After missed chances, a total lack of conviction in the final third and a cruel own goal from Ciaran Clark in the 86th minute, Jamaal Lascelles headed home to rescue us a point with 30 seconds on the clock.
It may seem like a good draw when equalising so late, but I’m sure I join many Mags out there in feeling like that’s a huge chance missed to get that elusive win we’re desperate for.
After all, Villa were way below their best tonight, without their star man and there to be beaten. You could argue that neither side did enough to take all three points, however we could’ve easily edged it had we not picked the wrong pass when big openings came our way.
The result takes us onto 28 points, meaning we are now two clear of Brighton (17th) and Fulham (18th), with the latter facing Southampton on Sunday after Man Cit’s trip to Craven Cottage tomorrow night.
Bruce made just the one change for this one, taking out Jeff Hendrick and bringing in Dwight Gayle for only his second Premier League start of the season.
It wasn’t clear if we’d moved to a 4-3-3 or would be sticking with a 4-3-1-2, but one thing that didn’t add up was Bruce’s call to keep Emil Krafth in the side when Javier Manquillo – the club’s best right-back – was fit again.
The game kicked off and it was immediately clear that we had stuck with a 4-3-1-2, with Fraser in the ‘Almiron role’, Gayle operating as a left-sided forward and Joelinton down the right.
It was a cagey start. Fraser had a well struck shot gathered comfortably by Martinez after a ball in behind by Joelinton and lay off from Gayle, but Villa started to control possession after the five minute mark – enjoying 70% of the ball and pinning us in our own half.
It felt like the first goal in this one was going to be key, with BT Sport pointing out that neither side had won a game this season when conceding first.
Joelinton then burst into life down the right hand side, beating Mings for pace and shrugging off the England international after cutting inside. A few black and white shirts were breaking into the box, but he got a shot away that was well blocked by Konsa. It wasn’t as good a chance as his opening at West Brom last weekend and perhaps a sign that he’s been told to be more greedy in and around the box. Either way, it was a case of promising approach play and poor final ball from the big man.
We took some confidence from that opening and got ourselves on the front foot over the next few minutes without ever really threatening.
The dangerous Traore was forced off with a rib injury after colliding with the hoardings and replaced by the El-Ghazi – who had a decent shot well held by Dubravka soon after his introduction.
The Slovakian soon had another save to make, with Trezeguet bursting in between Dummett and Hayden before lashing a powerful strike that stung Dubravka’s finger tips.
After surviving that scare, we then got back on the front foot with 64% of the ball between the 25th and 30th minute mark. We’d upped the intensity and put plenty inviting balls into the box, but it was too often a Villa head that was meeting Dummett and Fraser’s deliveries. I was against him starting, but Carroll would’ve been sat on the bench licking his lips at this point.
The lack of pace or cutting edge in our side was a concern without our absent attacking trio, yet it was clear this game was one we could win as we approached half time. We had to get better service into Gayle and look after the ball a bit better in midfield – Shelvey’s passes were ‘mixed’ to put it mildly – however it was promising to see how much Mings was struggling to cope with Joelinton’s power whenever the Brazilian got at him. The issue was his final ball nearly always let him down, giving this one a similar feel to last Sunday’s stalemate.
Another worry was the lack of fluidity between the front three and our failure to move the ball quickly when breaking. If it wasn’t Gayle looking lost on the left or Fraser being ignored in a good position it was Joelinton’s slow and sloppy decision making that let us down, making you wish Wilson, Almiron and Saint-Maximin were fit that bit more!
The whistle went and it was 0-0 at the break. Another poor game and one that that was there for us to win if we could up our game in the final third. The problem was, that felt like a big IF when Gayle looked lost on the left, Fraser was struggling to stamp his authority on the game and Joelinton’s final ball often let him down.
Onto the second half and it began with a cheap yellow card for Krafth – one that left him walking on egg shells just when the game was threatening to open up.
