A day to forget for Jamaal Lascelles but an entertaining 2-2 draw at St James’ Park, with us coming from behind twice via well worked goals from Miguel Almiron and Jonjo Shelvey.
Our unbeaten run in the Premier League now stretches to 6 games and it’s another point, however there’ll be a feeling in the dressing room that this was a missed opportunity to secure a potential top 10 finish.
That being said, we scored two lovely goals, continued to carry more of a threat and be easier on the eye in this new formation, only for a few lapses of concentration at the back to cost us.
Bruce made just a couple of changes for this one, with Almiron replacing the injured Sean Longstaff in the number 10 role and Hayden coming back into the side in place of Bentaleb – who was a little unfortunate to not keep his place after impressing in a holding role at Bournemouth.
Many, including myself, were frustrated to see Lazaro left on the bench AGAIN after impressing from the bench in midweek, however Bruce went with Joelinton and ASM out wide, with Almiron playing just behind Gayle.
We flew out of the traps on Wednesday and raced into a 1-0 lead, however things went in the complete opposite direction from off in this one, with West Ham taking the lead within 4 minutes.
Manquillo couldn’t keep with Bowen after a smart ball put the former Steve Bruce target in behind, but it was Lascelles who made a complete hash of the resultant cross, with his scuffed clearance allowing Antonio to smash past Dubravka from six-yards out.
A rare mistake from the skipper and a nightmare start against a West Ham side who already had their tails up slightly from that huge 3-2 win over Chelsea in midweek, however we had plenty time to put it right.
Earlier in the season we’d wonder how on earth we’d get ourselves back into the game and score twice at this point, but we immediately came back into the game, passing the ball around nicely and responding just over 10 minutes later with a lovely team goal:
Some nice link up play between Joelinton and Gayle got the ball out wide to Saint-Maximin, whose ball out wide to Emil Krafth was fizzed across the box brilliantly and poked home by Miguel Almiron.
A great ball from the Swede and a good bit of movement from Almiron too, who’s now the club’s top scorer on 8 goals after bagging twice in consecutive Premier League games for the first time since his £20m move from the MLS!
So, 1-1 and we were well and truly back in it.
We didn’t always look convincing at the back, with Antonio’s pace and power causing problems and Bowen causing all sorts of bother – he would’ve scored if it wasn’t for a point blank save from Dubravka on the half hour mark – however we generally seemed like the better side against a West Ham defence who looked there for the taking when we got at them.
Half-time and it was all square, although it was a shame to see Hayden limp off with a hamstring injury just before the break.
The second 45 started slowly, with it going from a high paced game with plenty of action to a war of attrition up as we reached the 60-minute mark.
One positive was how good Bentaleb looked, with his clever footwork and slick passing catching the eye.
With 25 minutes remaining, it felt like a game that was there to be won for either side and it was West Ham who struck, with a Rice header that crashed off the crossbar being smashed home by Soucek on the rebound.
It felt like changes needed to be made to get us going again, with Carroll, Lazaro and Ritchie all on the bench, however we responded within 90 seconds!
Joelinton was involved in the build up once again, proving how much more effective he can be in a deeper role, but it was a brilliant one-two between Shelvey and Gayle that lead to the goal.
Another goal for Jonjo and David Moyes was fuming. West Ham defenders seemed convinced Gayle was offside (and I had my doubts!), howeber replays showed that a lazy Fornals was keeping him well onside by the corner flag.
2-2 and another brilliant response to going a goal down from Newcastle, which was then followed by a double switch, seeing Ritchie and Lazaro come on for Gayle – who did a great job up top – and Saint-Maximin.
At this point we were all hoping for a late push for all three points, especially when Andy Carroll came on against his the club that released him last year, however it was West Ham who would go close late on.
Dubravka made a few solid saves, doing well to stop a powerful Yarmalenko shot, but it ended all square, with us noticeably running out of steam from the moment Saint-Maximin was withdrawn.
An opportunity missed to move into the top 10 game we could’ve won if it wasn’t for a few poor defensive errors, yet a point that didn’t feel like the worst one in the world given we came from behind twice.
