Steve Bruce will praise the players’ effort and talk up the quality of the opposition, but that was another drab hour and a half of football to endure from a Newcastle United perspective.
Keeping the score semi-respectable at Man City will probably please the NUFC boss – his expectations aren’t exactly high! – however we never looked like scoring, with several players showing a clear lack of confidence on the ball and Darlow forced to make several top saves (yet again!) at the other end to keep the score down.
It was a damage limitation job in truth featuring a team sorely lacking in belief and a Man City side that never had to get into their stride to sweep us aside without breaking sweat.
Those who continually defend Bruce will say “it’s Man City, what more do you expect?”, but 12% possession in the second half and a reluctance to lay a glove on a City side well below their best isn’t much fun.
Steve Bruce called the negative reaction to our midweek defeat at Brentford “quite ridiculous” – a pathetic response to some very deserved criticism and one that was made even more laughable when you consider the painful 90 minutes that was to follow. There was plenty commitment and no one downed tools, but it makes a mockery of his ambitions that he called our performance “good news” when speaking to BT Sport after the game!
Avoiding an absolute hammering isn’t worth of praise. Instead, it only increases the feeling of apathy within the fanbase, with every game of ours feeling painfully predictable…and not in a good way.
Bruce made five changes from the side that lost to Brentford in midweek, taking out Lewis, Shelvey, Sean Longstaff, Fraser and Wilson. Back in cam Schar, Fernandez, Ritchie, Matty Longstaff and Joelinton – with the latter left alone up top after we reverted to a five-man defence.
We actually started the game OK, pressing well, being strong into the tackle and getting a few decent early balls into the box.
They had 65% of the ball on the 10 minute mark, but we’d limited them to just one dangerous cross into the box at this point, with most of the early play seeing them pass the ball across their back four and struggle to get their creative forces into the game in good areas. It didn’t take long for this to change, however.
It was their first meaningful attack, but all it took was a Cancelo pass in behind Ritchie to set Sterling in on goal. The angle was tight for the England international, but he was given far too much time to make his mind up and pick out an unmarked Gundogan who tapped in from a few yards out.
It had been a half decent start in some respects, but once again poor marking and ball watching cost us.
The goal seemed to break our spirit a little (not that we had all that much to start with!) and saw us sit even deeper, yet the most frustrating thing was the way we so often went backwards (once again!) the rare time we got the ball into half decent areas. It stunk of a team who aren’t used to attacking and players who are clearly lacking in confidence.
We had the odd half chance as a good Almiron cross and Joelinton flick only just evaded Schar at the back post, but we were lucky not to be 2-0 down when a De Bruyne one-on-one was blocked well by Darlow.
City hadn’t got out of third gear and looked relatively lethargic. There was a chance for us to pull off the ‘Christmas miracle’ if we really wanted it in the second half, however we needed to do more than hoof it up to Joelinton, put bad balls into the box or go backwards the odd time we got possession in their half!
After all, you need a shot on target to score a goal and we didn’t have one in the first half, highlighting what would need to change if we were to get back into the game in the final 45 minutes.
Five minutes into the restart and it was City who should’ve made it two, with Stones miscuing a header that was put on a plate by a De Bruyne free kick that beat everyone in black and white.
Another one that we got away with to give us a fighting chance. Our first shot on target then followed via a brilliant bit of hold up play by Joelinton and good ball in behind by Almiron that set Murphy away down the right, however the latter’s shot was well hit and well held by Ederson.
Moments later and it was a moment of Miguel Almiron madness that ultimately put the game to bed. He dithered on the ball in a bad area, had his pocket picked by the impressive Cancelo and his cross then fell to Torres after a last ditch interception from Fernandez allowed the Spaniard to finish from close range.
Once again, we didn’t clear our lines well enough and were punished.
2-0 City and that felt like game over….not that many Mags sat at home genuinely felt like we were in the game at 1-0!