We were defending well via a host of blocked shots and keeping Watkins quiet – he was their main outlet but nothing was sticking – however it was the same old theme. Patches of promising play but as soon as we got into the final third we never looked likely, with Villa often dealing with any hopeful balls into the box and our front three looking exactly what they were – a forward line who’d never played together in a system that didn’t really suit them!
60 minutes in and the game was screaming out for someone like Jacob Murphy. Ok, he’s no Allan Saint-Maximin, but his pace and directness could hurt Villa. Something needed to change or Bruce were sleepwalking towards another 0-0 in a game that was there to be won.
It was Dean Smith who made changes, however, bringing on Sanson and Barkley before Lascelles was booked for a blatant handball to stop a Villa counter.
A few more promising situation then opened up when we burst forward on the break, but one under hit pass from Willock and another over hit from Hayden 30 seconds later left Newcastle fans up and down the country with their hands on their heads!
Another opening then arrived after Willock slipped Joelinton in behind. The Brazilian burst into the box down the right, had Martinez to beat and Gayle hoping for a tap in, however he once again picked the wrong ball – opting for a hopeful cut-back to a player surrounded by Villa shirts in Fraser. Painful to watch.
15 minutes remained and it really did feel like the writing was on the wall if we failed to find a winner against an Aston Villa side who’d never looked so beatable all season. Thankfully, Bruce saw sense and brought on Jacob Murphy – but was it a case of too little too late as the clock hit 80?
With 82 minutes on the clock, our big chance arrived. Dummett fired a good ball into Murphy and he sat two Villa men down, cut in and saw his right footed shot fly past Martinez and crash back off the bar. It was a decent effort – which is more than can be said about some of our play in the final third tonight – but it was ANOTHER opening that ended without a goal.
A draw would’ve felt like two massive points dropped, yet disaster struck with five minutes remaining. Targett was given too much space to cross and his ball was met by Watkins. His header was going wide but ended up going in off the bar via a cruel deflection off Clark – the former Villa man who hadn’t put a foot wrong all night.
A bitter pill to swallow and a goal that sent a sinking feeling through just about everyone on Tyneside – but that’s what you get what you show such a lack of conviction in the final third!
88 minutes in and Bruce turned to Andy Carroll. He’d scored just once in over 18 months back at the club, but we needed him to bag another here if we were to avoid a devastating defeat.
After surviving a quite ridiculous 3 vs 1 counter attack – spoilt by a stunning Dubravka save and Watkins offside – we had one last chance to get the ball into the box.
Carroll missed his header and the ball was retrieved by Murphy, whose swinging cross was met brilliantly by Jamaal Lascelles. His header flew past Martinez and the full-time whistle went straight after the restart.
A huge point for Newcastle United or an even bigger missed chance to take all three against a Villa side way below their best?
Who knows. A frustrating night on Tyneside filled with zero quality in the final third, but Lascelles’ last-gap equaliser at least saved us from a disastrous defeat.
Next up, Brighton next weekend – a must-win match that Jacob Murphy must start after another bright cameo!
I’m sure I heard a stat earlier today that only Man City have more clean sheets than Villa and they have conceded the 2nd fewest goals this season – maybe that was away goals – but ultimately they have a good defence.
On the flip side, we do not have great quality in our squad – especially with our 3 best players still out.
I thought we played well tonight & had the chances to take the lead well before they scored. We simply lacked the quality – that’s not Bruce’s fault.
Gayle isn’t good enough and anyone suggesting Carroll should have played is really clutching at straws. He isn’t good enough either.
If we lost tonight it would have been unfair on the lads because they worked hard and tried to win the game (unlike WBA).
When Lascelles scored I feel like we deserved the point at the very least & good on the lads for not letting their heads drop with a late goal conceded. It showed they were still up for the fight – which offers some hope.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I give in.
Did we just go out there for an Easter Brunch or summink? Villa were there for the taking without Grealish. The fat fck played Gayle on the left and our natural winger down the middle!?
