Two games down, two defeats, with more poor defending and a couple of frustrating VAR calls helping Aston Villa to a 2-0 win.
We were backed well as 3,000 Geordies made the trip down to the Midlands, however they were given little to shout about as our one and only shot on target arrived in the 96th minute.
After a bright opening half an hour that featured Callum Wilson putting a glorious chance wide after going clean through on goal, Villa took the lead with a stunning bicycle kick from Danny Ings.
It was some strike, but featured more statuesque marking as we failed to win the second ball and reacted too slow to the flick on that found Ings in too much space. He did the rest expertly, but it was avoidable and an awful time to concede right on the 45 minute mark.
Villa’s second was a different story, as a Lascelles hand ball and resultant penalty – via some help from VAR – saw El Ghazi score from the spot. His hand wasn’t in a natural position, but is it expected to be when a ball is smashed at him from two yards?
We made a feeble attempt to get back into the game and thought we had a penalty of our own when Wilson was seethed down by Martinez…only for the striker to be offside by a toenail in the build up. I thought these new rules were going to benefit strikers and tight calls like this? It seems not, with our no.9 penalised for having big feet!
Like last weekend’s defeat to West Ham, we started well, went to sleep in the middle section of the game and had no response after falling behind. A worrying trend and another clear signs that new recruits are needed – not FOUR goalkeepers as Bruce keeps debating.
The NUFC boss made three changes to the side that lost 4-2 against West Ham, as Jamaal Lascelles replaced Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar came in for Ciaran Clark and Jonjo Shelvey’s absence with a calf injury meant Joe Willock made his first start since sealing a £25m move from Arsenal.
STARTING 11: (5-3-2) – Woodman – Murphy, Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez, Ritchie – Hayden, Willock, Almiron – Saint-Maximin, Wilson.
SUBS: Gillespie, Clark, Krafth, Lewis, Hendrick, S Longstaff (45), Fraser (90), Joelinton (78), Gayle.
The first half started with us in the ascendency and we should’ve been ahead. Callum Wilson was too strong for Mings, got in behind and only had Martinez to beat, but he tried to be too cute and side footed a shot wide.
A huge chance missed, however we were comfortably the better side in the opening half an hour, with us causing problems on the break, breaking past Villa’s midfield with ease and almost tapping in as Willock fired a dangerous ball across the box moments later.
The game was being played at a good pace and the hosts looked off the pace. Schar’s long balls out of defence weren’t being dealt with, Saint-Maximin and Willock were getting some joy and both wing-backs were offering useful outlets on the overlap.
One of those, Jacob Murphy, was lucky not to be booked after going down way too easily after bursting past Ashley Young, but VAR had a look and were right to ignore any feeble calls for a penalty.
Aside from an Almiron cross that only just evaded Wilson at the back post, the final 15 minutes of the first half belonged to Villa – and they made the most of it just seconds before the break.
It looked like we’d just about weathered a late Villa storm, however some poor defending combined with some Danny Ings brilliance saw us go into the break 1-0 down.
We failed to win the first ball from a long throw and Tyrone Mings’ flick on was acrobatically smashed in by Ings. A stunning strike, but a bad goal to concede when he was the only one to react amongst a sea of black shirts.
The second half began and Isaac Hayden was forced off with a knee problem, meaning Sean Longstaff slotted into the middle of our three-man midfield.
It was a flat response to going 1-0 down just before the break. Villa looked comfortable and we were struggling to get our big hitters into the game.
Then, just before the hour mark, the home side were handed the chance to make it 2-0 from the spot.
Mings was causing havoc once again and his close range header struck Lascelles’ outstretched arm. Nothing was given initially but VAR asked the on-field referee to take another look and it was given.
Was his arm in an unnatural position? Yes. But I’m not sure how much he can do about it when there was barely two yards between Lascelles and Mings’ header!? Where else is he supposed to put his hand when he has milliseconds to react?
Anyway, El-Ghazi stepped up and sent Woodman the wrong way. 2-0 Aston Villa and it felt like game over unless we seriously bucked our ideas up.
‘Bruce, what’s the score?’ soon belted around Villa Park as we approached the 70th minute mark. It looked like we’d get a penalty of our own five minutes later as Emi Martinez clattered into Callum Wilson, but VAR found our no.9 to be offside in the build up.
