Pointless!

Shearer's Right Foot

Fifty two thousand people faithfully arrived at St James’ Park on Saturday to create a carnival atmosphere to greet the players as Newcastle began their home campaign. The opening day defeat at Fulham was disappointing but fans expected a much more profitable afternoon as Newcastle looked to take full advantage of unparalleled home support. What this incredible support was delivered though was shockingly woeful. Defeat to Huddersfield has left the Magpies pointless after two games and looking alarmingly short of quality.

The wave of optimism generated by Rafa Benitez’s decision to commit his future and some decent transfer activity now seems to have dissolved as cheers turned to jeers at the final whistle. The result is a devastating blow to Rafa and his men as they gift away, what could turn out to be, vital Championship points. Fulham and Huddersfield are not good sides, they will not be fighting for promotion at the end of the season. These are dropped points.

However, let’s not panic just yet. The loss is a bad one yes but Newcastle still have a long, long way to go. The season and the evolution of the team is still in its infancy. Benitez made good changes for the match, Perez and Colback rightfully dropped after struggling against Fulham. The presence of Mo Diame in the starting line-up and the omission of want-way Moussa Sissoko would have also pleased most fans. Chancel Mbemba was back in the back four and at kick-off everything seemed to point to a good day for Newcastle as fans cheered on their team. Of course Huddersfield had other plans.

It does look as though a trip to Newcastle is seen as a bit of a day out for the opposition. They can arrive with no pressure whatsoever and play at a magnificent stadium in front of a crowd the size of which many of the players will have never played in front of before. St James’ Park – at the moment – is not a fortress, an insurmountable castle, it’s blinking Alton Towers. Teams need to fear it, dread coming there and have nightmares about losing there. For that to happen we need to stick with Rafa and the team, as difficult as that may be after seeing such dross but it must be done.

Newcastle need to do their bit too though and desperately need to get into a winning mentality. They really cannot afford too many more days like Saturday. Even if performances are still not quite right, somehow Newcastle need to start picking up some points before they leave themselves with too much to do. There is still plenty of time to resolve some key issues, but as they try to bring more quality into the club, they must start winning games.

Jamaal Lascelles needs the fans’ support. He has the weight of captaincy on his young shoulders and it appears to be affecting him. Just as it seemed to disintegrate Jonjo Shelvey’s performances last season, Lascelles’ shoulders look heavy and he needs time to grow into a difficult role. Gayle too must cope with that number 9 on his back. Saturday was Alan Shearer’s birthday and Gayle did well to get on the scoresheet. He may have initially missed the penalty but the eagerness he shows to take penalties and free-kicks illustrates his desire to get on the scoresheet and get shots on goal. He too will grow into that formidable shirt.

It’s about as bad a start as anyone could have imagined but the only way, as they say, is up.

About Shearer's Right Foot

View all posts by Shearer's Right Foot →

You may like these posts

295 thoughts on “Pointless!”

  2. sidekick:
    Can not see where we will get a goal from tonight .
    I’m going 0-0.

    we have a couple of goalscores trouble is nee body can set up any chances,we cannot expect them to make them and score them,need a lot of work yet

      (Quote)

  3. Draw for me, still far from convinced we have got goals in us sadly.

    Troy, put your fishing rod away will you.

      (Quote)

  5. Newcastle: (4-2-3-1): Matz Sels; Vurnon Anita, Chancel Mbemba, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett (c); Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey; Matt Ritchie, Ayoze Perez, Yoan Gouffran; Dwight Gayle
    Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Daryl Janmaat, Grant Hanley, Jamaal Lascelles, Jack Colback, Rolando Aarons, Adam Armstrong

      (Quote)

  7. He is making a statement that no one is safe I think. I don’t think this has anything to do with so-called squad rotation as it is so early.

      (Quote)

  9. Eric Sykes:
    He is making a statement that no one is safe I think. I don’t think this has anything to do with so-called squad rotation as it is so early.

    agreed mate,thats three c/b pairings we had as well

      (Quote)

  11. Looking forward to seeing a big improvement at RB, which should have a positive knock on effect. Let’s see what’s in Clarke’s locker then.great to have depth at CB for a change.

      (Quote)

  12. Shamrock:
    Looking forward to seeing a big improvement at RB, which should have a positive knock on effect. Let’s see what’s in Clarke’s locker then.great to have depth at CB for a change.

    aye mate true,but no sign of Gamez strange???

      (Quote)

  13. can’t see beyond a god awful 0-0 or 0-1 today. I know that negativity will trouble Eric Sykes somewhat though..?

    See, I was right about Lascelles then ?

      (Quote)

  14. Three games and three different CB pairings? I can’t understand that. It’s as if Rafa can’t decide on the best two and tonight is Clarks’ turn to audition. Generally you see successful teams stick with the same back four every game, not change around like this.

      (Quote)

  16. Munich Mag:
    can’t see beyond a god awful 0-0 or 0-1 today. I know that negativity will trouble Eric Sykes somewhat though..

    See, I was right about Lascelles then

    big in the gob doesnt mean your good on the pitch you have to prove it,and he hasnt shown it yet

      (Quote)

  17. I’m not sure Gamez was necessary. No idea what to think there tbh, unless Janmaat was pencilled in to leave?

      (Quote)

  18. Anita seems undroppable atm and Rafa’s favourite. Seems logical as he likes grafters but I’m not convinced he is a ‘first name on the teamsheet’ quality player. Okay at RB but he should be nowhere near left wing or a creative position and I think this league could be too physical for him.

      (Quote)

  19. Shamrock:
    I’m not sure Gamez was necessary.No idea what to think there tbh, unless Janmaat was pencilled in to leave?

    could be true but still you need game time to get match fit which he wont be

      (Quote)

  21. Munich Mag:
    The Gamez signing has me baffled too. Not fit perhaps ?

    nufc.com say he’s not match fit. They are usually quite a reliable source of info and they don’t make stuff up. Sissoko has an ‘ankle injury’ which they are rightly sceptical about. Hiadara back in training, I’m starting to lose hope that he can stay fit.

      (Quote)

  22. Kim
    I’m serious. Things will cluck tonight. 😉
    Shame to see some are already writing Lascelles off already. 2 games. Wow! 😯
    YKWYA

      (Quote)

  24. You know my position. Lascelles was made a scapegoat against Huddersfield. He was no more at fault than the rest of the team for our loss. In fact he did positive defensive manoeuvres than any of the CBs on the pitch.

    Any radio commentary at least anybody?

      (Quote)

  29. Karki:
    Is it just me, or did it seem like more games were available last time we were down stairs?

    yep that’s what I thought too

      (Quote)

  37. Blackburn have had two own-goals in a row from Duffy. They have fallen apart since Hanley left. I think we could have relegated them by taking Hanley. 😕

      (Quote)

  47. Looks like Rafa has made more selection errors… ? Clark and Gouffron getting battered from the commentators

      (Quote)

  50. Booed off at half time then. 🙄 Watch the heads drop in second half, not enough leaders. Too many lack confidence / experience.

      (Quote)

  64. Not sure why Hanley isn’t playing.

    Counting disallowed tonight, we’ve conceded more without him than we did at Fulham with him.

      (Quote)

  70. Finally someone to take free kicks again then. Finally some points on the board. Come on boys, put a couple more and let’s get everyone confident for the start of the season :mrgreen:

      (Quote)

  74. Good free kick that. Hopefully Gayle & Ritchie will give us that option as it’s been a weak spot since R Taylor.

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *