Almost six weeks have passed since the end of the season. Things have settled down and the focus has switched to the summer transfer window.
However, we feel it is worth looking back at the season that has just passed and rate the performances of each individual player:
Martin Dubravka (1170 minutes) – His injury did ruin his season. Although he did get back into the team eventually, it did take him a while to displace Karl Darlow. He ended the season very well, but he will be frustrated that he picked up the serious injury when he did. Dubravka was solid, but it wasn’t his best season on Tyneside – 5.5
Karl Darlow (2250 minutes) – Few were pleased that Darlow would need to play the lionshare of minutes this season, following the injury to Dubravka. However, he surpassed expectations and had some great performances at the start of the season. His levels did drop at the beginning of 2021, but he did prove his ability at this level for the first time. The minutes played and expectations of two players are why he rates slightly higher than Dubravka. He’s also the only goalkeeper to save a penalty from Bruno Fernandes since his move to Manchester United – 6
Emil Krafth (1291 minutes) – There are still doubts about his Premier League capabilities. Strangely, he may be best suited as a right-sided centre back, with his best performances coming in the final stretch – 4.5
Javier Manquillo (826 minutes) – It has been a season to forget for Manquillo, as he has barely featured. He has been impacted by injuries and Covid, but he has dropped down the pecking order – 3
Jacob Murphy (1621 minutes) – Murphy has emerged as an excellent player for us and he has salvaged his Premier League career. He has scored key goals against Wolves and Burnley, while he excelled in the wing back role. Two goals and three assists from his minutes played is a good return. His average of 2.7 tackles per 90 minutes shows his improvement in defence – 7.5
Federico Fernandez (2083 minutes) – At the age of 32, the Argentine continues to impress at the heart of our defence. His positioning is the best in our squad, but his lack of pace does get exposed at times. When he returned to the team, his performances were praised, despite goals continuing to be shipped. He’s a good squad player to have around – 6
Jamaal Lascelles (1628 minutes) – The captain has had a disappointing campaign, marred by injuries and a serious covid illness. His points per match was low at 0.79, which may surprise some. However, he did score two key goals against Aston Villa and Wolves. Also, he finished with the highest aerial dual success rate with 72.6% won – 4.5
Fabian Schar (1246 minutes) – The Swiss centre back is still highly rated among supporters, but he is another that he suffered with a serious injury. There were some promising performances around the turn of the year, such as the one away to Everton. If we continue with three centre backs, he should have a bigger part to play next season 4.5
Ciaran Clark (1893 minutes) He was important in the first half of the season and he was the standout centre back when we were using a back four. However, he was uncomfortable as the middle centre back of a back three. From our centre backs, he is the one that is probably most expendable this summer – 5
Paul Dummett (1256 minutes) – Although injuries have impacted on him again, he has emerged as an important player as the left-sided centre-back. Due to his limitations on the ball, this should be the role we use him in from now on. It was good to see him get back on the score sheet this season and he played a key role in our resurgence following Brighton. Our points per game with him in the team was 1.53, the third best in the squad – 6.5
Jamal Lewis (1833 minutes) – Unfortunately, it has to be considered a disappointing season for Lewis, due to the fee he cost in a £15m move from Norwich. However, he did make 50 tackles, which was the most of any Newcastle player tied with Isaac Hayden. There is talent there, but this season won’t be looked back on with fondness – 3.5
Matt Ritchie (1352 minutes) – Considering the club tried to sell him in the summer and January, Ritchie has had a huge impact on our season. We averaged 1.5 points per game with him in the team and he contributed two assists. His aggression and leadership were key in the upturn post Brighton. Ritchie is now best used as a left wing-back, even if his positioning is questionable at times – 7.5
Jonjo Shelvey (2617 minutes) – The midfielder is much maligned, but he did play more minutes than any other player in the squad. He contributed one goal and three assists, which is a big decrease from last season’s six goals and two assists. In terms of forward passing, he is far clear in nearly every stat. He made 38 key passes and 110 progressive passes, both team highs. Sometimes, he lacks energy out of possession, but he did make 48 tackles, the joint third most of any player – 6
Isaac Hayden (1946 minutes) – It was disappointing to see his season end early against Brighton. However, the form since may have changed how some view Hayden. There has been an upturn without him in the team, That said, he is a consistent performer and no other midfielder is better at winning back possession. He ends the season with a joint-team high in tackles (50) and a team high interceptions (46) – 6
Sean Longstaff (1406 minutes) – Although it took a while for Longstaff to win favour with Bruce, he did get back to better form towards the back end of the season. He finished with the highest points per game in the squad with 1.55. The change to the 3-5-2 formation suited him, as his energy allowed him to cover from box to box – 5
Jeff Hendrick (1423 minutes) – Hendrick was overused in the first half of the season, playing ahead of the Longstaffs and this means he is viewed badly by supporters. He can carry out a tactical role in certain matches, due to his work rate, but he is technically limited. Two goals and an assist does show some attacking ability, with his debut goal a particular highlight – 4
