It says a lot about our start to the season when we’re coming away from Southampton feeling like that was two points dropped. A hard fought point nonetheless, but after being in control for most of the game, it’s a real shame for the lads to come away with just a point.
As you’d expect, Southampton saw a lot of the ball in the early stages but rarely moved it quick enough into areas that could hurt us. Partly down the their apparent lack of ideas and confidence and partly due to our organised set up and disciplined two banks of four – with Joselu and Perez also working tirelessly to make it difficult for the talented Van Dijk to play out from the back.
We then started to impose ourselves on the game and nicked a goal in the form of Isaac Hayden. Great technique, leaving Fraser Forster rooted to the spot. An unlikely scorer and an unlikely first half away goal – with it being our first on the road in the first half of a Premier League match since November 2015 at Crystal Palace.
HAYDEN! 0-1 #NUFC pic.twitter.com/zI14hP5DJg
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) October 15, 2017
On that day in 2015 (the last time we scored a first half goal in an away Premier League game) we ended up losing 5-1 to Pardew’s Palace, but even though we threw away the lead twice here, we never looked like folding in this one.
They were level just 5 minutes into the second half. Gabbiadini shot on the half turn wasn’t closed down quickly enough by Manquillo and looked like an effort Elliot should’ve done better with.
It was Perez who lost possession all too easily in the build up to the goal, but it was the same man who would atone for his error less than 2 minutes later. After some neat play from the restart, Perez saw his shot parried by Forster, only to react to the rebound and squeeze it in from a tight angle.
PEREZ!! 1-2 to #NUFC pic.twitter.com/BCDUu0Ndku
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) October 15, 2017
From that point onwards I was hopeful we’d weather any Southampton storm to come, with us looking solid and steady and the back and them looking a little short on ideas offensively.
Unfortunately, we shot ourselves in the foot once again. Lejeune – who hadn’t put a foot wrong all game – got it horribly wrong as he clattered into Long in a challenge he did not need to make and Gabbiadini made it 2-2 from the spot with an emphatic finish.
In the 15 minutes that remained, we looked the more likely side and Florian Lejeune almost won it at the death, seeing his goal-bound header cleared off the line.
It ended 2 goals apiece. Lessons to be learned, but even more positives to take. We were supremely organised once again and put in a performance that would’ve mustered a win on another day. Yet more evidence that we can compete at this level and another point in the bag.
Newcastle United XI – (4-2-3-1) – Elliot – Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Manquillo – Hayden, Shelvey – Ritchie, Perez , Atsu – Joselu. (SUBS- Darlow, Gamez, Merino*, Diame, Clark, Murphy*, Gayle*)
Southampton XI (4-2-3-1) – Forster – Cedric, van Dijk, Yoshida, Bertrand – Lemina, Romeu – Tadic, Gabbiadini, Redmond – Long.
Well satisfied with a draw but a win would have been nice. Small moans Atsu trying to dribble out from our corner flag. He started well though but does fade. Yedlin’s defending and marking were poor today. Needed a lot of help from Ritchie. Surprised Rafa didn’t take him off when he escaped the red. Rob Elliot’s clearances were atrocious and Shelvey was overhitting the ball. Nevertheless team played well and my moans are small. Manquillo who many get at I thought did well.
Groucho(Quote)
Agree. We have options at the back with MBemba and Dummett coming back and also in midfield. Not at the front though. We knew at the start of the season this would be our problem. If Mitro doesn’t at least make the bench for the 3rd game running we will know for certain Rafa has run out of patience.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Groucho: about Yedlin. He played for the USA where he constantly pressed as almost a second winger. I think he forgot all of the discipline that Rafa has taught him because he was playing in a **** team and trying to do too much. Hopefully, Rafa can get Yedlin’s head in the game again.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Thought he had an excellent game against Liverpool. Rafa didn’t rest him after the internationals like the others he rested and perhaps there was some jet lag too.
Groucho(Quote)
I had hoped Yedlin had turned a corner defensively after his last outing for us but he was a liability today and once again I am far from convinced in him as a defender. Gayle is shot and apparently injured again 🙄 I’m not even sure he wants to be at Toon which wouldn’t be that surprising given we were happy to let him go if a replacement had been available .
Atsu was really good today I thought and Perez’s goal was a beauty and not an easy shot unlike many others he’s missed, go figure.
Given the fact Yedlin should of walked I reckon all in all a draw was ok. Shame about the pen , but Lejeun did well otherwise, likewise Manquillo who was steady.
