GET IN!
Stunning goals from Jacob Murphy and Allan Saint-Maximin move Newcastle SIX points clear of third bottom Fulham with a MASSIVE comeback win over Burnley – despite VAR denying us a stone wall penalty in the first half.
One thing we demanded from this game was avoiding the sort of flat, half-hearted and ultimately negative approach that saw us fail to beat West Brom and get hammered at Brighton.
History threatened to repeat itself after a dismal first half included some atrocious defending, an avoidable Burnley goal and far too much wayward passing, however it was a stunning Jacob Murphy strike and sone Allan Saint-Maximin brilliance that saved Bruce’s bacon.
It was backs against the wall late on and an unbearable watch over the final 20 minutes, but we stood strong and hung on for a monumental win, with Dubravka a key figure in dealing with crosses into the box and Sean Longstaff’s tenacity vital in the closing stages.
With Wilson and Saint-Maximin declared fit, Bruce had a big decision to make. Would he bring both back in search of the big win we so desperately needed, or would he stay loyal to the side that caused Spurs all sorts of problems in last week’s much improved display?
He went for the latter, with the only changes being Fernandez and Clark in for the injured Lascelles and poor Emil Krafth, meaning Wilson and Saint-Maximin started on the bench:
Although I was eager to see both Wilson and ASM start – two players who caused the Clarets real trouble in our 3-1 win in the reverse fixtures – we could have no real complaints if the side played with the sort of hunger, intensity and attacking intent we saw last Sunday.
Elsewhere, recent England No.1 Nick Pope was missing for the home side, giving us another reason to get at this tough yet beatable Burnley side.
The game kicked off at a sunny Turf Moor and it was immediately clear that we’d have to defend a host of long balls and crossed into the box, with Dyche keen for his side to get it wide and swing crossed into the box. As for us, we started the game half asleep, sitting too deep, surrendering possession too easily and committing a few too many cheap fouls that gave Burnley ideal opportunity to put pressure on our goal.
15 minutes in it felt far too similar to that flat and lifeless 0-0 draw at West Brom, with us showing a real lack of quality and seeming second best in most areas of the pitch – despite the opposition’s clear limitations.
Frustratingly, that theme continued and Burnley opened the scoring after a Chris Wood cross – after beating Clark and Fernandez all too easily – was tapped in by an unmarked Vydra. Awful defending that topped off a truly turgid start to the game. Where on earth was the momentum from last week?
Half an hour in and there was no reaction to their opener. We were sat too deep, were constantly giving the ball away and opting to play hoofball against the one side in the Premier League who enjoy exactly that! There was zero fluidity to our play, a total lack of cohesion from front to back and the look of a side who’d never played together – not put in one of our performances of the season against Spurs seven days ago!
Murphy was struggling badly, committing too many fouls and struggling on the ball, but he was one of many who just hadn’t showed up as we approached half time with just ONE shot to our name.
That changed for a brief moment when Gayle had the ball in the net, only to be standing a few inches offside from Joelinton’s hook towards goal, however we were then denied a blatant penalty just five minutes before the break.
After a brilliant Peacock-Farrell save denied Gayle’s goal bound effort, Sean Longstaff latched onto the lose ball and was kicked in the head as Tarkowski’s high boot cleared. Anywhere else on the pitch it was a foul, but VAR somehow decided there was nothing doing.
An absolute farce.
After some more sloppy defending saw us concede a cheap free kick and corner, Dubravka pulled off a superb save to stop Dummett slicing the ball into his own net. We just about survived a late surge from Burnley to keep it at 1-0 and should have been given a stone wall penalty, but it was a shocking first half display that stunk of previous failings at West Brom, Brighton and Sheffield United.
Changes were needed, with Bruce’s decision to go without Wilson and Saint-Maximin in serious danger of backfiring.
The players came back out for the second half and there was no sign of those changes. A frustrating call from Bruce given the 11 on the field had shown nothing so far in such a huge game before our fixtures turn ugly.
The second 45 started how the first ended, with us gifting Burnley an early corner that resulted in intense pressure on Dubravka and a brilliant effort from Lowton that the Slovakian tipped over.
Our centre-backs were being bullied by Wood, our wing-backs were ineffective, our midfield outworked and our forwards outnumbered and Bruce finally saw sense to bring on Wilson and Saint-Maximin with 56 minutes on the clock.