Another VAR decision that went against us and a real blow given this looked to be the lifeline we so badly needed heading into the closing stages.
Bruce then threw on Joelinton in place of Fernandez, with Ryan Fraser also replacing Joe Willock on the 90th minute. The Scott had a decent chance in added time, but it was too little too late in yet another frustrating display as he blazed over.
Next up, Southampton at St James’ Park next Saturday.
2nd half was totally sloppy. Not just from us but also Villa and the Ref. Misplaced passes , an obvious red card for Martinez not given, Brucie not even having Agnew to get him a pork pie at half time and instead consulting him on so-called “tactics”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Like us, Brentford have started this season with pretty much the same group of players – but in a far more difficult league.
But they have picked up where they left off in their approach & style of play – 4 points & 2 clean sheets.
We were sloppy in possession & looked vulnerable at set pieces – with 3 bloody CBs!!.
That was a pretty strong starting 11 today other than Woodman – and we were ****!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
I would say I think it’s a harsh penalty on us. It clearly hits Lascelles on the arm – but the short distance the ball travels to do so means he can neither intentionally handle it, or move it out the way.
The ref didn’t give it & VAR are only meant to get involved in clear & obvious mistakes – that wasn’t a clear & obvious handball.
With regards to the Callum Wilson assault – wouldn’t you think they’d have learned from last season when VVD was out from the season for a similar incident. If it’s offside it’s no penalty – but that challenge was reckless & could have had Wilson seriously injured. Challenges like that HAVE to be penalised regardless of offside or not.
I’m not going to use those as a reason for us losing the game though. We weren’t good enough – again!!.
It’s my opinion that our squad of players is better than that of Brentford and Brighton for example – the difference is they have managers who can coach their players to perform as a team, a unit of individual players who each have a role & work for each other.
We have 11 players that go out onto a pitch.
Sharpy17(Quote)
You could say nufc have continued in the same vein
Quote: The defeat was Newcastle’s 13th in the league in 2021 – only Southampton and Burnley have lost more among current top-flight teams
I recall Southampton and Burnley have been roundly dismissed as relegation fodder so maybe the pre -season optimism about nufc finishing mid table and criticism of sceptical fans who expressed concern was a little off the mark??
Yeah- yeah it’s only two games in and it’s too early to get worried .. but .. comfortable victories against nufc by apparent mid table competitors who apparently aren’t all that isn’t good. One thing is true they’re better than nufc
No doubt the knacker in charge and his apologists will have excuses ready to explain just why nufc lost while blithely ignoring the evidence that he’s just plain incompetent
Tough days ahead
GoWestMag(Quote)
Sharpy: VAR are allowed to check for red cards. You would have to be a complete moron not to give that assault as you called it on Wilson a red. How can they check the offside and not the goalkeeper just flinging himself into Callum? The yellow stood even though there was an offside. I assume a red would have as well if the VAR official had a clue.
Villa were marginally the better team but that is not the way it always works. We got many points based on pure luck last season and so far that has turned this season. I cannot count the number of blog posts saying Bruce’s luck would eventually turn. Usually in response to his pundit pals saying he was doing a great job and look at the points on the board.
ASMs shirt was pulled all game and the Ref didnt see it/ignored it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – they didn’t check with VVD when Pickford took him out last season either though mate, so there must be some BS reason why it’s not review.
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58295318
Sad news this, wish him well, same as what comedian Robin Williams was diagnosed with I believe.
KIMTOON(Quote)
never mind about VAR truth is we had one tame header in Villa game not one shot on goal just pure **** from doe-heed
icedog(Quote)
Spot on Ice .
KIMTOON(Quote)
We trained all week in dry conditions and today at Villa Park the rain was very wet which we didnt prepare for. Bruce
I’ll leave that one there, Bruce has been Pardewed .
KIMTOON(Quote)
It’s becoming blatantly clear that we are now fighting against the refs and VAR this season. Not even the Villa players asked for the handball , not one! Yes, we were very poor but it also extremely demoralising when we know the officials are looking to stick one into us at every single opportunity… ?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Kimtoon: That’s a good one from Brucie.
Rain is wet.
Heat is hot.
