If that was us playing with the “gloves off”, I dread to think what we would’ve looked like tonight with the gloves on.
The display was a typical abject poor show and the result keeps deep in the midst of the relegation fight. It really feels like this is only going to one way if Mike Ashley doesn’t come to his senses and sack Steve Bruce.
The reality of what we’re facing is scary and we need people with power to wake up and recognise that. It needs to be known that the two times we were relegated and then promoted before are not common things and I can’t see any single way that we could recover from this if we go down again.
Steve Bruce had said after the Sheffield United match that he wants the players to mirror himself and I want to reiterate to him that they are! He has a losing and negative mentality, and it is seeping further and further into the players.
I’m becoming desperate now. I’m desperate for something to happen somewhere because can I only see this going one way and it frightens me. The change needs to happen now. If this is delayed any further then there’s only one outcome and it doesn’t involve Steve Bruce becoming a managerial mastermind.
Bruce made eight changes from the Sheffield United match to make the team more attacking…in theory, at least.
Given that we had seen all of these players play in these positions before and play poorly (barring Darlow, M Longstaff and Wilson), I wasn’t filled with hope that suddenly Shelvey was going to run the midfield or that Joelinton was going to suddenly shine on the left, but it was certainly interesting to see that there was more positivity in the player picks than the match before.
I remember Bruce making a similar statement after a dire 0-0 draw with Brighton in 2019. He decided that now was the time to be completely attacking and dangerous, so naturally we lost 5-0 to Leicester. It really felt like he’d just got it the wrong way round. With Leicester’s quality, a more defensive display would have been sensible and a more attacking display against Brighton would have made sense. Starting this match, after the calamitous passive display against Sheffield United, I felt a big sense of déjà vu.
The key wasn’t to be “more attacking” or “less defensive”, it was a case of being more organised and planning to win the game. Bruce rightly spoke about the need for passion and pride in play but did he recognise that he had to instil that with pride in planning?
From the outset, it certainly seemed to be the case. There seemed to be a shape and there seemed to be a plan. One thing that was certainly prevalent was the clear sign of players chasing and harrying Arsenal.
Within 15 minutes, Arsenal started turning the screw though and Aubameyang missed a sitter in front of an empty goal and then slowly but surely Arsenal started turning the pressure up. Was this to be the result of Bruce doing it his way or was this a case of surviving a few waves with resolute defending before asserting ourselves again?
23 minutes in, we had our first attempt on the Arsenal goal with Almiron running from the halfway line on what seemed to be a promising counter attack but it petered out with indecision and ultimately a harmless shot off target.
One commentator, around 30 minutes, described the match as being under assault but that every now and then we stuck out “a jab”. Ultimately, with only little amount of time left to go, Bruce’s way seemed very much like the way we had seen plenty of times this season and last with the difference being that we were fighting back with as much effectiveness of a magpie fighting a cannon.
Darlow wasn’t being peppered with shots, which was a bonus, but the standing around and lame chasing had started to creep in. If we got around the opposition box, players seemed lost, dithered and in some cases nicked the ball off each other.
With all the positive planning, had they discussed what to do when they got near the thing with the net?
The end of the half left a question mark over the match and Newcastle. There were positive differences and some intent but, as mentioned by the commentators, there were still some of the same old passivity sneaking in.
Half-time and it resulted in the damning stat that this was now the 7th time in 18 Premier League matches in which we hadn’t had a shot on target in the first half…
The second 45 started scarily with a powerful shot from Lacazette forcing a brilliant save from Darlow and it didn’t take long afterwards for Aubameyang to fire Arsenal into the lead after Newcastle had overcommitted and Shelvey had poorly performed on a corner once again.
Our response to the goal wasn’t great and, if anything, Arsenal just kept pressing for a second, which they got on the 60th minute through a smashing goal by Saka.
Everything had become very familiar and our attacking prowess was completely null. Turns out that playing two at the top really is pointless if you can’t get the ball to them!
Bruce recognised the pointlessness of the two up front on the 68th minute when he subbed on Jacob Murphy for the Angel of the North impersonator, Andy Carroll, but by this point everything felt cemented (like Andy Carroll’s feet). What Bruce failed to recognise is that Carroll may have become useful had the player known for crossing the ball in Jacob Murphy had been on earlier and had been on with someone to effectively cross to.
Funnily enough, the uselessness continued and Newcastle were torn apart once again to allow Aubamayeng to add a third and it was around this time that I started staring at my cat and wondering how much easier life would be to be a cat.
