After months of anticipation, our opening afternoon back in the big time didn’t quite go to plan, as moment of madness from Jonjo Shelvey and some untimely injuries helped Tottenham to a 2-0 win at St. James’ Park.
A competitive and compact first half display saw us go in at the break at 0-0, however injuries to Paul Dummett and Florian Lejeune left a slightly sour taste in the mouth after promising spell of pressure, with the Frenchman unable to continue after being seethed down by Harry Kane.
Early into the second half the game took a turn for the worst. Jonjo Shelvey was adjudged to have stamped on Dele Alli in an altercation with the England midfielder, and Andre Marriner showed little hesitation in showing him the red card.
Tottenham had been pushing – albeit without making any real headway – and were likely to have stepped up those efforts as the game went on, but Shelvey’s dismissal gave us a an unnecessary mountain to climb.
As you’d expect, Tottenham gained a strangle hold on the game from this point onwards and finally put their possession to good use as two goals from Dele Alli and Ben Davies arrived in the space of ten minutes to put them 2-0 up.
Shelvey’s petulance and some injury blows leave myself and many Newcastle fans heading home a frustrated figure tonight, however there are some positives to take.
We tended to rush our opportunities to spring a counter attack an were often a little too enthusiastic for our own good in possession, but in large parts of the game we competed very well, gave them very little and looked a well organised unit, so there are positives to be taken.
Christian Atsu was lively throughout and was undoubtedly our biggest threat going forward, as well as Javier Manquillo and Isaac Hayden putting in great shifts. Mikel Merino also showed his class in a late cameo – he looks a silky player with great balance and passing range.
A harsh lesson to learn on our opening game back in the top flight and a moment of madness that Shelvey must eradicate from his game. Jonjo is believed to have apologised to his team mates in the dressing room straight after the game, but it must be said that he cannot be our vice captain if he continues to show this lack of responsibility.
Now we await further injury news on Lejeune and Dummett and look ahead to Huddersifled away.
Sorry Olly but that wasn’t a costly ‘error’ – it was an act of absolute childish petulance!!.
I get Kane’s ‘tackle’ was worse – but what Shelvey did was still a sending off – a pointless, needless sending off. Rafa has said that he has apologised for it – big deal. It happens all too often with that kid & it will happen again. It’s going to take way more than a sorry for me to back him again.
Positives were defo Atsu & Manquillo for me, along with Lascelles & Mbemba. I thought those 2 did well when they came in too. I also thought Hayden was good in the middle.
I’m hoping a positive is Ashley being at the game today. Hopefully he, Charnley & Rafa sit down and form a plan for the remainder of the window.
Negative for me – Shelvey (covered that one). The injuries, which I hope aren’t too serious (but didn’t look promising). Ritchie had a quiet game, but I think that was just an off day. Perez done nowt, and I really fear he is not a PL player personally.
His performance today highlighted the need to strengthen that position for sure.
My final negative is the 4-2-3-1 formation. I have never liked it, and would love to see us try something different personally.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy I don’t think Perez is ever going to be PL player that we truely need but he did cost 1 million and theres the problem in a nutshell. Riviere cost 6 million and De Jong cost 6 million.
Why didn’t we just pay 13 million for a experienced striker in the first place.
Stem(Quote)
Expecting a cheaper alternative to to get 10-15 goal’s is way to much to ask especially when they have no PL experience.
Stem(Quote)
Everyone says De Jong was a good signing but he wasn’t played today ? He may have been a better option than Gayle or Perez for all I know. Its hard to like a player that’s always injured or lacks fitness. His taken the **** imo.
Stem(Quote)
I agree with Sharpy regarding Shelvey.. inexcusable imo..
I will say one thing, our whole demeanor changed when Merino came on. Had a presence and was demanding the ball at all times. Hayden is handy but he isn’t a true ball player. I think Merino can turn out to be a diamond in the rough.
Very pleased with Atso as well..
Aussie(Quote)
*Atsu*
Aussie(Quote)
Bless You.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sham from previous thread
shamrock
August 13, 2017 at 23:54
If not, then that is disgusting. Also he says the fans did not want the stadium renamed because they hold tradition over finance for the team. Is that true? It was renamed after SD and as far as I know, NO money was paid to the club for it. Was the issue with fans not the renaming, but the blatant SD hoarding board for free?If it had been the Nike stadium for a couple of years and worth a couple of players a season, Im sure we could have lived with it?
Was gonna write this myself Sham, we never paid a penny to SD for that year of SD@SJP he said it was to show companies what they could have. As you say if it was fully paid for by a company for a couple of years it could be worth it.
kimtoon(Quote)
Olly, I still haven’t calmed down over Shelvey’s brain fart and Kane’s reducer on Lejeune Pundits and opo fans claim he got the ball, I don’t care, he came in from behind scissor tackled him and at the end of the day the lad is on crutches so how can it be deemed a good tackle. The fact he got a yellow shows it’s a foul but it should of been red. Deli Ali is a stupid childish wind up merchant as well, he will pick on the wrong player to wind up one day. He kicked the ball away and Jon jo should not have risen to the bait, but he can’t help himself and I fear will never change, previous issues with him tell us that.
Thought Merino was great when he came on and Atsu outstanding, my MOTM by a country mile for us.
Gutted for Lejeune, he’d looked a good buy, just hope it’s not too serious and doesn’t affect him long term, horrible memories of Haidara there.
kimtoon(Quote)
Thought Spurs were really dirty yesterday, obviously still smarting over that drubbing they got off a relegated side 😉 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim I can’t take another relegation season mate.
Stem(Quote)
Watching the Man U game. On the advertising boards around the pitch they have “Yanmar, the official tractor or Manchester United”. Really, do they get a lot of farmers watching? And, the commentators, Arlo White and Graham Le Saux are having a group **** that “United” are playing well again.
And another thing. It is fine to call them “United” in Manchester when there is another team with Manchester in their name. But why in for the rest of the nation? They are playing West Ham UNITED FFS.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If you ignore that Kane’s tackle was from behind, that it was two footed, that both feet were off the ground and that he went through Lejeune then perhaps he was unlucky to even get a yellow. It would be interesting to know what you get a red for apart from a stupid stamp. Perhaps it doesn’t count if the player fouled is a Newcastle player. Had too much of that last year in the Championship. Is there a conspiracy amongst refs? Several times Atsu’s runs into the box were stoppedby a Spurs player blatantly getting hold of him. Of course nothing was done.
Groucho(Quote)
Aye, the refs are consistently inconsistent 🙄 was hoping for better standard in PL
kimtoon(Quote)
That Kane tackle was precisely the one that broke HBA’s leg. Follow through that makes a scissor. I don’t think he meant it but it was a definite red for me.
Negatives: Too many players just looked lost and unable to get into the game. Perez, Gayle, Hayden, Ritchie were all anonymous. Shelvey’s in a class of his own and I’m still not a fan of Elliott. He’s slow moving and maybe Darlow would have done better with both goals. Clark’s no LB.
Positive: Spurs are a very very good team. They’ve won 13 of their last 14 and scored 15 in their last 3.
Merino looks very good, Manquillo better than expected and Atsu’s continued his fine form. He has the confidence now that’s been lacking. Nice to see Mbemba back in.
Lejuene looked class but I fear he may be out a long time.
georgio(Quote)
Swans are buying Wilf Bony I see
kimtoon(Quote)
They should have plenty cash mate,they’re about to get 45mil fromEverton,don’t know that I care that much for Bony at the money they want,he had some great players around him at city but did very little when he got his chance
Icedog(Quote)
The Daily HateMail have reached a new low in the “5 things we learnt” category. They added one, so they learnt 6 things, but did we actually learn anything from the first 2?
1. David Silva has a new haircut. They are saying he is channeling Pep because he got a bit of a short do.
2. Pep is a “fashion icon” in his tight beige chinos and white trainers.
“Journalism” is sinking to new depths. Perhaps they might consider hiring Ryder?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yeah Shelvey is an absolute tool, he’s proved it time and again, I had reservations when we signed him because I always thought he was scumbag and now he happens to be doing all the same stuff in the B&W. Every now and then he’ll have a stormer and he has talent but you can’t build a team around someone like that. I’d like to sell him personally but what are the chances we’d even get replacement at this point..
Hoping Mbemba gets a run in the side now, he’s still the best defender we have for me.
Newkie(Quote)
We must be brave this season and not be to downhearted if the club get no striker.
Stem(Quote)
Medical booked at toon,who I don’t know
Icedog(Quote)
I thought that game had nil-nil written all over it until Shelvey’s stupidity. Now he is suspended for 3 games, right? We knew we needed a backup for him and maybe this will get them moving to find one.
I hear Sigurssssson is available for the cost of an Amazon rain forest and a small planet.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Joselu, Ice. He’s from Stoke and I have no idea who he is. Can’t be all that if Stoke are selling him for £5m…
Stuart79(Quote)
Rumour is Lejoune has done his ligaments 😯
Stuart79(Quote)
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse….
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I sort of liked Harry Kane until that. Now, Alli is a bit of a ****.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just rumour at the minute.
Stuart79(Quote)
cheers Stu
icedog(Quote)
BTW Olly: Shelvey displayed idiocy. “Idiocracy” is a movie written by Mike Judge the creator of Beavis and Butthead.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stoke signing a really good player and we get their hopeless cast off for £5m. I’m really impressed.
