After going 2-0 down just 10 minutes into the second half, a Ciaran Clark header and Jonny Evans own goal saw us pull off what seemed an unlikely comeback to take a point from West Brom in a 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns tonight.
After conceding just before the half-time whistle, it had that ‘here we go again’ feel about it. It was the THIRD consecutive match we’d shot ourselves in the foot just before the break and seemed all too familiar.
It then got worse, with another piece of woefully soft defending allowing Matty Phillips’ cross to be met all too easily by Sam Field at the back post.
At this point, it felt like game over and our fifth defeat on the spind. After all, prior to tonight’s game, we’d only scored ONE goal ALL SEASON after conceding the first goal this season (Joselu’s against Liverpool) , so it’s understandable why you wouldn’t hold much hope of two goals in half an hour. West Brom looked very ordinary, but we never looked like scoring up until this point.
Matt Ritchie’s inswinging corner kick was met by Ciaran Clark, giving us an immediate response. Another soft goal, but one that at least worked in our favour on this occasion, giving us a foothold in the game once again.
What a corner this is, inch perfect. pic.twitter.com/jQjklVHAHl
— Adam. (@SimplyMitro) November 28, 2017
Blammer. pic.twitter.com/UALWzpOI9g
— NUFCThreatLevel (@NUFCThreatLevel) November 28, 2017
The own-goal that followed late on was fortunate to give us the draw, but we’d been knocking on the door and could’ve even gone on to win this one if we’d had another 5 minutes to spare.
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s introduction gave us a totally different look up top. Whilst Joselu enjoyed little service all night, Mitrovic gave us so much more in the 25 minutes he was on the pitch. He offered much more of a presence, held up the ball and showed some nice touches, being far harder for the West Brom centre-backs to handle than Joselu was all night. He wasn’t the only substitute who made an impact though, with Aarons and Shelvey giving us more attacking threat going forward.
Rafa will be criticised for starting Joselu once again, but all three substitutes helped change the game. No more so than Mitrovic, who must surely start at Stamford Bridge on Saturday?!
Merino was sloppier than we’ve come to expect and Yedlin didn’t cover himself in glory once again, but given how bleak it was looking with half an hour to play, this could turn out to be such a big result for us.
It stops the rot and give us a valuable point against a side who could be a real relegation rival come May next year. Onto Chelsea we go.
STATS:
LEAGUE TABLE:
Yedlin had another nightmare ball watching for their first goal and got worse as the game went on,got to give Mitro a game,lot a lot of bad defending again
Icedog(Quote)
I think Yedlin is a decent full back, but I have always wondered about his discipline in defending. He isn’t bad when he’s switched on, but he switches off too often in a game.
I know I keep banging on about him, but Lascelles organises that defence when he’s in there. He’s always talking to the full back and centre midfield to keep that shape.
I think Lejeune is a very good defender, but he isn’t that communicator that Lascelles is.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice, you know I have had long term reservations about Yedlin as a defender. I’m just not convinced by him and I know folk keep saying he’s good going forward but for me you have to master the position you have ( defender ) first and foremost . Anita was slagged off but he was excellent positionally when played at RB. Janmaat and Debuchy were like Yedlin too .
Yeddy needs some solid defensive displays asap, maybe he needs Lascelles back shepherding him?
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy, great minds 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – it’s right though. I think Lejeune reminds me a bit of Colo in that he’s a good defender but lacks the communication – whether that’s a language barrier or that he’s just new to the team and lacks the confidence to be directing yet. He seems a big unit with little fear so it may come, but I don’t see it yet.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I said yesterday but a new article was put up.
Pardew about to get the WBA job today. He’s mates with one of the board members apparently. He was in with the Ashley crowd getting the Newcastle job and of course had the links with Palace for that job.
Is this a bloke who is getting work based on who he knows, rather than actually what he can do – or is that unfair?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Also, I was thinking last night. Me & Stu were on about Perez – did our turn in form happen coz he was dropped?!. Got me thinking – what would people say is our strongest 11 (or the 11 you’d most like to see on the pitch that maybe hasn’t been tried yet)?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
? big John Carver joins Pardew at WBA … over to you Eric ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well 4 defeats in a row is absolutely terrible 😥 If this was McClaren, Pardew or Carver they would be going sack the manager but because its Benitez, he gets away scot free.
Stem(Quote)
Stem – we didn’t get beat last night mate, but that aside, McClaren and Pardew lost a lot more games than 4 before people started saying sack them. Carver wasn’t ever a manager, but again, in his short spell overseeing things also lost a lot more than 4 games.
Benitez has been criticised on here – in particular for his consistent selection of Joselu.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Actually Eric, this could put the argument to bed once and for all.
Pardew was apparently a good manager that wasn’t backed – well WBA buy players, so let’s just see how good he does with his main man JC alongside him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Have aliens abducted Eric?
shamrock(Quote)
I think he’s still trying to catch his breath laughing mate
Sharpy17(Quote)
😆
shamrock(Quote)
Lee Ryder In the Chronicle gave Yedlin an 8. Must have been at a different game to the fans. Cannot comment on this site from my iPad.. Anyone else having problems?
Groucho(Quote)
Yes. You have scroll down and enter a captcha code for every comment. Really annoying.
shamrock(Quote)
Sharpy – re the best team. In my opinion it was the one that finished the game on Tuesday. Mitro, Aarons and Mbemba gave us ball retention that allowed attacks to build and midfielders to join in. Makes a huge difference to Gayle, Joselu, Diame constantly losing the ball.
Hayden to start? Shelvey as impact sub? Not sure.
I’m pleased about it because it was the six changes I asked for on Tuesday morning.
georgio(Quote)
What’s with the code thing ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Got to be honest can’t be faffed with entering the code every comment like. 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
Balls with this **** trying to drive bloggers away,well you win bye
Icedog(Quote)
Thanks Sham but still not working from my iPad. I am having to use my desktop. As much as I like this blog and the people on it I can’t be arsed with having to jump through hoops just to make a simple comment. It’s a bloody nuisance and as you say annoying.
Groucho(Quote)
Same here. I think it will turn a lot of people off (this Captcha thing). In fact I am done until it is gone.
shamrock(Quote)
I guess this is going to be my last comment for a while too… what has happened to this site…? I see no benefit in this captcha thing either… Why?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I’ve tried three times to comment but it wont get through
I wont be back whilst this catcha thing is on
Premandup(Quote)
This captcha thing seems a sudden unwelcome move. What’s going on Andy/Olly?
georgio(Quote)
I can’t make comments from my phone!
If I have to use my laptop everytime I want to comment I will be making about 3 comments per year!
Come on lads, sort this out…
Stuart79(Quote)
Hey guys,
Sorry the captcha thing was added in error whilst we were updating the site. Should be fixed now 😛
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Thank goodness. Pleased about that with the Chelsea game tomorrow.
Groucho(Quote)
NEW THREAD!
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2017/12/01/chelsea-a-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups/
Chelsea pre-match preview !
Olly Hawkins(Quote)