What an absolute sickener – and not for the first time again this season.
It’s hard to know where to start here. Firstly, it must be said that Dubravka needs to do better – punch that cross and we win the game – but A) the goal is scored on 94:45 (with 4 minutes added on) and B) there’s a valid argument that Boly’s arms are totally obstructing Dubravka.
It’s devastating, spoiling what would’ve been an absolutely massive and well deserved win, but it’s fair to say we would’ve taken a point before the game – a small consolation at this stage.
It’s easy to focus on the late drama and controversy, but we MUST praise the performance overall. We frustrated them, weathered storms, took our big chance at one end and defended superbly at the other.
Longstaff was outstanding again, looking the most calm and classy player on the pitch at times, Lascelles was an absolute rock at the back, Hayden put in another commendable display, Perez and Rondon combined well and, up until his late error, Dubravka didn’t put a foot wrong.
Almiron came on for the final 20 minutes and showed real promise. He showed real pace, looked very direct and was all action at both ends, seeming like he’s in good shape to start against Huddersfield in 12 days time.
Here’s how the table looks after tonight’s result:
Next up we have two huge back-to-back home games against Huddersfield and Burnley, with the Terriers coming to Tyneside a week on Saturday:
- Huddersfield (H)
- Burnley (H)
- West Ham (A)
- Everton (H)
- Bournemouth (A)
A tough one to stomach, but there’s plenty positives to take from this one.
If we can compete like that between now and the end of the season we’ll be fine.
HWTL!
Thought about it more and think it was a foul.
Rafa looking to give the PL more of his money. He was fined 60,000 last time he criticized a Ref and his press conference had very thinly veiled digs at the Ref. I know I have black and white glasses but I think it is ridiculous that Rafa get a 60k fine for a reference to the bad decisions and Klopp gets off with SIX THOUSAND for running on the pitch.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And what the hell is happening with Brexit? I think May should resign as she doesn’t seem to have a clue.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
12 days until the next game against Huddeersfield so there will be plenty of time to think about this one. Then a Tuesday nighter against Burnley. I think we should have a good idea of where we stand after these 2.
We were certainly not overrun by Wolves and showed we belong in the PL. Wolves had won easily and scored 3 in each of their last 3 games.
Even with just a few glimpses you can see Almiron has pace. That’s what we have lacked. Atsu is supposed to be fast but I never really see it. Grafts, but hardly ever scores or assists. I don’t mean to put him down too much as he is a decent backup. But only a backup.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
May was handed a **** sandwich by Cameron, Nige and Boris and has proceeded to gorge on it and want some more.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly: you should worry because Chris “the intern” Waugh agrees with you on something. After 130 attempts (5 x 26) he has finally said something useful in his “5 things I learned” and said the opposition is beginning to target Yedlin. Actually he should have learned this quite a few games ago as it was well documented that Eddie Howe had targeted Yedlin. Still, better late than never for Chris.
It will probably be another 26 games before he learns anything else useful.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Does anyone want a tiny ray of sunshine after that?
Southampton’s next games:
Arsenal Away
Fulham Home
Man U Away
Spurs Home
Watford Away
3 points maximum?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
People would have thought similar about our last 4 games too, Eric.
Stuart79(Quote)
Kim and I have expressed concerns about Yedlin some time ago. I was surprised that we were more concerned about the left back position. Even Ritchie does a better job at left back than Yedlin does at right back.
Groucho(Quote)
Yedlin is poor and pace his only attribute imo, i said at the start of the season that as a defender he is wanting and i’ve not changed my mind. I so wanted to be proven wrong but apart from a couple of games he has been average.
That’s twice Boly has had the luck if you consider the reverse fixture too.
Olly, I thought Longstaff was brilliantly composed on the ball again last night, looks a future star to me and has a touch of the Michael Carrick about him . Must be the something in the NE water lol .
Still gutted about that late leveler so lord only knows how the players feel, Rafa was as angry as i have seen him at the end last night, calmed down by the presser though, doesn’t wanna another big fine.
kimtoon(Quote)
How excited was Miggy when he came on, like a puppy, bloody all over the place . My, he’s rapid though, makes Atsu look a slouch and he’s not exactly slow.
The team played well overall and but for the final seconds was a convincing away performance, must stop conceding so many corners though, and free kicks, especially late on as is costing us.