Matty Longstaff (377 minutes) – It was a surprise that he barely featured after signing a new contract. He was only used around Christmas when he was brought in from the cold to play in a difficult run of matches. There is clearly talent there, but he didn’t contribute much to the season. This rating is more to do with his lack of minutes than a comment on him – 3
Miguel Almiron (2438 minutes) – I was expecting Almiron to have a breakthrough season and emerge as the star of the team. Following Graeme Jones’ appointment, we saw what he is capable of, with his best performance in a Newcastle shirt coming against Southampton, as he scored twice. His energy was key in the latter part of the season, even if he didn’t contribute heavily in attack – 6.5
Joe Willock (980 minutes) It is difficult not to rate Joe Willock highly, as he had a transformative impact on our season. Some were underwhelmed by his loan signing, but he provided attacking intent and energy in central areas. He scored eight goals, many of which were key in winning points and ended the season scoring in seven successive matches. It would have been a higher mark, but he was only here for half of the season – 8.5
Ryan Fraser (927 minutes) – Injuries have hampered his season, as he featured in less than 1000 minutes. We have seen a glimpse of his quality, as he has averaged 3.69 shot creating actions per ninety minutes. This is a team high. His lack of minutes means he has to be rated low – 4
Allan Saint-Maximin (1568 minutes) – He continues to be our best player, as it is obvious the impact he has when he is in the team. Following the international break, he had a massive impact in the wins against Burnley and West Ham, which were the two wins that relieved pressure. The Frenchman provides entertainment and the team usually performs better when he is playing, as shown by his points per game of 1.36 – 7.5
Callum Wilson (2086 minutes) – The former Bournemouth man scored 12 goals and he had a transformative impact on the team. He provided a focal point and had underlying numbers to back up his goal return, with an xG of 11.3, For me, he has to be considered our Player of the Year and he rightly won the club award. Without his injuries, we would have finished with even more points – 9
Joelinton (1990 minutes) – It has been a season of two halves for the Brazilian. There has certainly been an improvement in the second half of the season, as he started to use his physicality to get the better of opposition centre backs, while he scored three goals in his last eight matches. In 2020, I’d rate him 3 and in 2021, I’d raise that to a 7, so a rating in the middle is fair. There has been an improvement – 5.5
Andy Carroll (384 minutes) It was nice to see him score at St James’ Park again, but he barely featured. The decision to start the season with him in the team was a mistake. He needs to be moved on now – 3
Dwight Gayle (506 minutes) – Gayle scored the winner against West Brom after our Covid outbreak, but his lack of effort in later appearances was a disappointment. He is another we probably need to move on – 3.5
Let us know what you make of our marks out of 10 and feel free to comment with your own set of season ratings!
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greattt!!!
snowball io(Quote)
I will repeat this from the last thread but how can they be letting 60k into Wembley? There were 28k new Covid cases today which is the same as Jan when there was a total lockdown.
Boris is saying there may need to be new restrictions but in the case of football they are glibly ignoring all evidence and ploughing on like things havent changed.
Eric(Quote)
Is Phillips really a defensive mid or has he just been labelled as such. From what I have seen, nobody is a defensive mid at Leeds, they all storm forward at every opportunity. I think he has instructions to do his defensive duties first but I do think he has managed to get forward.
We were never going to get all of those young attacking players on the pitch at the same time. At best it would be a max of 2 like Foden and Mount in that 1st game. Now it might be Grealish and Mount with Foden dropping out. I think Southgate thinks Foden and Grealish are too similar to risk playing together, especially as he has Sterling who also runs at players at pace.
I would actually like to see an all out attack team with our most exciting players, but against San Merino or Malta and not in the QF of the Euros.
Eric(Quote)
Sharpy: I doubt Nuno will be a good fit for Spurs. They should have gone for Bruce who finished 1 place above him in the league. That said Nuno plays similar tactics to Bruce and even Pardew. He tries to keep it tight in the first half and hit teams on the break. He hardly ever plays on the front foot even though Wolves spent a fotune. I know they lost Jota, but still.
I predict Spurs fans will be very uphappy as they will see him as a less abrasive Mourinho. Some of their press fanboys are rewriting history saying they never wanted certain managers anyway. Total fabrication. They wanted Rodgers, Ten Haag, Conte, Gattuso, Poch, Fonseca. So that makes Nuno 7th choice – another parallel with Bruce.
I am not particularly bothered about Spurs it was the fawning over the stadium by the Southern press that I didnt like. I listened to a podcast after Nuno’s appointment and what was the first thing they said. It wasnt about losing Harry Kane, it was about that he gets to play in a fantastic stadium.
Nuno will have to be a genius to manage an aging defense and unhappy kane if Levy doesnt let him leave.
Remember a couple of years ago England squad were full of Spurs players including Winks, Alli and Dier. The last man standing is Kane and for how much longer?