Next up, a trip to Man City next Wednesday!
Normal Lascelles is a a good defender and captain but coaches should drum it into players not to pass him the ball because he can only pass sideways and back. Strange decision to take Gayle off straight after he provided an assist. He shows good movement and anticipation. Carroll did nothing.
Groucho(Quote)
Normally
Groucho(Quote)
Had the girl and her chap for lunch, managed to get lunch on the table just before KO, so watched whilst eating.
Thought the ref was letting a lot of their niggly fouls go which was doing my head in. We should of pushed on at 2.2 really, but i suspected a draw today so not too surprised.
Joelinton offered nothing today sadly, Lazarro and Bentalab looked good when they came on though.
Hope Hayden is ok.
Monday the wheel fell off the lads indoor wheelchair, cost £180 for a new chair as unfixable.
Thursday the double solid wood wall kitchen cupboard fell off the wall, which less than a second later would of hit me on the head as i was just about to stand in front of it !
Saturday , the bolt snapped on the lads bedguard !
That has to be it surely, it only comes in three’s doesn’t it ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Get in Pool
that’s better
kimtoon(Quote)
There are quite a few places you can get NUFC content and I would like to make a comment on a couple.
Steve Wraith’s youtube is quite good and he certainly bashes out the “podcasts” in quick order and large quantity. Malcolm McDonald absolutely hates Joelinton. He spent 10 minutes tearing him a new arsehole today.
I dont mind The Mag and there are sometimes some good articles. But, for God sake get over Rafa. Didnt he leave a year ago FFS. There is at least an article a week on him usually comparing the stats with Bruce. Then, in every EVERY comment section of every article there is reference to Rafa.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Not to dwell on Joelinton but I thought Olly was a bit generous today. McDonald thinks he falls over too easily. That’s probably true and he never seems to get the foul. A bit like Perez last season, the Refs seem to just not give him anything. I actually think he has done OK in our recent resurgence except for today where his control was terrible and the ball seemed to just bounce off him. Should have gone off on 60 mins rather than 80 mins.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I wonder what the odds were that Southampton would beat City? I would definitely rest St Max on Wednesday and bring in Rose as he is more mobile than Manquillo. Lascelles could do with a rest as well but after his mistake today that might send out the wrong signal. I would also start Miggy even though he is probably knackered. Lastly, Bruce says Matty will be involved.
My expected team is:
Dubravka
Krafth Lascelles Fernandez Rose
Shelvey Bentaleb Matty
Lazaro Gayle Almiron
If we are 2 down on 60 mins I would get Shelvey and Miggy off, and one of the centre backs.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We play Watford away next Saturday. Would you take a loss if it meant relegating Villa?
Villa look to be most likely to be relegated. Take a look at the fixtures:
Villa
Man U home
Palace h
Everton a
Arsenal h
West Ham a
Watford
Norwich h
NUFC h
West Ham h
Man C h
Arsenal h
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We could rest Miggy in favour of Joelinton if we just accept the loss. Also, Shelvey needs a rest but we have no cover now. It would have to be Schar in midfield. Why not? When most teams play City it is 25% possession and their midfielers become defenders for most of the game.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Adjusting my team for City:
Dubs
Krafth Lascelles Fernandez Rose
Bentaleb Schar Matty
Lazano Gayle Joelinton
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I recorded the Wolves/Arsenal game and opened a bottle of wine and was looking forward to watching it tonight. Then I hear Phil Neville as the co-commentator. Froze the action then deleted the game. He talks too much. He always seems breathless even when he is describing a goalkick. How can somebody who has been in the game for 40 years know so little? My rule of thumb was always for any contentious call do the opposite of what PNev says and you will be correct. But now I have to either turn the sound down or delete the game. Luckily he hasnt been on a NUFC game this year.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If ever there was anybody who was stealing a living based upon the reputation and ability of his brother it is PNev. Judging by the job he did at the England Women’s team that appears to extend to coaching as well. GNev couldnt hack that but he had PNev as his assistant so I am not surprised.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
When PNev got the England women’s gig I predicted on here he would F it up. It wasn’t just because he is useless and I knew they would eventually tune him out like a Pardew mini-me. It was because I couldn’t understand how he could be in the dressing room pregame passing on advice. Even with a team talk they would have to all say they were decent wouldn’t they before he went in? Unless they all treat it like a Swedish mixed sauna?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Southampton played an absolute blinder against City yesterday. Amazing! I hope we can go at them on Wed rather than sitting back and treating them like something special. They can be got at, Southampton proved that. Maybe if our cup game had been after the Southampton result we may have approached it a little differently…
Oh, and I was sitting on last thread for the last few days… ?
