I have taken out the the usual established Top 5 as well as those that were relegated or promoted, focusing on where we expect to finish – somewhere from 6th (on a good season) down to roughly 15th. It will not be a surprise to learn that Newcastle conceded at least 10 more goals last term than the likes of Aston Villa, Sunderland, West Brom, West Ham and several other mid table sides. The reason for this appears to be a deep rooted problem that links into a significant issue for us at the other end of the pitch – scoring. Outside of the 3 relegated sides, we only outscored Villa, Sunderland and West Brom.
Outside of the To 10, there are obvious failings from certain teams that explains why they finished where they did. West Ham’s Sam Allardyce you will remember, was given a mandate of having his side be more exciting. To be fair the Hammers created (367) chances at goal, more than anybody else in this group other than Spurs (407) and Southampton (382), however they struggled to keep the ball (47% average possession), whilst Villa did not create enough chances (288), explaining their poor return of 30 league goals. Crystal Palace on the other hand could only keep the ball for 45% of the time – but managed a respectable 10th place finish thanks largely to a staggering 24 goals scored from set pieces as opposed to Newcastle’s lowly 8. Palace also worked as a team to help keep the number of conceded goals down – by undertaking 56 defensive actions per game – which is the 3rd highest outside the Top 5.
I am one of many who highlighted our lack of cutting edge when it came to set pieces – and 8 goals all season is amongst the lowest in the league – but it does not paint the whole picture. Southampton for example also only managed 8, however they excelled in keeping the ball, creating chances, scoring from free play and keeping clean sheets.
If we are honest with ourselves, then we are not content sitting in the bottom haf. So lets compare notes with Spurs, Southampton, Stoke, Swansea, Palace and Everton – who were all there or thereabouts in the Top 10… The Magpies scored less than all of those teams and conceded significantly more. Almost all of those teams managed to have a speciality over their competitors; Everton (11th in the table) had the highest shot accuracy out of the group and the joint-highest passing accuracy (83%). Southampton conceded less than everybody else (30 goals less than us), Spurs created more chances (407), scored more goals (58), won more average duels for the ball (50%) and kept possession (54%) more than anybody else. Swansea were joint-top dogs at average passing accuracy (83%) and Palace knew how to score from set pieces. Stoke were impressively consistent amongst several fields, finishing in the Top 3 of this group in chances created, average duels won and goals conceded.
So we must have something we are good at, right? Erm no, not really. Granted we did not finish in the Top 10 or 11, so we are not going to compare favorably against these sides – but surely we pushed the Top 3 or 4 in some fields at least? Nope…We were poor in every field so no need to list them. I know you want a positive – so I’ll give you one. I heard many people criticise the team for playing hoof ball. However, our average length of pass was 19 meters, which is bang on average. In fact it’s slightly above average with no other team having a shorter average passing length – the biggest being 21 meters and the guilty team being Aston Villa.
In my opinion our problem comes from possession – and what we do with the ball. Its obvious to say as much but bear with me! Every team in the Top 10 had possession over 50% per game. Spurs finished 5th. Southampton 7th and they had better possession than anybody outside the usual Top 5 with 54% and 52% respectively. We managed 49% – it does not seem like a lot of difference but we are talking about fine margins at the very top of the professional game – so small margins make big differences. Once we manage to retain the ball, we need to get into key areas and start producing opportunities. We only created 332 chances last season. Again Spurs and Southampton lead the field with 407 and 382 respectively. When we create those chances, we need to execute them better. We only managed a 43% shooting accuracy which is worse than all of the other 6 sides listed above except Stoke. I suspect this is because we lacked the cutting edge in our passing game to get close enough to goal. Too often when in possession last term, we passed sideways or backwards – partly because we had no real width in our game and no real catalyst in the middle to burst forward and open up space. Sissoko is the best we currently have in that regard, but too often he did not seem to really bust a gut or show enough desire and interest. This is why I hope the Wijnaldum rumor is true – he is exactly what we need.
