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!
It gets easier from here. We really should have beat Cardiff, but:
Spurs had half of the players in 2 of the WC semi-finalists.
Chelsea are much better than last year because the players weren’t playing for a coach they knew was leaving.
Pep’s City are favourites for the PL and Champions League.
We have to see how Arsenal go, but they still have defensive issues and they don’t know whether or not to play Lacazette and Aubamayang together.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Let’s see if this swear blocker still doesn’t like passes?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Dubravka motm, outstanding today, best £4m clubs ever spent
kimtoon(Quote)
Andy Hudson @andyhudson77
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Amazing trash talking from @sammatterface there about Mike Ashley. “The high end department store, stocked with luxury goods against… Well, against Sports Direct!”
kimtoon(Quote)
Miles Starforth @milesstarforth
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Kenedy had a headache when he was taken off, according to Rafa Benitez.
Really 😯 does he mean a full on migraine or was he concussed ? a regular headache shouldn’t result in being subbed or am I missing something ?
kimtoon(Quote)
I took that as a discrete way of saying Kenedy had no FuckinG clue what he was doing.
Shamrock(Quote)
Had a headache or is a headache?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Cal Roberts would be better than Atsu. Time to give him a try. Atsu is not even an upgrade on Sammy Ameobi.
Groucho(Quote)
Better than expected. Goal difference didn’t take a hammering and easier fixtures to come although Arsenal won’t be easy of course.
Thought BT were fair and balanced on their debate last night from what I saw on line. Jenas was good, thought Rio was a bit of a Ashley lover but then I realise he’s in bed with Sports Direct…
Stuart79(Quote)
KIm – I noticed Fernandez turn away too.
Decent performance guaranteed to bring nothing again. We do this nothing very well.
Thought Rondon looked good.
georgio(Quote)
Sharpy’s right – Kenedy is clearly giving Rafa a massive headache 😡 😥
Toontaff(Quote)
yep, could of blocked the shot had he been braver, though it was a rocket and it would of hurt somewhat but well, no pain no gain. In truth Walker should of been closed down before he could get the shot off . Heluva goal mind, proper rocket .
Rondon was excellent, but Dubravka was amazing, triple save and best £4m we’ve ever spent .
Yedlin had a good game too, his goal was lovely.
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t think we embarrassed ourselves yesterday, 100% commitment pretty much from everyone, we need to give new players a chance to settle before passing judgement . It’s a terrible run of games to start with so lets see how we are against the so called lesser teams.
I would like to think we can get something from Arsenal who look a tad fragile at the moment.
Still think we’ve had some bad luck, should of had something from Spurs, the Cardiff poor pen which cost us 2 points and Chelsea got the luck last week. Even yesterday it was a thunderbolt that lost us the game.
kimtoon(Quote)
Anyone got a now tv stick, thinking of getting one £14.99. Then apparently you can get a pass to watch games you want to watch or a weekly pass.
Anyone got one ?
kimtoon(Quote)
You’re right Kim, Walker should have been closed down. He had acres of space but that’s what you get when you put nine players in your own box. I’m glad these games have gone and like last season without significant damage to GD. We’ll get better but it will still be a season of struggle.
georgio(Quote)
Groucho – young Fernandez would defo be better imo. I also wonder if Aarons hadn’t got into bother, how far away would he be?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Dubravka is outstanding yesterday. I think Kim said it – £4m was an absolute steal.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think I read someone say yesterday that Lascelles will never make England and suggest he was second rate.
The lad was getting used to playing in a back 3 – big difference doing the drills in training and facing a team like City for real. I definitely thought he got better as the game went on.
But as for England – Smalling, Jones, Stones – do none of these players make mistakes – and that’s about £100m of defenders.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Groucho(Quote)
https://youtu.be/zz4XXt5i1Eo
I didn’t get to see this bit last night, but just watched it. I think Jenas stumbles his point across, but don’t get why he’s so worried about offending this group of players, and he’s scared of disagreeing with Rio – he’s a bit of a powder puff pundit I think.