Just get hold of the fecking ball and keep it .
I think Dubs wanted to catch rather than thump it away so he could keep hold of the ball and waste a few more seconds .
kimtoon(Quote)
The Mag in an article on Carragher shows a picture which shows clearly Dubs was fouled. In fact he was being pulled backwards by the look of it.
Groucho(Quote)
Yep, Boly’s all over him, if that was against city, pool, manure or **** that’s a foul .
kimtoon(Quote)
It was definitely a foul. Boly held him down which you can see from the angle he fell. Totally disturbed me but Dubravka should not be blamed apart from deciding to catch not punch. Mind you the errors are starting to mount up. Pity as 98% of the time he’s first class.
What a talent Longstaff is turning out to be. I’m amazed at his performances. There’s more to come if he had a genuine DM alongside him. He’s a great attacker and scorer.
Also loved the Almiron incident where he was brought down but still dived at ground level to head the ball away. Fantastic attitude!
georgio(Quote)
RIP Gordon Banks 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
I have criticized Hayden for being a wimp but I thought he did OK last night. Neves and Moutinho have been getting a lot of love from the pundits and we mostly held them in check.
Should be interesting to see what Rafa does in midfield now. Shelvey must be near fitness now and he is always better with a runner – see Gayle. We now seem to have a runner in Almiron and should be a bigger threat going forward.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Speaking of Gayle. I read on NUFC.com that he has 16 goals from 25 games (20 starts). He almost guarantees promotion, well playoffs anyway. Hopefully we wont need him next year for that but he would be very valuable to any team in the Championship. WBA if they don’t make it this year or Villa.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, Andy Gray says that was NOT a foul. Danny Higgenbotham said the same thing on commentary over here. They are totally wrong. That is given as a foul 99% of the time and goalies adapt to that call. I don’t care if he should have maybe punched it. It was still a foul.
These pundits know that that is almost always given as a foul so why not this time! Because they are a bunch of biased tw@ts. I am sick of them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I see ex-referee Halsey says the ref got it right for the Wolves goal as Dubravka didn’t have the ball under control. He didn’t have the ball under contrrol because he was being impeded you idiot. Is it any wonder that English referees are so poor? My memory is a bit poor on this one but I think it was a game against Newcastle, but it might not have been, where an attacking player fouled a defender the ball ran loose and the attacking side scored. Most thought a free kick should have been awarded to the defending side but the goal stood. I think it was Dermot Gallagher who agreed the ref’s decision saying the foul was not intentional but a genuine attempt to get the ball even though he didn’t. That’s alright then!
Groucho(Quote)
Groucho: these ex-Refs always go with their Pals. If it had been given as a foul Halsey would have agreed with that. They all know that the goalie is always given the benefit of the doubt in those situations. We know it as well, which is why it is so annoying.
It is like the shirt-pulling on corners. It is never given even though it happens on EVERY corner. Then, in 1 case in a hundred a Ref gives it which makes it even more galling. It happened against us one time last year. Can’t remember the game but I remember seeing exactly the same thing happen against us in the same fcking game. It was so obvious that even the co-commentator saw it and mentioned it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly’s article has NUFC fans calling for Woodman. Have they watched him? He is still very young and could develop but he just doesn’t have the confidence or presence at the moment. Sometimes I despair. Social media is proving to us how many idiots are out there and are not afraid to put their stupidity and ignorance in writing 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
100% agree Eric
icedog(Quote)
I thought Dubravka was excellent last night.
I think he should have punched that cross clear, but in trying to catch it he was clearly fouled by Boly – his arms were round his shoulders and he pulled him back.
The other thing was that they scored in the 5th minute of 4 minutes added time!!.
It’s crazy the stick Dubravka has got and clearly linked with his mistake last week. But the lad is probably the best keeper in the PL outside of the top 4-6. Those who are calling for Woodman are funking idiots.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think Hayden has played really well since coming into the side.
I put his form through January as one of a player in the shop window – he was playing for a move. I worried a bit when I saw him in the side last night – would he be in a huff coz he didn’t get his move. But I think he was very good – in a position that probably isn’t normal to him – slightly more advanced. I thought his runs and support of Perez and Rondon caused the Wolves defence lots of problems. Personally I’d keep him in.
But yet again Longstaff. I’m not even getting bored of bigging him up yet. He makes it look effortless and I love watching him.