In terms of goals conceded, it is no coincidence that Spurs top the bill again with 50% of their duels won. We only managed 47%. This means we lack bite in midfield as well as at the back. We have Anita, Colback, Sissoko etc on the books but do any of them have a specific position that they excel at? Tiote has been a big miss and if we had his influence in front of the back 4 then I believe we would have conceded far less. If he is leaving, we need to employ someone like Colback to just sit there putting the tackles in and keeping his passing game simple so that we have a foundation to work off and build up momentum. Again, take out the relegated sides and the Top 5 and Newcastle as a unit had the lowest defensive actions per game (48) than almost everybody else. Most of the Top 10 had somewhere in the mid to high 50’s – so what’s going on there?
Not only were we not attacking with any kind of purpose, we were also not chasing back or getting into defensive positions when we should have been. Is the whole squad lazy? I doubt it. I reckon it’s a case of poor coaching and players not knowing what the hell to do due to a bad system in place. A new coaching team with experience of football on the Continent combined with experience of winning things here at home should see a big improvement from our current squad. Step forwards Steve McClaren and his team. Add a couple of well planned additions to the playing staff (Matip, Austin/Mitrovic, Wijnaldum anyone?) and we should achieve a few small percentage increases in the above fields, which in turn will yield big results come the end of the season.
Some would say I should be on a graded curve and should be getting closer to maturity by now. But I say, Roger Moore and Sean Connery both played James Bond when they were in their 60s.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – you are on the step and I’m pointing and giggling 😆
Point taken Sham, to be honest I have no idea where today came from as I’ve had craic with Eric before and shared comments about holidays and such like – a wolf in sheeps clothing or a bad day in the office?.
Eric – I have made my comments about the mismanagement of the club, and despite what you may think you know, I’m not happy with life under Ashley and I am frustrated we haven’t signed anyone yet. But I’m not angry or ready to call they all liars just yet as the targets are still active and being worked on – as far as I’m aware. Would I prefer they were signed sooner, of course. Would I prefer the coaches had been sorted sooner, of course – but that’s life as a toon fan, and the coaches were sorted so hopefully the players will eventually be sorted too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Jez you would easily know it was transfer window time with all the in fighting, but then as usual there isnt much to get excited about.
Same old same old
Big Dave(Quote)
Big Dave we are slowly turning into Ipswitch Town of the PL.
Terry(Quote)
Sharpy: I am a sheep in wolf’s clothing. My bark is worse than my bite. Don’t wait for any player you know to come into SJP. I am not in the least bit annoyed with you – this is a one day altercation, if I didn’t think you could hold your own I wouldn’t have said anything to you. Same with AMF although he still hasn’t said anything about football – time difference?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Dave, I think that’s what irks me the most about Jabba’s time as our owner, the way he has divided the fans is tragic. The Toon fanbase has never been so split. 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
SHAM @519 well said,I had to check twice it wasn’t eds site it was getting very much that way.
Don’t like all this rag talk on the dutch lad it seems to bring other clubs sniffing around,I know things like this get out that’s the time to push on,we always seem to drag these deals out,maybe its Penfold that hasn’t got the know-how to tie these deals up quickley
icedog(Quote)
http://whatculture.com/sport/newcastle-return-to-the-dance-as-only-club-willing-to-pay-28-goal-strikers-price.php
Someone needs to warn him about the Toon in the depths of winter, he won’t get much sun here 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM he seems a canny player but this is the PL I would much prefer a player that’s done it in PL (AUSTIN) just because we haven’t got the depth of squad to wait and bed them in
icedog(Quote)
Kim – I would say Ashley had nowt to do with what went on on here today, but I don’t want to be seen as defending him – so sod it!! It was all down to him 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
If we can get Wij in then I reckon we could be going for a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-3-2 formation – though I think the latter would provide little cover for an already weak defence.
I’d still like to see us bring Van Ginkel in coz I think him & Colback would be a good pairing in those defensive midfield roles.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Italian press saying striker due in toon t/morrow for talks,
icedog(Quote)
I saw that Ice. Hopefully we are kicking on….
