We never do things the easy way, do we!
After missing several HUGE chances from open play seeing Ritchie have a penalty saved against a 10-man Southampton side, Allan Saint-Maximin stepped up late on to seal all three points.
Our first league win since mid January, a goal that ends our 4-game drought and a vital 3 points that takes us EIGHT clear of the drop zone after results went well for us elsewhere.
To a few people’s surprise, Bruce made a few changes in attack, dropping Joelinton (despite his best game in months on Tuesday) for Gayle and bringing Ritchie back in at Lazaro’s expense – who must also feel hard done by to miss out after his eye-catching all round display in midweek.
We stuck with 4-2-3-1, but Fernandez replaced Schar, Bentleb and S Longstaff made way for Shelvey and Hayden and Manquillo was passed fit to start at right-back.
The game kicked off and Southampton had an immediate spell of pressure, putting a few too many dangerous balls into Dubravka’s box and winning several early corners.
Then, the first of a whole host of first-half chances for Newcastle United arrived in what was to be one of the most entertaining yet frustrating 45 minutes we’ve seen this season.
Shelvey prodded a clever pass across the box with the outside of his foot, but Gayle’s close-range strike was straight at McCarthy. His save then fell to Almiron and a goal seemed certain, but he too also fired straight at the Saints stopper, and even forced a THIRD save in as many seconds on the resultant rebound.
It was a huge chance missed, yet just one of several we were to spurn in the coming 40 minutes.
Then to the first of TWO VAR incidents. Moussa Djenepo came in late on Isaac Hayden – who looked in some pain – and the referee brandished a yellow.
VAR then took a second look and it was a clear red, with the Saints winger late and high, giving Graham Scott no option to send him off after being instructed to watch it again on the pitch-side monitor.
10 vs 11 and we were well on top, with Shelvey pulling the string and Saint-Maximin having the beating of him man every time, but there was one issue – our woeful finishing in the final third (or should I say Dwight Gayle’s woeful finishing).
The former number 9 got on the end of an exquisite cross from Shelvey, but his point-blank header was straight at McCarthy AGAIN, and he fired another golden chance wide moments later after a brilliant run and cut-back from Saint-Maximin.
Another big VAR incident then came, with Sofiane Boufal adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. The video assistant referees took their time, but it was clear he leaned his arm into the ball and a spot kick was given.
Matt Ritchie stepped up and a pretty tame effort was saved once again by an inspired Alex McCarthy, who’d picked the perfect day to play like Oliver Khan in his prime!
We should’ve gone into the break at least 0-3 up, but instead made it another 45 minutes in the league without a goal – and more importantly gave Southampton that slight glimmer of hope they should have NEVER had going into the second period.
They gave as good as they got for the first 15 minutes of the second half, with neither side creating many clear chances, and Steve Bruce made a change on the hour mark as a result, bringing on Joelinton for Ritchie; who’d missed a penalty, been booked and failed to capitalise on our first half dominance despite all his best efforts.
Shelvey then began to go off the boil, misplacing more passes in a 2-minute spell than he had in the previous 60 and Jamaal Lascelles then had a stupid 30-yard effort sail over – which was proof a resilient Southampton were starting to frustrate us.
Lazaro then came on at right-back for the solid Manquillo to give us a greater threat down that side, but we weren’t creating much and the game threatened to fizzle out into another 0-0.
Then, the man of the moment stepped up. Allan Saint-Maximin.
His winner came via some awful indecisive defending from Valery – who failed to deal with Longstaff’s chipped ball in behind – but Saint-Maximin got in ahead of him, burst into the box and poked the ball in off the post past a previously unstoppable McCarthy.
The celebration that followed and resultant scenes in the away end were brilliant, with the goal not only securing a big 3 points in a game we had several huge chances to win, but taking us WELL clear of the drop zone after today’s results went in our favour.
With Bournemouth losing in the early kick off at Anfield, Watford being beaten at Palace and West Ham losing it late at Arsenal, we’re now 8 points clear of the bottom three and have leapfrogged Southampton in moving up to 13th.
A game that should’ve been MUCH more comfortable than the scoreline suggests, but a huge win all the same and improved performance – even if most of it was against 10 men!
Sheffield Utd next up at St James’ Park.
HWTL!
Read an article by Martin Samuel today, where he was arguing why Football has changed forever due to Coronavirus. He thinks the big transfers will be reduced, the wages will be reduced and there’ll be clauses in the tv contracts from now on. Will sponsors be paying as much? Will the tv deals be as big?
