A very poor display from Newcastle led to an easy 2-0 win for Chelsea, thanks to cheap first half goals from Olivier Giroud and Timo Werner.
The desire and fight seen in the Southampton game was a far cry from what was witnessed at Stamford Bridge and we may as not made the trip to the capital.
As much as Wilson is a loss to this Newcastle team, there is no excuse for such a negative display. Sky Sports repeated the line “a depleted team” a few times but we went into the game missing only two regular starters.
After a scary but well fought win against Southampton earlier in the month, tensions had been eased temporarily but with Fulham winning and news of Wilson’s injury, fears of capitulation had started to raise up again.
Going into this game, Chelsea had seen an upturn in form under their new manager, Tuchel, and with Bruce, once again, talking up the opposition fears of a bad loss and negative football was a concern.
Team news was about as good as could be hoped for with the loss of players from the Southampton game. Dwight Gayle came in as a replacement for Callum Wilson meaning that the attacking formation from the previous game was the same if not lacking in quality.
Jeff Hendrick’s suspension meant that the was room for a different midfielder and because of the return on Lascelles and Clark, Hayden was able to slot back into the far more familiar role of Centre-Midfield.
Barring the questionable, continued exclusion of Dubravka, the team selection seemed sensible and also promised to continue the attacking approach which had garnered better performances and results.
The big question was how Newcastle were going to perform without the striking talisman of Callum Wilson?
Chelsea’s dominance was clear to see ten minutes in, with Newcastle’s poor passing and sloppy marking from set pieces a consistent let down.
Jamaal Lascelles made a cracking tackle in the 15th minute to stop a strong run by Tammy Abraham. VAR checked the tackle and confirmed it was all legal but it led to an unfortunate injury for the Chelsea striker, leading to him being replaced by Olivier Giroud.
Surprise surprise, it was that man who then broke the deadlock for Chelsea in the 30th minute. Darlow saved a cross from Timo Werner after the German left Krafth for dead, but the GK’s parry diverted it out into the feet of the French striker, leading to an easy tap in. A frustrating goal to concede. 1-0 Chelsea.
Timo Werner then broke his non-scoring drought by taking advantage of extremely bad defending and non-existent marking (again) from a corner in the 39th minute. Two really easy goals given away and it felt like game over barring a serious turnaround.
The first half really was a sorry affair.
The loss of Wilson and Manquillo was really felt as both their replacements failed to make any sort of positive impact. Gayle floated around the right-hand side doing nothing and Krafth struggled against any opposition pressure.
The passion and grit from the Southampton game was completely absent along with a coherent game plan. Consistency in play style is an expectant but the diamond formation left the full backs dreadfully exposed whilst providing nothing of note in an attacking sense.
The team entered the pitch as disinterested as you would be if your manager had practically excused a loss before a ball was kicked.
Newcastle came out of the break with a bit more energy. There was less of a passive approach and it raised the question why we didn’t start the game in this fashion?
Joelinton replaced an anonymous Dwight Gayle in the 64th minute and if he were to touch the ball more than once then he’d arguably have more an impact.
Gayle’s inclusion, though it seemed sensible to at first, was bizarre when brought into the context that he’d played 100 minutes since December and was being asked to play in a position that really didn’t suit him. Had Gayle been at the top of diamond then maybe we would have been a bit sharper.
Joelinton seems like a better pick for the position that Gayle was being asked to play in.
Ryan Fraser was the second replacement of the night with the Scotsman replacing Saint-Maximin in the 72nd minute. Bruce will of course rue the fact that he was once again unable to play the two together at the same time…
Fraser started well and immediately put in a good cross for Joe Willock who forced a save from Kepa with a well timed run and glancing header.
Bruce made our final change on the 79th minute with Andy Carroll replacing Joe Willock. Presumably the thinking was that Carroll could make better use of Fraser’s crossing. His first move was to foul a player though, of course.
Despite more competitive play in the second half, everything in general was too flat. Had this been the play when the score was 0-0 then there wouldn’t be much to complain about but the lack of urgency from a team 2-0 down was subpar.
Newcastle end the game in 17th and we should be very worried about what may be coming, with Fulham seven behind us, with better goal difference and Burnley and Sheffield United to come before we play Man Utd on Sunday…
Not good enough.
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Think we all expected to get beat by Chelsea but it seems the players confidence has gone again. Why coz of losing Wilson nope because we still have a manager who fails to inspire our players. Nothing has changed we have had 2 good results that’s all. But we are still stuck with a clueless manager who is only capable of managing championship teams. Wake up Ashley nufc are in serious trouble and you need to get rid of this man now even tho it might mean u having to pay him his exit fee.
Marty(Quote)
Disgraceful performance, lack of direction and heart, they were beaten before they got of the bus.
Shevley was useless, Lewis caught out too many times, school boy defending, too much hoof ball. Miggy was again the only one who where’s his heart of his sleeve. Ashley needs to act now otherwise its all over.
Stewart(Quote)
Are we relying on Fulham not picking up points? They’ve played consistently better than us all season and have now started getting some results.
We are 9/4 to get relegated. I think that’s the most value in all of sport.
Stuart79(Quote)
On the face of it were 7 points better off than Fulham and only 1 point off Brighton after playing the same amount of games and doesn’t look too bad. The problem is, other teams are playing well and collecting points. But bigger problem is that we could be only 1/2 points off the bottom three very soon and that adds pressure and then anything can happen. Looking at our fixtures and Fulham’s if we are 4/5 points clear of Fulham after the next two games we might be ok but the nagging thing in the back of my mind is that without Wilson we are truly and royally ******.
Stuart79(Quote)
Tend to agree mate, was so disappointed in Gayle last night, maybe it’s the lack of games but his lack of pace was worryingly slow. He looked laborious and had zero hold up play most of the time.
We need to have Fraser playing , he is far better than Shelvey at corners and free kicks and we need to approach the start of games like we played in the second half. This has been a recurring theme all season, we start off showing way too much respect to the opposition first half, go a goal or two down and then start on the front foot second half when we are playing catch up.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim I’m sick of hearing Bruce tell us he’s not had chance to play ASM and Fraser in the same team due to injury. When he does have them available he only picks one ffs! Then replaces one for the other…
Stuart79(Quote)
Lets talk about ASM too, as good as he is everytime he is on the ball he is crowded out by 2 or 3 opo players. We know it’s gonna happen , he knows it’s gonna happen so why are we not addressing this ?
He was crowded out last night at one point on the edge of their box , he’d dragged 3 out of position and the pass was on yet he tried to shoot and get the glory and ended up hitting it straight at their players . Bad and selfish decision making doesn’t help, he has to know when to pass, it’s a team game . He needs to learn you cannot do it alone and use the fact he’s dragging players to him to our benefit .
You would think having an ex defender for a coach would make us more solid at the back , sadly he can’t even sort that out.
Without Wilson we are going to struggle, and our chances of survival look grimmer than ever.
We need to show no respect for Manure, if the Baggies can get a point then so can we.
kimtoon(Quote)
Exactly Stu, poor excuses and so much of what he says and does makes no sense to me.
kimtoon(Quote)
I’m increasingly finding it difficult to get behind this team. They’re woeful in so many games.
Bruce is a real problem as we have some decent players.
georgio(Quote)
He will blame the fact that Wilson is injured. Yet he’s had 18 months to see Joelinton, Carroll and Gayle and has either come to the conclusion they’re good enough or just hasn’t had the ability to sell them and replace them.
Stuart79(Quote)
Well they are certainly tearing through the vaccine groups now, had a call from GP they are doing Me and Lewis tomorrow ! must be at group 6 already in Bristol.
kimtoon(Quote)
If he blames Wilsons loss on our form then he’s admitting he cannot find a suitable system for us just like before he arrived.
