A convincing win for Newcastle United in tonight’s FA Cup replay, with goals from Matty Longstaff, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton helping us to a 4-1 victory over Rochdale.
The win sends us into the 4th round of the FA Cup where a home tie with Oxford awaits, giving us a chance to make the 5th round of the competition for the first time since 2006!
Steve Bruce made SIX changes from the side that drew at Wolves over the weekend. Out came Dubravka, Fernandez, Dummett, Clark, Willems and Gayle and in came Darlow, Krafth, Lascelles, Lejeune, Ritchie and Atsu:
Rochdale sat in, got men behind the ball and frustrated us early on, although Miguel Almiron should have scored 10 minutes in, but saw a shot on the edge of the box flash wide after a good lay-off from Atsu.
We needed to make the most of our possession and move the ball forward quicker, and we began to do that, with Almiron coming close once again minutes later – seeing his deflected shot smash the post just moments later.
We were beginning to turn the screw and, on 17 minutes, a Eoghan O’Connell own goal made it 1-0, with the Rochdale defender diverting a brilliant Matt Ritchie cross into his own net.
Then, just three minutes later, Matty Longstaff made it 2-0 via another Matt Ritchie assist – oh how we’ve missed him!
We failed to get that crucial second goal at Spotland 10 days ago, but this was a different story and the tie felt as good as over after 20 minutes – not that we were finished scoring!
Another then arrived 25 minutes in, with Rochdale’s goalkeeper Sanchez gifting Miguel Almiron his fourth goal in 7 games. 3-0 up and we were in total control, looking like we were about to score every time we got at a Rochdale defence that was there for the taking.
The only slight frustration from the first half was Joelinton. He worked hard, but his touch sometimes let him down, and his lack of movement / ability to get into good attacking areas was summed up when he remained static on the edge of the box despite Christian Atsu swinging in an inviting cross.
If he wants to develop into a top number 9, he needs to start showing more desire and movement when good balls come into the box – although his big moment did arrive in the closing stages!
Mike Ashley was in attendance and amongst the 25,000 inside St James’ Park.
His first appearance of the season on Tyneside ahead of transfer talks with Steve Bruce, but hopefully our convincing win doesn’t give him a reason not to spend in what remains of the January window!
The second half began and Bruce made no changes at the break – which was a surprise given the tie was all but over and a few key players may have benefited from a rest ahead of Saturday’s clash with Chelsea.
We had 70% of the ball at this stage and a comfortable lead, but came out half asleep at the start of the second half – and were almost punished as Ryan and Dooley missed big chances just moments after the restart.
For a spell they were the better side and threatened to make it 3-1 as we let sloppiness creep in, but a nice moment arrived on 56 minutes, with 20-year-old local lad Tom Allan coming on for his first-team debut.
We continued to look half asleep in the second half, but the fact it remained at 3-0 meant Bruce was able to take off Miguel Almiron on the 60-minute mark. Andy Carroll replaced him, meaning we had four Academy graduates on the pitch in Carroll, the two Longstaff’s and Tom Allan.
The final substitution then came with 20 minutes remaining, seeing Jonjo Shelvey replace Matt Ritchie – who was highly influential on his return with two assists.
The second half was a non event in many respects, but the icing on the cake arrived when Joelinton scored his first competitive goal at St James’ Park to end his 20-game drought.
After some outstanding work from Allan out wide – who beat his man for pace and delivered a brilliant cross – the Brazilian fired home and ran straight over to Steve Bruce to celebrate.
A big sigh of relief for him – let’s hope this gives him the confidence boost he badly needed and allows him to kick on.
Rochdale then pulled one back in the closing stages, with Williams’ low strike from the edge of the box clipping the post and going in to deny Darlow a clean sheet and make it 4-1.
We pushed for another late on, and Andy Carroll very nearly made it five when his close-range effort crashed the crossbar, however it ended 4-1.
A comfortable win, confidence boosting goals for Joelinton and Miguel Almiron, an impressive return for Ritchie, a good run out for skipper Jamaal Lascelles and a first-team debut for U-23 star Tom Allan.
Job done – and a winnable home game with Oxford Utd awaits in round 4!
Glad Almiron got another goal. The pundits were getting on my nerves using the no goals and no assists stick to beat him with. We all saw his contribution to the team. is it just me or do the vast majority of pundits just like to talk us down and talk down to us? I could be thin skinned about it but Eddie Howe, Borunemouth and his players aren’t getting the same stick we get.