Eric(Quote)
Just read that 25,000 Scots travelled to Wembley even though most did not have tickets. I just read that 2,000 have now tested positive for Covid.
What sort of stupidity is making them expand the Wembley capacity to 62,000. You will likely be in another lockdown soon until they get a handle on the Delta variant and yet the politicians see fit to put people at risk. Wembley will be 2/3rds full so there is no way there will be social distancing. Are they checking vaccinations? Are they requiring masks.
The situation has changed drastically in the last 2 weeks and yet the authorities – London Mayor, Boris, Uefa, the FA – are not acting.
I was fully vaccinated 2 months ago and nobody has checked me once. I have the proof on my phone but it hasnt happened. I have been on 6 planes in that time. I wasnt worried because I have checked the stats and had to wear a mask in the airports and on planes.
Eric(Quote)
I wouldnt bet on getting back into SJP for the Norwich friendly or the start of the season. Even with all of the other Covid missteps this Wembley fiasco will turn into a scandal.
Eric(Quote)
All tickets for UK residents for the Ukraine match in Rome have been cancelled.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jul/01/uk-residents-have-tickets-cancelled-for-england-quarterfinal-in-rome
Eric(Quote)
There is a lot of data out there now. UK adults with 2 vac dose is 60%. But I checked Lambeth Borough in London and it was 35%. Southwark was 35% as well.
What could go wrong?
Eric(Quote)
Back to football because I am sick of analysing Covid and how different host cities/countries are dealing with this new surge.
I hate the press. They are going totally overboard on the Mackem Toddler and acting like he is peak Shilton or Seaman. He has had hardly anything to do.
Then there is the so called “double pivot” of Rice and Phillips. I believed the press when they said it was 2 defensive mids. It is not. Rice protects the back 4 and Phillips is given much more license to roam.
Finally, just about every paper had a journo saying to drop Kane or Sterling. They are morons and I have said it here before. That’s where our goals have come from in the past couple of years. They know where the net is and when it comes down to fine margins or 1 goal, they are most likely to win it for you.
Eric(Quote)
Eric – I’d say that’s how Nuno played last season, but that’s because he didn’t have Jimenez and they didn’t really replace Jota.
I know they ended up 1 place below us but I think they were on the same points – and did anyone mention them as potential relegation? I don’t remember it if they did.
I’m not saying I expect him to make Spurs a contender for the league – I just don’t get why people think he’s not good enough for Spurs?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good on the club for calling for answers & transparency from the PL – but we need to keep the heat up until this is resolved imo.
This approach of every couple of months is no good – this has ran on for too long now. Every week we are without an answer we need to put it out there – still nothing from the PL ??♂️ – expose them. It might come to nothing, but it also might just force their hand.
I don’t know that the Saudis are still interested or not, but the longer this drags on the more likely they lose interest – and the longer it drags on the more likely it is to put ANY potential buyer off, coz they will look at this and think ‘do we need that?, is it worth the hassle’.
What I don’t get is of all the PL owners, Ashley can’t be good for business – I suspect they continue to hope we get relegated & won’t be their problem anymore – but we didn’t and the PL can’t fob this off for another season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
11h
Newcastle, a club that can’t bring itself to talk to its own fans, pushing for openness from the Premier League is absolutely hilarious. #NUFC
Caulkin
KIMTOON(Quote)
Strange allocations of marks per player here. Hendick and Joelinton were really really poor and to give the donkey the same mark as Dubravka is really odd. The beauty of football . . .
georgio(Quote)
I reckon now that Southgate will go 4-2-1-2-1. I would have said henderson in the middle but he has only played 45 mins in 4 months. That leaves a choice between Mount and Saka. He’ll probably go with mount. Up front to join Kane and Sterling he has an abundance of options and some play very similar games – Foden and Grealish. I reckon he will go with Grealish because of his ability to draw fouls and maybe even a penalty. The Ukranians havent seen his antics live so I reckon he can catch them out with his running into them on purpose.
Mackem Toddler
Walker Stones McGuire Shaw
Philips Rice
Mount
Grealish Sterling
Kane
Eric(Quote)
For the 3rd forward I really dont care if it is Grealish, Foden, Saka, Rashford or Sancho. They all offer a lot and a couple will come on as subs anyway.
This fawning over the Mackem Toddler is ridiculous. They all saw him at Everton but a few clean sheets and hardly anything to do make him England’s star player to Gary Neville. Some have even said he has matured. Yeah, right. Just wait until he is put under a bit of pressure.
Eric(Quote)
This may sound crazy given they are ranked number 1 in the world, but that Belgium team doesnt scare me. Famous last words as they will probably go on to win it but that back line has no pace. It is pretty much De Bruyne and the rest. Lukaku is OK and so is Witsel, but this is not the team they are made out to be in the press.
Eric(Quote)
Watching the Belgium and Italy game in Munich. Looks like there is less than a 3rd capacity. Germany had 578 new Covid cases yesterday. Compare with UK where there were 28,000 and they are letting 60,000 into Wembley. I dont understand how UEFA has sanctioned the WEmbley capacity.
What I have seen though in the UK is that although cases have risen dramatically, hospitalizations are a fraction of what they were in January. Maybe those most at risk have been vaccinated. Still, to get so many cases a lot of people must be having symptoms or know someone who tested positive. That is when you get tested right, not if you are asymptomatic?
I dont know what all this means but I dont get how these two countries can see things so differently.
Eric(Quote)
The penalty shoot out for Spain and Switzerland was shocking. Terrible pens. Whoever wins this Belgium/Italy match will go to the final I reckon. I feel Italy will win the tournament.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well, the two press darlings are out.
I think France was worse than Belgium. They thought they had the game won. And Pogba after his best game in years epitomised theirs and his arrogance with his pathetic little dance. You know he practiced that for hours if not days in front of a mirror.
With Belgium the pundits only focus on their flair players. They forget how old and slow their defense is. I had a feeling earlier this was another bridge too far today.
With them both out it will be time to big-up and overhype England. We have to beat Ukraine but then the hype will really begin because all of the games are at Wembley after that. You know it will happen and you know that the journos who were so critical of certain players will suddenly forget every word they said and wrote and it will be like it was all a dream and they knew all along.
Eric(Quote)
England actually have a great chance. I said it before the tournament and I stick to it. What England have is a very deep squad and the 5 subs make them extremely dangerous.
If they play Mount and Grealish for example, they will have Saka, Foden, Rashford and Sancho in reserve. Any of those 5 could start but there probably wont be a place for them from the beginning in Rome.
Eric(Quote)
And if we do make the final Italy better watch out. We have the master of falling over, Jack Grealish. He makes the Italian play acting like today in the last 15 mins look amateurish.
Eric(Quote)
Ukraine are a really well organised side – especially when defending, they analysed it against Sweden and they are clearly well drilled.
I know the Swedes don’t have our attacking players, but Ukraine will be difficult to break down.
I would go the 3 CBs again – with the same defenders. I think Trippier & Shaw will stretch them.
But I would change and rest some of the midfielders & forwards.
I would player Henderson & Bellingham in midfield. I’d play Sancho & Rashford off Kane.
That’s not me dropping Sterling – that’s me acknowledging how important he is and resting him a bit.
With 5 subs we have that opportunity to change things if it’s not working – but they are all good players coming in with lots of fresh legs against a Ukraine side that looked knackered against the Swedes.
I don’t think Southgate will do that though. I think he’ll stick with the same team.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The rumours are that Sancho and Mount are coming in. I think he will go with the formation I mentioned above. It is Sancho for Saka as he has a knock. Funny that, Sancho isnt even a Man U player YET and gets a start 🙂
Mackem Toddler
Walker Stones McGuire Shaw
Phillips Rice
Mount
Sancho Sterling
Kane
Eric(Quote)
Southgate has so many attcking options he can hardly go wrong whoever he picks. Just has to encourage Phillips to get up there to support the attack or when there is a press on. Shouldnt need that much encouragement as he plays for Leeds!
Guardian also says that Southgate is happy with Grealish as an impact sub. I would like to see him start but he was injured for 3 months and I think only had 1 game for Villa before the Euros.
Not sure what Foden has done. He is not the only one on a yellow.
Eric(Quote)
Sharpy: I think Henderson is Southgate’s ace in the hole in case Rice or Phillips get a yellow. He has only played 45 mins in 4 months and I dont think he will start today. In an ideal world we would go 2 nil up and Henderson can get half an hour. He must be near full fitness although not match fit.
Eric(Quote)
Eric – it’s a tough call really coz on one hand it’s a fixture that should allow him to rest players – I’m not saying take them lightly because the players coming in are still very good players.
But on the other hand they are absolutely a banana skin.
I think it’s a good game for Henderson & Bellingham because none of their midfielders are particularly gifted. Well organised & hard working and likely to sit in – so I think we would have the running of the midfield.
Maybe I’m doing Ukraine a disservice here, but Shaw & Trippier would be floating round that midfield too.
Am I overthinking it?, do they need a rest?. It was a fairly easy group & no extra time games so far – do we just go for it?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: The Guardian are saying 4-3-3 and acting like formation and Sancho starting have been leaked to them. Bellingham just turned 17 a few days ago. I always thought he was being taken to the Euros for the experience and with an eye on the world cup. Dont you think a euros QF would be a bit too much pressure on the kid? If we go 2 nil up then sure. Lightning cant strike twice after France thought they’d won by going 2 goals ahead 🙂 Could it?
I am still laughing at that Pogba dance. They all do their little celebrations and they are often pre-planned, but he had like 3 sets of moves and you just know he thought it was over. He will be remembered for his stupid dance and not for the great game he had. Except in the final 15 minutes when he totally switched off and let Switzerland back in the game.
