Newcastle v Brentford – A Good day’s work, now let’s build on it tonight

Andy The Magpie

It turned out to be a good weekend. Winning’s never a chore but with Huddersfield and everyone else in the promotion places bar Norwich losing, some weekends are better than others.

Swapping places with Sunderland, at this moment in time, looks likely in a delicious moment of revenge for last season. Look, I know it was our fault we went down but for them to stay up in our place? It’s a pain that took a while to subside.

Overall, it was a good performance on Saturday. Gayle took his goals well, as did Clark; Shelvey was at the heart of everything good, including the three goals. His range of passing – on his day – is immense; I just wish those days were more often. So should he if his desire to earn more England caps is to become a reality.

There weren’t any bad performances as such although some were under par. We missed Matt Ritchie’s delivery. Atsu has the pace but his final ball has yet to find the consistency of the Scot. But as with Shelvey, we have to find a way of playing without becoming reliant upon any one player.

Some are obviously more important than others but reliance is unhealthy, particularly when more and more demands are made on players.

All three goals had predatory instincts about them. Clark’s run was timed to perfection whilst Gayle’s habit of being in the right place at the right time is a good one to have. It’s more than I thought he would bring to the side when he was signed. He wasn’t overly impressive at Palace last season; moments of brilliance interwoven with weeks of indifference.

Not anymore; he is in-form and on fire. If he doesn’t snare twenty goals this season, it will be a major disappointment.

And whilst the forwards and attacking midfielders get all the plaudits, some others need to be praised. Karl Darlow, for example. It must be hard for goalkeepers to keep their concentration for 90 minutes in one-sided matches such as Saturday’s. He did and produced the saves when we needed them.

The usual word of caution though. It’s as if the footballing gods are telling us not to get carried away. Brentford’s goal was sloppy, poor and conceded from another set-piece. We’ve taken 25 points out of the last 30 so mustn’t grumble too much but we need to get that problem sorted because at some point it will cost us dear.

As it happened, Saturday wasn’t that day. Barnsley tonight, another three points beckons. A quick returns beckons. Let’s take advantage of it.

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145 thoughts on “Newcastle v Brentford – A Good day’s work, now let’s build on it tonight”

  1. Thanks for the new thread ATM. There is a hangover from the international break. They are blog killers. I think the only hope Shelvey has of getting in the England squad is if Rafa makes a phone call on his behalf. That might add some gravity to his England claims as Southgate has very little experience really. When was the last time a Championship player was picked for England? I can’t remember one, hopefully someone with a better memory than me can think of one.

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  3. Tom Heaton when he was in the Championship for Burnley maybe?

    Eric Sykes:
    Thanks for the new thread ATM. There is a hangover from the international break. They are blog killers. I think the only hope Shelvey has of getting in the England squad is if Rafa makes a phone call on his behalf. That might add some gravity to his England claims as Southgate has very little experience really. When was the last time a Championship player was picked for England? I can’t remember one, hopefully someone with a better memory than me can think of one.

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  4. Thanks ATM. After I wrote that I thought about Heaton but then I figured he would never play except in a friendly as the 3rd choice ‘keeper never gets to play in any meaningful game. Maybe Charlie Austin? Jordan Pickford next year 🙂

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  5. If memory serves me correctly, did he not play a friendly in the lead up to the Euro 2016 debacle after Butland got injured?

    I might change the name of the thread to something like ‘Barnsley v Newcastle – let’s build on Brentford win tonight’ as it’s a bit misleading at the moment.

    Eric Sykes:
    Thanks ATM. After I wrote that I thought about Heaton but then I figured he would never play except in a friendly as the 3rd choice ‘keeper never gets to play in any meaningful game. Maybe Charlie Austin? Jordan Pickford next year ?

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  6. these are the games i dislike. we’re on a fine run and ppl are getting carried away. Chronicle running stories about Shelvey being like Gazza 😯

    I’m hopeful of a win but could easily see us drawing. Barnsley are looking to turn the corner after a few defeats.

    1-2 OR 1-1… but then again, I’m always wrong at predicting 😉

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  9. Gashley:
    looking at the mackems fixtures. I can see them getting around 5-7 points by 2017

    Gash: that would mean Moyes gone. I have said this before but they would probably rehire Fat Sam and then the FA would probably bring some action against him. It could end up being a bigger circus than it is now or than how NUFC have been for the past 10 years. The FA must be the stupidest buggers on the face of the earth, they sack him for bringing the game into disrepute and still have to pay him a million quid. What were their lawyers doing when drawing up that contract?

    Anyway, I went for 2-2 with the hope I will be wrong and we get another away win.

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  10. I mean, it really is a total farce. The FA paid Sunderland 3 million to get Allardyce, give him 600k for 1 game and then still owe him 1 mil. And he was right about Wembley. It could easily have been built for half the cost in Birmingham and the Hotel prices cost half there as well. That would have made too much sense though to these London-centric bureaucrats.

