We did better than we expected, but it’s hard to take too many positives from another defeat – especially when results around us make it look very likely that we’ll find ourselves in the relegation zone tonight (West Ham currently 2-0 up at Stoke).
The first half was a frustrating one. Arsenal looked composed and comfortable but, as ever, they looked like they could be got at. Merino and Lascelles led by example and tried to get us going, but the lack of quality in our front three was glaringly obvious and painful to watch at times.
Aside from winning headers at both ends of the pitch, Joselu was painfully sloppy and Atsu and Murphy’s final ball let them down on countless occasions. Hayden ‘combative’ but that’s the only thing I can say good about him recently. Saying that, he made more fouls than he did clean tackles. Lejeune was caught out on several occasions in the first half. Getting too tight, on the wrong side, missing his tackle or only half clearing the danger. It was a moment of magic from Ozil but the latter contributed towards their opener. A more convincing header doesn’t allow him that half chance.
In the second half we had spells where we had a go in the last 20, with Merino, Perez and the early addition of Matt Ritchie doing their best to push us forward, but it wasn’t enough. We huffed and puffed, however it was only really from long distance efforts and set pieces where we had any half decent efforts on goal. They were rightfully applauded for their efforts at the full time whistle, but relegation fears have only got bigger today’s results.
Merino looked back to his old self and was our real shining light and we looked better at the back (although Arsenal weren’t anywhere near their best), but today showed once again that the signing of a striker and new number 10 are essential next month. Joselu won so many headers, but that’s about it. He looked so limited with the ball at his feet.
To rub salt into the wounds, Leicester (3-0 at Leicester!) and Huddersfield (4-1 at Watford!) both earned huge wins today, whilst West Ham’s current lead over Stoke mean we’ll be in the relegation zone tonight as it stands.
We put in a good shift and gave it a go, but effort alone won’t be enough to keep us up this season.
Ashley’s sale, Staveley’s arrival and some January signings can’t come quick enough, but for now, let’s focus on three points at West Ham next time out.
After today’s improved display, I am more hopeful we can get a decent result their – we’ll need to.
think it was 13mil we payed for Mitro,how much is he worth the way the market is now?? doubt we will get anywhere near that now because lack of first team football,but imo his value would have dropped because of his antics on the field and lack of goals,its a strange one on how much hes worth to help our transfer pot
icedog(Quote)
Ice – yeah but fortunately Serbia have still played him & he’s played well and scored for them.
If Rafa had played him and he had 6-7 goals now, we’d easily get that money back. Look at Costas antics – I know he’s a better player, but my point is if a striker is scoring goals, clubs will want them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice
Transfermarket shows we paid £16.5m for Mitrovic and they now have his value at £10m.
That’s why I suggested we loan him out in January and hope he does well at wherever he goes and has a good world cup . We then might get an offer of more than we paid for him to put towards a new striker in the summer.
sidekick(Quote)
Lanzini banned for us now. Good news. They will be missing a few. Was it Stu who said it would be very newcastesque if we slayed Man City? Well we can dream, right? A nice little 3 game unbeaten run with a win or 2 going into New Year would certainly change the mood around here ?
shamrock(Quote)
With the continued speculation of why Rafa does not play Mitro, here is my suggestion.
Did Rafa try to offload Mitrovic last summer and did Mitrovic refuse to go, and now Rafa is refusing to play him and force him to accept a move.? Sounds a lot more plausible than antics on the training ground.
sidekick(Quote)
Sidekick – entirely likely mate, and I’d be fine with that if we were winning games. This isn’t me being pro Mitrovic and anti Rafa – not at all. I am only for NUFC.
Sharpy17(Quote)
David Luiz on loan?!?!?!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy. I would rather keep Mbemba if that is the choice. Every time I have watched Luiz he has made big errors. He is not going to get better.
Groucho(Quote)
Likewise mate. I think he’s a better defensive midfielder than CB.
But my fear with him would be, if he can’t get motivated playing for Chelsea & competing for CL and PL titles – how and why does he for a relegation battle.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Would rather keep mbemba than luiz hahaha, a think mbemba should be in first 11 but hes no luiz
Toonfan(Quote)
Conte seems to have a problem with Brazilians.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Luiz questioned his tactic.
funrafa(Quote)
Swansea have sacked Clement. Does that help us?
