We were looking forward to Newcastle getting all 3 points at home to Luton last Saturday.
After all, we had just visited Aston Villa and won 3-1 and that was their first league defeat in almost a year and they were 4th top of the league.
Four days later, we are at home to Luton, who are 4th bottom of the league and they had won only 5 league games all season, one at home to Newcastle by a scoreline of 1-0.
And what happens?
We score first through Longstaff then Luton equalize and we then go up 2-1, again through Longstaff, and then they equalise after 40 minutes and the score is 2-2 at the break.
Newcastle had a chance to get a tight hold on the game in that first half, but our defense again looked far too porous.
Luton went ahead after 59 minutes when Burn couldn’t keep pace with his winger and he pulled the man down for a penalty.
And then, would you believe it, Luton went further ahead after 62 minutes and we had suddenly conceded 4 goals at home to the 4th bottom side, who to be fair have been in top form over the last few games.
So with about 30 minutes left, Newcastle were 4-2 down, but the fight of this team has never been in doubt and two good goals, one from Trippier and one from Harvy Barnes got us the point.
Other sides may well have collapsed when 4-2 down in that situation, but not this Eddie Howe side.
But what has happened to Newcastle’s defense, which seems to have gone to hell in a handbasket since Nick Pope went out injured?
That’s not a reflection on Dubravka, who has been in decent to good form of late but could have done better with two of the goals on Saturday.
But it’s not down to one man, and we are nowhere near as secure at the back as we were last season, and Eddie Howe now has a week to prepare the team for the trip to Nottingham Forest.
Remember Forest beat us 3-1 at home on Boxing Dat when we were going through that awful spell of results.
Dan Burn does not have the speed to handle speedy wingers and that was there for all to see on Saturday when his lack of pace directly cost us two goals.
But we doubt that Eddie Howe will drop him, since he’s good at corners at both ends and he has experience.
We do have Tino Livramento, who would improve quickly if given a run in the first team at left-back.
Or even bring in our reliable Swedish International Emil Krafth at right back, and move Trippier over to left back.
It looks like Nottingham Forest could be another banana skin, but Eddie Howe is good at preparing the side, when he has the time, and he has a full week for our next game.
The 4-4 draw was a classic and exciting game for the neutral, but we aren’t neutral and Newcastle needed the win.
🙂
However, we can still finish top six if we can put a string of wins together.
Note: I had some health problems over the weekened which is why I was not on the blog.
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174 comments so far
WLtoon
Feb 5, 2024 at 2:51 PM
Comment #1Looks like Isak could be out until the Blackburn game but i wouldn`t build any hopes on it.
These injuries are now beyond funny, we can laugh` ah no not another injury haha` but really, this is a massive worry.
Something isn`t right somewhere, it`s like pissing against the wind when you are trying to progress only to find half the bloody team are crocked., it`s constant, one comes back, another joins the conveyer belt to take the previous injured players place.
Isak has missed 40 % of games so far, when he played abroad he missed 5 games total.
Every team gets injuries but our situation is beyond bad luck. It`s time to get this problem sorted.
What`s the point of our owners spending millions on players if , after a month at the club, they are crocked, it`s ridiculous the amount of injuries we get.
Rotonda heights
Feb 5, 2024 at 2:53 PM
Comment #2https://twitter.com/i/status/1754516557886034013
WLtoon
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Comment #3Iv`e signed the petition,it`s the least i could do, banning the lass for telling basically factual truth is an absolute disgrace.
Did the PL force the clubs hand though?
cyprus
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:07 PM
Comment #4Ed,
Hope you’re feeling better now.
Excellent analysis there.
Regarding the forest game, if we can only keep their CF quiet ;).
I’m guessing fans’ wish to see Tino on the left will be heard. Hope the young lad does well.
snowdone
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Comment #5With Forest having a fast winger we need to have Tino in. We can play five at the back à la Villa late on. Miley can have a rest on the bench this game. We don’t need to go gung ho.
I’m just interested in seeing how we develop from game to game at present. I’m not so bothered about Europe, I just want to see some progression with the players available and coming back.
cyprus
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:16 PM
Comment #6WL,
The injuries toll is high, but doesn’t that ring a bell?