Two minutes later and they had an instant impact! Saint-Maximin twisted and turned down the right and cut the ball back for Murphy. He had a lot to do, but fired a curled right foot finish past Peacock-Farrell and into the far corner. He’d had a shocker up until now, however he more than made up for it with a stunning strike. 1-1!
Burnley continued to get the ball wide, throw bodies into the box and whip crosses in, but we stood strong and countered in devastating style.
Shelvey released Saint-Maximin on the half-way line and the Frenchman drove at an exposed Burnley defence. Wilson was an option to his right, but he cut in – sending both Tarkowski and Mee the wrong way – and fired a left-footed strike into the bottom corner!
2-1 Newcastle and the game had been turned on its head just 10 minutes on from the arrival of our unplayable attacking duo. Wilson played a part in both – he held the ball up well for the opener and made a good run for the second – but Saint-Maxmin’s devastating dribbling and flare was the difference.
It’s fair to say we were now entering the biggest 20 minutes of our season. Survive it and we’d move SIX clear of Fulham with one game in hand – a HUGE incentive ahead of the tough run of fixtures we had to follow.
We carried a clear threat on the counter thanks Wilson’s physicality and ASM’s pace – giving something for Burnley to think about when they flung bodies forward – however that didn’t stop the home side shifting the ball wide and throwing balls into the box.
Thankfully, Dubravka was first to several of those and our centre-back trio stood strong after an awful first half display, but it was not done yet as we entered extra time. It could well have been had Almiron’s effort not been blocked on the line after more brilliant work from ASM, mind!
Four minutes of added time and this was it – our chance to take one monumental step towards safety – and we did it.
A huge victory that ends our streak without a win and sends us into next week’s clash with West Ham on a real high.
Howay the lads!
Think, Shearer, Barton and Rob Lee are backing the pledge thing, as is Caulkin .
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon. I think you are right about fan ownership of some top clubs but that all took place before all of the TV rights bonanza. I remember when Robert Maxwell offered like 10 million for Man U about 40 years ago and only narrowly failed. FSG got Liverpool for about 400 mil and now it is valued at like 4 Billion.
Times and valuations have changed so I really think this is all pie in the sky and I dont care who supports it until they put their money where their mouths are.
Every tin-pot cosortium put together by some NE Real Estate developer to buy NUFC has always failed the smell test. I dont see this as any different. What did John Hall pay? Next to nothing. But that was then and this is now.
In today’s football market you have to have real money to get the deal done. That’s usually hedge funds, Oligarchs and Sovereign Wealth funds, unfortunately. Or you could have Ashley, The Chicken People at Blackburn, or the Asset Strippers Olstons at Blackpool. Maybe the porn kings at West Ham although I dont think they could afford their club today.
Values have gone up exponentially because of the TV deals so this fans potentially owning the club is just nonsense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Verbally or financially?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I also dont get this idea that NUST has that if they cannot get a % of the club with the money they raised they will donate it to a charity of THEIR choice. They should send it back to the donors.
I am sure it would be a worthy NE cause like the SBR charity but still. Do you trust these people? The Geordie Dentist on Wraith’s channel was Chairman of NUST at one time I think and he is full of (himself) **** most of the time.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You know it is not financially!!!! Imagine Shearer commiting 1 million to a group that says if it all falls through we will donate your funding to a charity of OUR choice. Shearer wouldnt even get the tax deduction. His accountant would have fits about this arrangement.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – hands up, it was a tongue in cheek question. But this is the other thing that gets on my t!ts. The likes of Al, Rob Lee, Steve Howay, Warren Barton and other ex players come out and say it’s a great idea & some gullible fans who only have slightly more money than sense buy into it coz Big Al said it was a good thing.
He sits on his millions while these people think they are doing the right thing only for their much needed money to go to a charity.
I aware that might sound derogatory to people donating money – it really isn’t meant to, and I certainly don’t think all those donating are blindly doing it.
But I think the likes of Shearer and the ex players have a duty to be honest with the fans – I know it puts them in an awkward position with NUST, but if they wouldn’t put their money into it, then say that.
They will know that 1% of a club means nothing at all & hes worked for Ashley, so will know first hand how little such a grand gesture from the fans will mean to that fat ****.
He’d use our money to wipe his ar$e – and after watching that YouTube video with Andy Woodman, I’m not even joking.
I’m all for trying to affect change, but if I think it’s wasting people’s hard earned cash then I’ll say so.
