Burnley 1-0 Newcastle: Toothless Toon have their bubble burst at Turf Moor

A pretty dreadful game and a really disappointing result, BUT lets not overreact. We were poor tonight, but we can’t be disappointed with our position after 10 games.

It was a game short on quality and we can have no real qualms about the result. We didn’t show enough going forward and were punished on this occasion, with Hendrick’s 74th minute strike securing the three points for the home side:

Perhaps even more frustrating given the fact Burnley didn’t throw a great deal at us. Neither teams threatened the goal all too often and it could well have been a scoreless draw, however these things will happen if we struggle to score goals away from home.

We really lacked that player to unlock the door. Shelvey did his best and was our best player, however there was a real lack of spark ahead of him – aside from the odd burst from Christian Atsu in the first half.

It’s a reality check that despite all our efforts, discipline and organisation, a lack of quality will catch up with you from time to time. Joselu didn’t offer nearly enough up top, Perez struggled to get on the ball in the final third and there was a lack of ideas around them to instigate meaningful attacks.

No need to panic – this is to be expected from a side that we knew was low on quality going into the new season. We will have to show more in the final third, but a newly promoted side, perspective is needed. We’re in the top 10 of the Premier League.

We move on to Bournemouth on Saturday! Hopefully we see a response.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

58 thoughts on “Burnley 1-0 Newcastle: Toothless Toon have their bubble burst at Turf Moor

  1. We need to stop playing Joselu. He is terrible. He shows nothing, attempt nothing and hides 99% of the game. We need mitro up front for the runners to feed off him otherwise we could be in trouble sooner rather than later. We need big changes come January and I can’t see us getting them.

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  2. From last thread,we lost midfield battle,or passing was awful,Burnley worked harder than us without the ball,and we have no striker of any sort end of

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  3. Perspective is definitely needed. Jamie Carragher hit the nail on the head when he said we have a Championship side with a Champions League Manager.

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  4. Icedog:
    From last thread,we lost midfield battle,or passing was awful,Burnley worked harder than us without the ball,and we have no striker of any sort end of

    Agree with all that but I do find it difficult to judge Joselu given the service he is getting. Our crossing was abysmal. I think Shearer would have struggled with such poor support. We have got into a habit of passing sideways and backwards which allows our opponents to organise defensively. On one occasion Shelvey was over the halfway line and he turned round and passed back to Elliot. Even with only one minute to go and one down we were still showing a reluctance to move the ball forward. Every team has an off day but what is worrying last night’s display follows on from a similar display against Crystal Palace.

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  5. Stuart79:
    Perspective is definitely needed. Jamie Carragher hit the nail on the head when he said we have a Championship side with a Champions League Manager.

    Stu – I think we all get that mate, and certainly don’t need some squeaky scouse gobshite pointing out the obvious.
    But even the top managers get it wrong, and I’m sorry mate, but to leave a forward with a better goal scoring ratio back home in favour of a forward who simply doesn’t look like scoring is something I think we are allowed to question. His consistent selection of Perez is something we are allowed to question based on current form. Going with Diame – we are allowed to question.
    Nobody is saying Rafa is doing a bad job, but I feel like Rafa went there last night ready to take a draw and if possible sneak a win – and I’m not sure that’s what the 2.5k travelling fans were hoping to see to be honest.

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  6. Sharpy, from last thread, yeah I know Merino is injured that’s why I said we need him back asap.
    I do think Rafa is working miracles given what’s at his disposal though mate. I just wish he’d give Mitro another chance or try 2 up front.
    Diame is a poor mans sissoko and gosh I never thought I’d say that. Still the one that worries me is young Murphy, far too light weight for PL, he needs to bulk up if he’s to make an impact imo.
    Totally lost the MF battle and Hendricks unmarked for his goal, Rafa won’t be pleased. Perez works hard but it’s not enough and Joselu looks like he is shrinking into his shell under the weight of expectation.
    Disappointing loss but I always said one goal would do it either way, who ever it was the other side would then be locked out. In truth that was a bore fest from both sides, a draw would of been fairer, especially if you look at the stats for the game.