Oh and Murphy was once again far too light weight, that lad has to bulk up a bit, was pushed off the ball far too much.
kimtoon(Quote)
Every pundit says it was a penalty. Long pushed the ball 4 yards ahead and then deliberately ran into Lejeune’s leg. He knew exactly what he was doing and bought it, and sold it to the Ref. I see that not called in just about every game I watch. I read the Guardian comments and quite a few agree with the way I saw it. I am surprised because every pundit saw it as a penalty and usually the fans are influenced by the pundits.
I won’t be surprised if everybody on here disagrees with me. Long ran into his leg and threw himself to the ground. Really good play acting.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Steel, control, structure. Some nice comments about nufc after another good performance that saw us well worth a point.
Nice to see Perez score .. more please
Yet again we ceded possession but came out on top for attempts and on target. It seems when going forward we mean business .. CF please fatman
Quite enjoying life watching Newcastle at present
GlosMag(Quote)
Yup .. long was looking for it .. but not sure how many forwards wouldn’t do the same as he was going nowhere
but Lejeune made it an easy decision by sticking his foot in.
Haven’t seen many penalties not given for that
GlosMag(Quote)
It was the most nailed on penalty I’ve seen in a long time!!. Lejeune and all of the toon players knew it.
It was also a very well taken penalty to be fair to the lad.
I’m not so sure it was a deserved win either to be fair. We played very well, but it’s not like Forster was pulling off world class saves left, right & centre. Other than the goals & Davis clearing Lejuenes header off the line, I don’t remember us testing them that much. Likewise, take their goals out of it and Elliott wasn’t stretched either mind.
It was one of our best away performances I’ve seen in a while though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Do you think Gayle has given up? Is he still worried about his hamstrings? Is he in a huff about not starting? He has done nothing as a starter or a sub this season.
The answer might be that the PL is a bridge too far for him but today he stood around a bit more than usual. With Shelvey and Merino on the field you would think he would sit on the shoulder of the last man. I remember one run and that was about it.
Not to ***** too much because I think we played OK and it was a good result, but I thought Joselu was ineffective. Time for Mitro to get a chance.
Commentator said since S’ton got promoted they has scored 14 and conceded 1 at St. Mary’s against us. I remember a game under Pards I think when I switched it off. We barely got out of our own half and I think we lost 4 nil. A draw is progress.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yedlin should have gone. We were very lucky today.
We need a clinical striker badly. Joselu is a back up player.
The work ethic of this side is brilliant.
Shelvey was caught out a few times today in dangerous positions.
Ritchie is our best player.
Very happy for Hayden. Commentator said it was fortunate to go in because it was a hit and hope but to me it looked placed with power. Had a bit of bed on it as well.
Perez was woeful until his goal, gave the ball away often. Great work ethic but overall not productive enough for me at all this season.
shamrock(Quote)
Sham: Yedlin was a definite second yellow and maybe a straight red. Friend might have taken pity on him because his first yellow was for dissent. It did give another reason to have trial by television for a NUFC player.
If that had been Mitro he would have got 2 red cards and joined Rooney doing 300 hours of community service.
Talking of Rooney. He was absolutely woeful today.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just read Olly’s update on Gayle saying he picked up a calf injury. That explains why he appeared to be just standing around.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Maybe Gayle hadn’t warmed up enough prior to coming on, that may explain the calf injury. What ever it’s down to, he simply doesn’t look the same player to me, very ,very worrying.
kimtoon(Quote)
If we can get him fit, I would sell him in January for sure, he’s obviously not happy about something.
kimtoon(Quote)
Gayle strikes me as a player that needs a lot of love, needs to feel wanted, an arm round the shoulder type of player. Don’t think he got the love really at Palace and was beset by injuries while there, but still finished as their top scorer each season he was there. Thing is the older he gets the more troublesome these injuries will become.
kimtoon(Quote)
Yep. Rafa is decisive. Not a lot of love from him I feel. You are useful or you are not. We can expect a reduced sale price on Gayle despite his good season last term. His injuries are mounting.
shamrock(Quote)
Gayle and Joselu are a waste of space. Neither fit for purpose.
georgio(Quote)
I think Kim is being very harsh on Yedlin. He’s improving all the time imo.
