YES! A massive win in yet another relegation six-pointer and one that was thoroughly deserved. The 1-0 scoreline flatters Huddersfield, but I couldn’t care less in the end. It’s a huge three points and yet another win at St James’ Park, putting us in touching distance of Premier League survival.
Huddersfield approach shocked me, but as much as they were poor, we were good. We did everything but put the ball in the net in the first half. I was chatting to someone at half-time and counted 5 or 6 clear goalscoring opportunities that we squandered, with Dwight Gayle being the main culprit (he could’ve had a hat-trick today).
I fully expected them to get in our faces, go for the win, unsettle our centre-backs and try to mark Shelvey out of the game, but they couldn’t have been more negative if they tried and did none of that. I’m just glad we eventually got the goal our general play deserved, as a 0-0 draw would’ve been hard to bare given the first half alone.
HUGE result… pic.twitter.com/n4MfEOBNEo
— Total:NUFC (@Total_NUFC) March 31, 2018
They didn’t have a shot on target all game and we had 63% of the ball – our highest share of the ball all season. That says it all.
The win puts us up to 12th and 7 points clear of Southampton in 17th (who got hammered at West Ham today) and 8 clear of Stoke (practically 9 with goal difference), who play Arsenal at the Emirates tomorrow.
- Perez gets plenty stick but he deserved his goal today – he worked his socks off and was a constant thorn in their side.
- Another outstanding display from Diame, whose partnership with Shelvey continues to thrive. Diame was particularly impressive though – I genuinely don’t think he put a foot wrong for the entire first-half.
- Slimani looked lively during his 15-minute cameo. Made runs short and in behind, put himself about and looked pretty mobile given his two-month absence. Got a good ovation and made a positive contribution. Good to see!
- Dummett solid as a rock again. Lascelles and Lejeune tried to be a bit too clever at times and it nearly cost us late on, but overall it was another steady defensive display (despite them throwing so little at us). Yedlin my only concern – he isn’t really a footballer and always has a defensive lapse in him (even though he has progressed under Rafa).
- Gayle spurning three or four clear cut chances is a worry, but Slimani’s return is a timely one and takes the pressure off his shoulders. That being said, he won’t be able to play against parent club Leicester next weekend.
- Dubravka barely had a save to make, but it marks his THIRD straight clean sheet in three appearances at St James’ Park.
Overall a great day for NUFC. We’ve come out on top in yet another relegation six-pointer and results elsewhere couldn’t have gone much better at the bottom.
Up to 12th, 7 points clear of safety (with a vastly superior goal difference), hitting form at the right time at home and looking anything but a team that’ll be in the drop zone come 5pm on May 13th.
Get in!
So can someone explain why Brighton at home to Spurs on fri 20th april gets moved back to tues 17th april yet our fixture for 16th MARCH will be in may now. ?
kimtoon(Quote)
I can’t see is losing to Arsenal or Chelsea if I’m being honest. Our home form is starting to improve and both these teams look bored shitless and would like to get on the beach already.
My prediction is we will finish on 43 points.
Stuart79(Quote)
We should of gotten that tues 17th april slot and Brighton gotten a may date as we were due to play them first.
We have a may 5th game and a last day 13th may game so will have to fit in the spurs game between 5th and 13th, it’s likely gonna be tues 8th or weds 9th.
kimtoon(Quote)
looking at the fixtures for may and they all play 5th and 13th but we look to be the only ones having to squeeze in an extra game.
kimtoon(Quote)
Watford, Spurs ? and Chelsea last 3 games
kimtoon(Quote)
Thins are looking very good but we’ve only taken 1 point from the 7 teams we have to play.
georgio(Quote)
We played most of them during our horror run of 9 defeats on the bounce I think, georgio. We’re a different team now.
One thing we’re not use to seeing is players improve like they have done under Rafa. Really good to see. If Jabba has any football sense he’d realise Rafa is increasing the value of most of the players he bought.
Stuart79(Quote)
So Pardew leaves WBA by mutual consent.
Do understand that personally. There is no manager coming in with 7 or so games left and keeping them up. If your doing that, do it before the international break so the new guy can work with the players for a few weeks.
A desperate act from a doomed club in my opinion.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Let’s hope Rafa don’t leave cause Pards is a free agent again and well, you know how Big fat mike likes to make rash judgements . 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
So jabba says he could work with Rafa if he cannot sell the club,thing is can Rafa work with him
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – Ashley said that if we stayed he’d bolt the horse to the cart (or whatever that speach was again). To be fair he stuck to that and handed McClaren and Carr a decent amount of money then.
He has said that the club would be given every penny of profit to spend – so we have to hope he follows through on that too.
I think he’d sooner sell the club personally, but I do think he’ll give Rafa the money – it just won’t be a penny of his own money.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY thing is jabba is only in it to make money Rafa wouldn’t get half of the TVs money plus he will tell him he can have money raised from sales thing is nobody wants most of them for sale
Icedog(Quote)
History under Jabba has proved we are always 2/3 years behind the transfer market curve. For a wealthy and successful guy he’s utterly stupid when it comes to football. It beggars belief how he hasn’t cottened on yet that if you buy good players their value goes up, especially with the way tv money has gone up. That boat has sailed now though.
Stuart79(Quote)
I guess I am the only one who think the worst.
The better position we will be at the end of the season, the less money Ashley will allow Rafa to strengthen the team.
He only wants to survive. He would think the team is well above the level to survive, so he could even sell some players to make money for his own.
With Ashley in charge. Good thing could become bad. Everything is twisted.
funrafa(Quote)
He needs to sell, end of. He is no good for the club, if he remains it’ll be the same struggle every season, it’s not healthy and it wares you down as a fan. I was only saying yesterday to a friend that I would love to start the season with a sense of excitement not worry how quick we can get to the magic 40 and survival.
This club needs new blood and ambition, he must know he can’t get away with it every season and if Rafa goes he won’t.
kimtoon(Quote)
So the master tactician and his partner in crime, the greatest manger in the world have been released by West Brom… ??????????????????????
????????????????????
?…. ?????????????
Dubai Toon(Quote)
NEW THREAD:
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2018/04/02/nufcs-fixtures-in-april-the-month-well-finally-secure-our-premier-league-status/
A look at April’s games
Olly Hawkins(Quote)