Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool: Dive denies NUFC after outstanding display

What a crazy night at St James’ Park.

Some feared we’d be blown away by this Liverpool side, but Benitez and the players almost got it absolutely spot on tonight, with some awful refereeing decisions and equally bad marking costing us in this one.

Unfortunately, a few controversial moments, both on and off the pitch, have soured things considerably (Fabinho blatantly dived for the free kick that lead to their winner and crowds off Liverpool fans were all over the Milburn and causing chaos) but that was one hell of a game of football.

We were outstanding, showing real energy, quality and commitment to the cause, but Rondon was the pick of the bunch me. Not only did he score his 10th Premier League goal with an emphatic finish to make it 2-2, he bullied Lovren all night and was absolutely tireless up top. Keeping BOTH him and Benitez is essential.

We defended well as a unit, limiting Liverpool as much as I’ve seen any side do this season from open play, but poor marking from one corner, one cross and one free kick has ultimately cost us.

Ritchie’s energy and tenacity was infectious, with him barely giving Mo Salah an inch of space, Dummett was typically solid, while Atsu also deserves real credit for grabbing a rare goal and causing them all sorts of problems on the break.

Here’s how the bottom half of the table looks after today’s results:

Elsewhere today, Cardiff were relegated after losing 3-2 at home to Palace, West Ham put three past Southampton, Bournemouth beat nine-man Spurs 1-0 and Wolves beat an already relegated Fulham 1-0 at Molineux.

So, just one game remains for us now, with a trip to Craven Cottage set to round off our 2018/19 campaign next Sunday:

An outstanding effort from the lads and an electric atmosphere to end the season at St James’ Park – it’s just a shame we didn’t get what we deserved.

Hats off to all involved – especially the guys from Wor Flags who put on one of the best displays yet in the Gallowgate.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

150 thoughts on “Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool: Dive denies NUFC after outstanding display

  1. Fell asleep on sofa as lads at respite, woke up to THAT Liverpool result 😯
    Funny old game

      (Quote)

  2. Messi missed a couple of chances he would normally score but Barcelona simply didn’t turn up for the second half. Valverde is saying to put the blame on him but they don’t really have the players. I was saying last week that this was probably their swansong because the only 2 world class players they had are getting on a bit now. Suarez probably only has another year and his reactions are not quite what they were and the rest of the team are good but they are not Xavi, Iniesta and Puyols good.

      (Quote)

  3. You know where would be an ideal move for Hayden? ARSENAL 🙂 Back to the future, but it won’t happen.

    I thought the Uruguayan Hobbit would sort out their midfield but he is not as good as I thought he was. Hayden looks the player he should have been.

    Not sure why WHam would want him when they rave about Rice, unless there is a deal to send young Decca to Man U because Matic has totally gone south – which happens to be where Isaac wants to go.

      (Quote)

  4. Eric Sykes:
    Messi missed a couple of chances he would normally score but Barcelona simply didn’t turn up for the second half. Valverde is saying to put the blame on him but they don’t really have the players. I was saying last week that this was probably their swansong because the only 2 world class players they had are getting on a bit now. Suarez probably only has another year and his reactions are not quite what they were and the rest of the team are good but they are not Xavi, Iniesta and Puyols good.

    Eric – maybe a bit of that, but last night was heart and hardwork from the Lpool players in my opinion. It was the same Barca team that beat Lpool 3-0 in the first, and pretty much all were rested at the weekend – maybe that played a factor with loss of momentum.
    I think people will look to pick Barca apart for the result, but all credit to the Lpool players imo – they really did work their socks off, and took their chances really well when they came along.
    I think we are going to get sick of hearing about Arnold’s corner for the 4th, but it was brilliant – and as Lineker said last night, if Messi had done that we’d be raving about it. So I hope the young English RB gets all the plaudits he deserved.

    It was great seeing the players at the end of the game – Milner and Henderson with tears in their eyes. Those lads grafted so hard and deserve it. May not be the best footballers in the world, but 2 top pros in the game.

      (Quote)

  5. Sharpy: I wasn’t trying to put down Liverpool’s achievement. More so just saying this is not a great Barca team and last week a 2-2 would have been a fair reflection of the game.

