You should be winning a game of football when you’re in the lead with a couple of minutes to play, yet a win was anything but what we deserved here.
Allan Saint-Maximin looked to have won it with a 90th minute strike at the Gallowgate End, yet a foul on Adam Armstrong and resultant penalty via VAR handed Southampton a share of the spoils with just about the last kick of the game.
We were well and truly outplayed and totally outthought in the first half – they should’ve had a couple and had home fans chanting “WE WANT BRUCIE OUT” – yet it was us who took the lead 10 minutes into the second 45, as Callum Wilson headed home from a Jacob Murphy knockdown.
After we then sat off and looked to protect what we had (sigh…), the hosts responded with 15 minutes to play as Elyounoussi bundled home at the back post.
Saint-Maximin looked to have won it in the 90th minute after latching onto a Ryan Fraser shot that was blocked on the line, however a reckless lunge from Jamaal Lascelles left VAR with no option but to award the Saints a spot kick with just seconds remaining.
James Ward Prowse stepped up and fired a superb penalty into the bottom left corner, giving Woodman absolutely no chance. The full-time whistle went and boos echoed around the 44,000 crowd inside St James’ Park.
Once again we sat too deep after scoring, looked unorganised throughout, tired badly and lacked any type of plan B when things weren’t going our way. With 10 shots to their 22 and just 35% possession, it was a worrying watch and not a performance deserving of all a victory, sadly.
The result leaves us in 15th in the table on one point, heading into the international break still looking for our first win of 2021/22.
Bruce made just one change to the side that lost at Aston Villa last weekend, with Sean Longstaff coming in for Isaac Hayden – who failed to shake off a knee injury in time for today’s game.
STARTING 11: Woodman – Murphy, Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez, Ritchie – S Longstaff, Willock, Almiron – Saint-Maximin, Wilson.
SUBS: Gillespie, Clark, Joelinton, Lewis, Hendrick, Krafth, Manquillo, Fraser, Gayle.
We started brightly in the opening few minutes, passing the ball around quickly and almost breaking through on goal via a brilliant run from Joe Willock, however we soon sat deep and were struggling to get out of our own half.
Whether it was ASM losing it just as we tried to break or misplaced passes from a back five struggling to cope with Southampton’s high press, we were constantly losing the ball in bad areas.
The set up was so negative. Yes, their press made it difficult to play out at times, but we were set up with EIGHT men behind the ball – which often came straight back at us when hopeful counter attacks involving an isolated ASM and Wilson failed to develop.
Livramento was constantly free down their right-hand side and should’ve had an assist to his name just after the 20 minute mark. The ball fell for the former Chelsea talent, he fired across goal and Djenepo somehow fired over for one of the worst misses you’ll see all season.
Minutes later, Armstrong then set up the Malian with a lovely ball around the corner. Djenepo sat Lascelles down and looked set to score, only for his goal bound shot to be blocked by Fernandez.
At this point, the hosts had enjoyed almost 70% possession and looked the only side interested in winning this game, leading to a chorus of “WE WANT BRUCIE OUT” to ring around a disgruntled St James’ Park.
We were set up like a side trying to nick a point away at Old Trafford, yet this was a winless Southampton side that always give you a chance if you can get at them.
Aside from the odd fleeting counter attack and Saint-Maximin burst to win a free kick in a dangerous area, it was a pitiful first half performance, summing up Bruce’s negative tactics, our lack of ball playing defenders and a flawed system that just wasn’t working.
The half ended with a Wilson header that was beaten off the line by Alex McCarthy from Sean Longstaff’s corner – our one and only shot on target in a worryingly bad opening 45.
No changes made as we came out from the break, but we needed to push up the pitch and give the Gallowgate something to watch – and we FINALLY started to do that.
After yet another Djenepo shot whistled just wide, it was clear we were being a little more aggressive in all areas of the pitch, committing a few more bodies forward and no longer sitting off a Saints side who were by far the better side in the first 45.
Then, the breakthrough arrived, and it was that man Callum Wilson who came up with the goods.