Will NUFC be worth as much as Jabba thinks it is? Almost certainly not. I wonder if Jabba is thinking about bringing the price to a range that’s actually acceptable to buyers…
Stuart79(Quote)
Martin Samuel is a giant (in all senses) Rent-a-Gob. The DailyhateMail give him a platform every weekend to spout about whatever he wants – brings up 5 subjects and throws them against the wall to see what sticks. He has no more insight into where this is going Stuart than you or me. He is a publicity hound and pontificator.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart mate, I am shocked that you of all people are listening to Martin Samuel. Read back what you have said on here recently and you are the one who is against the chicken littles whilst being a bit of one yourself with some sky is falling stuff 🙂
Still, you are not Martin Samuel who makes his living as a doomsayer on everything and this Covid-19 has just given him more of an excuse to spout his totally negative view of the world.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, I just thought it was an interesting article.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart 🙂 🙂 🙂
Testing times, but not the end of times and if you listen to blowhards like Samuel it just fuels the panic.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Only bigots and morons don’t read or listen to opinions they don’t agree with. Everyone should at least try and see things from the opposite side. I happen to think he has a point on some things. It’s unlikely sponsors will be so Laissez-faire in their attitudes to football. I expect more stringent terms. It does show how brittle football is. The income isn’t as concrete as everyone thought. There’s still a financial hit to come. I suspect the season won’t finish and clubs will have to pay back some TV money and sponsorship money or receive less next season. That certainly impacts revenues of clubs and also their ability to spend the money on wages and transfers for at least a year.
How many will go bust below the PL?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart: if you have read Samuel in the past you will know he is the Sam Allardyce of journalism. I am happy to listen to contrasting opinions and then I will make my mind up. In Samuel’s case my mind was made up long ago and that is that he is a self promoter and pontificator that rarely has anything good to say about anything.
I am neither a bigot nor a moron if that’s what you were implying 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I also think there is money for PL football from the giant US tech companies like Facebook, Amazon and Google. There will be a big hit to finances for the lower division teams but the PL teams will recover quickly.
The tech giants need content and sports is a guaranteed driver of traffic to their sites.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Not reading much football journalism at the moment. I like this site because I value and respect most opinions on here and think it is usually very cordial, unlike some other blogs.
But looking at the football press and the podcasts it is all like dogs chasing their tails at the moment. All writing nostalgia stories and nonsense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And where the hell is Troy Stavers when you need to have an argument 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It would make sense for a decision to be made on the current season immediately. At least clubs in all divisions will have time to make provisions and get on with solving their individual problems. Lance the boil and get it done, let’s start again (a new season) in August (hopefully).
Stuart79(Quote)
makes no sense to make a decision on the PL season without letting this situation play out a bit longer. There is full panic mode on now which is the worst time to make a decision.
I fear that the PL powers that be may follow your lead though Stuart and Rseholes like Samuel will be their vanguard in the media.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu/Eric – thoughts on Samuel aside, I hope he’s right.
I understand a footballers career is short lived and they need to earn while they play – but money in football has just got ridiculous.
When you have teenagers who aren’t holding down regular first team places twisting that 10-15k a week isn’t enough – I hope that is a world we can move away from.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I have read Martin Samuel’s stuff and it has descended into just **** shirring in the past couple of years but that is what the paper he works for does in all of their “journalism”, so no surprise there. I think he worked for The Times at one point but those days are long gone.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – the problem is this isn’t just about who wins leagues and who is relegated.
There are a lot of players out of contract in the summer – who pays their wages beyond that date – can they join new clubs?! – but parent clubs might still need them as they don’t have replacements – can they buy replacements – what about players on loan. What about promoted team? – we know that play off final to the PL is worth huge money for clubs.
It’s huge for some clubs, particularly in lower leagues.
I don’t care about cup finals and things like that – but the longer it goes on, you could see clubs go under and out of contract players in lower leagues really struggle.
It’s such a complex situation I don’t think you can just say ‘let’s wait and see’.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stuart: I hope you agree that we can hold different opinions without it being a fight. I absolutely think we can differ in our views, talk it out and then agree I am right 🙂
(copyright Brian Clough. He supposedly said that about his Chairman at Notts Forest).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy, mate. My views on this are not set. They change as the situation changes and I am just as susceptible to the vicissitudes of what is going on as anyone else.
Interesting times as I said to Stewey earlier.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If Samuel is right and on the outcome of all this is that NUFC reduce in value – that is potentially a devastating thing for us though.
I don’t think Ashley wants to sell us at the inflated price of £350m – so if we suddenly reduce to £250m in 6 months I only see Ashley sitting more comfy in a hope that our value will increase once more.
The finances may reduce, but the popularity of the PL worldwide won’t – and so I suspect he will hold on to his SD advertising board.
At the same time, he will invest less than ever – because of the effects of Corona.
He may have to have closed his stores – but there is more than one way of taking advantage of this virus.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – no I know mate. I think they may be able to say let’s wait and see in terms of the competitive side of things – but guidance to clubs and players around the financial
Sharpy17(Quote)
… side of things – that needs some real clarity.
This site is p!ssing me off!!. It keeps jumping all over the placing who I’m posting!! ???
Don’t know if it’s all the adverts dropping in on a delay or the number of posters, but it’s bloody annoying!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
dito mate
icedog(Quote)
Olly – yous are still clearly working on the site coz the click bait articles are still going up thick and fast.
Any chance of a new one for us die hards, who continue to regularly visit the site to post? – we’re getting up to 400 posts on this article.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – we can all agree and disagree without falling out. That’s called being an adult.
It’s not realistic to expect the season to be completed really, without it impacting so many things like Sharpy has already pointed out. Let alone the impact on next season and the national tournaments ect…
It’s unlikely we can finish it in good time without knock on effects and we can’t finish the season with 9/10 games left and just have the table stay as it is. Now that is messing with the integrity of the competition. Just void and move on. Or at least if we can’t start by 1st June we need to void it.
Stuart79(Quote)
Playing a game at the weekend and a game in midweek it will take 5 weeks to complete the fixtures for this season.
To complete by 30 June fixtures will need to commence in the last week of May.
With luck the virus may be on the wane by then and these games can be played and possibly played behind closed doors..
The fa cup and the promotion play offs can then be deferred until late July and the clubs involved can treat these as pre season warm up games..
Players out of contract on 30 June should be given the option of having their contract extended during this time or if they move to a new club they should not be allowed to play for that new club until the next season starts.
sidekick(Quote)
It’s the lower league clubs i feel for, can’t see many surviving if this goes on past 3 or 4 months.
All that mankind has achieved, technology, ground breaking science , walked on the moon, built amazing monuments and all manner of amazing acts .
Yet here we are, at the mercy of a tiny microbe saying to us, come and have a go if you think your’e hard enough.
It would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic.
KIMTOON(Quote)
The FA Cup could easily be completed. It only affects 8 clubs and they have to play a maximum of 3 games. With us facing Man City our likely number of games is 1.
The fact that PL clubs don’t enter until January means you could finish up the FA Cup in Sept and Oct.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: I almost want the season to be voided just to see the reaction of Liverpool and Man U fans on twitter etc if Liverpool are not awarded the title. It would go on for years and would be infinitely tedious but that would be part of what makes it funny.
But it wouldn’t be FAIR. Cancel the season if this goes on for a few more months but Liverpool are so far ahead they deserve the title.
You cannot relegate anybody in my opinion, but you can promote the automatics. It is a pretty simple solution.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hi,
I was actually planning to do a more in-depth piece next week and have done one on an Australian fan who travelled all the way from Sydney to SJP only for the game to be cancelled (which I was planning on putting up as a new thread ).
I apologise if this section has been neglected, but I’d hope you can appreciate why I’ve felt under pressure to keep the views coming in during these tough times. It’s not been my intention.
As for the dig at the articles going out, that feels a bit unnecessary mate – especially when I feel like we’ve done well to get the articles out we have done over the past few weeks in the circumstances.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
On the subject of that article on the Aussie fan, it’s now a new thread as planned
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2020/03/29/i-cant-put-into-words-how-devastating-this-is-nufc-fan-reveals-how-covid-19-killed-his-sjp-dream/
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Kimtoon: for the good of the game I think the PL clubs have to give up some of the TV money to save lower league teams because, as you say, many will go bust otherwise. 10 million per team = 200 million to dole out. That really wouldn’t have that much impact as each get 100 million and more as it stands.
A lot of these teams are big parts of their communities. Look at Bury. You don’t want 50 or 100 Burys.
The PL clubs have feasted on the TV teet for 30 years. It is time to give back. That is not socialism it is altruism if Stuart wants to argue. Warren Buffett has pledged his fortune to charity when he dies, the Gates foundation has spent billions on noble causes such as eradicating malaria and Bezos of Amazon has announced he will be donating 10 billion. The world and their smarts have treated them well and they are giving back. Time for the PL to step up and do the same.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Totally agree mate
KIMTOON(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2020/03/29/i-cant-put-into-words-how-devastating-this-is-nufc-fan-reveals-how-covid-19-killed-his-sjp-dream/
My chat with an Aussie fan who had his NUFC dream ruined by COVID-19
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge35EQtCWQA
😀 😀 😆 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)