Newcastle 1-1 Watford: Missed opportunity as NUFC are held by beatable Hornets

A share of the spoils at St James’ park today as Newcastle respond to an early setback to earn a point.

It feels like a chance missed to earn a precious win against a very beatable Watford side, but it’s a result and one that takes us to 4 points after 4 games – something we’d have bitten your hand off for a week ago as we arrived at Spurs pointless.

The game couldn’t have started worse, with Hughes ghosting in to tap home after a deflection fell his way just 90 seconds in, but Schar put us back on level terms just before the break in what was a incredibly sloppy first half lacking in quality.

We looked the most likely side to score early in the second half and it felt like a winner was coming, but we seemed to tire and run out of ideas somewhat.

Foster pulled off a great save to deny Hayden, there was a few goal-mouth scrambles that didn’t fall our way and Almiron had a big chance well blocked. That said, Dubravka made one or two key saves to deny Watford, so it really was a game that could’ve gone either way in the end.

Krafth and Willems did well at wing-back, with the former being rock solid defensively and the latter getting forward well. Joelinton showed impressive all round play and Atsu was lively in patches, but Almiron huffed and puffed with little final product.

Longstaff had a very sloppy first half and Hayden looked a bit leggy, meaning Shelvey may be frustrated not to have cone on – especially when it felt like we needed that killer pass to unlock a leaky Watford defence.

It’s not an ideal result against a Watford side who lookwe very beatable, but it’s another point on the board and a result that’s far from disastrous on the back of our big win at Spurs.

(Fancy writing for us? Get in touch 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.

138 thoughts on “Newcastle 1-1 Watford: Missed opportunity as NUFC are held by beatable Hornets

  1. I know I have rambled on but I just don’t know why we wouldn’t take advantage of other clubs’ youth not having a path to the first team but having the best facilities and coaching that the Fatman seems not willing to provide. Maybe even these players are priced out of our range. Probably the English ones are because of the homegrown rule. But we have a lot to offer. If we get 19 or 20 year olds they could train with the first team and wouldn’t require a squad number. The biggest selling point would be that we do have a path to the first team if they are good enough and they don’t have to get ahead of Leionel Messi or Kevin De Bruyne to play.

      (Quote)

  2. Actually we have used this model of picking up a player who had no path to the first team at an elite club – Hayden. With the price of even a moderately successful player being 20 million now (40 million for Joelinton) we might want to try this approach more?

      (Quote)

  3. Was Shearer responsible for the relegation as Michael Owen is saying? Mr. Monotone is saying Shearer is making excuses for his own failures by blaming him. Why open old wounds to make a few thousand from a book? His latest reasoning on ESPN is that if you are an elite player you have the ego to blame others when your team fails seems totally bizarre. He says that is what Shearer is doing and what he himself (Owen) has done in the past – BUT NOT HERE. It really is a very strange explanation. But what about Shearer and our relegation?

      (Quote)

  4. Owen was fit to play but wouldn’t Eric, that’s well known. Had he been playing we may well of gotten the goals needed. We’ll never know i guess, I don’t blame Shearer, he had little time and a petulant Barton to deal with and a workshy Owen.

      (Quote)

  5. My recollection is that Keegan justifiably walked out early in the season and threw the club into turmoil. In comes Joe Kinnear who has open heart surgery in February meaning Shearer is appointed with 8 games to go. Owen is the star player but there are other decent players.

    Shearer had no managerial experience. Should he have taken the job? He brings in Iain Dowie. Probably not the best choice. How many games was Owen available for? I truly believe he shirked his responsibilities and refused to play leaving Shearer short. But should we still have survived and is Owen right in saying Shearer wants it all his own way?

    The club was a mess when he took over and he should have passed. Didn’t he also fall out with Barton who got himself sent off and suspended for the last few games?

    Does Owen have a point because Shearer only got 5 points from 24? I don’t know, but it is stupid for him to be talking about it 12 years later. I think it will damage his own reputation more than it hurts Shearers. Especially since he admitted he didn’t try for the last 7 years of his career. That’s a damning fact that should colour and override everything else he says.

