After our tremendous showing at home to Aston Villa in the season opener last weekend, we were hoping for maybe even our first league win at Manchester City since way back in 2003.
But it wasn’t to be, and City came out as worthy winners with Newcastle nowhere near the top form we needed last night to get a decent result – a draw or a win.
The Man of the Match was Phil Foden, and Newcastle just couldn’t contain the brilliant 23-year-old Stockport-born England International.
The winning goal came after 31 minutes when Foden set up Alvarez, who slammed the ball past Pope, who may have got a glove to the ball.
Newcastle were better in the second half but Foden set up several chances for Erling Haaland, but he didn’t have a good night and wasted several opportunities.
Elliott Anderson came on in the second half and again looked like some player in central midfield – Anderson must be given a Premier League start soon this season – he has earned his chance.
It could be positive that this game came so early in the season, and now, if we didn’t know before – we know that we still have a way to go to becoming one of the consistent top 6 or top 4 sides in the Premier League.
Here’s what Eddie Howe thought of the game in his press conference after the game – disappointed.
Next up are Liverpool at home next Sunday afternoon in the late game (4:30pm KO) and we could do with a good win and performance in that game.

Comments are always welcome.
874 comments so far
Mund
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:08 AM
Comment #841Lewis Hall interview
https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1693917760148107339
Mund
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:09 AM
Comment #842Full interview
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YDu9ZEhmmXE&feature=youtu.be
niafron
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:10 AM
Comment #843Bonjour Mesdames et Messieurs!
I already told you one of my colleague is a huge Pool fan.
We got to beat them! Else he will be unbearable at the office…
Lord Scattercash
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:16 AM
Comment #844IMO Anderson would have been in the starting line up of a Bruce team…but still quite a way off being a starter in a Howe team with this squad with no injuries.
He’s nowhere near as good as big Joe, or Barnes, and until he gets up to the next level (which isn’t just about effort and more about guile and passing) then he’ll only ever be an impact player, especially now the squad has been strengthened so much.
Apologies for adding the bacon to the match day meal…I’ll revert to standard poached eggs, Avocado and chilli flakes…it’s the future!
DrGloom
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:17 AM
Comment #845People can post whatever they want on here , if people disagree so what – ot sure why people take it to heart so much
Ty21
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:19 AM
Comment #846Bills Son Is Back
Was thinking if Howe didn’t try to go toe to toe from start, go with a compact 532/352 with Isak dropping deep and Wilson on top. Isak is quite good on the counters and can feed Wilson. Might get a draw or nick a win this way. I like managers who can field defenive or offensive teams depending on opponents.
DrGloom
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:21 AM
Comment #847As Pep already mentioned in post match interview, they got by our press by constantly passing – they are probably one of the only teams that can do this successfully – we’re in the 2nd year of our total rebuild so being disappointed at our overall performance is fine and sadly there’s always people on here slating individual players .. that’s just the way it is
Bills Son Is Back
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:23 AM
Comment #848Ty21
Agree.
I was rooting for Eddie to put Isak out wide in the 2nd half with Wilson through the middle.
Isak is capable of producing real out of the ordinary magic and also has the speed to give any FB inc Walker problems.
lochinvar
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:24 AM
Comment #849Lewis Hall is official.
Welcome lad.
Coming Home so to speak but I doubt you ever really left, just some student gap years away to see how much you missed us.
“To now be here at Newcastle, the club that I’ve supported since I was a kid, I’m honoured and very proud to wear this shirt,” Hall said.
“Me and my family are Newcastle fans, and for me and my brother growing up, it was drilled into us that we were Newcastle. It’s a big club and I can’t wait to get started.”
Lord Scattercash
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:27 AM
Comment #850Not sure why there’s so much negativity about our performance on Saturday…Pep came up with a dream solution to our power play and on the day Man City were the much better team. Their crisp passing and additional numbers in midfield coupled with having two 10’s who ran at us in the last third after beating the press was pure Pep genius and the Man City players executed the strategy perfectly.
That doesn’t mean we were bad…it just means on the day we were out-thought and out-played.
Villa did it to us last season and we got our revenge…we will have our revenge over Pep soon enough
Adamn_92
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:42 AM
Comment #851Lord Scattercash
I think that’s a little harsh on Anderson, may only be pre season but up against Premier League teams and very good teams like Villarreal, he was arguably our best player every match he featured. He’s improved significantly and whilst he may not be as good as our starters in certain areas, he’s definitely got more of an attacking threat that our current selection of central midfielders provide.
Maybe Howe still isn’t convinced by what he’s seen in training and matches to give him starts yet, but if Big Joe is out due to some sort of knock, then I think he’s well worth a go to provide us that driving power and attacking threat from midfield.
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:46 AM
Comment #852So, do people believe the statement that we’re done in the transfer window barring any injuries? I think it seems about right to me considering Livramento can play at RCB according to Transfermarkt and the signing of Hall makes it easier for Burn to play at CB.
Hendrick, Hayden, and Fraser will be the focus for now I would imagine. I WL so suspect wonder if they’d sell Targett or Dubravka if a decent offer is received. Can’t imagine anyone else would be sold unless the player was pushing to move for some reason and the offer was huge. Can’t really see that happening.
I’m happy with the squad and looking forward to seeing these players develop. Pretty close to the signings I said I wanted at the beginning of the window.
Lord Scattercash
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:48 AM
Comment #853Adam…it would appear Howe agrees with me atm…but let’s see how the season process’…early doors just yet.
Bundles of energy is only part of what’s required…it’s a shame the squad has been strengthened so much because I see Gordon and Barnes and Big Joe and Willock all ahead of him as left sided players.
time will tell
Lord Scattercash
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:50 AM
Comment #854TDS…I still have one more CHAPS payment request form on my banking screen…that would suggest 1 more to come…a CB looks favourite.
You heard it here last! 🙂
Adamn_92
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:51 AM
Comment #855LS
Yeah he definitely is at the moment which I must admit I was surprised at given how impressive Anderson was pre season. His passing has improved and he was a constant goal threat as well as tracking back, being physical and looking to have more composure and confidence.
Definitely think you’re right in terms of players ahead of him out wide, realistically I think he’ll only appear in the midfield 3. As you can even add Isak to players who will be ahead of him out wide.
Guess we’ll have to wait and see what kind of game time and impact he’ll have this season and
Adamn_92
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:52 AM
Comment #856Oops, ignore that ‘and’ at the end 🙂
Ibizatoon
Aug 22, 2023 at 11:52 AM
Comment #857TDS…I think it’s been a tremendous window with a lot of the key issues being addressed. Lots of potential in the mix too.
First they added some needed quality, now they’ve added some needed depth, going forward I’d imagine they could be more selective about which position to bolster, as the quantity of players wont be so great.
As for whether we’re done this window….no idea 🙂 I agree with your assessment as the most likely. I imagine they’ll still have some “we’ll see” targets for this window if the right deal presents itself, but I don’t see it as a need at this point.
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Comment #858Lord Scattercash – that would be the cherry on the top I think! Even if it’s a young player who isn’t expected to seriously push for starts, I’ll be very happy with that.
scott
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:01 PM
Comment #859TDS
The statement that Hall is our last piece of summer business looked like a throw away remark by Eddie to me!
😀
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:05 PM
Comment #860Ibiza – I think the same. I also think that they’ll need to see how certain players develop and also how certain players age and deteriorate. Almiron would be a lot less effective if he lost his speed and it will be interesting to see if Wilson has shaken his injury prone reputation.
Then we have to see if Willock, Livramento, Hall, Gordon etc. step up to the plate and become number 1 choice in their positions for the next several years or not. Like you say, I think we’ll be a lot more selective in future windows. Hopefully the youth players provide the depth and we just sign 1 or 2 key players per window or even season.
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:07 PM
Comment #861Scott – hah! 🙂 could be misdirection so the fans don’t get their hopes up and any signing is then a bonus. I actually think that’s a calculated thing to say and pretty sure it will have been discussed in the planning meeting before that statement.
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:07 PM
Comment #862I know Eddie H is quite economical with the truth but he was quite final in his statement about injuries forcing a transfer, there’s one thing being misleading and another outright lying, I think that’s the business done.
Uncertain Toon
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:11 PM
Comment #863It does concern me that folk believe what the shyster Fergie says, in any format.
Auld red nose is still spouting his bike now!
scott
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:13 PM
Comment #864TDS
Yeah I think we are done unless we can wangle a bit of extra cash to go for a RCB!
Unfortunately the players we need out won’t bring much into the coffers if anything!
Uncertain Toon
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:24 PM
Comment #865*bike = bile 😆
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:26 PM
Comment #866Raj – I think it’s business done unless there’s a serious injury or an opportunity comes up that is too good to miss out on. Fingers crossed the former doesn’t happen and the latter is a long shot.
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:28 PM
Comment #867Scott – I don’t think Fraser, Hayden, or Hendrick will bring anything sadly. I think it’s a case of minimising losses in terms of a payoff or subsidising wages rather than getting any money. Shame as all 3 had decent value at some point.
Targett and Dubravka are the only players with value that I could imagine there’s the possibility of leaving for the right price.
cleveleysbob
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:34 PM
Comment #868TDS, you may find this difficult to believe, but the phrase you offered up earlier, “What will it take for you to change your mind” was taught to me in my days operating out of Brooklyn.
The then head of the Family business (Famco) Gene Maranga, advised me to use it whenever I came across particularly stubborn buyers. 😀
Gotta tell you, it often worked in a sales/buyer situation as it puts the buyer on the spot and if he gives you an answer that you’re able to fulfil, he has nowhere else to hide. 😆
ToonDarnSarf
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:39 PM
Comment #869cleveleysbob – I don’t find it difficult to believe at all. I’ve experienced some interesting things in my life and met some very interesting people so it’s not a stretch to think some other bloke on a Toon blog has done the same. 🙂
Does sound like a good way to cut to the chase and either close the deal or write it off!
Unused Substitute
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:39 PM
Comment #870What worked for MCFC won’t for others. My disappointment though was that a talented bunch that we have right now shouldn’t have had to wait for Eddie’s halftime spoon feeding before adapting. The team should have had its own on-field command structure to adapt to what they weren’t specifically prepped for. Our predicaments against AVFC last season were somewhat similar. The issue is still not fixed. Easier said than done I guess.
A Geordie Mongrel
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:46 PM
Comment #871Afternoon all, what a beautiful day. Lewis Hall finally confirmed is good news.
I did compose a response to the debate debate this morning but it got lost after the system logged me out. 🙁
Nothing too exotic but along the lines of some folks see an argument as binary. I’m right, you’re wrong kind of thing. Or they see it as a contest they must win. You’re rarely going to get consensus on football opinions. However if you’re not persuaded by an argument and neither is the other party there’s no harm in agreeing to disagree. Respectfully, naturally. Life is too short. 🙂
cleveleysbob
Aug 22, 2023 at 12:48 PM
Comment #872TDS, yeah it worked really well. There were times when I’d been visiting potential customers several times (I tried to maintain a once every 6 weeks if possible) and seemingly getting zilch, when I’ve hit them with this and it seriously flummoxes them. It lets them know you are serious about their business and changes the dynamic.
Mind you, it is a bit of a variation of “make them an offer they can’t refuse” which made me chuckle whenever I used it. 😆
sing in the corner
Sep 14, 2023 at 7:18 AM
Comment #873:
sing in the corner
Sep 14, 2023 at 7:18 AM
Comment #874😐