Well that was pretty appalling really.
Newcastle United are out of the FA Cup in the third round – AGAIN – after a spineless performance against League One strugglers, Cambridge United.
My first game at St James’ Park in two years and they serve up that. I’m not going to enjoy this, but here’s my marks out of 10 for each player involved in today’s humiliating defeat:
Martin Dubravka – 4 – At fault for their winner, leaving his goal gaping after failing to gather the ball in the box. Struggled with an injury after that, so will hopefully be fit for the next game given Darlow and Woodman were both absent from today’s squad.
Kieran Trippier – 6 – Started the first half really well and showed glimpses of real quality with some lovely passes down the line and some lovely switch of plays. Faded second half with a few rash challenges. His best yet to come.
Emil Krafth – 4 – NOT a centre back, under any circumstances. Got bullied by a league one striker all afternoon. Was rock solid against Man Utd, but Howe needs to learn his lesson when it comes to paying him in the middle. New centre-backs are badly needed.
Fabian Schar – 4 – Struggling to give him any higher. Didn’t look in control of the game at all, tentative passing the ball out of defence and played easy ball every-time. Few nice switches of play but wouldn’t be particularly bothered if he left this month.
Matt Ritchie – 3 – Seem to constantly lack concentration in games. Happy to scream at all of his teammates but needs to focus on himself. Was at fault for Cambridge’s (wrongly) denied penalty, putting in a clumsy challenge after being horribly outpaced. Hopefully Jamal Lewis is back soon.
Sean Longstaff – 2 – Looked totally lost in midfield, losing the ball in bad areas and constantly being caught in no mans land. After playing quite well against Man U last time out, he followed it up with a first half horror show today. Should’ve been hooked at the break. Improvement needed, fast.
Jonjo Shelvey – 5 – Kept the midfield ticking and was at least attempting to unlock Cambridge’s stubborn defence. Lacks legs but that’s nothing new. Few glimpses of quality and will look a better once we get a striker with good movement back into the side, but was one of several who lacked intensity or drive about their play today.
Joelinton – 6 – Plenty of running, pressing and intent. Looked like the only player interested this afternoon. Shows plenty of fight in games but lacking a No.10 next to him to create more chances. Still the first name on the team sheet for me.
Jacob Murphy – 6* – Was so unlucky to not get a goal. Was very lively in the first half with plenty of endeavour and running in behind, but he was either ignored by teammates or saw his efforts on goal well saved by Mitov. Totally disagree with Howe’s decision to hook him in the second half.
Ryan Fraser – 5 – His final ball was hit and miss, but did look lively at times in the first half with some decent link up play with Kieran Trippier and a big chance created for Jacob Murphy. Howe obviously likes him but I’m still not convinced. Delivery from corners was very poor all game.
Allan Saint-Maximin – 3 – Looked completely disinterested today, even in the warm up. Complacent springs to mind. He too often failed to play the simple pass or lost possession to easily. Also feel Howe was afraid to hook him, despite the fact he completely deserved it. In my opinion, hasn’t been the same since Howe came in. Looked unfit.
SUBS
Joe Willock – 4 – Lacking serious confidence. Played the safe pass every single time and had one or two shocking efforts fly way over. Looks a man devoid of all the belief and ability he showed last seaso.
Miguel Almiron – 3 – Looked like a lost puppy. Might sound harsh, but not sure what he offers this side. Rafa the only man who could get something out of this player. Definitely not a starter; especially not on the right wing (a position that never seems to suit him).
Javier Manquillo – N/A – Came on for Ritchie for the final 10 minutes.
Finally hitting the nail on the head with maximin said this for a while total show pony holds on to ball far to long this is his 3rd season now in prem and still not showing he can play or release the ball faster can even the most biased of maximin fans really see a top striker putting up with him
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Shambolic!
St Max just flatters to deceive when he feels the need to, at best a game changing sub!
S.Longstaff (hello Everton),Almiron (headless chicken), Schar (error prone) Krafth (not a CB),
Ritchie(past it), Gayle(who)?, Fraser (no end product) and Hendrick (useless) Woodman (surplus). Just not good enough.
Nine players we could easily dispense with, bring in two quality CB’s, a quality LB, two forwards who know where the goal is and two quality midfielders plus a good goalkeeper.
Joseph(Quote)
Woof. Let’s face it. That was bad. Cabbage must be sitting at home laughing his @$$ off tonight….
Cabbage Head PR Guy(Quote)
If I was the owner of the pif I would be asking what the h*** have I paid 300 mill for get rid
Ricky(Quote)
A Manager that can’t move on from his past ‘glory’
Sold himself to the club as knowing the NUFC star’s like Wilson, Richie and Fraser
Yes Trippier a good player BUT the playing of Fraser in every game – Fraser isn’t championship quantity nevermind bottom 3 premiership
And ALL we are hearing is that Howe can’t look further than old Bournemouth player’s that took them down when in their prime (!?)
Look we either stick to this path and once in the championship the Saudi’s just buy another club and leave us with Amanda’s money – not going to get us out…
…or move now for the right Manager that can get the RIGHT players and not keep playing the cross
Time to wake up from the joy of just getting rid of Ashley and Do the right thing for the club and Not just that he wouldn’t turn us down
KK(Quote)
Well we are well used to these kind of results, it doesn’t seem to matter which manager either? It is an absolute disgrace when players don’t give 100% and look as if they aren’t interested. Some of them know they are finished at the club, but surely the coaches should be able to spot them. I expected some of the young lads to get a game, at least if we then lost not so bad, but to put our supposed strongest team out and get humiliated is giving the rest of the PL another bonus to laugh at the richest club in the world. When will we ever learn. Worrying times ahead. Hwtl
Kiddafromthetoon(Quote)
Delusional the lot of you joelinton is the problem ok ok he’s working harder but harder than what he doesn’t link the play up doesn’t create doesn’t score what other team would he get in for Christ sake the bloke is just hopeless your holding out for him to do what… when did he make a killer pass or put something on a plate for another player wake up smell the coffee he’s just rubbish
Sick of the ***** players(Quote)
Re previous comment :-
Sorry forgot to mention Clark, how could I have missed him and the never present Dummet!
Make that Eleven players!
Bingo we have a full team of *****!v
Joseph(Quote)