A Carlsberg outcome would be Rafa stays and builds a team around the lad ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
There was a minimum of 4 mins shown, not a maximum. Perez then wasted as much time as poss leaving the field, this is probably what got added on.
PremAndUp(Quote)
The photo on this BBC page, makes it clear that it was a foul, to me at any rate
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/46291002
PremAndUp(Quote)
I find it amazing that most of the pundits and all of the ex-Refs defend current Refs no matter what. It is like they are infallible. It is difficult sometimes but we see wrong decisions every game. Why not just say it was wrong. They will sometimes come out with the cover of “I’ve seen those given” when they don’t want to say the obvious. FFS Manchester United’s Howard Webb couldn’t spot Nigel De Jong’s Kung Fu kick in the biggest game of his life.
I will also come back to this one. I think Man U went like 5 years without being awarded a penalty against them at Old Trafford. Ref’s are sometimes incompetent and swayed by the crowd, just like the rest of us.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If that was on De Gea or Ederson it would be a foul and every pundit and ex ref would agree!!.
It’s a bloody wrestling move that!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Mackem watch:
Another draw. How could they let their top scorer leave in January? He had run down his contract, but still.
The 2 chancers got the club on the cheap because there were no other takers and Ellis Short insisted that he had first dibs on the parachute payments. If they don’t get immediate promotion they are in deep (deeper) trouble. Looks like it will be playoffs at best which is a total crapshoot. And with no goalscorers.
Every time we have a bad result the Mackems appear on twitter. What are they thinking. Do they have no self awareness? Remember the last time was them mocking NUFC reserves in the Carabao Cup.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have said this before on here – Ashley Young is the dirtiest player in the PL and never gets a red card. He knew exactly what he was doing to Di Maria today. His usual act of violence is to go flying in on the touchline to take out the player two-footed as the ball is going out for a throw. He usually doesn’t even get a yellow.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – that was disgusting from Young. I’m all for leaving one on the forwards to let them know they aren’t gonna have it easy, but he could have seriously injured Di Maria.
I thought an injury stricken PSG made Man Utd look very average last night. They were without Neymar and afew others – and if they are back from the home leg in Paris, Man Utd could get destroyed.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I thought Haydens post match interview on monday was very mature. He spoke very well, especially about the Dubravka incident .
kimtoon(Quote)
I’m still seething over that Boly goal. Those last twenty seconds keep replaying again and again in my mind. No foul on Almiron or Dubravka and far too long played. No wonder Rafa was mad.
Despite all that there’s many positives to take. The form of Longstaff (remarkable!!). Him and Hayden (remarkable) bossing midfield, Perez looking better and a pleasing debut from Almiron. The lad will be a big success.
georgio(Quote)
Rafa seems to know his back 5 and I think he will settle on a front 3 of Perez, Almiron and Rondon. That only leaves 2 midfield slots and we have 5 players for them now – Shelvey, Ki, Diame, Longstaff and Hayden. A good problem to have for once going into the final 3rd of the season.
And even though on paper it is a front 3, Rafa will have Perez and Almiron hustling when we lose possession and Rondon in the hold up role.
I think we will be able to play a bit more attacking football with all of these options and not just counter.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am wondering what will happen with Dummett when he is fit? Can he play left wing back? Would that allow Ritchie to move to right wing back? He has played right wing most of the time so why not give it a go instead of Yedlin.
I am not giving up on Yedlin but if teams target him we should give him help. If that doesn’t work then we need to look for someone in the off-season.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: some players get away with murder and I don’t know why. Young is one of them. Shawcross was another. Kane has a nasty streak in him sometimes but the Refs would never send off England’s great white hope.
Roy Keane used to get a lot of yellows and reds but probably should have got double. The Refs were scared of the wrath of Fergie.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Chronic are running an interview with Hayden and still say he wants away because his daughter and girlfriend live in South Wales. Unless there is more to it I just don’t get it.
Many people move cities to go to University or for work at 18. It sometimes seems there are more students than locals in some cities. Why can’t she move?
And where will he go? There is the West Midland but that is a longish commute. Cardiff to Birmingham is still more than 2 hours without traffic. There aren’t really any teams in the South West except Cardiff that I could see him wanting to play for. I just don’t get it!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am wondering if Ryder will get a few days in the sun in Alicante. Wor Lee needs to top up that tan and send us his insightful reports from his sunlounger, sipping on the drinks with the little umbrellas.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have thought about Hayden and his commute from the West Midlands or South Coast would not be feasible. With traffic that is about 2 and a half hours each way. Footballers train 5 days a week and then there is match-day and the travel that goes along with that.