I will repeat:
Donkey-Joe, Krafth and Shelvey should never play for NUFC again.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What are you talking about Sharpy, mate? Carroll is better than the donkey. I AM BETTER THAN THE DONKEY, and I am 58 years old. At least I wouldnt scuff my shots or miss headers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – Joelinton is really poor, but so is Carroll. He’s no better option in terms of a goal threat – which is what we need right now.
Outside of a goal threat, Carroll offers very little either.
That’s not me disputing what you are saying about Joe – I agree. My overall point is that our squad is SO lacking in quality up front.
As much as I don’t think Carroll is very good either – I still don’t understand the point of bringing him on with 5 mins to go?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So Steve(s) what do you think of the game tonight and where was Graeme?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Brucie replies:
I think we did really well to snatch a point given my team selection. Krafth did his usual. And Shelvey was thinking more about his golf game than the actual game.
I thought Donkey had a really good game as well apart from all of those mis-placed passes. Not as much falling over as he usually does which I was very pleased about.
I was delighted that Dwight stuck to the position I told him to on the left wing rather than be in the middle where he might get a shot or even score. Delighted.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Our tactic seemed to be o pass the ball to Shelvey which immediately slows the game down. Shelvey had a very poor game. I haven’t got the stats but when not booting the ball out of play he passed more often to an Aston Villa player. Willock in the second half showed how midfield players should play. Shelvey does not suit the way teams play now.
I agree with Eric. Why play a striker on the wing and the winger as a striker?
Groucho(Quote)
Well we definitely deserved the point if not all 3. Was surprised how poor Villa were to be honest and can’t help feeling had we taken our chances better it could of been very different outcome. Would of won with our injured trio on the field no doubt about that, such a shame.
In fairness to Joe, he wasn’t that bad, good strength and saw some pace but he really makes poor decisions in the box and his shots are weak for such a big guy.
A lot said Shelvey was good last week but i thought he was just ok, last night however he was AWOL, too slow, passed to Villa players too often too and actually slowed us down imo.
Felt very sorry for Clark re the goal, he didn’t deserve that, had a really good game.
Was glad to see Murphy come on albeit far too late and then he took off Fraser who is our best corner taker.
Why was Gayle out wide and Fraser in the middle ?please can someone explain that logic to me cause to me it’s a waste of both their talents .
Thank god for Lascelles again, did it v Wolves and again last night but if we don’t beat Brighton it’s all rather pointless i think.
Man City should beat Fulham tonight, if they don’t then well, it really will look like the football gods have it in for us. Mind you, if you don’t play for the draw you sometimes get the luck you deserve.
kimtoon(Quote)
One of Burnley, NUFC, Brighton and Fulham will go down with Sheff U and West Brom.
Looking at the final ten games of the season I can see us finishing on 34 points , behind Brighton on 37 points with Fulham and Burnley both on 38 points.
Looking likely that we will have both a Tyne/ Wear derby and a Tyne/Tees derby next season.
Thanks Bruce.
Sidekick(Quote)
Palace play West Brom today. 2 former England managers. Can you believe that!!! Mr Roy and BFS are 2 of the 3 worst England Managers ever. McClaren is the 3rd. Is there time for Brucie to get the England job, he was mentioned a few times for it.
What struck me last night about Bruce playing Fraser as a miniature center forward and Dwight on the wing was how much it reminded me of Mr Roy’s England. You know, where he had Harry Kane taking corners. Yes, that Harry Kane who can actually head a ball and is one of the cleanest strikers of a ball and invariably gets it on target. That one. The best number 9 since Shearer.
Can you imagine if Shearer was put on corners. I think he would have planted Mr Roy.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have no problem with Ollys player ratings for yesterday.
But I think Shelvey is lucky to even scrap a 4. He was awful last night – every aspect of his game. Plenty have had their say on Shelvey so I’ll leave it there, but needless to say he’d be out my team.