Toon Toon(Quote)
Eric – if you had looked at the fixture list before the league restarted with 9 games to go , you would have been convinced ,like me , that the three teams going down would be Norwich , Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
I even thought that we were safe on 35 points ,but I expected us to pick up at least a couple of wins and a draw from our fixtures.
Sidekick(Quote)
Everyone knows that Joelinton is not a striker .
To be honest I think he would struggle to get game time in a league 1 or even a league 2 team.
Why on Earth did we buy him? – utter waste of £40m !
At least we only wasted £5m on Krafth.
And for my last take on yesterdays performance , Carroll being given another year on his contract is only a waste of a squad place.
Sidekick(Quote)
Sidekick: I screwed up the Watford fixtures. I had them all at home but they have West Ham away and Arsenal away. They have Norwich at home tomorrow and then us at home on Saturday. Win these and the pressure really is on Villa.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sidekick: I did see a stat that since the resumption the bottom 4 have had 51 points available to them and have taken 3 between them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am going to continue my stat attack just to show how **** the bottom 4 really are. They have played 17 games between them and these are the GOALS SCORED:
Norwich 0,1,0,0
Villa 0,1,1,0,0
Watford 1,0,1,0
Bmth 0,0,1,2
So that’s a total of 8.
NUfC have scored 10 in the games after resumption.
Apart from the 2 Bmth got at Man U it looks like a computer code 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And more, on a Points Per Game basis the bottom 4 have 0.18
You usually have to get about a point per game to stay up. Looks like a couple of wins will keep Watford or Villa up. Watford play at home to Norwich tomorrow. I will be cheering on Watford. I never like to see NUFC lose but I will be torn on Saturday. An entertaining, heroic 4-3 loss might be OK. Then we can make up for it by beating Spurs.
On a Goals Per Game Basis it is 0.47.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
As a team we looked knackered yesterday. Terrible defending from our normally decent players. We had 7 players in the six yard box when they scored the 2nd. Dreadful.
We did score another two very good goals though and that’s a lot since the restart.Some very good goals! Joelinton returning to his default setting – donkey.
georgio(Quote)
This might be the day we find out if the Saudi takeover is to be sanctioned by the Premier League.
The Government is going to release a blacklist of human rights abusers , preventing them from entering the UK and moving money through our banks and other institutions.
If Mohammed bin Salman is named on that list then I very much doubt the Saudi takeover will happen.
Sidekick(Quote)
You get the feeling the PL have been waiting for something don’t you – this may save them having to make the decision ??♂️
I’ve pretty much lost any confidence that it’s gonna come off, and Brucey is clearly getting sick of it based on his reaction in his post match interview yesterday.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Mohammed bin Salman does not appear on on sanctions list as far as I can see
StanHardy(Quote)
As far as I can see Mohammed bin Salman does not appear on the sanctions list
Stan Hardy(Quote)
All of the Saudis directly involved with the Khashoggi murder have been included on the sanctions list.
Hopefully Mohammed bin Salman has not been included on the sanction list and the UK government see him as too important for future trade with Saudi Arabia.
If this is the case then the Premier league should swiftly okay the Saudi takeover of NUFC – happy days !
Sidekick(Quote)
Sidekick – it would be happier days if MBS came out and agreed to help bring those on the list to justice – and did it.
It kind of feels like he’s dodged the list because of wealth and position – and I’m still a little uneasy about it all personally. I want Ashley our, of course I do, but the Saudis leave me a little concerned.
