It’s never nice to concede late on and lose two points, but I think most of us would’ve taken a point today – especially when we’ve been so poor in our last two against Fulham and Liverpool.
The result is a frustrating one in the end, denying us what would’ve been an absolutely huge three points, and that’s only emphasised by the fact Fulham and Cardiff both scored 90th minute goals to earn wins over Huddersfield (who look all but down at the moment) and Leicester respectively.
On the plus side, it was a much improved display. We weren’t always convincing at the back but we managed the game well up until Doucoure’s goal, carrying a threat on the counter, keeping the ball better than I expected (at times) and having just about every player out there do their job.
The star men were Rondon, Ritchie, Atsu and Diame for me – with the former’s goal being devastating in front of goal once again when given the service:
Ritchie was outstanding, working tirelessly and intelligently at both ends and putting in the above cross to set up Rondon. Atsu put in perhaps one of the best performances we’ve seen from him too, actually taking players on, turning away from Watford players with ease and actually maintaining his energy levels and involvement in the game. Diame turned over the ball on countless occasions and looked more like the Mo we saw earlier in the year at times. Dummett did a very solid job and Rondon – who not only buried his one big chance – put in yet another outstanding all round display up top, holding the ball brilliantly, fighting for every ball and making some great runs in behind and into the channels.
It was a promising display, but it’s a real shame we couldn’t hold on for three precious points given how tough the fixtures are set to get – combined with the fact two of our big relegation rivals won.
Here’s how the table now looks after today’s results:
So, Huddersfield are starting to look on the brink – with them now EIGHT points behind us – but the likes of Fulham are now just four points away from ourselves in 18th, with Cardiff level on 18 points after their late win at Leicester.
Now the tough run really begins – with us set to play 4 games against the ‘big six’ in our next 5; and the other one is a relegation six pointer at home to Cardiff:
- Man Utd (H)
- Chelsea (A)
- Cardiff (H)
- Man City (H)
- Tottenham (A)
After some awful displays against Fulham and Liverpool it’s positive to see us get a good point on the road and play much better, but we can’t let our standards slip if we’re to get anything out of our next five – a period that could leave us in the relegation zone if we don’t perform.
HWTL!
Disappointing not to take all 3 but away from home a point is welcome, just a shame others around and below us won.
meanwhile
kimtoon repost
December 29, 2018 at 17:46
Wow just wow, this Liverpool team man, that second goal was sheer class
and now 3.1
kimtoon(Quote)
Salah up to his tricks again and gets another penalty… 4-1 against a decent Arsenal side… a bit more in this one but still a soft pen… I think the title is Liverpool’s to lose now
Dubai Toon(Quote)
On our game, at least we cannot point to any dodgy ref decisions… the offside disallowed second goal was clearly offside.. no argument there. Bad defending cost us the points… don’t know why Rafa didn’t make a third sub … bring on Murphy for Rondon to add legs to the attack … oh well.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Maybe toon result is not as bad as we thought at L/pool,we were down 2 nil at h/t
Icedog(Quote)
Richie should have closed that cross for their goal plus Shelvey didn’t track the runner for the goal,little things cost you in the PL
Icedog(Quote)
Pity Mourinho was sacked although Solskaer is a strange choice. Probably a case of anybody but Jose and unlucky for us.
When Olly does his combined 11 I don’t expect any of our players to get into the team. Man U have some very good players and I don’t know what Jose was doing with them. Pogba seems to have picked up and is a good player, not as good as he thinks he is though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well 18 points after our dire start of 3 from 10 sounds about right. Some were being a bit complacent about the so-called EASY run but as we have seen there are no easy games.
I am expecting 2-4 points from the next 6 games and Cardiff becomes almost a must win. We have played OK against Spurs without getting any breaks and I think Man U’s confidence is probably still fragile.