      (Quote)

  6. I am watching the cricket so had plenty of time to think about NUFC with Steve Smith destroying England again. I was watching him because I think I was watching greatness.

      (Quote)

  7. Owen is on a hiding to nothing. Shearer has massive respect in the game and although he started out a bit wooden as a pundit his analysis is usually correct. Owen, from what I have seen, is so monotone and boring that everybody just thinks he is a waste of time as a pundit. I don’t hear him often in the US, but even his match predictions are boringly written.

    He is digging himself a hole here. The scousers already don’t like him for going to Man U. The Mancs won’t be happy to hear him say that he was there just for the money (even though they already knew that). He even had a pop at Lampard and Gerrard for being bigger than their clubs. It doesn’t take much of a leap to think he is also saying they were too big for their boots.

    The retired footballers are all on talksport together and on the golf and charity circuits. Perhaps Michael is only interested in the horsey set now! If so, what use is he as a football pundit?

    I just don’t get what he is trying to achieve here in making himself a pariah. The more he opens his mouth to defend himself the more the ex-pros come out against him.

      (Quote)

  8. georgio:
    Schar’s brilliant from the CB position. If it ain’t broke . . .

    I know mate, I’m just thinking of how to get our top scorer further up the field ?

      (Quote)

  9. Just reading Olis other article regarding Sorensen and another failed loan.

    I think we are making real mistakes with that lad, failing him and loosing out ourselves. We are a team that struggles for goals – and that lad can score. I know it was only in the U23s, but over 20 goals in only have a season of any league is impressive.

    I look at Greenwood at Man Utd and the fact at 17 he’s with the first team and getting game time from the bench – should we not be doing with with Sorensen?!.

    He had a nightmare at Blackpool and is now suffering a similar way at Carlisle – how is that developing the lad at all.
    Surely he’d be better learning from the likes of Carroll, Joelinton and Gayle?!.

    He’s more of a no.9 than Muto who I see more as a no.10 type forward.

    I wouldn’t expect him to pull up trees, but I think he could chip in with a few goals over the season and just develop mainly.

      (Quote)

  10. Agree Sharpy – I’d much rather see him than headless chicken Muto running about. He was one on one with the Watford goalie and took it to the byline before blasting into the side netting. Hopeless!

    Above all else Sorensen needs real game time.

      (Quote)

  11. Agree lads i’d defo give a seat on the bench to Sorenson.
    Wish Almiron would take his chances like Schar does .

      (Quote)

  12. Everybody getting excited for England/Bulgaria? Definitely worth interrupting the season after 4 games for. How the hell are Holland and Germany in the same group? I know it must have something to do with seedings and coefficients but HOW THE HELL ARE GERMANY AND HOLLAND IN THE SAME GROUP?

      (Quote)

  13. You play 4 games for Chelsea and get picked for the England squad – Mason Mount

    You score zero goals and make zero assists in 2019 for Man U and probably make the bench if not the team – Jesse Lindgard (JLingz). I had a quick look at his clothing line the other month because I was wondering WHY!!!? Looks to me that he paid a Buddy a couple of grand to make a Jlingz logo, slapped it on a hoody and charges 60 quid for it.

      (Quote)

  14. Does Michael Owen have any self awareness? He said that he didn’t hang out with the Beckhams much in Madrid because dressing up and hanging out with the socialites wasn’t his thing. But putting on a top hat and being with the horsey snobs at Royal Ascot and Epsom is totally different, right Mikey?

      (Quote)

  15. Stuart: if England get to lunch I will be shocked.

    3-1 to the Aussies because they will win this with ease and at The Oval.

      (Quote)

  16. Watching the England game, well half watching anyway… hate these international breaks… still they are 3-0 so decent win I guess.

      (Quote)

  17. DT: the problem is these easy qualifying groups. I have no idea how to fix it. You end up with boring games and mismatches but the small teams deserve a chance and need the revenue. Look at Iceland at the Euros.