Shamrock(Quote)
SHAM who would you prefer him or Austin ???
icedog(Quote)
Ice – which striker mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Austin for me. Proven in Prem and looks the real deal to me. Mitrovic plays in a sub standard league and although be looks good and is young, he comes with a big price tag for somebody that’s unproven in an elite league… Still be nice to get him in though…
Shamrock(Quote)
Mitrovic
icedog(Quote)
Ice – 😯 I’ll be honest, I thought that one was dead in the water. That makes things interesting – it may well kick Austin up the **** to.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If we got Mitrovic then I’d want us to keep Cisse until he settles in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHAM spot on with my thoughts mate,maybe toon are a bit iffy over Austin once failing a medical ime guessing like,would be nice if he turned out like the last striker that came from that leg and now worth 32mil to villa
icedog(Quote)
I wouldn’t mind either of them, I quite like the fact that Mitrovic would be a unknown quantity to PL defenders. Charlie would be cool too though but will he get as many goals as last season? and how dodgy is that knee of his. Right now I just wanna see us sign someone of quality tbh.
Sharpy@535 Jabba and co are everything to do with what went on today imo. All this dragging the heels compared to other clubs just serves to wind folk up, some more than others. Given our history in some windows and the fact Toon fans eat and sleep footie it’s hardly surprising that tension gets the better of some of us. In all walks of life some folk are more patient or laid back than others.
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM was it not Austin shoulder/collar bone where he failed his medical? I could be wrong
icedog(Quote)
Kim – maybe, but we are still adults on here and should be able to hold a conversation or debate without referring to insults & name calling – and yes I include myself in that 😳
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice, floppy chops was talking about him and was on about his knee, he reckons there’s no problem there though.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, he has a shoulder problem too apparently
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice – yeah Austin has a shoulder injury.
I’m with Kim though, either would please me coz Mitrovic is a big strong lad who looks like a natural goalscorer too. If we can get Perez, De Jong & Wij behind either of them then I think they will get goals – but I would say that 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
The good thing about Austin is that both McClaren & Steve Black worked with him at QPR, so you would hope they would be well aware of any underlying issues.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Could see Austin working really well with Perez up front.
kimtoon(Quote)
My only worry is he hates the cold that’s why he would like to go to Roma and CL like,you will bloody frezze here bonny lad
icedog(Quote)
Sharpy, that could actually swing the deal, the old pals act like. I think the regime are bulking at his fee though, hence Mitrovic link. Thing is all reports say he really wanted a Roma or Benfica move 😕 think he likes the thought of playing in a warm climate meself.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t buy this Townsend link at 15mil like,agents at. work me thinks
icedog(Quote)
Kim yeah thats imo was part of the jabbas grand plan, devide and conquer the fan base. To be honest I dont see much positives at the club barr the new coach and backroom staff, but without quality players coming in it will be more of the same. So saying that there isnt much point coming on here unless there is something positive to talk about or you get in to the old dreamers vs negger ****.
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave, I know, windows used to be fun once upon a time, now when someone finally turns up it’s relief rather than excitement and I hate them for that. this regime have sucked the joy out of being a fan, it’s a real pity.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice, Townsend won’t happen and defo not at £15m.
kimtoon(Quote)
The Bas Dost thing has gone real quiet now or has he gone elsewhere?
kimtoon(Quote)
Very nice article Shamrock mate. The easiest answer to our problems? Fong them!!! Fong the dirty, dirty dogs who own and direct us!!!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
These strikers and midfield players is fine but where are these bloody defenders we badly badly need
icedog(Quote)
I really don’t want Townsend – especially at £15m!!!. For that money id try and get Mo Salah. But if we are looking English id go after Nathan Dyer, Nathan Redmond or Jesse Lingard – in that order.
Sharpy17(Quote)
G2 how are you doing with the low bid book. Have you made it to mount Ashley yet ? It must be destroyed 🙂
Terry(Quote)
Are we going to sign somebody or not?? Is that tooooooo much to ask Lee? That you actually do your job??? Well is it???? Somebody drag him out of his closet and I’ll ask him again…..
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I’m not doing very well Terry mate. I keep reading all the rumours about players we’re going to sign, cheering and running around. Then I sit beside me trusty wireless waiting for the final announcements. It’s heart breaking I tell you!!!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Ice – I know mate. Joel Matip is still a possibility and if we were to get Wij and Mit in then he may well fancy the move.
