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.
Really disappointing to only draw. But it's 8 points from 5 (prem) and 1 defeat in 6 (all). Tactics were right, game should have been killed off but Rafa needs to be allowed to add a couple of quality additions asap. #nufc
— Pete Graves (@PeteGravesSky) January 13, 2018
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!)
I think Graves sums it all up really.
I know he’s reflected over the last 6 games, and yeah, it’s not that bad.
But we have dropped SO many points from what I would class as the winnable games that it could really bite us on the **** at the end of the season. We create the chances, just not putting them away.
Our Home form is a real worry too. Craic that the ground was quiet and lacked atmosphere again today. It must be hard though when you see a couple of misses and the fans start to think – here we go again.
Sharpy17(Quote)
For me, forget goalkeepers or any other position – got to get a forward in more urgently than anything else.
If nothing else happens this window – got to get a striker.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I posted this on the other article but it was a towards the end & maybe missed.
Shelvey refused to shake Rafas hand when subbed. I don’t care how disappointed or frustrated he is – Rafa has shown him more support & loyalty than most in his career & probably life in general.
Honestly I was a big fan of Shelvey and a real admirer of his passing ability. But the lad has pissed on his chips with me this season. His petulant behaviour and lack of form has left me thinking I couldn’t care less whether he stays or goes now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Does anybody have any idea of what striker we would want, could get and could afford? Sorry, my only idea is Ings on loan with perhaps an option to buy. Given his injury record though that would be a risk as well.
I also don’t see the point of Kenedy. We are already struggling to get game time for Murphy and Aarons and is Kenedy that much better? Assuming we stay up, what’s the point of grooming a Chelsea player? If it were a loan to buy option I may reconsider. However, he doesn’t look so much better than what we have to guarantee safety. Then again, I haven’t seen that much of him but nobody has as he hardly gets a lookin at Chelsea.
Solake? Young and inexperienced but looks a very good player.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
*Solanke, from Liverpool. I think he was player of the tournament at the U20 World Cup.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Gayle,Perez missed chances and Richie is very poor I saw him twisting at a few players because they didn’t reach his poor free kick,sorry if we don’t sign a striker we are going down for sure there’s nothing about the team
Icedog(Quote)
Is a draw a blessing in disguise in that it might loosen the pursestrings? Who knows with Ashley though.
Read an article on the Mackems in Football365. If they finish bottom it will be the first time a team has been relegated bottom of top 2 leagues since Wolves in 1985. It also said they planned to replace the faded red seats in 2016 but are so skint they couldn’t. Ellis Short wanted 170 million for them as well. Would be lucky to get 170 pence now but it does show that Stavely is in the ballpark for NUFC if she bid 250 mil.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – it’s a good question mate, something me and my mate was discussing today.
Of course ideally you’d hope for someone with the ability of Batshuyi, Slimani or Sturridge (I know the latter has injuries, but he’s a top finisher when fit). But any club loaning those players out would want a premium loan fee & the loaning club to cover their wages – no way we are paying wages over our current top earner, which I think is Shelvey on £80k.
Ings could be an option, but it’s not even like he’s come back scoring goals for Lpool. Solanke is still very young and seems to be in Klopps plans as a regular sub.
Sakho from WH could be an option & if Everton sign Walcott, then maybe Niasse would be put up for sale. If we could sell Mitrovic for £12m, then I think either of those could be got with that money.
I’m not certain either are better, however if Rafa isn’t playing Mitrovic – then by default they would be better options.
I think we need a forward that can get us around 8-10 goals in the remainder of the season (I think Mitrovic could do that, but Rafa doesn’t fancy him) – could Sakho or Niasse, could Ings?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Niall
@NiallCarrrr
·
38m
I can’t stand our f****** home support. Any misplaced place and you’ve got half the f******g ground going mad! No wonder we’re s**** at home #NUFC
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy, Shelvey is a total **** mate, total disrespect towards rafa that.
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric, my worry is Rafa sells a player but doesn’t get the money to replace him or they **** about and say to him we couldn’t agree terms.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I’m sure it was just in the heat of moment & Rafa has already dismissed it as an issue – but for me it’s just yet another example of what a petulant, spoiled idiot he is.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – Rafa said he wouldn’t sell unless he has an improved replacement in place – I share your concerns & I’m sure Rafa does too – hence why he’s said that.
I believe that’s known as a Mexican stand off.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If we go down, don’t go watch the games, don’t buy anything. Pretty soon Ashley will regret he didn’t sell the club. I see it a good thing.