    If you split it to have the small teams play in their own mini-leagues to qualify they wouldn’t make the money and there would be a danger of a big team not qualifying if more were drawn together.

    But I agree, it is bloody annoying to have after 4 games.

      (Quote)

  18. Stuart: hope you didn’t put money on the draw. England lasted 38 minutes longer than I thought they would.

      (Quote)

  19. I saw they sold a lot of tickets for tomorrow – 18,500. Better start drinking early lads. Old Trafford will be the biggest beer garden in England. I live in a German Neighbourhood in Chicago and they are having a parade and Oktoberfest today. May have a few to toast the Aussies winning the Ashes.

      (Quote)

  20. Well, we got Javi Gracia sacked so all of the boycotters (“fans”) who had their money on Bruce to be 1st Manager sacked can tear up their betting slips.

      (Quote)

  21. Eric – and they have re-hired Flores ??‍♂️?. They are probably still paying his wages ?.

    What a mess that club is!!. Bit harsh to sack Garcia – he did well last season and it’s only been 3 games so far this season.

    I had a bet on Roy so that’s my bet F’ed ?

      (Quote)

  22. Don’t think Watford are a mess Sharpy. They’ve had 10 managers in 9 seasons. almost Chelsea like, but have managed mid table in their 4 PL seasons. They know what they’re doing with their churn of managers, do the Pozzos.

      (Quote)

  23. One thing I agree with Michael Owen about is that Rashford is not a natural goalscorer. He is a good player, but he is not Thierry Henry. And neither is Martial. I just don’t see where Man U’s goals will come from and that is why they are putting a lot of pressure on a 17-year old kid – Mason Greenwood.

    I don’t want to jinx it but we have a chance for once against this Man U. This is their worst start in 27 years and OGS hasn’t won an away match since he was appointed permanent Manager (I got that stat from the Daily Mail, but that last win was probably against us when he was caretaker).

      (Quote)

  24. I did this before, but it is worth repeating. I think we need about 6 points from our next 6 games to keep the naysayers quiet and Bruce’s head above water. We really don’t want to be slipping into the bottom 3 because it will add to the moaners and God knows there are plenty of them. I think it is doable.

    Liverpool – a write off

    Brighton (h) – no game is easy but this is a must win.

    Leicester (a) – we beat them last season.

    Man U (h) – This is not Fergie’s Man U. Player by Player, I think Leicester might even be better, especially if Pogba has one of his Sunday afternoon stroll games.

    Chelsea (a) – they were a one man team last year. With Hazard gone who knows what Chelsea we will see.

    Wolves (h) – overhyped.

      (Quote)

  25. georgio:
    Don’t think Watford are a mess Sharpy. They’ve had 10 managers in 9 seasons. almost Chelsea like, but have managed mid table in their 4 PL seasons. They know what they’re doing with their churn of managers, do the Pozzos.

    Georgio – Sunderland went through as many manager changes too mate – I think they are a closer comparison than Chelsea.
    It caught up with Sunderland in the end and will with Watford as well imo.
    I can’t for the life of me understand why Flores is going back in there when they sacked him after very little time there in the first place.

    I don’t think they are well ran, and I don’t think they know what they are doing at all. I don’t think Flores will work out, and I think this has just made them a relegation contender as well now.

      (Quote)

  26. And I don’t want to defend Fatty but part of the reason the moaners moaned at him was because his NUFC were not spending. Now we have spent 80 million in 2 windows and they say it is on the wrong players. Can they have it both ways? And should we at least give them a chance?

    Ashley has made some stupid mistakes and trusted the wrong people. He is going back to his former model though, which admittedly got us relegated. That model is letting Charnley spend what NUFC earn. It was obvious that he was building up the club coffers again and that is why he didn’t give Rafa any money. I will let others decide if he lied to Rafa and if that was wrong-headed.

      (Quote)

  27. I have yapped on for months that everything in the Spurs garden is not as rosy as their ****-licking journo Pals make it out. It was the stadium nonsense that set me off but now FootballLondon report that they might not offer new contracts to another 4 players because of age and wage demands. They are – Dier, Sissoko, Rose and Wanyama. I think Dier is probably the only one they could get decent money for and that would be from the suckers at Man U.