Stuart79(Quote)
I’m not surprised – They look painful
Stuart79(Quote)
I’m not sold on Mbemba. He makes some basic mistakes and his positioning is off often. Decent passer but for me Luis is a far better player. No hope of signing him though!
shamrock(Quote)
yeah just heard them say that while I’m watching Bristol City v manure. Probably not Stu, they can only improve if it’s down to him their form.
kimtoon(Quote)
Lejeune may take a season to settle, Colo took bloody two.
kimtoon(Quote)
Maybe they will get Puils to get them out the ****
Icedog(Quote)
Are you going to the next test match? Cook seems to have lost his mojo. Jimmy doesn’t bowl well in Aus. Broad also seems to have lost his mojo and the Captaincy seems to be weighing on Root. Ali was never one of the elite players but he has gone backwards as well it seems. Take out your 4 best players and you will lose. You’re left with Bairstow and some iffy newbies. And I forgot about Stokes. This was all so predictable.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/17-days-shaped-newcastle-uniteds-14061694.amp?__twitter_impression=true
Great read this.
Gives good insight in to why we shouldn’t really be compared to Brighton or Huddersfield. They’re clubs on the up, excited to be in the PL and together as one. This club can never be that under Jabba.
Stuart79(Quote)
Yes Eric I will be at Melbourne. I’m currently enjoying some relaxing days on Hamilton Island. But you’re right about the cricket. The problem we have is that our bowlers are too one paced and our batsmen have had struggles for a couple of years and aren’t use to fast, bouncy pitches. We’ve actually been in good, positive positions in 2 of the 3 matches but we haven’t pushed through the advantage. That’s been the disappointing thing. But eh ho.
Stuart79(Quote)
I am actually quite amazed some supporters I speak to still believe we will have a successful transfer window. Let’s be honest, history doesn’t show it will be.
Stuart79(Quote)
All day long I reckon Ice.
kimtoon(Quote)
Yeah it’s a good shout that like Ice
Sharpy17(Quote)
Wallop!!! What a cracking goal from Bristol City!!.
They’ve more than held their own in this game like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy , aye and that was never a free kick for Progba, threw himself on the floor
kimtoon(Quote)
Toon and Everton both said to be after Bristol City’s Bryan
kimtoon(Quote)
Five attempts to load this page ! all other links up ok , just this one a problem.
Well done City, great performance
kimtoon(Quote)
Allegedly we have put a formal loan bid in for Slimani. I’d be happy with that for a start.
shamrock(Quote)
Well done Brizzle. Great result!
shamrock(Quote)
Kim – what a result. Those ****** pundits on about pitch invasion – shut up you fools!!. Those fans aren’t there to cause problems or fight with the away fans – they are scenes of utter joy!! – it’s fantastic to see – and just deserved imo.
Kim you’re right, no way it was a freekick – but that’s all Man Utd had. They’ve faced Zlatan, Lukaku, Rashford, Martial and Pogba – and it took a dodgy freekick.
Kim – I thought Bryan was candidate for MOTM. The lad never put a foot wrong – and like I say, up against some of the best players in the world.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, I really enjoyed that game like, Bryan is the best left back in that division by a country mile mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Jose ” they were a bit lucky ! ”
**** off and PROGBA DIVED
kimtoon(Quote)
Jose you total ***** – they were a bit lucky?!?!?!!! Get stuff you fool – they played you hard and the stats show that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
He is a ****, as is Wenger.
shamrock(Quote)
Kim – yeah other than my bet on Utd to win I enjoyed it too. I know I’m like a broken record with this – but their workrate was outstanding and closed Utd down with a real urgency – there was no luck about that at all. Both goals had a real quality about them.
I’d defo take that Bryan lad like – he wouldn’t look out of depth in the PL based on how he handled himself tonight.
Sharpy17(Quote)
He’s never been gracious in defeat – but after that comment tonight Jose has become my most loathed manager.
Sharpy17(Quote)
*** away to City, gulp
kimtoon(Quote)
Just noticed the SAGE sponsorship beyond. That’s a Newcastle based company – based in Gosforth.