If we survive, what happened last year will happen again. Ashley will forever be the owner.
funrafa(Quote)
I have a prediction. Mitro will be sold but it will be an Andy Carroll type deal. Rafa isn’t playing him and probably wants him out but Ashley wants at least his money back. It will go down to the last day or 2 of the window and we won’t have time to get a replacement. Meantime, we will probably get a couple of loans. I think the limit is 2 from the PL but I also think you can get more from Europe.
If this is how it pans out we should not be wasting our time with goalies and left backs. Now Dummett is fit we have plenty of leftback cover. We need forwards, we all know it. It is demonstrated in every single game. We could easily have got points off Brighton, Burnley, Huddersfield, Leicester and others with a decent premier league quality forward.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Our home form is ooor. But that’s indicative of our lack of quality imo. We have no real quality in area that matter – number ten and striker. It might be our downfall but who cares
Stuart79(Quote)
Exactly mate, with a better forward we’d of been 2 or 3 up by half time
kimtoon(Quote)
‘So I think we should do our best to make sure Rafa is comfortable and for me they (the board) should be giving him what he wants because they won’t find anyone any better than him.’ – Lascelles. #NUFC
good lad
kimtoon(Quote)
https://twitter.com/MsiDouglas/status/952294203987546112
He’s always sorry after . 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Bloody hell, blogs died .
kimtoon(Quote)
Because blog keeps breaking down
Gunners need to win this one seems they are lacking a goal scorer
Icedog(Quote)
Ice: the Arsenal squad is the weakest of the top 6. Their centre backs are useless. B’mouth now in front.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Christ b/mouth 2.1 up ffs
kimtoon(Quote)
😈 😈
icedog(Quote)
Just got home from work… expecting to see Arsenal doing us a favour and beating Bournemouth only to see Bournemouth score 2 excellent goals to lead with 10 mins to go… ?? every team is hungry to get a result except us… 8 think Bournemouth go above us with a win…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
don’t see Arsenal getting back into this
kimtoon(Quote)
Arsenal need a goal scorer. Let’s sell them Mitro for £50 million pounds… ????
Dubai Toon(Quote)
all the teams around us seem to be improving,sorry to say it but we are going down
icedog(Quote)
Interesting snippet lads, seen a few people say that the club shop only has nufc stock in there now , no Sports Direct merch at all !!!
kimtoon(Quote)
Is this really Arsenal playing…?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
icedog(Quote)
Arsenal are totally screwed. They are letting their 2 best players leave on the cheap just at the time that it costs a fortune to replace them. Cech is showing his age and would Wolcott or Welbeck really start for any of the other top 6? Chambers and Mertesacker wouldn’t even start for us.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
their best player going to M/U 30 mil,if they sold him in the summer when they knew he was not happy they would have got 70/80 mil,they are lucky to get 30 mil with only six months left on his contract
icedog(Quote)
I am also not sure if Ramsey and Wilshere are any better than midtable centre mids. I think Wenger gets moved upstairs but who would replace him? Ancelotti. If I were him I wouldn’t even take it without a guaranteed 200 million.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Dear blog owners,
Please sort out this site, I have YET AGAIN had to turn off my pc and restart to get on this site. All the other links to sites were fine it’s just this one and I know it’s not just me.
Ilike coming on here to chat with fellow toon fans but am finding it increasingly frustrating and about to give up the ghost.
Matchtime is awful you find you can never get this site to load and that means you can’t interact or celebrate a goal with other fans. That’s bad enough but now it’s happening more and more and it’s beyond a joke guys.
Please sort the issues out.
thanks
kimtoon(Quote)
Wenger said he want his *** to take his place
icedog(Quote)
first blood to the Pool
the Ox
kimtoon(Quote)
top goal too
icedog(Quote)
1.1 from nowhere really, should of saved that really
kimtoon(Quote)
aye mate sure was
kimtoon(Quote)
City getting a right thumping. Just what we need… They’ll be really wanting to put that right in their next game! 😕
Stuart79(Quote)
blimey 3.1 pool fans will be unbearable now
kimtoon(Quote)
4.1 what a way to end their winning streak, that was a corker
kimtoon(Quote)
Stu, we’ll be facing a wounded animal alright, gonna get tonked
kimtoon(Quote)
Can’t wait, Kim. 😯 😕
Stuart79(Quote)
pool have been excellent today, still think they’ll get a 5th
and Silva replies 4.2
does this mean both sides have ***** defences 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
4.3 ***, squeaky bums for the dippers 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
Klopp looks well pissed off lol
kimtoon(Quote)
pool do it
kimtoon(Quote)
We are 2 points better off than at this time when we went down we then bought Shelvey,Townsend,Seivet,and still went down
Icedog(Quote)
Spot on Ice, it’s looking pretty grim given the teams we are to play.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice – and you just know Ashley’s mentality to that would be – well that’s around £30m I spent on those players & we still got relegated.