He’d have to be on the road at 6.30am to get to 9am training. Then after lunch he would face a long drive to get back for teatime. I don’t see it as any better than Newcastle where he could fly his family up for a couple of days a week. Get a flat out by the airport.
This would be like me commuting to Milwaukee everyday. I used to do a lot of work up there and would have to go a couple of times a week. It was a pain in the **** and I would have quit if I had to do it 5 times a week.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly: must be a slow day at The Chronic. They also called the Wolves goal a Dubravka HOWLER yesterday. I would say it was a refereeing mistake but even being generous you could say it was a 50/50 ball where Dubravka was given little help from his defenders. The worst you could level at him was that he maybe should have punched it, but even then it would have come straight back in as the Ref looked in no hurry to blow his whistle. If he catches it, it is game over as he falls to the ground, then hoofs it as far as he can and the Ref blows whilst the ball is in the air.
Total clickbait from The Chronic.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, Mark Douglas has to come out YET AGAIN and says the Chronic do not do clickbaiting.
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/support-martin-dubravka-explaining-chronicle-15824856
It is obvious that they do, just like every other NUFC site, including this one and Uncle Ed’s. Sensational headlines drive more traffic and The Chronic higher ups demand a certain number of clicks per day. There are also the slightly msdleading headlines such as “United midfielder signs 4 year deal” where the name is deliberately left out because it is some no-name academy graduate. Happens every day and I don’t mind it. That’s the way they generate clicks in an overcrowded field that has little barrier to entry.
What I don’t like is the sanctimonious denials and excuses for it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, i have a strange feeling about this, i’m wondering if his daughter has some problems. I hope i’m wrong but if she has then as a parent of a child with SEN you wouldn’t want to be moving. You get to know the hosp medics and get a support network which would be difficult to leave, same with family network support.
It’s the only explanation i can think of as to why his family wouldn’t locate and if i’m right i totally get that.
To his credit he’s been a total pro in his attitude, he was never my favorite player, i was somewhat underwhelmed by his performances but of late alongside Longstaff he has been brilliant.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: I have thought about that as well but it has never been mentioned to my knowledge when the subject comes up. All Hayden would have to do is to say he wanted to be closer to his daughter who has some medical issues and we would all understand.
Still, the logistics don’t make sense if he moved to the West Midland or South Coast and had to commute to South Wales. Maybe he would get home an extra day a week but he would soon get sick of having to get up at 5am to drive to training.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is it good for super-fit athlete who the club has invested millions in to be sitting in a car for 5 hours a day? Does he want to drop down a division? There’s really only Cardiff where he could avoid a long commute and for how much longer.
I know I have spent too much time thinking about this. It is because it doesn’t make much sense 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Especially when you see Almiron already saying he is moving his girlfriend and parents to Newcastle.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If they are all fit, what is the pecking order of our central midfielders now. Ki and Longstaff have done well, but Shelvey offers something different. Is Shlevey still top dog or are they all on about the same level now? All much of a muchness with no one being particularly special or bad? And Diame is in the last 5 months of his contract.
I would say it is:
Shelvey
Ki
Longstaff
Diame
Hayden
But then you have to think of form and balance. Shelvey is still our highest paid player as well so he really has to play or be sold.
I have no idea who will start against Huddersfield.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I would pick Ki over Shelvey. Fewer Hollywood balls from Ki who keeps the ball on the ground and I assume that is what Almiron would prefer. Shelvey can be a bit lack-a-daisical at times.
Groucho(Quote)
Agree mate, Shelvey is either great or ****, no consistency to his game for me. Much prefer Ki or better still the two we currently use.
Want to see Mutu given a chance up front too, didn’t even make the bench monday, is he injured ?
kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47227079
kimtoon(Quote)
Rafa said he is “training well” which is Rafa code for he will play him soon. I expect he will spell Rondon at he end of games now as I have noticed Rondon looks spent after about 70 minutes. Not surprised as he has to carry the load on his own a lot of the time.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am still not totally sold on Hayden. Him and Ki allow us to ease Shelvey back in and see how he does with Almiron. I always thought Shelvey played a lot better with Gayle in the team. He needs an outlet and not just a hold-up player.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – Shelveys passing ability is excellent, but his workrate has always let him down imo. When he does track back it’s generally half ar$ed. I also think that Schar and Lejeune have proven they can knock the ball round too – so is Shelveys passing that vital any more?. It is still a massive asset – but to get back into this team, I think he’s going to have to show he can work harder than before.