      (Quote)

  6. I watched both games start to finish and enjoyed them immensely. It gets on my nerves a bit when the commentator’s keep yapping about the glorious European nights at Anfield but last night lived up to that. The scenes at the end with the players all standing there while the Kop sang YNWA were amazing.

    I also don’t mind Henderson. He always comes across well when interviewed and I have even said (long before yesterday’s game) that I thought he was underrated.

      (Quote)

  7. It is actually much better to be talking about this than the latest Souness, Neville or Keane rant about Man U. Although I do like those 🙂 And… Liverpool winning the Champions League and Man City winning the Premier League will be a Man U nightmare.

      (Quote)

  8. Eric Sykes:
    Sharpy: I wasn’t trying to put down Liverpool’s achievement. More so just saying this is not a great Barca team and last week a 2-2 would have been a fair reflection of the game.

    Eric – no I wasn’t suggesting you mate, but there will be pundits who analyse the game by points Barca faults out – and I don’t think there were too many really. I just think they were totally overwhelmed – maybe turned up thinking ‘job already done’ – we only have to score once & Lpool would have to score 5!! – never gonna happen – and we have Messi and Suarez and 90mins to score 1 goal – easy!!.

    I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a football match as much as that since we beat Barca with Tino!!. Even the missus sat down to watch the 2nd half – and that’s NEVER happened ?

      (Quote)

  9. Reading these rumour articles about Hayden possibly going to WH or Palace – can’t say I’d be pleased to see him in either strip really.

    But it’s a big reminder of just how big a rebuild job this summer is likely to be. We are probably looking at 7 signings needed this summer – and maybe as many as 4 first teamers having to bed in.

      (Quote)

  10. Sharpy17
    May 8, 2019 at 09:10
    Reading these rumour articles about Hayden possibly going to WH or Palace – can’t say I’d be pleased to see him in either strip really.

    But it’s a big reminder of just how big a rebuild job this summer is likely to be. We are probably looking at 7 signings needed this summer – and maybe as many as 4 first teamers having to bed in.

    Agree Sharpy, wouldn’t want him going to either of them. Is he gonna drive up from S.Wales every day then ?

      (Quote)

  11. Chronicle do my head in. Write about some Mexican outfit wanting to buy us, yet cannot find a single credible source to back of this rubbish. 🙄
    Are they paid shills now or what, they need to stop peddling Jabbas BS and do some calling out of his stance towards Rafa a bit more instead of planting this windows excuses for him.

      (Quote)

  12. KIMTOON:
    Sharpy17
    May 8, 2019 at 09:10
    Reading these rumour articles about Hayden possibly going to WH or Palace – can’t say I’d be pleased to see him in either strip really.

    But it’s a big reminder of just how big a rebuild job this summer is likely to be. We are probably looking at 7 signings needed this summer – and maybe as many as 4 first teamers having to bed in.

    Agree Sharpy, wouldn’t want him going to either of them. Is he gonna drive up from S.Wales every day then ?

    Kim – yeah it would kind of defeat the reason for him wanting to leave won’t it?!. But both clubs are going to be rivals for league positions next season – and Hayden would defo strengthen them. I know they are talking of a fee £15-20m – which would be a good return for a player who was out in the wilderness in the first half of the season. But I would much rather be building a team round him and Longstaff in that midfield.

      (Quote)

  13. I find it almost incredible that Hayden’s fiancé is so naive that she expects to not have to move house when she’s married to a footballer. It really does limit his career options. He preaches about his family being more important than football but I wonder if he was thinking that when he was sending pics of a certain part of his anatomy to women via WhatsApp. I’m pretty sure this has something to do with his fiancé wanting him to move down south too…

      (Quote)

  14. My thoughts on Hayden are that his situation has totally changed, so maybe he might reassess wanting to leave.

    He was a fringe player until 2019. If he is Rafa’s first choice that could make a difference.

    If NUFC want 15 to 20 million for him then he could get a much higher wage at NUFC commensurate with this valuation. At least double what he is on.

    If Diame is off then Isaac is the number 1 defensive midfielder.

    He is getting a lot of love from the fans now.