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  11. Eric Sykes:
    I mean, it really is a total farce. The FA paid Sunderland 3 million to get Allardyce, give him 600k for 1 game and then still owe him 1 mil. And he was right about Wembley. It could easily have been built for half the cost in Birmingham and the Hotel prices cost half there as well. That would have made too much sense though to these London-centric bureaucrats.

    Those prices wouldn’t have stayed half as much for very long though. People are greedy and would look to cash in on big match days.

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  13. Good luck to the lads tonight. Haven’t been on for a bit. We need to keep the pressure on Norwich.

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  14. GeordieTwo:
    Good luck to the lads tonight. Haven’t been on for a bit. We need to keep the pressure on Norwich.

    keep off the drink mate and you be fine 😆 😆

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  15. Eric Sykes: Gash: that would mean Moyesgone. I have said this before but they would probably rehire Fat Sam and then the FA would probably bring some action against him. It could end up being a bigger circus than it is now or than how NUFC have been for the past 10 years. The FA must be the stupidest buggers on the face of the earth, they sack him for bringing the game into disrepute and still have to pay him a million quid. What were their lawyers doing when drawing up that contract?

    Anyway, I went for 2-2 with the hope I will be wrong and we get another away win.

    Eric
    Its a total joke mate. he should get nowt.
    I reckon he’s damaged goods. I can see him going back to Bolton or somewhere to build his career again

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  16. money grabber Sam has said hes thinking of going to try for a job in the USA,he coming your way G2/ERIC,how nice for yous 😆 😆 😆

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  17. Seen the team and I have to say, it’s such a strong team. We have a great Championship squad it has to be said.

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  21. good evening all.
    An away win tonight would be mighty fine, but won’t be easy.
    Looking for Mo Diame to show some considerable improvement over his previous run outs.
    1-2 my prediction
    Howay the Lads

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  23. Did the commentator just say the hosts are in tights???? You just don’t know what’s coming next in the modern game! 😯

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  24. Sammy Ameobi has scored for Bolton in league 1
    finally learning his trade in the lower divisions.

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  32. Hi all,

    The radio announcers said that fans are watching a video stream at the bars in St. James’ Park. Is that a done thing? Any video links?

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  34. I’ve heard their lad Bree is a bit of a cheesy player…. Not sure what to make of that…..

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  41. I’d bree lying if I said I like puns. (does that work?)

    But you could make a nice sandwich with an apple slice.

    GeordieTwo:
    I’ve heard their lad Bree is a bit of a cheesy player…. Not sure what to make of that…..

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  44. Don’t be disappointed Kimtoon mate. We’re going to fling everything we have at them in the second half! I’m completely confident. I’m sending waves of positivity straight at the ground.

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  45. I’m more in John Oliver’s camp than Andy Zaltzman (fans of The Bugle podcast will know what I’m talking about ) but I’m trying to play along.

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  48. We’ll be at them like wild squirrels in the second half. Of that I have no doubt FSOTC mate. I’m a big John Oliver fan myself.

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  51. We used to have some very funny lads on here at one time. What’s happened to them? Not that I don’t like your puns FSOTC mate. Where’s that old radgie Rodzilla for example?

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  52. Too many journeymen players and too little class in the midfield… one man up front, let’s hope for a massive second half improvement.

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  53. Can he unleash his inner wild squirrel Beardsley mate? I don’t want him out there just playing with his nuts……

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  55. Yeah Diame has not done much for me so far this season. Think aid like to see a 442, with 1st choice midfield being Hayden and Shelvey.

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  56. John Oliver, on the excellent Bugle podcast, would scream, shout and moan in pain every time his partner, Andy Zaltzman, went on a pun-run. That’s not even a thing, here in the states, actually. I mean, I’ve never heard an American mention a pun run. Is that a well know thing over there, across the pond?

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  57. I don’t know if I like the way the team is set up now.

    Anita see Yedlin come on at right back.

    Am I doing this right?

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  58. It’s not well known FSOTC mate, but there are small clubs where people gather and make strange faces at each other. Will that do?

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  59. Hayden has been quite 1st half too. Let’s hope they wake up in the second half. With Norwich winning we cannot afford to lose points here.

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  60. That’s a very nice attempt FSOTC mate. It’s bordering on a low whimper or a moan for me…..

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  68. Okay. That seems to be the desired effect for both fans and opponents of puns, so I’m satisfied.

    I expect us to win this without the opposition troubling our keeper very much. Darlow in the table, after all.

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  71. “Sunderland have been in contact with consortiums from China over a possible takeover, with owner Ellis Short willing to listen to offers of more than £150m for his rock-bottom side.”….. 🙂 Giddyup 🙂

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  74. There’s no telling how Rodzers would like his new home, though they’re likely to have a lot less drink available.

    WHERE IS RODZILLA?

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  75. I believe a consortium from Burundi have made a fine offer of 14 pounds 50p for Sunderland as well.

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