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  7. I’m sorry but I disagree that Rafa is working miracles. He’s doing a very good job with what he has at his disposal, but he isn’t a miracle worker.
    He has us organised defensively very well, and that is excellent – it gives us a real chance. But there is attack as well as defence, and there needs to be more balance for me. It’s all well and good picking Perez & Joselu coz of there work rate and tracking back or whatever – but if that leaves you toothless up front then your opponent has little to fear.
    Listen I get that we don’t have a great deal of quality in our squad, but surely Gayle or Mitrovic are a greater threat than Joselu – and if Perez isn’t cutting it as a 10, then change the formation!!.
    I guess I want to see a set up where we are looking to win games like Burnley away, rather than setting up not to loose. I’ll take that at Man Utd or Man City away, but we should have been looking to win that last night IMO.

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  8. Sharpy17: Stu – I think we all get that mate, and certainly don’t need some squeaky scouse gobshite pointing out the obvious.
    But even the top managers get it wrong, and I’m sorry mate, but to leave a forward with a better goal scoring ratio back home in favour of a forward who simply doesn’t look like scoring is something I think we are allowed to question.His consistent selection of Perez is something we are allowed to question based on current form.Going with Diame – we are allowed to question.
    Nobody is saying Rafa is doing a bad job, but I feel like Rafa went there last night ready to take a draw and if possible sneak a win – and I’m not sure that’s what the 2.5k travelling fans were hoping to see to be honest.

    I don’t think anybody is saying Rafa shouldn’t be questioned but he gets it right more often than not. He sees Mitro everyday in training so maybe he knows something we don’t? Although Joselu is poor there must be a reason he prefers him to Mitro. As for Perez, who else is there? Diame? Not off yesterday’s showing. The squad limitations were there for all to see yesterday.

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  9. Stuart – that’s about right. Rafa’s picking the best from a pretty average bunch. Did he play Diame cos Hayden’s on 4 yellows and Merino might be missing for a while?
    Perez has always been bundled off the ball in midfield but it was very costly last night. Joselu? Why? Has Gayle touched the ball yet this season?
    I’m also beginning to wonder if the inclusion of Shelvey and Lejeune has actually improved the team. We looked better with Merino and Hayden in midfield, Clark at CB and Mbemba at LB. I thought Rafa got a lot wrong last night but it was a very even dull game that we were unlucky to lose.

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  10. Stuart79: I don’t think anybody is saying Rafa shouldn’t be questioned but he gets it right more often than not. He sees Mitro everyday in training so maybe he knows something we don’t? Although Joselu is poor there must be a reason he prefers him to Mitro. As for Perez, who else is there? Diame? Not off yesterday’s showing. The squad limitations were there for all to see yesterday.

    Stu – yeah Joselu runs round more than Mitrovic. Which is great putting pressure on the opponent – I get that, but the kid didn’t touch the ball in Burnley’s box in the first half & I didn’t remember it happening too often in the 2nd either to be honest. Surely a forwards primary function is to be a goal threat, not the furthest forward defender.
    Re Perez – no Diame is horse **** too. But they are both number 10s, so if we don’t have a decent one, change the formation to one that best suits the players you have rather than picking poorer players to fit your preferred formation.
    Go 4-4-2 and have Gayle alongside Joselu if he wants him in there – at least Gayle would then give that threat.
    Go 4-3-3 and have Hayden, Merino and Shelvey and drop Perez.

    Like I say, against the top teams, I understand setting up to not t get beat. But there were points there for the taking last night & Rafa only make changes when we went behind – salvage the point. Why not make those changes sooner and go for it?!. For a good 10mins before their goal, Burnley were on top and you sensed it might only be a matter of time before they broke us down. Throw Gayle on and give them something else to think about.
    It was disappointing mate, and I think he does have alternative options, but seems too stubborn to go with Mitro, or change from his favoured formation.

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  11. The other thing last night was Ritchie being so poor. Was he carrying a knock? He’s generally the difference for us in these sorts of games and I’m still waiting to see what Murphy has to offer. Very little so far. Where’s Aarons?