I dont know why I like to see Pogba fail. He could be a really nice guy for all I know. Maybe it is because he just gives up in some games and seems not to give a ****.
Eric(Quote)
On Graeme Jones, it will be good for him to have a pre-season with the team. I do not for a minute believe that Bruce had anything to do with his hiring but it did work out well for him. It was also addition by subtraction. Specifically, subtraction of the Steves. Jones is Assistant Head Coach so is ahead of the Steves.
I have seen that Bruce does not do much on-field coaching. It begs the question – what does he do then? Probably for the best though as long it is not his hand picked cohorts who are doing the coaching. Bringing in someone over his head turned out well. Hope it continues but we will still be in deep **** if we do not bring in Willock or someone similar.
Eric(Quote)
Well, I got the team right. I never saw Sancho coming but the Guardian had a tip-off this morning. I also think he’s going with the formation I said with Mount the link between midfield and attack.
Eric(Quote)
So, I wonder where the morons who sisnt want Sterling picked and questioned Kane’s place are now? In the corner with a dunce’s cap on? Sterling assisted Kane’s 1st goal.
Eric(Quote)
This is lovely stuff England
KIMTOON(Quote)
Hopefully the Mackem Toddler got his mistake out of system there. Wouldnt have mattered anyway.
Eric(Quote)
Well done England .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Great game. Never saw that coming but a very well managed game. Bring on Denmark.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I said from the start this was like a home tournament for England and home teams win about 50% of Euros and WCs. Now that they are allowing so many fans in, England will have even more of an advantage.
I have to give Southgate credit that has not overplayed the previously injured players and has rotated a bit. Above all, he resisted the idiots in the press saying Sterling was out of form or jaded. He was never going to drop Kane, no matter what the press said.
He has kept some players fresh as well either through design, covid or yellow cards.
My only question is, what is he doing with Foden? Have they fallen out? Does he not fit the system. Has he had some Icelandic birds up to his room again? (Does anybody use the word bird anymore?).
Eric(Quote)
Part of the reason I didnt doubt Sterling and Kane is that the Journalists have had the knives out for both at various times. All they needed was the slightest encouragement and they would have them not picked, “rested” or dropped.
The Sun had/has a peculiar and particular vendetta against Sterling. He bought a big house with a very nice bathroom fixtures and The Sun did like a 4 page spread ridiculing him for it explaining how much the bathroom fixtures cost etc. Like no other footballer has a mansion. But in this case IT WAS FOR HIS MAM.
As for Kane. When he 1st scored 20 goals, I think when he was 21, a lot of journos said he was a flash in the pan, and lets see if he can do it next year. They really had to eat humble pie, but still after all of these years they want to see some failings there so in their own tiny minds they will feel partially vindicated.
Eric(Quote)
Just watched an excellent documentary on Sky about Terry Venables & Euro 96 – god I still think Gazza reaches that chance to score against the Germans ??♂️?.
Stu Pearce features and talks about his penalty miss in Italia 90, and then scoring against Spain & that reaction – brilliant!!.
Ending with a young Southgate stepping up to take that penalty against Germany when others hid, and his face when we go out. He can never have that moment Pearce had scoring the penalty … but to win it as manager wouldn’t be a bad redemption now would it?!?!!!!.
Watching the documentary it seems like Southgate approaches the job a lot like Venables did – without that wide boy persona – but the players seem to be responding to him in a similar way the 96 squad did to Venables.
I’m not getting carried away here & thinking we will win this coz the 2 games ahead are difficult games – winnable, but difficult. But what a footballing story he would have.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Here’s a new one to stir the NUFC blood. Rangers fans believe Ashley is the benefactor of Castore.
His latest scheme to make more money from Toon fans. He’ll pay for the new shops and fund the manufacturing of new kits while sourcing manufacture from SD suppliers and of course it’ll be poor quality. Rangers tales of badges dropping off, shrinkage, buttons that come off etc etc. Typical SD stuff posing as a new innovating company – Castore. Very clever Mike! I wonder where the profits will end up.
georgio(Quote)
I think there is only one place up for grabs and that is on the right wing. That is the spot where Southgate has rotated with Foden, Sancho and Saka all playing there. Is it Grealish’s time to start? Southgate seems to have wanted to mix it up slightly, but not too much.
The only other possible change I can see is Henderson for Mount, but I doubt it.
Rashford is the odd man out of the forwards as he is behind Sterling.
Eric(Quote)
I think some people are underestimating home advantage for England and the fact that they have only had to travel once and that was to Rome. Denmark were in Baku. Remember when the Europa League was there and the sh!tstorm that caused with fans from England? That’s about as far as you can go in “Europe”.
I am rewatching the Denmark against the Czechs game to see if Denmark really are worth the hype or whether it is sympathy for Erikson giving them the aura of a good team. I think England must be prohibitive favourites. We simply have better players and Southgate seems to have instilled a belief and organization that Managers with much better CVs could not. Capello and Sven Goran Erikson. Forget Mr Roy, he had his resignation letter already written and in his pocket BEFORE the loss to Iceland. Remember that.
