Steve Bruce celebrated his 450th game as a Premier League manager by losing his 200th.
An improved second half display and a deserved goal for Miguel Almiron, but another game without a single point as newly promoted Leeds came away from St James’ Park with a 1-2 win.
The visitors are known as one of the most energetic teams in the league and possibly England so, of course, Bruce elected to start Jeff Hendrick and Jonjo Shelvey in the middle to combat that.
Both teams were considered to be in a “slump” before the game but Newcastle had created a bit of a habit of losing to teams sitting in 12th (and everyone else) and, of course, that’s where Leeds sat in the league before the start of the game.
No team (not even us) had a conceded more on the road than Leeds so this was a match in which Callum Wilson should have been provided with more opportunities.
Attacking wise, Fraser and Almiron supplying Wilson was a lot more appetising than the previous Carroll partnership but it quickly became apparent that Fraser was basically a straight swap for Carroll, with the former Bournemouth winger(!) playing in a No.10 role behind Wilson.
Lewis and Murphy as the full backs also added to the concept of an attacking line-up but a lot of the fear created from the line-up before the match was that it was simply too open.
This was the sort of line-up that allows Bruce and his pundit best friends to claim that the team can’t afford to be attacking because of this and that, whilst completely ignoring the fact that Bruce is deliberately missing out on players who could combat the openness.
The match started off quite fiery with tackles flying and Schar experienced a nasty tackle within the 2nd minute which led to him falling on shoulder. Schar had previously had a nasty injury with his shoulder before, so this was very concerning.
Concern for injuries continued in 9th minute as Hayden went down injured and had to be looked at, but ultimately carried on.
Leeds too had problems as Llorente was forced off to be replaced with Struijk.
Leeds took us apart during the 11th minute with some silky one touch play but Harrison somehow missed a golden opportunity to smash the ball into the net and instead let it skid off his foot.
While Leeds were tearing apart through Newcastle with clever passing and movement, we took to whacking the ball into strange directions in hope that something would happen of note.
The passing led to Leeds opening the scoring in the 16th minute with absolutely awful, open defending started by Murphy losing the ball poorly in the middle of the park. Raphinha was left open just inside the box and comfortably slotted it in the corner. Let it be known that 7 of 10 Leeds outfield players were in the box as we allowed Raphinha all the space and time in the world to score.
The terror stat of just NINE passes in 17 minutes became apparent and we were only afforded 20% of the ball.
We somehow won a corner on the 20th minute and with Leeds known to be weak at defending set pieces, we of course made sure we headed the ball wide for them.
Newcastle’s midfield was clearly struggling as we hit the 25th minute with Hendrick only having three touches. Newcastle also had also made 35 passes to Leeds’ 127, with 19 of those being accurate (Leeds’ managed 109 successful passes).
Shelvey continued to be absolutely pointless in the 31st minute after blazing a ball over the bar from a free-kick in which everyone and their nan knew a goal wasn’t going to come from shooting.
Murphy nearly got in for a ball after a wonderful cross from Fraser (from the wing where he’s used to) but unfortunately missed the ball but whacked the Leeds keeper in the face.
Murphy returned the favour to Fraser on the 38th minute but he blasted it over the bar after latching onto a decent cut back.
The shape of the team had started to change after Leeds’ goal and it seemed as if Murphy had taken to playing on the wing and Hayden at Right Back as we moved to more of a 4-2-3-1 that allowed Fraser to go to the left and Almiron move up to more of a No 10 role.
The intent could be seen too as Schar put in an exciting through ball for Murphy to catch on the 42nd minute but it was cleared for a corner.
Newcastle’s play was described as “off the cuff” in the first half and I think that sort of description tells a million stories. What on Earth is being covered in training? Where is the plan?
Funnily enough, when Newcastle changed to a formation where wingers were playing in the correct position, the attack started to look a lot more potent but the fear of being slice open still remained due to an utterly static centre-midfield. Shelvey and Hendrick had made a grand total of 0 tackles whilst Kalvin Phillips had managed 3 by himself.
As much as it could be claimed that Newcastle were pushing forward for a goal, this was the EIGHTH time in twenty games this season that we had failed to have a shot on target in the first half and 225 minutes of football since one.
Though there were no changes to personal at second half, Almiron seemed to move up front with Wilson meaning we were playing a more 4-4-1-1 formation.