    That’s on top of Alderweldereid, Erikson and Vertongen all being in the last year of their contracts. So, 7 players a bit peeved and a Manager who doesn’t sound particularly happy.

    I really don’t see how Spurs can remain in the top 6. Maybe this year, maybe? But not next year.

      (Quote)

  28. Eric Sykes:
    And I don’t want to defend Fatty but part of the reason the moaners moaned at him was because his NUFC were not spending. Now we have spent 80 million in 2 windows and they say it is on the wrong players. Can they have it both ways? And should we at least give them a chance?

    Ashley has made some stupid mistakes and trusted the wrong people. He is going back to his former model though, which admittedly got us relegated. That model is letting Charnley spend what NUFC earn. It was obvious that he was building up the club coffers again and that is why he didn’t give Rafa any money. I will let others decide if he lied to Rafa and if that was wrong-headed.

    Eric – I’m not it was what got us relegated mate. I think that was more on McClaren than the players we had. If Rafa had the same group of players to work with for more of that relegation season, I suspect the outcome would have been a different one.

    He spent big money that summer, but appointed a second rate manager – and made him a board member. That was the problem imo.

      (Quote)

  29. Eric Sykes:
    I did this before, but it is worth repeating. I think we need about 6 points from our next 6 games to keep the naysayers quiet and Bruce’s head above water. We really don’t want to be slipping into the bottom 3 because it will add to the moaners and God knows there are plenty of them. I think it is doable.

    Liverpool – a write off

    Brighton (h) – no game is easy but this is a must win.

    Leicester (a) – we beat them last season.

    Man U (h) – This is not Fergie’s Man U. Player by Player, I think Leicester might even be better, especially if Pogba has one of his Sunday afternoon stroll games.

    Chelsea (a) – they were a one man team last year. With Hazard gone who knows what Chelsea we will see.

    Wolves (h) – overhyped.

    Eric – they are some tough fixtures mate. I’m not suggesting Brighton is points in the bag, but of those games you’d have to say it’s the most likely.

    Lpool will likely be Park the bus football and hope for something – or keep the score down at the very least.

    Leicester and Wolves – I cant see why we couldn’t pick up a draw.

    I think we will struggle against Man Utd. But if we get Carroll back – I think he will give Maguire a battle and if Joelinton and Almiron are playing off him – who knows.

    Chelsea have some good players up top still and I’ve been impressed by the American lad. But id love to see Carroll up against their young CBs.

    I think 6pts would be a good return from those fixtures though.

      (Quote)

  30. I see Shelvey has come out and spoke positively about Bruce, despite being the one dropped.

    He’s also slaughtered Chopra for his comments ??‍♂️.

      (Quote)

  31. The Aussies were absolutely brilliant today. Steve Smith. Just the best. Honest, so humble. Fantastic man.

      (Quote)

  32. I saw the comments made by Ineos about buying PL football clubs. It’s very disturbing to be honest. They basically say buying clubs out of the top six are too expensive and further investment would only mean we might win “the Everton cup”… That to me says we are likely to be with Jabba for the next ten years or more. I see only death ending his ownership when his children sell up because they can’t be arsed with it. That could be twenty years from now. Christ, what a horrible thought.

      (Quote)

  33. Agree with that Stuart. Truly horrible!

    Eric if only one of Root, Burns or Stokes had stayed in for a brief half hour we’d still be in the Ashes.

    No real news on the football front unless you count Bruce being impressed by Atsu or Shelvey’s attitude to Chopra. International breaks are killing interest!

      (Quote)

  34. I think it’s great the England are playing away from Wembley – but it stinks that they have stayed South at Southampton.
    It’s expensive to travel from the North down South to watch your National team play – it would have been nice if they picked a midlands ground or dare I suggest, a North East/West ground to host some of their qualifying matches.