City were now in cruise control, enjoying just shy of 80% possession at this point as they looked to see out this one with minimal fuss. You’d like to think we’d now push for a late goal that might just give the hosts something to think about late on – Bruce did say we’d “get stuck into them” – but we continued to leave Joelinton horribly isolated and barely got out of our own half. It was a damage limitation job from start to finish, not an attempt to genuinely respond to that shocker at Brentford.
Had Darlow not pulled off a few miraculous saves the scoreline would’ve got ugly, meanwhile our only efforts of note in the second half were two decent strikes from Jacob Murphy – the only player in our side who didn’t look scared to carry the ball forward at times!
Next up, Liverpool at St James’ Park next Wednesday followed by another home clash with Leicester in our first game of 2021!
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Hit the wine too early and fell asleep. Saw like the 1st minute but it doesnt seem like I missed much. I actually recorded it, but I just deleted it based on Olly’s write-up 🙂
I did notice that we played in B&W rather than that horrible banana strip. I never get why we play in the 2nd and 3rd strips when there is no colour clash. How many of those can we possibly sell, like 3?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly, mate. Whatever we think of the 40 mil on Joelinton, Bruce has actually had a lot more than the 100 mil you quote he has spent. Ashley has allowed him to bring loan players back and free agents.
Fraser – was valued at 25 mil, and touted for Arsenal
Hendrick – cost Burnley 12 mil
Gayle – a loan brought back but Championship teams would have paid 10 mil before CV-19
Murphy – loan, brought back but cost 12 mil.
The 100 in transfer fees is actually a lot less than Bruce has been allowed to use on the squad. There’s another 60 mil in the players above and Bruce has us playing 9-0-1 every game. Not just against Man City but against Brighton, and big parts of the game against the likes of West Brom FFS.
It is the Fat Man’s fault because he hired Bruce. BUT fatty gave him a decent budget and decent players, so Bruce must own up to his appalling (non/un) coaching.
He is a fat tw@t and should fck off back to his cabbage farm.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Chronic say Bruce has a “huge” decision pending on who he plays in goal. I have no idea who is the better ‘keeper now given how much Darlow has improved. I would say they are about equal. There is no way you can drop Darlow, and that is saying something coming from me who was probably his biggest critic. But that was before this new iteration where Karl is so much more than just a shot stopper and can command his box and makes good decisions. He wasnt like that before !!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think the Villa fans threw a cabbage at Bruce! He does look like some sort of 80s stuffed toy and a cabbage. He has been called cabbage heed, the Corbridge cabbage, he sort of resembles a cabbage patch doll, Mrs Doubtfire and Bagpuss. We should recruit one of the journos who are allowed into the games to present him with a cabbage after Liverpool. John Gibson? He has nothing to lose as he is a zombie anyway.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yeh, players like Fraser would be worth big money if under contract!
He’s lucky Mike Ashley only wants to stay up, because most owners looking at the squad available to him would be hoping for so much more.
This squad has obvious limitations, but the way Bruce throws them under the bus and lowers expectations makes it seems as though we’re just happy to be in the PL and trying our best to survive!
Look at Hassenhuttl at Southampton. They didn’t have a better squad than us 12 months ago, but he’s given them identity, a clear plan and has developed so many players in their team. Bruce is the EXACT opposite.
His luck is running out. It’s always been unsustainable and now it’s showing. Worst bit is he calls any criticism “ridiculous”. It’s never his fault.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
They tried to defend and made a reasonable fist of it. The three centre backs were the best of the outfield bunch. That’s about the best I can say. At least the whole team did some pressing this time and even made it work sometimes. But there is nothing going forward, is there? Win the ball and then what? – pass it back to Darlow to pump it long! Then do it all over again.
Brisvegas(Quote)
If you leave your best 2 strikers out (Wilson, Gayle) you are unlikely to have much up top. Saving for Liverpool? That should be interesting! Will we do any better? Top o’ the League Ma, Top o’ the League Ma.
Now this time I wouldnt begrudge a win for Brucie as it would be against the entitled Red Bindippers and it would be funny to see their reaction. I still want him gone but that overrides it in the short term.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yep BrisV, I am thinking of naming Darlow – Karl-the-hoof. Same tactics as Arrogant Alan and Ugly John when we played Timmy-the-hoof.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
All we need now to revisit those bad old days is to win a foul on the half way line and have Clark stand on the edge of their box in the vain hope of knocking it down to our player whilst being marked by 3 of theirs. Like video tape had never been invented for the opposition Managers to view and Mike Williamson could actually jump.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Remember Ugly John? He barely had 11 to put on the field some weeks. Bruce does, even with Covid and injuries (who are coming back). This SURRENDER that we will see from Citeh to **** will be even worse than Carver. How can that be possible 5 years on?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
When did this start with commentators having to fill every second of time with constant YAP? Was it Motson? Or was it when they introduced the the co-commentator? Most games over here are with British commentators and their remit seems to be to give me every stat that has ever been known about every player and every team in their history. I know they have some sort of laminated pad that is colour coded for each player to tell you when he last scored or was last sent off or last took a ****. Martin Tyler is incredibly boring but we can go one better with Arlo White. They overdescribe. But White used to do radio and overdescribes to the extreme like we are a radio audience. Just STFU will you now and again!!! We do not need to know a players’ inside leg measurement or that he had a curry with his wife last Saturday night!
I have to turn the sound down on Tyler and White for the 1st 10 minutes of every half so they can get their totally useless and boring facts out.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Glad i didn’t watch it live is all i can say.
Bruce out
Ashley out
December 26, 2020 at 22:43
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Lee Ryder
@lee_ryder
Steve Bruce: “My remit is to keep Newcastle in the Premier League.” #nufc
10:34 PM · Dec 26, 2020 from Manchester, England·Twitter for iPhone
Not sure you can even manage that Steve. 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqM6JNmW8AMG6QF?format=jpg&name=large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqM6JeeW4AMzUUh?format=jpg&name=large
posted on Eds site
kimtoon(Quote)
That’s just what we need as well – for Arsenal to start to turn it around 🙂 I watched the match and the 1st half hour was the commentators moaning about how **** Arsenal were and bringing up stories of 92-93 I think it was when they were last shYte – pre Wenger.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And then, they go 3-0 up against a very talented Chelsea.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Deja vu all over again Kimtoon.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kimtoon: do you know that Bristol and Newcastle are only 9 miles apart in Maine. Bristol is a port town and Newcastle, Maine is famous for shipbuilding. Who’s have thunk that? I didnt know until I looked into going there. They say the ships built in Newcastle, Maine were sent around the world and were world famous.They were sailboats. I may have to have a look and see if there is an old Swan Hunter sign. Not going until May when hopefully I will have been vaccinated.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I havent even watched the game. Got up at 6am to watch more interesting games but then started drinking at 10 to numb myself for our match. That resulted in having a whole bottle of wine before our game even starting and me falling asleep, as I mentioned earlier.
I think that was the best use of my time as some of the other games were actually good. Villa tore Palace a new one even when they were down to 10 men. Man U and Leicester was entertaining. When was the last time we could say that about a NUFC game. It is always backs to the wall.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, If Ashley has learned anything, anything at all, he will ditch Bruce before our diagnosis becomes terminal, AGAIN.
I keep saying it but what has happened to our good defensive play that we had under Rafa ?We were in the top 6 or 7 in the league for defensive form for the two seasons previous to Bruce’s arrival. Further more we were clicking up front towards the end of Rafa’s tenure and the football was just starting to get exciting.
Cue Jabba , sabotaging everything again, pis s off Rafa enough so he walks, lets Rondon go and bring in Bruce of all people. Ye Gods it’s enough to make you weep .
I am so sick of the anti football i’m watching, couldn’t face last nights game MOTD was enough for me and i won’t be watching Liverpool game either.
Why should we invest time and energy on a team the owner seems hell bent on ruining.
Cannot wait for the day he sells up, noone could be worse at decision making than Ashley .
kimtoon(Quote)
Very interesting Eric
kimtoon(Quote)
There was nothing to praise for only going down 2.0 either Bruce, since City didn’t even get out of second gear last night from what i saw on MOTD.
They had 78% possession and over 800 passes
kimtoon(Quote)
That’s the second game I’ve ducked out of. I just can’t watch anymore of this rubbish.
Heartbreaking!
georgio(Quote)
Bruce’s post match interviews are so petulant, it’s really pathetic.
People dare criticise a lose?!?!!
To label it mass hysteria after the Brentford game.
Maybe if he came out and give us any indication he gives a **** rather than excuse after excuse. So we’ve had players with COVID – so have other clubs!!. Okay so we’ve had more than most – who’s fault is that???. Is it just coincidence that other clubs have been luckier than us or dare I suggest they have managed it better and not cut corners?! – just a thought.
Sharpy17(Quote)
City didn’t get out of first gear yesterday & once they scored they sat in idol for the rest of the game coz they knew there was little to no threat – I remember Murphy having our 2 ‘best’ chances.
I know Almirons agent was talking up a move. He looks like he’s left already. Joelinton takes a hammering, but Almiron is doing nothing.
Thought Matty give a bit more energy in midfield & he’d be in ahead of Sean at the moment for me.
Having watched the Man Utd game earlier & the Villa game – it’s just so unpleasant watching our team – horrible to say, but true. This along with John Carvers NUFC are the worst I’ve seen NUFC play.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It is funny that we have all given up at the same time. As I said, I started day drinking so I could watch and thankfully fell asleep. I just watched the last 10 minutes of Wraith’s youtube that has fans doing live commentary. They said we had 12% possession in the 2nd half which is the lowest in the history of the PL. And Bruce says stuff about histrionics from NUFC fans!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: I know I have made fun of Ugly John but for a couple of games he only had like 10 fit players. Even with Covid, Bruce has a decent squad to choose from. He CHOSE to rest Gayle, Fraser and Wilson!!! And now we have Liverpool and our bogey team – Leicester. Should he rest our best players (apart from our goalies and a covid St Max) for them as well?
I dont know the answer but I do know HE HAS NO PLAN. What do his coaches do all day as well. Certainly not practice set pieces. The 3 Steves (Stooges) are a fcn clown show. Bruce makes Donald Trump and Boris look coherent.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Could it get any worse ??? Yes !!!
Fraser has a new injury. Shelvey has a groin strain and Dummett and Hendrick are “under the weather”. Most of us are wary of Shelvey but he does provide an option.
This is on top of the no news on St Max.
We really are screwed!!!
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ryan-fraser-injury-newcastle-united-19525520
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I watch a lot of football/soccer mainly because American sports are almost unwatchable because of all of the commercial breaks they cram in. Covid has seen me watching even more. I can say that the worst team to watch in the PL is Newcastle United. Worse than Fulham. Worse than West Brom. Worse than Sheffield United. Maybe Burnley could compare, but I think even they are more entertaining.
We have better players than all of them and yet Bruce tells us we dont understand and things are getting better and slates the fans for histrionics. He knows best! He seems to think. Ask a Villa fan. Ask a Mackem.
You should all go to NUFC.com and read his quotes from yesterday’s game. They dont really make comment on it but it is there in black and white what he said. And what a load of b0llocks it is!!! Just a diatribe that should be flushed down the toilet. Verbal diarrhea is not a strong enough denouncement of what this man is saying now. He is worse than Pards. Worse than Ugly John when he said he was “the best manager in the world” (well, almost 🙂 ).
Where do we find these people?! Lint in Mike Ashley’s belly button could do a better job than Pards, Ugly John and the Corbridge Cabbage/3 Steves.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I still find it amazing that Bobby Robson had Ugly John as his coach.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Moyes even has West Ham doing a high press. Then they will drop back a bit but not to a 9-0-1. Not all on the 18 yard line like us. Yes, even Dour Dave who everybody thought was a dinosaur and past it, has adapted to the new reality of the Premier League. Maybe he watched some videos of Leeds or Liverpool! Pass a few on to Brucie will you Davey? Do we even have a video room?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
WHam B’ton is not a bad game. The Southern Presses golden boy (Rice) messed up but he is a good player, not worth 70 mil though!