There was a scare in the 48th minute as Leeds scored a freak goal which was quickly ruled out for a handball. It was an early warning sign that Leeds weren’t going to sit back and protect their 1-0 lead however.
Our first shot on target was a tame Almiron effort five minutes later, but we soon went one better.
A goal?! On the 56th minute we actually scored a goal! Excellent pressing and passing actually happened by players in black and white resulting in a goal! Almiron was the on the end of a wonderful piece of movement from Shelvey and Wilson which resulted with him seemingly having all the time in the world to whack the ball into the back of the net to equalise the score.
Leeds very quickly took the lead again in the 61st minute with poor defending meaning that Jack Harrison was left by himself in the box so he could set himself and casually swing the ball into the bottom corner.
Newcastle kept pressing with Shelvey and then Schar attempting mazy runs through the Leeds defence resulting in Murphy just missing the goal with a cracking shot from outside the box.
Saint-Maximin was thrown on for Murphy on the 64th minute and, to be fair, it seemed like a good time to try and take advantage of the leaky Leeds defence.
Lewis caught the top of the bar in 65th minute after being set up brilliantly by the magical Saint-Maximin. Newcastle’s performance was starting to improve.
Lascelles was the next to hit the bar after heading a corner, with help from a defender, on the 66th minute. The Newcastle attack was pressing but the gap behind was growing and the fear of being caught on the break was a real one.
As the commentators mention on the 74th minute, if Newcastle were able to put in a performance like this in all the other games we’ve played then we’d be in a much better position in the league.
Shelvey nearly scored with a free header from a Fraser corner in 75th minute but it was well saved. Another big chance missed from a corner.
In the 76th minute, Bruce decided to take one of our best players, Fraser, off for Dwight Gayle. He hadn’t played a full match for a long time so there was some logic but the fear of being unbalanced again was a legitimate concern.
Schar was clearly on one again and ran through the whole Leeds team to force a save in the 80th minute.
A coming together with Schar and Rodrigo in the 85th minute led to Schar having to get fixed up with a bleeding mouth. Both players received a yellow card after the fiery Swiss centre-back put his head towards the Spaniard.
The chances started to dry up towards the end and we ran out of steam, allowing Leeds to sail through added time and come away with a 2-1 win.
The game started off like so many of our matches, with the first half being absolutely woeful but the second half hinted and showed you what our team could be if released to their full potential, but it was too little too late.
I’m not really sure what this result tells us about what’s going to happen going forward now. Ultimately, it’s another loss but the more energetic performance in the second half could be something that encourages the hierarchy to stick by their man.
One swallow doesn’t make a summer, however, and it has to be wondered whether the players were simply trying to show that they’re better than what they’ve been described as. There’s good players in this squad and, if they’re utilised properly, we could have a dangerous team worthy of a lot more than what we’ve forced to watch recently.
Next up, the small task of Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime.
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The Cabbage Head will be sacked once the transfer window closes. And look at that we already have his replacement Graeme Jones waiting in the wings. So very sad but true…
Cabbage Head PR Guy(Quote)
So, they have finally realised that Shelvey cannot take a corner – it only took 18 months. He should also have been relieved of all free kick duty but got 1 today that landed high in the stands as usual. However, it was noticeable that when we got other FKs in good positions that Shelvey didnt take them. It is so weird that someone who can pick out great passes cannot kick a stationary object. It is like he has too much time to think.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
leeds player should be banned for spitting in schars face and then falling to the ground like a big girls blouse f**kin arsehole if shelvey gets 6 game ban for calling someone a smelly arab surely that w*nker should get the same for spitting when we are in the middle of a pandemic but bet nothing becomes of it incident already doing the rounds on social media
kev the mag(Quote)
Leeds looked knackered in that second half. Perhaps Biesa’s training methods have caught up with them?
They were there for the taking in the 2nd half and many teams have scored boatloads against them. I think our lot were shocked that they were actually playing in the other teams half.
Some positives:
Bruce actually changed the formation after only a short time. He realised his mistake and knew that if we continued the way we were we would be thrashed. But he picked the team and formation in the first place so I am not about to go overboard.
Fraser can take a corner.
Shelvey removed from corner duty.
A goal.
Good to see St Maximin back and he looks like he could save Bruce’s bacon. We have to beat Everton or Palace. Everton are not as good as advertised – we even beat them FFS. I have watched them a few times and you never know which team will turn up. If we play scared we will get beat. And we probably will play scared and Bruce will treat them like current Man City.