      (Quote)

  35. Sterling is some player these days… I know it’s Kosovo but even so, Sterling has had a cracking first half.

      (Quote)

  36. Almiron is not back until Friday. With all of our injuries the team just about picks itself. I think Muto will get a game. He has been at NUFC for more than a year and I feel like I have never seen him. Maybe coz he is ****? I don’t know but I think he will play Saturday. Starts at 6.30 am in the US.

    Dubravka

    Krathf Schar Lachelles Dummett Willems

    Hayden Longstaff

    Muto Joelinton Atsu

      (Quote)

  37. Hang on. I know I read somewhere that Miggy wasn’t back until Friday. But he played in Jordan on Tuesday so that makes no sense. I reckon I will have to wait a bit longer to see Muto and Almiron will start in his stead.

      (Quote)

  38. I think it’s fair to say the formation will be more of a 5-4-1 on Sat. I would like Almiron to play but if he’s not been training it’s hard. His pace could cause them problems as they haven’t looked as sharp at the back as last season. I suppose I would be happy as long as we don’t get spanked. Although at these odds I will be putting £50 on us winning! 😯

    But Eric, I think you’re probably right, the team more or less picks itself.

    Regards

    Stuart

      (Quote)

  39. Just don’t bet on us to beat the Aussies Stuart. You made your money on that, now stay away from that bet:

    Smith > Root
    Cummins > Broad
    Labuchagne > Denley
    Hazlewood > Archer
    Lyon > Leach
    Bairstow = Paine

    The only area we are probably better is Stokes.

    How the hell did we beat India 4-1 last year?

      (Quote)

  40. They wont though because the selectors are stupid. England and the Aussies won’t meet again for 2 years in Aus, so why not put Warner at 5? His ego will have plenty of time to heal by then.

      (Quote)

  41. Stuart79:
    I think it’s fair to say the formation will be more of a 5-4-1 on Sat. I would like Almiron to play but if he’s not been training it’s hard. His pace could cause them problems as they haven’t looked as sharp at the back as last season. I suppose I would be happy as long as we don’t get spanked. Although at these odds I will be putting £50 on us winning!

    But Eric, I think you’re probably right, the team more or less picks itself.

    Regards

    Stuart

    Stu – we are 20/1 – I’ve hoyed a tenner on at them odds.

    But footy tip of the weekend – Leicester away to Man Utd 10/3.

      (Quote)

  42. Eric, the single biggest reason why we have lost this is because Smith plays for Australia. He has made all the difference. The series hasn’t been as one sided as many say. In the 1st test we had them at 120/5 then enter Smith. We were also 180/2 and threw it away from there. The second test we were the only team going to win it (even though Smith still got 100 and a 50) and just ran out of time by an hour. We won the third test and then the fourth test we just weren’t good enough and dropped Smith on 60 and also had him out with a no ball. Small margins.

      (Quote)

  43. Stuart. And Jimmy. He probably would have got Smith out at least once.

    International breaK 🙂 Got us talking about cricket instead of Belarus or Malta or San Mereno or whatever other non-entity football nation.

      (Quote)

  44. Sharpy: you could be onto a winner with Man U. Normally I would say it depends on which Pogba turns up but they have other weaknesses. Who scores their goals and Matic and even De Gea now? This is not Fergie’s Man U no matter how much some of the pundits (and bookies it seems) want it to be. The rest of us just want them to fail.

      (Quote)

  45. Liverpool match starts at 6.30am and I don’t think I will go to the pub. But not for that reason. My main reason is that it will be full of Scousers with the Carragher/Gerrard accent. I just don’t think I can listen to that high pitched throatal whine from 100 of them. When did it change from the pleasant, if nasal, sound of the Beatles to this? Then, they all think they are comedians when most are about as funny as a hernia. And Stan Boardman is not a comedian, unless you count cracking yourself up as comedy. When was the last decent Scouse comedian? Alexei Sayle? Finally, the last game I watched it seemed the whole Scouse Git Nation wanted my seat. Their game didn’t start for half an hour and I was finishing my pint and there was a procession asking when I am leaving – when I am good and ready, when I am good and ready 🙂

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

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