A disappointing day for Newcastle United, with Manchester City the dominant force in a 0-2 win at St James’ Park – making our wait for a trophy move up to 66 years…
We came into it in the second half after switching back to a four-man defence – making some wonder why Bruce went back on his promise and started with five – however a moment of madness from Fabian Schar, a huge miss from Dwight Gayle and a moment of quality from Raheem Sterling was the difference in the end.
It may seem harsh to point the blame at certain individuals tonight given our collective effort and Bruce’s approach wasn’t good enough, however the mistakes made were suicidal when up against such a slick Man City side.
We all knew how tough this was going to be without our 12th man and 52,000 in the terraces, so the fact we gave them too much respect and didn’t impose ourselves on the game until it was too late was such a shame. Yes, going toe-to-toe with City can be a suicide mission, but you can’t get to Wembley camped in your own half…
Bruce made four changes and went back to a back five. Schar came inwith Ritchie ruled out with a knock, Shelvey only fit enough to make the bench, Carroll replacing Joelinton and, to many’s surprise, Darlow continued to get the nod in the cup, coming in for Dubravka.
The game started as you’d expect, with us camped in our own half and City absolutely dominating possession.
The early signs were pretty ominous, but we kept them at bay well, tracking runs, blocking passing lines where we could and throwing bodies in the way of shots, until Mahrez found some space in the box and fortunately smashed over the bar from a David Silva cut back.
This was our warning sign, and a few close shaves followed. First a fizzed cross from Kyle Walker was nearly poked home by Jesus, then there was another Mahrez shot from range – only this one came within inches of creeping past Darlow.
Carroll was proving to be a handful when we threw it up to him, but he was too isolated and needed more support, with there often being no other player in a black and white shirt in Man City’s half when he got. It was tough to watch.
We were defending resolutely and got into the first drinks break at 0-0, but a City goal was coming if we didn’t get out and attempt to impose ourselves on the game a little more, with us making 15 passes to City’s 188 after 27 minutes! It was pretty painful to watch and embarrassing at times. OK it would be silly to go toe-to-toe with them, but we looked too terrified to get out of our own half.
As the above suggests, a goal was coming if we put a single foot wrong. And that error arrived 35 minutes in, with all our good defensive being undone by a moment of stupidity from Fabian Schar, with him giving away a penalty via a needless push on Gabriel Jesus.
De Bruyne then stepped up and did the rest, sending Darlow the wrong way. 0-1 City and we can’t say it hadn’t been coming, but the nature of the goal was so frustrating and avoidable.
A moment of madness from Schar and perhaps an example of why Lascelles and Fernandez get the nod ahead of him when we go with four at the back..
We got into the break at 0-1. A part of me was thankful we were only one goal behind, with City no doubt feeling they should’ve scored at least two or three, but the frustration was how avoidable there goal was.
It was announced at half time that we’d be playing Arsenal at Wembley if we managed to turn things around in the second half, but that was only going to happen if we got out of our own half and tried to get back into it.
The second 45 began and it was immediately noticeable that Schar had moved into midfield, with him playing just behind Longstaff and Hayden in a three. It was a risk-reward decision to go back to a four-man defence, but a much needed positive move from Bruce. After all, we were never going to get an equaliser if we remained camped in our own half with 15% of the ball and not a soul within 30 yards of an isolated Andy Carroll!
Pushing up the pitch was a good start and we were seeing more of the ball, but key man Allan Saint-Maximin needed to up his game if we were to get back in this. There were signs of improvement from him and Carroll continued to be our human cannonball up top, while it was noticeable how both Hayden and Longstaff were making forward runs into the box now we were seeing more of the ball.
We weren’t creating chances, but we were finally in the game for the first time, with it finally seeming like a competitive game of football on the hour mark.
Bruce then freshened it up with 25 minutes to play, bringing on Joelinton and Gayle for a frustrated Andy Carroll and worn out Almiron, and Gayle very nearly made an immediate impact.
A fizzed cross from Saint-Maximin fell to him just six-yards out, but Gayle couldn’t keep it down. THIS was our big chance to get back into the game and an absolute sitter, with an error at the other end of the pitch costing us this time.
Moments later, we were then made to pay in brutal fashion as Sterling picked up the ball, skipped past his man and curled a controlled finish past a scrambling Karl Darlow.
It could and should have been 1-1, but a few minutes after Gayle’s huge chance and it felt all but over as City moved into a 0-2 lead.
Gayle will get pelters, but he fact that the players proved we could threaten in the second half makes that first half (and the approach used by Steve Bruce) pretty questionable. Easy to say in hindsight, but it was all too little too late.
Bruce then took off a tiring Saint-Maximin and Manquillo with 15 minutes to play, bringing on an injection of pace down our right in Lazaro and Yedlin.
The game was all but over at this point, with City moving into cruise control and the visitors coming close a few times through Sterling.
Matty Longstaff then made his first appearance for many a month, sporting a lockdown cut if I’ve ever seen one and potentially appearing for his last time at St James’ Park if no new contract can be agreed over the coming weeks.
Joelinton came on and put himself about, but the game fizzled out and City ran out 0-2 winners.
A case of what might have been if Schar didn’t give away that stupid penalty and Gayle hadn’t skied that sitter, however it’s been a nice change to see us enjoy a cup run.
Let’s hope we can go a step or two further next year and beat Bournemouth on Wednesday!
Olly – it’s not unfair to point fingers at all. City are by far and away a more talented side than us – world class in pretty much all positions.
We simply can’t match them for talent – but workrate and aggression costs nothing – and that’s where I would expect us to match them.
We’ve won nothing in years. We have a Geordie in charge and we are safe in the league – we didn’t we want it as much as them???? That’s inexcusable.
Name me one Newcastle player who walked off that pitch tonight having ran themselves into the ground?!.
City are a brilliant footballing side. But they weren’t brilliant tonight – they didn’t need to be. They didn’t get out of second gear. We didn’t up our game in the second half, they slowed down.
Bruce bottled it. Truly pathetic.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Overall a poor effort. The lads didn’t look up to it at all. Sad way to go out. It shows again why we need new ownership to breathe life into the club.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
I am going to repeat this until I am blue in the face. Bruce has not been good, he has been lucky. His pundit Pals can give him all the love they want, but they are idiots. If Phil Neville says Bruce DESERVES to stay you should think the opposite. Doing the opposite to what PNev says should be written in every junior school curriculum.
What we saw recently was a couple of decent performances and an about face from some fans regarding Brucie. Don’t be fooled. He is not good enough. I dont care if the players like him. He is Pardew mark II, Moyes, Allardyce, Ugly John, Schteve. We will never get anywhere with him at the helm except, ultimately, relegation.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And I will say this again.
7 games to go.
My prediction is 5 points. And we are playing some pretty **** teams.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have to say I can’t fathom Bruce’s tactics. Yes in the league where gd is important but in the cup? We’re safe in the league and whether we got walloped 15-0 it wouldn’t have mattered.
Let’s be honest, North Shields could have gone and done what we did yesterday against City.
Stuart79(Quote)
Lowly Norwich showed us ho w we should approach cup games. I am not blaming the players. The way we played is down to one man – Bruce.
Groucho(Quote)
I was annoyed with Shearer as well last night. I know he’s pals with Bruce and wouldn’t want to slaughter him on TV but he joined in with Lineker and Micah Richards blowing smoke up City.
This acceptance that we will get overran just coz it’s City really annoys me. We didn’t give them a game in the first half – and Shearer is there as a pundit to call that. Whether you like Gary Neville and Roy Keane or not – at least they call it honestly on Man Utd.
People are praising Bruce for making the change at half time and moving Schar into midfield. We were awful the whole of the first half – why wait til half time??.
We made only 15 passes by the first drinks break – it was clear in that first 25 mins we were getting totally overran. He made no changes and we were lucky to only be 1-0 down.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Pathetic performance. City are good but nobody has been that bad! Shameful.
Gayle, Longstaff, Carroll are not PL standard. Almiron looks shot and cannot play right wing. Lazaro and Bentaleb are useless. It’s season over and a wholsale overhaul is needed. Start with Bruce.
georgio(Quote)
I am really mad at myself. I predict that we will get 5 points from the remaining 7 games but I would be really happy to beat Bournemouth and West Ham and to get 10 points form the last 7 games. I am a total contradiction when it comes to NUFC. I think one thing and want another.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Even more contradictory. I would be happy for Bruce if we got to 49 points. We have played **** football but I dont mind the guy. He is not Allardyce are Pardew – 2 complete tw@ts.
Just as long as Brucie is not our manager next year 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I turned off the radio when we went 2-0 down. Ando had been depressing me up until that point anyway and his co-commentator is almost as bad.
How long has Ando lived in England? 40 years? You would imagine he could pronounce a T-H by now. “I tink dats tru on goal dare loike”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So the couple who got sacked because of that white lives matter plane banner, actually deserve zero sympathy.
Both were found to have made disgusting racist comments on social media.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1300385/Burnley-fan-White-Lives-Matter-banner-girlfriend-sacked-racist-comments
I have seen screenshots of said comments and unsurprisingly her twitter account is now closed.
Pair of scumbags, glad they got sacked.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – agreed, and I’m not sure many would argue the point, but I still think the Dr should be sacked as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
But back to last nights game. It should hopefully put into perspective the role Joelinton has had to try and master since he’s came in.
Andy Carroll is arguably one of the best ‘target man’ in the league. The CF you play it into and he holds defenders off, lays the ball off or wins you a freekick.
Joelinton isn’t a natural target man but has been asked to play that role since coming in.
Last night, Carroll with ASM and Almiron (as Joelinton would usually have) was unable to have any real impact on the game at all. Left isolated with no support and ended up in a 5 man midfield.
I have had sympathy for Joelinton before, but equally questioned how much his inexperience or ability to perform that role played it part. Seeing Carroll struggle last night left me in no doubt – we have expected miracles from Joelinton and judged him harshly because of his price tag at times imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Testing first comment
Testertest(Quote)
post keep disappearing again and still having to refill in my details
kimtoon(Quote)
There seems to be the view that Bournemouth are this underdog team in a cute 10,000 seater ground. Sorry, but I checked the website Transfermarkt and their team is currently valued above NUFC. They are also betting the farm on staying in the PL as their wages make up 86% of their income, most of which is from TV. If they go down they will have to sell players. But look at their spending, in Euros
Jefferson Lerma 28 million
Nate Ake 23 million
Solanke 21 million
Danjuma 18 million
Jordan Ibe 18 million
Phillip Billing 17 million
Remember, until Miggy arrived Michael Owen was our record transfer at approximately 16 million pounds.
Bournemouth are not that cute club on the south coast anymore.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont know what it is like in Britain but nobody seems to know what they are doing about this CV-19 over here. California opened its bars and is now closing them again. Miami Beach is closed on the 4th of July. There have been so many smug politicians lead my the Orange Man Baby himself just ignoring the facts. Now the whole Government apart from Trump have done a U-turn on masks and social distancing.
I dont know what to believe anymore. There is a phased re-opening in Chicago but judging by everywhere else this cannot be trusted.
I am not sure if this could have been managed any worse and seeing pictures from Britain it looks like the UK Govt are no better. So many mixed messages. They contradict their own Drs who have been assigned to manage this crisis over here.
It seems pretty obvious to me that you shouldnt pivot from total lockdown to rallies in megachurches or people crammed like sardines on Bournemouth Beach.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The USA has the most expensive health care system in the world and yet cannot get a handle on the CV-19 thing. It looks like the European Union are going to ban Americans form travelling there beginning July 1. Two days time FFS.
I am not even sure if I could fly to Britain if me 78 year old mam got sick.
What a mess.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Jeff King – have you watched the Keys and Gray show? It is totally bizarre. They rattle on about non-stories for most of the show and can only get has-been guests. Typically it would be the likes of Pards wanting some sun and a free golf game or Allardyce wanting a free pint of wine or 2.
Then there is John Cross who after many years has still not figured out that when he puts his laptop on his desk the camera points straight up his nose. Not a good look. And all he yaps on about is Arsenal.
The quality of their guests is a reflection of their current standing in the football world. When Bein sports lose the rights to the PL they will become more of an irrelevance than they already are.
Your Keys quote shows he is losing it but I already knew that having watched his, and his nodding dog Andy’s, show.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim, whilst I am obviously completely against racism it does bring about a much more nuanced debate. Should someone be sacked for Tweeting stupid things? Should the guy who organised it have been sacked for doing that? I know she Tweeted something offensive and got sacked but what do we do with these people? If you sack them, then you’re by definition saying they shouldn’t have a job. Where will that get society?
I’m also interesting to know if you believe that University lecturer should have been sacked for her racist comments? I’d certainly argue teachers should be sacked for holding views like that. They’re in a very privileged position and have influence over young people. The fact she actually got promoted instead is indeed the very reason that society shortly will be in bits. It’s storing up an awful lot of resentment
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, yep, i think i said already i didn’t agree with what she tweeted and probs should of gone. But lets be clear here what them two did and tweeted was hateful and it was that that got them the sack not the banner.
Don’t know if you seen the tweets, i have seen screenshots of a couple of them by both of them and they are racist bile of the lowest form. Yes they needed sacking, i’m pretty sure i and most decent people could never work or socialise alongside anyone like that.
The tweets were not stupid things Stu, it was racist in it’s worse form, nothing can justify it.
kimtoon(Quote)
What’s more they don’t regret what they said and did apparently.
Stupid is as stupid does.
kimtoon(Quote)
I see the costa del sol has a new outbreak of covid with a 100 new cases
not going away is it 🙁
leicester full of it too and has lockdown extended.
kimtoon(Quote)
me to mate,so i just dont bother,ime sure Shamrock fixed it the last time if hes about
icedog(Quote)
But Kim, my question was, what does that do to society? You’re essentially saying anybody who tweets hateful things shouldn’t be allowed to have a job. Are you just throwing them on the scrap heap and hoping they don’t turn into career criminals?
Stuart79(Quote)
Ice, it’s really frustrating mate .
kimtoon(Quote)
Covid isn’t going anywhere until we get a vaccine if we ever do. In Leicester they’re locking down again. I can only hope that Leicester is being treated differently due to their multigenerational households. We really mustn’t get dragged into the nonsense again about locking everyone down. Lock the vulnerable away yes but not the healthy. It doesn’t make sense.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, the only people stopping them getting a job or keeping one is them. They have said they don’t regret what they have done! so they admit they are racist and unless they can fix themselves up with a likeminded employer ( not likely ) they have effectively made themselves unemployable.
Question, would you be happy to employ him ?
kimtoon(Quote)
If he or she had the skills required to work at your business that is .
kimtoon(Quote)
You haven’t answered my question. Are you saying that anybody who tweets something that is seen as hateful they shouldn’t be employed? If it’s a yes, what do you do with them? Would you let them use a food bank? Or would they be able to use the NHS? Would you allow them to claim benefits?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, i just remembered , one of them was offered the chance to attend a racial awareness course and refused.
That’s an olive branch that was offered but not taken because there is no remorse .
What does it say for society ? Well it says we will not tolerate antiquated bigoted views. We will offer to educate you so that you understand what you said and did is hurtful, unacceptable and try to make you realise we are all human and skin colour is not an acceptable reason for hatred and abuse, the same as any, creed or religion isn’t.
Live and let live without prejudice over the colour of ones skin or religion should always be everyones aim imo.
You will sadly never change the way some people think, many things will have structured their lives to the reason as to why they behave and say what they do. They may not want to change their views and that’s their prerogative but they will then have to accept they are becoming the minority in that mindset .
The world is moving on and people like that will be left behind.
kimtoon(Quote)
Stu, it depends what you mean by hurtful things ? there are subjects that as you well know are total no go zones and each statement or tweet has to looked at in context imo. Racist tweets and statements are a no go as far as i and many are concerned. I personally could not work alongside someone with those views but each to their own .
You haven’t answered my question either, would you employ either of them at your company if they had the skill set ?
Also imagine if you had someone from the bame community in your workforce and you hired one of these two ? difficult situation that .
kimtoon(Quote)
Stu, yes i would allow them access to benefits, nhs, foodbanks, why on earth wouldn’t you .
kimtoon(Quote)
Well you wouldn’t allow them to have a job but you’d allow them to take tax payers money and take food from people who didn’t Tweet hateful things. That seems a little bit odd to me.
I don’t know whether I’d employ either of them because I don’t k ow the full facts and I don’t know them.
What I do know is that if we did what you wanted there’d be many people out of work in this country, resulting in social inequality and poverty. That seems to be the opposite of what you want in society from what I have seen you comment on the years.
It’s never a straight forward situation and there are many different and difficult dynamics in certain situations.
Using your logic Jo Brand would never work again for tweeting Nigel Farage should have acid thrown in his face, the university professor shouldn’t ever have a job again and the millions of people who have tweeted hurtful and prejudiced things (often when drunk probably) in the past would be instantly out of work.
Not a good way to help those who are most probably at a disadvantage right from an early age I’d suggest.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, i would allow them access because they are human beings and everyone should be given the basics in life. Do we not give food and warmth to prisoners what ever their crimes ?
A person who tweets when drunk, something stupid will usually be very apologetic the next day and show a level of remorse, these two didn’t.
Your answer to my question is a kop out mate, would you or would you not employ someone who tweets racist rhetoric ?
They have said they don’t regret it what more proof do you need.
kimtoon(Quote)
And if you did employ them and you had an employee from the bame community how would you address it as an employer ?
I’m actually really interested to know how you would address it.
kimtoon(Quote)
From what I saw, Kim the lad said he doesn’t regret flying the banner. So what? The banner was futile and childish – nothing more.
Just think it’s odd that you are happy to throw people on the scrap heap of life because of what they think and Tweet. Do you think that would help them or do you think that would make them more angry and therefore make their actions worse?
Stuart79(Quote)
Kim, you’re going in like the guy was a leader in the KKK. I wouldn’t employ anybody like that but I certainly wouldn’t employ or not employ anybody based on what it says in the papers and on what people Tweet. Twitter is about as real life as little pixies and unicorns.
Stuart79(Quote)
😆 😆
OK , So you wouldn’t employ anyone like that, so you are agreeing they are now unemployable yes ?
You are saying i’m going on at him like he’s the KKK, nope, just your standard boring knuckle dragging racist mate.
By the way you do realise real people tweet real thoughts don’t you. They made those tweets as fully grown adults not kids.
You constantly change the narrative from the original discussion, you can bring up other hate tweets all you like, we can discuss them on an individual basis and in their context if you like.
What was at the heart of this point i originally made was that they are a pair of racist who have shown no remorse or any desire to go on a course to re educate them about racial awareness. They would rather be unemployed than take the course and save the job they have. The employer confirmed the course was offered .
kimtoon(Quote)
I won’t feel too sorry for them, i’m sure they will land another job with a like minded employer somewhere.
I feel sorry for the decent people who have lost their jobs due to covid not that pair.
kimtoon(Quote)
Stuart – the Government are doing the right thing in closing down all areas where there is a surge in Covid.
Florida came out of lockdown four weeks ago after a few weeks of very few cases.
From last week both the Florida hospitals my son and daughter -in-law work in have been overwhelmed by new cases.
My son says that this wave is a bit weaker than the first one but that the fatalities are mainly with previously healthy people in their late teens up to those in their fifties.
I went to Tesco last week , no staff wearing masks , about 90% of customers not wearing masks – totally stupid and if people can not use their common sense then this virus will close the whole of the UK again.
Sidekick(Quote)
Agree with that, i see so many carrying on like everything is back to normal. Think our government was a bit quick to stop the daily briefings as it looks like there is no need to worry anymore when it’s still a big problem albeit less deaths at present. Got a horrible feeling that will change soon.
kimtoon(Quote)
I went outside to a bar last night. Outside seating. Socially distanced from my friend. Quite a few people were out, especially for a Monday night.
The CV-19 rates in Chicago are low so I hope I will not get sick. Not like FL and TX.
Doubt if i will die even if I catch it as I have no underlying health issues.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I haven’t been out socially since March 16 so it was driving me a bit nuts. I have watched the local news to see how bad it was around me and there have been pretty much no new cases for weeks. I am trying, and have tried, to be socially responsible and hope I can get on with my life now. Will not be going to Bournemouth Beach though 🙂 That’s a step too far.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, there was a news story about a family who took their small kitten on a 200mile round trip to Bournemouth last week in those 31c temps. They got reported to the RSPCA by others on the beach . RSPCA went to the beach to talk to them. They said the kids didn’t wanna leave it behind !
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: me and Stewie Thatcher are in total agreement that our lives will not be ruined by CV-19. You have Lewis to worry about and that is who you need to take care of.
It is almost as complicated as the NUFC takeover 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Listening to Radiohead.
Thom Yorke sings in an American accent.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Real shame we are not keeping Jetro, i really thought he was good.
kimtoon(Quote)
Which track ? i’ve never thought he sounded American .
kimtoon(Quote)
How to disappear completely.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim – When I mentioned “I wouldn’t employ anyone like that” I was referring to the KKK. I don’t know the truth in what has happened but I know he got sacked for arranging the banner on a plane and the police said it wasn’t illegal. His other Tweets were historical so he wasn’t sacked due to that.
Free speech and freedom of expression really is dying on its ****. Unless of course it’s aimed at white working class people then it’s like a buffet – help yourself without fear of being pulled up on anything you says double standards mmm.
You don’t seem to be too bothered about the millions who have lost their jobs due to Covid, Kim. Especially when you’ve advocated this all along. At one point you even suggested all these jobs will come back. Just another 4500 gone from EasyJet today. Quite a lot of them in Newcastle.
I’m sure they’ll be delighted that their jobs will be back shortly.
So that’s people who say upsetting things on Twitter you wouldn’t employ and also millions can go without their jobs to prolong a few thousand lives for a few months whilst contributing to the likelihood of hundreds of thousands dying from poverty and malnutrition.
Sounds fair…
While we’re at the double standards – can anybody explain to me why none of these bleeding heart liberal types are demanding John Maynard Keynes statues and things named in his honour aren’t being removed? The guy was a big proponent of eugenics. Another uncomfortable fact for the liberal lot…
Stuart79(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2020/06/30/bournemouth-a-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups-2/
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Please see my previous post where i wrote i feel more sorry for people who have lost their jobs due to covid than a couple of racist. You are trying to make me out to be some heartless cow who doesn’t care about anyone who lost their job due to covid.
Wrong on the twitter issue too, stop putting words in my mouth and twisting one subject round to another that suits your agenda better.
I clearly stated that we can discuss upsetting/bad tweets on twitter on a base by base issue if you like.
To get back to the case i originally posted about ( racist tweets ) as i said she was offered racial awareness course but turned it down. No remorse by either of them.
As for eugenics, are you suggesting i’m part of this bleeding heart liberal lot just because i support BLM ?don’t even go there Stu, seriously mate, the likes of my boy wouldn’t be here if we lived under that ideology. To even suggest i would be linked to some group supporting that is just disgusting. That’s what your mate Cummings believes in.
I’m not engaging with you anymore for a while as the eugenics thing has really upset me.
goodnight.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well I won’t be apologising, Kim, as it wasn’t my intention to offend you. You can only take offence you can’t give it. It’s unfortunate that you’ve assumed I was referring to you even though I thought I was making it pretty clear I was starting another topic after ending the original one.
Stuart79(Quote)