With our three best players injured and us facing a top four contender away from home, this feels like a good point for Newcastle United.
We controlled large parts of the first half, responded to Dawson’s goal – which was against the run of play – with a well deserved goal from Joe Willock and then defended superbly in the second half to secure a point that leaves us unbeaten in our last SIX games.
It was a concern to see Saint-Maximin missing through injury when the teams were released and a shame to see the tireless Fraser limp off, however it is very encouraging to see how we played without so many key players.
We had more of the ball, more shots, more corners and more chances to score. That in itself means we may feel frustrated we couldn’t come away with all three against a flat Hammers side who never really got going, but in the circumstances this is still a solid point and a performance that suggests we’ll have more than enough to stay up.
Matt Targett was outstanding at left-back – keeping Bowen quiet all afternoon – Dan Burn a man mountain once again and Joe Willock back to his best; not only scoring but making several burst forward with the ball that we saw so often last season.
Huge credit must also go to Eddie Howe, who is not only getting the best out of this squad but giving a previously pedestrian team real identity, confidence and belief. We also look nothing like the side who were shipping goals for fun a few months ago, with this another game where Dubravka barely had a save to make.
The result takes us five clear of the relegation zone as things stand, although that could change as Norwich face Liverpool, Watford travel to Aston Villa and Burnley take on Brighton at The Amex in today’s 3pm kick offs.
Eddie Howe made thee changes for this one, with Emil Krafth, Matt Targett and Jacob Murphy replacing injured trio Kieran Trippier, Javier Manquillo and Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Frenchman’s absence was a late surprise and huge pre-match blow, with it revealed just a few hours before kick off that he’d no travelled and could be missing for a couple of weeks. That said, Howe didn’t seem overly concerned when speaking to BT Sport before the game, suggesting it was a knock – from a few too many kicks against Villa – and not a long-term injury.
As for the game itself, the first half was both hugely promising, highly frustrating but ultimately ended in the goal we fully deserved.
To say we didn’t give West Ham a kick for the first 10 minutes would be no exaggeration. We were passing the ball with confidence, showing cool heads, winning second balls and playing with the sort of belief you’d expect from a side who’ve won three on the bounce.
Joelinton had a close range shot blocked after a lapse from Rice, Willock had a goal-bound effort deflected over and an unmarked Fraser dragged an unmarked volley into his own player in what was an outstanding start from our perspective – just one that was lacking that all important finish!
West Ham’s first glimpse of goal came after a moment of indecision from Krafth allowed a ball to work its way out to Antonio, whose shot was well blocked by Targett just moments before Bowen hit the bar from a tight angle. Dubravka got a glove to it, but it was a warning that West Ham had players with superior quality in the final third and could take the chances we were spurning if we gave them a sniff.
At the other end, Willock was in the mood, carrying the ball at speed like he did last season and getting Fredericks booked after a brilliant run down the left.
Soon after, Wood bullied Zouma – who was getting constant boos from the travelling Toon Army every time he touched the ball – and delivered a brilliant ball into the box…but no one in a Newcastle shirt gambled.
Sadly, our failure to capitalise on our impressive start was then punished. After Krafth’s blatant block on Antonio, Cresswell’s wicked delivery was headed in by an unmarked Dawson.
A horrid goal to concede and a real body blow given the way we’d been playing up until this point, however we dug in and got the goal we richly deserved in first half added time.
Willock had been the best player on the pitch in the first half and grabbed the goal in just 60 seconds before the break, reacting quickest to Rice’s mistake and poking an improvised finish past Fabianksi and in off the post!
His first goal of the season, a thoroughly deserved equaliser and a goal his performances over the past few weeks have more than warranted. Now it was time to build on this in the final 45 – as this was clearly a game that was there to be won.
The Hammers came out of the traps quickly after the restart and could’ve retaken the lead if it wasn’t for a strong block from Dan Burn – who got in the way of a powerful Dawson strike that looked to be heading in.
We ran out of steam from an attacking point of view in the second half. We weren’t camped in our own half and accepting of a point, but we didn’t cause enough problems for that West Ham defence in the second half, instead relying on a huge effort in midfield and big effort from a back four that didn’t let us down in that second half.
Krafth is the clear weak link and was at fault for their goal, but Schar was solid again, Burn outstanding – bringing an air of confidence to our previously edgy back line – and Targett superb in the way he dealt with Jarrod Bowen.
Dubravka didn’t have a save to make in that second half and we dug in for a decent point, with Almiron and Guimaraes coming on in the closing stages for Fraser and Willock; two players who ran themselves into the ground once again.
Here’s what Howe had to say after the game:
It says a lot when we’re without several key players yet frustrated to come away with just a point from a West Ham side battling to finish in the top four…
Next up, a trip to Brentford next weekend!
STARTING 11: Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Shelvey, Willock, Joelinton – Fraser, Wood, Murphy.
SUBS: Darlow, Dummett, Lascelles, Fernandez, De Bolle, Almiron, Longstaff, Bruno G, Gayle
I thought our midfield was outstanding again today. Totally bossed it.
Joelinton out muscled Rice & Willock made some great runs and carried the ball well.
Shelvey sat behind them and was really disciplined, making sensible passes.
Defensively Krafth was poor imo. I’m not one to stick the boot in on the lad, I just thought he was the weak link & was a bit erratic in his defending at times.
Burn was outstanding again. Nowts getting passed that lad & he’s linking well with Schar who looks so much more assured – calm & controlled in what his doing.
Targett is just a real steady Eddy at LB. He seems like he’s just a solid 7/10 no thrills or spills.
Murphy & Fraser worked their socks off again. Both played really well.
Wood I worry for a little bit. He’s doing some great ‘dirty’ work for us up there, but the lad isn’t getting a sniff. I’d love for even just a penalty for him, just to get him off the mark.
All things considered though – another point on the board, edged a little further from the bottom 3 and a game closer to players coming back ??.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I thought we played pretty well. We even won the possession stat with 54%.
Glad to see Willock on the score sheet. I never really had much doubt. I have been banging on about the naysayers for months. The lad had Covid, no preseason and an injured foot. On top of that he moved from his boyhood club where he had been since he was 7. I dont know how many have moved away from home for University or work, but it can take a while to settle. When he was with us on loan he might have thought that was just temporary but now he has to move away from friends and family full time. The lad is only 22, so there could have been an adjustment period.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Another good game for Big Joe. Being a NUFC fan for 50 years I keep thinking it is all a mirage and he will return to the Bruce Joelinton. That doesnt look like it is happening. Full credit to the lad, I think he got himself a nutritionist and maybe even a psychologist to get him over the hump. He took it upon himself to fix his problems. He most likely wouldnt have got that help from a Bruce/Ashley NUFC.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Above all else, I think we are now reaping the rewards of playing players in their proper positions. I dont care if Conte can play a 3 CH system with wingbacks, we obviously couldnt. How many times were Ritchie or Murphy caught out of position? Murphy looked good as a winger today, that’s because he is a winger and not a fullback!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Thankfully Liverpool’s forwards have turned up coz Burnley winning convincingly & Watford just went ahead ??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yeah Sharpy: some interesting results today with Burnley and Watford winning. Brentford lost again and I think that is 6 in a row. Hopefully we can make it 7.
Super Frank lost again. I am not sure if Everton are out of it. I dont really rate their squad.
Then there is Brucie. Lost again. That is 1 point from 9. I dont think the Baggies fans will have much patience with him. If we had fans in the ground during Covid I think he would have walked. I have said it before, that Bruce managed Villa so the fans in Brum will be aware of what a gobshyte he really is.
And then there are the Mackem. Lost at home and I think that is their automatic promotion hopes gone.
Wycombe 5 Cheltenam 5
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Just need City to spank Spurs so I can watch Conte’s head explode. Am also wondering if Levy thinks he should have taken the 100 mil for Kane? He’s 29 in July.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Results could’ve been better for us. Not happy to see Watford and Burnley win. However, Everton and Norwich losing helped us. Ur leg still have those two games in hand though. Their big Dutch striker is off the mark now too!
Four points clear. A good win against Brentford needed and we are going to be ok I think. Hard to choose a MotM, Willock, Joelinton, Burn and Targett all did great but I think for me, marginally, I’ll give it to Willock.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I mean, if you are a West Brom fan you must have friends who are Villa fans. They will be telling you all of the time how **** Bruce really is. I think this has disaster written all over it. They hired him as a promotion specialist but I am not sure if he will make it to next season. Playoffs or Bust!
I quite like the Baggies, but my overriding wish is for Bruce to fail and for the likes of Danny Murphy and Simon Jordan to squirm. They will probably not even mention it though 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
There are 7 teams separated by 5 points, we wont be bottom of that lot
PremAndUp(Quote)
Ur leg – is that a spell correct of Burnley 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
If we beat Brentford next week we go 25 points – they would be on 24.
We pull at least 3 other teams into this relegation battle.
We’d also then only need another 8 or 9 points after that too I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Great point and well deserved. Albeit when I saw the other results it did spur it a tad.
Beat Brentford on Saturday and we’re ahead of them with two games in hand. Let’s hope they don’t realise it’s that big a game! ?
Stuart79(Quote)
There is a story going round that Chris Wood spend the day saying ‘Meow’ and ‘go on kick me you ****er’ to Kurt Zouma & the ref warned him to pack it in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stu – similar post but you pay more attention mate coz I didn’t pick up on the games in hand on them.
Yeah that could be huge if we can get ahead of them. They are falling like a stone.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Does anybody remember the great Paisley Liverpool teams? They would often bring in fantastic players like Beardsley and Souness and they would not start for weeks. Because our midfield is playing so well we have that luxury with Bruno. I thought he would walk into the team but this is probably better for him, although I am sure it will not be what he expected. It gives him a chance to learn English. I would pay that translator he had at his press conference to work with him 2 hrs a day, every day. You can probably pick up a vocabulary of 3 or 4 hundred words in a month and then work on the grammar as time goes by.
Having our mids playing so well that they are hard to drop has probably been a blessing in disguise. I know this is 20/20 hindsight but if they were playing shyte I think Howe would have one of them off on 60 mins.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I just checked on the relegation odds and Brentford are 18/1. Can that possibly be true? They have played 2 more games than us and if we beat them next week we will be within a point. Our odds are 13/10. Somebody isnt paying attention here. There is very often a club who start well and then sink. It is usually a promoted club.
I have watched a couple of their games and still cannot remember a player other than Ivan Toney, for obvious reasons. They are a small club who are not used to the bigtime. I would have them at about the same odds as us.
BTW I would have us at about 4/1 now. The other odds are:
Norwich 1/12
Watford 4/7
Burnley 4/6
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
One other observation from today. I think we won the midfield battle and even flooded it a bit as Schar was able go on a couple of his forays upfield. I think even after just a couple of weeks he trusts Burns more than Lascelles. This tells me we stick with the CBs unless one has a nightmare or gets sent off. Lascelles just has that mistake in him and I really cant see him getting his place back and I think he will leave in the summer, and knows it.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Every team from Brentford down will be worried if Burnley start to put some wins in.
Their GD is miles better than anyone down there so worth a point and dyche knows his stuff
They play spurs, palace, Leicester and Chelsea in next two weeks. Some winnable games in there that brings em up to scratch in games played with us. Hopefully they’ll pick up injuries and not momentum in that time
We play Brentford/ Brighton in that period. Feels like four point minimum from them two would be needed
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
It has started already. The headline from The Birmingham Mail:
“Steve Bruce lays into unacceptable West Brom after another appalling display”.
He is already blaming the players. He said the supporters deserved better but how long will it be before he changes his tune on that and says they are “entitled”.
He has managed 1 point from 9 and they have gone from 6th to 11th.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/american-football/steve-bruce-lays-into-unacceptable-west-brom-after-another-appalling-display/ar-AAU4uLY?ocid=uxbndlbing
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I look at that run of games for Burnley and think it is a difficult ask. They could easily only get 1-3 points out of that. Depends a bit on which Leicester turns up.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I know I go on about Bruce and some would say move on, but it still boils my p!ss how the pundits defended him. You dont really get a feel for how bad he really is until he Manages your team.
Some stats. Between him and Jones, who he says he hired, they picked up 6 points from 12 games.
Now at WBA he has 1 point from 3 games.
That is a total of 7 points from 15 games or to put it another way, 7 from a possible 45. A points accumulation rate of 15%.
What was it he told us last year when we complained about the appalling football – that it was about points accumulation.
His (and his main man Jones) win rate is even worse, it is ZERO PERCENT.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Just looked at some upcoming fixtures for Everton. Sorry Super-Frank but you are going to have to prove your metal.
Man City H
Spurs A
Wolves H
NUFC H
That could easily end up as 1 point from 4 games (probably us). I would take that now as I think they will panic if that happens.
Then there is Brentford who have played 2 games more than us
NUFC H
Norwich A
Burnley H
Leicester A
Chelsea A
We have to not lose to them, minimum. Since they play Norwich and Burnley something has to give there, either Brentford pull away or they put other relegation teams in trouble.
The bookies have Brentford now at 5/1. It was 18/1 yesterday, which could have been a typo. We were 13/8 yesterday and are now10/3.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
We also have a game in hand on Palace and Villa. That would take us to within 1 and 2 points respectively of them clubs.
Eric – Brentford are 11/4 to go down. That could be the bet of the year.
Stuart79(Quote)
Squad management is going to be key through March to maximise those games in hand.
Not throwing Bruno in could work out to be a key decision through next month. Having a player of that quality rested, fit and chomping at the bit could well be the boost we need through that month.
We know we won’t have Trippier & Wilson. But hopefully we can have Manquillo & ASM back then – but their fitness will need managing as well.
I think there are 7-10 points between now & the end of March.
I think we need 12-14 points to stay up – so managed correctly, March could see us just about safe imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
H v Brighton and Palace
a v Brentford and Everton
We can win all of them.
Point at Soton?
OK Nowt at Chelsea
PremAndUp(Quote)
We are 6th in the form table and one of only 3 PL sides unbeaten in last 6.
Yesterday’s result was very impressive considering who were playing away from home and minus arguably 3 or our 5 best players. (My 5 would be ASM, Wilson, Joe, Burn and Trippier).
Brentford are dropping like a stone and I have them joining Watford and Norwich in the Championship.
Everton can’t be ruled out and are 18th for form. Palace, villa and even Brighton are not faring too great either at the moment but I don’t see them dropping.
Everton should have the squad depth to keep their heads above water.
RIP Steve Black by the way. Right old character.
Shamrock(Quote)
Fun fact according to open source – Emile Krafth (3rd choice RB) was our 3rd highest earner before the January signings. Mental.
Big Joe was top earner. Just wish he could show a little composure in front of goal and he would be one of the best box to box midfielders in the world (seriously).
Shamrock(Quote)
Still only 25
PremAndUp(Quote)
Sham – I’m gutted about Steve Black. I met him afew times when he was at the Falcons & had a few quite lengthy conversations with him. He was a really nice fella & worked brilliantly well with Jonny Wilkinson when he was there.
I know his time at NUFC was questionable- but what wasn’t at that period.
Sad day mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Leeds are in the mix now as well after their loss to Man U. I saw something yesterday that Bielsa is set to leave in the summer. That is never a good thing if the players know beforehand as they lose some incentive. Any team that can lose 3-0 to Everton has to be in trouble.
I just look at Everton’s fixtures and see trouble on the horizon. I really dont see them having much patience with Super-Frank as he really doesnt have much on his CV to back him up. Sure the “Friends of Frank” pundits will be behind him but Everton have seen 6 managers in 5 years so he is probably on a short leash.
Stu: to get the odd I just looked at betting site and that’s what it said for Brentford. If we get something out of that game I think we will move ahead of them in the odds. I really only look at betting to see how other people are feeling about our rivals.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I looked at the comments in The Guardian after Everton’s loss yesterday and they were a bit critical of the players but tended to lay off Super-Frank. I think there is a NOT-RAFA factor going on which can quickly change. They could scrape it but it will depend a lot VDB and DCL. Their defense looks dodgy.
Looking at it on paper, we probably have the easiest run in the next 6 games (famous last words 🙂 ) There is a chance we can continue the “feel good” factor wheras Brentford, Everton and Leeds might continue their “feel bad” factor.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I think Burnley will be safe, I think there is not much between Brentford and Everton for the third relegation slot
PremAndUp(Quote)
Not sure about Burnley. Some people act like Dyche is a magician but they have been relegated under him. Their problem is a thin squad so a couple of injuries could throw them off. I doubt they would cope with our injuries.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
PremandUp: there are reasons I worry about Everton. I think their squad is overhyped and they are the poster child for spending a lot of money and not getting much in return, more-so than even Man U.
Then there are their fixtures. I really think they will be very lucky to get 1 win in the next 4 which could lead to a crisis of confidence.
Finally, there is Super-Frank. If ever a manager was overhyped by media and pundits alike it is him. He might turn out to be good, but the jury is still out. In The Championship, he took Derby from 6th to ermmm 6th and failed to get promotion. Then Abramovich threw 250 million quid his way and sacked him anyway. His Pals say he wasnt given enough time to integrate the new players, but who knows? And they would say that, they are the “Friends of Frank” brigade, and it consists of almost every journo and pundit out there.
I dont know if there is a there, there? There is just so much hype about him from his Pals.
Have you checked out the Leeds GD? It is worse than ours.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Manure did us a favour today.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
https://twitter.com/sportingminute/status/1495162044894621699
Well well
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kimtoon: I have been banging on about how old and slow some Refs are for a while. Pawson should be demoted to the EPL though. The only one I really thought there could be bias with was Mike Dean at Liverpool because his sons are season ticket holders.
However, I had always had suspicions that Refs had biases about which teams they support and made up lower league or non-league teams when really they were PL fans.
The other thing that is obvious now is that technology has moved on. What is the point of a linesman now when there is VAR for offside and goalline technology? The only thing that I see them do is make sure the ball is inside the quadrant for a corner. When was the last time you saw a Ref consult a linesman?
And the 4th official. His main job is to be screamed at by the Manager and to hold up the additional time board. Easy work if you can get it.
As tech has moved on, I think all you need now is the Ref and a competent and unbiased VAR official.
Even when a linesman waves his flag around for what he thinks is a bad foul you have to consider that he only covers half the pitch so what if it is on the other side of the pitch where he has a much worse view than the Ref? The manic flag waving only happens when the foul is about 5 yards from them. What about the other 99% of the pitch?
I just see them as pointless in the PL now.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I just want to say something else about Everton. Nobody wants them to go down but are more than happy for us to go down. They treated Rafa terribly, but that was from game 1. We at least gave the cabbage a chance even though we knew deep down he was rubbish. Add in Super-Frank and there seems to be this disbelief that it is even a possibility they can get relegated.
I dont really have a lot against Everton, although their fans have been c@cky on message boards etc when they have played us recently. I just look at the difference between their media treatment and ours. I got the feeling that there was a wish that we would get relegated on places like Talksport even as they defended Bruce for what a great job he was doing.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I think the bottom 3 clubs (including us) at Christmas have done an amazing job through January to pull another 3 or 4 teams into the relegation battle – though those teams helped with an awful run of form too mind.
The truth is, it could still be 3 from any of the bottom 7 imo.
If we beat Brentford then I think that then makes us the least likely of those 7. But we can’t relax until it is mathematically impossible for us to be relegated.
Injuries could still play a big part in what happens between now & the end of the season. We have a lot of games through March & player fitness will need managing.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Totally agree with that Sharpy, we cannot afford anymore injuries at all, especially in key positions like goal keeper for instance. We need to get as many points on the board as possible asap as it’s less pressure on returning players to get us out the mire.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Eric – I think Evertons biggest problem is that why they have spent a lot of money, they have just bought players rather than build a squad – and they have way over spent on some of the players they have brought in.
In fairness to both Rafa & Lampard, there is so much work for anyone going in there & there doesn’t seem to be any cohesion between the different roles in the club.
They need to decide whether they back a DoF for the direction of the club or bring a manager in that they choose to back.
But I’m happy for them to stay a mess for now as it’s one club we need not worry about if we stay up.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – yeah an injury to Dubravka would be a nightmare. I also think despite having only played 2 games, Dan Burn has made himself one of those key players too – and of course we have pinned everything on Chris Wood.
We need to get points on the board in the games like Brentford coz we have a tough run in.
But beating & going above Brentford would be a massive boost.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Wednesday is going to be a big day for us. Watford, Burnley and Leeds all play tough games.
I just watched “Minus 17” again. It is about Bournemouth staying in the Football League after a points deduction of 17 for going into Admin. There are a few parallels with us. They were 2nd bottom when Eddie took over after having had 2 Managers. We had Bruce and Jones. Eddie wasnt even appointed until New Years Eve but Managed to get a few players in to galvanize the team. Then, their football and form turned around and they stayed up.