Get ready for more doom and gloom depending on if we get anybody in the transfer window.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
At HT it was only 1-0 down Ice…. Salah performed his dive just a few mins into the second half… but yes, our result doesnt look so bad …
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Your right of coarse,Ime not going to blame the drink lol 😡
Icedog(Quote)
Eric – I think I predicted 18pts at the time mate and thought any more than that would be an amazing return really after that start. I would have been happy enough with 18pts to be honest, but it’s slightly worrying the form of the other teams around us down there. The likes of Cardiff have a far greater goal tally than I expected and with the likes of Fulham and Saints swapping managers – I thought around 35-37pts may have been enough to be safe, now I’m not so sure.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I think a point per game should be enough. I think 34 did it last year. With the run of games coming up we will almost certainly fall behind that but then we have got a lot of the hard teams out of the way. None of the other bottom half teams are doing anything against the top 6 either so we still have a chance.
I like watching Liverpool and I would probably like them to win the league as it looked like City might be setting up for a dynasty like their near neighbours had. And for all their great players and intricate one touch passing, I find City boring against lower level teams. They score some great goals but it often feels like a training session.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Forgot to say that Liverpool’s goalie cost about the same as our entire starting 11 today. No wonder there is such a gulf in class.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Agree on both them post Ice. that’s what happens when you try to attack Liverpool, had we taken that approach they would of put 8 past us I reckon. There will be a game this season where they come close to sticking that many past a team.
Shelvey looked un ready and lazy today, as you say Ice he simply watch their runner , Hayden would of stopped him had he still been on .
Atsu my motm worked his socks off and special mention to dummett who did really well as did Diame.
kimtoon(Quote)
Are our squad really worse than Cardiff, Burnley, Southampton, Huddersfield and Fulham? Rafa is saying that it will take a miracle to stay up but then in the next breath says he thinks we will but that it will be down to effort and organization. Would you want to hear that if you were a player?
It seems to me Rafa wants it both ways. If we stay up it is down to him and if we are relegated it is down to the quality of the players.
BUT… if Ashley doesn’t provide at least 30 million that will make absolutely no sense because relegation will cost us more.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Guardian match report starts with “Dacoure came off the bench to rescue his team from embarrassing defeat”.
FFS it’s Watford. I don’t know if I need patronizing sympathy about how far we have fallen. Don’t they play in a 20,000 seat shed! There’s no way they make more money than us, we have more fans in the UK and abroad and much higher name recognition.
Watford suffering an “embarrassing defeat” to Newcastle, Managed by European Cup and La Liga winning Rafa Benetez. It feels like I have fallen asleep and woke up in an alternative universe.
I don’t know, some Watford fans might say I am being entitled, or the usual that I am a delusional Geordie but this is Watford and THEY would feel embarrassed for losing to US. They’re only midtable and about 6 places above us FFS.
And what have they ever won? Who has ever played for them? Most people only know them because of Elton John.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Reports that Peter Kenyon deal is only going to £300million if we make it into top 4 and champions league within 10 years… ???. Oh dear… I guess Mikey is not going to sell this week then… oops Howey…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Was never happening anyway mate, a big con, just surprised that Kenyon has let his name be linked to us. Maybe Mike slipped him a back hander to keep quiet 😉
Seriously, Any would be buyer would have to provide proof of funds before they would be let near the clubs accounts you would think ?
Moreover the cost of employing lawyers and accountants would be considerable and why would you waste a shed load like that if you are not serious ?
If money has been laid out on due diligence and Mike has -say ,moved the goal post then the buyers will most likely just walk away. If he keeps doing this then it will prove once and for all prove that he is a reluctant seller, and no one will make him an offer once word gets out how he operates.
As for Kenyon wanting assurances we make CL in ten years, that’s bollocks imo.
kimtoon(Quote)
Shelvey was clearly not ready to play. Way off the pace and static, ball watching when his man nodded in. Bad move Rafa!
Apart from that it was a good performance. However, we wasted lots of good opportunities when attacking. Not chances but great positions to score from.
Rondon’s really surprised me. He’s supposed to miss lots of chances but he’s been absolutely clinical for us. A real handful.
georgio(Quote)
On a lesser scale i know , but when i was attempting to buy a bungalow 2 years back i had to show proof of funds to the agents before i was taken seriously . And my buyer had to show they could obtain a mortgage to buy mine. I laid out £2,000 in fees to solicitors and Surveyors and 16 weeks of work later was asked for £10,000 more by my seller ! I walked away, out of pocket and very angry.
