Newcastle 1-1 Swansea: NUFC slip up against the Swans – another frustrating day at St. James’

If you ever wanted an advert for just why we need new signings in attacking areas, today was it.

We started brightly and Swansea looked like being there for the taking, but we just could not capitalise on the chances we created, and it’s come back to haunt us.

A draw (thanks to Joselu’s clever angled finish) may not seem so much of a disaster after going 1-0 behind in the second half, but results elsewhere didn’t really go our way and this was the biggest chance we’ll get all season get three points and simultaneously to sink a relegation rivals. A point may take us that bit closer to that magic 40-point mark, but this has to go down as a massive opportunity missed – especially when we’re expecting nothing next week away to Man City.

Gayle missed 3 or 4 very decent chances. He looks a player woefully short on confidence. As does Matt Ritchie, who seems a shadow of the player we saw last season if recent displays are anything to go by. It says it all when each one of today’s starting 11 featured for us in the Championship last season (not one new signing). And it’s also pretty ominous for us to see Gayle and Ritchie woefully short of form (players who scored 35 goals last season!), showing once again just how important it is to bring in some fresh attacking flair and a proven goalscorer this month.

On the flip side, good to see Mo Diame put himself about in the middle and do what he should have been doing ever since he signed from Hull 18 months ago. He’s a big unit and needs to use that more. Paul Dummett makes us more solid and had a steady game and Perez looked a little more confident and keen to actually have a run at his man. CLICK HERE to see full player ratings.

13 of our last 15 league games left are against teams above us in the table and we still have to play ALL of the current top 10 – and we have only claimed ONE point when facing any the current top 10 so far this season, showing just how we’ve struggled to compete with superior sides. This is your warning Mike Ashley. Strengthen now or risk a real relegation scrap.

Man City away next weekend is a bit of a write off, but Burnley at home a week and a half later at St James’ – a tough game but one we may need to win now after today’s setback.

(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.

114 thoughts on “Newcastle 1-1 Swansea: NUFC slip up against the Swans – another frustrating day at St. James’

  1. Might mean dog **** but SJP locked down last night with a tour and meeting went on until 1 am,could have been the. tax people like lol

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  2. kimtoon:
    Past two relegations were 34 points and 37 points, what will it take to survive this year I wonder ?

    I reckon 38 points would be enough personally Kim. Obviously I think we need to be aiming for more, but I think 38 – as things stand.

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  3. A better keeper would have got us an extra 4/5 points this season. That’s why Rafa wants a keeper. Also, how likely is a striker when you consider the cost of them?

    WBA have made an Enquiry for Cairney too

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  4. Unless we sign someone I can see it being very quiet on here for the next 2 weeks. What is there to talk about/look forward to – a predictable defeat to Man City and a weakened team at Chelsea and another early FA Cup exit. Great. The fun never ends at NUFC.

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  5. Stuart79:
    A better keeper would have got us an extra 4/5 points this season. That’s why Rafa wants a keeper. Also, how likely is a striker when you consider the cost of them?

    WBA have made an Enquiry for Cairney too

    I don’t know Stuart. England’s presumed top ‘keepers haven’t done much for their clubs’ results – Hart, Butland and Pickford.

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  6. Some good news is that Stoke are unlikely to get anything at Man U. If there can be 2 teams detached at the bottom then that makes it more likely that we can stay up. Without a striker that is probably 50/50 but there are other teams who will struggle.

    We all knew that Palace, West Ham and Everton had better squads than us and their Mangers and fixtures were to blame. It is not surprising that they are OK with a bit of organization.

    West Brom, Huddersfield, Brighton, Bournemouth, Southampton and Watford and obviously Stoke and Swansea are our real relegation rivals.

    If you drew it up at the beginning of the season, that lot, us and probably Burnley would have been who you would have said would be fighting the drop.

    There is always a surprise package as well and this year it is Burnley. I expect them to be fighting relegation again next year.

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  7. So according to TalkSPORT Deeney was keen to move to us but Rafa couldn’t give him assurances over his own future… mmm!

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  8. Stuart79:
    So according to TalkSPORT Deeney was keen to move to us but Rafa couldn’t give him assurances over his own future… mmm!

    Rafa is fed up mate,could mean the takeover has died a death

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  9. icedog: Rafa is fed up mate,could mean the takeover has died a death

    It was a lie to begin with. Ashley has no intention to sell.

    icedog: Rafa is fed up mate,could mean the takeover has died a death

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  10. The way he explained it was that Rafa couldn’t guarantee his future because of any potential takeover. But to be honest I think it’s bull ****

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  11. Wow, my login details still work!
    Shame our squad don’t.