Gayle was another that bitterly disappointed last night. I didn’t expect him to come if and smash a hat trick, but usually he’s a nuisance at the very least – he’d let the defenders know he was there and put a shift in. I saw nowt last night. I know his contract is up at the end of the season & maybe he’s given up on NUFC – is looking to stay fit to move in the summer – but he’s not the player keeping us up.
The player that has grown on me a lot though is Murphy. He was unlucky not to score last night, put some good balls into the box & worked his socks off. He lacks a bit of quality – but so do a lot of players in our squad. Can’t fault his workrate & effort though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Whatever we all think about Bruce, he is right about us missing our big players. The problem is that he has made so many excuses that it just gets old. You know what I mean. When he says “I’m not one to make excuses, but…”
“The dog ate my homework”
After a while you expect it and tune him out.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
OK. What is the point of corner flags?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We are so **** poor and have been for a long time.
Bruce is a bit of a joke but honestly what’s the point in getting worked up about managers. We all know it’s Mike Ashley that dictates transfer policy and undermines manager’s autonomy to nominate players in the market appropriate to the playing style they want to achieve.
Until Ashley is gone, this is what we have to deal with. The managers in the meantime are just a distraction to take the flack for Ashley’s failings.
I simply don’t have the passion about this club under current administration to get worked up about players/managers. It’s a pointless waste of energy.
Shamrock(Quote)
About right Sham. The joy is long long gone.
Into the 93rd minute then the point gained is a big one, Olly. As usual too many sub par players in our team. Willock looks good though.
georgio(Quote)
Watching Crystal Palace. Roy Hodson is turning into a turkey. He has a serious wattle going on.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50722548
kimtoon(Quote)
BFS is down now.
Ha Ha
Ha Ha
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think we can say Burnley are staying up now.
Who are the other 7 teams in trouble Brucie?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Spoke too soon 🙂
My prediction now is that it will go to 2-2 and the dirty stinking mackem will miss one at the near post.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Mackem T-Rex is not injured, he is scared.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is not a shock that Miggy will play again soon. It was Bruce scaremongering about him being out for the rest of the season. He had a bruise to the back of his knee. I watched replays and knew it was not a bad injury and said so on here.
Where is Waldo. I mean Graeme Jones?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So Burnley playing well, attacking and getting a result so far at Everton. Not good news for us. Pretty sad when our survival relies on other teams playing worse than us, which is pretty difficult.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Scott Parker is reminding me of Arthur Daley in the way he is dressing.
A little dodgy maybe, but underneath he’s alright.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What a great show Minder was. I wish they would make more like that today.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There’s still some. Game of Thrones is like epic but there are too many baking shows and the ones where a camera man follows girls with giant asses around in California.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Summer is coming Steve Bruce and hopefully you will be gone along with the daffodils.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is NUFC, Fulham and Brighton now. If the cabbage keeps saying there are 7 or 8 teams in it I will throw my shoe at the telly. The pivotal games for us are Brighton, obviously and Burnley and Sheffield. I just cant see it coming down to the last game of the season. I think one of the teams listed will be relegated before we play Fulham.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’m watching Brighton and they have so much more than us at the moment. They pass it, they look dangerous and have really effort and they look like they know they’re in a battle.
Can anybody see us getting 36 points?
Stuart79(Quote)
Brighton winning and looks like the only outcome the way the games going.
The way they have played today & the confidence this win will give them – makes next weekend an even bigger game for us now.
If Bruce is right and our front 3 aren’t back for that game, I don’t feel confident at all.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stu – Brighton’s players are no better than ours individually – they are just coached better and collectively more organised.
They are just far more enjoyable to watch than we are – the same can be said about Fulham actually.
Sharpy17(Quote)
In answer to your question of 36 pts – that’s 8 more needed.
Well the fixtures are there to get them from our 10 remaining games – 4 of those games being against Brighton, Burnley, Sheff Utd & Fulham (teams around us & in similar form to us). There’s 12 winnable points – with 6 other games to pick up whatever we can from those.
8 pts from a possible 30, with the fixtures we have left looks entirely achievable on paper.
I think the next 2 games are huge really. Anything less than 4 points from those and I think we have a massive up hill battle – I’d probably go as far to say that it would go to our last 2 games if we get less than 4 points – that and hoping that Fulham keep getting beat.
Bruce would have no excuse. The fixtures favour him imo, but he dropped too many throughout the season with his negative approach.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I am absolutely certain Miggy will be fit for Brighton and that should give us a front 3 of Fraser, Dwight and Miggy- Dwight in the middle you fat fck:
It is pointless playing Gayle unless he is in the middle.
It means dropping Donkey though so I am not sure it will happen.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’d be banging the door down to try and get Chris Wilder. But having said that I think I’d take Gene Wilder instead of Bruce
Stuart79(Quote)
Sharpy – The winnable games you mention aren’t winnable anymore I don’t think. We’ve had a run of winnable games in the last few weeks and we haven’t won any of them. Worse still, we haven’t looked anywhere near winning any of them. That’s a problem because I don’t know what will change in ten games. We’ve won in 20. Now we’re expected to think we can win 2/3 in ten.
Not sure if that will happen.
Stuart79(Quote)
Fulham’s next three games are against Leeds, Villa and Wolves. Our are against Brighton, Spurs and Burnley. I can’t see us scoring let alone winning.
Stuart79(Quote)
Eric – if that’s the case I think Bruce would either go Joe & Fraser up front with Miggy at 10, or Joe and Gayle up front with Miggy 10 – but I am sure he will stick with Joe.
I’m not saying he should – I’m saying I’m sure he will.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stu – I agree mate, that’s why I worded my post the way I did.
It depends heavily on which NUFC turns up.
If we can get 4 points from the next 2 games I think we will go on to be safe (depending on what Fulham do) – but I could see us getting a further 4 points from 8 remaining games.
But regardless, I would not see that as an achievement or an acceptable season. It would still be bitterly disappointing that it’s another relegation battling season.
Survival would also likely ensure Bruce keeps his job – meaning we’d have all this to look forward to again next season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yeah Sharpy, man, whenever I pick a team on here it is what I think Bruce will go with rather that the team I would pick. You are probably 99% that he will go with Donkey.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – Joe in front of goal is awful, but his general play against Villa was better than normal – he give Mings a real tough game.
Brighton have some big physical CBs, so if the same Joe turns up, he could be useful. If not I’d consider Carroll to battle it out and cause problems for the likes of Dunk.
Brighton are dangerous at set pieces too, so Joe or Carroll would help defensively as well too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know Sharpy. I am even boring myself going on about Joe-Donkey. Just score a goal and dont scuff your next shot and I will lay off. FFS, just score a goal!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
2 wins in 19 games. That is even bad for Bruce – 10.5%.
THAT’S TEN POINT FIVE PERCENT.
How hasn’t he been sacked?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
One of those games was against Brentford reserves.
How is this even possible?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Anybody else feel the mass suspension of AstraZeneca vaccine by EU countries more than a little odd? If the vaccine caused blood clots, given it’s been administered 15,000,000 times and 37 have been reported it means 0.0003% of people will suffer a blood clot. Isn’t that odd? Even though it’s more than likely not to be the vaccine causing the clots given blood clots happen regularly and the vaccine doesn’t protect against blood clots isn’t it fair to assume that the clots would happen anyway?
Smells of politics to me.
Stuart79(Quote)
kimtoon(Quote)
It would be very strange if there was a link to clots though as in general the more likely blood side effect from vaccinations would be low platelets which is the total opposite to clots. This can happen with the flu jab albeit rare, it’s what they think caused my platelets to drop 6 years ago.
There is actually less people dying from clots than in an average year oddly enough.
Germany Spain and France are still using it so i’m not sure it is political more erring on the side of caution .
kimtoon(Quote)
I had my first jab 3 weeks ago, bad headache for a couple of hours next day and tender arm, had worse reactions to flu jab tbh. They do say the second jab gives worse side effects, we’ll see.
kimtoon(Quote)
Jermaine Jenas talks a much better game than he played.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Germany France and Italy have now suspended the Astra Zeneca vaccine. I had this vaccine 6 weeks ago and had no side effects. Looking forward to my second jab in April.
