On a day where many feared a drubbing, the lads put in a big effort and respectable display at the Etihad tonight, falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat to Man City – with Kyle Walker’s 30-year stunner being the difference in the end.
We were up against the best Premier League team (statistically) ever and gave it a good go and stayed in the game – which is commendable given every single Man City starter cost more than our £16m transfer record..
Dubravka was brilliant, Fernandez continues to look like a very solid buy, Kenedy was better (not brilliant but more like it after two horror shows), Yedlin put in a big shift and Rondon looks a real unit who’s capable of holding up the ball, linking the play and causing problems for any centre-half.
Our passing (from midfield especially) and ability to retain the ball in general needs to be better, but it was good to see us look organised and disciplined again after a turbulent week on and off the field.
It was a funny old first half. Lascelles’ early mistake gifted City possession in a dangerous area and they were 1-0 up five seconds later, with Sterling cutting in from the left and firing past Dubravka – giving them a lead within 7 minutes.
We then struggled to keep a hold of the ball (despite looking slightly more willing to get forward) and looked sloppy at the back, making it look as though we were in for a torrid evening – but things got better.
They were limited to half chances but we took our one big opporunity, with some great work from Rondon setting up a marauding DeAndre Yedlin to smash home at the back post after a brilliant 70-yard run.
ROFL.
pic.twitter.com/p321T1LyTr— Newcastle Blue Star (@NUFCBluestar) September 1, 2018
The second half was more of the same, however a superb 30-yard drive from Kyle Walker ended up being the deciding goal 7 minutes into the restart.
Performance wise, Dubravka was excellent. He was commanding and barely put a foot wrong all afternoon. Lascelles made an early error but recovered well, whilst Fernandez put in a very assured display at the back; he’ll be a regular alongside the skipper before long.
Rondon was impressive in the circumstances. He was quite isolated but he’s a man mountain who made runs, battled for every ball and played a huge part in the goal; showing his intelligence with a clever ball across the box.
It wasn’t brilliant, but there were some positive signs today – and it can only get easier from here!
Bring on Arsenal at St James’ Park in two weeks time!
Very funny Eric!
georgio(Quote)
paddys wife gets her first washing machine,paddy comes home to find his wife has the washer bricked up on one side,what you doing!,you thick sod ime washing at 30 degrees 😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
Good news, Shelvey is fit. We don’t always play great with him but we always play **** without him. And Ritchie, who is important because we usually do well when he has a good game and is not just an auxiliary fullback.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We could have a fully fit squad apart from Lejuene. Hopefully Shelvey and Ritchie are fit enough to start and seemingly we can’t do without Yedlin despite his travels. Conservative Rafa though might leave Rondon on the bench. It’s strangely quiet about Muto though, he never gets a mention by anyone, journos, Rafa, fans. If Rondon doesn’t start I’d throw him on instead of Joselu.
georgio(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2018/09/14/arsenal-h-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups-2/
Arsenal preview!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)