Well Kim, they’ve knocked one Manc club out ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, He’s been class all season, fans would go mental if he left as he’s Bristol born and a cult hero here like. But, he will go on to bigger things for sure as he is very good and versatile too. Can play on wing and left MF and CMF apparently .
kimtoon(Quote)
think that may be a step too far Sharpy
kimtoon(Quote)
Agree 100% mate
Icedog(Quote)
Mourinho, Wenger and Fergie were and are all enemies of football. They’re the most horrible, vile managers we’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen them lose a game because the opposition was better, it was always the refs fault or the opposition got lucky. No humility at all. They have a go at the red when they get a decision wrong and then say the red was right when a mistake leads to a goal from them. They just look like wankers. The game will better when the other two have left.
Stuart79(Quote)
He may be playing PL footy with them next season anyway to be fair mate. I want my cult hero back – wor Dummett ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://www.themag.co.uk/2017/12/times-improved-300m-bid-outline-agreement-ashley-rafa-benitez-essential-deal-newcastle-takeover-newcastle-united/
Icedog(Quote)
Toon have secured a loan deal for Kenedy from Chelsea
Icedog(Quote)
Yep, reckon they just might go up been playing very well this season. And to think a lot of fans were calling for Lee’s head last season after a poor run .
kimtoon(Quote)
Kenedy. Interesting. He’s obviously better than what we have got.
Stuart79(Quote)
But the Daily Mail article also says most of the deals will have to be loans as Jabba won’t be putting money in. 😯
Stuart79(Quote)
is that definite ice ?
kimtoon(Quote)
I’d rather loan deals for decent players than permanent deals for more Joselus, Gamez’ and Selz…
shamrock(Quote)
I do seem to remember it being circulated that we had signed him in the summer though – and it did not happen…
shamrock(Quote)
Yes mate,joins as soon as window opens
Icedog(Quote)
Cheers Ice
Sham , yeah I remember Rafa wanted him on loan, that’s why I thought it may be a lazy journo rehashing story.
kimtoon(Quote)
Too bloody true mate,but we only allowed two loan deals??,talk Amanda will 40 mil in if she gets basic agreement with jabba
Icedog(Quote)
That depends who’s available for loans I suppose…
Stuart79(Quote)
Fingers crossed mate…
shamrock(Quote)
True Stu.
shamrock(Quote)
I’ll be staggered if anything happens with this takeover before the window is over. Then after that it will be about waiting to see what division we’re in before they can agree a price. Jabba is a gambler and he’s gambling that we stay up – he’s a clown!
Stuart79(Quote)
Chelsea agreed to let him go. The player wanted to join us. Conte was against it saying he did not get player in so he did not want him leave. It turned out he only got 3 chances in cup competition so far.
funrafa(Quote)
http://www.true-faith.co.uk/thru-black-and-white-eyes-end-of-days-18-dec-17/
Stuart79(Quote)
Agree 100%. Congratulations Kim. City on a good run at the moment.
Groucho(Quote)
Kennedy could well be a good addition – but he would be another full back who’s defensive qualities could be called into question.
Would Rafa consider trying 3 at the back with Kennedy & Yedlin wing backs – or are we in too much of a dangerous position to be experimenting that much?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Are we allowed to loan more than one player from another prem team? If not, then no loan for Batshuayi then I guess. I was still hoping (probably foolishly) to loan him in January… Kenedy will be a good addition though.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Dubai, only two loans from PL teams mate but we can loan from abroad as well I believe.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy, reckon Kenedy will be our LB
kimtoon(Quote)
Does that mean we aren’t interested in Bristol City’s Bryan anymore then ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I think he’d be a summer one mate. Neither he or Bristol are going to entertain the idea while there is a chance of them getting promoted. If they do, forget it, he’s staying. But if they fall away and miss out, then maybe in the summer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, yep you could well be right mate .
kimtoon(Quote)
I think Slimani would be a good addition too actually, but I do wonder why (after spending something like £25m) he hasn’t had more game time at Leicester?!
Is he their Mitrovic?!.
I think if we can get Kennedy & Slimani, then a #10 and I think we are game on.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So now Kenedy is dependent on Chelsea signing someone. Might scratch that off then.
Stuart79(Quote)
same as last summer then, just move on then.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kenedy deal is a go-er only bad injurys at Chelsea will halt the deal
icedog(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2017/12/21/why-we-need-to-back-rafa-more-than-ever/
Felt this had to be said, even if it’s the minority. Have a read, let us know your thoughts and take all comments to the above thread.
Cheers
Olly Hawkins(Quote)