Schar made up for an erratic first half display by picking out a brilliant cross-field pass to Jacob Murphy, who found himself in space at the back post. The marauding wing-back nodded back across goal and Callum Wilson came flying in to head home. 1-0 Newcastle!
It was vital we now didn’t sit back and give Southampton the upper hand once again, however that’s exactly what we did, with this now becoming a frustrating theme under Steve Bruce. Ok, we were no longer looking all at sea and on the verge of conceding, yet it was a negative move that brought an edgy feel back to St James’ Park.
One move that didn’t help with that anxiety is Callum Wilson’s departure. It wasn’t a sudden injury, however he was holding his thigh in the first half and seemed as though he hadn’t quite shaken off that early knock. On came Joelinton, tasked with leading the line with just over 20 minutes remaining.
The Brazilian very nearly latched onto an outstanding ball from Allan Saint-Maximin just five minutes later, with the Frenchman’s ball only just evading our £40m man.
After coming close at one end, the Saints then went down the other and made it 1-1. Redmon was given too much space to cross down the left and his cross was eventually bundled home by Elyounoussi after the winger’s first effort was saved superbly by Woodman. All level and it was hardly a major shock based on our approach after taking the lead.
Aside from the odd ASM run and a Jacob Murphy strike parried wide by McCarthy, it was no all Southampton. They were asking the questions, keeping us camped in our own half and limiting our isolated front two to the odd counter that often came to nothing.
Ryan Fraser replaced Joe Willock with 84 minutes on the clock and made an immediate impact to win us a corner, but Ritchie’s delivery was too close to the Saints goalkeeper once again.
Just as it felt like a draw or nothing as the visitors pushed for the victory, Allan Saint-Maximin popped up with what we thought was the winner.
After Joelinton was released by the Frenchman, the big Brazilian cut inside and laid the ball back to Ryan Fraser. The Scot’s shot was blocked on the line, but ASM was in position and smashed the ball past McCarthy. 2-1 to the the Toon, great celebrations in the Gallowgate and surely our first win of the season – or so we thought…
With seconds left to play, a threaded through ball found Adam Armstrong in the box and the whole of St James’ Park held their breath.
Woodman came flying out his goal and Lascelles came steaming over to stop the former NUFC striker. Our skipper looked to have made a superb last ditch tackle on first viewing, however VAR replays showed he’d taken none of the ball and plenty of Armstrong, leaving the referee with a big decision to make as he headed to the pitch side monitor.
The penalty was given and Ward-Prowse fired passed Woodman, sending Saints fans wild up in the gods.
Full-time and, sadly, we got what we deserved. It may have been yet another VAR decision that didn’t go our way, but Southampton will be coming away from this wondering how on earth they didn’t win – despite the fact they were losing with seconds to play!
Next up, a trip to Old Trafford and potential meeting with non other than Cristiano Ronaldo after the international break…
Poor performance again blushes save by Wilson and ASM. 3 pens in 3 games is mental though, need to sort ourselves out defensively and even more so in midfield.
KIMTOON(Quote)
At least we didnt go back to the 9-0-1 formation. It was 8-0-2!!! Bruce has talked tactics recently and said the Steves work with the defense and Jones works with the attack. You cant just sit back and invite the other team on though. There is no transition and no link between midfield and attack. Actually, we dont really play with a midfield at all and rely on ASM trickery to get out of our own half. Works some of the the time, but that cannot be your only plan FFS.
Are there any positives? I thought our goals were OK and Donkey did a good job on assisting for the Fraser shot that led to the ASM goal.
We should be able to see out a game with 2 minutes to go. Do we blame the players or the Steves?
This was a pre-Graeme Jones performance. Like so many others last year but with a couple of goals. From what Bruce has said they train in groups of defense and attack and not as a unit. That is patently obvious because there is no link up play. The more things change (Jones), the more they stay the same (the Steves).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Must take issue with the headline. We really didn’t deserve a point in spite of being ahead twice. We were rubbish. The sole tactic seems to be Bruce ball to saint Maximin. Woodman needs to release the all earlier and cut out aimless punts upfield. Otherwise he performed ok between the sticks.