We’re 2 pts better off so I’ll see how it goes.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So Ryan Giggs, who has a grand total of 4 games experience as a manager and only 2 seasons as an assistant, gets the Wales national side managers job.
It really is jobs for the boys. Has anything really changed?
shamrock(Quote)
It is like he never screwed his brother’s wife either. The whole of football quickly forgets. It is like Woody Allen who adopted a child when she was young and married her in her teens. The whole of Hollywood is still willing to work with him because he is a genius.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kenedy deal off
Stuart79(Quote)
not that bothered mate tbh, I just want a quality forward in to try and secure safety if possible.
kimtoon(Quote)
Does anyone live near the club shop ? word is it’s only NUFC stuff in there now and no SD merchandise. Would love to know if that’s true if someone can check it out.
kimtoon(Quote)
RIP Cyrille Regis no age at all really 59 is it.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – Forget about a quality striker. They cost money and we’re not prepred to spend it.
I’m still really surprised Rafa is sticking around for this bull **** too.
Stuart79(Quote)
yeah, if this takeover doesn’t happen I can see him gone for sure and I honestly wouldn’t blame him either.
Jabba may not lose much cash if we drop with how much we get for finishing bottom but he’ll lose out on advertising via tv, cause no one outside uk really watches the championship. I don’t understand his reluctance to secure our PL status, he’s always been proactive in jan if we look like going down. Even he must by now realise the situation is dire.
kimtoon(Quote)
Stu
I think Rafa is still there because he’s a “Staveley and co” man and has always been
nutmag(Quote)
Kim
Whenever I have been in the club shop over the last few years the items for sale have all been nufc tops and T shirts with an nufc logo on. Also mugs and other bits and pieces with nufc logo.
Never can recall seeing anything in there related to Sports Directs , so if there was , it was minimal.
On the other hand, I regularly shop at the Sports Direct outlet at the Silverlink business park in North Tyneside and yes , everything is Sports Direct , as expected.
There really never has been a comparison between the club shop and the Sports Direct store.
sidekick(Quote)
See the Swans have made a £25m bid for Gameiro! Just what we need. But he would be mad to go to either.
georgio(Quote)
Cheers mate, was reading that someone said there was no SD stuff in the shop yesterday afternoon so that’s why I asked.
kimtoon(Quote)
paul lambert stokes short term manager for rest of season with a bonus payable if he keeps them up
kimtoon(Quote)
Stoke to appoint Paul Lambert… ❗
Stuart79(Quote)
Of course Moyes is only at West Ham until end of season and they are long time admirers of Rafa. If we don’t get new owners or backing for Rafa I could see him going to West Ham end of season.
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh it’s a 2 and half year deal for Lambert not end of season, SSN reported it was short term at first.
kimtoon(Quote)
Apparently we’ve had a loan bid knocked back for a keeper – I really don’t know why we are wasting time trying to get at keeper when the urgency is at the other end of the pitch.
Also saw we are close to loaning a LB off Palace ?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Past two relegations were 34 points and 37 points, what will it take to survive this year I wonder ?
kimtoon(Quote)
“A miracle”!! 😐
nutmag(Quote)
I’m preparing myself for the worst this season. No takeover and No transfers. I looked at our fixture list and it looks like relegation written all over it. We cant even say theres a easy 3 points considering our home form.
Stem(Quote)
agree ate, I had thought Bournemouth might yield 3 points but watching them beat Arsenal has scuppered that optimism somewhat, Saints possibly if we catch em on a bad day and our home form picks up . As for the rest of the next 10 I see diddly squat if no one decent up front comes in.
kimtoon(Quote)
I agree with Kimtoon about Kenedy. With Dummett back, left wingback/winger is not really an area of need. If we are limited to 2 PL loans then this is one wasted especially if Rafa really thinks we can loan a keeper.
Players who can play left wingback/winger: Dummett, Mbemba, Manquillo, Haidara, Atsu, Aarons, Murphy, Ritchie.
I am not saying they are all fullbacks but Kenedy is not really a fullback either.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sometimes Rafa is stubborn. He has identified the left as a weak point and the facts will not sway him. We have plenty of cover there now, even if it is not quite top quality. Dummett at least is reliable.
The right is actually worse with Ritchie’s loss of form. Murphy is probably the better option at the moment but Rafa sticks mostly with Ritchie. Also Yedlin is subject to brain farts and being caught out of position.
Eric Sykes(Quote)