Some say a point on the road will always be a precious one, but it’s yet another game where we’ve failed to register our first win and another that we’ve failed to score in – with us failing to register a single shot on target today.
We’ve now played Cardiff, Palace, Leicester, Brighton and Southampton and haven’t scored in any of them. That is a massive worry, with our only three points coming from three goalless draws.
We defended well and I can’t fault our effort levels, but we’re now NEEDING to win a LOT of games in our final 28 to stay up – and we can’t do that without scoring.
Yedlin did well (along with the entire back line), Muto showed some signs of promise (although never looked like scoring) and Rondon showed glimpses of the powerful presence he can be when he came on, but the fact we were hanging on for a point at Southampton in the end is a worry. Especially when this is a side who’ve won ONE home game since November last year.
Mike Ashley was in the stands for his fifth successive game and it was a timely reminder to him that we’ll be needing money spend in January to give us that much needed quality and spark we’re currently lacking in attacking areas.
FT: Saints 0-0 Newcastle
A hard-fought point for @NUFC in front of great away support as always ? pic.twitter.com/QMtq2PURtd
— FUN88 (@fun88eng) October 27, 2018
Two weeks ago we begun ‘winnable run’ of fixtures and so far we’ve lost to Brighton and drawn at Southampton. One point out of those two is a poor return and we must turn it around and get that all important first win of the season under out belts ASAP.
Here’s the run of games we look set to face between now and Christmas:
- Watford (H)
- Bournemouth (H)
- Burnley (A)
- West Ham (H)
- Everton (A)
- Wolves (H)
- Huddersfield (A)
- Fulham (H)
These eight games could decide our season.
By the way guys, I saw the problems that you were mentioning on the previous thread.
I’ll forward it all to Andy.
The site was down yesterday so Andy had to deal with it – and he did mention there might be a slight problem while he try’s to get to the bottom of it.
Sorry for the inconvenience folks!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
I think I’m just bored now.
I was watching the SSN pundits talking about NUFC in the build up – and it bored me. It was Ashley’s fault for the lack of funds, it was Rafas fault for the defensive approach – and I sat and listened and just thought, god I’m bored of all this!!. That was before kick off!!. Then you listen to Phil Thompson telling you your team have had their backs to the wall pretty much for 90mins – and it’s boring.
I looked at our starting 11 and it bored me – there’s not 1 player in that team that excites me anymore.
Rafas pre and post match interviews bore me – there is nothing NUFC related that remotely interests me at the moment.
I don’t care if Ashley stays or goes, I don’t care if Rafa stays or goes and I don’t care if we survive or not.
40yrs of following this club and it’s the first time I’ve ever felt like this.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thats how I felt months ago Sharpy. Not just about toon but football in general now. All this falling over to win penalties and shitty systems that take the fun out the game. Good old 442 with wing play and 2 sides just going at it.
That’s why you don’t see me on this blog often any more or watching games. Fallen out of love with football really.
Shamrock(Quote)
Pretty standard, Sharpy. Jabba’s NUFC started boring me after one year.
As for today. Well **** me – who knew we couldn’t score goals…?
Has Jabba nothing better to do on a Saturday afternoon than watch this *****? I personally think he’s basically trolling us. He’s put up big new SD signs at the reception area and now he’s there every week. When is somebody going to cut one of the blades on his chopper FFS?!
Stuart79(Quote)
Sham – just looking at Ollys player ratings post (which again I agree with mate). But there is Ritchie, and yet again Kenedy and Perez with a poor rating – but yet again Rafa starts them and continues with this 4-2-3-1 formation.
The only thing that will get my interest back is a change of formation – in a positive way – 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, or Rafa bringing through some of these younger players – coz they certainly can’t be worse than what he’s putting out just now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
1 point closer to safety.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu – I saw that new sign. Reckon that’s a tactical move on his part to get the protests away from his shops and keep them at SJP?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Rafa sticking with Kenedy is pi$$ing me off now coz he’s just not playing well – and hasn’t so far this season imo. Rafa spent money on Atsu and Murphy and neither are getting a chance over a player that is on loan. Equally, I think young Roberts may not be as technically gifted as Kenedy (when he uses it), but Roberts would play with a passion and determination that Kenedy does not play with. Thank god we didn’t spend £25m on Kenedy!!.
I feel the same about Perez, though he is our player of course. But he shouldn’t be guaranteed a starting place on this performances so far this season. Drop him and change the formation to 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 … try something for god sake coz those 2 need dropping.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Looking at what The Magpie Group have got planned it won’t work..