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  12. georgio:
    The other thing last night was Ritchie being so poor. Was he carrying a knock? He’s generally the difference for us in these sorts of games and I’m still waiting to see what Murphy has to offer. Very little so far. Where’s Aarons?

    spot on my thoughts as well

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  13. Sharpy17: Stu – yeah Joselu runs round more than Mitrovic.Which is great putting pressure on the opponent – I get that, but the kid didn’t touch the ball in Burnley’s box in the first half & I didn’t remember it happening too often in the 2nd either to be honest.Surely a forwards primary function is to be a goal threat, not the furthest forward defender.
    Re Perez – no Diame is horse **** too.But they are both number 10s, so if we don’t have a decent one, change the formation to one that best suits the players you have rather than picking poorer players to fit your preferred formation.
    Go 4-4-2 and have Gayle alongside Joselu if he wants him in there – at least Gayle would then give that threat.
    Go 4-3-3 and have Hayden, Merino and Shelvey and drop Perez.

    Like I say, against the top teams, I understand setting up to not t get beat.But there were points there for the taking last night & Rafa only make changes when we went behind – salvage the point.Why not make those changes sooner and go for it?!.For a good 10mins before their goal, Burnley were on top and you sensed it might only be a matter of time before they broke us down.Throw Gayle on and give them something else to think about.
    It was disappointing mate, and I think he does have alternative options, but seems too stubborn to go with Mitro, or change from his favoured formation.

    We’ve had our best PL start for 6 years and the best of any promoted team for 10 years so he will rightly say he doesn’t need to change the formation to 4-4-2. It’s clear Rafa sees this formation as the best way to pick up points with the players he has and so far it’s working. One result shouldn’t change that I suppose.

    What I will say is that a lot of our games have finished 1-0 or 0-1 and that’s what we will continue to see unless he has some cash to spend in January when he can buy players who can make a difference in attack.

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  14. Stuart79: We’ve had our best PL start for 6 years and the best of any promoted team for 10 years so he will rightly say he doesn’t need to change the formation to 4-4-2.It’s clear Rafa sees this formation as the best way to pick up points with the players he has and so far it’s working. One result shouldn’t change that I suppose.

    What I will say is that a lot of our games have finished 1-0 or 0-1 and that’s what we will continue to see unless he has some cash to spend in January when he can buy players who can make a difference in attack.

    Stu – I know mate, and when you put it like that it sounds like I complain unduly – I don’t know, maybe I do. Rafa has done a fantastic job, and I don’t see us getting dragged into the relegation battle at all this year – which is incredible really.
    But I hear Unsworth bang on about the Everton way of playing football. Well I’m used to the Newcastle way during my generation. I love to see us organised. I’m an ex defender myself so enjoy watching us so well organised. It’s winning us games & picking up points – but I’d love to see us be more ruthless up top. Play with a bit more urgency and make it a bit more exciting to watch.

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  15. I’m sure with money this will be addressed in Jan or next summer – whenever the takeover happens.
    But I’d love to see him be a bit more adventurous in the meantime – that’s all.

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  16. Interesting to see even the great Rafa getting questioned. Up to now he’s done the job. But yeah I’d love to see more attacking intent than Joselu, Perez and Diame can bring.

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  17. I question Ritchie for his pass to Perez. Most of Burnley’s players were still in our half of the pitch and two were right behind Perez. If we know Perez Ritchie should know him better. That pass was simply too risky!

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  18. As I said before our passing was bloody awful,and Burnley worked a lot harder than us,in saying that a draw would have been a fair result,Murphy is far to light weight,Aaron’s is roughly the same body weight but imo has a stronger body core and should be in the side before Murphy

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  19. Well when we came into this run of 4 games I said 7 points would be decent. We are on 4 with 1 game to go, at home to Bournemouth. A very winnable game. Win that and its been a good return. Lose and its not great but hey ho. Either way we need investment in January because so far I think we have been fortunate with fixtures. We have a tough run all the way through to the New Year after the next game – and I cant see many points coming our way.

    By the end of December we will have played 22 games. I can only see us collecting 12 points between now and then. 26 points from 22 games. Not exactly well clear of the relegation dog fight. Bit of investment up front and we will be fine. No investment and it will be close in my opinion.

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  20. shamrock:
    Well when we came into this run of 4 games I said 7 points would be decent. We are on 4 with 1 game to go, at home to Bournemouth. A very winnable game. Win that and its been a good return. Lose and its not great but hey ho. Either way we need investment in January because so far I think we have been fortunate with fixtures. We have a tough run all the way through to the New Year after the next game – and I cant see many points coming our way.

    By the end of December we will have played 22 games. I can only see us collecting 12 points between now and then. 26 points from 22 games. Not exactly well clear of the relegation dog fight. Bit of investment up front and we will be fine. No investment and it will be close in my opinion.

    I agree, Sham. However I have serious concerns about January. I can’t see a takeover being done so fast and Ashley will not invest in the team if he’s negotiating. Real problem for him and us…

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  21. I guess we will survive either way, but without investment I see us finishing between 13th and 16th. Not bad I guess for a first season back but this start is a false impression of our current talent and potential in my opinion. We have only played 1 top 4 side so far and other than Liverpool, we have played relegation fodder and sides not expected to make a real push for the top 8.

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  22. Stuart79: I agree, Sham. However I have serious concerns about January. I can’t see a takeover being done so fast and Ashley will not invest in the team if he’s negotiating. Real problem for him and us…

    I agree. He wont spend.

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  23. shamrock: I agree. He wont spend.

    Any transfers incoming will because we will move out a few players,Gayle/Mitro,Ime thinking it will be Gayle as they have a 13/15 mil bid on the table for him plus a couple more,don’t know how much we have bid for Tosun but the Turkish owner has said toon are leading the chase but he wants another 2.45 mil to seal the deal

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  24. Good lad Sammi.
    Ice I am a bit out of touch with footy these days. No idea who Tosun is. I assume he is decent?

    If a takeover did happen then I would like Shaarawy from Roma on the left wing. Seen him play a couple of times and looks intelligent and tricky.

    The thing with Aarons and Atsu is they are one dimentional. We need brains in the attacking slots. Thats where the big bucks come in I guess and as long as we are in a budget, we simply wont get that type of player. It will be much of a muchness, maybe more depth and competition but no real class.

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  25. Icedog:
    KIM how did the second look go?

    she’s accepted my offer mate, but the one she was after went to sealed bids and they lost out so she asked if I was willing to wait while they look for something else. I said yes as I don’t want to move before Christmas anyway. She had a higher offer than mine after I made mine but decided to go with me cause she liked me according to the agent. She knows I been looking for 6 years and had a bad time with last attempted move.

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  26. kimtoon: she’s accepted my offer mate, but the one she was after went to sealed bids and they lost out so she asked if I was willing to wait while they look for something else. I said yes as I don’t want to move before Christmas anyway. She had a higher offer than mine after I made mine but decided to go with me cause she liked me according to the agent. She knows I been looking for 6 years and had a bad time with last attempted move.

    Good on you mate Ime real happy for you and Lew

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  27. shamrock:
    Good lad Sammi.
    Ice I am a bit out of touch with footy these days. No idea who Tosun is. I assume he is decent?

    If a takeover did happen then I would like Shaarawyfrom Roma on the left wing. Seen him play a couple of times and looks intelligent and tricky.

    The thing with Aarons and Atsu is they are one dimentional. We need brains in the attacking slots. Thats where the big bucks come in I guess and as long as we are in a budget, we simply wont get that type of player. It will be much of a muchness, maybe more depth and competition but no real class.

    He’s a top striker mate at the moment he’s top scorer also in the CL right or left foot doesn’t matter and very good in the air,there is only one thing he the club play two up front Babel being the other,can he work as a lone striker,with his class I think he could

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  28. Stuart79:
    I am actually not too sure Rafa has ever played attacking football.

    Stu – I’m not wanting all out attacking football mate, but a better balance – I guess when you have a striker like Torres that’s easier to achieve like ?. I liked the football he had Chelsea playing too so long term I have no concerns, I just wish that he’d give Mitro a go – and bloody drop Perez!!.

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  29. Sunderland didn’t waste much time after the final whistle… I really have no idea who they can appoint who will have any chance of getting them promoted or even staying up…

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  30. After their plane stunt, watching them drop to League 1 would be hilarious and will keep them quiet for a number of years to come. Shame there will be no NE derby for a while but there you go…

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  31. Sharpy17:
    Being deadly serious, who the hell would want that Sunderland?.