    The grass isn’t always greener… Debuche, Cabaye and many others.

    Suck it up big boy… Almost all modern footballers have to deal with having to live away from where they were brought up. From what he has said his kid is much better now.

    Has he tried to navigated the M25?

      (Quote)

  15. Stuart: Hayden has done quite a few interviews now and it is hard not to get the feeling that it is now much more about him being p2ssy-whipped rather than it all being about wanting to see his child grow up.

    His fiancé did move to Newcastle and had a tough pregnancy so wanted support from her family. Understandable. All of this is in his interviews – his child was premature and that must have been extremely traumatic but he says she is much better now, only needing checkups every few months. Again, this is from the horses mouth.

    His lass doesn’t seem to have liked Newcastle and that is what this is about now and not his child’s illness.

      (Quote)

  16. Eric, I don’t doubt she has told him she won’t move up here and he must move down there after his whatsapp revelations. I still find it odd that she’s going to marry a footballer but isn’t prepared to have a few years out of her comfort zone. Surely she knew what life could be like…

      (Quote)

  17. I’m torn on Hayden to be honest. He’s been excellent in 2019 – but has he been playing for a move?!.
    Ki was injured in January so Rafa has likely told Hayden he can’t let him go in Jan, but put the graft in and possibly move in the summer. If that was the case, Hayden defo responded and used it as motivation – which has produced great results for us – but I want players who are motivated by putting the Black & White shirt on, not to get away from it!!.
    Hayden has proven how good he is – but it’s annoying he wasn’t putting it in before that.

    If we got £20m for him, I’d take that. I like Billing from Huddersfield, and if we could get him in Hayden’s place, I would be fine with that.

      (Quote)

  18. I find it total B-S what Hayden is saying by the way. When you sign up to be a footballer you almost accept that you will be working away from home and that you deal with it or move your family. Lionel Messi moved from Argentina to Barcelona when he was 8 FFS.

    It is like signing up for the Foreign Office and then complaining when you are posted overseas 🙂

      (Quote)

  19. Totally agree, Eric. I wonder if he would be so accomodating if Real Madrid or even Man City came in for him…

      (Quote)

  20. See I’m the other way. I respect Hayden’s honesty really. Playing football is a recreational thing for most of us, but to Hayden it’s a job – and I truly believe that no job is perfect – each has positives and negatives. I suspect being a footballer has more positives than negatives – and I’m sure the moving around and being away from your family is a huge negative. Let’s not forget, our manager could work and earn huge money in other Countries, but doesn’t want to be too far from his family.

    Some can cope with it better than others, some clubs seem to fit the player and others can never settle – look at Bale at Madrid.

    What tends to happen with players who don’t settle is they down tools. I respect the fact that Hayden hasn’t done that – but I can’t help feeling he could have done more before this talk of a move.

      (Quote)

  21. With respect Sharpy:

    I usually think you are spot on with your comments but what you have just said is total rubbish.

    I moved away from Newcastle to find work because there was nothing there when I left School and College (’80’s). I have a cousin in the Air Force and his family move with him when he is posted to different parts of the world.

    Hayden is P*ssy-whipped. Pure and simple.

      (Quote)

  22. Experience is a big deal in football. Both Hayden and Perez are examples of that. They’re both way better than they were a couple of years ago. Dummett too.

      (Quote)

  23. Bale at Madrid? He’s not settled there because their fans are morons. He won them the Champions league twice with probably the greatest goal ever scored in a final (his overhead kick). And they still boo him.

    I know they boo him because I was in Madrid and went to a game 2 years ago. I just couldn’t believe they were booing Gareth Bale.

    No wonder he might have a bit of an attitude.

    Totally different to the Hayden situation.

      (Quote)

  24. Eric Sykes:
    With respect Sharpy:

    I usually think you are spot on with your comments but what you have just said is total rubbish.

    I moved away from Newcastle to find work because there was nothing there when I left School and College (’80’s). I have a cousin in the Air Force and his family move with him when he is posted to different parts of the world.

    Hayden is P*ssy-whipped. Pure and simple.