Stuart79(Quote)
5 things I learnt:
Chris Waugh is an idiot
Chris Waugh is an idiot
Chris Waugh is an idiot
Chris Waugh is an idiot
Chris Waugh is an idiot
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/southampton-0-0-newcastle-martin-15338132
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am starting to think that working with Ryder rubs off on people.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
No point vexing ourselves over what we cannot control. It’s been obvious for some time that Fatty isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. That being the case we have to accept that we will only ever be about just surviving in this league under his ownership. He will continue to short change managers whom ever they may be and **** off the fans, cause he can.
So like many others who have said the same, I’m about done with the whole sorry situation in so far as football in general is concerned. That that horrible excuse for an owner and the whole football premier league thing has driven me to start losing interest in a sport I have always loved is beyond sad , but I know I am not alone in this.
Money has literally ruined the beautiful game where it’s not about competing anymore but surviving to cash in and not get left behind.
I actually don’t care what league we are in under this owner anymore.
kimtoon(Quote)
Was up in Scotland today so missed the game again.., sad thing is that I’m not bothered that I missed it… that was a seriously bad result against a s.hit team. Something like 4 shots on goal and none on target tells the whole story. Meh…
Dubai Toon(Quote)
https://uk.yahoo.com/sports/news/breaking-leicester-city-owners-helicopter-crashes-fireball-stadium-203412598.html
bloody hell, looks bad.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim my friend was going to buy me a ticket to watch Newcastle play Liverpool on the 26th of December but I told him I never want to watch another Newcastle match again as long as Mike Ashley run’s the club. I have hardly any interest in Newcastle no more because of Mike Ashley and what his turned the club into. I only come on the blog now and again out of habit but we all know no-ones going to meet Mike Ashley’s asking price. We all know he isn’t going to change the way he run’s the club. So the only option is to give up. It is sad how one man has single handily sucked the life out of this football club.
Stem(Quote)
Schteve said to judge him after 10 games and then changed his mind and said to judge him after the season.
Should we judge Rafa after 10 games?
The 10 games when he got is relegated?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
10 GAMES.
3 POINTS.
Kimtoon, DT and Stem all not watching.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sad memories of when Matthew Harding’s helicopter crashed with the news coming out of Leicester city.
Both men much admired and loved by both clubs fans.
RIP all involved in the crash.
kimtoon(Quote)
I must have had a premonition about the chopper!
Stuart79(Quote)
kimtoon(Quote)
So disappointing and so poor and yet that was just about our best team. Diame has regressed so far he made Ki look a great player when he came on. Kenedy looked way off the pace with a weird heavy touch every time he got the ball. Can’t say any more about Perez. He should be dropped. On that form we deserve relegation.
georgio(Quote)
I’m disappointed with Rafas post match comments – taking the positives from a 0-0 draw.
His players were second to every ball yesterday, they were out worked and out ran – and didn’t have a single shot on target.
Going into the game we were bottom of the league – the very least the players should be working hard – I didn’t see that at all.
But I suppose when you have already said, let’s hope there’s 3 teams worse than us this season.
What about getting a bit annoyed, what about saying too many players aren’t turning up – and if they don’t start, we will be going down.
I get we lack quality, but any player can work hard – yesterday it was Saints having time on the ball, running passed our players, our players not tracking back.
I’m sick of Rafa making excuses for these players. I’m sick of him continuing to select players who are under performing. I’m wondering has he given up?, has he been told his contract won’t be renewed and he’s passed caring?.
Is that why Ashley has turned back up, to start looking for his replacement?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’ll amend the above a bit. The back 5 did well, defended well and got in the way of everything.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Very odd how we turn up and get into Manures faces for 45 and create 27 shots on goal last week yet fail to muster up anything yesterday. Never know what to expect week to week, these were supposed to be winnable games . I said that the tough run of fixtures would leave confidence shot for the easier games after.
Sooner this season is over the better, zero enjoyment on offer and bored shitless now.
kimtoon(Quote)
Barlaser is reportedly playing well for Accrington. Hasn’t done badly on the rare occasions when he has turned out for NUFC. Couldn’t be worse than Diame at the moment. Neither could Roberts do worse than Atsu. I was surprised to see Atsu on the bench given his recent awful performances. However I do think what ever the fans think or say Rafa is likely to do the opposite as though he wishes to maintain his authority. I do admire him but I think he is a stubborn ******.
Groucho(Quote)
I had a premonition about yesterday’s game an didn’t go to the pub to watch it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Groucho – is stubborn the same as when I say inflexible?
To anybody who missed yesterdays game – well done! 90 minutes of misery.
georgio(Quote)
Georgio. Maybe it is being stubborn is what makes him inflexible. We keep on hearing about competition for places but we keep on seeing the same failing faces week after week.
Groucho(Quote)
Do you know that Alan Titchmarsh has an MBE? He also has a DL and a HonFSE whatever they are? I have an orchid that is dying after a week and looked up gardeners and he showed up.