What I am saying is that WHam managed by Dour Dave are a more interesting watch than us. FFS, how has it come to this!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It makes it much more interesting when West Ham are actually going for it and not just sitting back and waiting for a counter attack. They have better players than Brighton. They are not just letting them dictate the game like we did. WE HAVE BETTER PLAYERS THAN BRIGHTON and they beat us 3-0. If Dour Dave can change his spots then what is wrong with the Corbridge Cabbage? Ah, Moyes was actually a decent Manager at certain points for Everton. Bruce never was at any of his clubs. He was always a breath away from a death spiral. And we are seeing that in its full technicolor glory at NUFC now.
I might be with Sharpy now that we might not see another win until March. The Sheffield game becomes very important now. I think we will only need 34 points to stay up but that will probably mean sacking Bruce.
Bruce Out.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Klopp is furious and we may be in for the backlash. Big Fat Sam got a lucky draw with Bruce tactics and was even more smug than ever. I dont think we will be so lucky. Plus, Liverpool had 17 shots. It is unlikely they will be as profligate again and I expect even more shots than that against us – probably 25.
Now we have even more injuries and our best player out. If people/pundits are expecting a backs to the wall draw I think they are dead wrong.
Now Ally McCoist is saying Bruce might be in trouble. No **** Sherlock. The fan base have been against him from the start and his bizarre press conference musings are making him look foolish. It is only his pundit pals that cannot see it. I think it is like 98% want him out – the “histrionic” ones 🙂 – and the other 2% are probably Mackems voting in polls to cause mischief.
#BruceOut.
#DarlowforEngland
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is going under the radar with them being in the 3rd Division but the Mackems are in really bad shape with Covid. I wish them well. I dont really have much against Mackems apart from Jordan Pickford and the only person I wanted to die from Covid is Donald Trump because he is a danger to the world.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stewie might not agree with me on Trump, but the US assassinated Bin Laden and did he cry about that? The plot to kill Hitler would have been celebrated if it had succeeded. I usually do not agree with assassinations but in the case of Mad Men I think it might be justified. US also tried to kill Saddam Hussein and Gadafy so is there any moral high ground here when I say that the only good thing to come of Covid would have been that it killed Trump.
He will continue to be a blight on the world even when he leaves office.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think they used British air bases when they tried to kill Gadafy.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, we are so gonna feel the Liverpool backlash from that draw with West Brom. As if things aren’t bad enough.
Oh dear.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – exactly what I thought when I saw that result last night!!.
I dare bet Bruce thought it too so let’s see how he sets up for that one ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I recorded Liverpool/West Brom and have just started to watch it. What surprised me is that they still let fans in. It doesnt make sense. Look how fast things moved in London where there is now a complete lockdown. Rememeber Liverpool were slated for letting Athletico Madrid fans in.
This time it is not Liverpool’s fault it is the PL. They should just say that the situation has changed and we are no longer letting fans in. I bet they do that before their next home game.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That didnt last long – I could only watch 5 minutes of it as Big Fat Sam immediately set up in a 5-5-0 formation. It was like watching us without any emotional attachment.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Greg Norman in hospital with Covid. This is interesting to me because very few have described the symptoms the way Norman does. You usually see that someone is on a ventilator and either dies or recovers. On MD websites and such they describe everything in such a dry way you dont really get a feel for what it is like to have this terrible virus. Even after Boris was in intensive care and Trump helecoptered to hospital I still think some did not take it seriously. Trump officials certainly didnt as they were amending warnings from their own health officials to try to advance herd immunity, even as a vaccine was close. Goodness knows how many that killed.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/dec/28/greg-norman-back-in-us-hospital-with-hideous-covid-19-symptoms
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I actually think it is totally irresponsible of the Premier League to let fans in on Boxing Day. They can see the trends just like the rest of us and they knew the likelihood of almost all of the country moving to tier 4. What do you expect from them though, they are idiots!