    Eric – you are talking about a different time and a different occupation (I assume). Both of your examples are totally different circumstances – the RAF you are told where you will be based without choice – of course you have to accept it if you go down that career path. But let’s be right, people go AWOL from the armed forces – so it’s not as readily accepted in that occupation either.

    Being a footballer, you have far more freedom in where you ply your trade and contracts mean very little with the right (or wrong) agent.

    If by pu$$y whipped you mean he’s making his next move based on what his family want and their happiness, then yeah, maybe he is.
    But I don’t think that’s a bad thing, and I respect him for it to be honest.
    It’s a short lived career and family should absolute come first.

    Players will come and go, and will have various reasons for it. Townsend left coz he wanted to stay in the PL to enhance his England chances … how did that work out?!.
    Players like Cabaye and Debuchy wanted to play for bigger clubs … how did that work out?!.

    I think Hayden’s reasoning is far more honest, far less mercenary.

      (Quote)

  25. Sharpy – It isn’t Hayden who can’t settle in Newcastle. It’s the fact his fiance won’t move here. Where is her commitment to their future or relationship? She’s entitled to be like that but it hardly points to a successful future if she isn’t prepared to compromise does it? Is he not allowed to progress his career to clubs like Barcelona or real Madrid if he was good enough?

    It’s a very odd situation I think. He’s decided to put his familiy first. It appears his fiance wants her life put first instead of compromise.

      (Quote)

  26. Stuart79:
    Sharpy – It isn’t Hayden who can’t settle in Newcastle. It’s the fact his fiance won’t move here. Where is her commitment to their future or relationship? She’s entitled to be like that but it hardly points to a successful future if she isn’t prepared to compromise does it? Is he not allowed to progress his career to clubs like Barcelona or real Madrid if he was good enough?

    It’s a very odd situation I think. He’s decided to put his familiy first. It appears his fiance wants her life put first instead of compromise.

    Stu – if she had point blank refused to move to Newcastle I’d agree completely with you. But she did move here and lived here with him, and if I understand it correctly, only moved back South following or during a difficult pregnancy. As a new young mum with a poorly infant, maybe she needed the support of her family – I don’t know their circumstances completely, but I know there is more to life than football – even for footballers.

    We aren’t talking Barca or Madrid here, we are talking NUFC – a club over the last 10yrs that has been relegated twice, mid to bottom half of the PL with poor cup runs – he could achieve all of that with Palace or WH and be paid a similar or better wage, but enjoying more time with his family.

      (Quote)

  27. If there is one thing that’s sure, footballers come and go, we’ll survive him leaving. If it’s what he wants, let him go i say , with our thanks.
    I’m more concerned about Rafa going tbh, if he goes our top players will want out and Hayden will seem small fry in comparison .

    Ashley out .

      (Quote)

  28. KIMTOON:
    If there is one thing that’s sure, footballers come and go, we’ll survive him leaving. If it’s what he wants, let him go i say , with our thanks.
    I’m more concerned about Rafa going tbh, if he goes our top players will want out and Hayden will seem small fry in comparison .

    Ashley out .

    Kim – you are absolutely right. We are discussing the reason of Hayden leaving. But if we discuss the impact of him leaving, you are right, we will survive.
    I mentioned Townsend and Cabaye earlier and I think they are 2 players who we depended on far more than Hayden – and let’s be honest, if someone offered us £15-20m for Hayden in December we would have had their hand off.

    Rafa is defo the concern. But the fact the rumours are of players we may sign and not who is replacing Rafa seems promising. The journos never miss the opportunity to sell papers off the back of our misery – but not many are writing about Rafas replacement

      (Quote)

  29. So Chelsea can’t do business in the next 2 windows – that should make it interesting if Hazard pushes for a move.
    Equally I think Higuian is only on loan – don’t know if they will be allowed to buy him now – Giroud is out of contract this summer. So unless Abraham returns to get his chance next season, Chelsea might find themselves struggling.