I think the queen is running out of people to give honours to. Wasn’t Rolf Harris an MBE?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think she knighted Ray Davies as well. Do you think she has ever heard a Kinks song? 50th anniversary of Village Green Society this week. Time flies.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Talking about Sirs…
Elton John played the 100 year anniversary concert of Harley Davidson in Milwaukee. The moron bikers booed him off the stage because he is gay. My ex-boss was there and told me about it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sir Ronald McDonald, MBE, OBE, Let-it-be.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wise premonition, Eric. Sounded a real thriller 😛
Stuart79(Quote)
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Unless you can talk me out of it I am going to go to watch the Watford game at that bar. It is dying off there. Usually there would have been about 10 people there when you went. Did they know you were going 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They just showed a picture of the Man U bench. Cost more than our whole team – Lukaku and Sanchez. Pogba should be on it as well.
I never said it on here but I watched him when he played for Juve and he was sh!te most of the time. Flicks and a 4 goals a season.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I saw quite a few Brentford games so far this season and if we get any money to spend Rafa could do worse than Ollie Watkins and Neal Maupay I reckon. Both young lads but have bags of talent – could get both for the money we would have to spend just to get Kenedy.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Blimey, Sharpy. I think we can stop the conversation as soon as you say “if Rafa gets any money”.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – something has to give mate. Ashley’s reappearance has to mean that something will change – either the manager, or Ashley backing the manager.
Him being at the games, he must see that we are walking into another relegation unless he acts.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m just seeing all these tributes about Leicester’s owner and the things he did at the club. He was the absolute opposite of Ashley. The fans loved him and talk of him not just buying a football club but taking on a city and turning it all into a family. I really hope Jabba is watching this and thinking life’s too short and just sell up.
Imagine if that was Ashley last night and then imagine the complete and utter opposite reaction there would be from NUFC fans. It says it all. He should think about that.
Stuart79(Quote)
I was just thinking that exact same thing Stuart…. if that had been Ashley And I would not wish that on anyone) but if it had been, there would be no tribute, nothing good to say about him at all… I hope he thinks about that too… ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
They have a Leicester City shop in Bangkok airport.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yeah I’ve thought the same. In fact the feeling towards Ashley left me more hoping that the majority would stay respectful – I’m sure they would, but there is definitely a fraction of fans where the hatred towards Ashley runs that deep.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just listening to SSN and the tributes towards him – sounds like a top bloke – really sad for such a thing to happen.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Tick skinned Ashey isn’t going to dwell on sentiments like that. He doesn’t give a sh*t about the city of Newcastle.
georgio(Quote)
Should have bet on a nil-nil. Southampton had 22 shots and now their shot conversion rate is 4.1%.
They might save us though as they could be just a little bit sh!tter.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rafa is right about needing 3 teams to be worse than us, even though he shouldn’t have said it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Listening to a U2 meets Radiohead song. MUSE.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – he is, but he’s wrong to say it publicly (especially this early in the season) in my opinion mate.
He’s on about taking positives from games, but comments like that really don’t promote confidence and positivity.
I don’t think he’s wrong, and it’s that obvious it could have been written in the Chronicle!! – he just shouldn’t be saying it in my opinion mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I agree Sharpy. Moyes said the same thing before the Mackems went down. I thought that was stupid as well and even though I rate Rafa above Moyes he was stupid to say it.
BUT…
just read an article in The Guardian about the best pubs with views and it recommended the Free Trade Inn. Have you been there?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The problem is if he’d have said we’re a good team, have a good squad and should easily avoid relegation we’d all be wondering if he’d lost the plot.
Stuart79(Quote)
We know we don’t have a good team though. Good goalie. Legeune is good. Shelvey, yes. That’s about it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rafa’s fault?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Murphy, Atsu, Diame are not PL standard. Neither is Yedlin.
Ayoze?
Joselu 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That’s like more than half the team! And Rafa bought them!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu – then say nothing!!, go with the standard ‘40pts is the aim’ response – it’s early enough in the season for that to apply. Go with ‘we’ve had a run of difficult games, but there are games coming up where we could get some points on the board’.
He was wrong to say what he said mate coz I don’t think that motivates the players.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – wouldn’t be The Free Trade Inn at Byker by any chance would it?.
I haven’t been for a while mate as I live down Durham now, but it’s one of my favourite pubs!!. I love the Quayside and that pub has one of the best views of it. I’m also a fan or real ales and non commercial beers and this bar is class for them.
It looks a dump from outside like ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – and that only names a few. There’s also players like Sels, Gamez, and Slimani.
The argument is that these were his first choice – ok, but he wanted players like James McCarthy, Tammy Abraham’s and Jorgensen – can’t say I’m sold on those players either if I’m honest.
