It’s another point closer to safety, but that really wasn’t good enough – especially on a day where Bournemouth and Swansea both won at the bottom.
Firstly, there’s one thing I feel needs saying. We may have a lack of quality in our squad and I admit some of our play must leave some St James’ Park regulars tearing their hair out, but jeers when a player passes backwards to avoid losing the ball in a silly area, hounding Darlow to throw out quickly (when it sometimes looks very risky to do so!) and booing at the whistle will NEVER help our cause. I know it was a tough watch today, but a negative atmosphere only makes their jobs harder unfortunately. Rafa keeps telling us to stay behind them. He realises the significance of the SJP atmosphere. I know they need to show more to get us off our seats in the first place, but Benitez clearly realises the importance of our role and the effect we have on the players.
Back to events on the pitch and Rafa made seven changes, bringing back in Gayle, Ritchie, Atsu and Merino – who I hoped would be fresh and raring to go after all being handed rests against Man City in midweek. How wrong was I to be.
None of the above turned up and we so often resorted to long balls to Joselu. He may have won more headers than any other player in the Premier League this season, but he didn’t get much change out of the 6 and a half foot Dunk and Duffy – not that there were many buzzing around him whenever he win his duel.
Brighton were fairly organised and didn’t make it easy, but it’s another game that really does highlight our alarming lack of quality above all else. So many loose touches, sloppy passes and a real lack of quality of dynamism in the side. Atsu. Ritchie and Gayle and Ritchie were big threats away at West Ham this time last week, but they couldn’t find anywhere close to that form today despite all being rested.
We regularly reacted slowly to first and second balls and looked horribly sluggish and void of ideas or creativity. I wouldn’t say the lads looked disinterested but you wouldn’t have though that was a team with seven changes made to it!
Unideal results elsewhere mean it’s looking like a bad weekend for us. Stoke on Monday is looking huge, but a good return their and at home to Swansea on the 13th and it’s happy days again. Problem is, a performance like today just makes you wonder how we’ll muster some much needed wins – with that being the FOURTH time we’ve blanked at home in the last six home games (and most of them have been relatively kind fixtures!).
Fingers will be pointed at Rafa, but the bloke can’t polish a turd! New signings are a must next month to give us the quality and impetus we’re sorely lacking.
STATS
TABLE
😆 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
And the windows open, let the madness begin.
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric – she’s a keeper mate ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
So what Stoke will we face today? – one still licking its wounds after a good hiding off Chelsea, or the wounded beast wanting to bite back.
For me I’d be at them from the off to unsettle them. The fans aren’t happy down there at the mo & if we can score first then I think we could control the game.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, I don’t think our record down at their place is too hot if I recall, still desperate for the win.
kimtoon(Quote)
few of our rivals play each other tomorrow so some points today badly needed.
kimtoon(Quote)
Rafa more or less hinting that Shelvey is un happy asked if he would sell him he said if i can get a replacement if not he has to stay even if some players are not happy
icedog(Quote)
I have almost no expectations for the game. Them days are gone.
Stuart79(Quote)
Ice – unhappy about what the twisty little tart!!. The lad has been backed and supported more than he probably deserves. He done exactly the same at Swansea – sod a replacement, he’s got enough in the squad to let him go now!!.
Let him go and use the money to bring a forward in.
I’d rather Hayden, Merino, Diame (who plays better in a deeper role imo), Saivet (who hasn’t had much game time but done ok against WH), Mbemba moved into midfield – hell bring someone up from the youth team – Fernandez for example.
If Shelvey is being a *****, I don’t want to keep him in a huff when we face a relegation battle.
Sharpy17(Quote)
2 games in 3 days is stupid too. Why couldn’t we play Wed instead? What’s the point? Nobodies looking forward to this game.
georgio(Quote)
After all the talk, this:
Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun, 26, is expected to complete his move to Everton this week in a deal worth £7.5m.
georgio(Quote)
Kim – I know we are too, but they are on a real bad run of form at the mo. The big difference is the fans have lost faith in Hughes. The game a few weeks ago when Arnautovic ripped them a new one & mugged the fans off really got to them.
They are an unsettled bunch at the mo and now could be a good time to play them – if we approach it right – which isn’t to sit back and invite them on to us & build their confidence.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Apparently WH are going to make a £12m bid for Shelvey – in a heartbeat!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yeah get rid. Useless and disruptive. Way overrated.
shamrock(Quote)
Agreed re: approach to game.
shamrock(Quote)
Hughes wont be far from the sack if he loses today, I reckon.
shamrock(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2018/01/01/stoke-a-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-xis/
Sorry folks, forgot to post new thread when this was published earlier today
Another big game!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Good news to wake up to!
Obvious that the lads find it easier to play away from home at the moment. Also very obvious that our form against the bottom sides is the one thing that will keep us up.
Been a pretty good Christmas. Maybe we should just leave it to Rafa eh…
Stuart79(Quote)