Everyone should watch it because it is quite an amazing story. It’s free on Youtube.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I looked at Olly’s article of how the relegation odds have changed since we hired Eddie and it struck me again how in denial everybody is about Everton. I know I am flogging a dead horse and going on and on, but they really are in trouble…
They were top after 4 games having won 3 and drawn 1. In their subsequent 19 games they have 12 points. That is relegation form. Super-Frank has 3 points from 3 games. That is also close to relegation form. They play City next so it will probably be 3 points from 4 games – relegation form.
Everybody is in denial!!! The “Friends of Frank” think that if they wish it so then Everton cannot possibly go down. I am getting to the point where I want them to go down just to get one over on the pundits.
NUFC 4/1
Everton 5/1
We actually have a better squad and most likely a better Manager.
My dream scenario is the TRex Mackem doing his usual flap at a cross leading to the winning goal on the last day of the season to send them down 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
This is not meant to be negative on NUFC’s performance on Sat but so many people are saying we did it against a top 4 team/challenger. That is giving West Ham too much credit. They are a 7th or 8th team who happened to be punching above their weight and actually got a few lucky results to put them above the usual suspects who were having bad seasons, i.e. Man U, Spurs and Arsenal.
West Ham are not a top 4 team. Look at their bench on Saturday and you can see it as clear as day. They are a midtable side that we probably should have beat.
I think if our current squad were all fit we are better than them, just like I think we are better than Everton. But that doesnt fit the narrative that WHam are having a brilliant season. I am willing to bet anybody that they finish below where they did last year.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Whilst I am on the subject of overhyped/overrated teams. We have 2 of them coming up. If you compare our squads we really should be favourites against Brentford. Given their recent form and with Toney out, we must go for a win.
Brighton is the more interesting game though. They have been our bogey team. Or was it the way we were set up by The Cabbage? If you set up with 9 at the back and invite them to pass it around you are asking for trouble. They are OK and Potter has them set up well, but they have lost their 2 best defenders – Ben White to Arsenal and BDB to NUFC. I think Lewis Dunk is also injured.
We have a better squad now than Brighton and being cabbage-less we should put in a much better performance.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I love how both clubs are ran. I hope Brentford get a second season in the PL, just for reward for how they have built that club. On the flip side I hope Burnley go down for the way their board are suffocating their club. I’m a big admirer of Dyche and a number of their players, but they haven’t been backed at all.
To Brighton, I also love how their club is being ran. I’m really hopeful the Dan Ashworth appointment comes off because I think he can influence our club to be ran a similar way.
Brighton don’t quite have to revenue to push on – to buy that CF they so desperately need. But they have become a nailed on PL side – and that for Brighton is a huge success imo.
All that said, I want and expect at least 4 points from those fixtures.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I keep hearing the cliche that we should only worry about how we do and forget about other teams. But, all football fans look at teams around them when they are in a relegation or title fight. The thoughts and discussions about that are part of football. We may be on a good run now but a couple of losses puts us right back in trouble, so it just makes sense to look at what our rivals are doing.
I keep seeing it said though and it is such a simplistic way of looking at things. We can walk and chew gum at the same time I hope!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: in that Bournemouth documentary Minus 17 I referenced above they were showing clips of games that Eddie Howe’s team played to survive. It was 2008 and it was the 4th Division (League 2). One of the teams was Brentford. It is quite amazing how far they have come.
As you might guess, the team I would like to see go down is Everton. Mainly for the laugh factor and to see what the “Friends of Frank” say. They would come straight back up so it wouldnt be too bad for them. Plus we dont need another London or South Coast team in the PL. That just allows Sky to schedule even more 12 O’Clock kickoffs with 600 mile round trips.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Just an FYI that WBA are away to the Smoggies Tuesday. Boro are only 3 points ahead. I still reckon Cabbage’s streak of not winning this season will continue. Draw at best.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
ERIC away from football for a mo,i was just wondering are electric cars making a dent into the USA market cannot see it myself but you never know?
icedog(Quote)
Eric – I went to a Bmth game in 1997 and Eddie Howe was playing – as was Jimmy Glass (GK) who was manager before Howe and Steve Fletcher was playing too.