On that note – good to see the smirk wiped off Big Fat Sam’s face.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Where are all the pundits and journos who said this is a results business. Even Bruce himself says it. We have lost 6 games in a row and have 2 points from the last 27 (9 games). A decent half of football doesnt hide any of this.
Brucie pats himself on the back for the Liverpool performance but on another day they would have won 4-0.
Yes, we had a lot of shots today but we usually have far fewer. You have to take into account the opposition. Leeds dont really care about defending and usually leak goals. It is damning that we only got 1 when we were well on top. That must be partly down to confidence.
And Leeds had lost their last 3 games so they were not the same team that we played earlier in the season, and it was at home.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: Biden says he wants 300 million vaccinations by the end of the summer. That is more than needed but he says he would rather have oversupply. My guess is that Pfizer will be giving the US priority now. However, I read a couple of months ago that the UK had dibs on 100 million doses. Just have to worry about this US company putting US at the front of the queue.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly: as others have mentioned, there seems to be a delay of about 1/2 an hour between posts and it appearing on here. That is usually not a big deal except on match day.
Is somebody moderating comments so you need the gap? Doesnt seem necessary as there isnt much hassle on here. It is not twitter 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Interesting column from Ryder for once. He says that there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. One decent half when we still lost and Lee changes his tune. Maybe he didnt write the headline or maybe he is sucking up so he can ask questions again at press conferences.
Wor Lee points out that this is the worst run of losses since Ugly John in 2015 and longest without a win since Rafa’s 10 in 2018. How easily some of his fanboys forget. The Mag and Ed treat him like a Saint when he so obviously wasnt at NUFC. Maybe they are thinking of the Liverpool Rafa?
Bruce is still making excuses that he hasnt been able to play his best team. How about Villa who had 9 covid players? Or Man City who have been without Aguero almost all year. Or Man U who had Pogba out for 6 months (I know, I know but when he is up for it he has the skills). All teams get injuries and that’s what good managers handle.
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-worst-form-since-2015-19707138
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I just want one pundit to say that Bruce has been **** from the start and took a long term loan of Alan Pardew’s Big Book of Excuses as Pards doesnt need it anymore. They never mention that either – that we were right about Pardew. His stints at Palace and West Brom still didnt change their mind. They are beyond redemption, especially Danny Mills.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Interesting that Sean Longstaff did not make the bench even with Dummett, Clarke, Fernandez and Yedlin out. He needs a loan NOW. When 3 of those 4 get back Joelinton needs to be out of the matchday squad as well.
And where are these loans? Only a few days left. Man City and Chelsea must have spare players. Harrison at Leeds is a City player.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Has anybody ever had someone close be a total glass half empty person. My ex-mother-in-law was like that. I know it is a cliche but she sucked the life out of every get together. The funny thing is that she had a heart of gold and wanted everything to go well. I think Bruce might be like this as he seems to have a good reputation despite his many, many failures.
It must be seeping into the players mentality. People say they are highly paid professionals and it shouldnt matter. Well it does! Just look at the opposite where a Manager’s positivity and personality feed through to the team. We have had 2 of them in my lifetime – Kevin Keegan and Bobby Robson. Remember when Robson first arrived we had a **** squad and he wasnt allowed to buy anybody. We were still not in this sort of trouble.
Unfortunately we have also had pains in the ar$e like Pardew, Allardyce, Kinnear and the excuse-machine Steve Bruce.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Happy Australia Day BrisV. I know you will say you dont care what I say, but Happy Aussie Day anyway. Pity about the loss to India but at least you will have a whitewash of England to look forward to. England beat India 4-1 in the last test series and I still have no idea how. In fact I still dont know how England drew the last series against the Aussies.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know I am monopolizing the discussion but it is 4am in the UK. I just wanted to point out that Bruce lost his 200th game of 450 Premier League games. That is a 44 per cent loss rate.
That is astounding. It is astounding that he ever got PL jobs and especially the NUFC job. And this is a very large sample. It is not like a manager just getting promoted and then failing like Farke at Norwich. This someone who has form, who we knew what we were getting.
You can manipulate stats. I think that was done for Rafa on certain websites that painted his career in the most favourable light possible. But this stat, the 200 losses is about as damning as it gets.
He is also implying that this run is the worst he has had as a Manager like somehow that
would make us feel better, or like him or think he has done well in the last 20 odd years. No Steve, it makes us wonder why you still have a job and we know that the reason you didnt have a worse record at Sunderland or Villa is because they sacked you.
He really does spout the most ridiculous nonsense I have ever heard from a NUFC manager and he has some stiff competition with Pards, Ugly John and Kinnear. Even Schteve stopped making excuses after a while and just stared blankly at the interviewer.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t celebrate Invasion Day.
I’m a Pom when it comes to cricket.
Brisvegas(Quote)
It’s happening pretty much like I said. One decent half of football is overshadowing another defeat. We will lose on Saturday too and I have every confidence that Fulham will beat Brighton tonight too. It would just be ridiculous to keep Bruce in the job against Palace. We’re not even sleepwalking into relegation now. It’s more like a coma.
Stuart79(Quote)
Muggy has been available all season but has sometimes not featured or barely featured. And when he has played was used as a defender.
Groucho(Quote)
I’ve gone from anger to laughing when I watch Piers Morgan and Susana Reid now. I would say 80% of their interviews with ministers is taken up by him talking, shouting and venting his spleen. It’s like this is his first job in tv and he wants to make a name for himself. It really does come across now as a personal vendetta without which he has any room for nuance or balance. I laugh now.
Stuart79(Quote)
I see Jones is on Tyneside. £250k compo. Why are we wasting so much money on a coach that I can’t see making that much difference? What happens if we lose the next 2-4 games which is likely? This appointment says to me that Bruce is here regardless of results.
Stuart79(Quote)
Richard Baldwin
@baldwin_rb
·
39m
Replying to
@piersmorgan
@RobertJenrick
and
@GMB
Think we all have to face the sad fact that away from our Twitter bubble people seem to be more angry that the Prime Minister is being blamed, than they are about 100,000 dead.
This is the sad fact of the UK in 2021.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I actually think the citizens of this country understand it’s a more nuanced issue than just looking at the number of deaths. I still, quite unbelievably keep hearing some compare us to NZ. A country of 3.5m people living on two decent sized islands… ?
The entire population of NZ could live in London three times over…
Stuart79(Quote)
And I quite unbelievably keep hearing people make excuses for any wrong doing by this Government.
Still, such is life.
kimtoon(Quote)
The EU have gone from incompetent to rabid dogs akin to a mafia state within a few days. First they threaten to withhold life saving vaccines by banning the export to non EU countries and then they accuse AstraZeneca of not fulfilling a contract. They’re now a figure of fun by trying to deflect their own inadequate response to the vaccine requirement by blaming AstraZeneca. The bigger issue here is their inability to do what should have been pretty simple on such a important issue. Some EU countries had more or less agreed to buy vaccines in June but the EU took over demanding it was centralised and didn’t order until October! And they wonder why they’re behind the curve on the roll out and the numbers they’re receiving. Oh and they haven’t even approved it ffs!!
I’m glad AstraZeneca have told them they won’t meet them again and will set out their response in writing. The EU need to cool their jets here. AstraZeneca are doing all this at cost and have something that the EU desperately need!
Stuart79(Quote)
Aimed at me, Kim. I’d like some evidence of where I’ve absolved the government of all responsibility and made excuses for them?
Stuart79(Quote)
4 weeks ago the most vocal were demanding schools were closed. 4 weeks on they’re demanding to know when they will open them as apparently schools are really important. ?
Stuart79(Quote)
While I’m on about the EU. They’re arguing with AstraZeneca about not getting what was contracted when it appears the clause in the contract only states AstraZeneca will use “best endeavours” to supply the EU which is a standard clause. They really are deflecting their inadequacy.
Stuart79(Quote)
Did i say you ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Re Europe and the vaccine issue, they have paid 336million euros to pharma up front back in August so i can kind of see why they are angry.
It’s in the interest of the whole world that every country gets it’s fair share of vaccines including third world countries.
We are all in this together at the end of the day .
If we wish to heal the world and come out of this night mare then there needs to be less squabbling and far more cooperation between nations.
If we pay for something in advance then we are entitled to it or a refund .
Pharma has promised more than they can deliver it would seem.
There is blame on all sides here and we need to work together.
kimtoon(Quote)
Right off out to face the queues in asda 👿
kimtoon(Quote)
???