Or you could say he is saying he hasn’t been backed cause we rely on one player, either way it will come across badly and Jabba won’t be pleased if it’s taken as the latter.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well that was another hard watch last night wasn’t it?!.
I think it just goes to show the frailties of our squad & the fact the recruitment has not been geared around any idea of a set formation – meaning our best players don’t seem to fit in the same 11 imo.
It’s clear from the last few weeks that Miggy is at his most effective behind a front 2. But playing that formation removes wingers – meaning you take away the effectiveness of ASM and Fraser.
We have more CBs than we know what to do with, because we played 3 at the back up until recently – but most are out injured.
We don’t have the quality in full backs – Kraft was awful last night & hes it for RB with Manq out.
I like Hayden & Willock, but Shelvey is poor imo – and yet the Longstaffs can’t shift him. That says all you need about our CMs
Forwards ??♂️. Gayle was shockingly bad last night. Zero movement, zero energy, zero interest from him really. I’ve seen enough of Joelinton now. I was ready to have a little hope that these changes may benefit him, but there is just nothing there!!. To think we we could have had Rondon in the squad for around £15m and spent a reported £40m instead.
Which only leaves Carroll really & I know there’s a bit of a love in coz he’s a local lad. But if he was from anywhere else we’d all be saying he’s useless!!.
To think we had Armstrong & Toney at the club & allowed both to leave for less than £5m for both.
Bruce is a poor manager without doubt. But what we have in our squad is equally as poor imo – compounded by the fact I don’t see how we can get our best players playing their most effective game at the same time.
I think Fulham will catch us, but will slump again. I don’t think injuries have hit them much so far.
This could go down to our last game of the season – against Fulham – us or them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – that’s great news ??. I know a few people have had a naughty reaction to the Oxford one mind, only a day or 2 and worth it in the long run for sure.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – to be fair to Bruce imo not sure there is a formation with the injuries we have. That’s down to the recruitment & having poor options in the squad imo.
Kraft isn’t good enough. Rafa basically gave up on Shelvey & left coz Joelinton was being forced on him (or that was at least part of it). Gayle has never been good enough to hold down a regular starting spot – Rafa swapped him for Rondon. He should have been sold ages ago imo. Carroll was let go on a free & is on a pay as you play contract effectively.
The quality simply isn’t there and never has been, even when we had a manager who could organise the team better.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – tip of the iceberg there. The list of rubbish players is far longer than the good ones. Throw in Bruce and we’re only going one way.
georgio(Quote)
That’s good. I kind of hoped I’d be higher than I am. I have asthma and have just had to start on the ******* preventer but still not vulnerable. Having said that I don’t really have a problem with it. There’s many more who are more vulnerable than I am. But I think by the end of March all over 50’s will be done. That’s some going. I just hope they reduce the restrictions enough.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, they were saying this morning that if you use an inhaler you are group 6 like me and Lew. Do you use an inhaler mate ? Personally i think anyone with chest issues including asthma should be in group 6, after all covid effects breathing .
Sharpy, yeah side effects, shivers, aches, headache and temp in quite a lot, but i also know a fair few who have had non at all apart from a sore arm.They say the second dose is the one that hits you bad.
Out of 8 service users that have had it at his day center only one was very poorly, for 5 days, he was an epileptic like lewis, so i will need to keep a good eye on Lew. He can’t talk or sign to say if his head hurts or he feels aches and pains, so i might keep him dosed up on paracetamol for a couple of days, she what the Doc reckons.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: good to hear you are getting the vaccine and I hope that Lewis doesnt have side effects. The cure (vaccine) is much better than the disease (covid).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Cheers mate, yeah hopefully no side effects and i’m just so pleased we are getting it.
kimtoon(Quote)
I am getting the vaccine as soon as it is available and am happy me Mam has had her 1st dose. This is despite a little bit of a bad experience. I went to Egypt 30 years ago and had to have yellow fever vaccine. I came out of the Drs office and saw the guy who had been in there before me collapsed on the floor. Later that night I got dizzy a few times but it only lasted a day. My wife had no issues at all.
I think this sort of reaction is common and also why there are so many conspiracy theories about vaccines.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
In India it looks like they’re reaching herd immunity without the vaccine. Cases and deaths reducing very quickly and they aren’t in a particularly stringent lockdown. They have a younger population and are a relatively thin population. That’s essentially the complete opposite of us.
Stuart79(Quote)
Who’s watching the Fulham game ?
kimtoon(Quote)
I read a Ryder article and it referred to Graeme Jones as First Team Coach. This says to me that he is ahead of all of the Steves except Bruce. So what do the Steves do? There’s 4 of them. 2 are keeper coaches although I think Harper is in more like a inspirational speaker type role. Does Agnew take out the balls and Clement the cones? We know nobody coaches corners and free kicks so that cannot be their job. Our throw ins are just as bad although that hardly gets mentioned.
We know Charnley has a lock on the position of teaboy so the Steves cannot be on that duty.
Seriously, what do they do now? And is Bruce’s role as head coach now just to pick the team and subs and do the media duties (BADLY)?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kimtoon: I am sort of half watching the game. Fulham have now adopted the play it out from the back and high press approach. It remains to be seen if they have the players to execute it. Dyche is still pretty much going route 1.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Nobody expected us to win against Chelsea and I think there is little hope against Man U either. However, we have to get Fraser on the pitch somehow. Probably for Shelvey, although I am not sure what formation we would play. But that is what the Steves are for, or they were until Jones was brought in.
It is actually a bit of a conundrum that they should be working on in training. If you play Jonjo it changes the whole dynamic of the team. He is slow but can pick a pass and if you dont play to his strengths then he may as well not be on the pitch. Especially for dead balls which is something they seem to still not to have sussed after how many years at NUFC? is it 4 or 5 now?
I am going to say this until I am blue in the face – Jonjo cannot take free kicks. They end up in the stands. You at least have to get 1 on target every 4 or 5 games FFS 🙂 And corners. His speciality is The Jonjo Floater. Almost dinked into the area between the 6 yard line and penalty spot where the keeper can choose to get it or you have 2 centre halfs waiting for it. I wouldnt mind as much if it had pace and/or swerve but it is a FLOATER. Everytime that Jonjo steps up the opposition manager knows exactly what is coming. For free kicks, their goalie may as well go and check his phone messages.
You either have to build the team around Shelvey or not play him. I think not play him against Man U who are too fast for him. Hope Graeme Jones can sort this out as I do not trust the Steves.
Sorry if I am repeating myself BUT THEY KEEP MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES. The evidence is in now, Jonjo is **** at set pieces.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim – what do you reckon?, is a draw the best result – or a Burnley win to keep Fulham at bay … or a Fulham win? – would that crank up the pressure to sack Bruce??.
The eternal toon fan in me says draw.
Sharpy17(Quote)
ffs
kimtoon(Quote)
better
kimtoon(Quote)
Worry is Chronicle are right. Otherwise Bruce would have gone by now. We’ve lost 10 from the last 15. Is there any other club in our position who would stick with their manager?
Stuart79(Quote)
Sharpy: I think draw is best for us. But we really shouldnt be worrying about other teams. We should have beat Palace and been much more comfortable.
I think Palace are probably 3rd worst team in PL and Mr Roy has them ahead of where they should be.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’ve given up all hope of catching Burnley. I’d rather they win.
Stuart79(Quote)
How is Fatso Moss still a Ref? He is always 10 yards away from where he should be. My Grandad can run faster than him and he is dead.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This is actually OK now. Fulham are reverting to type. Their problem was always defending and it looks like Parker has not totally fixed that.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am wondering if there will be mutterings of firing Ancelotti if the Blue Bindippers lose today? They lost to us twice and Fulham really are not very good and they lost at home to them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh, I forgot that Everton are away to Liverpool on Saturday. Should be an interesting week for them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It was an awful game to watch that one. Neither deserved to win & the draw is the best result for us so good night for us there I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stewie: there are almost 28 million confirmed cases of Corona Virus in the US now. That is almost 10% of the population and if what the Drs say is correct there are many more as a lot of people are asymptomatic and are not tested. So, this is not “like the flu” as some have stated. Almost half a million deaths as well.