I mean no disrespect to people who have paid in, it’s their cash and they are free to do what they want with it. I also repeat that I don’t think NUST have bad intentions at all. I just think it’s a fruitless exercise.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: a lot of the idiots on Eds are supporting this so I know it is not a good idea. I think I am banned from there. I objected to one of them giving out Charnley’s home address and wanting to march on his house. I got dogs abuse but the Harrisons took the side of their morons even though I explained that Charnley’s wife and kids should not be brought into it. They were swearing at me. I stuck up for myself of course and am still a legend on there. They bring me up all of the time 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
both I think
kimtoon(Quote)
Just listened to Liam Kennedy of The Shields Gazette and he thinks the Pledge is a non-starter and there is no chance of getting 1% from any owner and if by some miracle it did happen it would still not lead to any meaningful input. He did say that he thought it was from some fans wanting to feel like they were doing something rather than nothing. I agree, but even if is a tenner a month isnt there something better you could be doing with it. Make a donation to your OWN choice of charity, buy the kids and ice cream, put some petrol in the car and drive to the coast!!! This NUST intiative is just pissing your money away.
Can I say it any clearer than that 🙂
Olly might disagree but he can save this post and throw it in my face if anything substantative comes of this. Even if they got 1% it will mean nothing (but they wont). They should be spending their energy on the fans forum and possible protests if Ashley stays. Much more productive.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I actually think the way forward is to have a fans forum daily, weeky or monthly on Youtube. If you can get a critical mass on there it can be influencial. You will not get Ashley and his cronies on there but you will get ex-players and journalists etc. Wraith has done it but I dont think he is commited for the future as he has other ventures once Covid restrictions are fully listed. If you can get 250,000 subscribers you will have a voice. You need somebody charasmatic to lead it though and I am sorry but that is not Alex Hurst.
I think that some notice was taken of ArsenalTV. It got press because of the ranting and raving but you know what they say, all publicity is good publicity.
I think The True Geordie could have lead this but I think he is now too caught up in his own celebrity. Maybe I am wrong?
But I think this would be a better use of NUST time than a pledge that will lead to nothing and some recriminations when it fizzles. They will try to hide behind the fact that they will donate to the foodbank or SBR foundation but this is and always was a road to nowhere so that is just excuses after the fact.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The True Geodie’s interview with Shearer a couple of years ago was brilliant BTW so I think he could do it. I dont think he would have the time or inclination now though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I see the club have shut down the Sports Direct store at the stadium. Jabba saying that the new owners don’t want it and want it to be in house.
Stuart79(Quote)
So Ashley has closed the NUFC store and laid off all the staff – claiming that the prospected new owners don’t want the them ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – Arsenal TV is obviously specifically about Arsenal where True Geordies kick off show covers different games. It’s quite good to be fair & he has a good team of lads having sensible, balanced conversations about all things footy.
Credit to Geordie though, think he’s had some struggles but it seems to be going good for him now ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
@CraigHope_DM
Exclusive: Mike Ashley to close NUFC retail store & make all staff redundant, informing them club’s proposed new owners do not wish to keep them (Saudi deal still subject to arbitration). Castore set to be new kit supplier & will stock refurbished store.
kimtoon(Quote)
Interestingly,the Reubens are big investors in Castore.
kimtoon(Quote)
Scrap that last post, they are thought to be investors, no actual proof. Hmmm
kimtoon(Quote)
Interesting that after all the talk from Shearer, Barton, Lee etc the amount raised is only £50k. Their contributions must be paltry given their wealth.
georgio(Quote)
Good to see the Chronicle actually doing some proper old fashioned investigative journalism. They’ve dug into the takeover and how the PL conducted it and the involvement of the government. There does appear to be a bit of a stench. Of what yet I don’t know but I guess it will all come out.
Stuart79(Quote)
Given the arbitration is based on whether the PL conducted the O&D’s test adequately and whether Saudi State needed to be on the board it looks like there’s a been some incompetence on the PL’s part. Even saying a decision could be “tomorrow” and then still hadn’t made a decision a month later… How does that work…?
Stuart79(Quote)
What are the powers of this arbitration panel? Can they say the the takeover should have been approved and the matter should be reopened? Can they give Ashley compensation for time wasted etc. ? I think the PL offered arbitration at one point before the Saudis walked. If you look at the Chroicle article it looks like nobody knew what was going on or was hiding something. Smells like there was interference from top PL clubs though so they could keep their little cartel going.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Another PL ex-Ref has come out and said the non-penalty was a stupid decision. Keith Hacket specifically said that the PL Refs Association explanation was wrong. He openly stated that the Refs dont know the rules and their explanation was just codswallop.
My opinion is that the VAR Ref Stuart Atwell knew it was a penalty but didnt want to overule Anthony Taylor so threw it back to him so he could have a look at the monitor assuming that HE, Taylor, would reverse the decision. Taylor had already made up his mind and only took a cursory look at the monitor. Total incompetence but I dont think VAR was to blame this time. This was all on Taylor.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
As I understand it the main issue is are PIF separate from the MBS and that’s what will be decided. If they find they are separate entities then in theory Ashley can sue PL for the loss of the sale of the club assuming they really have walked away as per their statement.
Of course that would be a new case he’d have to take the PL to court over. Oh and we’d still be looking for a new owner, nevermind jabba will get lots of lovely compo.
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric – as Kim states it’s partly about PIF and their independence but also I understand it’s whether the PL actually followed their own O&D’s tests properly.
Given what the Chronicle had be found out it does look like the PL made a right mess of it and didn’t really want to approve it. Was it pressure from other clubs? If that’s the case it would blow a gargantuan hole in the credibility and also the integrity of the PL.
I would be staggered if NUFC’s legal team haven’t had all this info right from the start.
Stuart79(Quote)
It is never dull at NUFC Stuart. Frustrating, infuriating, but not dull. I was hoping to ignore any takeover news until there was a decision at the arbitration panel. Some of the pods and youtube channels bring it up every week and it just gets boring listening to them say the same thing over and over again. Now, as soon as the subject is broached I turn the channel off.
But this stuff from Musgrove points to there being a there there. I dont think human rights and Khashoggi had anything to do with it. I also dont think they cared about the separation of bin Salmon and the Pif except to use it as an excuse. I think it was all about the BEIN Sports contract. If so, that is just stupid as I am sure the Saudis would have bid for the next rights if they owned a PL team, ie NUFC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This NUST pledge is just a shell game, three card monty. They know it has no chance of success but are doing it anyway. I have no doubt that the Trustees looking after the bank account have integrity and the money will be safe. But that is not the point. The money will never be used for the purpose that NUST said it would. As such, they are conning their members and building false hope. There are other ways to make a statement apart from taking cash from well meaning but ultinately gullible people.
What do NUST get out of it? I have no idea. They know it is a losing proposition. The charity “out” is just that, an out. A way for them to cover their arses for something that was a stupid idea in the first place.
Part of what they are saying is that the money will be there if NUFC do a Sunderland or a Leeds. That tells me they will be taking “pledges” for years and the money will sit in a bank account. What they mean by “pledge” is that they deduct a certain amount from a memebers bank account until they tell them to stop. This will be a disaster and will get them incredibly bad publicity the longer it goes on. Eventually, the pleders are going to want to know what these morons are doing with their money.
It is the worst thought out “plan” I have ever seen from NUST. 1% ownership gets you the same say as zero percent ownership. Absolutely fck all. You are still reliant on the majority shareholder to GIVE you a say. You cannot BUY a say for 1%.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What am I being moderated for. I am expressing and explaining a different point of view on the pledge?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu – my initial gut feeling was that it was influenced by other clubs – which you’d expect would be the top 6. But the issue with that is the same top 6 clubs were also talking about breaking away for this super league – why would the PL do them any favours when they were looking to ****** off?! ??♂️
There’s something that definitely stinks about it all, and I hope that they do get to the bottom of it in the end.
But, my big question is, with this information coming out & the shop getting closed – does this mean that the takeover is still alive and possible???.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The team for West Ham will look a lot like the team that ended the Burnley game, minus Hemdrick. Not sure of the formation but I am pretty sure of the players Bruce will pick. In the end the formation doesnt matter that much because we often drop to a 8-0-1-1. That’s what it was against Burnley with Donkey and Gayle as the 1-1 and replaced with St Max and Wilson.
I reckon Bruce will risk St Max and more importantly Wilson because this is our most winnable match in the next 5. So,
Dubravka
Murphy Fernandez Dummett Clark Ritchie
Shelvey
Longstaff Miggy
St Max
Wilson
That’s sort of the formation he had in mind last game although Burnley pressed too much and had too many corners for us to actually execute it most of the game. They werent playing a diamond or split strikers. It was a 5-1-2-1-1 with Shelvey being a cross between a sweeper and hopeful quarterback, although his usual hollywood passes were more hoofs to relieve pressure .