Result was fair and for an away performance it was very good. Amazing what a good coach can do…
Next three fixtures Palace (H), Burnley (A) and Bournemouth (H). We should be looking at 7 points.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, maybe mate but I’ve never believed in him defensively, great going forward like but not so hot doing what he’s meant to do imo. I was so impressed with his last performance for us, looked like he was improving and yesterday he was poor defensively again. I understand he wasn’t good with the national team either going off reports. Hopefully Rafa can sort him out as there was improvement in that Pool game for sure.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: I watched the USA against Trinidad and the whole team was **** not just Yedlin. DeAndre had no discipline in that game and that was due to the coach and the whole team’s attitude. They just thought they would turn up and be handed the game. It reminded me a lot of the England performance against Iceland. Yedlin played more like a winger, but the whole team just bottled it. Him and Pulisic are the stars of the team so he was trying too hard, but I wouldn’t be judging him on this performance.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Very odd sky and sun we had in Bristol this morning. Up until 11.30am the sky was dark and yellow tinged , birds were roosting and when the sun showed its face it was reddish pink ! . Very eerie and spooky, oppressive feeling , almost apocalyptic feel to it. All back to normal now, but was bloody weird.
Anyone else had it ?
kimtoon(Quote)
I see The Chronic have caught on that we are bottom of the prediction league. I predict the predictors will all go for a draw against Palace. They might be right as well as Palace are a good team on paper, especially with Loftus Cheek. Townsend was a handful on Saturday, stupid Fatty should have let Rafa buy him back.
I am actually OK if Mr. Roy gets a bit of redemption. It is not really his fault that the Liverpool and England jobs were too big for him, it is the fault of those who gave him the jobs. He still made some unforgivable errors in letting Rooney run the team and having his resignation speech prepared so whatever happens he will never be made whole in my mind.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t want to criticize too much but Joselu is proving to be exactly what everyone thought he would be. A squad player, a stop-gap until we can get someone better, this year’s Daryl Murphy, a trier who is destined for the bench eventually.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Joselu can still be useful though coming on for the final 20 minutes if we have a lead. He hassles their defenders without fouling them (Hello Mitro) and provides an outlet. I was watching him yesterday and he didn’t have his best game but he did do what I just said.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim – I’ve had that too. Orange sunlight is very very odd. Think you’re being too hard on Yedlin. He wasn’t great yesterday but he has been recently. I’m loving the fight and intensity of Rafa’s team. Great to see. Just hope we do Palace!
georgio(Quote)
Georgio like this ?
https://www.mumsnet.com/uploads/talk/201710/medium-64587-image1
kimtoon(Quote)
Mind you I would be harsh on Elliott. He’s so slow moving. A better keeper would have saved three goals he’s let in this season especially the first one yesterday. And the ****** just can’t jump. He’s dreadful coming out to punch. He’s six foot with two foot arms and he still gets beaten in the air. 😡
georgio(Quote)
Kim – yeah just like that. All clear blue skies now and the high wind has gone. Weird day.
georgio(Quote)
Cheers Eric, yep, Rafa will sort him I’m sure. As I said before, he looked good in previous game so hopefully yesterday and US game were just blips.
kimtoon(Quote)
Same here mate, like a summers day now, really warm 23 degrees. Just seen local news and it was caused by hurricane Ophelia stirring up dust in Africa apparently. Should of happened on Halloween really.
kimtoon(Quote)
Georgio, some stunning photos of the sun/sky in the west today
http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/news/bath-news/updates-red-hurricane-sun-over-632401
kimtoon(Quote)
Sorry Olly but even a stopped clock is right twice a day. I wrote on another thread that Keown is an idiot. He said Arsenal are better off without Ozil and Sanchez, not because of their attitude but because the team is better. That is better without their leading scorer and assist maker of the past 3 years. And pray tell Martin, how many guaranteed 20 goal a year PL scorers are out there? He also said 6 months ago that Rooney still had a lot to offer England and Man U. How is that going? He was the worst player on the park yesterday against the mighty Brighton.
So, Olly, I wouldn’t go big upping pundits if I were you. He is highly likely to turn around and say something really stupid next week about NUFC!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I fear for Arsenal as well. They have really shot themselves in the foot with a bazooka. You had the Wenger should-I-stay-or-should-I-go, I-have-made-up-my-mind-but-I-am-not telling-you fiasco. Now their 2 best players will leave for free just when the price of replacements has doubled. I swear, every time I read a newspaper there is another 10 million added to the price of Harry Kane. Last week it was 170 million, today it is 200 million. Maybe some are Euros and others Pounds but you get the point.