Dunne – yeah, I’ll brush over his comments.
But Rio – he’s just thick isn’t he!!. Even when he’s presented with the facts and figures – that stat of how much Huddersfield and Brighton have spent in comparison – there just is NO argument to be had.
For him to say that Ashley is keeping the money coz he wants to sell up – why then say that Rafa gets every penny?!. He himself said that.
It also annoys me that they only show the £20m profit on player sales – so it looks like it’s only £20m we didn’t spend – what we complaining about?! – NO, what about the £120m prize money?!?!?!!!.
It’s all well and good Rio saying ‘it’s not your money’ – it’s not Ashley’s money!! – it’s NUFCs money you idiot. If that £140m (£20m transfers £120m prize money) is used to pay off Ashley’s loan to us, then fine. I don’t agree with it all being paid back in one hit, but if it clears the debt then my hope is it’s one step closer to getting rid of him. Alternatively it means that every penny the club generated now is profit and SHOULD be available to Rafa to spend however he wants.
Away from this, I hope that Rafa meets up with Ashley as has been suggested. Find out in person why he hasn’t been backed and exactly what his intentions are. It’s no good going through Charnley all the time. I don’t expect a bromance to flourish, but it would likely make or break the current situation – which is beyond stupid now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Watching Cardiff v Arsenal and can’t understand why the top clubs have their keepers taking all these risks ‘playing out from the back’.
Cech just can’t do it and Liverpool conceded yesterday coz their £70m keeper is trying Cryuff turns – it’s crazy!!!. It’s putting them under so much unnecessary pressure and Arsenal in particular look so vulnerable defensively.
If I were Rafa I’d had Perez or Muto breaking their necks to close Cech down every time the ball goes to him.
We will need to be defensively sound against them – but I would defo be playing a high press and giving their defenders and keeper no time on the ball.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Groucho – I thought Sterry and Longstaff played really well against Forest the other night. One positive from a defeat. If the player is good enough, then I’m all in favour of them being used in place of ‘senior’ players who aren’t pulling their weight. I would have Sterry ahead of Manquillo now and Longstaff would leapfrog Hayden. If Roberts and Fernandez are playing well in the U23s then they should be given the opportunity to leapfrog the likes of Atsu or Murphy if they aren’t up to scratch.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Why are England outfielders signing autographs when an over is about to start? In a situation where every run counts you would think they would want their full concentration on the game?
And when is this Mo Salah give me your shirt going to end? One guy in his 20’s had a sign yesterday wanting it because he was going to Egypt on honeymoon and I bet some of these kids don’t really have birthdays on matchday. I know I am being a cynic but I am just waiting for stories in the Sun where some Dad has sold his son’s Aguero matchday shirt for $1,000 on e-bay complete with a youtube of him handing it to him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well Arsenal look awful here. Cardiff have really gone after them and are exposing just how Arsenal still are at the back. In fact they are probably weaker now with this nonsense of Cech playing out from the back.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The international break has to give us a good chance of beating Arsenal. Most of our players will have 2 weeks of coaching and get a few days off whereas Arsenals will be away playing meaningless friendlies.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
In 4 games we have played 3 of the 4 form teams. Of last years top 6 Arsenal and Man U are the ones that are struggling – relatively speaking. So, regardless of how we played the results are probably what we expected. And then we had Cardiff in their first game back. Not making excuses but their fans would have been up for it as well.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Totally agree Eric.
Spurs two away games 3-0 win over Man utd and 2-1 win over us. Be interesting to see how Watford do this afternoon.
Chelsea two away games 3-0 win over Huddersfield, 2-1 win over us
City two home games 6-1 win over Huddersfield and 2-1 win over us
Cardiff two home games 0-0 against us, and 3-2 defeat to Arsenal this afternoon.
That is not too shabby by us.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Provided of course that we pick up points against our natural mid to lower end of the league competition.