This all down to the collection of duds we have clogging up the wage bill. Somebody suggested we should sell Shelvey. Who’s going to want him then?
Hope the news on Lejuene is better than torn ligaments.
georgio(Quote)
same here mate, Oh and Ali is a ***** as well.
kimtoon(Quote)
Gutted for Lejeune, won’t be the same player if his ligs torn, hope we took out insurance.
kimtoon(Quote)
Stoke fans are gutted at losing Joselu, they rate him more than Berahino .
kimtoon(Quote)
Idiocracy is a really good film. It is almost a precursor for Trumps America. The Corporations take over the world and everybody becomes so much dumber for it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
http://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/fixtures-results/newcastle-united-shearer-harry-kane-13474268
Won’t be pals anymore then 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
I see Southampton have just had investment. Jabba reckons there’s nobody around to buy NUFC but in the last 12 months WBA, Wolves, Southampton, Everton and Palacehave all been either bought out or investment. I think what he actually means is there’s nobody out there who will give him the profits he wants.
Stuart79(Quote)
Exactly Stu, he’s not really minded to sell whilst he’s making money from PLsky deals, he admitted in that interview he can’t believe what sky pay the clubs. So he sets an unrealistic price on the club knowing no one will sniff at it. If there was a buyer he’s in a win win situation.
kimtoon(Quote)
Olly – idoiocracy and seething tackle 😳
georgio(Quote)
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Luke Edwards Retweeted
HanoiToon @HanoiToon · 6h6 hours ago
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Replying to @HanoiToon @CraigHope_DM
One big PR scam aimed at giving Ashley free airtime and his PR client an exclusive. Cooked up to benefit all but fans.
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Luke Edwards Retweeted
HanoiToon @HanoiToon · 6h6 hours ago
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Replying to @CraigHope_DM
Also interview took place between Ashley and Craig. Craig is a client of PR firm SD owns 51% of. Questions were never going to be hard.
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Luke Edwards Retweeted
HanoiToon @HanoiToon · 7h7 hours ago
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Replying to @CaulkinTheTimes
Think SD only bought into KBA into past 2 years. At that point the relationship goes from cosy to a bit dodgy. Especially Craig connection.
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Luke Edwards Retweeted
HanoiToon @HanoiToon · 7h7 hours ago
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Replying to @HanoiToon @CaulkinTheTimes
I’d also like to know – if Sports Direct own 51% of KBA – does that mean that NUFC are charged for PR advice and money routed back to SD?
interesting point
kimtoon(Quote)
Georgio: I never want to become the word/grammar police because I know as soon as I do it I will make a big mistake myself. But, if you put idiocracy in the title of an article you might expect someone to notice.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim his hard to get rid of Ashley. He’ll be here for another 10 year’s and he know’s it. I would even take a share holder at the club so he’d have someone to answer too and shows a little more ambition but I’m dreaming.
Stem(Quote)
I put this on the last thread, then realised everyone had moved on… ?
Stories seem to be escalating for Joselu from Stoke…. how far have we fallen that we are now taking Stoke’s cast offs. ??. He may be ok, and right now I think we will take anything to get a striker in, but rather underwhelmed.
He’s had his medical now so looks like he’s in… well he will get support from me until he proves otherwise.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Who is he? I watch quite a lot of PL football and never noticed him.
Mark Hughes is a pretty **** manager though so he might not have got the best out of him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
NUFC Index Retweeted
Guillem BalagueVerified account @GuillemBalague · 19h19 hours ago
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Joselu, close to Newcastle for almost £5m, is a big forward good in the air, but better with mobility.Better goalscorer that he shown lately
kimtoon(Quote)
I’m thinking, how about a loan move for Diego Costa? He doesn’t wasn’t to play for Chelsea, and they don’t want him, he wants to go to Athletico Madrid but they are not allowed to sign anyone til january. We should offer to loan him for 6 months until he is able to go to Athletico… ????
Striker problem solved… lol, lol, ok, never mind…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Put the bottle back in the drinks cabinet mate, though I know the club drives us all to drink 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
I can’t say I know anything about this lad – but then I could say that about all our signings so far this season. They have turned out to be not too shabby so far so let’s hope this kid follows suit.
This signing may force Mitrovics agents to get a move sorted for him – and I think the money we get from his move could then fund the Perez deal.
