At the end of every season, you can look back on one incident which either sums the campaign or is a pivotal moment. We’ve had ours, I’m sure of that. Diame’s flick of foot and the ball looped into the net. From such good fortune is promotion won, and you can’t get better Newcastle United news than that.
Despite having the lion’s share of possession, we were running down cul-de-sacs or being plain wasteful – yes, Messrs Atsu and Gouffran, I’m looking at you.
You could see how much it meant to the players, let alone the travelling support. This is a win which could – should – give them genuine confidence that they can go anywhere in this division and win.
Brighton were quick to start in both halves. Darlow was on the ball from kick-off, which was just as well. A good save from Bruno’s half-volley was followed by competent handling.
The penalty was pathetic; poor officiating and poor defending. Clark was stupid, there’s no escape from that. Hurling Murray to the ground was only go end one way; if only every other referee would give penalties in similar situation.
But the players reacted to the setback well. Shelvey gets the praise but Ritchie did well last night (again) and the pass to Atsu for the winner was the ‘pass of the season’. It was a good finish from Perez; would it have been a more comfortable evening if he’d started?
Gouffran isn’t a striker, he proved that Stockdale gifted him the ball. In one sense that moment was a relief; not the miss, but the goalkeeper error. Darlow got away with his last night but every ‘keeper at this level seems to have a ricket or two in him.
Darlow is good enough to get us out of the Championship; keeping us in the top flight? I’ll worry about that in the summer!
But night’s like this are the reason you enjoy football. Great character and fantastic result!
Thanks Andy, good sum up. Quick thanks for all the birthday wishes last night lads, was a great and unexpected present from the Toon. Also happy belated anniversary Ice, 35 years good goin mate.
Thought Darlow was motm last night, on great form, looks like they’d been working on communication in training. When Murphy came on I thought they panicked, they know he likes to score against them. Once we equalised their heads definitely dropped too, nerves set in . Would like to see Murphy get a bit more game time next game if Gayle isn’t ready too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Agree with that Kim. But Diame’s goal is just about the strangest goal I’ve ever seen. First thought watching that was if Huddersfield are going to catch anybody – it’ll be Brighton not us.
georgio(Quote)
Not sure what’s going on with Gayle. I heard there’s never been anything showing on the scans and the whole thing’s happening in his mind. Rafa keeps saying it’s his confidence too. Very strange. You’d think they’d get him doing all out sprints in training and if it goes then it does. If it stands up OK then play the ******.
georgio(Quote)
kimtoon(Quote)
Well I don’t know why that came up twice!
kimtoon(Quote)
Hello All,
I am now less than a month away from my trip over to Newcastle. How hard is it to get tickets if you are NOT a member. The game I want goes on sale next week for general. Will I miss out? There’s 0 benefit to me being a member and living in the US…so I am afraid I will miss ticket, which is the whole reason I am coming over.
Cheers
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)
I wonder what the idea was? Sky had 27 cameras at the game 26 aimed at Shelvey to see what he did and didn’t do for a lot of the game??
with Gayle it’s a strange one he said he doesn’t feel right is it in the head or what only he knows how he feels, I remember a gunner player who just would not play unless he felt well there is Bale he said he wouldn’t play unless he felt right,they know how their body feels,gone are the days when a manager could tell players get your boots on a get out and play
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, re Gayle, if it’s all in his mind then Rafa may lose patience after a while. All the scans and tests say it’s fine apparently, if so then him having this mental block could mean Rafa will look to offload him, makes you wonder if Pards had this issue with him .
kimtoon(Quote)
Norcal, do you have family here who could get the tickets for you ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Aye mate he had a long spell out at Palace with the same problem,cannot really have a opp on it if as you say scan shows nothing there’s nowt to fix
Icedog(Quote)
It will take 73 points to be sure of getting into the play-offs,well we have that number already so let’s keep pushing on please
Icedog(Quote)
No Kim, I do not…that’s just one of the challenges.
I can order on line next Tuesday, but I am just afraid there won’t be anything left for the game. The games have been near sell-outs each time. This game is against Wigan on April 1.
I could also buy from a scalper, but would prefer to go through the club officially.
I could also sign up for a hospitality thing, just to make sure i get a ticket, but those are expensive, and I would like to sit in among the fans when I go. The only other time (14 years ago now), I sat with the fans and it was fantastic. Would love to repeat that experience.
NorCal Toonfan(Quote)
Aye mate, best sitting with the crowd if you can.
kimtoon(Quote)
Personally I think Huddersfield winning this would be quite good. The amount of times “after the Lord Mayors show” happens is astonishing.
Stuart79(Quote)
Hey Kim, belated happy birthday for yesterday. Sorry it was 2am when the match finished and I sort of forgot to wish you a happy birthday. Hope you had a good day. Toon win will have helped a tad. ??
Ice, happy anniversary mate. (Belated too I’m afraid) ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Nee worries,cheers
Icedog(Quote)
Stu it’s not their first team mate,they have made 8 changes from 1st team
Nee worries,cheers
Icedog(Quote)
wow, Huddersfield is beaten up by MC. That may not be a good thing for us. They would definitely want a bounce back from us. I see a tie on Saturday.
funrafa(Quote)
A Belated Happy Anniversary to you, Ice!
funrafa(Quote)
Cheers mate
Icedog(Quote)
That sounds strange indeed about Gayle. Surely the physios can work with him and make sure he’s fit? With all the testing done these days it’s odd that a player is declared fit but says he doesn’t feel right. Does he have a history of this? Probably hard to find out. If he doesn’t want to play then we need somebody who does right quick in the summer.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
For me I’m happy to give Gayle as long as he needs – while we are winning & picking up points.
The lad has made his contribution this season with his goal & I don’t think it’s a bad thing that Mitrovic & Murphy are getting more game time in Gayles absences.
It should have allowed Rafa to have a look at Mitrovic in particular at a competitive level. Does the lad have enough or will he need replacing in the summer.
It will be goals that keep us in the PL, so if we only had Gayle getting us back there, that’s not a good thing imo.
Personally I think it’s an area that will need strengthening in the summer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Seems a mental issue with Gayle. Bit like Sturridge. Not his fault if that’s the way he’s wired but how reliable are these types of players if that’s the case?
Stuart79(Quote)
That’s the problem I have with Gayle, Stuart (seems like Sturridge has the same). Hayden played for a month with his problem and didn’t complain. Next season we’ll need players who’ll run through brick walls and I doubt very much that wor Dwight is one of those.
georgio(Quote)
Re Gayle, His goals have really helped us this season and he deserves our thanks but he has to sort his head out if he is to remain with us as a reliable player. Is this something Pards had to deal with at Palace after his injury there I wonder? If so he may of concluded he wasn’t a mentally strong enough player and dropped him. Just a thought.
kimtoon(Quote)
New thread:
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2017/03/02/wagner-sends-warning-to-magpies/
Andy The Magpie(Quote)