Sharpy17(Quote)
They’re hardly likely to put bin Salmon on the list of sanctioned individuals and jeopardise the arms and oil deals with the Saudis. This is a Tory Govt after all and I am sure quite a few palms have been greased. The G20 summit is in Saudi Arabia in Nov as well. Who do you think the high profile host will be having photo ops with world leaders? Yes, Mohamad bin Salman.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
… in a toon top ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I checked out The Independent and as yet Miguel Delany has not said anything about these sanctions on individuals and how it MIGHT impact NUFC. Same with The Guardian.
I am not an expert on any of this but it all seems a bit toothless, window dressing and lip service to a few in Parliament who want to make some sort of statement against human rights abuses. They are not Govt to Govt economic sanctions. No, they exist between the west and Iran. And who is the sworn enemy of Iran? The US in particular would look like fools if they had economic sanctions against the Saudis who are their main ally in the region to stop Iran going Nuclear.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We are 25-1 to win at Man City. They are 1-10 to win. I know Olly thinks odds are inconsequential but I disagree. They are at the very least a sentiment indicator.
And if anybody thinks that Southampton win v City means much they should watch the game itself rather than just look at the score. City could have had 10 but for the goalie and a lot of bad luck. It was like that game where we beat Spurs away and Krul made 27 saves.
Our only saving grace is that Aguero is out.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont understand why Silva is leaving, unless it is to make way for Foden. When we get new owners I would try to hijack any deal Silva has and bring him to NUFC for a couple of years. It would be like when Keegan brought Beardsley back when others thought he was finished.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The next 3 days could settle the relegation battle because of the way the fixtures set up>
Tues: Watford/Norwich
Wed: West Ham/Burnley
Thurs: Villa/Man U
You have to say that Watford and West Ham have good shots at a win and with Man U’s current form they will most likely beat Villa. A separation of 4 points between Watford and Villa would be very hard to make up.
I know we are no longer involved in a relegation fight but we have been watching it all year and most of the pundits had us down as dead certs to go down.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Here’s another stat attack if anybody thinks that that S’ton result against City was anything other than a miracle. City had more shots on target in that game than Leicester did when they beat S’ton 9 nil.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, political sanctions are just that – political! They often impact only lowly figures in regimes who’s actions we often don’t like. Many of the moral munchers would have ya sanction US politicians due to the fact they have the death penalty. Those same people want us to stop trade with Saudi Arabia. If they had their way we’d literally only be able to trade with Scandinavian countries…
I’m almost certain non of the Saudis who have sanctioned are involved in PIF or indeed actually in government.
The long this goes on the more chance of it being approved I wonder? They had enough evidence against the Saudi’s in May to reject the deal. Maybe they’re now just waiting for the Saudi’s to meet the conditions of approval?
Stuart79(Quote)
Manchester City Shots against Southampton 26.
Manchester City corners against Southampton 13.
The pundits are acting like it was a defensive masterclass. Was it fck. It was pure luck.
Do not be fooled. Man City will be up for it against us on Wednesday.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I was listening to The Guardian podcast and they were suggesting that the 1-0 loss to S’ton meant the Man City players might be tuning Pep out because he is so intense. What are these people on? I showed the stats from the Southampton game and there was no lack of intensity there from Man City players just a lack of luck.
Man City are 2nd in the PL.
They have the FA Cup still to play for.
They are probably favourites for the Champions League.
I do not know what these journos and pundits are smoking. I should go over to London and sort them out!!!!
I think they are trying to say it is some sort of Pep fatigue but that has been said many times before and then all he does is win another trophy.
CAN WE HAVE PEP FATIGUE PLEASE?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I see Piers morgan had Hatice Cengez on GMB today, he brought up the takeover and asked her opinion on it.
It’s getting ridiculous now, pass it or don’t pass it but get it sorted PL, or we’ll be going into yet another transfer window toothless.
They are now in real danger of hampering us for the new season . 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
Piers Morgan trying to stir the ****. You will telling me Richard Keys has hairy hands next.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It’s all getting more than a little boring. What on earth can the Pl be doing in taking this long. Unless, of course, deals are being done about future TV rights or something financial.
georgio(Quote)