I dont know what could have been done better over here as it seems most countries mismanaged this. I can tell anybody that is interested that Trump totally messed up.
#WorstPresidentEver
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Was reading up on non COVID news today & the kidnapped Dubai princess ?.
Wonder what the anti Saudis make of that one then???.
Also saw the ref square up to a player & get punished for it. It does make me laugh that they can run articles about players being trolled (and i done condone that mind), yet when they mouth off at refs, telling them to F off and calling them cheats and stuff, and the ref reacts there’s hell on – but of a bitter irony there I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Mackem T-Rex is back for Everton. It is not very nice to wish someone to fail but I will make an exception for Pickford. It is not all about him being a Mackem either, it is because he will be a liability for England at some point. There is form for this with England goalies like with Shilton and the Maradona goal or Seaman and the Ronaldinho goal and quite a few others.
What really annoys me most about him though is that he acts like a petulant child towards his teammates. I am surprised Big Dunc hasnt knocked him out yet.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think we should maybe go 4-2-3-1 against Man Utd.
—————-—- Darlow —————-
Kraft-Lascelles-Clarke-Dummett
———Hayden ——- Willock ——-
Fraser———Almiron———-Saint
—————-— Carroll ——————-
Actually I’d want them to be more a 4141 when we are attacking.
The back 4 stay as a back 4 – Kraft & Dummett defend only. Don’t cross the halfway line to keep things tight at the back.
Hayden sits in front of those CBs maybe even man marks Bruno.
Willock goes between but I’d want him to push up & support Almiron & I’d be telling Fraser to get the crosses in for Carroll to go up against Maguire & Lindelof.
I’d want Almiron & ASM getting around the box because I think they are our best chance of goals now.
Fraser is definitely best on set pieces so needs to come in in place of Shelvey imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric, can you confirm something for me? On the radio today they had a British woman on from Florida who said she’s leading a reasonably normal life. Bars open, restaurants, shops and theatres etc… They didn’t have a lock down anywhere near as bad as us here she said. She then said in California they had quite a severe lockdown and they have had more cases and more deaths in California. Is that true?
Stuart79(Quote)
Sharpy, Sorry for late reply, was busy. Yeah I think the draw was about the right result in the end.
kimtoon(Quote)
Mackem T-Rex fcked up for City’s 3rd. He will cost England a game at the Euros if Southgate continues to pick him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’d have Dubravka in for Darlow. I think he is more communicative.
Other than that, I’d agree with your line-up and strategy.
Brisvegas(Quote)
There were/are still a lot of cases in Florida and their Governor is sort a Trump mini-me so they kept things open more than other places. I had a trip booked to Key West for Jan 20 but cancelled to be safe but also things were only about half open. For example, my nice hotel was open but no indoor restaurant, the outdoor tiki bar was closed and they werent serving breakfast or even cleaning the rooms during your stay. Quite a famous hotel as well, Hemmingway stayed there. I only had one night booked there bit the fckers wouldnt refund me the $250. The rest did so, so I thought I would go next year.
If that place was closed, then there would be many other restrictions.
I also travelled to Oregon in Oct. It was open, but again with restrictions. Screens at hotel receptions. No breakfasts. Restrictions in bars, but they were open. Only takeout at coffee shops.
In summary, life is going on but it is far from normal.
Chicago has bars open but at 25% capacity. It is too bloody cold to go out though as we have had a polar vortex and 2 feet of snow 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont mind having Carroll in against Man U but more to defend their corners. Not sure if Bruce will replace Shelvey though. I think Lewis/Dummett is 50/50.
I think we will be playing a bit of hoofball and relying on St Max and Miggy to do it all on their own to get out of our half. But, you never know…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This is tight. We are only 4 points behind Palace and S’ton with 14 games to go. I think Palace are a worse team than Fulham and a Zaha injury away from meltdown. Still, Fulham are most likely to go down. I think we will just about be OK.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bris – I agree with you about Dubravka being a better communicator, and you might be right, we might be missing that at the back. I just think Darlow has done well since coming in & it would be a bit harsh to drop him.
Our Captain players CB and should be that voice but I actually think he’s the poorest CB we have. Fernandez, Clark, Schar and Lascelles would be my order.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stuart: just to finish up. Nowhere is NORMAL here so I dont know what that FL woman is talking about. I was in Seattle as well and that was about half open. Chicago has been going in between total lockdown and restricted everything for 9 months. And I did check out FL pretty thoroughly and decided not to go.
I have a trip booked to Maine in 2 months and am hoping to have been vaccinated by then. If I tried to get in there today they wouldnt let me without a clean virus test within 3 days of travel. That FL woman will probably catch the virus!!!!! And just when it seems that it is getting under control.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Agree totally with Sharpy and BrisV. Dubravka is the better keeper but Darlow has done really well and Lascelles is our poorest CB.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: remember that Man U game in Chicago when we were 2-0 up and I was saying like – we’ll hold on for a draw after they scored. You said nah, we’ll lose. We did 🙂
I have no faith in us getting anything at Old Trafford on Sunday. I keep having to learn my NUFC lesson that when it seems bad, it can always get worse. That would involve starting the Brazilian Donkey which I am sure Bruce will.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We have as much chance of getting anything on against Man Utd as me going out for a pint this Sunday afternoon.
Stuart79(Quote)
https://www.rangersnews.uk/news/dave-king-on-what-led-to-breaking-mike-ashleys-vice-like-grip-on-rangers/
kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kOXmA6olZ8
Happy Birthday Sir Bobby
kimtoon(Quote)
I agree on the latest piece on here about goalies. Darlow has surpassed my expectations which were pretty low. Dubs is better though.
Sell Darlow to Everton in the summer. They need a decent keeper.
Darlow for England (still much better than T-Rex Mackem even if he is our number 2).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim – it’s my boys birthday today too – 12 ??♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Wow, no way, hope you told him he shares his birthday with a legend 🙂
Mines on the 28th, big 60 .
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – it was planned ???. Ok maybe not.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I watched Porto v Juve last night & Mbemba was excellent – just when we’re talking about our CBs
Sharpy17(Quote)
kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9276335/In-heartbreaking-pictures-human-face-cancer-epidemic-threatening-100-000-patients.html
Devastating impact of lockdown… Tip of the iceberg
Stuart79(Quote)
icedog(Quote)
Feel about 80 at the moment Ice, my knees are shocking, hoping it’s just cold weather and that they will free up a bit once it warms up like.
kimtoon(Quote)
icedog(Quote)
Cheers , good tip Ice
kimtoon(Quote)
This site is glitchy again or is it me ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Red or Blue Bindippers?
I go Red.
For only 1 reason. The odious T-Rex Mackem. If he doesnt play, I dont care.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Who looks more like a toad now:
1. Big Fat Sam
2. “The Legend” Mick Quinn
3. Steve Bruce?
Have a salad at least once a week guys!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The answer is Mick Quinn.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9279767/BEL-MOONEY-dad-died-chronic-illness-hes-officially-Covid-victim.html
This is a utter shambles. It’s disgusting how the media haven’t been all over this. Is it because it’s a bigger story for us to have higher death rates…
This is something I’ve seen in action. My friends dad died of complications from COPD and they mentioned Covid on his death certificate. My friend and his brother had to complain to the hospital twice to get it removed because he didn’t die of Covid.
Despicable.
Stuart79(Quote)
****
fulham winning
kimtoon(Quote)
3 points gap now … we are entering squeaky *** territory now
Gilly Toon(Quote)