EU still smarting about their lack of vaccines . With most of those Countries having elections soon and their citizens furious at the slow roll out of vaccines I am not surprised that they are now trying to dismiss the A Z vaccine as potentially unsafe.
Never heard of any blood clots in the millions of people already vaccinated in the UK but there are certainly a lot of bloody clots in the EU.
Sidekick(Quote)
It’s unbelievable. How do they expect their citizens to react now? The likelihood is their authorities will give it the go ahead again and some citizens will be like – I’m not having that and they continue on this doom loop. Idiotic!
Stuart79(Quote)
You have to worry about the Govt saying dont take it Stewie mate, because there are already a lot predisposed not do it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Exactly, Eric. Their vaccination roll out will be a disaster now and will probably take them until the winter to get it done.
Stuart79(Quote)
Alright: why dont Adama Traore and Michel Antonio just buy the next size up of shorts? Get a drawstring at the waist. Your drycleaners can put it in FFS.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Glenn Roeder’s family release statement:
Today, we said goodbye to a beloved husband and father Glenn, who very sadly passed away on 28th February 2021.
Glenn lived an incredible life and experienced so much joy with his family, friends, colleagues, former colleagues and fans. Today we celebrated this life, bringing pride and inspiration to our family.
As a family, and on behalf of Glenn, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has shared tributes and words of kindness with us on texts, emails, cards, social media posts, press articles and flowers. It has been such a huge comfort and has brought us joy to read them all. Whilst we have not been able to thank everyone individually, every message, in whatever way received, has been read and appreciated.
We also thank the clubs, players and coaching staff who have worn black armbands and observed a minute of silence or applause in his honour. It really would have meant the world to him to know how much love and respect has been shown to us in recent weeks.
Over £14,000 has been raised in Glenn’s memory in support of The Brain Tumour Charity. For the past 17+ years, the care he received was outstanding and we are so thankful for the way in which modern medicine was able to extend his life. We hope that these donations to this special charity will raise awareness, fund further research and provide support to others affected by brain tumours.
Thank you all for your generosity, kindness and support.
With love,
Faith, Holly, Will and Joe Roeder
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/glennroeder
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – that’s beautiful from the family isn’t it. He was a class act & his family are too.
He was club captain when I first started supporting NUFC & I thought he had a decent stint as manager too.
I always thought he’d return as a director of football or a role like that. If Ashley had the sense to recruit people like that over the likes of Wise or Kinnaer we might be in a better position as a club – but it’s yes men Ashley wanted.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Totally agree mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy if we just stopped hiring **** managers and undermining the others we might be OK.
****:
Kinnear, Carver, Pardew, McClaren, Bruce.
Undermined:
Keegan
Shot himself in the foot by hiring Ian Dowie as coach:
Shearer
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well following on from what I was saying. There’s an article featuring Nobby saying he applied for a coaching role with the club & didnt get the lickings of a dog from Lee Charnley.
What’s wrong with these people???.
Nobby shouldn’t be applying for a job – we should be going to him!!.
The number of ex players who have expressed interest in coming back to the club – Barton, Ginola, Rob Lee – why aren’t at least some of them not working with the club??.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Nufc is run by a bunch of untalented chancers who are totally unsuited to their roles. From Charnley ordering the toilet roles and pissing off ex players. Tragic all of the time! I despise the lot of them.
georgio(Quote)
Olly: you seem to be as down on Shelvey as I am. You have to play to his tune and it only works about 1 game in 10 now. “Quarterbacks” are out. He certainly has skills but I think the game has passed him by with almost all teams playing a version of the high press – even Fulham now.
I am with you that Bruce will pick him against Brighton though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Lots of chat about Chris Wilder since he’s left Sheff Utd like.