Sharpy17(Quote)
People still getting upset at some of the players Rafa bought. Look how much they cost! Wild people have been happier if he didn’t buy them and we only had 15 players in the squad plus youngsters?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – I understand his tactic was to bring in good Championship players to get us out of that league, but the trouble is, once you’re finished with them, who takes them off you?.
Look at the problem he’s had shifting the likes of Sels, Gamez, Lazaar. Who takes Clark, Diame or Joselu? Hayden put a transfer request in but there was hardly a clamber to sign him.
He loaned Atsu – why make that deal permanent? He hardly set the Championship alight.
I think we are stronger in goal and CB, but all other positions we have either stood still or went backwards. CF I think we’ve gone backwards – are Rondon, Muto and Joselu better than Mitrovic, Gayle and Murphy?
Sharpy17(Quote)
It should have been a sign to everyone that he would have almost no money to spend when he had to sign Atsu permanently. As for Clark and Diane, last season they were really important and played very well. There’s be takers for both. As for up front, I don’t think we’ve improved at all in that dept but then again when the likes of Mitro openly admitted he didn’t want to do the things Rafa wanted him to do, what was Rafa suppose to do?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – adapt. Play to the strengths of your best players. Because ultimately, staying stubborn to his tactics has saw him sell or loan out forwards who score more goals than those he’s brought in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stuart I’d have been happier if he hadn’t bought Murphy, Joselu, Atsu or Manquillo. I’d rather see us with only ten points featuring Longstaff, Roberts and Sterry. What’s the point for these kids if they can’t progress and are kept back by a bunch of no hopers.
georgio(Quote)
Agreed. I would also add Victor Fernandez who unfortunately has been out injured. Some say they lack Premiership experience. Well how the hell do you get it?
Groucho(Quote)
10 points! You were lucky if you had 10 points in 10 games. Try 3.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: says Ouseburn in the Guardian pub guide. The picture they have shows a the Tyne Bridge from their terrace. It says:
“it is especially exciting at sunset, as the instagrammers have discovered – city lights gleaming against Miami Vice skies”
Whatever that means 🙂
And continues:
“the ancient tables have Scottish and Newcastle blue star logos”
Also says they sell local meat pies. I assume they mean Greggs? 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You can add Sels. Clark, Hayden and Lazaar to the Rafa failures.
The jury is still out on Rondon, Muto,Schar, Kenedy and Ki.
The only real successes have been Dubravka and Lejeune.
Gayle and Mitovic gone, for better or worse. Probably worse as their replacements are injured or were sat down for 8 games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – if it’s in the Guardian it’s Ouseburn, but it’s Byker mate (Ouseburn is the river that runs into the Tyne nearby).
Trust me mate, it’s Byker ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
So that is 2 successes. About 8 failures and 4 maybes.
Are we giving too much credit to Rafa working with the Sh!te that HE bought? 3 points in 10 games would say we are. He is RAFANUFC. He makes the decisions. Nobody else! Because Charnley certainly doesn’t say who to buy. And Nixon? Who is he?
It is not like we have been going down in a blaze of glory either. We had 19% possession against Chelsea and 22% against Man City. Playing for a draw and still losing!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186394-d3794648-Reviews-The_Free_Trade_Inn-Newcastle_upon_Tyne_Tyne_and_Wear_England.html
Eric – trip advisor see it as Byker. I first went there coz my mate was in a band playing there. When we got there we were convinced we would leave without getting filled in ?. Truth was it was one of the best nights we had out – but I think my mate played the right songs coz the pub was rocking.
I took the missus when we first started going out. We pulled up outside and the look on her face was like ‘where the hell have you brought me!!’ But she was blown away by the view and the Geordie welcome we got (she’s a Shildon lass and barely understood a word said).
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s depressing. We are sh!te and we are losing.
3 draws against the scum of the premier league. Cardiff, Palace and Southampton FFS.
We played 5 of last year’s top 6 but we got 3 fckin’ points from the other 5 games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That’s the place. Us posh Guardian readers have never heard of Byker.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – to be fair, I can expect and accept those stats against the likes of City and Chelsea – what’s more worrying is 6 shots away to Saints, ZERO on target and 2 corners. That’s a winnable game!!. It concerns me that we have failed to score in ANY of the ‘winnable’ games we’ve played so far this season and it worries me that Rafa continues to select players who are clearly out of form.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It is quite funny that we are all getting around the no swear rule 🙂
Sharpy is using *s. I am using exclamation marks. I will have to check to see what Stuart is using.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: to be fair as well. That pie didn’t look that good in the tripadvisor picture. Looked like what me Mam’s dog did after she gave her a curry.
Eric Sykes(Quote)