We also shot ourselves in the foot with a howitzer by getting relegated just when the PL money train accelerated and when players could still be bought for reasonable prices.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t think all pundits and journalists are idiots though. There is certainly a tendency for the punditocracy to excuse their ex-teams but there are only a few of them that are complete dicks like Lawro, Merse, Tommo and Savage-o. The journalists are usually informative and sometimes even funny except for Ryder, Neil Custis, Neil Ashton, everybody at The Daily hateMail and every ex-player that has a newspaper column (except Shearer of course 🙂 )
So there!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, Jabba wants to sell.
Stuart79(Quote)
Cue endless, daily stories about rulers from all over the world wanting to buy us…
Stuart79(Quote)
Wow. Did you read the bit about buyers being able to defer substantial payments? That’s either to put the price up or to facilitate a quick sale.
And he wants to sell by Christmas!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Party on the streets of Newcastle?
I assume he’s got a couple of interested parties but wants to ensure the whole world knows the club is up for sale and maybe a few more serious buyers come along to drive up the price.
I don’t give a **** how much the club sells for…I just want the right kind of owner! Can we have someone inbetween the last 2 owners please? Passionate about the club but capable of running the club as a business too.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
If he reduces his price he’ll sell it. The notion that allowing someone to pay in instalments will bring serious buyers to the table is a bit of a fantasy. It will come at a cost and if the buyers are serious they’ll want to buy it, pay for it and get on with running it.
Stuart79(Quote)
Not necessarily. Do you own a house? Did you pay cash? Do you own a car? Did you pay cash (actually I did for mine but that was because I had the cash at the time)? But I also agree that allowing deferred payments might get a few fly-by-nights to pretend they have the funding. The usual “Local Business Consortia” which is usually some over leveraged property developer and the bid will fail after even a cursory glance. Who was that one last time we did this merry dance?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim will miss Jabba like Ice will miss Colback lol
Stem(Quote)
Barry Moat, that was him. Raoul Moat and Gazza missed the boat last time and I do not expect a bid from beyond the grave.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is just an intention. There’s no concrete buyer yet. It is said Ashley released this statement in order to bomb out more potential buyers, as Chinese buyers are restricted by government, mid-east buyers have capital issue due to political instability and US buyers only want to pay 2 billion.
But still it is a very good news!
funrafa(Quote)
The latest rumour is that Jimmy Nail, Ant and Dec, Sting, Cheryl Cole and Robson Green are putting a consortium together.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
old news really , we know he wants to sell, wasn’t this reported a couple of months back ?
He just needs to lower the price and stop dicking about.
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric, serious buyers will know taking advantage of deferred payments will come at a cost. My bet would be free advertising until it’s fully paid for. That’s reducing the potential income of the club. Ashley won’t be giving credit out for the craic – he’ll want something for it and that will be detrimental to the club. Serious buyers will buy it and get on with turning it into a successful commercial entity which will allow it to grow.
Stuart79(Quote)
I suggested a few weeks ago that it might not be a bad idea to give Fatman an incentive by offering Tat Direct free in-ground advertising for 10 years so the deal could be pushed through. It might cause a few short-term screams but as soon as we spent 50 million on a striker they would die down.
The billboards would not bring in that much money anyway.
I don’t even oppose changing the name of SJP. Main Road disappeared, Highbury, Roker Park, White Hart Lane. Does anybody miss them?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I noticed a strange hue coming through my curtains mate, but was in bed after a night shift so did not get a proper look. Wish I had now!
shamrock(Quote)
I also wouldn’t be averse to Fatty keeping a minority stake – say 20%. Again to give him an incentive because he is a gambler and get a deal done. So if he sells to the right buyers and the value of the club goes up then Mikey makes money as well. There seems to be no limit to how much money he wants so give him a double vodka chaser to go with his 10 pints of lager main course. It is a language he will understand.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am hoping all traces of Ashley fooks off for good. Parasite.
shamrock(Quote)
New owners would need to use their companies to invest in the playing side. Owners can no longer just throw cash at it. FFP means commercial deals will need to be done. Just like City and PSG with Etihad and Qatar airways/Qatar tourist board ect…
Stuart79(Quote)
John Hatrson says Ashley has stabilised the club and we fans don’t appreciate him enough.
shamrock(Quote)
Steve Harper said £380 mil is only £8 mil a month for 48 months lol
Icedog(Quote)
The laziest of lazy comments. He knows nothing which makes him look a right ***.