Unlike a lot of people I thought Jonjo had a decent game. He is soooo sloooow though that he is a liability against a fast paced team. We can still hope that he has that one game in 10 where he looks like a former England international.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I usually agree with NUFC.com but they have joined The Pledge with the reasoning that it is better than doing nothing and is making a statement. You can make a statement without putting your money into a black hole because Ashley would just laugh if you offered to buy1% of the club. So I disagree with NUFC.com’s assessment of the usefulness of this largely empty gesture.
It will fizzle after the initial fanfare. Yesterday there was 50,010 in the kitty and today it is 51,165. It is already losing momentum. Since it is a direct debit though there will be a boost on the “month-aversary” where the funds will approximately double. But without new pledges people will lose faith and cancel their debits. I predict about 3 months is how long it will take.
Call me cynical but I just think this is a waste of time and money even though the money will eventually go to good charitable causes.
I actually think Stavely if she takes over might allow a fan limited Directorship on the board. There is no way they would be allowed into any financial discussions but might be allowed in for the last 15 minutes to guage fan feelings which is why I say limited, maybe call it Junior Director? I dont think money would change hands and NUST would not get a stake in the club.
NUST are pushing this as fans getting a stake in the club. Not a chance, unless it is just as a grand gesture with nothing behind it.
I would be happy to say that I will be happy to be proved wrong but I wont be because this whole chirade is meaningless.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9472051/Boris-Johnson-lobbied-Saudi-prince-Prime-Minister-acted-plea-Mohammed-Bin-Salman.html
Good grief – only at NUFC
Stuart79(Quote)
The plot thickens. Saudi Arabia obviously thought the PL rejected the takeover as the text to BJ states but the PL say they didn’t.
Fishy smell.
Stuart79(Quote)
They should cancel the arbitration and Boris should tell Bin Salmon to resubmit the bid. The sticking point was supposedly the separation of MBS and PIF, not piracy and not human rights. All contingent on us staying up of course.
Says the Govt concluded Pif and MBS were separate. What more does the PL need. Does the Queen have to step in?
Knowing NUFC the arbitration will suddenly come to a conclusion before any of this is possible.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Boris obviously wants this to go through. He is PM FFS. He should have somebody drop a few hints that he will ruin the PL chiefs if they dont comply with his wishes.
This, and the e-mails show the Govt were deeply involved when all along they said they werent.
Only at NUFC 🙂
The way Fatty is acting I think he thinks this is done.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
By done, I mean a done deal.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: all of the papers have picked up on the Boris story now. Not sure if it helps or hurts but he will have to hold back doing anything publicly I am sure.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wasnt there some kind of conflict with the Saudi investment at Sheff Utd???
Maybe the hold up was shifting them out the PL before our takeover could progress.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Can somebody connect the dots with all this news? Here’s a summary of what I have seen:
1. Ashley thinks its a done deal.
2. The Govt explicitly said the PIF and Bin Salmon were separate entities.
3. The Govt said there was no pressure on the PL but there are e-mails that say otherwise. They were even planing high level meetings.
4. The PL kept saying a decsion was imminent but then kicked the can down the road. Seems consistent with what NUFC were saying that they were deliberately using delaying tactics, probably to appease BEIN.
5. Bin Salmon called Boris who then got his middle east fixer involved. Totally inconsistent with what had been said about no Govt interference.
There are lots of other things that went on but it is really difficult to come to a conclusion on where this is headed. I am hoping Boris was working behind the scenes to twist a few arms before the Mail revelations came out. Bin Salmon saying it could damage UK/Saudi relations is a big deal. This is a lot bigger than Hoffman and Masters at the PL and them protecting their own little fiefdom and appeasing the Qataris.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly: I have been saying all week that we have a chance of 3 points against West Ham and that is partly because of their injuries but also because I think they are in a false position. Moyes has done an amazing job but you cannot tell me that their squad compares with Liverpool and Chelsea who I think will haul them in. Even with a lot of points already on the board I think they will finish 6th. To be above Spurs and **** is some achievment though and probably warrants Moyes being Manager of the Season.
I think we win this game if we get rid of the diamond and split striker nonesense. We have to press a bit higher but be very wary that West Ham are now a counter attack team with their injuries. That’s going to be our problem, getting the balance right. But we know the team Bruce will pick, I put it up on here earlier so they should know their roles this time and not act like strangers like in the 1st half at Burnley.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly: I dont take any notice of Luke “Bruce’s Shill” Edwards.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Completely agree with all of that
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock: I am glad that two people I very much respect, you and Sharpy, are on the same page as me on this. I dont think that many people can speak out on this because they would be shouted down. If I said what I said on some other blogs I would be called a traitor.