Stuart79(Quote)
AstraZeneca have said this morning that UK will be first to get the next batch no matter what the EU say,good on them.
by the way theres no way i would blame Boris for what has gone over deaths he only acted on advice given if fact i admire him for saying he takes the blame he didnt back heel it like a lot would
icedog(Quote)
would love to think your right
icedog(Quote)
well along with my wife we get our jabs on Sunday tea-time 😀
icedog(Quote)
why why does Bruce keep playing Shelvey hes the most lazy player in the PL ffs and that other pudding he bought from Burnley,it gives us a useless M/F
icedog(Quote)
Stu, 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
look i can click on it too, woohoo such fun.
kimtoon(Quote)
Good news mate. 😀
Lews day center staff all got theirs monday, me and Lew are group 6 so a bit of a wait yet.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ryder says Jones is Assistant Head Coach. That would mean he is above the Steves. Dawson is retained as well as Harper. If you include Bruce, that means 6 coaches – Agnew, Chemence, Dawson, Harper and Jones. Will the players get confused or will somebody be pushed out/resign. There is obviously some politics going on and I think whoever is doing it is goading at least one of the Steves to resign.
As I have said a few times, Jones is caretaker in waiting. Whoever makes the decisions dont trust the Steves and they also know we are in trouble. You cannot have 6 coaches. I actually think there is a 7th because we have another goalkeeping coach whose name I forget.
I know other teams have a lot of specialist coaches like a throwin coach at Liverpool but I think our lot are all generalists. One or more of them must be feeling the pressure.
I watched that Spurs documentary and Jose did a lot of the coaching. He has 2 or 3 others but not 6, 7 including himself. I dont think they know what they are doing!
Jones only got a 1 on the Bruce delighted-o-meter so I think cabbage heed is not happy about this.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
In Ryder’s piece he also said that we could not get loans without us clearing wages by shipping players out. Have they seen our midfield? Is Ashley really going to risk relegation for the sake of a 2mil loan fee? Can we not just send Sean Longstaff to Boro to clear a space? Matty is young enough that he doesnt count and I doubt anybody would want to pay Shelvey or Hendricks’ wages.
There are also calls to play Schar in midfield after a couple of marauding runs. Last time we tried him there it was a disaster but if we are to play 2 defensive mids then why the hell not. Cannot be any worse than the invisible man (Hendrick).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: what is annoying about Piers is that he makes it all about him. Good if you want twitter followers, bad if you actually want to know what is going on. If he wants to give his opinion there is plenty of time for that, if he has an expert on then let them speak and that includes Govt officials. The tw@t was over here for about 3 years and I found him incredibly annoying. He was like a slightly up market Jeremy Kyle where he would go from being the interviewees Pal to berating them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You have to worry about Lewis as well. He is not suited to a Bruce system. People talk about Liverpool once being intereted but their full backs are not fullbacks, Klopp has them up the pitch as much as possible. We know what Bruce does, and that is defend deep and Lewis does not look good in that role.
Maybe with St Max back he will be able to push up again as he look Ok in the first few games where St Max was played as a winger. It looks like the free role experiment for ASM has been ditched as well. Does Bruce just throw **** at the wall and see what sticks? Even last night he changed formations. I applaud him being proactive but it tells you they had no idea what their plan A was.
Lastly, Shelvey looked better further up the pitch. I know it is a low bar for him at the moment but not having him defend is a bonus. And he looked better receiving corners than taking them. I am sure he has a mental block about it. That floater that he puts in is just so easy to defend.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Are Palace safe? They have 23 points and if we beat them we will be within 1.
I watched them yesterday and they were ****. West Ham could have had 6 with Antonio missing some pretty easy chances. Palace are a 1 trick pony, it is Zaha or bust. Even with Brucie in charge I fancy our chances. They might just save his job.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is Jones a caretaker in waiting? It’s just such a strange move with 3 or 4 coaches already.
Anyone else notice we keep losing to the same goal over and over again. Cut back to the edge of the box and free shot. Coaches eh?
georgio(Quote)
Yep, we never seem to learn,as you say.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ice – The Oxford vaccine was originally planning on partnering with German company Merck to produce the vaccine but the UK government insisted that they use a UK based company. They were concerned that something like this with the EU would happen.
Imagine the stick the government would be getting now if we’d only administered 1m vaccines like France… Piers Morgan would have exploded like the guy in the restaurant in Monty Pythons Meaning Of Life. ?