Ron Vlaar is still a free agent I think, but I’d like to see a CB next on the list.
Sharpy17(Quote)
This just in mates:
“Schteve requests emergency meeting with Mike after finding Lee Charnley locked in his own office closet. Lee was heard to be whimpering “it’s not fair. It’s just not fair. They won’t accept our low bids.”
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 I can actually believe that mate. Plus the 60 million was in the safe and someone broke in and stole all the cash. Now there’s no money for players.
Terry(Quote)
Ice, totally agree re defenders, that has to be addressed more so than MF, which we do seem to be obsessed with in recent times.
kimtoon(Quote)
Would have loved to see Newcastle play the Whitecaps while over here. The Whitecaps are a young up and coming side but it’s hard to judge their quality since they play in the MSL. I rate them as a very decent side for North America, with an outside chance to win something. My guess is they would beat the current Newcastle side by a couple of goals.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
why do we need to sign a centre half when we have Staylor, Collo, Janmaat, Willo, Lascalles, Good and Dummet who can all play there ?…that’s Charnley’s thinking probably…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Whitecaps play a very aggressive 4-2-3-1. It’s interesting to watch a side with real pace play that formation. It puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the defending team, especially on the quick counter attack. If we had decent players I would recommend it.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Munich mate you little tease.
Staylor: made of glass, wouldn’t last 10 games
Colo: past his sell be date
Good: injury prone and we know nothing about his ability to play in the Prem
Janmaat: much better RB than CB
Dummett: useful as a fill in but not a starter at CB
Willo: no comment required here. Not Prem quality at all.
Lascelles: hasn’t played a game in the Prem like Good.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2 I think Gateshead have a chance of beating us really I do.
Terry(Quote)
Gateshead will be really up for this game.
Terry(Quote)
Munich – I know what you mean. I think we need cover at RB, and if Dummett is seen more as a CB, then we need LB cover. Defo RB cover though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
And several decent CB’s. And a couple of strikers. And a couple of real wingers. And a new owner. As for Gateshead Terry mate it would be a good thing if they beat us. It might wake a couple of our management up.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Here my team against Gateshead
Darlow
Dummett Willo Good Janmatt
Anita
Gouffran Carbella Obertan
Armstrong Riviere
Terry(Quote)
Munich that the problem with got quantity no quilty in defence mate. PL sides will rip them to shreds.
Terry(Quote)
I got another personal email from the club this morning. I hope this new era in communication doesn’t turn into spam 😆 Still, it’s a positive sign that some effort is being made on that front.
brisvegas(Quote)
Bris – what’s the craic there mate? – enough for an article like?
Sharpy17(Quote)
No, it was just about what a great guy wor Steve is for going to the fans forum and that the minutes will be posted on the website soon.
brisvegas(Quote)
Well. I just had garlic bread, picked onions and blue cheese for dinner. My dog said to me “I eat my own ****, and my breath still smells better than yours”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Obviously dogs cannot talk, that’s why I taught him morse code.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
.– — — ..-.
Premandup(Quote)
. – – – – – – – – . – .
Premandup(Quote)
Fk the gaps are not doing well. now I know why morse does not work on the internet. Try Again
. – – / – – – / – – – /. – .
Premandup(Quote)
Prem @ 589 😀 I agree with that 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Two in by the weekend apparently
Stuart79(Quote)
keep dreaming!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aye it’ll be those 2 young trialists we’ve had in this week
Sharpy17(Quote)
My money is on GW and Mitrovic
Stuart79(Quote)
is that the same money you put on Carver to be our coach this season? 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Stu – presented at Gateshead Stadium on Friday night do you reckon?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Gateshead might come a bit early. GW due in on KLM flight from Amsterdam today. They’ll take him to our new state of the art training centre, oh wait! Sorry, they’ll show him the drawings of the centre that won’t be built and then show him our water bore hole. Should be a done deal then.
Stuart79(Quote)
Maybe they’re learning. Open training day today so the media can see training.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – just another ploy to sell season tickets and try to look good with the press
Sharpy17(Quote)
One storey going is that Austin does not want to leave the London area,strange that as he lives in Wiltshire
icedog(Quote)