Need Joelinton to get a few now. The way the pundits talk he is the worst transfer in the history of football. Let’s at least give him one season. Did they ever watch Slimani who cost 29 million which would be about 50 mil today? Then there’s Jordan Ibe and Solanke. There are numerous examples.
Some of the same people were saying Keita was a bust. Now he has settled in they have shut up. Even Son and Firmino were considered duds by the pundits.
I am not even saying Joelinton will come good and I certainly do not believe the full quoted fee was paid without performance cluases. I am just saying the pundits revel in our failure/discomfort.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The pundits like Brucie though so he gets an easy ride.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
A win and thought to the next round. Will we ever have a better chance of getting to round five under Jabba?
Good to see Almiron keeping the momentum and Joelinton getting a goal. Although he was poor again. Let’s hope it gets him going.
Stuart79(Quote)
So like us to get a great result in front of Jabba though.
That’s steve getting no funds then.
kimtoon(Quote)
I was pleased to see Joelinton get his goal – and it was good build up through Carroll and young Allen.
But what pleased me more was him going straight to Bruce and coaches. That to me shows that he understands loyalty and knows that it would have been less griefy for Bruce to bench him.
But now he has to keep it up and emulate Almiron with a bit of a goal run.
I don’t know what to make of Ashley being there last night?!.
I dont think he has to spend big, but does need to act this January – even if it’s just loan deals.
He may have seen a win last night, but he will also have seen lots of empty seats, and no backing his manager is a sure fire way of keeping those seats empty.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Great confidence boosting result for us and a comfortable win in the end. Worth staying up to listen in. I think Matty is a lot better than big bro at the moment. The way he took his goal was fantastic. Good to see some other good youngsters coming on and doing well too.
Looking forward to the next round. Oxford will be no pushover, they beat us before, but hopefully we will have a better mentality this time round.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Dubai – yeah, as much as we need January transfers – we also need to tie these boys down on new contracts too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d be going at Tyrese Campbell at Stoke. He’s only 20 and his contract is up in the summer and Stoke get nowt. I reckon they would take £3m to avoid loosing him on a free.
He’s a decent young player and would be a good replacement for Gayle long term imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
so Ryder gives his update on toon transfer what the F would he last one to know anything,but will still jump on bandwagon if another rag breaks any storeys,guys a waste of space 😈
icedog(Quote)
Ice – don’t they say a broken clock still tells the right time twice a day?! – I think this may be one of Ryder’s twice a day moments.
His update is basically, we haven’t yet made a more for any of the targets that have been suggested – and that we have bulked at Lookmans £22m pricetag … whey get away ?.
His updates are so obvious they must be correct.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I see the takeover talks are back in the headlines again… yawn… ???
This Mexican gadgie again, who is worth supposedly 450 million dollars… wow. How he he’ll would he be in a position to buy us … bollicks yet again.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I don’t think we will sign anybody in Jan. the same platitudes are coming out from Bruce. If we can find someone better that we have we will try and we only want quality bla bla bla. All sounds great but who isn’t better than 2 goals in 24 games as a striker?
Stuart79(Quote)
reminds me of the **** Pardew used to come out with ie when we finished 5th said on radio we would spend and move forward,we signed no one
icedog(Quote)
So Leeds have reportedly offered £3m to loan Jarrod Bowen – rising to £15m if they are promoted. I’m sure his contract is up soon so Hull may want to cash in.
We should be working on a deal like that imo. Loan deal with a pay out to buy him if we stay up.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – Hull have the option of taking up an option of a one year extension at the end of this season for Bowen. Which I’m pretty sure they will as it will increase his value. Reckon it will take £20m to get him.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – offer than £3m loan fee plus Aaron’s (for example) til the end of the season with an option to buy in the summer for £17m.
They then get their £20m and we get a good player. I know that’s very simplistic, but Hull will know that Bowen’s long term future isn’t with Hull and they will want to get the best deal rather than risk loosing him for a small fee or nowt.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If we did go for Bowen on loan with option to buy , we might be able to include Jacob Murphy in the deal to buy in the Summer..
If Hull have no interest in Murphy we might still get around £5m for him to put towards the fee for Bowen.
sidekick(Quote)
I think the problem is with Bowen that Hull are only 3 points off the play offs. They don’t have to let him go this month. They’d be stupid to do so, especially if they can take up the option of the extension.
Stuart79(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2020/01/17/chelsea-h-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups-3/
Chelsea preview!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)