Sharpy17(Quote)
agree this lad would be better buy
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/08/14/bournemouths-benik-afobe-would-be-a-better-option-than-joselu-fo/
icedog(Quote)
https://www.footballfancast.com/opinion-2/statistics/newcastle-vs-spurs-highlighted-pros-and-cons-of-marriners-flowing-style. Worth a read
Groucho(Quote)
Ice – he would be a good option mate, but I’m sure B’mth paid about £12m for him so they would likely want a profit on him – especially after seeing Gray going for £18m to Watford in the last year of his contract.
Joselu may well be the Murphy equivalent in the CCC. There to do a job in the short term only.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice – Popeye village today mate ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
How did you find it mate?
Icedog(Quote)
So jabba left the ground on Sunday without speaking to Rafa the useless fat git
Icedog(Quote)
Hic’ ….. cheers Kim… ????
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Ice – it makes a better theme park than film mate ?.
It was spot on – big inflatables in the sea kept the boy and I busy all day.
Frightening to thing it was nearly 40yrs ago for the movie though ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Strange but a lot of Stoke fans don’t want to lose Joselu saying he’s a good striker better than those MH keeps playing,so what can you say?
Icedog(Quote)
SHARPY I’ve never been a religious guy but pop into one of their churches if you can I went once for cover from rain it will shock you the riches in there Malta is famous for them
Icedog(Quote)
My mum raved about them when she holidayed there Ice.
kimtoon(Quote)
I can understand it mate,there is 365 churches one for everyday they all try to outdo each other
Icedog(Quote)
Church wars 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
Lol lol lol
Icedog(Quote)
Nah mate, religion winds me up, could be arsed with it. Heading to the aquarium tomorrow I think though the Gozo trip the next day.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Great film. Depressingly it is not as slapstick as some might see it…
shamrock(Quote)
Glad to see you are doing stuff on holiday and not just lounging at the beach. Stick your head in one of the Churches if you pass by one. I am not religious, in fact I am vehemently anti-religion, but I have been to a lot of Cathedrals and even the Vatican. It is worth it, some of the art is beautiful.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Same here. Not religious in the slightest but the Vatican is immense. Sistine chapel worth the visit alone. Many Cathedrals and Churches are just mind blowing inside. You can see where all the dough went that they pilfered from the masses back then (Churches and massive Estates that the MP’s live in now).
The intricate decor, stone masonary and stain glassed windows are just phenomenal to look at.
shamrock(Quote)
I can’t. I’m sure you are right and I can imagine the Vatican being stunning. But I just see glutinous wealth. A faith and movement started to help the needy, yet there are millions of Christians and Catholics around the world in poverty or homeless.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, mate. I have been all over and seeing some of these temples and churches is a wonder. It is not really about religion anymore, it is about seeing something stunning. The Palaces like Versailles and Hampton Court were built on the backs of the underprivileged but are no less impressive.
A lot of great art was paid for by Popes, Medicis, Conquistadors and Robber Barons who weren’t exactly nice people 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Don’t deny your lad. Water parks are good, but he can also see other things. My parents never took me to see interesting and beautiful places. You have to shut out religion and oppression and just see the beauty.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You don’t not go to SJP because it was once where they hanged people for stealing sheep or the like? Gallowgate. Gallows Gate.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
you know yor history owld lad good on yer,dead right about the churchs too
icedog(Quote)
I am not going to the Hoover Dam because 200 men died building it? Or the great Pyramids at Giza because 5,000 slaves died building them? Or Chichen Izta because there were human sacrifices?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hey Sharpy, I am not trying to preach to you. I think you are one of the most intelligent posters on here and I like to read what you say.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
that means some wont watch the world cup because of the people who died building up the dam place
icedog(Quote)
Any mosques in Malta? Some of them rival churches or better.
Let’s hope Joselu is better at getting hold of the ball than Gayle. Having said that I thought Mitro was a better option on Sunday. Being linked with McCarthy again I see. At £20m it’s not going to happen which I don’t mind. Kenedy depended on Chelsea strengthening. Clock’s ticking.
georgio(Quote)
Eric – we went to Chichen Izta when we went to Mexico earlier this year. It was incredible – because of the early science used to build it.
Trust me mate, my son is getting to see and learn about some pretty amazing things – stuff I had to wait 40yrs nearly to experience – and it’s an amazing thing being able to share that with him & the missus.
If he or she wanted to go into a church I would happily wait outside in the sun for them. But I know what pisses me off, and I wouldn’t want to spoil they’re experience of it. Now if I’m off work on a Christmas Eve, I will likely attend my local church with the wife and son – not for religious reasons or because it’s a particularly good looking church. Because it means a lot to my wife me being there as a family & the boy is usually the donkey in the story of the nativity.
I’m not saying you are wrong to go in them mate, far from it. The monies been spent building them so it would be a bigger waste people not going. I’m just saying a know what grips my ****, and going it would only spoil it for others ?
Sharpy17(Quote)