Stuart79(Quote)
too true mate
icedog(Quote)
my maths may be off a bit but,if we get 16 points from 18 games that would still be only be about 35 point,i cannot see it myself can you ??
icedog(Quote)
Burnley also getting the results now and a game in hand…
Stuart79(Quote)
bloomin hack Sheff utd leading manure
kimtoon(Quote)
So Bournemouth after Ritchie. Can we afford to let players like him go? Not sure… Depends if and who he’s replaced by.
Also I see Craig Hope saying that Jones has been guaranteed to keep his job if there’s a change of management…. But Jones says he’s going to be neutral and try and introduce a certain style of play. Is he the new head coach or what ffs!!
Stuart79(Quote)
How about a comparison with Thailand or Vietnam, both with deaths under 100. Both with larger populations than the UK.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Stuart: I listened to Wraith and him and his guests seem to have a few connections. One is a Shields Gazette journo but I wont hold that against him. They think it is Carr who pushed for Jones. I wouldnt be surprised. Ashley and Charnley always like him, it was Rafa wanting full control that pushed him out, right? They also thought the optics of Jones in a suit in the board room were more than just a new equal coach with the 2 Steves.
I think they are goading Bruce to resign as I have said. Palace would be the Rubicon for me like. I wish he had gone already but that would be it.
Icedog. There will be a few blips with the bottom teams but my guess is 36 points will do it. 35 and a bit has been the average to stay up the last few years. If Bruce stays much longer I am afraid like you are that we will leave it late. This is not a relegation squad but it is a relegation manager.
Glad you are getting the vaccine. Me Mam should get it this week. That is what I have been worried about being so far away.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So what are the consequences for taking full responsibility for 100K deaths? You’d think it should be quite severe.
Look at the grief Bruce gets, look at at what Ashley gets. Some managers get sacked. Criminals get locked up. What does Boris get … admiration!
If there are no consequences for accepting responsibility, the sentiment is meaningless.
I look forward to everybody saying what a strong guy Steve Bruce must be when next he accepts responsibility for another loss.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Icedog: have you seen the end of our season? It is Sheffield at home and then Fulham away. Not sure if I will have fingernails after that as it is looking that Bruce will be kept too long and we will be 17th at best by then. I was a bit dismissive of some fans thinking we would be happy with 17th as I think our squad is much better than that. But you can never overestimate Bruce and his CV.
Yes Steve, you have managed for over 20 years but you have lost 200 PL at a 44% loss rate. Let that sink in. That is relegation most seasons.
This flier on Jones better work. We have winnable games and you usually fluke one more. Could be someone like Spurs at home. Winnable games are:
Palace H
S’ton H
Wolves H
WBA A
Villa H
Burnley A
WHam H
Sheffield H
Fulham A
Eric Sykes(Quote)
To be honest, Kim I was laughing at your apparent view that we should allow the EU access to vaccines that are ours and produced here when that will cost UK lives and help the EU out of a situation caused by their thick headedness and bureaucratic nonsense. Why should we when they threatened to block the export of vaccines to this country?
Stuart79(Quote)
Does this bringing a new coach in to help the Manager ever work? I can think of a few where experienced people were brought in. Venables at Boro I think. Redknapp somewhere. I think McClaren went to QPR.
I cannot remember if they saved these teams. But at least they had experience. Jones seems to be a complete shot in the dark.
It seems to me that it would automatically cause tension unless the new coach had a Managerial track record. Bruce’s nose is definitely out of joint from the reaction and BS PR I have seen.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Man U equalise.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ermmm the Sheffield goalie was standing 2 yards towards his right post and the ball went in the middle of the net. Wouldnt you be standing in the middle for a corner?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
No we should allow them the vaccines they have pre-ordered and paid upfront for . The approval thing doesn’t come into it either since they are approving it friday and we ordered ours before approval too for that matter.
The blocking of vaccines to us is infantile i agree about that, but that is purely being done because they are upset they are not getting what they have paid in advance for.
You are suggesting they have no right to vaccines made by us yet they have paid for them, that makes no sense.
As I said better communication and cooperation is needed between all countries at this time. It is only the sharing of information and resources, be it scientific, medical research or indeed vaccines that will get ALL OF US, out of this situation.