      (Quote)

  30. KIMTOON:
    Oh and given the Pool result last night, reckon we did ok on saturday.

    aye more so when you see how they got the result,cheating swines,and imo refs will look more kindly on them,you will get nowt against them

      (Quote)

  31. Sharpy17: Stu – if she had point blank refused to move to Newcastle I’d agree completely with you.But she did move here and lived here with him, and if I understand it correctly, only moved back South following or during a difficult pregnancy.As a new young mum with a poorly infant, maybe she needed the support of her family – I don’t know their circumstances completely, but I know there is more to life than football – even for footballers.

    We aren’t talking Barca or Madrid here, we are talking NUFC – a club over the last 10yrs that has been relegated twice, mid to bottom half of the PL with poor cup runs – he could achieve all of that with Palace or WH and be paid a similar or better wage, but enjoying more time with his family.

    Im talking about the principle. If it was Madrid would he have to say no? Millions of people around the world have difficult pregnancies. That’s finished now and their child is ok, thankfully.

    Spin it however you want, but her requirement to be near her family has made his career potential limited to a handful of clubs.

      (Quote)

  32. Stuart79: Im talking about the principle. If it was Madrid would he have to say no? Millions of people around the world have difficult pregnancies. That’s finished now and their child is ok, thankfully.

    Spin it however you want, but her requirement to be near her family has made his career potential limited to a handful of clubs.

    Stu – I’m not trying to spin it any way mate. If it was Madrid – who knows, probably not, but then the level of expected success would be much different to that of NUFC reserves – which is where he was at the time.
    There’s far more clubs down South than up here mate, and most are either on par with NUFC or better options in terms of our standing and ambition at the moment. Sadly, being at NUFC hasn’t been such a big draw for many years now and until we have an owner who is ready to make us that again, these players will come and go.

      (Quote)

  33. I think Hayden has found his role on the field now and we should try our best to keep him. Give him a giant pile of cash to sit on whilst he finds his balls. He managed to find the part of his anatomy close to them when he was sending candid pictures to a model on WhatsApp when his fiancé was pregnant. The WAG is wagging the dog here.

      (Quote)

  34. Stuart79:
    Aye, Eric. My sentiments exactly.

    I read your earlier reference to his dic-pic mate and had seen the article about it about 18 months ago.

      (Quote)

  35. I think I would have cut Hayden a lot more slack if I hadn’t seen that article with him texting pictures of his junk to a “model” he had met on the internet. The whole “all about the family” seems to be him paying for that.

    I would still keep him though. He has turned into a really good player and that is all I care about in the end.

      (Quote)

  36. Looks like Spurs have Spursed up their season. Another year with not that much to show for it except a shiny new stadium as the papers continue to point out.

    I would still like to be in their position than ours but they are more and more looking like a NEARLY team like we were in the 90s.

      (Quote)

  37. Maybe spoke too soon 🙂 The pundits over here in the US were talking like Ajax were the reincarnation of Cruyff’s 71-74 team. They were marginally better than Spurs and got the breaks. Liverpool should beat either of these teams.

      (Quote)

  38. These semi’s have been fantastic. Hope Spurs manage it in the end.

    Interestingly both Liverpool and Spurs have got where they are by selling key players for big money and then building their side from there. Maybe it’s not the impossible dream. Just need. Bit of invention, luck and ambition.

      (Quote)

  39. Well done Spurs.

    Although I find it all a bit odd that Poch is in tears. They’ve won nothing yet but it’s a great achievement.

      (Quote)

  40. The game changed when they started going with the long ball. Interesting that…

      (Quote)

  41. Happy for Spurs. I have never minded them apart from all of the talk of their stadium – I am like a broken record FFS.

    And there’s more…

    This sets up for a City treble and English teams winning both European trophies. If Liverpool win the CL that would really rub it in for Man U. As I said – broken record me.

    I have disliked Man U for a long time . There is a reason (LONG STORY) and I will write it on here when our season is over and there is more dead air on here.

      (Quote)

  42. After the past 2 days you don’t want to make predictions but this is the way it is setting up:

    Man City domestic treble

    Liverpool Champions League

    Chelsea Europa League

    This is not a prediction from me, just saying where I think the odds are.

    Apart from NUFC winning something, this would make me the happiest about football in a while.