He did a really good job at Sheff Utd before this season – but even I think the results have been worse than the performances, if that makes sense. I think losing Dean Henderson hurt them & they missed a goal scorer.
He was there 5 years and took them from league 1 – but how good is he?!.
I’ve mulled that over quite a bit and ultimately come back with 2 things – 1. I think he’s better than Bruce but 2. It depends on the level of backing he gets from Charnley & Ashley.
I could see Bruce getting the bullet if we get beat off Brighton like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree with everything you said apart from Bruce getting sacked. Remember Schteve? They sat over an international break and kept him in a job until Rafa contacted them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I think they may have already left it too late. But if Bruce doesn’t get 3 points against Brighton I think Ashley will step in again like he did with McClaren and Bruce will be gone.
What I would say though – and what definitely WONT happen, is that if that does happen, then Charnley should also be sacked.
If what we are told is true & Ashley leaves the running of the club to Charnley, then he has proven time and again he’s not good enough. He should be replaced as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: we might be doomed against Brighton if cabbage sets up the way he shouldnt. False 10s and false 9s. That’s fine for Pep but Bruce doesnt know what the F he is doing.
Do a mix and match of Miggy, Fraser, Gayle and even Murphy. They are all good quality players. Just play them in the correct positions.
AND drop Shelvey. And, of course, send Krafth to outer space so he never plays another game for NUFC. And take the donkey with you.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – but that’s just it, they aren’t quality players. They are limited players who on their day can play well in their favoured positions.
I do agree though. Bruce should not try and be smart – it doesn’t work.
Brighton have limited players set up correctly & we need to do the same & hope on the day we have enough to beat them … or not if it means Bruce gets the boot.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – there’s enough space debris already!
georgio(Quote)
Do you remember that 3-nil loss to Brighton. They just passed around us and through us. We were nowhere near any of their players. We need to press more on Saturday. That means no Shelvey although I think Bruce will play him.
Willock and Hayden are a good start to press in midfield, as is Miggy upfront. But who will score?
This is maybe one time where the donkey might be useful because he does run around a bit. I still wouldnt pick him though because, erm… he’s a donkey.
Bruce will drop Gayle after bizarrely playing him as a left winger.
So Bruce’s team will be:
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BRUCE’S TEAM:
Dubs
Manquillo Lascelles Clark Dummett
Hayden Shelvey Willock
Donkey Miggy Fraser
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is not a terrible team as long as jonjo has one of his good games. The one in 10. But you still have to ask who will score? Similar for Brighton though, except against us.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Fan survey for the Athlectic
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kimtoon(Quote)
I told you Miggy was not badly injured and Bruce was scaremongering. I dont see any reason why he cannot play on Saturday. He has been on the treadmill since 2 says after his knee in the back of his knee so he will still be fit. It was a bruise FFS so how much time does he really need to recover.
South American qualifiers have been called off so he will have 2 weeks after Brighton if he needs it.
Unless the fraud Bruce is just looking to be sacked for the comp I dont see why Miggy cannot play.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
done that mate
icedog(Quote)
Anyone see Bruce’s pre match interview?.
First time he’s hinted that his future at NUFC is under threat if we lose to Brighton.
I wonder if he’s been told – win or you’re out.
I really don’t see Ashley sitting back and allowing Bruce to walk us into a relegation.
Sharpy17(Quote)
He’s already left it too late in my opinion Sharpy.
kimtoon(Quote)
Aye Kimtoon: it is like a re-run of McClaren but then even Rafa failed to save us. Now we have Graeme Jones as the caretaker in waiting. I still know nothing about the guy and the club and Bruce havent told us anything either.
It certainly looks like good guy Bruce has had his nose put out of joint by the whole situation and is trying to reassert his authority.
But it ends one of two ways with Bruce. He has a few good months and leaves for a better deal or there is a death spiral and he is sacked.
I had hoped that Wilson and Fraser would save us from that fate. They still might (I am still 50/50 on relegation). But that would mean another season of Bruce’s incredibly boring patter.
Eric Sykes(Quote)