    Surely Fatboy isn’t stupid enough to not invest, again. WTF is going on with this club. To quote uncle Albert … “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”.

    Couldn’t believe Joselu tweeting about the good result at the weekend. F•ck me. Does he know what club he plays for? What stadium he’s playing in? Fan expectations? Delusions of grandeur are one thing, being satisfied with a f•cking draw against Swansea is a completely different ball game.

    If we don’t bring in at least a ‘utility’ defender and a striker we are fkd! Bad enough as it is, and we’re not as injury-ravaged as usual. Beggars belief.

    All the best to everyone anyway! 😎

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  12. …I’m holding out for Big Al’s ‘2+2=5’ presumption, that the deal may well be done but won’t be announced until after the window as player price-hikes will go through the roof to any new owner.

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  13. If we get to February with nobody in and nobody out , no takeover in sight, and Rafa walks away in disgust, then we might just get that utility defender and a striker.
    Mbemba and Mitrovic.

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  14. Anyway, I think I need a new washing machine. It’s been getting louder and louder on spin cycle over the last year. A swift boot used to keep it quiet but nowadays it needs at least two kicks and a headbutt to finish the cycle. Can anyone recommend a decent washer/dryer that doesn’t require physical violence?

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  15. Sidekick, Mbemba has always been ****. I still don’t understand why Mitrovic doesn’t play every game (when fit), then again, I’m no football manager.

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  16. Rod, great to see you’re still in the land of the living, you’ve been missed along with many others who use to post.
    Hope you’re well and your heads not to sore from headbutting that machine 🙂

    LG good make by the way.

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  17. Stuart79:
    The way he explained it was that Rafa couldn’t guarantee his future because of any potential takeover. But to be honest I think it’s bull ****

    It was talksport who said the takeover would complete on the 6th. These journos and pundits know naff all.

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  18. Another story from a paper. The only thing I can believe about the EXpress story is that that Jabba now wants to wait until the new tv deal is done. He’s that stupid. But if that’s the case she will walk and so would I. Having said that, the tv money is only important if you’re actually in the PL!

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  19. Stu, I don’t think he ever intended to sell and have said that from the start.
    God only knows what Desmonds fist pump outside the curry house and this story his paper broke are all about.
    He’s friends with both parties so it makes little sense to play one off against the other and I don’t see her being used as a pawn in an elaborate Ashley pr stunt to avoid transfer activity.
    Pretty baffled tbh, given his legal team said no sale if deal not in place by end of December and club removed from market they should really confirm that’s the case.

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  20. You know , I actually want her to walk away now. Make an announcement to say we have withdrawn our interest and leave him with nowt on the table . No one else is interested anyway so let him invest or be damned.
    Fizzy pop ain’t so bad, at least we won a few games.

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  21. Rafa now talking about Mitro back in training/running. Has the phantom inury suddenly healed now that there are no takers apart from loans. Says he might play in the Cup.

    My guess now is Gayle to Fulham to pay for a couple of loans and/or a number 10. Possibly Ings as his path is blocked at Liverpool by some very good players and Rafa must still have contacts there. I think Dalglish could also help.

    Surprised there are no takers for Colback from the Championship. I would take 2 million to get his wages off the books. That seems to be something that Fatman and Charnley factor into the equation when deciding on any permanent deal.

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  22. Look at who we bought in the summer:

    Murphy
    LeJuene
    Manquillo
    Moreno
    Joselu

    I bet their wages combined probably didn’t come to 100k. Or 2/3rds of Sturridge who some laughingly have us linked with.

    I think that is where the Ritchie and Shelvey rumours came from because getting the wages off the books seems to be as important as the transfer fee to the Fatman.

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  23. Eric, the colback issue is likely no one will meet his wage demands, it was also reported he didn’t want to move too far from the NE back in the summer.

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  24. kimtoon:
    You know , I actually want her to walk away now. Make an announcement to say we have withdrawn our interest and leave him with nowt on the table . No one else is interested anyway so let him invest or be damned.
    Fizzy pop ain’t so bad, at least we won a few games.

    Couldn’t agree more, Kim.

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  25. Stuart79:
    I see Arsenal are only offering Wiltshire £80k a week, which is a reduction in his wage.

    don’t blame them Stu, he’s a permacrock .

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  26. BBC say they have some news coming about toon I think it will be Jabba giving go ahead for 3 signings

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