    An up and coming from the lower leagues or somebody in the last chance saloon.

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  32. shamrock: An up and coming from the lower leagues or somebody in the last chance saloon.

    Sham – I reckon the cheapskate will give it to someone already at the club, so it saves him more money. Could go to John O’Shea for now.

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  33. shamrock:
    Deeney banned and out of Toon game. That helps for sure.

    Yeah he’s a threat, but they’ve brought some decent players in and are playing some good football under Silva.

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  34. Bolton fans are pleading club to drop Armstrong saying he is a waste of space and done nothing since he came to the club

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  35. Icedog:
    Bolton fans are pleading club to drop Armstrong saying he is a waste of space and done nothing since he came to the club

    To be fair his job is to score goals and he has failed. And they are stuck in the relegation zone.

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  36. Well personally I think we are/have seriously failed Armstrong.
    The kid had/has talent there to develop, but it must be a real kick in the teeth for a lad his age to keep getting sent out on loan with no clear path to our first team. To be fair to the kid he’s probably thinking what’s the point?, I could score 20 goals for Bolton this season and Newcastle are still just going to loan me out again next season.

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  37. Sharpy17:
    Well personally I think we are/have seriously failed Armstrong.
    The kid had/has talent there to develop, but it must be a real kick in the teeth for a lad his age to keep getting sent out on loan with no clear path to our first team.To be fair to the kid he’s probably thinking what’s the point?, I could score 20 goals for Bolton this season and Newcastle are still just going to loan me out again next season.

    You’re giving him a ready made excuse there, Sharpy. Maybe he’s not ready or good enough for NUFC first team? He’s not been scoring regularly in the Championship for 1 & 1/2 seasons. Granted our record with young kids is pathetically poor but on the other hand, none of them have ever gone on and got better at another club and “made it” apart from Forster but we had a couple of decent keepers then. But on Armstrong, he must take full responsibility for his performances. If he performs on loan he gets a chance. So far he hasn’t so why should he get a chance at NUFC…

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  38. Armstrong smashed League 1 but has bombed 2 seasons in a row so far at Championship level – at 2 separate teams. He does not deserve a shot at us in the PL until he proves he can hack it and excel at the next step down.

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  39. Sharpy17:
    So Sunderland sack Grayson – i here Lee Clark is free

    Troy Stavers’ 100% record of being wrong is continuing. He suggested Clark for NUFC citing how well he did at Birmingham City (not true, he did f-all). Of course, he ended up at the mighty Kilmarnock taking them from 3rd bottom to er… 3rd bottom before going to Bury.

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  40. shamrock:
    Armstrong smashed League 1 but has bombed 2 seasons in a row so far at Championship level – at 2 separate teams. He does not deserve a shot at us in the PL until he proves he can hack it and excel at the next step down.

    think he is a nearly player imo he hasnt moved on in two seasons,a thousand miles from toon first team

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  41. Armstrong was given a few chances at NUFC. Admittedly, he was still a kid and was used as a sub but I can’t remember him scoring.

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  42. Rafa has to be getting a bit concerned about our lack of goals now. The experiment of Joselu and Perez must end. If we are going to score less than a goal a game and rely on set pieces we may as well re-hire Allardyce.

    I am not bitching about Rafa – how could I after Pardew, Ugly John and Schteve – but give Mitro and/or Gayle a shot because Joselu and Perez are not cutting it.

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  43. Olly: you have to look at another clip of the Troy Deeney strangle. From another angle the Ryan Shawcross shove is really funny.

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  44. Eric Sykes:
    Olly: you have to look at another clip of the Troy Deeney strangle. From anotherangle the Ryan Shawcross shove is really funny.

    Shawcross sticks his nut in I noticed!

    Also noticed Deeney launched him to the ground as well!

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  45. Olly Hawkins: Shawcross sticks his nut in I noticed!

    Also noticed Deeney launched him to the ground as well!

    Yeah, without even acknowledging Shawcross’ presence. Swatted him off like a minor nuisance. Hilarious!

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