It’s a recurring story. It’s the norm here. Do a quick ten seconds search on Ed’s blog, you’ll be reminded.
I wrote ‘injury nufcblog’, went back 10 years and voila. Déjà vous:
https://www.nufcblog.com/2014/12/19/pardew-playing-dangerous-game-newcastle-have-13-injuries/
WLtoon
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:17 PM
Comment #7snowdone
Maybe you should send the last sentence of your post to the medical team.
HobokenToon
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:22 PM
Comment #8This is a comment I read from Craig Hope’s video. A bit harsh but sad to say I see some truth in it as well:
I still think Howe is a great manager, but his insistence on starting a slow centre back as a left back, against fast wingers is Gareth Southgate level managing, and its not good enough. But, at the end of the day if he keeps insisting on doing the same thing and keeps losing, he’ll only have himself to blame when he loses his job
WLtoon
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:25 PM
Comment #9cyprus,
That article is suggesting they were prepared to play players with knocks, or players who weren`t fully fit, it makes me wonder wtf is going on now.
Pressure to have your best players on the field even if it means cutting corners doesn`t sound good at all but our players are having recurring injuries all of the time, it just goes on and on and on and on……
Davas
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:43 PM
Comment #10I’d agree totally with the post from transfer sage but also add that Joel’s injury was also a freak injury. Plus now we have AG with a twisted ankle
Adamn_92
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:46 PM
Comment #11I think that’s why some have said bad luck etc with injuries. I think the vast majority have been injuries you can’t really attribute to too many games or lack of rest.
Then the ones you can point the finger at, for being ‘rushed back’ or too much game time, are because of our lack of options. So we either take physios advice and play them if they’re deemed ok to play, or risk throwing an academy player into the mix.
I’m sure the medical team and physios etc etc will all be looked at, but does just feel like injuries have been very unlucky this season.
Bills Son Is Back
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Comment #12On injuries…
1. Bad luck does happen, it doesn’t always mean there is something ‘wrong’ with training, prep, etc. We hardly had any last season with the same routine; other than to Krafth, Wilson (no surprise) and a normal level of short term injuries.
2. Muscle injuries ie., groin, hamstring and other soft tissue problems need rest to fully recover or they are prone to reoccur in matches even if you train well. IMO that’s why Isak, Wilson, Jo have been hokey kokey in out players. We have had to risk playing then because the level of long term injuries in the squad left EH with no alternative.
3. Pope and Murphy had dislocated shoulders, that is just pure bad luck and nowt to do with training, prep etc.
Then we had the Tonali fiasco.
The chances of the same injury situation happening next season are practically zero.
Simple as.
Davas
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Comment #13Haven’t the club just replaced the head of physio?
Hibbit
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:55 PM
Comment #14elliot anderson hurt his back in bed, stress fracture to the lower back, club bought a orthopaedic mattress,
Adamn_92
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:57 PM
Comment #15On a more positive note, it’s fantastic to see Barnes back.
Wouldn’t surprise me at all if he starts banging the goals in regularly between now and the end of the season.
Davas
Feb 5, 2024 at 3:58 PM
Comment #16On the injuries, I posted this a week and a half ago but still seems relevant,
“Davas
Jan 28, 2024 at 1:20 PM
Comment #79
I’m not sure how much these injuries can be blamed on the intensity of our play. Looking at our injuries, there are a high proportion of unusual (freak?) injuries.
Tino Livramento (Illness, January 2024)
Jacob Murphy (Shoulder, January 2024)
Callum Wilson (Calf, January 2024)
Harvey Barnes (Ankle, February 2024)
Joe Willock (Foot, February 2024)
Matt Targett (Thigh, February 2024)
Elliot Anderson (Lower Back, March 2024)
Nick Pope (Shoulder, May 2024)
Joelinton (Thigh, N/A)
There’s only really Targett, Wilson and Willock but Wilson has often had injuries and even targets and and Willocks problems started before the season began.
Add BDB’s back injury and Tonali’s ban, its one unusual chain of events.
Ps. Some of those listed seem incorrect and I know Murphy and Tino came back yesterday but the point is still the same “
Adamn_92
Feb 5, 2024 at 4:09 PM
Comment #17I also find it funny that people accuse Howe of being too loyal etc and having favourites, when it’s clear people on here do as well.
Whenever Burn makes a mistake, people are on him immediately.
Yet Lutons 4th goal, Bruno clearly tells Botman to go over to Adebayo and even hand signals to him to move over to him. Botman doesn’t move for ages even when Bruno is right there to take his man. By the time he does move it’s too late and he can’t get the block in.
Yet i’ve seen no comments to say Botman made a mistake.
Or question what Schar was doing for Barkleys goal. Where he’s initially with him, then is casually walking back into the box behind Barkley with no attempt to get to him.
Nah, just say Burn is shite. (I’m not saying he didn’t have faults, just that he always gets his pointed out where others don’t)
Adamn_92
Feb 5, 2024 at 4:13 PM
Comment #18Or how Trippier made a massive mistake in rushing out for no reason for their 4th goal too.
Bills Son Is Back
Feb 5, 2024 at 4:21 PM
Comment #19Adamn92
Dead right.
Botman made a right rick by moving away from Ade towards Barkley who was covered by Schar.
Every player makes mistakes, but Burn gets dogs of stick off fans for getting beat in a one on one race.
What about the Luton player who got skinned by Gordon for the second goal?
Is he getting dogs off the Luton fans?
Adamn_92
Feb 5, 2024 at 4:26 PM
Comment #20Bills
As fans we always seem to want a scapegoat. It was Longstaff for ages, where any misplaces pass, he’d get called shite. Ignoring all other players who misplaced passes.
Now it’s Burn.
Get’s beat for pace once, he’s awful.
Only 1 goal of Lutons you can attribute to Burn which was the penalty.
First Luton goal, just a free kick and they’re good in the air. Can question marking but sometimes a good free kick and good players in the air will undo you.
Schar was lazy for Barkleys.
Burn initially lost it for Adebayos but it was wayyyyy upfield. Trippier then makes a bizarre decision to rush out, where if he had stayed there was far less danger. Then Bruno covers Botman, tells him to go to Adebayo, but he leaves it way too late.
Multiple faults from players that led to Luton goals. But because Burn is a bit slow and gave a pen away for 1 goal, it’s all his fault it sounds like.
Mad.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 5, 2024 at 4:42 PM
Comment #21If Burn is to join in the attacks way upfield then he needs cover from the midfield to fill the hole when he is trying to get back.
Teams have exploited the hole for the last few games with quick counter attacks using there fastest player
We have also got to get near their player maker ie Barclay on Saturday no one got near him tackled him to near the end – had the run of midfield
Coming Saturday someone will have to stand on Hudson Odou.
Ps injuries – Don’t know if indoor all-weather pitch has been upgraded but Shearer and a few other players would not play games or train hard on the pitch as it contributed to a lot injuries, especially the knees
Davas
Feb 5, 2024 at 4:53 PM
Comment #22Charlie
It was upgraded during Rafa’s time:
https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/archive/benitez-explains-training-ground-redevelopment-plans/
Davas
Feb 5, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Comment #23Looks like Wood is out for Saturday
Mund
Feb 5, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Comment #24Great news!
Wood ruled out for our clash 😉
Mund
Feb 5, 2024 at 5:02 PM
Comment #25Damn you Davas 🙂
Davas
Feb 5, 2024 at 5:25 PM
Comment #26😀
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 5, 2024 at 5:55 PM
Comment #27It was Dummet before Longstaff and Williamson before him, Shola before that, if any of those were not playing another scapegoat was quickly found.
WLtoon
Feb 5, 2024 at 5:55 PM
Comment #28We might have a chance now the world class Wood is out haha
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 5, 2024 at 5:58 PM
Comment #29See Biiling was sent off Sunday a straight red
Does he miss our game against Bournemouth
See Hudson Odou went off injured yesterday too
tannerabag
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:03 PM
Comment #30Adamn_92
I don’t think its a case of BDB having gone off the boil as it were, its a case of opponents now targetting him as a way of getting through the Newcastle front and midfield press. It is not recent – its been happening since the back end of last season.
If EH wants to play BDB, I think he should move him into a defensive midfield role – where he doesn’t need to get up and down the pitch so much, and has other players behind him as cover.
Livramento definitely needs to be starting.
Just my analysis from what I see.
Small World
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:06 PM
Comment #31Lesh / Tuff and all (as regards the petition)
I brought the issue of travesty of the banning of that woman supporter to the blog, but won’t be signing that petition as a matter of principle. As regards my views on Trans issues, they are my own and I don’t care to share them on here it is a football blog.
In this case I won’t sign as it is not the issue at hand, and the cause has been subverted. The issue is that he PL have no right whatsoever to investigate and then have the club punish someone for their views. Should that be true, it is a travesty, and I am ashamed that the club have taken part in such a scheme.
As regards the original ones who bought the situation to light (the Free Speech union), it is terrible state of affairs that they are considered “right wing”. Free speech is free speech, from which ever angle it comes from. Toby Young is well known for his political background and views. I saw nothing in his peice about trying to influence anybody as regards to who they should vote for come election time. He was standing up for a basic human right.
I repeat my earlier statement. The club should hang their heads in shame. I took some time deliberating before posting the link the first time.
https://twitter.com/SpeechUnion/status/1753528554929947067?s=20
JohnJ
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:09 PM
Comment #32lochinvar
Feb 4, 2024 at 11:46 PM
Comment #642
EssexGB, Javeatoon, JohnJ, Mac even
“2926 I’ll be 983 years old then.?”…. And the rest Essex! ? ?
For those of us of a certain age and disposition.”
https://youtu.be/e7n53nIBb3g?si=51Zr5pRMz6AItjLj
Ah yes I remember those days well….. those were the days my friend I thought they’d never end! I also recall the Bedford CF vans with the column change gear stick. One of my first camping trips with the senior scouts was to Alnmouth!
Nols
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:11 PM
Comment #33Re injuries… yes we always had many, exept in the Rafa days. He was extremely carefull of bringing players back. They would play 5 minutes for weeks, then ten, fifteen, twenty, half an hour.
What do we see now? Eddy says a player isn’t ready but three days later they play half an hour or even starts. Isak is injured, it’s being reported he is out for weeks but a few days later he starts the game. It has hapened over and over again.
Small World
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:12 PM
Comment #34Adamn_92
Feb 5, 2024 at 4:26 PM
Comment #20
Too true, folks often look for scape goats when things go wrong. I would rather we replace both Longstaff and Burn in the near future. I don’t keep a “little black book” of every mistake they make and hold them to task each time – tearing strips off them in a comments section of a blog.
It is a team game. The team at all times, including the manager, should always take into account all parties strengths.
Small World
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:23 PM
Comment #35Raj of Hailsley
Feb 5, 2024 at 5:55 PM
Comment #27
Yep. Too true.
JohnJ
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:25 PM
Comment #36Looking at those dates above I’d be only 18 years off 1k years. (982)
Well not really I’d be long gone and forgotten by then!
JohnJ
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:28 PM
Comment #37Oh Bugga,
King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer! No public duties but still to do other stuff.
JohnJ
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Comment #38Dr Ed,
Sending best wishes across the “Pond” hoping you feel much better now!
Fenham to Chalfont
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:35 PM
Comment #39Is it only me but who else believes lesh skips past all the football related posts, and specifically looks for and targets anything that either myself, Tuffers, Mund and on the odd occasion Jane posts.
This man brings absolutely nothing of worth re football chat to this NUFC FOOTBALL blog. What a boring life he must lead. Sad!!!!
Toon Irish
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:36 PM
Comment #40Newcastle defensive record since Christmas
Goals conceded 15. = 19th
Shots of target faced 46. 20th
Shots faced 99. 20th
Expected Goals against 17.3. 20th
But don’t worry we’ve got big Dan burn to deal with aerial threats and set pieces.its time to cut out the weakest link and get tino into the starting line up from now to end of season.it can’t get any worse than them numbers.