This was not a good match and the déjà vu feeling of the Leicester match from 2019 raised its ugly face. This was not new from Bruce, no matter what he claims, and the result points to the same bare faced fact that he is not good enough and we are most probably going to be relegated with under his leadership.
This game means that we have no wins in our last NINE games, ONE goal from open play in 13.5 hours and SEVEN first halves this season without a shot on target.
This was not a reaction to Sheffield United match in anyway. There was nothing in this match. You can’t rest on seemingly having a plan for fifteen minutes; that doesn’t achieve anything.
The reality of this match are these stats:
- Shots – Arsenal 20 / Newcastle 4
- Shots on target – 6 / 1
- Corners – 7 / 2
- Possession – 66% / 34%
Bruce taking off his gloves seems to have only resulted in one thing: cold hands.
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Yes I can see why you said this is going to be your last job, who the hell else would let you run a team, Steve under your leadership were odds on for the championship , come on do us fans a favour and walk away,no tactics no idea no hope.
davep(Quote)
I have been saying it for ages but how can Shelvey still be on corner duty (or Ritchie for that matter)? They have proved again and again how **** they are at it. I dont care if they are considered (dubiously) to be our best passers but when the ball is dead they just freeze up. Same with Shelvey’s free kicks which 9 times out of 10 end up in the stands.
Who are the alternatives? Miggy? Lewis? Murphy? St Max? They couldnt do much worse.
How many times have we seen a bad corner or free kick lead to a breakaway? I think there were 2 tonight, but I am certainly not going to rewatch that dross to check it out.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It really does remind me of the days of Ugly John Craver when the only free kick routine we had was to lump it to Williamson on the edge of the box to head down. The other teams knew it as well and put 3 men on him.
As soon as we got that first corner I knew when Jonjo walked over what would happen. He has 2 in his toolbox. Hit the 1st man. Or a floater to the penalty spot where the defenders find it easy to get to or if our man gets to it it is too far out to trouble the keeper.
I have said it until I am blue in the face. Get him some videos of James Ward Prowse.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont know what we will do with Grealish and McGinn on the weekend. Imagine Grealish against Krafth. He wont even need to dive.
Is there time to get another Central Midfielder on loan before Villa? I dont trust any of them except Hayden. Is Matty as overhyped as his brother was? Neither has any pace and they cannot play with Shelvey who is binging nothing now. Where is Mo Diame 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That 2nd half was probably the worst we have played this season. Can anybody think of any single highlight. Add it to the first half against Sheffield and you have the worst full game. And Bruce did it “his way” and made 8 changes.
Assuming we play 4-4-2 the only chance I can see against Villa is if we play the following team:
Darlow
Manqillo Fernandez Clark Dummett
Fraser Hayden Matty Miggy
Gayle Wilson
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I will make a prediction. Phil Neville will not last 18 months at Inter Miami even though he has Beckham on his side. He is the 2nd worst pundit/commentator of all time. All you have to do is the opposite of what he says and you will be correct. Tommy (worst of all time) Smyth had the same affliction.
I will also have a bet with Sharpy. Wilshere will not play 10 games for Bmth.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Everybody probably knows I wouldnt trust Lee Ryder to rate a sippy cup on Amazon, but his scores last night were 2 for Shelvey and 3 for Joelinton. What do you have to do to get a zero?
Wor Lee usually gives players a 5 even if they were terrible so I suppose this is a start. He gave Matty a 5 🙂 He has become much more critical of the team and Bruce in the last few weeks. Makes you wonder what he has been doing for the last 18 months. He is one of very few people allowed to watch the games live. Maybe he was worried about a ban from Charnley?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Now that I think about it, Lee’s appalling journalism for the past 20 plus years may be coming back to bite him. The rest of us can turn our TVs off or not watch in the first place. He has to be in the ground watching this shyte.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry Olly, I usually agree with you but I am still laughing about the time you gave Joelinton a 9.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Maybe he won’t mate, but I bet he’s still more effective than any of our lot!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If you are playing 4-4-2 with Wilson & Carroll up front you want crosses going into the box – wingers throwing crosses in for Carroll to compete for & Wilson getting across his man.
Almiron played well last night. He caused them problems and made some good runs – but he’s not a winger & crossing isn’t his strength.
Joelinton could also provide ariel threat in a 4-4-2 – but he’s no winger either & did a lot less than Almiron. He’ll get slaughtered again today but people need to remember Bruce is massively failing the lad playing him on the winger.