I know it’s still early doors for him, but Longstaff would be the first name on that teamsheet in midfield for me. I think it would be Ki alongside him for me, unless Shelvey upped his game a bit.
Of course we could go 4-3-3 as well like:
——————- Dubravka ——————
Yedlin – Lascelles – Lejeune – Dummy
——————- Shelvey ———————
—— Longstaff ———— Ki —————-
————- Perez ——- Almiron ————
————-—- Rondon ————————
I think I prefer the 3 CBs with Schar instead of Shelvey there and Ritchie at LWB instead of Dummy. But it gives us options at least.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: what we could do now is change shape DURING a game. We haven’t done that even under Rafa but the players are used to both systems now.
I am not really sure if I have seen a true Plan B at NUFC in the last 10 years at least. Usually, plan B is hoof it to the big lad but we really do have the players and the experience of doing it to change shape now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The pundits in the US were saying on the weekend they could see all 4 premier league clubs going through to the last 8 of the Champions League. As soon as it was out of their mouths I thought they were nuts. I think Man City will stroll it but Liverpool/Bayern is a toss-up and I thought PSG and Dortmund would be favourites. Spurs are without Kane and Alli.
We’ll see, but I think a maximum of 2 PL teams go through.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Spoke too soon about Spurs 🙂 Sissoko, of all people, took over the 2nd half.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hopefully Almiron will score a few goals. Maybe play as a number 10 but even as a winger we need goals because there and midfield simply do not score goals.
in 2 years back in the PL how many have our midfielders and wingers scored between them? I bet it is barely double figures if that. I will give Longstaff a pass and maybe Ki an incomplete as they say in the schools here, but:
Shelvey doesn’t score
Diame doesn’t score
Ritchie doesn’t score
Atsu doesn’t score
Murphy didn’t score
Kenedy doesn’t score
And even though he is not a midfielder I am adding you know who:
Joselu doesn’t score 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hayden doesn’t score
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Blackpool go into receivership… ??
Dubai Toon(Quote)
very sad mate, gotta feel for the fans .
kimtoon(Quote)
https://twitter.com/CiaranKelly__/status/1095770659211407360
kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/amanda-staveley-breaks-silence-on-newcastle-united-bid-and-reveals-her-next-move-1-9594356
kimtoon(Quote)
NUFC 360
@NUFC360
20h20 hours ago
More
Would-be buyers say Mike Ashley is tricky to negotiate with, mainly because he’s suspicious about the terms of the offers, according to two people involved in potential purchases over the past couple of years. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2019-02-12/mike-ashley-can-t-sell-newcastle-united-video … #NUFC
NUFC 360
@NUFC360
20h20 hours ago
More
“He’s very single-minded & an aggressive buyer of business assets, not all of which have succeeded,” said Clive Black, director & head of research at Shore Capital. “When it comes to selling he seems to have difficulty letting go & has prices in his head he won’t go below.” #NUFC
kimtoon(Quote)
Growing up in the 70s I remember people coming back from Spanish holidays with these little plastic Spanish donkey ornaments that were covered with brown felt that would rub off to expose the grey plastic underneath. With NUFC in Alicante I began to picture an image of me being over there and presenting one of these to Joselu.
Then another image entered my mind that I wish hadn’t…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Chronic had a tweet from Waugh of a Ryanair flight he is taking to meet Wor Lee in Alacante. It is Valentines Day and these two will be away from their loved ones so it wont be a romantic fish supper for Mrs. Ryder. The terrible thing that popped into my head was Waugh poring red wine from one of those bottles that squirt a narrow stream into Lee’s mouth and them getting drunk and dancing on tables singing Eviva Espana and then doing the birdy dance.
I actually never went to Spain at that time but remember people coming back and doing that bloody birdy dance.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Jabba and lee will probs be out for a valentines curry.
kimtoon(Quote)
I see young Elias is struggling at Blackpool. Clearly no where near ready for PL footie.