Stuart79(Quote)
His comments this weekend were that his compulsive gambling almost lost him his wife and kids. He wants to stay in the limelight and is probably on Talksport or something. Does he have a book coming out? Seriously, when mediocre players start running their mouths they usually have a book to promote because the press aren’t usually interested in them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Two counterattacking teams in a Mexican standoff. I thought watching England was like watching grass grow but West Brom/Leicester are giving new meaning to porridge.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Didn’t we offer like 22 million for Berehino? Whatever happened to him?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just looked up Berhino and he moved to Stoke for 15 mil and has 18 appearances and no goals. Dodged a bullet but also how bad must Joselu have been for Stoke? Again, I am not really criticizing Joselu, just pointing out something.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
FFS The Chronic must have the stupidest journalists on the planet. Mark Douglas says that Amanda Stavely may be interested in NUFC if the “price has been reduced to 200 million as some have suggested”. NO YOU FCKING IDIOT. In the Northern Echo a professor said that NUFC is actually worth less than what Ashley is asking and his estimate is 200 million. THAT DOES NOT MEAN ASHLEY HAS DROPPED THE PRICE TO 200 MILLION. YOU TOTAL FCKING MORON. Why don’t you and Lee go and have a pint and write your next pile of shyte.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stoke fans prefer Joselu to Berahino Eric, most were very miffed when he was sold.
kimtoon(Quote)
John Hartson needs to have a little chat to KK and Shearer and see if they agree about the wonderful job Mikey boy has done. Also someone needs to point out to him that we still owe a lot of money it’s just to him now 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
Shamrock, re the red sun today, you missed a treat, was amazing and a bit unnerving too.
kimtoon(Quote)
I’m off to Dubai on Thursday. Will try and fix a meet with Amanda. See if she can be bribed with a G+T.
Stuart79(Quote)
I know Peter was a great player for the toon but he’s bloody hopeless at coaching under 23s thrashed again 6-2,he was a right crawl **** to jabba what will happen to him if a buy out goes through?
Icedog(Quote)
http://www.themag.co.uk/2017/10/mike-ashley-promise-sell-newcastle-united-statement-9-years-ago-must-read/
Worth a read
Icedog(Quote)
I just looked at the Mark Douglas article again and he does say that some suggest the asking price has been reduced to 200 million. He does not give any source or any context. Does anybody seriously believe that Ashley would accept less than he paid for the club, including loans? If Douglas means 200 million plus paying off the approximately 140 million in loans then he should say so. But he doesn’t. As I have mentioned, the 200 million figure probably came from the so-called expert at Sheffield University. That is his value but where he came up with that he really doesn’t say.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Lol. We have won a pitiful 4 FA Cup matches in 10 years under Ashley.
shamrock(Quote)
What gets me is the lazy journalism. The Chronic is the most widely read paper on NUFC and if you only follow the club casually you might take Douglas’ word that NUFC would cost 200 million. Then you might see that Liverpool are valued at a billion and think, this should be easy, we’re dirt cheap in comparison. Of course we will get sold by Christmas! But no, Douglas is vastly underestimating the sale price and therefore the complexity of the sale.
I know I am dwelling. But what happens with this sort of stuff is it get repeated and becomes accepted as the price when really it was all a result of lazy journalism Chronic style.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Didn’t he promise a trophy before he left?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ashley stablised the club as a yo-yo club.
funrafa(Quote)
His promises are nothing.
funrafa(Quote)
Eric, the loan from Ashley to the club will still remain as a liability of the club, under the new owner. It could be settled with the take-over, or it could remain with the club with a long-term repayment plan. It has nothing to do with the purchase price.
funrafa(Quote)
From BBC:
‘To underline the point, not once have they still been in the League Cup in January during the Ashley years, going out in the fourth round or earlier in eight of those 10 seasons.’
shamrock(Quote)
So IF he sells the club, is the buyer going to lay off the debt owed to Ashley – and will that be at the zero percent? Or is it going to hang around like a bad smell at some silly interest rate? Interesting to see what happens there.
My guess is the club will NOT be sold – and Ashley will use that as an excuse to not spend in January. He will say he had not planned for the window because we cant afford it on his minimum wage and a buyer let him down… He will milk us for all he is worth for as long as possible.
Unless the filthy rich Arabs buy us, wipe out his debts and release his SD grip on our advertising boards, he could well have any new buyer doubled over with his fist up their backside for a long time, with this club struggling to generate funds for the academy or new players whilst it is held to ransom with his interest rates and obligation to flog his tat for an extended period of time.
shamrock(Quote)