He should have played Ritchie left wing and Murphy right wing imo. I know they aren’t the best, but for better balance with players suited to those positions & far more likely to get crosses into the box.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know I mentioned it last night, but the fact we don’t have a player that can put a set piece into the box just blows my mind.
The 2 corners that Shelvey took last night were atrocious. It’s not a one off either & he’s not alone.
Corners aside, I don’t think Shelvey offered a great deal in the game last night either. But neither did Matty Longstaff. I think every pass Matty made last night went backwards – he didn’t even look to pass it forward.
We have 4 midfielders playing very poorly at the moment in the Longstaff boys, Hendrick & Shelvey. I’ll say playing poorly coz I think they CAN play better than they are now.
If we are to improve, that’s the key focus imo. The midfield pivots everything. Bruce isn’t going to get 4 new midfielders either in Jan or the Summer – he may get 1 but they can only do so much.
He really needs to put some work in with those players on the training pitch – even if it means bringing in a new coach.
I was disgusted in Matty for the Saka goal last night. If you watch it back and focus on just Matty in the move – he looks across at Saka twice but makes no effort to get back & close him out – so poor from a young lad who should be busting a gut and desperate to play well and stay in the team.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We desperately need a midfielder who can get up and down, Run forward with the ball as we don’t have one. Tom Davies from Everton? That type anyway.
More utter rubbish from Bruce last night. Joelinton? Why? Hendrick? Why? Krapth?
Awful anti football from players who have lost it entirely.
georgio(Quote)
I watched Carra & Neville discuss Newcastle’s plight prior to kick off and thought they made some fair and valid points actually.
But what they said, and many others say too is – I think Newcastle will stay up coz their will be 3 worse teams than them this season. Plus, they have a goal scorer in Wilson.
I understand them saying that, but the reality is that there are no 3 teams playing worse than us right now – in fact, I’ve watched lot of footy this season & im not sure there is a single team playing worse than Newcastle on a constant basis.
Regards having Wilson – he is definitely a plus, but we are not creating for him!!. How many games is that we’ve failed to score in now???. It’s all well and good having a goal scorer, but he still needs his teammates creating chances for him – prime example, we bought him from B’mth ??♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bruce is now the bookies’ favourite for the sack at 6/5.
Bruce said Gayle was ill and it was not Covid related. Do we believe that story, I dont know but it is obvious that he is our best option to partner Wilson. He brings a bit more pace.
I read the aftermatch stuff in The Chrinicle and I couldnt see anything about why Hayden was not involved. We have matches thick and fast and perhaps Bruce was saving him. But will the cabbage even have a job to pick him.
I think some pundits are turning now because they are actually watching our matches. People are stuck at home and we had the Sheffield match on at 6pm on a Tuesday. Then there is MNF which is probably the most high profile match of the week because it is in prime viewing time and the only game on that day. What is there to say about a performance like last night. If they try to defend it/Bruce they look like idiots. We have known all along that we have been dreadful because we have watched the games. There is really no excuse for these pundits though as that is their job and they can see the stats.
We have all said that eventually Bruce’s our luck would run out and/or our goalkeeper would not save us. So far Darlow has hardly put a foot wrong but Bruce isnt getting the breaks he once was. If you have 1 shot on target you are unlikely to beat a team who score 3 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The team last night was probably better suited to Sheffield. One goal against them and their heads would have dropped and it would probably have been enough. Arsenal have only failed to score once this season so we couldnt play for a nil-nil. But he did still pick Krafth and Joelinton as well as Lewis. I think that was also Shelvey’s worst game in a B&W shirt.
You cant even say back to the drawing board with corners and free kicks. I have said it many times before but him and Ritchie must have taken literally hundreds of thousands in training and they are still **** at it. Time to relieve them of these duties or in Shelvey’s case just not pick him for Villa.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I really think that Bruce is now bookies favourite for the chop because people have been able to see what we are really like. You can fly under the radar somewhat on the weekend because people have other things to do even in a Covid lockdown. I mean, they have to go to the supermarket or give the dog a run out at some point and you are more likely to do that during the day in winter especially, you know, longer nights and all that.
On Monday Night Football especially, the whole football nation is watching. At least until we bore them enough to switch reruns of Dad’s Army. There is all the buildup and higher profile pundits that you dont get on the weekend because if your game is before or after Liverpool/Man U you hardly get a mention FFS. Same with a Tuesday night an extent, you are holed up on a cold winter’s night with nothing else to do.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know it’s not a popular option, but I do think Choundry would be a good addition to our midfield.
I know he done Ritchie, but I think he’s a player that strengthens us and id take him with an option to buy if we could.