Stuart79(Quote)
Going to be slow on here for the next week. A friendly to keep everybody’s attention for about 5 minutes but that is about it.
I am pretty sure Almiron will start against Huddersfield but will we look past them? It is a cliché to say we better not underestimate them but we should beat them and it is in the nature of some supporters to assume we will beat them and to look past them. Rafa will say the right things and try to keep us and the players focused but it will happen anyway. We will be assuming the win and looking past them.
I expect an article from Olly and probably John Gibson saying not to do it but we will do it anyway.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have no idea why anybody would worry about us being able to buy Rondon. The only thing that would stop us is he lack of sell on value but I doubt he would cost more than 10 million. Because:
1. I think West Brom would swap him for Gayle regardless of whether they are promoted. And Dwight is a couple of years younger.
2. Rondon only has a year left on an extended contract.
3. He only has 6 goals in 26 games so far. I don’t care whether he started or was unavailable. Thems the facts. 12 games to go means he will probably get 9 or 10. So, about what he has averaged in the PL and nobody else was banging down WBAs door for him when they were relegated.
4. Not a match winner, doesn’t score in bunches. A Rafa player. A hard worker. Hardly gets noticed. Would still look to upgrade if Fatty released the funds or under a new owner.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu – he’s only struggling coz they aren’t playing him, and they aren’t playing him coz they can’t afford to pay the loan bonuses attached to his loan contract.
Whoever was responsible for sending him on loan to a club going into administration wants sacking!!. He was developing brilliantly and now he’s been stopped in his tracks.
It annoys me that Rafa bangs on about youth development – then sends Sterry, Roberts and Sorensen out on loan to **** clubs. All 3 were knocking on the 1st door.
I don’t think any of their moves develops them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Dwight Gayle gets 2 game ban for simulation. Our players are targeted even when they are out on loan 🙂 How many dives do we see every weekend and how many bans? Did Maddison get banned, I can’t remember. How about Salah?
It can’t be a coincidence if it happens all of the time to us. No opposition sendings off in like 3 years etc. etc.
I don’t think Refs consciously have it in for us but it does seem that if something can be given against us, it is, and a blind eye is often turned when it is the other team. Maybe it is mostly big team bias because those are the games that are shown and Refs are loathe to rule against the star players who are fighting for a title.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It was strange him going to Blackpool, certainly hasn’t done him any favors like. Not sure Rafa would of had final say on where he went mate tbh. He’ll of likely said he isn’t ready for first team and left it to Lee to find him a club. In the end Lee will just be interested in the loan fee not where he goes sadly.
kimtoon(Quote)
Barreca, Ki, Diame & Kenedy starting today
PremAndUp(Quote)
Hi guys
I’ve not put these up on main thread as it was only a friendly, but here’s two pieces I’ve done after today’s 1-1 draw with CSKA in Spain
Highlights / General thoughts – https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2019/02/16/newcastle-1-1-cska-moscow-watch-rondons-goal-match-highlights-here/ …
PLAYER RATINGS – https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2019/02/16/player-ratings-newcastle-1-1-cska-moscow-marks-out-of-10-for-all-22-players-involved/ …
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Thanks Olly, two good reads.
kimtoon(Quote)
Chris “the intern” Waugh actually writes a good article today. He says that Barreca was brought as backup to Ritchie as wing back and less so to Dummett as a regular left back. This makes perfect sense as Ritchie has proved to be a good choice when we play 3 centre backs and Dummett has been our most consistent defender, if limited going forward.
He doesn’t say it, but I am sure there will be a clamour from some fans to play Berreca. They always want what’s new even when they haven’t seen them. They assume he will be better and forget that Richie and Dummett have been more than adequate in their preferred defensive positions. I actually think Ritchie has been better as a wingback than as a right winger where he was too often played as cover for Yedlin.
Now we need to find some way to protect Yedlin as he is a good attacking option as a wingback. I think Perez will play no matter what with Almiron more left/central so maybe that is the answer?
The answer IS NOT to have Lascelles as the right CB, he needs to be in the centre of a 3 or on the bench. Him and Yedlin are a liability when we play 4 at the back with them on the right.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorensen didn’t even make the bench for Blackpool today. Injured? Being recalled to NUFC? Roberts came off the bench in the 78th minute for Cheltenham.
Groucho(Quote)