      (Quote)

  43. Incredible match last night. Both semis have been amazing in fact and a credit to English football.

      (Quote)

  44. Well I never thought I’d celebrate with the bin dippers or Spuds, but it’s happened in consecutive nights ?.
    Another cracking game of football, and great to see Spurs v Lpool final.
    I thought Lpool were brilliant – Spurs played really well but had a lot of luck on their side. Ajax could have had another 2 or 3 goals last night.

    Has there ever been a Country dominant the finals of the Champions League and UEFA Cup?

    Spurs v Lpool and Arsenal v Chelsea

    That would be unreal.

      (Quote)

  45. Eric, i’m sure Spurs are desperate for a shiny Champions league trophy for there shiny new Stadium
    😉 🙂

    Should be a cracking final

      (Quote)

  46. My prediction Eric is that around about two weeks time a load more takeover talk will start. This will coincide with the transfer window opening and Rafa most likely walking away. Timing will be pure coincidence. ?

      (Quote)

  47. What is all this speculation about Perez? Agents stirring the pot? Looking for a pay increase. Chronic have Inter, Napoli, Spurs and Arsenal interested. I know, it’s The Chronic so you have to take it with a barrowload of salt.

    He’s a hard player to judge. He was asked to play a role by Rafa and got stick from parts of the crowd. Playing with wing-backs and Almiron seems to have freed him up. But is he suddenly a Champions League quality player? Is he suddenly worth 25 million? I don’t know. I see him as more our level – lower mid-table premier league.

    Still, maybe Man U will offer us the 25 mil as a replacement for Sanchez 🙂 What the hell has happened to him?

      (Quote)

  48. And Sissoko was brilliant again last night. Asked to be a 1 man midfield for the second half. Poch has done a great job transforming him into more of a defensive mid. He always had those runs when he scared the opposition, but with no end product. Poch seems to have recognized that and asks him to just lay it off and not go for the glory. Very good management.

      (Quote)

  49. I’m in 2 minds about Shelvey as well. He has often been our best player and it would have been fair to say that as Jonjo goes so do NUFC. That’s a pro and a con though because when he had an off day we were pretty dire. I like Shelvey but I would probably be OK with selling him if we could get 20 million and IF we used that money to buy a replacement. Our squad is too thin to not replace players and you know that after Sunday the papers will have to manufacture stories.

    The main reason I am OK if Jonjo leaves is that we have his skillset covered now with Lejeune and Schar being able to hit the searching passes and bring the ball out from the back. Longstaff seems to be able to do it as well and is more dynamic than Jonjo, even though it is a small sample of games to judge.

    I would like to see Shelvey with Almiron though. Maybe pre-season before he is sold?

    If you had asked me a year ago about selling Shelvey I would have said you were mad, but now I am much more open to the idea. His goals and assists stats are **** for the influence he APPEARS to have on a game. And don’t get me started on his free kicks. I have a bee in my bonnet in general about direct free kicks but when Jonjo steps up I just put the kettle on because I know it will end up in row Z and I will have time to make a cup of tea.

      (Quote)

  50. Correct me if I am wrong but didn’t Rafa say it would be a minor miracle if we stay up? How come our players are suddenly worth so much then? You have Shelvey, Lascelles, Perez and Hayden all quoted in the 20 million bracket. Then the likes of Dubravka, Schar and Lejeune at not much less.

    We also have Ritchie, Gayle, Almiron and Dummett.

    So was Rafa exaggerating? The pundits seemed to agree that he was performing miracles. And The Chronic and most blogs never really questioned his judgement on that statement.

    I know there has been massive inflation in transfer fees but do we really just have a bunch of overachieving Championship level players? If so, why are some supposedly worth 20 million quid?

    I never thought we were as **** as Rafa and some blogs said in terms of squad quality. There were many statements, especially last year, that we had a Champiionship level squad and I never thought that was the case as most had played in the PL and other big European Leagues.

    But was it REALLY a miracle that we stayed up? We actually started to play much better once Rafa changed the formation but using the same players. It was great that he finally realized that his 4-2-3-1 often didn’t work for this group but was he also being a little bit self-promoting by saying they weren’t good enough?

      (Quote)

  51. All 10 of the Premier League matches are being broadcast live in the US on Sunday. NBC owns a bunch of networks and are bumping their usual programming such as food or financial shows to show the PL.