Another id be looking at is Joe Willock from Arsenal. I think he would be a good player alongside Hayden.
Sharpy17(Quote)
As we fall apart, we are still not getting much national coverage in the press. They have their NE beat writers doing stories but most are day to day stuff. Their featured writers who pick their own topics are not focused at all on the debacle/melt down going on at NUFC. I know Man U get more clicks but NUFC is a bigger story in the middle of a season as we lose any chance of a takeover and implode like a British high street department store.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I would like to see someone in the national press or even the Chronic pick apart what has gone wrong at NUFC. What the 3 Steves are actually up to. Why we cannot take a corner. Why Joelinton gets picked. Who thought Krafth was any good? And much, much more. I mean it is just a repeat of Pards/Ugly John/Schteve in many ways. There is enough information for a book and we dont even warrant a couple of page article in The Guardian from their chief writers.
We are watching a disaster in real time. There must be a story there. I know the journos usually wait until after to the storm to pick through the rubble, but do your jobs FFS and write about us as it is happening. Do we really need the 1000th Pogba article this year from you guys. I know, the clicks!!!
Having a few higher profile articles may actually put the spotlight on the death spiral that NUFC and Bruce are currently in. We know this has happened before at Sunderland and Villa. Plenty of info for them to connect the dots.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Another likely unpopular call, but I’d loan Jesse Lingard as well – apparently his move to Nice is now in doubt.
I think if we can get ASM back on the left & Lingard right, that would give us a much better balance.
Lingard isn’t great for Man Utd, but I think he could do a very good job for us.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I dont know what has happened to Lingard but I certainly WOULD NOT take a chance on him. He was OK but maybe it is the off-field distractions. He seems obsessed with instagram. Him starting up that ridiculous clothing line with his own stupid logo that probably one of his mates designed shows how far up his own **** he is. There are many cases where a players’ mates and hangers on get them into trouble. The poster boy at our club is probably Nile Ranger. But you could argue Pogba is the same, so much wasted talent.
The sad thing is that Lingard does have some talent. Maybe you are right. Getting him out of Manchester and away from his entourage could restore him. But he is not young anymore, I think he is 28. He should be acting like a man and not a kid now. Maybe Newcastle is too close to Manchester and Nice would suit everybody.
It would be a shot in the dark that I would not take but I respect your opinion on this (not on Wilshere though 🙂 )
Eric Sykes(Quote)
One thing in favour of Lingard is addition by subtraction if it kept Joelinton off the field.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: I promise I will not flog a dead horse after this but after I had been so outspoken on here about Wilshere I watched him closely at Arsenal and West Ham to make sure I was not making a fool of myself. I was not that interested in their matches so I just watched Wilshere and what he did.
It consisted of a lot of pointing to other players telling them where they should be. He had obviously lost any pace he had and kept running into players. He also didnt have the recovery pace any more and sat much deeper. In short, he was a passenger. He could still hit a decent pass but he was like Butch Wilkins later career where most were back or sideways. When he did venture forwards he would be caught out of position as he lost the ball trying to do the things he once could, like play one-twos and take people on with a change of pace. He has lost all that and would have been a disaster.
He is another one as well who it is rumoured let his fame and private life ruin his football.
Last rant on Wilshere, I promise.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
completely agree mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Pretty sure we are going down now, zero confidence and heads drop after we concede . Only possibility of survival is a new owner or manager, preferably both.
kimtoon(Quote)
https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1351499862353850370
kimtoon(Quote)
I totally disagree that to get another loan forward in we need to sell Gayle. He is the only backup to Wilson. Do you really trust Carroll’s fitness, and anyway he is a totally different type of player.
We can create space in the squad by loaning a couple of players. First on my list is Sean Longstaff as he really needs to show something before he sees any more playing time at NUFC.
The problem we have is that a lot of the others cost us quite a bit and are on PL wages. Any loans would have to be to the Championship and we have to subsidize their wages. That will be necessary because the goal is to create a space in the squad for our incoming loan. Who else could we loan out?
Krafth? Or just dont give him a squad number.
Sell Yedlin for peanuts? He only has 6 months left.
Shelvey. I would sell him if there are any takers. Even for 5 mil. His Shelv life has expired. He is not suited to this team where every other MFer is also slow, including Ritchie.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eh? So because he’s been bad 99% of the time means I can’t give him a good mark on the very rare occasion he’s played very well. Ok…
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
It’s about the 25-man squad as much as anything. If we want a LB, CM and a striker, which three does Bruce just dump out of the squad? I know there’s plenty dross, but it’s not that easy when all are being paid handsomely.
I think we’d have to get rid of Gayle (to bring in another strike) from a wage / budget point of view as much as anything, as he’s on over £50k a week!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly, I doubt we are looking at a striker as top priority unless we sell Gayle. I know the goals have dried up but that is hardly Dwights fault as he has not been played. I dont think it is Wilsons fault either as there has been no service although he could do with some heading practice. We do have some players coming back who can help us – Dwight, St Max, Fraser, Hayden. Three of these are match winners and the other is our best midfielder.
You have to have a bit of sympathy for Bruce with the teams we have played, if he would just shut his mouth. Or just mumble the same platitudes that other Managers do and not make excuse after excuse and throw people under the bus.
Take another look at those 4 players. They could really turn this around if Bruce had a clue.
Add in the two loans you mention and we should be OK despite Bruce. We will need 36 points and we have 19 from 18 games. So that’s 17 from 20. We need a win desperately and that would save Bruce’s job. Villa are still inconsistent and Leeds have hit a bit of a wall. It is not impossible despite me losing all faith in the Steves and Jonjo and Sean as well.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont think last night was as depressing as Sheffield. We p!ss and moan but that is 15 losses in our last 16 games against Arsenal. Heads went down, I know, but we expected the loss.
Just get a midfielder in and the rest of the returning/sidelined players should be more than enough to keep us up. Despite Bruce.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eddie Howe is 1/5 to become Celtic manager
h
icedog(Quote)
It’s irrelevant anyway as he’s a Bmth now.
I think Lingard playing regular football with ASM on the other wing who can spur him on and form a partnership with behind Wilson – I don’t think we lose anything taking him for 6mths.
Man Utd have been linked heavily with Sancho & will end up getting a new RW in I reckon – which means Lingard will fall further away.
I think he’d come in and either play for a move to us, or somewhere else – but he’d have an opportunity of first team football either way & I think he’d take it.
Whether he’d maintain his form once he got that move – that’s a different story & I agree he’d probably go back to being a social media boy. But the chance to get into the England set up & get his next deal – I reckon he’d put it in for 6 mths at least.
Sharpy17(Quote)
That first line is exactly what I’ve just been saying 😆 We’ll only be able to sign another striker if he leaves – that was my point but you stated “I totally disagree that to get another loan forward in we need to sell Gayle”
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
All this talk of Gayle being sold is at odds with what Steve has said about him.
He says he tried to sign him twice as a manager but couldn’t afford him and yet even when fit he hardly starts him. Nowhere to be seen last night, he was ill apparently, was he though.
You would expect Steve to say he’s going nowhere if he rates him so highly .
Wouldn’t sell him just yet, we’ll need him when we drop to the championship, he’s good in that league.
kimtoon(Quote)
Shelvey, Lewis, Krafth, Longstaff the elder , Hendrick,yedlin, Joe, anyone of them i would flog, not quick or good enough for PL imo.
kimtoon(Quote)
Fraser also been a massive let down so far, though may improve if played in the right position.
kimtoon(Quote)
He may as well play Anderson from the start at least he can weave around players and has a good shot on him, could be just what we need, not too many PL teams that familiar with him.
Steve is supposed to really rate the lad so why not, cannot be any worse than what we currently see.
kimtoon(Quote)
Apparently an American commentator watching us last night said he hadn’t seen football like that since the 90’s 😳
kimtoon(Quote)
I think he will be OK. You can see he has talent and he has done well in the PL before. The layoff and injury didnt help.
I am much more concerned about the ones who have proved themselves to be **** like Hendrick and Krafth.
Villa had 9 players and 5 staff with Covid which led to their Everton game being called off. There is no way they have all recovered so we stand a chance. Is this me clutching at straws? I still think we have a decent 1st 11 although we are obviously short a midfielder.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, I applaud your optimism but think they will be us, Grealish will have a field day mate .
kimtoon(Quote)
beat us not be us, poor s ods if that was to happen 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: I am really scared of Grealish as well. He is a brilliant player even if he is a cheat. We have to play our better defenders in a 4 and that means Manquillo and Dummett. It also means Fernandez instead of Lascelles who should not be captain. We have to have the ability to drop him. I would probably make Wilson captain as he is the only player bar St Max guaranteed a place.
Get St Max back on the wing as well (Villa will be too soon). I dont blame Bruce at all for giving him a free role but that experiment failed so let’s go back to what we know he can do well. He was also allowed to switch wings so it is not like there were many restrictions on him anyway. If our midfield was better I might revisit the free role in the future.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well all the talk has been that WBA or Fulham want to buy Gayle.