As I have mentioned a couple of times I cancelled a trip to FL that I had planned next month, too risky. If the circumstances change you change your behavior! How can the PL not see this? Also, as I have said before seeing NUFC players laid low and a couple possibly being out for more than a month brought it home. I am lucky that no-one I know has had it so I may have even been a bit cavalier in my attitude despite the warnings and the 24 hr news coverage.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I took a trip a couple of months ago but I weighed up the risks and they were completely different to what they are now. Chicago had opened up restaurants and bars and the trends were down. My destination, Oregon, had the lowest infection rate in the country. And the trend was down there as well. I looked into air circulation on planes and it is different now than a few years ago. They send the air over the engines to superheat it and then feed it back into the cabin. It kills all germs so you are probably safer there than in a bar. My only fear was the airports.
Having gone I saw 1st hand the precautions the hotels etc were taking. They had put plexiglass at their receptions to minimize contact. Closed breakfast rooms. Stopped maid service. They let you get coffee and a mini-brealfast in the lobby but even wrapped the fruit in cling film. They did everything they could and still it got worse!
So, I dont think I was irresponsible given the info I had but I do think the PL are irresponsible now given the info THEY have.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Kimtoon posted a link earlier in the week about Bruce using the term “histrionics”. I just read an article on Football365 that says this is not the first time he has referred to fans in these terms. In summary.
He said it about Mackem fans and was sacked 3 months later.
He said it about Villa fans and was sacked 1 week later.
How can he do this again? He should know that this will lose any fans he had left. He must be in some sort of bubble where all he listens to is TalkSport pundits and Peter Crouch.
Ashley will wait too long though and we have to pray a new Manager has at least a bit of time to salvage the season. I am hoping Bruce goes by Feb 1. I have said it before but he only has 18 months left on his contract and I believe he is the lowest paid PL manager. Ashley has to protect his investment. He gave Bruce 100 million so what’s another 2 mil in compensation.
I actually think we are much more attractive to a Manager than when Rafa left because we have better players. January transfer window just about to open and we have the 2 loans available. A decent central midfielder and we are solidly mid-table. We certainly have a better squad than Sheffield, West Brom, Palace, Burnley, Fulham, Brighton.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, they are still taking the knee. The problem with all of this, whether you agree with the sentiment or not, is when do you stop? I dont have the answer by the way. Will it still be a ritual in 2022? How did the clapping on 17 minutes end at NUFC?
Part of how this started was from an NFL quarterback called Colin Kaepernick. He objected to racism and took the knee as a protest during the national anthem. He is a very good player but his views have cost him his job. Of course Agent Orange weighed in and basically said he was a traitor and since then no NFL team has signed him.
Just giving a bit of recent history on taking the knee.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
OK. Watching Palace/Leicester and just got the ultimate proof that these co-commentators have no clue or never watched an NUFC game. This time it was Matthew Upson commenting on Perez tracking back. He said that is a side of his game that is much improved by Rodgers. Has he ever watched Perez play, like ever!!! That was the one part of his game you could rely on. His work rate was always excellent. And who did he play under for 3 years – Rafa Benitez. One of the most demanding Managers ever. If you didnt put in a shift, you didnt play.
I despair of these pundits. What comes out of their mouths is just pure ****.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Liverpool will kill us on Wednesday. I see another palace type game where they thrash us 7-0. They will be on the rebound and need to prove a point. What better way than against us, the most lethargic team in the league.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Man City game postponed.
I think I have been the only one ranting that this is much more dangerous than the PL have made out. Who did Man City play on Saturday? Yes us!!! Are WE likely to see more cases? I dont know. We have had enough infected already and are still seeing the effects.
The PL have pretty much ignored this. Their protocols are stupid as they reduced testing from twice a week to once a week. They also let fans back in when cases were ramping up. Just pure stupidity and what you would expect from them.
Now Man City are infected you will see things change. The PL ridiculous rule that if you have 14 fit players the game goes on will now change. Mark my words. It needed either a death or a ‘big” team to get infected.