I hope Southgate has learnt something since the WC. We faced an eminently beatable Crotia and let Modric run the show.
Eric(Quote)
Sharpy, it would be redemption indeed for Southgate, said exactly that to my mate last night after the game.
Shearer wrote a lovely piece after we beat Germany, a kind of open letter to Gareth where he says him and the team never for a moment blamed him for our exit. As Shearer says, we could and should of won it in the 90.
If only Gazzas feet were a size bigger eh.
I have seen that chance a thousand times and still think he’s gonna connect with it, agony, sheer agony at a moment lost. THAT was the chance and i said it at the time, knew we’d lose it after that.
Will we make the final and win it this time, who knows but we have to give it our best shot, don’t wanna wait another 25 years to get this far, don’t reckon i’ll still be here then .
KIMTOON(Quote)
I watched the Czech/Denmark again and have to say that the narrative of the Danes being good is false, at least in this game. In think it is fed by emotion rather than watching how they play. The first half was actually shaded by the Czechs who are 40th in the world. The Danes gave away a lot of fouls and were vulnerable at set pieces but Soucek missed a free header which is not like him. The halftime scorline totally flattered the number 10 in the World Danes.
The Czechs totally outplayed the Danes in the second half and should really have taken it to extra time.
I think the journos are looking at this Danish performance with sympathy coloured glasses. On this evidence they are no better than Ukraine and got very, very lucky against an average side.
But the narrative that the Danes are a good team is set in the British Press and will not change. On the evidence of the Czech game they are a very average team. Remember they got out of the group by the skin of their teeth with 3 points.
I hope nobody thinks I am being disrespectful to Erikson. I am just passing on my observations of this match that the football pundits and journos seem to think was a triumph whereas if they looked at it dispassionately they would see the Danes were played off the park for much of it.
Eric(Quote)
Watching the England sidelines you see Southgate and Holland having chats, but when it comes to giving player instructions or instructions for subs it is usually Graeme Jones. Southgate seems to have embraced Jones as a full member of his coaching team. Compare that to Bruce when Jones first came in. Had a face like a slapped @**** and often ignored Jones. And Bruce tries to tell us it was his idea to bring in Jones as the Assistant Head Coach who has responsibilty and title above the 2 lost puppies that have followed him around for 10 years. Give me a break!
What happens to Jones next would be a good question.
Eric(Quote)
Kim – I bet that miss haunts Gazza more than Gareth’s penalty and of course Gazza isn’t as well mentally equipped to deal with it.
I was at work last night so didn’t get to see the whole game, but am off for the semis & final so they better get through!! ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
There’s some hype about Viera going to Palace – and I failed to see why?! He was a tremendous midfielder in the PL but has little managerial experience and none in this league.
I can’t understand why Lampard or Howe haven’t been snapped up yet?!.
Can’t wait to play Palace though. Viera got rid of ASM and had little good to say of him – so hopefully he goes to stick it up Paddy ????
Sharpy17(Quote)
Italy are favourites to beat Spain but I am not sure they can be judged on beating Belgium. Belgium are number 1 in the world but that wont last much longer. They have the Spurs defense, so no wonder Italy could score against them. That also restricts their attcking play because you do not want to leave them exposed. De Bruyne played with an achilles problem and Eden Hazard was out. Would you rather have Kane or Lukaku? Thought so!
Not looking past Denmark, who were outplayed for most of the game by the Czechs. But the hype machine for Italy might be overdone despite their run of results. That is like saying the Mackem Toddler is now a great keeper because of the run of clean sheets. He is not, he is still short, has short arms, punches when he should catch and screams at his teammates for even small mistakes.
Eric(Quote)
I am not a lawyer but the PL request that the CAT case not go ahead because it is too similar to the arbitration case is nonsensical. If NUFC win the CAT case there will be damages which is not true of the arb case which would simply throw the takeover back to the PL to conduct the Owners and Directors test.
Unless Fatty is also asking for damages in arbitration, which I am not sure he can.
I dont see what the issue is here and why the PL have been granted more time.
Eric(Quote)
I have read quite a few comments on the Euros. Football365 has a letters to the Editor section. The Guardian opens articles for readers’ comments which sometimes reach 1,000 or more. There are other places as well. One thing I do on all of these is stop reading a comment immediately if anybody says “Ze Germans”. It brings back memories of Stan Boardman and that stupid face of his always seeming like he was about to laugh at his own “jokes”. I just wanted to slap him.
Eric(Quote)
I think they should put pressure on all of them including Ms Crouch. She may not be able to have a direct say but she can influence ministers in her role of looking into football governance and fan involvement. Every bit helps, even NUST who I personally think dont have much of a clue if the evidence of former chairs is anything to go by.