Presumably you will be keen to fly off to other countries soon ? If so would you not want to know those countries were full of well vaccinated people ? There is a high probability that left too long people unvaccinated will lead to more severe mutations as stated by Sir Patrick Valance the other day.
This is not a pro Euro stance by me by the way, as i said they are being infantile blocking vaccines out the european union but we must always look at the bigger picture imo.
If you wanna give this another 😆 knock yourself out .
kimtoon(Quote)
So Burnley and Sheff utd both win
Everyone picking up and improving except us.
Lets hope Jones is a miracle worker eh.
kimtoon(Quote)
I’ve never said we had done the best.
Stuart79(Quote)
Kim – AstraZeneca have an agreement with the UK that UK manufactured vaccines are used here first and Foremost. Why is it our fault the EU dithered and cocked up?
You’ve been a big advocate for saving lives Kim at all costs – yet now you’re advocating giving our vaccine away. What would you be telling the families of those that died due to that decision in the UK?
It appears not only don’t you seem to think the economy is too important through lockdown you now want to extend lockdown even further due to slowing our vaccination roll out down.
Fair enough – I don’t agree however.
Stuart79(Quote)
I care about all life Stu, even yours 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
The problem is that you never actually say anything of value. Your argument is always like a performance from a magician – you distract, you redirect attention, you use sleight of hand, you deceive, you play a smoke and mirrors game. The reality you address is one of illusion that obscures the real world we live in.
Oh, you know, you just do a Boris Johnson and say, “oo er, guv, oops, sorry. My bad.” And everybody will slap you on the back and say, “What a guy! What a guy! I’m soooo glad you are our Prime Minister.”
Brisvegas(Quote)
I think we can put out a decent team against Everton. Problem is that if we get a result we will get a big TOLD YOU SO from Bruce who has said he hasnt had the players all year – A LIE.
I think we have to take Krafth and Lewis out of the firing line. Also Lascelles but I doubt Bruce will do that. Assuming we have some defenders back, I would play the following , but I think it will change as we get to know who is fit.
Darlow
Manquillo Fernandez Clark Dummett
Shelvey Hayden
Fraser Miggy St Max
Wilson
Gayle would be on the bench partly because Bruce seems not to want to play him. Against my better instincts I will play Shelvey one more time. I just dont want 2 defensive mids and that’s what Bruce thinks Matty is. I think playing people in their proper positions might work. I dont think Darlow has done anything to get dropped. His kicking isnt that great but we keep giving him no time and an opposition player is on top of him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That is not a relegation side. We have a relegation Manager.
Even if we had Gayle for St Max that is still not relegation material.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oops he did it again.
Another T-rex armed Mackem blunder!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Time on my hands and a few lunch time double whiskys during a football conversation and I thought I’d come home and write something about Newcastle. Saw Eric’s post and decided to jam on that. (you see, I do read your posts – some of them anyway)
From what I’ve seen this season, I’d say your team is about the best available.
Shelvey would be the only one that I’d consider to be questionable, but maybe Manquillo as well. Perhaps it’s worth Schar playing further forward, and Murphy hasn’t been all bad.
I’d change the formation a bit, as shorthand for various roles. So Manquillo moves forward ( and maybe that would suit Murphy more) and Miggy plays deeper than Fraser and ASM. Yes! a false 10. We need one of them. So 3-4-3.
But not really, because going forward Shelvey would be more advanced than Hayden – so maybe it would be 3-1-3-2. And with Miggy more withdrawn than ASM and Fraser, and the latter two less forward than Wilson, and what about Manquillo/Murphy? So maybe 3-1-(1)-1-1-2-1) Lol.
Sorry. Ok let’s try to be serious. Deep breath.
In attack, Shelvey might be better than Schar given he was top scorer for a while not so long ago. However, sometimes Schar goes on exciting little runs. It was one of his better qualities under Rafa. A bit of freedom might work for him. So let’s consider Schar instead of Shelvey.
We’d have Miggy carrying the ball forward, with ASM and Fraser options left and right. Miggy can trend left to support ASM and ScharShelvey can play more centrally (or vice versa), MurphyManquillo would be a wide right option, with Fraser playing inside forward type of role.
It gives options for balls out of defence. ScharShelvey can pass reasonably well when on form and Miggy is handy at running the ball out. Fraser and ASM are quite quick and give width in transition.