Sand gets into your sandwiches at the beach no matter how hard you try.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We have at least 7 players on the field who seem to have no interest in scoring at all.
Murphy and Ritchie just are not good enough for wingback. 90 mins and one effort on goal, a tame header from Donkey. Bruce must really not like Gayle. Losing faith with Woodman too.
georgio(Quote)
Well he didn’t score today, but Adam Armstrong looked mustard against Man Utd today.
Sharpy17(Quote)
A few windows ago Ashley signed Carroll to appease the fans – Rondon would be that signing this window for me. But more than that, he would be a player that would get more goals – more goals than Joelinton, Gayle and even Carroll if he were still here – put together!!.
We have cleared a lot of wages this summer with players like Muto, Lejuene, Atsu, Saviet and Carroll clearing close to £200k a week I reckon.
I would look at Williem as well – at least give him a medical & let him train before signing him – see how bad that injury has affected him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Willems and Rondon would be very good additions but we really need a defence minded midfielder.
georgio(Quote)
I still feel quite confident we will loan Choundry before the window closes mate. It makes sense for Leicester to wait til the last minute incase they get any injuries beforehand.
The other option is Bentalab on a free – so I’m happy waiting ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Can Brucie stop wearing such tight tops now? i think he needs a bra.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I still think we will be OK despite the 2 losses.
I think Willock, ASM and Wilson can worry any team.
I also think Fraser is a good player.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
RIP Charlie Watts
KIMTOON(Quote)
Manquillo and Fraser having a good game so far, oh and Fraser now down 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
Anyone listening to the match? I missed the first half. In morecambe at the moment.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
70mins in 15 shots but only 1 on target – that’s what a front line of Joelinton & Gayle get ya.
We are totally dominating the game & should be at least 2 or 3 up here – but no clinical finishing at all.
Sharpy17(Quote)
pens then
KIMTOON(Quote)
Saints winning 8.0 !
KIMTOON(Quote)
St Max misses, not the best pen
KIMTOON(Quote)
Wood scores
KIMTOON(Quote)
Willock scores
KIMTOON(Quote)
Barnes scores
KIMTOON(Quote)
Joelinton scores
KIMTOON(Quote)
longstaff scores
KIMTOON(Quote)
Woodman saves brownhills pen
3.3
KIMTOON(Quote)
Almiron misses
KIMTOON(Quote)
Taylor seals it for Burnley
4.3
out the cup yet again
KIMTOON(Quote)
Out the cup at the first round. At home against Burnley. Out on pens. Shocking. Almiron and St Maximin both saved pens. ???????
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Absolute shower of sh!te. Beaten on penalties and out of the cup already.
We had around 20 shots tonight but only 3 on target.
Bruce said he was happy with his attacking options & listed his forwards. To be fair to him, I got the impression he was saying that coz he knew the club wouldn’t be giving him any kind of money to buy a new one – Joelinton we are stuck with. He missed chances tonight, but he created some good ones for his teammates to miss as well tonight.
Gayle has always been and remains the puzzler for me.
I’m no fan of Almiron either. The lad runs a lot but that’s about it. We should have sold him to Athletico when they were interested & got as much as we could – he’s not cut out for English football.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Why is it that on match days the comments on this site don’t update??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Off the back of last night, we already knew we’re stuck with Joelinton – nobody is coming to buy him.
We all scratch our heads at Gayles contract extension – last night supports that. He’s just not a clinical finisher & not good enough at this level.
But after last night I’m am totally fine with the sale of Sean Longstaff. When Kevin Phillips said £10m was good money for him, I thought it was too low – but actually I’d rip someone’s hand off now.
I’ve never been entirely sold on Almiron as a PL player. I’m not saying he’s a bad player, I just think physically he’s not cut out for the league – but also his finishing has always been poor.
I know we are only 3 games in, but no wins – 2 of the 3 games & no goals scored. Only 1 player in (as things stand) and any loans look to be defensive ones. I worry a bit.
But more than anything, I don’t think I can do another season of stupid post match comments from Bruce!!. We’ve heard some pearlers already & last nights was equally as ridiculous ‘we didn’t lose on the night’ and my favourite ‘if you want to be critical, we missed some big big chances’ – if you want to be critical??? It’s analytical to say we missed those chances!!. It’s their p!ssing job to finish those chances!!
These are the players HE said were good enough as forward options & cover Wilson.
Finishing aside, I don’t think we played that badly – but we are out the cup. That’s not being critical, that’s fact.
I honestly believe the squad of players we have should and could be finishing comfortably outside of any relegation battle this season – but it is my belief that it won’t be comfortable with Bruce in charge. I’m saying he will get us relegated, it is certainly a possibility, but I’m certain we will be in that relegation battle whilst he’s our manager.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY agree 100% with your comment ime sorry to say,sad times mate 👿
icedog(Quote)
Ice – it should say I’m not saying he will get us relegated, but it’s certainly a possibility ?.
It’s obvious that Ashley just wants to keep us in the PL until he can sell the club – and as much as I don’t like the bloke, I can understand that.
But if that is his hope then he needs to at least get a manager capable of achieving that – I could understand a fat Sam (not saying I want him) as his CV backs that. Brucey CV gets clubs relegated.
The second thing for Ashley would be to ensure you have the playing staff to keep you in the league. Goals keep teams this league – we know that. Joelinton is a mistake that isn’t easily resolved, but replacing Gayle was easier – let him go & bring in a relatively inexpensive replacement – £15-20m on a new forward versus the cost of relegation is a no brainer.
I don’t imagine shifting Bruce will even be considered until it’s on the cusp of being too late again – and the longer it goes on, the more toxic things will get at our poor long suffering club – and our current saviours … the Saudis ??♂️?
Sharpy17(Quote)
WHU absolutely smashed us last week and are looking to get bought out – they are probably closer to being bought than we are – and yet they are about to add Kurt Zouma & Jesse Lingard to their squad. We are light years away!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Looking at Evertons squad – if Rafa offered Delph or Davies & Tosun in exchange for Longstaff, I’d take that I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Those photos of Graeme Jones explain what I have been saying from the very beginning. That Jones was “caretaker in waiting”. That Bruce did not go to Charnley/Ashley and say he needed a new coach. What happened is that he was offered no choice. Somebody higher up said they needed someone other than the Steves, and Brucie went along with it to save his job.
He is making a very nuanced argument that he had a say in this. Yes, he did, but is was Hobson’s choice. Somebody offered him candidates and said choose one.
If there was ever a picture of Bruce and Jones together other than at NUFC I would love to see it. Over to you Olly 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy, mate. From what we have seen from Sean Longstaff since his injury I would take 10 pence to get him off the payroll. Slow, cant tackle or run with the ball.
He can shoot, but like Jonjo they usually are high, wide and unhandsome.
Sean is Shelvey with more hair.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
dont think we be that lucky,we are going cap in hand for free/cheap loans,if they sack Bruce which decent manager would come and work with jabba NONE ime afraid,it is heart breaking to see other clubs signing decent players
icedog(Quote)
See jab has given his son-in-law 100 mil bonus,alright for some 🙄 🙄
icedog(Quote)
Eric – I’ve argued against that in the past, but having heard what Bruce himself has said on the appointment, I think you’re dead right mate.
Bruce has said repeatedly that he interviewed 2 or 3 – which was it, 2 or 3 – surely he’d know?!.
He also said he hired Jones coz he’s a Geordie and wanted him in for that reason … is that a valid reason to hire someone??!!. He has not once mentioned any footballing reason for why he brought Jones in – what we were missing that Jones provided.
When you’re asked ‘was the hiring of Jones your decision & why did you pick him?’ Id expect better than ‘I interviewed 2 or 3, but Graham’s a Geordie lad and I knew he’d love to work here’.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know mate, a lot of my comments are wishful thinking. That said, Delph or Tosun would never be on my wish list – I think that’s just a reflection on where I see us right now.
I think if Bruce leaves, Jones could step in – but if Bruce leaves I think Agnew & Clement do too – which means Jones would need help brought in – which means Ashley would be paying compo & hiring & I can’t see that until we are on the verge of it being too late.
Sharpy17(Quote)
You are spot on Sharpy, as you usually are. Some of the things you said I had never even thought of.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Cabbage heed saying “we didn’t lose on the night” must be perhaps the singular most moronic things he’s said. We are out the cup. That means we lost. It happened last night… Brucie, we lost on the night. That is why we are out the cup! ??????
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Did someone say loss? Nah, poppycock , must be your imaginations .
KIMTOON(Quote)
It blocked **** from poppyc0ck 🙂
It wont let you say sc@nthorpe either.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is it too early to say this is a must win? Southampton played well last Sunday and I can’t see us getting anything better than a draw.
Stuart79(Quote)
Eric, I see Sleepy Joe’s plan is going from bad to worse… Imagine if it was Trump doing this? The media and left wing liberals would be apoplectic with rage. The usual suspects of liberals in the media and everywhere else are almost silent on this carnage. It’s embarrassing. Even football journalists like Luke Edward’s and Paul Hayward who have never been quiet to show their unhappiness at other political or humanitarian crisis’ have been silent. The stench of hypocrisy is overwhelming.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart, mate: this was started by Trump. It has been compounded by Biden and will be a disaster. I am not sure how much we will see on TV after the Kabul airport is closed for eveacuations. But, be certain that the Talaban are terrorists. You cannot negotiate with people like that.
This will spread and get even worse than Syria. If you are relying on the former Soviet Republics, China, Pakistan and Iran to sort this out you are pretty much screwed.
I really disliked Thatcher but she did say one good thing in her life – “YOU DO NOT NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I see our new third kit is launched. Man City in look but sadly not in anything else. £65 ?. This will stay on the shelf as far as I’m concerned. Not buying kits or going to matches these days. What’s the point of the third kit if we’re out the cups? We’ll be out the FA cup at first game too no doubt!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Just watching SSN and they showed a clip from Bruceys press conference – he looked hung over!!.
He keeps banging on about having no money coz of COVID – I’m sure that’s the line have told him to go down, but don’t they get EVEN club was hit by COVID???.
We didn’t have the money for Joe Willock – we broke all of our transfer rules to get him – so there is money .. coz we DID buy him – why don’t these journalists challenge this nonsense???. What are the transfer rules Steve?, the fans would love to know?!.
He looked like a clean shaven Mike Bassett this morning, after he was filmed dancing p!ssed on the bar – only there was no rousing speech, no reciting Kipling … just a bumbling hung over fool.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m increasingly tired of reading what Bruce has to say about anything. The bloke’s a total fraud. He has no business being in this kind of job. Just get him out asap.
Heard a bit more about Bielsa’s murderball at Leeds. 50 balls around the pitch and one kicked on every time it goes out. No rest, no break. The latest is they play for 2 hours and sometimes 2 and a half hours. Talk about fit!
georgio(Quote)
I see Ronaldo is going to sign for Man Utd. I really don’t see how this helps them other than financially? They will have to change the way they play, he’s selfish, it’s all about him and he really doesn’t like closing down or working as a team. Oh and he’s 36. Great player but I think he would be a better fit for a club trying to break into the top echelons rather than a team already there. Wonder if this is their Rodney Marsh signing….
Stuart79(Quote)
Eric, Biden has reversed most of Trumps policies so I really have no idea why he hasn’t done the same with the single worst one. It’s actually quite worrying as this has always been Bidens plan – he’s always wanted to withdraw from Afghanistan and it was obvious when he was VP.
He could have reversed Trumps original plan but he didn’t because he agreed with it.
Stuart79(Quote)
Guess who Ronaldo will play against in his 1st game? Of course, it had to be NUFC at Old Trafford. Sept 11. That wont be a circus 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I fear for some of the commentators helath if Ronaldo scores. They aleady get themselves worked up to an 11 whenever Man U score. I would have a defibrillator ready in the booth.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They have Sky Sports News in the US now previewing weekend games. I just watched a bit of it and they have gone full-on Ronaldo w@nkfest. Hopefully, they wont let Martin Tyler do the game as he is getting on a bit and he was always a bit of a “United” fanboy.
The only one I am not worried about is Roy Keane because he is so far up his own @rse he will act like he doesnt care. Out of one side of his mouth he will say it brings “United” back to being the biggest club in the world, out of the other he will say Christiano wont make that much of a difference as everybody already knows that me, Roy Keane, was the best to ever play for “United”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
New thread folks
Olly Hawkins(Quote)