and have yellow cards for more of their behaviour. It serves no purpose whatsoever other than potentially influencing a ref by 1% to think that Man Utd were hard done by and maybe he’ll give them the benefit of the doubt on the next decision. It’s a bad image for the sport though and I’d love to see it cut out.
Rotonda heights
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:35 AM
Comment #24Adam,
I think it was during lockdown and we were going through the daily agonies of were we going to be taken over or not and Poch was rumoured to be linked with us but was then quoted as saying his preference was a return to Spurs
Davas
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:35 AM
Comment #25Very interesting read about referees (Thanks for putting it on, Clint)
Haven’t read it all but apparently it’s not just us 🙂
” (The fact that every fanbase believes there is a conspiracy against their particular club does not seem to give people pause.)”
“Referees, players, pundits and team officials I spoke to in Norway, Turkey, Brazil, France and Switzerland assured me that in their countries, too, referees are perceived to be underperforming. “
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 21, 2023 at 11:58 AM
Comment #26On Bruno further up the pitch. We are sorely lack from goals from MF(unlike Arsenal) Bruno has a great eye for goal when further up the pitch. Imo, a similar player to Bruno would allow each to swap roles, cover each other in absence, injury or rotation and keep opposition on their toes. Tielemans would be the one but I think Gallagher.
Bills Son Is Back
Mar 21, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Comment #27On Bruno’s position…
IMO he is far too talented to play a deep mid role.
Last season with Shelvey playing deep he was mostly receiving the ball higher up the pitch and because his defensive duties were lower he was scoring and creating goals.
This season with Shelvey injured he’s had to play deeper and whilst he’s still been good he hasn’t hit the heights of last season in terms of goals and creative play.
Plus, if a more forward role is where he sees himself being of most use to the team that’s where he needs to play to keep him on board. I don’t doubt that that the club have wanted him to sign a new contract by now and is he waiting to see what role he’ll play next year after this summer’s signings?
Whether it’s McT or someone else I would be looking to get the maximum benefit from Bruno’s talent – and that isn’t as a DM.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 21, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Comment #28Has the Arsenal game been changed due to the Kings Coronation on 6th May
Mister Tuff
Mar 21, 2023 at 12:17 PM
Comment #29Definitely a good point in getting Bruno further up the pitch. I do not think that McTominay is the answer. Bit of a dirty player and I’m sure there will be others better that him that the club have identified.
Plus I am against fuelling Man U with extra dosh.
Bit alarmed that some bloggers are bigging up Man U a bit too much (closet Man U supporters).
Adamn_92
Mar 21, 2023 at 12:22 PM
Comment #30We’ll have to wait and see regarding Bruno, I would just prefer to have a more natural attacking midfield providing us that creative option in the attacking 3rd. Not move Bruno there and hope he replicates the goal scoring when he first joined us. Similar to when Willock came on loan, i’m not so sure we’d see that output consistently.
He doesn’t play the old school defensive midfielder role anyway, he tends to be more box to box. It’s just that he can control the entire center of the pitch playing where he currently is, you may lose that control if he’s naturally a bit further up the pitch. I’d rather have him as that defensive cover/box to box player we have at the moment, rather than being more in the attacking third and not dominating the middle of the park.
I’m not sure who we realistically could bring in who would control midfield quite like how Bruno does in his current role. McTominay isn’t a bad player but he certainly wouldn’t rule midfield like Bruno and I struggle to think who would. I wouldn’t like to see us lose control in midfield because we take him out of that dominating position.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 21, 2023 at 12:22 PM
Comment #31Maddison
Question asked last night could Newcastle United save £70 million by Anderson after the way he played on Saturday evening??
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 21, 2023 at 12:33 PM
Comment #32Charlie,
Possibly but I think k Maddison is £40M in the summer unless there’s a bidding war, mind, the player himself has a massive say in where he wants to go.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 21, 2023 at 12:36 PM
Comment #33Question?
If for example Maddison, really wants to come here and we only offer £40M and Man City offer £50M, no matter who Leicester would prefer to sell to, it’s the player that it comes down to, if he refuses to go to Man City there’s not much Leicester can do about it and would have to accept our lower offer?
Sì o no?
snowdone
Mar 21, 2023 at 12:45 PM
Comment #34I’d like to see the old 10 Yard rule brought in for players who berate the ref. The odd yellow card would also help. Players would soon get the message.
Trippier handles this part of the game very well. He pushes our guys away from the ref and talks politely to the official.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 21, 2023 at 12:50 PM
Comment #35There is/was a rule about how many people could speak/challenge the decision.
The player/s involved and the captain/s
Rest had to stay away as they were booked
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 21, 2023 at 12:54 PM
Comment #36@Charlie
Well Anderson has from now and until the end of the season to stake a claim for a place!!
It would be amazing if all of a sudden he became a big player that we could count on
DrGloom
Mar 21, 2023 at 12:58 PM
Comment #37Man U constantly barrage the ref and should receive yellow cards for it, Arsenal have started doing the same – it’s not a good look for the EPL and filters down to grass roots football – need to start sending players off for persistent offending – they would soon stop
Davas
Mar 21, 2023 at 1:02 PM
Comment #38Raj #33
I would say that is correct or the alternative is to let Maddison run down is contract.
I voted, for my own reasons, for EA as MOM though so my POV might not be worth considering. 😀
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 21, 2023 at 1:04 PM
Comment #39Years ago the FA/PL (can’t remember which) came up with this “Respect” campaign that was supposed to cut this sort of crap out with players disrespecting refs. It’s had minimal effect from what I can see.
Totally agree that there should be punishments for players surrounding the ref. Ideally, nobody should engage with the ref other than the captain but I’d say that it’s fair to have a rule that nobody other than the captain and the player(s) involved in a decision have the right to speak to a ref to question a decision. I see nothing wrong with a player asking a ref why a decision was given.
magscar
Mar 21, 2023 at 1:10 PM
Comment #40I find it interesting that pundits managers and media can hold different views on likes of Man U (and Arsenal to an extent)deliberate press on refs and whingeing especially Arteta and Klopp seem to think it is professional game management and passion rather than when it’s us and simply time wasting and sh@@housery
Rules exist but aren’t enforced enough to deter apart from yellow card for timewasting and that can be selective