Imagine that on a much larger scale re NUFC and potential buyers.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Georgio, Rondon has been brilliant as i knew he would be , he just needed to get fit and up to speed. He is the closest thing to sir Les we’ve had for a while imo.
KIMTOON(Quote)
And he still isn’t 100% fit yet, he gets tired by 80 mins
KIMTOON(Quote)
So Jabba pulls the plug
Icedog(Quote)
Was it ever in, in the first place… I wonder… ? well he’s played the same ploy 2 years running now to not invest in Jan window. If he doesn’t get a few decent players in, he’s in for a whole lot of pain … (as are we)
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Steve Howey needs to clean his lugs out!! … he heard go through before the Man Utd match – what was said was FALL through before the Man Utd match ?.
Or have things just gone a bit quiet and this is the idiots at NUFC trying to publicly put pressure on.
Let’s be honest, the only thing we were all sure of was that any deal being negotiated was never going to be straightforward, and was always more likely to fall on its ar$e thanks to the inclusion of Mike Ashley.
Sharpy17(Quote)
There are still apparently “3 other bidders” ?????? perhaps it’s one of those that Howey was talking about… ?.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Look at those next 5 fixtures man ??♂️
Does that make the Cardiff game a ‘must win’ and hope we pick anything up off the others?.
I know one thing, the way Rafa sets up against the top 6, I don’t see us being a good team to watch ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Saints giving a good account of themselves, typical.
1.2 but i fancy them to get another.
KIMTOON(Quote)
ok maybe not
1.3
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – they were robbed of a pen in the 1st half. If Salah got the pen against us, then Ward-Prowse should have had one in the 1st half imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Burnley winning vs Wet Spam… ☹️☹️?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Agreed sharpy, it was defo a pen for me.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Dubai – that’s what I’m saying mate. The teams around us are picking up the points and we have 5 fixtures coming up where we could possibly hope to win 1. I say that coz we only got a hard earned point against Cardiff earlier this season – and they are doing well this season.
We could be in deep $hit come the end of Jan.
Bad feeling coz of lack of points. No confidence from a string of defeats, bad feeling coz of a $hit transfer window and bad feeling coz fat lad is still our owner … happy New Year ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – just another example of reffing inconsistency. I’m not going to say favouring the top teams, coz Sterling should have had one about 10mins ago and didn’t get his either.
But definitely another game that supports VAR being needed.
I watched some of the Chelsea game too earlier and Gironde had 2 perfectly good goals chalked off from incorrect offside decisions too. They won so it didn’t matter too much in the end, but it could have.
Sharpy17(Quote)
These Manure players should hang their heads in shame, how can they suddenly play well again OGS isn’t that great a coach. They basically stopped playing for Jose, zero professionalism from the lot of them.
Progba gets right on my tits too, can’t stand him.
Hope we pull off a shock win.
kimtoon(Quote)
Jabba says any money spent in Jan window will be added to sale price of club,why does that not shock me
Icedog(Quote)
That’s nowt then.
kimtoon(Quote)
A few weeks ago, I was quietly hopeful of points against Manure at SJP as Mourinho has never won there… now, watching this Manure team, I feel the doom and gloom again…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Can’t wait to see Man Utd’s attack rip us to shreds.
Although our defeat at Liverpool doesn’t seem too bad now…
Stuart79(Quote)
?
??
Icedog(Quote)
What the hell was Jose doing with the Man U players? We all knew they were better than they were playing. Just in time for the NUFC game.
The problem is that their defense was the weak link and the way we set up we will be playing into their current strength – creative attacking players which they always had but Jose didn’t get the best out of.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
A couple of decent games and Pogba is a worldbeater. I am still not buying it. He is much better than under Jose but the team needs to be set up around him and he has as many off days as good days from what I saw at Juve. Once PL managers see him in a free role for 10 or so matches they will figure out a way to nullify him.
Too soon for us though and I am not optimistic about facing Man U.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know we have a 10th of the talent as Man U but sometimes I wish Rafa would not be so rigid and would let our forwards off the leash a bit more. Our strength is defense so maybe trust it against some of the lower half teams and not play a 9-0-1 formation hoping to hit every team on the break. Do we really need to cede 65% possession to the likes of Huddresfield and Southampton?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We won’t have to test that in the next 6 games except Cardiff. Are we going to be happy going into the rest of those games with the mindset that losing by 1 goal is a good result? Wolves just beat Spurs away, who were the form team of the league along with Liverpool.
I don’t know. We probably don’t have a choice because the gulf in talent is so great. But going in with an attitude that you are beat before a ball is kicked just doesn’t sit well. And Rafa keeping saying we need a miracle doesn’t help either. I hated it when Moyes said that at Sunderland so Rafa should not be excused even though he has eased off now and said he thinks we will stay up.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Think about this. Even though we play a few reserves, we still put out mainly first teamers in the League and FA Cups. We then get beat by lower league teams (and sometimes humiliatingly so) with far less talent.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Personally, Eric I think taking a defensive approach against the better teams is the way to go. If we committed more forward they’d rip us to shreds and we just don’t have the players offensively. Palace played similar against a Chelsea today. Did the same against city too. But they scored 3 goals from their only 3 shots.
Stuart79(Quote)
I only watched a bit of the Man U game but now have replayed it. If Pogba plays like this every game I will change my mind on him. Hopefully the old Pogba will turn up against us.
Stuart: I agree that we probably have no choice but to play defensively against the top 6. However, playing with 9 men behind the ball and 1 outlet player almost invites defeat. Especially if the outlet is Joselu like against Liverpool. I just hate going in with the mindset that we are forfeiting the game.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I see premiership refereeing is just as bad and biased as ever…
Lukaku’s goal was clearly offside yet was allowed to stand. Bailly’s boot was so high in the penalty box he almost took the head off the Bournemouth player yet no penalty to Bournemouth and not even a yellow for the high boot. It could’ve been 3-2 with Manure down to 10 earlier which is a lot different to 4-1… ? poetic justice that Bailly got a red a bit later, but was hoping he would be on the field for our match as he’s totally gash.
Happy new year people! Hope you all have a great time tonight.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Things looking unexpectantley uncomfortable after recent results. Didn’t see any of them winning. Never mind – Happy New Year to all.
georgio(Quote)
I can’t stop laughing at all these takeover stories. Apparently Kenyon only has £200m… It’s like organising a survey on a £500,000 house that needs investment when you know you only have £300,000 to spend. Everyone just needs to be patient. I suspect we will know exactly what is happening in the next 4 weeks.
Stuart79(Quote)
Or not Stuart
georgio(Quote)
Stu, it’s like I said yesterday. IF there is interest from Kenyon or anyone else, they would need to show proof of funds before getting anywhere near the clubs accounts. And why would you lay out a shed load of cash on lawyers and accountants if you couldn’t progress any further ?
It’s odd because I really don’t believe a sales ever been on and yet why does Kenyon not come out and say look I was interested but have taken it no further ?
Even if it is true and things did progress with whomever bid for us, it’s likely that Ashleys terms of sale like keeping adverts and merch deals like rangers situation would totally scupper it.
In the end he is a reluctant seller, 8 years and 5 attempts tells us that much.
kimtoon(Quote)
8 years of trying to sell that is . Obvs not his tenure .
kimtoon(Quote)
Stu – you’re dead right mate, coz the story I read is that Kenyon wants to pay £200m up front then the rest in instalments – which was more to ensure Rafa had money to spend in Jan rather than not being able to afford the £300m.
Ashley’s never invested so I think the last thing new owners want is to come in with little money for players and fans to think ‘here we go again’ – meanwhile Ashley walks away with £300m in his pocket.
Who knows what the truth is or at what stage negotiations are at.
But I’m pretty sure if Kenyon was £100m out, we’d know about it by now!!. They were quick to publicly dismiss Staveley last year – so £100m out who have been pied by now I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I will be at the game on Wednesday night. Not looking forward to it. Not because of a possible hammering from a resurgent Man U but watching NUFC even when they win is not as enjoyable as it should be. The entertaining football is as absent as it was in Sam Alardyce’s day. Do I like watching Perez for 90 minutes falling over or passing the ball to the opposition?.