GlosMag(Quote)
Of course Glos
PremAndUp(Quote)
Watching the Man United match… looks like their shirts have faded in the wash… what a horrible pink colour…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Commentator over here says Pogba’s preference for a move has changed from Barca to Juve. Would Pogba really get a game at Barca? I don’t care how many twitter followers he has at some point it has to come down to how you perform on the pitch. Yes, he was OK at the WC but he wasn’t exactly Maradona or Mario Kempes.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry, why are Burnley playing Joe Hart. Neither forward nor back, in the middle as usual for crosses.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yeah, I was getting quite angry with Rio keep saying to jake, is it your money. Wanted jake to shut him down with , no but it’s not mikes either it’s the clubs income not his personal wealth.
No one wants him putting his own money on players, that’s against FFP anyway isn’t it ?
kimtoon(Quote)
52,000 GATE RECIEPTS
MERCH SALES
PLAYER SALES
£125.5M PRIZE CASH AND TV MONEY
SPONSORSHIP CASH OVER 3 YEARS WITH FUN88 IS IN EXCESS OF THE £24M WE PAID WONGA
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-sponsorship-deal-fun88-13039515
PUTTING US IN THE TOP 10 TEAM SPONSORSHIP DEALS.
All begs the question, how come we can’t afford to upgrade facilities and first team squad as lesser clubs have done.
some serious dodgy stuff going on imo.
kimtoon(Quote)
Not meaning just to be overly critical for the sake of it but I don’t get how people don’t see what has happened to Hart. Pep saw that his distribution was **** but he has also lost his nerve coming for crosses and often dives late and just deflects the ball into the net. Some reflex saves make it appear that he still has it but he doesn’t. I fear for Burnley if they continue to play him just like I fear that West Ham will vastly underachieve if they play Wilshere.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
At 65.00 a pop how much of that 65.00 goes to the club and how much to SD ?
kimtoon(Quote)
That’s 65 for a shirt by the way
kimtoon(Quote)
Hart is **** Eric.
kimtoon(Quote)
I thought at the start of the season that Burnley would be in the relegation mix because of Europe and that at least one overachiever usually comes back to the pack. But, did they spend anything? The fact they are out of Europe might help but I think they will be down there scrapping with us and 5 or 6 others.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They have been relegated before with Dyche as well.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Would you swap our team for Burnley’s? Touch and go, right?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Dubravka for Hart might be the difference. But Burnley have Pope and Heaton. Are they injured?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Heaton’s on the bench! Makes no sense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://twitter.com/AshleyOutdotcom/status/1036216306608033793
😆 😆 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
Watford ahead v spuds
kimtoon(Quote)
With Hart losing his hair will he still do the Head and Shoulders ads? Should call Conte’s surgeon and not Rooney’s.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Burnley have been an absolute mess and could be 5 down. Will Jamie Redknapp now come out and slam Dyche?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The results so far this season have done nothing to persuade me it’s not going to be a very tough season. Teams we finished above last season look better already.
Stuart79(Quote)
Is this the most stupid thing ever!!! Man U fans flew a banner today saying “Ed Woodward – Specialist in Failure”. I am pretty sure Fergie chose his successor because the Stretford End used to have a Moyes banner saying “The Chosen One”. I am also sure Man U fans wanted Mourinho as well. Van Gaal might have been a mistake but at least he won an FA Cup.
https://www.football365.com/news/man-utd-fans-fly-anti-woodward-banner-over-turf-moor
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What sort of fashion brand does Rio Ferdinand have? I have never thought of him as any sort of style icon. What is it called “fading star”? If he has a deal with Sports Direct it must be some sort of sports clobber. The Jordan brand is still going strong but I never really thought of Rio as anyone that people looked up to and identified with.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: already it looking like 3 of:
NUFC
Cardiff
Huddersfield
Burnley
Southampton
Brighton
Palace
West Ham
With the last 3 being LESS likely than the 1st 5.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The 1st 5 have the 5 worst squads and you really could have predicted it before a ball was kicked. We were hoping that Rafa would do it again but Lejeune going down was a big blow. We need to wrap Jonjo in cotton wool from Sunday to Friday and instigate a no tackling Shelvey policy in training.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It never works out exactly how you think it will so somebody else will be pulled into the mix and a team you think would be OK might get relegated – a Zaha-less Palace or a West Ham where Wilshere plays 25+ games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Could the Gayle/Rondon swap be a win/win?