    Not much to play for really though. I would be shocked if City don’t beat Brighton and who cares about 4th place unless you are an Arsenal or Chelsea fan.

    I will still watch our game but who knows how that will turn out. A Sunday morning walk in the park? A bit of Mitro madness? Scotty “pirouette” Parker has probably got the job anyway. When we got him from Chelsea I was always amazed that he was an England international. He seemed to have one skill – that little running in a small circle in the centre of midfield and laying it off with a 5 yard pass. He wasn’t ****, but was more functional than good.

      (Quote)

  52. was shocked to read ex ref M Hasley saying the refs are “told”to have certain fix in games and “told” to have a bias against some teams he has also said some refs could end up in court over some of the things that go onits not the FA but some bloody ref group

      (Quote)

  53. icedog
    May 9, 2019 at 17:32
    was shocked to read ex ref M Hasley saying the refs are “told”to have certain fix in games and “told” to have a bias against some teams he has also said some refs could end up in court over some of the things that go onits not the FA but some bloody ref group

    Ice, that just confirms what every fan has suspected. If true, heads need to roll big time, it’s disgusting mate but not entirely surprising .

      (Quote)

  54. West Brom and Villa have something to play for this weekend. Part of the buildup to their game was the Birmingham Mail ran a poll asking their fans if they would swap Gayle for Rondon. Of the 3,000 replies 78% said they would. It seems Gayle has made a big impression there . If Villa don’t get promoted they should probably bid as well.

      (Quote)

  55. Eric Sykes:
    Icedog: where did you see the Halsey stuff?

    it was a report on facebook by some reporter that had interview with him,i thought if it wasnt true the ref would have sued their ***,think hes trying to cover his own ***

      (Quote)

  56. I think that it is obvious that there is a big team bias. They get the majority of the 50-50 calls and you only need a few of these to turn a game. Some of it is unconscious bias and some of it is incompetence. I am surprised to see a Ref saying there is forethought to the bias. I would like to see the quotes.

      (Quote)

  57. I have seen quite a few examples of England’s Golden Boy Harry Kane getting away with some bad, bad tackles coz he plays for media darlings Spurs and he is England’s golden boy.

    It is easier to identify thinking back. Roy Keane could probably have been sent off in every game he played but was always given the benefit of the doubt. Stevie G would make horrendous tackles and only get a yellow.

    I really only follow NUFC very closely but the evidence of my own eyes and the stats back up the ref bias assumptions that we all have.

      (Quote)

  58. So a relegated Fulham can sort themselves a permanent manager out ahead of an already safe NUFC.

    I was hoping for some news one way or another ahead of this game, but it doesn’t look promising now does it?!.

    It is beyond ridiculous the club haven’t made an announcement yet.

      (Quote)

  59. Dubai Toon:
    News on Skysports that Stewart Donald is in talks to sell Sunderland

    i saw something about that mate was 50 mil being quoted??

      (Quote)

  60. If you look at our midfield players on effort and tackles they look OK But they don’t score or assist, so something has to give somewhere.

    Almiron creates havoc and I am sure he will come good. The jury is still out on Longstaff.

    The rest – Ki, Shelvey, Hayden and Diame – are decent enough players but there is no end product from any of them. Not even Shelvey.

    If you look at our midfield/wingers Ritchie has the most goals with 2. And he is now a wing back and anyway the Fatman may want to sell him as he is close to 30.

    It just puts too much pressure on the forwards. What the hell do we do if we lose Rondon and Perez? We are basically starting from scratch. You know you don’t want to do that – Look at Fulham.

      (Quote)

  61. Sunderland Echo are saying that any Mackem deal will be dependent on promotion. When the 2 chancers took over I remember the price as 6 million but Short wiped out all of the debt. He also retained the rights to the parachute payments as they came in so they had very little extra income because their payroll was so high after years of mismanagement. I still think it is Championship or bust (maybe literally). If they get promoted they are a decent proposition because they have no debt thanks to Ellis Short but it will be a balancing act to stay solvent if they remain in the 3rd Division so who knows who would buy them then?

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *