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
Fenham to Chalfont
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:37 PM
Comment #41Que the boring owld sod come on here to talk a load of nonsense. 🙄
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:40 PM
Comment #42Has anyone actually seen any of this lasses posts before jumping to her defence, she’s apparently deleted some of the worst ones.
https://twitter.com/opiumteaworld/status/1754532334249083026?s=19
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:43 PM
Comment #43Yeah, good take on BDB Ed. Pros and cons to having him at left back. It’s just as likely we’ll be working on ways to stop him becoming isolated in one v ones v a fast winger, as playing Livra instead. Certainly needs help, from his manager and other players at times, but also contributes heaps. One thing I think is clear though. He won’t be our starting left back next season. We simply are conceding too many.
magicmac54
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:51 PM
Comment #44To my fellow Blog members who are Royalist!!
As an Irish Republican, i`m sorry to hear that news about the King this evening, i hope it`s not a life threatening form of cancer, and he goes on to make a full and speedy recovery in the very near future.
Small World
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:02 PM
Comment #45Raj of Hailsley
Feb 5, 2024 at 6:40 PM
Comment #42
I’ve seen worse, the again as you say if she has deleted a few too…..
The club are also entitled to ban anyone they see fit. I would like to think it is for what they believe to be a good reason. If this woman had been abusive to anyone for any reason at all whilst at the match, or encouraged others to be so, fair game.
What she spends her time doing away from the match is her concern. If they have acted against her because she has expressed views about trans people, they should think again.
I have a real problem with visiting Middle Eastern states. I refuse to travel there because of the way that they treat particular members of their own societies. If I say this on FB tonight, do I get banned from SJP too?
I also recognise the right of Middle Eastern states to conduct their own affairs in a way they see fit. Does that then get me off the hook?
From where I stand, the PL are potentially acting illegally, driving an agenda, and the club are towing the line.
It needs investigation
Munster Mag
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:04 PM
Comment #46Just read about Charles now. I hope he gets through it.
I’m an Irish nationalist to my bones but he’s a decent skin and hope he’s OK.
Now boys, I’m not a raving anti brit am I?
lesh
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:11 PM
Comment #47Fenham
Why not concentrate your thought on other than messaging your own ego. C’mon, cough up, your bullshit’s been questioned umpteen times and you don’t like it. If all you can talk about is football (you do that very well), gawd help you.
You called yourself a Director? Pffft!
Fat Basta*d
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:11 PM
Comment #48Ed slightly negative about Newcastle. Wonder if he will be called wum and a mackem 😀
Small World
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:12 PM
Comment #49As regards those tweets from that woman. I’ve seen far worse bile spat out on here by certain trolls ……
Fat Basta*d
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:12 PM
Comment #50Ya fat kunt waste of space probably gonna cry over Charles now. How long wil
Fat Basta*d
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:12 PM
Comment #51….he grieve this time
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:14 PM
Comment #52Small World,
Maybe they’ve thought that anyone micey enough to post a picture of a giant pair of shears while boasting you’ve shredded a flag is a danger to the public?
Small World
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:24 PM
Comment #53Raj of Hailsley
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:14 PM
Comment #52
🙂
I bet there’s a few flag burners get to the match too… Which is fine. Don’t do it at the game, don’t encourage others to do it at the game.
I’ve met a few space cadets at the match. There’s a few absolute coke heads get to the away matches. Possibly at home matches too, but I haven’t had to put up with them at such close quarters. It takes all sorts, and I haven’t got an axe to grind.
I fear the PL do. Lets’ get it out in the open. Shine a light on the truth
lesh
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:25 PM
Comment #54Small World
The point about the freedom of speech lot and the citizengobis that they are generally regarded as right leaning. Why have they jumped on the fan/ EPL/ NUFC bandwagon? Well how better to draw football fans to their causes! What we don’t know, is the full story behind the fan-ban issue. Until then, I’d rather wait before commenting on the rights or wrongs.