There is obviously something being hidden here. We have seen there were secret e-mails. We have also seen that Masters and Hoffman were aware of project big picture (6) a week before it was made public and kept a “dosier” on this away from the rest of the stakeholders. They were acting for themselves and the so-called big 6 who arent even the top 6 in the PL 🙂 Just in terms of money and they wanted more of it.
There is no way these 2 weasels didnt know about the European Super League as well.
Eric(Quote)
The fact that Staveley has come out and spoke in person about the transparency of the takeover & in support of Ashley is a big statement imo.
She and that side of her all of this has always only been a face without a voice so far – the odd tweet from her fella, but little else. Her speaking up now gives me hope.
It also encourages me that this isn’t just some scheme by Ashley to get a compo pay out & not progress the takeover.
I have always doubted the validity of this takeover – now I believe it’s something genuinely being worked on.
The PL making a u-turn is a very different matter of course, but the heat is getting turned up & that’s good.
I think this ESL and the top 6 still have a negative part to play like. If they want to ****** off coz there’s not enough money to go round now – they really won’t want us taking a bigger slice than we do now.
I feel like this takeover craic is gonna get interesting over the next few weeks though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: ducks are lining up and there are some very powerful people now against the PL. Fatty is a powerful man who has hired crack attorneys and Stavely is backed by some very rich and powerful people, including her husband. They have been pushed into a corner by the “big 6” and now it is time to fight back, including Jamie Reuben.
If Masters and Hoffman think the Big 6 will protect them then they better think again. I am certain they (the PL) knew about the ESL but maybe not about the details. The Big 6 will throw them under the bus if it serves their purpose. They threw each other under the bus with the ESL when the PR and fan reaction got too hot.
They have to do a deal, otherwise all of the sordid details will come out and the PL execs will have to resign and there will be a stain on Big 6 Chairmen. Mainly Levy and Henry I think, but also Woodward at Man U.
I doubt Woodward was that involved in blocking our takeover as he was more into setting up the ESL, but they were all in cahoots. Just Liverpool and Spurs more than the rest.
Eric(Quote)
Also, I still have no idea what is happening with Covid, borders, reopening, Delta variant, 60k at Wembley, only 250 Danes at Wembley, Quarantine/No Quarantine, Freedom Day. Someone will have to explain it all to me.
Eric(Quote)
Usually, even if this stuff on the takeover is behind closed doors, **** leaks out. It will be like a wet fart and it could not happen to nicer guys – Hoffman and Masters.
Eric(Quote)
Also Sharpy. There are some differences between now and when the PIF originally pulled out:
1. There is a CAT and Arbitration case with high powered attorneys on the side of NUFC that are now concluding (6 weeks?).
2. The Project Big Picture scandal had not occured which sort of backs up the rumours that the PL were manipulated by Spurs and Liverpool. And even worse, the the PL execs were willing participants. This was against the interests of the other 14 stakeholders but they did it anyway and in secret.
3. The ESL hadnt been proposed and then quickly withdrawn. This was against even the PLs interests so even Hoffman and Masters must know the ‘Big 6″ are not in their corner.
The extent to which the Americans in particlular will go to get all of the money in their pockets and get a closed shop has been laid bare. So this is different to when the Pif pulled out. Even the Saudis and Qataris are sort of making nice now and the piracy issue has sort of been resolved.
It is a totally different environment as long as Stavely and Co are allowed to resubmit.
Eric(Quote)
Eric – I’m not a businessman & know little of that world if I’m honest.
I’m basing things purely on the ‘why would you both’ mentality here ? as in –
Why would Ashley fight it & spend big money on top lawyers?
Why would Staves make this appears & do the interview?
Why would they both?
Well I don’t think Ashley is trying to make the process better for any other club – the heroic victim.
Staves has never spoke in person on this from what I know – certainly not outside the written press that is – why would she make her face known in such a public way? – the biggest sports broadcast, why are in bed with the very people we are fighting … why both, if they didn’t think they could win???
Sharpy17(Quote)
I hope there is a good turn out for this protest in Parliament Square. There must be quite a few Mags in London. I lived there a couple of years and could have taken a long lunch. I think anywhere about 300 would be a good showing. That’s a decent size to show your intentions, especially if there are banners and flags.
I actually agree with organized peaceful protests. I was ripped a new one on another blog when I said I didnt agree with protests before a game. After the game I am OK with. I also was very much against a march to Lee Charnley’s house which was proposed by certain people at NUST. Not sure if it was the heirarchy mind. But that would bring Charnley’s family into it. Protest at the training ground FFS. Someone on that particular blog actually gave out Charnley’s home address which is not on. Certain nutters need very little encouragement so I thought that was out of order.
But organized peaceful protests I am all for.
Eric(Quote)
I really think we should buy Willock regardless of whether the takeover goes through or not. We will be in transition for a couple of years with new owners and we need to stay up if the takeover fails. We are not going to be Man City over night and if it costs 25 million that is a good investment on a 21 year old.