Rondon keeps Joselu out and let’s face it Rafa was never going to play Mitro. And Fatman was never going to pay 16 million for a 29 year old striker with a 1 in 4 record in a bad team.
Gayle will probably get WBA promoted and Rafa had already bought Muto so was obviously not convinced of Dwight’s PL pedigree. I would have liked to have kept him as backup but the evidence shows that cutting the wage bill was a bigger priority than PL survival.
We are screwed if anybody comes in for Rafa in January and may just be anyway.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
West ham look fragile to me.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim, I think WH just need time for their new players to gel. But it does show the folly of buying so many new first team players all at once. But they’ll get better and be comfortable I imagine.
I’m more interested in what happens come January if we’re in the bottom three. Does Jabba stick or twist?
Stuart79(Quote)
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/sep/02/ashley-faces-potential-revolt-sports-direct-annual-meeting?CMP=twt_gu
kimtoon(Quote)
https://thatsliquidfootball.com/2018/09/02/smarm-offensive-how-mike-ashley-is-losing-the-propaganda-war-against-the-toon-army/
good read
kimtoon(Quote)
He’ll stick mate, I don’t think he cares if we drop as he’ll fund the next puppet to bring us back up and gamble that it works.
kimtoon(Quote)
With a 2 week international break, it would be a good idea for Ashley to take some positive steps and meet up with Rafa to try and build some bridges.
The trouble is, I read that the SD board want rid of him and one of his goons. As he is voted in as Chief Executive, I suspect that will be were his focus is. He’s built this little HoF empire for him and his son in law, so not getting the vote will scupper that in a big way.
Not that NUFC was ever high on his priorities in the first place like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Has anyone else thought that the Rafa/Ashley row is just a media construct. Something to discuss when there’s nowt else to talk about. The latest one about Ashley being upset at Rafa not inviting him to training is just totally transparent rubbish that has no basis in reality at all.
There’s no doubt that Ashley has starved Rafa of transfer funds but there’s no real theories as to why. Trying to get your manager to sign a long contract by denying him transfer funds doesn’t make any kind of sense either.
I suspect Ashley has no interest in the club at all any more except to keep the spending down and that is all it’s about. The rest is just pure endless media speculation.
georgio(Quote)
He’s got all his family in on his business Sharpy, keeping all that money in house.
kimtoon(Quote)
http://priceoffootball.com/newcastle-opportunity-knocked/
number crunching article
kimtoon(Quote)
https://fypfanzine.uk/analysis/6888-financial-fair-play-what-is-it-and-do-only-palace-care-about-it
interesting read
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – trouble is it’s not HIS business, and the shareholders seem to have had enough. It’s impossible to argue that Ashley has raised the awareness of SD better than any advertising campaign could have – but the profile, that is at an all time low now. I would be amazed if he gets voted back in, but not too much. I’m pretty sure he has some of the other majority shareholders in his pocket.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – I’m good with my own money, but I’m nee accountant. This recording of buying and selling players makes my head hurt.
I think the writer has done a good job but he could draw me a picture and I’d struggle I think. The boundaries of FFP are difficult to understand, but an owner not spending any money – that’s not.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Two reasons. One is that he won’t aign a new contract and secondly it’s because he doesn’t like Rafa talking to the press negatively.
There is no excuse for the lack of investment.