No I don’t. Do I like to see Joselu as our sub for Rondon when he comes off? No I don’t. When we are losing do I think we should sub a full back with a full back. No I don’t. Come on Rafa let’s not be cautious all the time. When we make changes entertain us with some different faces even if the result is no different. I am getting bored stiff watching a team that regularly puts no shots on goal.
Groucho(Quote)
I would like to see Sorensen on the bench in place of Joselu. I would start with Muto with Rondon and have Longstaff on the bench. No way do I want to see Kenedy again. He may have some skill but is totally lacking in effort. I would also have Roberts on the bench as sub for Atsu or Ritchie. As I said earlier such changes may not effect the results but I just long for something different.
Groucho(Quote)
Agreed Groucho. I just don’t understand how all of our players apart from Rondon shoot well wide or straight at the goalkeeper. They all do it game after game like they haven’t heard of the bottom corner. Generally chest high too. Maddening!
Trying to have a positive thought about the Manu game – but failing.
georgio(Quote)
I watched the Liverpool and the City games. Salah got a penalty when a player ran into his trailing leg. That is given about 25% of the time. Then a S’ton player was run into in exactly the same way and no penalty was given. I don’t know if it is big club bias but we never get any of those calls. All you have to do is look at the penalty stats and opposition sendings off to prove it. The league could argue they are individual incidents and are dealt with on their own merits but there is a statistical pattern that has gone on for years. I bet if anybody on here was good at Maths they could prove there is a statistical bias with a 99% degree of probability. This stuff doesn’t just happen by chance, there has to be Ref’s bias even if it is not conscious or is influenced by the crowd. I remember that Man U went like 5 years without a penalty being given against them at Old Trafford.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How Ashley Young and Herrera never get sent off is beyond me. Young lunges in on the touchline and takes a player out at least once a game and hardly ever gets a yellow even. He did it against Bournemouth again and at least got a yellow that time.
They have spent like 600 million on players, they shouldn’t need more help from the Ref.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The title race isn’t over either. All the pundits say that Liverpool routed Arsenal. Only in the scoreline. Everything Liverpool did came off, including 2 penalties and everything Arsenal tried ended up just missing. The scoreline was very deceptive and is not proof that Liverpool are miles ahead, although I do like watching them and would LIKE them to win. It is not a foregone conclusion though. Or maybe it is if they keep getting dodgy penalties 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
From Neil Warnock today: “I say to my players not to breath on the top players” he added “before the Man U game I told my players not to breath on them in the box or they will be down”.
It is not just about diving, it is about refereeing. They should realise that they are being conned and apply the rules evenly. Warnock mentions Harry Kane. That is Saint Harry Kane MBE who would have to attack a player with a machete to get sent off.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Some thoughts from the weekend:
* Stupid tabloid Sunday papers make unfounded guesses about the NUFC possible takeover and everybody takes it as gospel.
* Virtually no transfer speculation. They have given up with even their unfounded rumours. What does this mean?
* Paul Pogba scores a header. Probably the 1st of his career and Jamie Redknapp waxes lyrical about him rising like a salmon and compares him to LeBron James.
* Where is Joey Barton when you need him? I would really have liked him to put the frighteners on the preening man-child. Please don’t score against us. That premeditated celebration was an embarrassment. Are you 6? The duet with Bailly followed by the gallop or whatever that was. Do you know he was practicing that “move” in the warm up. The Ego has Landed (if it ever went away).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BTW it is not a given that Pogba will reproduce his Bournemouth form against NUFC. He played like that about 1 game in 5 for Juve and then the rest he was average. He has been shyte for 2 and 1/2 years so hopefully we will see that Pogba.
The problem with Pogba is that he is a good player when given time on the ball. If we just sit back and let him play we are in for trouble. Same with Mata and a few others on their team.
I fear for us if we play the 9-0-1 formation that we have seen so often against the top teams.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
My dislike of Pogba comes from the World Cup. The US network covering it had Pogba doing daily reports supposedly giving insight into the French camp and the WC in general. He came across as a self obsessed ponce offering absolutely nothing of interest to anybody.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2018/12/31/man-utd-h-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups/
Man Utd preview
Olly Hawkins(Quote)