Groucho(Quote)
This was supposed to be an easier start anaarl. They dont have the injury excuse and it was their own inconpetence that failed to register Willock.
If Bruce even tries to say we are missing Shelvey I think he will be ridiculed.
On the plus side, the Chelsea/Liverpool game is good. Also, I might have a look at Arsenal Fan TV later. That is always good for a laugh when they lose and they are a bunch of nutters. With them bottom they will be in meltdown.
I always think the player ratings on blogs and in The Chronic are a bit generous for NUFC. On AFTV they do ratings and you will get a lot of zeros and ones. I dont even dislike Arsenal. I lived in Islington for 2 years and had a great time. I just find the total meltdowns funny, like The True Geordie before he became a celebrity and internet star.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is pretty obvious now that Sean Longstaff isnt good enough. He offers nothing. We need another midfielder on loan because you cannot trust Shelvey either. Hayden is OK but I dont want us to set up to defend in every game.
Bring on Man U 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yet another defensive lapse!
What’s your excuse this time Steve!
Unprofessional club from Mike Ashley downwards!
5 points worse off v last season already Steve.
Frightening already.
Joseph(Quote)
Ryder and Olly gave Longstaff a rating of 7. They must have watched a different game to me. I saw the stats that he made a few tackles but the stats do not always tell the full story. Maybe he just needs to get away from Bruce. He is not a defensive mid and if he is freed up he might actually perform. I suppose he did more than Shelvey normally does so I would give him a 5.
BTW, I think Ryder was ultra generous with his player ratings. He needs to watch a bit of Arsenal Fan TV and see their rants! By Ryder’s ratings you would think we had won by a couple of goals.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just to continue ranting – Brucie actually thinks we had the better of the second half. I thought it was even at best and our only plan was to give the ball to ASM. Every time he got the ball he had 3 players around him. S’ton had it sussed but he is still skillful enough to sometimes make something out of it. If he had a bit more support he might actually not have every bl00dy defender on him.
Bruce will probably give the players a week off so he can go back to his farm.
The next question is whether Jones will be working with England? If he is, we are left with the Steves so maybe a week off would be better than that.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Fuc.king sick of VAR. always against us now. Maxi should’ve had a pen earlier , as much a pen as West Ham’s pen… so pissed off … that’s three pens against us in three games now. ??????????
Gilly Toon(Quote)
At this rate we will be playing derby games again next season…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
That’s the weakest midfield I’ve ever seen in b/w. Add in two **** wingers and we’re beaten before we start. Relegation written all over it. Bruce will resign soon.
georgio(Quote)
We have the players to get results if played correctly and managed in the right way. Not necessarily for top ten, but to survive comfortably as this seems the best we can hope for these days. I know Bruce is shackled regards new signings, but he has no clue what to do with those that he has. I don’t even think his new “second in command” has much idea either to be honest
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Couldnt post really yesterday.
That first half was awful. We were miles off the pace & Saints should have been 2 or 3 up at half time.
2nd half we came out better but that goal was still against the run of play imo. To take the lead twice in a 2nd half and still not win the game just isn’t good enough.
Bruce said after the game we were off pace in the first half – firstly, no **** Sherlock. Secondly, why??? This is your team & all too often we start slow – why is that???.
He then went on to say we did better in the second half, started passing the ball better – these are PL footballer!! – passing should be a bloody given, not a half time improvement!!.
What do we work on in training? – that’s a genuine question – what do we work on??.
We are poor at defending – I watch with interest as a former CB and we do not defend as a unit.
We are poor at set pieces – both offensively & defensively.
To Bruce’s own admission, we struggle to pass the ball effectively.
Offensively – other than Wilson’s god given ability to score goals, the rest of our forwards are not composed or clinical in front of goals … what do we work on on the training pitch???.
I’ve never hidden that I was/am no real fan of Rafa – but at least we were organised. He would drill the hell out of the players & it should on the pitch.
I would swap Bruce with fat Sam tomorrow if we could. At least he’d have us organised and difficult to play against.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We have to figure out a way to deal with the high press because every team plays it now. Our CBs dont seem to be able to link up and the answer is usually hit it back to the goalie who will hoof it and hope or give it to ASM and ask him to beat 3 players.
I think we will do better as Willock settles back in. If we had the midfielders I would have Hayden as centre half but we dont. We have to have Dummett there when he is fit.
We played OK in some games at the end of last year and have the same squad. We have even played well in parts of games this year.
It is the sitting back with 8 behind the ball that drives me nuts. It tires out our players and asks the likes of Almiron and Shelvey to play as defenders.
On 25 mins Wolves have outplayed Man U.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What are the odds of Man U getting a penalty against us? Lascelles and Schar are always in danger of mistiming a tackle and Ricthie and Murphy are not really defenders.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I watched Man U since we play them next. Wolves were actually the better team but Man U do have a lot of good players so you can never write them off. They found it hard to deal with Toure who plays a lot like ASM and Wolves also played a high press.
If we dont work out a gameplan we will get hammered.
I am still wondering if Jones is with the England squad. I doubt we would release him during the season for friendlies.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There’s a lot of rumours that Bruce didn’t even go into the dressing room at half time. So . . . is this a Jones team now? Already? If so is this the best you can do Graeme? Woeful.
georgio(Quote)
What was that anti-vax protest in Newcastle? Are they copycating the French?
I am not to go into the reasins they are stupid except to say you have had the largest drug trial in history, 350 million people vaccinated in the US alone with virtually no side effects. If Big Pharma want to give you a new heart drug they do trials on onlyy like 30,000 people.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Maitland niles is begging to get out of Arsenal & he is a player we could definitely use!! – either central midfield or that right wing back position that Murphy is struggling with.
Choundhury seems keen to get out and play some regular football to.
If we end up getting nobody else in this window, fans will have ever right to take whatever action they see fit.
It also brings into question the naivety of Charnley & Bruce – £25m on 1 player if that’s all they’ve had could prove to be a big mistake.
I’m a big fan of Willock. But we need far more than just 1 player.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Let’s talk defense. Bruce said it is him and the Steves that coach defense. Anothher gaff by Brucie providing a rod to beat him with. Look at what he has done.
He starts with Krath and Clark and then after a bad performance replaces them. I am OK with that but the replacements have been worse, especially Lascelles who has been the worst player on the pitch in both his games.
Then you have the wingbacks. They looked frail in defense last year but Bruce thinks he has a system so he sticks with them. Maybe play real defenders like Manquillo and Dummett? That may sound a bit negative but we set up with 8-0-2 anyway so if we are going to play that way then play with defenders rather than not-quite-converted-wingers who were making mistakes last year as well (Ritchie and Murphy).
Finally, playing Longstaff and especially Miggy as defensive midfielders is complete madness.I have said it a million times but camping out at the 30 yeard line is asking for trouble.
And Schar. Is he in there to hit the hollywood ball in the absence of Shelvey? He has a mistake in him as well and is probably not PL standard.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, basically the defense is a shambles and that is what Bruce says he and the Steves coach.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It’s pathetic that any loan deal is being held up partly because Bruce can’t decide whether to name 4 keepers in his squad or not … FOUR F@CKING KEEPER??!! – coz we’ll need all those like!!.
Dubravka is out injured. Leave him out until January when the squads get resubmitted. Darlow has a long recovery – take him out til Jan and let him focus on getting better/fit.
Drop Gillespie. He’s not getting near if the other 3 are fit or semi fit – but Dub & Darlow don’t seem close at the mo, so leave them out ??♂️ It really isn’t rocket science!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy:
Do we need 3 STEVES EITHER FFS!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
OLLY, OLLY, OLLY:
What happens on here on the “featured discussion” is that if you post something it does not show up for an hour. It means there cannot be any real-time chat which spoils the matchday chat especially.
This has gone on for 6 months.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Talk that Choundhury was done now pulled – I do feel for Bruce if that’s the case. He’s a player that would improve our midfield & Bruce has tried for him 2 windows now.
Ashley might want to sell, but he is killing the club. I don’t see how we stay up without improving this squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The hold up on Choundhury is over how his wages are paid – Ashley has cleared over £200k pw wages this summer – and we desperately need some grit in our midfield … pay the **** wages and get him in man!!.
We don’t get him & go down & it costs way more than the lads wages!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Mark Carruthers@MarkCarruthers_
Newcastle have released 19 players since the end of last season. Several academy/U23s but that number also includes Carroll, Atsu, Muto and Saivet.
Lejeune has also left the club along with loan deals for Matty Longstaff, Kel Watts, Lewis Cass and Jake Turner.
24 out – Four in
KIMTOON(Quote)
So the Choundhury deal has fallen down again – despite Leicester bending and compromising on the share of the lads wages – we are refusing to meet their loan fee.
I don’t care if they uturn at the very last minute & get the kid in. I’ve had enough. I’m so bored of it all now, I can keep watching Ashley destroy our club. We will end up where we end up, but until Ashley is gone I’m done.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We will go down this season. We will be bottom at Christmas and playing in the championship next season. The morale has gone, manager is a buffoon and we have zero contingency for injuries. If cabbage heed had any pride as a fan, he would walk, but we know he won’t. Ashley deserves to lose every penny. We will not come straight back up if we go down again. So sick and tired of the twa.t. ????????
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I still dont think we have the worst squad in the PL. I think we are 12 or 13 quality.
We have the worst Manager though, and the Steves.
Let’s see if Graeme Jones can cut it. He was shyte at Luton.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont mean make Jones manager. I mean let’s see if he can coach with minimal Steves involvement and let the Cabbage do the PR only (badly).
In an ideal world we would sack them all. But we all know that aint gonna happen (that was my USA twang 🙂 )
Eric Sykes(Quote)
jabba refused to pay the 800,00 loan fee,club a joke mate can see us playing the scum next yr
icedog(Quote)
Shocking window, but not the least bit surprised tbh
Why is it we have no money but other clubs do? Have not ALL clubs been effected by covid ?
The likes of Brentford and Norwich outspending us makes zero sense.
KIMTOON(Quote)
I am pleased and delighted with our work done in the window. Delightedly pleased that we have consolidated our position in the bottom 5.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim – Norwich and Brentford are sensibly run clubs> NUFC is not. It’s the tired out old toy for it’s owner. It’s a disgrace.
georgio(Quote)
OLLY, OLLY, OLLY:
What happens on here on the “featured discussion” is that if you post something it does not show up for an hour. It means there cannot be any real-time chat which spoils the matchday chat especially.
This has gone on for 6 months.
Happens to me Eric. I made a comment an hour ago, saw it on the blog and now it’s gone.
georgio(Quote)
I’ve flagged this up. Site owner will be getting in touch with the tech guys that run site and will hopefully find a fix.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
This is about 2 years now ahead of me and Stuart meeting in a Chicago bar to watch the Toon play Man U.
We went 2 nil up, and I was like, we cant lose this 1 can we?
Stewie was like, just wait 🙂 He said it when we were 2-0 up.
We lost 3-2.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Must be 3 or 4 years! Covid time!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Looking on the bright side of our transfer activity, if that’s at all possible, we didn’t sign Jones from Man U.
Groucho(Quote)
Little Jimmy Krankie is a free agent for our next centre half. He/she can jump higher than Krapth and is faster than Lascelles. Can also do the team talks at half time. He/she also comes with her own pair of shorts.
Get it sorted Ashley. I dont think we have to register pensioners either.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
He/she is definately faster than Clark and Fernandez as well and wont give away as many penalties as Lascelles. It’s a no brainer.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Or Sting? He could be a good centre half? He has all the qualifications. He’s old and doesn’t need the job.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sting and Little Jimmy K in the middle with Ritchie on the left. Part of the fastest “back 8” in the history of the PL.
Doubt we can afford Sting though..
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is the Premier League controlled by the Taliban? Just thinking of Qatar’s close links to the Taliban. When can we expect to see Hoffman with a big black beard and wearing a turban? And yet PIF has difficulty taking us over. Sunni and Shia or maybe Sunny and Cher.
Groucho(Quote)
A “Flat Back 8”. The latest innovation from the Steves!
From the same people who turned Sean Longstaff into a defensive midfielder, and will do the same to Willock.
I still dont think Longstaff is any good though, but Willock is.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Do you know that Bono was elected to the US Congress and when he skiied into a tree and died they gave his seat to his wife? (Not Cher, she had moved on).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Groucho:
If you want to to continue with your bad puns.
It will get a bit Messi at PSG.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bruce is not a good manager, or coach. But what he’s achieved while at Newcastle still gives him some credit in the game. He’s fulfilled his boyhood dream – but if he has any sense at all, he would cut & run right now.
To not get backed with the bare minimum this summer is a total let down from Ashley – who no doubt wouldn’t be seen within 100 miles of SJP on match days, but will leave Bruce to face the flack by himself.
Ashley is a coward and a cheat, and I hope he gets his one day soon – coz few deserve it more.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ye gods, Texas has gone medieval, banning abortion .
And the floods in NY, wow .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kimtoon: I have thought that through a million times and still cannot come up with an answer. I am not religious, so that doesnt come into it. I was born to a single mother in 1962. If she had the choice I might not be waffling on about NUFC here. Who knows though?
My thing has been to say it is the woman’s choice to do what she wants with her body. That is a cop out though. It is me not trying to avoid the issue.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It is me trying to avoid the issue.
I did a double negative there.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kimtoon: I am not sure if you know how warped this Texas law is. They are offering a bounty of $10,000 if you report anybody that seeks an abortion. So people will receive a lot of money for handing in their friend, neighbour or family member.
Whatever anyone thinks of abortion rights, giving somebody a bounty of 10 grand to squeal is batsh!t crazy. I will leave it there.
That’s why I have never been to Texas. They are insane. Some of them anyway!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, you are right it’s freedom of choice at the end of the day. I feel so sorry for women /girls who have become pregnant as a result of rape/incest. Also women who know their unborn child will be so badly disabled that it will die shortly after delivery or suffer all it’s life if it does live. All life is precious but as humans we should never let any life suffer just so that we can say we never killed it.
KIMTOON(Quote)
A good win for England last night, only caught the second half as was tied up with stuff.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Yes a good win in a match that could’ve been tricky. Hungary beat Germany and France in the Euros… however the crowd racist chanting and throwing stuff at our players was disgusting. So pleased we beat them comprehensively… be interesting to see how FIFA handle it…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yeah, awful carry on mate . They won’t get punished properly, FIFA are useless.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Actually by booing our players for taking the knee the Hungarian fans are simply proving our players point/stance .
#kickitout
KIMTOON(Quote)
Craig Hope
@CraigHope_DM
·
11m
NUFC remind Steve Bruce he has spent £160m on players & knew exactly what budget was this summer, as controversial club statement makes more than one not-so-thinly-veiled dig at Bruce, who is currently on holiday in Portugal
KIMTOON(Quote)
Club statements a p take. Covid effect on match day revenue bla bla, like every other PL club went through it, didn’t stop them spending did it.
KIMTOON(Quote)
That would be 120 mil on players and the other 40 mil on the world’s most expensive donkey. Still wouldnt be worth it if he had gold hoofs and cr@pped diamonds.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There is one good thing about this weekend. We dont have a game to ruin it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And since I am on a curmudgeonly path today – what is it with chopsticks? Knives, forks and spoons have been around for hundreds if not thousands or years. But I am watching a cooking show where they are eating soup with chopsticks FFS. They take out all of the meat and veg with the chopsticks and then sup up the broth. Spoons, you know!!! Much easier.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
the soup thing I can almost see with chopsticks as long as you slurp it at the end. But baked beans or potato salad? Or a fried egg?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How very cowardly again – the club statement… who in the club???.
Arsenal are getting hammered – Edu steps forward front & centre. They may still disagree or not like what he’s saying – but at least he’s came out and took ownership.
Where’s Ashley or Charnley? – hiding behind a club statement!!.
I can’t be bothered to point out all of the holes in their statement – they are so glaringly obvious.
I don’t rate Bruce as a manager, but the way he’s been mugged off this window – if he wants to salvage any ounce of respect, he’d walk having not been backed. If he doesn’t – that says all there is to say about him too really.
I’ve lost all hope & interest in the club now while that parasite remains owner.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, they have effectively thrown Bruce under the bus with that statement as it implies he was fully aware of spending constraints and blew what little we had on Willock. The whole world knows he wanted Choudhury for 2 windows now.
KIMTOON(Quote)
no name on the statement, who wrote it ? zero transparency as always.
Shambolic outfit.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – the Willock deal tumbled on – I’m of the opinion the negotiated that deal as best they could as to whether they could loan to buy, or buy and what price and how it was paid – I have no issue with that deal at all … even more so if you stand it up against the Joelinton one.
But the Choundhury deal I’ve heard 2 things – 1 that the loan fee was 800k, the other was it was wavered altogether & it was just wages to pay – and we still refused the deal.
But let’s be right, if we are bottom 3 in January – there will be additions .. so where would that money have come from???.
You’re right, he’s thrown under the bus & if he gets out now he’s not so much the bad guy & can look at his league finishes with pride. If he keeps going, he’s in for all the flack – coz those clowns above him won’t show their faces I bet.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Should Brucie just put his cards on the table and play actual defenders in his 9-0-1 system on Saturday? That would mean Manquillo and Dummett in as fullbacks and no “faux” wing backs. Ritchie and Murphy cannot tackle!
Then there is midfield. Longstaff and Shelvey cannot tackle either. And Almiron is a number 10.
30% possession and 1 shot on target? 2 corners?
Let’s keep the score down lads. Getting humiliated on Ronaldo’s homecoming will not be a good look – “he’s coming home, he’s coming home, Ronaldo’s coming home”. Nobody wants to hear that from the smug Mancs as Christiano steps off the bench.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Can anybody please explain to me why anybody would be unhappy at paying more tax/NI contributions in exchange for an improved NHS? What is going on?! People moaning because the gvt are increasing taxes to pay for the NHS after the pandemic… Just incredible.
Consequence of lockdown number (insert your own number here…)
I also hope they’re cutting down on the outrageous waste in the NHS. £75k a year in diversity and inclusivity manager ?
Stuart79(Quote)
Charlie Bennett: who really “values” Longstaff the taller at 10 mil now? The papers make **** up. I value him at $10 and that is to get him a taxi from Shields to Sunderland.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sean Longstaff really has to prove something to me. He built a reputation on about 10 games and then was injured. Has shown nothing since. He can ping a pass now and again but Jose Mourinho said he could as well in training and when not pressed.
How many assists and goals does he have? He has also shown he is shyte at taking corners because he was taken off corner duty.
It is like Shelvey with his free kicks. They end up in the stands mainly.
Longstaff needs to show much more than he has in the last 2 years to even get a place on the bench. He seems slow and cannot tackle.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Very harsh on the lad Eric. Mind you he’s been well and truly Bruced!
georgio(Quote)
This new Taliban Govt looks like fun – meet the new boss, same as the old boss. The US traded 6 of them from Gitmo in return for an American prisoner that these people had in Afghanistan. Now they are in power! The 6 are now in government. I cannot see this ending in any way other than a catastrophe. Mainly for women.
They are really good looking though 🙂 It is like Sacha Baron Cohen did the casting for the ugliest men on the planet and put them all in the Afghan Govt in a press conference.
If I was an Afghan woman I would probably insist on wearing a hajib so these ugly fckers couldnt see me.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
A very good friend of mine just went back to Newcastle because her dad died. THIS IS TRUE what I am going to say.
She had to go to Sunderland to pick up the death certificate. She said there were dead animals on the road and a lot of the Mackems were missing teeth.
NUFC fans are not exactly Dorian Gray, but the picture she paintad was a bit scary. It was like they were all shipped to the attic.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)