Stuart79(Quote)
Exactly Stuart. Your two reasons make no more sense than the stuff I wrote earlier. There’s got to be an agenda there somewhere that nobody’s twigged yet. All the speculation so far is just weak, and largely imaginary stuff.
georgio(Quote)
If you ask me Ash was looking for a reason to justify not investing and not backing Rafa is a means to an end. He wouldn’t give Rafa assurances knowing full well this would result in none signing of the contract. This then means he has the right to with hold funds for players and thought he would have media on his side because, why should you fund a manager who’s off in a year ? It’s all Rafa’s fault is his line and to an extent his subterfuge was working at first with various media outlets backing Ashley. Now, surely but slowly thanks to certain journalist and fans groups and pundits the real story is now out there. The constant media attacks on his business practices and running down of a once proud club is being laid bare with little to no wriggle room left for his paid shill’s to navigate when actually put on the spot as witnessed on the debate and PL tonight show. That Bellamy was rendered dumbstruck by an articulate Steve Howey and Rio Ferdanand was reduced to ‘ is it your money’ parrot fashion is a small yet pertinent moral victory for all long suffering fans.
Bishop has said unrest would all blow over by September, it hasn’t and it won’t until Ashley leaves.
kimtoon(Quote)
The irrelevance of Keys and Gray is shown by their guests. The only ones they get in the studio are out of work Pals. When they were discussing NUFC, Ashley and Rafa they had Peytar Reid, BFS and Wise, FFS. They give 10 minutes skype time every week to useless Daily Mirror hack John Cross and then have a couple of ex-players or lower league chairmen on via the internet.
The only ones that actually turn up in the studio are unemployed looking to partially defray the cost of a sunshine mini-break to the middle east and to go out for a 7 course meal with Keysey and Andy. Judging by he size of them anyway.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I read the Guardian article on Sports Direct and it is pretty much irrelevant what minor shareholders say as Ashley has complete control. It is like a backbencher registering a protest vote in Parliament when you know the control is with the Cabinet. Anyway, what I said would happen with HoF is happening. I doubt anybody read what I said so I wont repeat it, but it was always a property play by the Fatman. It is still a gamble though as he will have to get the financing to repurpose the remaining stores.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, luckily i don’t get to see bein sports, keys and gray used to do my head in long before sky got shot. Truth is they were outdated in their football views long before they embarrassed their employers.
Same goes for Rodney marsh, he would be on that football phone in thing sky used to do at 10pm years back. He always looked to talk down to the female callers, it was cringe worthy and just made him look a dinosaur .
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric, i remember you saying it mate. He is laying the blame of store closures on greedy landlords.
kimtoon(Quote)
I still don’t get the point of this PR offensive on behalf of Ashley and against Rafa. What does anybody gain apart form maybe their name in the papers for people who nobody has listened to for years – Keys, Wise, Simon Jordan? Keith Bishop must know that Rafa has a gripe when the transfer window is open and then gets down to business and doesn’t mention it in the season. All it is is a distraction in press conferences that we could frankly do without.
I don’t think Bishop is much of a PR guru when he is translating a regional very minor protest outside SD on Northumberland Street into a national story on the business dealings and work practices of a publicity shy owner. Especially when retail layoffs and high street store closings are such a hot button item. They can start out saying they are saving jobs but when the store closings begin to bite the numbers will say otherwise.
I just don’t get the point of bringing this all to the attention of the public by a spat in National Newspapers, Sky Sports and BeIN Sports.
Maybe this is another reason why NUFC are in such a mess if Ashley takes his counsel from idiots like Bishop, but we knew that anyway after Wise resurfaced.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I mean, the rest of the country wouldn’t even know about the in-fighting at NUFC and the protests against SD if Bishop hadn’t enlisted Keys, Gray and Wise to tell them and make stuff up that is easily refuted. They would happily be talking about Mourinho’s latest big sulk and that stupid, childish Deli Alli internet celebration.
Eric Sykes(Quote)