Eric(Quote)
Agree totally Eric, We need to concentrate on the here and now, not some takeover that may or may not happen.
Sick of takeover talk , that’s all there ever is , talk . I have always thought that one day we will suddenly see a SSN yellow banner saying it’s done and dusted and that will be it. Will it be the Pif, who knows, almost beyond caring now.
What I do know is that all the years of the fatboy have totally killed my passion for the game to the point that I can’t even get too excited over England getting to the semi’s let alone the Toon going on a decent cup run or anything.
Don’t want us to win anything under Ashley, lets save it for the new owners that please God we soon get.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Eric, you only have to look at the measly punishment given out by the PL to the big 6 to see the hold they have over Masters and Co . They had to of known what was going on with them and the plans they had, ffs they even let them decide their own punishments !.
Sick of the governance of football, they are all bent, FA, PL, FIFA ,UEFA all of them imo .
KIMTOON(Quote)
SHARPY Why would Ashley fight it & spend big money on top lawyers?
di dnt i that say that weeks ago to you you said no way mate
coming round to my way of thinking then mate??
icedog(Quote)
Ice – I just don’t trust Ashley mate & couldn’t see past this just being a way of him getting a compo pay out – and I still thought that right up to Staves coming out yesterday.
Who knows if the takeover happens but I’m happy that it’s still alive – or seems to be at least ??????
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think it is good that England are holed up at St George’s Park as there is going to be some collective mania from the fans. They will see some of this at Wembley, but If I was Southgate I wouldnt even let them watch any telly before the semi-final. He has to keep their feet on the ground.
I am debating whether to watch the final, if we get there, in the pub. There is so much pent up demand that I am not even sure if I could get in to the regular pub I go to. It is packed for Liverpool games, never mind England and it is home for Man City, Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea fans as well so I think there will be queues. They wrapped around the block for El Classico so I dont even think I am going to even try there.
I think I have to make a choice between atmosphere and actually watching the game.
Eric(Quote)
I still think the main change since the Saudis pulled out is that it has been shown that the PL secretly colluded with the Big Six on Project Big Picture which was against the interests of the other stakeholders. It is not a big jump to believe that they also allowed Liverpool and Spurs to influence them on NUFC. Not sure if this could be considered in the arbitration, but I think it is very relevant. Shows who we are dealing with and how corrupt they are. Both the cartel and the PL suits.
Eric(Quote)
Does Simon Jordan just automatically knee **** to take the opposite view on anything said about NUFC? Did the same today on talksport about Stavely but it seems that is his default position. I dont think he has ever said anything good about NUFC apart from defending Bruce, which really is not saying anything good in my eyes.
Eric(Quote)
Eric – Sky Sports were saying Arsenal are looking to sell Maitland-Niles, Riess Nelson and are in 2 minds whether to sell Willock or not.
I would be fine signing all 3.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I see there are 29k covid cases, the most since jan 29 when there was a full lockdown. I have no idea what the Govt plan is if they are fully opening up whilst cases are spiking. Thankfully, the death rates are low, probably because the most vulnerable to death have already died.
A few professors are saying the case count will go a lot higher. Will any country then let any UK residents in? We have already seen what happened in Rome for the football where they cancelled all of the tickets. If this rages on after “freedom day” I think there will be no overseas travel for months.
Eric(Quote)
Isnt this all totally contradictory with the football. Wembley’s capacity is expanded to 60k but they wont let Italians or Danes in where Covid cases are lower. Italy wouldnt let English fans in. WTF is going on?
The Govt also seem to have decided that they should just let Covid rage which is the opposite to what they did before. I dont know if that is good or not because the death rates are low but people are still getting very sick.
You have to return to normality at some time, it is just the abrupt U-turn is not really expalined. It is obviously them saying it is now only personal responsibility that matters but this is at a time where the delta variant is much more contagious and spreads more quickly.
I am totally confused, yet again.
It seems under control in the US. Hardly any cases in Chicago.
I am vaccinated anyway and still where a mask on public transport.
But as I said above, if the UK goes down this path they will have virtually closed borders for months. Is that what Boris wants?
Eric(Quote)
Chiellini and Bonucci have been incredible servants for Italy. Age has to eventually catch up with them. Will it be tonight? Or the Final? If England make it we have the pace and trickery to worry them. We are no longer JUST a set piece team.
Chiellini is 36 and Bonucci is 34.
Eric(Quote)
Extra time would be perfect for England tonight like
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: penalties would be even better because that adds shredded nerves to fatigue.
Eric(Quote)
Well a great game here. I said before the game it would be 1-1 at full time. I also said Spain would shade it 2-1 AET. Let’s see. I’d prefer Spain over Italy but two very good sides here. And of course Denmark will not be a pushover. Not at all.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Pens would be great. These teams have a day extra to recover so a hard long game would help us or Denmark
Gilly Toon(Quote)
pens it is then
KIMTOON(Quote)
oh dear
KIMTOON(Quote)
wow
KIMTOON(Quote)