This is not under control.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I mean, the Govt had changed the Xmas rules to 1 day from like 5 and had basically shut down the whole SE of England. How could the PL let fans into Anfield. Are they just stupid? Boris and pals were also telegraphing that the whole country was about to go to tier 4. Again, how could the PL be so stupid!!! But now City have the virus they will change their protocols/testing and no fans will be allowed into ANY games.
What a bunch of fools.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I said a month ago that if I was a footballer I would refuse to play against NUFC when they were announcing 10 players and more staff with Covid. I might rant, but I am usually correct with my observations.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They showed Brendan and Mr Roy chatting before the game and their mouths were about 6 inches apart. No masks and Hodgson is 74 years old. They did a fist bump after the game but I think it is much more dangerous to be breathing the same air and exhaling onto someone than a bloody handshake. I have ranted many times about this on here but they do not know what they are doing. Not the PL and not the clubs.
Interestingly, the one club that seem to be taking this seriously and know what they are doing is Sunderland who have called off their games independent of what the EPL say.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I actually think all of the games should be called off now until the weekend and until there has been another 2 rounds of testing for all players and all staff. No fans in grounds. This bubble theory only works if there are no infections. If there are infections then the bubble probably helps the spread. I am not a Dr but it is common sense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, we know the Man City game is off because of Covid. If I know then John Terry must know. They just showed him hugging ex-Chelsea staff and doing a little finger rub with them. But you cant shake hands and until recently it was elbow bumps only FFS. They all have no idea what they are doing. I am sure Man City had the same testing as Chelsea and Villa and yet Terry acts like it doesnt matter.
If the rest of us have to wear masks and social distance then so should they. I dont care what they say about the testing that is proving to be hit and miss at best.
This is serious and they act like the testing is the be all and end all. It has now been proven that it isn’t.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Actually, with the whole of the SE in tier 4 lockdown shouldnt a 74 year old Mr Roy be at home isolating anyway!?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Brilliant and unlucly by Grealish. He does have some Gazza about him if he stays on his feet.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Again, watching Chelsea/Villa. The physios and drs just came on and have masks. The 4th official has mask. The managers DO NOT have masks. The subs are social distancing. The players are all hugs and spitting. Can anybody explain any of this to me? I assume they have all done the same testing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am not going to apologize for ranting about this coz Man City just glance in the general direction of the PL and their game is called off. We sort of had to beg to get the Villa game called off and then they insisted on West Brom going ahead when we had loads out and many more unfit. Wasnt it 2 days training and Hayden had been in bed for a week? But when it happens to one of the “big 6” then they take it seriously. W@nkers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They were going to allow 2000 fans at Everton today. That makes no sense with things moving so quickly.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Luke Edwards reporting there will only be loans in January. It was pretty easy to see that one coming although I think it might change if there is desperation by the end of Jan. It will probably hinge on beating Sheffield Utd.
If we get 2 loans we would have to make room in the squad. Who should leave? I nominate Sean Longstaff for a loan so he can get himself together. There is talk of Matty but he doesnt count against the 25. How about Carroll? Yedlin?
The problem with January loans is they tend to be out of favour players who have had little gametime. Look at last year or when we got Slimani. They tend to need a month to get up to speed.
Who did we get last year?
Bentaleb – complete bust.
Rose – C minus, he did OK in a couple of games and we needed the cover.