Hayden and Schar would work better than Hayden and Shelvey as a central defensive midfield pair, and might even be able to defend that cutback that teams do when our defensive line is 2 inches from the goal line. MurphyManquillo would have to track back to right back, and maybe that’s where Manquillo would be better.
Fraser and Miggy withdraw to create a 4-4-2 defensive line.
But maybe that’s 4-4-1-1 or 6-2-1-1 or 4-2-2-1-1). ****! I can’t help myself. Football by numbers is a rather silly game really; it’s much more about roles and responsibilities.
So an alternative to your team, Eric:
Darlow
Fernandez Clark Dummett
Murphy Schar Hayden
Fraser Miggy St Max
Wilson
or should that be
Darlow
Fernandez Clark Dummett
Hayden
Murphy Schar
Miggy
Fraser St Max
Wilson
Phew! Time for another drink.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Billy Gilmore apparently is wanting a loan move from Chelsea. He seems to have quite a lot of promise. Maybe a move for him? Also Willems is linked to a live back to us. Maybe a replacement for Ritchie.
Stuart79(Quote)
Thanks. ?
Stuart79(Quote)
I have seen a few comments on blogs and twitter saying push Schar up as an AMF !
Think this is off the back of his marauding run with the ball on tuesday night . Schar does go on good runs but i think that’s because he is coming from the back and picks up speed. He’s a tall guy with a long stride and i’m not sure he would have that turn of pace if moved forward as an attacking MF, probs better as a DM but then again his temperament concerns me a bit, though i like him as a player.
We need someone in who plays that role well already, do i trust the club to do that and do it properly..no.
Hope that Jetro comes back to us if fully fit again, was a very good player who seemed to get the club too.
kimtoon(Quote)
We are now linked with Nat Chalobah from Watford, he’s another who’s had knee surgery and groin strains. He’s had covid already though so at least we don’t have to worry on that front.
kimtoon(Quote)
Remember last time we played Everton that Pickford was rested (dropped). I wonder if he just makes mistakes on purpose so he wont have to face the mighty NUFC and our massive goalscoring threat 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
My problem with Bruce is that he just seems to make excuses for excuses sake. There are many other things he could say rather than throw the players under the bus or accuse the fans of histrionics. I think it is ingrained he has been doing it for so long.
Against Leeds he could have come out with the old cliche of it being a game of 2 halves and we were the better team. Instead he makes another excuse about never having been able to play his best team. Oh, poor Brucie. Actually picking who you consider your best players, Miggy for example earlier in the year, might help. Or being overcautious with Fraser.
Maybe this is why we are 6/5 for relegation. You are acting like Moyes in his relegation season when he came out after 2 games I think and said the Mackems were doomed. The body language is similar as well.
The best one is that he is enslaved to the Rafa system because that is what the players know. More than half the players were not even at NUFC under Rafa. He now has 6, yes count ’em 6 assistant coaches. If we play the 9-0-1 “system” against Everton they should all be sacked, including Bruce and the new one.
Have they ever heard of the phrase “too many cooks…”? I still think Jones is caretaker in waiting and if Liam Kennedy at the Shields Gazette is right that he was Carr’s choice I wouldnt be surprised if the old man is putting feelers out for a full time replacement for the Steves. I would go abroad as they may not know what a cluster fck they are getting into and we might get a bit better quality than, say, Mark Hughes.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BrisV there are so many permutations there you must be getting advice from Steve Bruce and his 6 dwarves, I mean coaches.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Please hire a throw-in coach so I can call them Steve Bruce and the 7 Dwarves.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Who are these idiots going into British hospitals and disrupting treatment of covid patients. You would have to be a full on conspiracy theorist to believe this is a hoax. The virus is world wide and it seems there is a simple test. The article I just read had someone confronting a Dr telling them to take a patient with pneumonia off a ventilator. Are they also pneumonia deniers because that is pretty simple to diagnose.
This site is technically social media but I sometimes think we would be better off without facebook and twitter (I am on nether, for a reason, cos most of these conspriacies seem to be spread there and the algorithms seem to target these nutters to spread the lies). It is definitely aiding the spread of White Supremacism and what they falsely claim are militia in the US. And we all know it doesnt take much to set off racists in the former Eastern Europe and even Germany and France.
With so many hospitalized and dead world-wide, how can you possibly think this is a hoax. But then again, how can 75 million people vote for Donald Trump a confessed racist, misogynist and covid denier.
Eric Sykes(Quote)