Let’s not lose sight of the reality that the freedom of speech mantra is championed by the likes of Tr**p and Tommy Robinson.
That aside, I do share concerns about is surveillance and intrusion into folks’ privacy – it does go on and we don’t know the half.
lesh
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:28 PM
Comment #55Fenham
My post at 47 should’ve read mAssaging your own ego.
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:29 PM
Comment #56Assuming Gordon and Isak are out, then you’d expect Wilson and Barnes to start v Forest. Possibly Livra at left back, although you wouldn’t bet against Burn getting the nod again.
If it is to be Burn, then Eddie will be working hard during the week with Botman, Miley and Barnes to make sure they work well in unison in support of BDB.
It’s a bit of a problem for us defensively with Miley on the left I think. Nothing to do with ability, he has that in spades, just inexperience and maybe legginess. We do really miss Joel, Willock and Anderson, and again, why not Hall?……although it’s pretty clear Eddie just doesn’t think he’s ready.
Fenham to Chalfont
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:35 PM
Comment #57What a bunch of cranks we have on here at times man eh… What’s that saying “the lunatics have taken over the asylum”
When we have lesh and the smelly tramp Elswick troll posting on here it’s quite literally fooked, meaning zero decent banter or good football chat to be had. Just a load of daft far left bollix and very angry fools shouting, hissing and howling at the moon.
lesh
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:40 PM
Comment #58Fenham
So worrying far right bollocks’s OK then?
You don’t like being called out for what you are yet you don’t have the sense to keep your bile-ridden views and comments about others to yourself.
Fat Basta*d
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:40 PM
Comment #59Ya fat kunt i’ll slap the taste out of your mouth.
You wont enjoy the taste of burger & chips ever again.
Bring back death penalty for Jelly Belly
Great White Hunter
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:44 PM
Comment #60Evening, WHY do us supporters always looking for a scapegoat, ie Eddie,BDB, Longstaff, Wilson etc…..this season we have been very, very unlucky, injuries wise, so it is what it is, after the sh*t e,ve had over the last couple of decades can we just enjoy the football our team produces. Football is just like life in general, good luck , bad luck, ups & downs, our time will come, the people who run our club know everything we know, but a lot more, trust them, be patient, our fortune will change, we can’t be to sentimental good players will go BUT better players will arrive, as we,ve agreed on earlier, let’s just enjoy the ride, players,manager ground fans zone the lot……. End of sermon, lol Cheers. GEH
WLtoon
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:47 PM
Comment #61By the looks of it EH doesn`t think Livro is ready either, otherwise he would be playing more often, he only puts him on when Burn is having a nightmare or he is short on numbers.
Wood is injured this weekend so there is no need to play Burn to cover for Woods height, im sure Botman and Shcar can manage, but their pacey winger IS playing and we need someone with pace to cover him and Tino is your man.
How to stop goals getting conceded, stop the main threats, and Elanga is one of them, play Livramento..
Fat Basta*d
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Comment #62Livramento not ready after a few man of match performances?
How do you know if you’re ready?
WLtoon
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Comment #63Was looking forward to the Brentford game tonight until i found out Spit the dog was presenting the show, not only is he there, all he talked about was the scouse game yesterday, when the current champions ko in what was 20 minutes time.
Sky are the Liverpool and Man U hoop lickers big time.
Small World
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:01 PM
Comment #64lesh
Feb 5, 2024 at 7:25 PM
Comment #54
Understood. You will know I won’t get into the politics or other stuff that goes on here. However, try this out for size.
Why has the right become associated with free speech? Have the Left abandoned it totally? Shame if that was to be the case.
My final comment of the evening. It takes all sorts. I have friends and colleagues who I share only certain attributes with, but get along with them none the less. I find when you look at things closely, you don’t see the stereotypical tropes.
One of my buddies is a Marxist, free speech advocate, and avid Brexit supporter.
I’ll leave it there…….
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:03 PM
Comment #65When we are firing on all cylinders, the ball just doesn’t get to the feet of dangerous players, in dangerous parts of the pitch with the space and time to hurt us. But with so many injuries, we really have been spluttering. It’s not rocket science. With tiring legs, and so little off the bench, we are quite vulnerable.
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:05 PM
Comment #66Small World,
What has this got to do with the left for Gawds sake.
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:08 PM
Comment #67Before everyone starts pointing fingers at her right to free speech, let’s see what the club has to say. Did anyone see the documentary about that fruit cake from Barrow and the Justice for Ellie marches.
WLtoon
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:11 PM
Comment #68That`s the problem Nicky, we aren`t firing on all cylinders and are shipping goals in left right and centre, pace is essential in any team, especially in the PL.
Tino has had more MOTM votes per minutes played than any other member of the squad yet he still can`t get a game.
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:11 PM
Comment #69Nicky,
Some people are starting to refuse to believe that the injuries are part of our poor season and would rather lay the blame at the managers door because of subs etc.
WLtoon
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Comment #70Man City all over Brentford, just a matter of time
WLtoon
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:23 PM
Comment #71Brentford 1 up , unbelievable
lochinvar
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:27 PM
Comment #72…..Jeff
WLToon
Please finish your sentences.
Was it Toney who scored ?
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:28 PM
Comment #73No.
WLtoon
Feb 5, 2024 at 8:32 PM
Comment #74Maupay
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 5, 2024 at 9:02 PM
Comment #75So much for the Wor flags fan protest Saturday on kick off times
See the TV companies and Sky have shafted or travelling fans again by rearranging the game with Chelsea to a 8-00pm Saturday night kick off.
About time fans of all clubs boycotted a weekend to try to get the message over
Fenham to Chalfont
Feb 5, 2024 at 9:02 PM
Comment #76Apologies in advance if anyone else had posted this Bruno Guimarães on life at NUFC and this campaign, so far:
“I am enjoying it here a lot – I have never felt so loved at a club before. It is lovely how much the fans love me, I love them as well. But this season has been a mix of things for me. I want more wins and at least get the club back into urope again.
I am very disappointed with how the season has been, crazy really. We have two or three games and we are very good, then two or three when we are very poor. I am really tired and disappointed.
But I know I have to keep going. It has been a different season for us, but we have had problems with injuries. Just crazy really.
It gave me crazy feelings (the Luton game), I thought we’d do much better against Luton.
There’s still a lot to achieve. I hope we can get on a run of five or six games now in the Premier League. At Aston Villa, we were the Newcastle of last season. But against Luton, we were not the same team. We were not there for 45 minutes, there were two or three goals we could avoid. We came back but we still have a lot of things to do this season.
Normally when you score four goals in a game you win. When you score you have to win a game really. We scored four and had opportunities to score five or six. We are disappointed and it’s sad, let’s see what the future will bring for us, but we have to keep going. We have positives to take forward. We managed to get the game back to 4-4 with 20 minutes left on Saturday so that shows you.”
You’ve got to bloody love Bruno man. 🙂
HWTL!
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 5, 2024 at 9:03 PM
Comment #77Thing is though, it’s Eddie’s job to prepare and utilise what he has available to get the most out of it, and there have been some flaws evident, no one would pretend otherwise, and which you can put down to injuries and tiredness…….but can you entirely though. It’s an interesting point of discussion. I’m firmly in Eddie’s corner, but I also think he’s making mistakes, of course, and I also like to think he’s learning from them. Hey, you always have to learn the hard way. Even the smartest among us.
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 5, 2024 at 9:09 PM
Comment #78Nicky,
It’s easier to make mistakes when faced with an injury crisis like we’ve had.
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 5, 2024 at 9:16 PM
Comment #79Absolutely, and as I said previously, it might be better to say decisions rather than mistakes. It’s hindsight that renders them mistakes. I expect he recognises these wrong decisions, when he analyses all aspects of the performance during. He’s quite thorough in his preparation, and talented, but still quite young. Learning curve, and at a rarified level.
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 5, 2024 at 9:17 PM
Comment #80…during the week.