Lazaro – did OK and you could see his potential but needed time. Even when fit, Bruce would sometimes not play him or bizarrely play him as a wingback where he was ****. Couldnt tackle to save his life.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Aye, remember that? Bruce playing Lazaro at wingback. He didnt understand the position with his positioning and tackling being way off. Yet more evidence that Bruce and his coaches havnt got a clue.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont think there is any hope against Liverpool but there have been a few odd results for them – West Brom, Villa 2-7, Palace 7-0. They have a lot of injuries, like us! I think they miss Van Dijk’s steadying influence and Klopp seems to be totally manic on the sideline whether they score or concede. He seems a lot more tightly wound than last year.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Manchester Evening News are saying that City believe their players picked up the NEW STRAIN of the the virus on their trip to London for the League Cup BEFORE Christmas. Should our game have even gone ahead if this is what they believed and with us dealing with the continuing consequences of our outbreak? The virus is the only valid excuse Bruce has for our recent awful performances although I doubt much would have changed if we had a fully fit squad such is Bruce’s incompetence.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC i enjoy reading your posts,this blog would be in a bad way if not for you,and SHARPY and Kim do well,keep it up guys
icedog(Quote)
Cheers Ice. I think i am pointing out the obvious with Covid because it seems everybody has been incompetent and it is still blo0dy happening. Would the PL have cancelled our game if we had gone to them on the morning of the game. Would they fck. Unless it comes out that City have 10 players with Covid this is favouritism.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am finding it very difficult to predict a team. I think Bruce will put out what he considers our best team because it is a home game and we have a few days before Leicester. I am sure Wilson will start if fit. But I am not sure who else is fully fit because of the noises from Bruce about fatigue. And for all of the grief I and others have given Bruce you have to admit some players have let him down. I would point to Lewis, Sean Longstaff, Shelvey, Yedlin, Rithie and even Miggy. It could be coaching though!!!
I know he sets us up to fail and the players must feel that but have some pride lads.
I suppose Bruce criticizing the fans is better than him throwing the players under the bus.
I promise that is the last positive comment you will get from me about Bruce unless we do not get slaughtered tomorrow 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It would be so funny if we beat Liverpool after pretty much the whole fan base and now press contingent have turned. Not the pundit pals though. Peter Crouch even defending Bruce. I thought he was one of the good guys. Anyway, Bruce would be like the cat who got the cream. I watched the Allardyce after match interview and he was almost breaking his arm patting himself on the back.
I have nothing against West Brom but I want them relegated now to wipe that smug look off his face.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, i thought Wilson had an ankle knock ?
kimtoon(Quote)
I really dont understand how the press are letting this Covid stuff slide. None of them are even questioning what is going on in football. The only teams in the PL that can have fans are on Merseyside because they are CURRENTLY tier 2. Didnt they learn anything from London?
I sort of dont understand why we were required to play our games with so many players out. That rule that if you had 14 fit players you played was just stupid. They just bent the rule for City so what do they do now? They disadvantaged us by making us play when 10 players were infected, even though we beat West Brom. But our “bubble” had been compromised, just like City’s is now but they cancel their game on 4 hrs notice.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That’s what they say. I think it was an excuse so Bruce would not be accused that he had given up on the City game and was saving Wilson. I know, conspiracy theory, but what do you expect after following NUFC. All the Covid cases are now coming to light. The only confusing one is St Max and why he is in France.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kimtoon: you know I do not believe a word that comes out of our club. When they say a player will be out for a month, you just double it. Then there is the secrecy which has been spotlighted by the Covid cases. And Charnley saying there would be more open and direct communication and then saying nothing publicly for a year. Remember when they kept calling off the fans’ forums when we had a run of bad results!!! Not to mention the Rafa travesty where nobody had a clue what was going on and suddenly he is on a plane to China.
It has all made me so cynical about what the club tell us and they are never really held accountable for anything by the local press who keep saying they have our (the fans) backs.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So Wilson is fit according to Bruce. Told you!!!! But Dummett and Hendrick are “poorly”. WTF does that mean when we know the team were ravaged by Covid. Just tell us. Then he says Shelvey has a sore groin because of an operation a month ago. More like 2 months and it was a hernia. Does he think we are stupid?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, after Olly’s report of what Bruce said about the team I can do my expected 11 now. It’ll be a 5-4-1.
Darlow
Murphy Krafth Fernandez Clark Ritchie
Miggy Matty Hayden Joelinton
Wilson
Eric Sykes(Quote)
you knew against city we would lose. SB might as well be waving the white flag when he picks Joelinton.
Eric – I think he’ll start Schar and Yedlin. 3-6 1.
georgio(Quote)
SB enters waving the white flag – joe starts.
Eric I think he’ll play and Yedlin. 3-6-1.
georgio(Quote)
site behaving wierd
georgio(Quote)