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
lochinvar
Feb 6, 2024 at 2:55 PM
Comment #161Even Sky are getting in on the debate
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/13064842/the-question-why-have-newcastle-conceded-so-many-goals
Maybe it’s because the first line of defence the Midfield is getting by passed or played round ?
The Romans had Hadrian’s Wall as their midfield, the first line of defence. If that was breached the Vallum ditch slowed up some attacks but inevitably it couldn’t stop the Gauls or was it the Picts ?
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 6, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Comment #162I think this season seems like its been the “perfect” storm for us:
Injuries yes it’s played a part but it’s not the only reason far from it
Extra games less prep on training ground probably the biggest issue
Players aren’t reaching last seasons form for various reasons
Teams have figured out our tactics and some players have been sussed
Now I like Burn as a centre back he’s very good and if we are backs to the wall then yep play him but the thing is he’s playing in games where he’s overlapping and flying forward in 1 on 1 situations all the time that’s not his game you play Tino if that’s the game
There’s a tactical naivety to our game this season a lot of the goals we give away are similar especially at home we fly forward with no cover at all we didn’t used to do that last season
I remember last season it was “Bruno is playing too far back wait till we get a 6 and he can then come forward more” we’ll he is doing that but the team isn’t adapting to that as he runs about the whole pitch leaving spaces he didn’t do that last season
Then on the flip side we play Villa and it was probably our most mature performance of the season are we just underestimating teams when we play at home ? Get caught cold then we just seem to be all over the place?
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 6, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Comment #163I despair the minority who think that the worst injury crisis in the club’s recent history hasn’t had the major factor bearing on our poor season.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 6, 2024 at 3:37 PM
Comment #164@Jail
I don’t think anyone is downgrading it all it’s played a massive factor but there’s been plenty if opportunities to change things and we haven’t
Trippier was costing us games on a weekly basis Krafth and Tino were available for near enough all of those games could’ve taken him out even just for a game or 2 might have still lost but it would’ve gave him a rest
You mentioned Cleary from 442 well he did a good run through of why Klopp beat us with 10 men and most teams have been doing it to us all season and that was when we had a fully fit squad the goals we give away are similar in lots of our games injuries or not
cyprus
Feb 6, 2024 at 3:41 PM
Comment #165Lee,
The “modern” game is being played with a high line. See City, Liverpool, Villa, Spurs. I watched a Blackburn game, doing some spying there, even they were doing it! Hence they play well and concede a lot.
So, we took are getting caught out, as, occasionally, by the way, do Liverpool and City.
What does this translate to? Teams like Liverpool are using their CBs as midfielders, they dominate traditional systems of 4-4-2 whatever.
Burn or Trippier get caught up way up front. What are they doing there? Same happens with Walker and Robertson. Even Walker can’t run back in time when he’s way up field.
It’s the approach. Once in a while you pay the price.
A fast player staying behind is useful. Like Gordon. But they’re needed in attack too.
That’s why an alert keeper is needed, playing sweeper. Alison etc. do it every game. Pope does it. Dubravka not so much.
cyprus
Feb 6, 2024 at 3:42 PM
Comment #166Took – too
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 6, 2024 at 3:45 PM
Comment #167@Cyprus
Or alternatively you play a rapid fullback at left back you know someone who can defend in attack in equal measure so can cover for break aways
Maybe someone who cost 40 million and can use both feet……
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 6, 2024 at 3:47 PM
Comment #168We were conceding similar goals when Pope was playing as well
cyprus
Feb 6, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Comment #169Lee we clearly weren’t conceding as many.
cyprus
Feb 6, 2024 at 3:54 PM
Comment #170Fast FBs are of course the ideal. A select few have that, plus other skills that the modern wing back needs. Liverpool, City have a couple of those.
Most teams are good at some things, not others.
Trips is excellent going forward, not so fast, great awareness. Burn is surprisingly agile given his size, cuts problems out early, can score! 4 and counting.
cyprus
Feb 6, 2024 at 3:55 PM
Comment #171Most teams’ FBs.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 6, 2024 at 4:07 PM
Comment #172@Cyprus
Totally as I have said before I hate having a pile on with Burn as believe it or not I was one of the few on here that was actually championing him to sign for us when we were getting him
It’s just been a frustrating season especially as we have chucked so many games away Man Utd , Brighton etc aren’t even that good this season for us to be behind them although I think we will eventually rally to secure 6th or 7th
cyprus
Feb 6, 2024 at 4:17 PM
Comment #173I’ve used some brain cells so last one and a chance for you to use some too.
Quiz: An easy one. Who’s faster Trippier or Burn?
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Answer: neither, it’s a tie. About 32 km/h. In school areas it’s against the law to drive at that speed 😉
FYI, at that speed you can do the 100 metres dash in 11.24 seconds. Not quite 9.58, but close!
cyprus
Feb 6, 2024 at 4:20 PM
Comment #174Lee,
Hope you’re right. I’ll definitely take 6th or 7th.
I think 10th, as I said at the start.
It’s tight. Even Wolves are eyeing us now. A point behind.
But we’re capable. See Villa game for a recent example.