If we sell to either of them we’d be donating points in a relegation battle imo.
I’d consider Gayle as part of a deal to bring back Mitrovic like. I think he could be a good student to Wilson and would be a more similar forward to come in if Wilson was out for whatever reason.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If ever there is a time to play Villa it is Saturday. There is the Covid issue and fatigue but they play Man City away tomorrow. If ever there was a game to tire them out for us it is that. They are not going to be able to rest anyone either because 9 players have/had Covid.
A normal manager would keep it tight at the back and have some pace on the break. Our problem is a slow midfield but even that sort of picks itself because of how Shelvey was. Same with centre backs and fullbacks who were all awful except Clark. So I will put up my team again because I know everybody cannot possibly read all of the **** I write 🙂
Darlow
Manqillo Fernandez Clark Dummett
Fraser Matty Hayden Miggy
Wilson Gayle
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Simon Jordan on talksport gobbing off again. Admits he rarely watches our games & was on the phone to Bruce just the other night – guess what Jordan’s line on it was?!.
Yup, our players aren’t good enough and there’s not a manager out there that could do anything with them.
No, he may well be right with some of them, but he made his point by having a go at Darlow, the mug ?.
If he bothered his ar$e to watch a few games he has such a highly strung opinion on, he’d know never to use Darlow to make his point.
But on his point – how wrong he is!!. Look at what Ranieri achieved with a Leicester team that were nearly relegated – pretty much all the same players!!, just a better manager coaching them.
Now I don’t expect to win the league with our group, and what Ranieri did was unique to say the least – but look what Fat Sam does with relegation teams. He can go in and change things round with a group of players down on their luck.
Jordan reckons Bruce should go see Ashley and tell him there’s nothing he can do with these players & they need a clear out. Martin O’Neill did that at Sunderland, guess what happened? – he was sacked the next day!!.
Does Jordan really think Ashley will say ‘ok, nee bother, there’s £300m, go replace the lot of them?!’ – would he if a manager came to see him when he was at Palace???
The man is a **** idiot and shouldn’t be anywhere near talksport!!. He’s an embarrassment & a failure.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I wonder if Lampard will be sacked? Abramovich is not usually this patient (or loyal). He has got rid of quite a few after winning the league. Mourinho being the most notable, but also Conte and I think Ancelotti.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There’s some decent managers out of work at the moment too mate, Favre & Tuchel being 2 that spring immediately to mind
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice – I think that would be a good move for him. His reputation took a bit of a knock when Bmth went down. I think he could have some success with Celtic & restore his reputation. I think that could then get him a decent job in England – similar to Rodgers.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I really enjoyed watching Leceister last night, Rodgers has them playing such good football. They are strong in every position – and they’ve done it through excellent scouting and good recruitment.
For example, their right back – bought from Luton and immediately looks an established PL player.
Ultimately they have an owner that gives a **** and has put in place the best possible people in each post of the club so that they do their absolute best.
Why is it so difficult for football pundits to understand that’s all we want for our club (I’m not even talking about titles). They went from relegation to what they are now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: it is like Lampard is a younger Steve Bruce in terms of the defense by his pundit pals. You know, going back home to a club. He has been given the budget and the tools to succeed but his inexperience has shown. He was appointed too early but his Pundit Pals twist themselves into knots to stick up for him. They know the history of Roman Abramovich and still bury their head in the sand and think he should be given time. These ex-players sure do stick together!!!
Chelsea have a top 4 squad. Better than Leicester and probably better than Man U. If you cannot get a tune out of Timo Werner then you are doing something seriously wrong. Only Lewandowski and Kimich were better in the Bundesliga last year.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Please leave Krapth. That would remove any temptation that Bruce would ever play you again.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Same with Sean Longstaff. Leave. I would like the lad to succeed but he needs to continue his rehab project somewhere else. He has to prove himself to ever see the NUFC 1st team again and it would free up another squad place. I know I have said this before but it seems like I am the only one who thinks this would benefit all involved. I havent seen any journo suggest it yet.
With Krapth and Sean gone that frees up squad space for 2 loans. That would be a fullback and Midfielder. If we want a striker someone would have to be left out of the squad. How about Shelvey 🙂 I am done even thinking about him now. I have tried to defend him, I have tried to think of ways he could fit in the team but I am just sick of it now. You have to design the whole team around his skill set and he is simply not good enough for that to be the plan.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ffs! I’ve been looking at the last thread for the last day without realising there’s a new one!
Bruce won’t be going anywhere for a couple of reasons. First is it will cost a couple of million and it doesn’t look like the club has it. As long as we are clear of the bottom 3 he won’t be bothered. He’s checked out physically and mentally.
Stuart79(Quote)
I see Yedlin is unhappy about lack of talks regarding his future.Said his agent contacted Lee &co about whether Yedlin would have his contract extended or start to look elsewhere. Was told we’ll get back to you and never have, he has just 6 months left on his contract.
What a way to run a club.
“One of the things that people think is you just go out and play and that’s our life but there’s a lot more to balance whether it be on the field or off the field.
“Obviously with my situation currently I have six months left on my contract.
“It has been a bit frustrating because me and my agent have had no communication with Newcastle at all about what their plans are for me, if I can go or if they want me to stay.
“It has been kind of a tough time and obviously I want to keep my head on football and just play my game but there are distractions like that that unfortunately make it a bit tough.
“At this moment [I want] just some clarity over whether Newcastle want me to stay or whether I can go. Whatever it is it’s something that needs to be talked about pretty quickly because there are six months left on my contract.
“If I am going to leave Newcastle there’s steps I need to take in terms of talking to other teams and things like that. There’s been no clarity.
“My agent has reached out to people at Newcastle and they’ve responded back saying ‘yes we’ll call you’ and there are no calls back. That has been quite frustrating.”
DeAndre Yedlin
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric – I think Chelsea’s biggest problem isn’t Frank, it’s their recruitment. They are like a bunch of magpies needing to buy up all the shiny stuff.
When they had the transfer ban they seemed to have a plan. Frank was putting together a team & developing the youngsters.
As soon as that was lifted, they went out and bought up a load of players without really having a plan – good players each of them, but no real plan on how to fit them all into a team.
They probably would have helped him more doing it gradually – 2 or 3 players each window rather than 6 in one.
I don’t think Frank is a bad manager, he just seems overwhelmed more than anything else.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – if you look at the contract situation for a number of players, it’s obvious they thought or hoped the club would be sold before it was their problem to sort.
This is why I fear this season could be the perfect storm. We have an owner who doesn’t care, a manger who’s incompetent & a group of players who have been ignored by the club & certainly seem disinterested at the moment.
Why would they fight for a club that aren’t interested in them. The club goes down – so what, I’ll move somewhere else in the summer.
If we go down & 5 or 6 leave coz their contracts expire – forget it. We aren’t bouncing straight back up. Ashley wouldn’t put the money in to replace those players – it will be free agents or loans.
If we go down this season I hate to say it but I fear we could end up heading the Sunderland way. If we are lucky we don’t slide that far, but it would be a Boro or Leeds job – 10 years or more in the Championship.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, aye it’s a very real prospect, we simply must not go down.
Does Ashley even understand how dire our situation is ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric one for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMS8jkKHalo
kimtoon(Quote)
Bruce hasn’t realised yet that you can’t play early 90s football in 2021. 442?
This is just one of the things he’s out of date with.
Sack him now!
georgio(Quote)
Kim – can you imagine the page in our history where we go from a Saudi takeover to relegation.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Georgio – you can, you just need wingers!!. Not a centre forward on the left and a #10 at right winger – neither of whom can cross a ball.
Bruce is predominantly to blame, but he has 2 assistants that he seems to take lot of advice from. When you watch the matches, he is always speaking with them – are they both missing it as well, or is he ignoring them?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kimtoon: I watched that live last night. Jimmy Kimmel hates Trump. All of the late night comedians just rip Trump apart every night. They have a lot of material. The other 2 best are Stephen Colbert and Seth Mayer.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I saw James Cordon on the Late Show singing his Trump song. I have a couple of problems with things like this. Firstly it makes me sick seeing wealthy and privileged people (mainly liberals) disrespecting a democratically elected president of a major democracy. They disrespect him and by association the 80m people who voted for him. Even more concerning is the possible inciting of violence with the nut jobs that follow Trump. Do they think about that? Do they think how Trump supporters will feel watching it a especially the ones with a fondness for riots and violence… They don’t give a **** – as long as it looks good to their liberal mates and paymasters.
Also inciting potential violence is Nancy Pelosi and her 4 year long obsession with Trump and her desperation to get him impeached. If she succeeds it not only means he can’t run again, but also that he loses his protection. I get the feeling she doesn’t really care. Nice woman. But also this is a sure fire way of inciting even more violence by infuriating Trumps more weird supporters.