But you should be able to express an opinion, even if it is against the norm. I am glad that Olly and Andy the Magpie allow this. They might not agree, but they will let you have your say.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have been thinking about Shelvey’s corners, his floaters and wondering what he and the coaches were thinking. My closest analogy is table tennis. I am not a great table tennis player but I know you have to hit it hard with either side, top or backspin. Tap it back over the net with a girly push and the other player will kill you. Finish you.
This is a Shelvey corner. His patented floater. It invites the centre backs to head out or the keeper to come and claim it. Moreover, it invites them to set up a counter. How the hell our coaches didnt see this I have no clue.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am not going to apologize for my negativity on this stupid NUST stuff but, for balance…
I reckon we will win on Saturday. Probably 2-1.
We will then be safe.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric Re NUST, you are correct. If the owner does not what to sell you 1% it doesn’t matter how much you are offering. Even if if you actually have 1% all you get in a PLC is the right to stand up at the AGM and be ignored
PremAndUp(Quote)
I agree Eric. The NUST situation is rather odd and to be frank, pointless. Let’s say an owner sold 1% of the club to NUST. What would it achieve? No voting rights, no say and basically no input.
They’d be better off raising money to become a more professional and organised protest group against Jabba.
Stuart79(Quote)
I think that we are the biggest Premier League underachievers but there is the battle of the other 2 today. This could define their seasons if they werent already over. How many Champions Leagues do Mourinho and Ancelotti have between them? I think it is 5.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Even the Harrisons must be able to predict tomorrows team. If Bruce gets a win he sticks with the team. That means who ended last Sunday minus the throwaway injury time sub of Hendrick.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric that’s Bruce’s problem. If we win he sticks with the same team regardless who we are playing. He doesn’t seem to grasp the notion that different teams have different players, styles and tactics. I imagine we get a spanking tomorrow.
Stuart79(Quote)
I’m going 2-1 to NUFC. Pete Postesthwaite AKA Kevin Friend to give Callum Wilson a penalty.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Not saying the Harrisons do a bad job BTW, they are just **** at team predictions.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We know Bruce will go with the same formation because we won. He also thinks we beat Spurs with that formation 🙂 However, we were outplayed by Burnley for 90% of the game and got away with one there. Some genius from St Max and heroics from Dubravka got us the points. That’s not to say the same thing couldnt happen against West Ham. They are not a possession team, but neither were Burnley until they played us. That said, I think possession will be about even for once allowing us to free up the front 3 and get the win.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly: are you surprised that Lawro said something “bizarre”. Only Paul Merson’s Giant Balloon Heed comes out with more gaffs. He is not totally terrible at predictions, although he does tend to pick Liverpool to win EVERY week. Worked well last year, not so much this.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I still think Merse’s head looks like a schoolkid drew eyes, nose and a mouth on a balloon.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Same bloke who claims we demand UCL football!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
I do Olly!
georgio(Quote)
I am convinced most of the pundits do not watch our games. The narrative after Burnley is that we did well and won. Forgotten is that Dubravka was back to his brilliant best and without that we would and should have lost 5-2. They watch the highlights and see the skill from St Max and Murphy and assume we played well. They are not seeing the 13 corners and the desperation defending, because that only shows up once or twice on the highlights.
Then Bruce takes this all on board and acts like we played well. We didnt. We played shyte and will need to be much better against West Ham. The good news is that I think we will be. Where this optimism comes from I have no idea. But I did predict a “result” against Spurs and a win against Burnley so I am on a roll.
2-1 Toon.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Do people not pay attention?!?
Ryan Fraser got a groin injury playing for Scotland. That means a month out based on every other groin injury I have ever seen. Best case scenario is a place on the bench after 3 weeks.
And then fans and blogs wonder if he is “faking it”. NO!!!! This is the same with all groin injuries and it is a best case scenario.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What it actualy means is that Fraser will be fit in about 2 weeks. He can then sub for Miggy or St Max, or worst case come in for them if they get re-injured. That is still a possibility with St Max and remember Miggy was also injured (although Brucie tried to con an excuse that he was out for the season – remember?)
Bruce is a fraud. He has his full team available. It is up to him to set it up correctly.
You might say he doesnt have his best midfielders, but is Hayden better than Willock? Matty better than Shelvey. We have no idea who our best midfielders are? Probably Sean and Willock in the absense of Hayden. But Bruce will play Jonjo anyway.
I just hope that he is auditioning for a West Ham move 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)