Very odd ways to make a point if you ask me.
Stuart79(Quote)
Villa had 9 players and 14 staff members with Covid. It seems that when it enters the bubble it spreads like, ermmm… a virus…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We know we need a central midfielder. We even got Bentelab last year who turned out to be a total failure. Then we tried to do a fix on the cheap in the summer with Hendrick who is so far also a bust. We would have been much better off using the 15 million we used for Lewis on a MFer. He might end up a good player but why buy “one for the future” when there is a gaping hole elsewhere. Remember we didnt use the 2 PL loans.
Now to where we stand. We have to return to the Hayden/Longstaff axis that worked well for Rafa. Except it should be Matty Longstaff. I have seen enough of Sean now. He can hit a long pass and can shoot but he doesnt go in for tackles anymore and has dawdled quite a few times around our penalty area leading to chances and a couple of goals. His brother looks like he may be the player Sean was when first came on the scene because he certainly isnt anymore.
I still dont think we will go down but it will be touch and go. A different Manager will help and they are even bigger idiots than I thought if they dont bring in a midfielder.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Nickson should tell Fatty that we can get someone for 50% off in France. They lost a massive TV contract and the clubs are hurting. That should appeal to Ashley. If it helps keep us in the PL it would be the best money he has ever spent apart from maybe the 1.5 mil compensation it would take to get rid of Bruce.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BTW. I am not giving up on Lewis. Just saying he wasnt a priority. He actually looked good when we played St Max as a winger. There was some good overlapping and we gave the opposition something to think about. Maybe Bruce should revisit some of those tapes. There are only a couple but it showed promise whereas there is none now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The good thing about Trump being in office for only 4 years is that most of what he has done is reversible. The needed Agencies that he stripped of staff and power can be rebuilt. His tax give-aways to his rich Pals can be reversed. The only thing that will stick is the stacking of the supreme court that was always intended to drive abortion underground.
Having been to many state and national parks here and in Britain over the past couple of years I was particularly upset with what he was doing with Govt lands. Obama designated 2 parks where Native Americans lived as national monuments for their natural beauty. Trump removed these designations to allow drilling and open cast mining, I think for oil and copper. As he was walking out the White House door he put 600,000 acres in Alaska up for bid for drilling rights. The highest bid was only 14 million and that was from the state so I am guessing oil companies thought this would be reversed.
Isnt there enough oil out there at the moment anyway? Stuart can let me know.
In my Park travels I found out a few things. Pretty much if you do not have regulations or National/State Parks the loggers, drillers and miners will decimate them. I was in WA and Oregon and learned that 95% of the old growth forests there had been logged, never to return. These majestic trees took 2,000 years to grow and were pretty much clear cut in 50 years. When you see what is left, you know it must be saved.
And yet, Trump gave permits to his Pals to exploit land such as this in 2021 when it is not even necessary. Yet one more reason why I hate Trump, but it is reversible as I said. I would remove all the permits and not give them the money back to discourage any future President.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I even think the insurrection that Trump wrought may be a good thing as it has woken a few people up to how dangerous these so-called militia, really vigilante groups, are. Even more it has brought to the forefront the lunatic fringe of conspiracy theorists. Something can be done about them now and the platforms they use to spread their hate and lies. Twitter and Facebook need some sort of regulation. The Newspapers and TV have regulations over here and social media does not. The Freedom of Speech argument should not hold sway simply because the rest of the media is regulated and you cannot tell me that Twiiter and Facebook have not morphed into regular media companies now. The difference is that they have algorithms that target existing prejudices and hatreds by sending content that reinforces them.
Enough of the politics. This is the last day of Trumpism and I look forward to a purge of some of these nutters. The sad thing is that I dont think the gun laws will change so these moron can continue to threaten regular citizens with impunity. Now they can even threaten the Police (some of whom are their allies) as seen in the Capitol riot and attempted coup.
Oh, Sorry. I forgot about the impeachment so the fun is set to continue for a while longer.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
America likes to call itself the World’s Greatest Democracy. Not true. The President can pretty much do what he wants with an Executive Order. Boris cannot do that. There are a few checks but Trump has shown most of these to be worthless.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Villa been battered by Covid and no training. After today’s thrashing playing Newcastle on Saturday will be the best tonic they could ask for
Stuart79(Quote)
****! Grealish, Mcginn and Luiz are fit for Villa. Not good news for us.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Villa have a top 4 midfield with Grealish, McGinn and Luiz. I would put them ahead of Arsenal, Man U, Leicester and Spurs. Their attack and defense are average at best though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)