I was 18 and had started see a lass from Bmth who was at Newcastle Uni. She was heading home for a visit and asked if I wanted to go with her and meet her parents & her Dad was a Bmth ticket holder and took me to the game knowing I was mad about footy – who wasn’t in Newcastle back then.
Nee idea who they were playing and can’t remember the score but Bmth won. They were all sound with me coz I was a Geordie and Fletch was from up that way – Hartlepool … a place I’d never been & player I’d never heard of ? – but he got me a warm welcome so ??♂️??.
I watched Minus 17 this morning. Really good documentary & great that the club got through it. The lasses dad was a good bloke & the fans I met loved the club, so it would have been awful if they went out of business.
I don’t want to play down what Howe did there, but it wasn’t rocket science – and the similarities with us is scary watching it.
Taking over from a manager who had the players playing a way they didn’t enjoy ✔️
Getting the players United and wanting to run through brick walls for the shirt & each other ✔️
Making keys signings in the transfer window – though I appreciate that was far harder with Bmth ✔️
Taking the pressure off the players at key times of the season – go karting with Bmth, Saudi trip with us ✔️
What he did at Bmth was different class to be fair. The points gap & standard of squad can’t be overlooked.
He came into a huge challenge at Newcastle – a club in turmoil despite recent takeover.
The Brentford game for me is huge. It feels like such a pivotal game.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Some extremely strange words from Chris Wilder before Boro play WBA. He pretty much said that the fans were responsible for Steve Bruce’s failure. He mentioned that SJP were fully supportive of Eddie and never were for Bruce. He said we boo-ed and heckled the players under Bruce. The fcn stadium was empty a lot of the time Bruce was Managing and when he went on that 2 wins in 22 run. Why the hell would he want to go so much in depth defending the Cabbage – these British Managers and Pundits stick together.
We will see though. When WBA crash and burn and their fans turn will it still be the Geordie fans’ fault that Bruce has not won this year and got so lucky in previous years. It is like they never watched a single one of our games. For Wilder that is unforgivable, as he would have been preparing for NUFC when he was at Sheff Utd. Hadnt they gone like 17 without a win before they beat Bruce’s NUFC last year?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Mackems play Burton Albion tonight. Be great if they lose. Poetic too. ?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Eric – probably the fans fault the Boro are 1-0 behind to Bruceys WBA at the mo then I reckon ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sunderland game suspended due to a medical emergency. There seem to be a lot recently. Havent there been a couple at NUFC?
Sharpy: it will serve Wilder right if they lose after bigging up the Cabbage. Still a half to go though and I have faith that Brucie will put 9 at the back.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Cabbage lost again. I know some people say move on, but we were given so much stick for what we said about Brucie and his anti-football that I feel this is a bit of revenge. In was a bit like when Pards went to Palace and their fans were making fun of us. I, like many others, said just wait.
Mackems currently losing as well. Have you seen the state of their club? The Chancers that owned them said they had been bought out and it turns out that was a lie.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It is good that there are now 7 clubs in the relegation mix. I would like Everton to go down just to stick it to pundits but if you look at quality of squads they should be OK. It doesnt always work like that but this is my ranking on quality of squads:
NUFC
Everton
Leeds
Burnley
Watford
Brentford
Norwich
Will it turn out like that? I dont know, but if we beat Brentford, they are in real trouble.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – of those other teams you mention, which players would you take?.
I’d definitely take Phillips from Leeds & Rico Henry from Brentford. Not sure of any others really.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Richarlison from Everton
PremAndUp(Quote)
Apparently the person that had the medical issue at Sunderland last night passed away ??. Very sad. Feel for the persons family.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’d take Calvert Lewin too.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
The fan who collapsed is in a ‘critical but stable condition in hospital’, according to Northumbria police.
There was confusion last night on social media as a well known Sunderland fan passed away in his home, so it’s unfortunately led to some confusing this with person at the SAFC game.
https://twitter.com/SunderlandEcho/status/1496425514218795010
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
I’m not Eric, but I’ll give it a go.
E-cars in US for 2021 were 4% of market. As a comparison Europe is 14%. I didn’t see trend data .. probably too new for any meaningful trends
It feels like there’s loads of e-cars on the road but car traffic here is staggeringly high volumes compared even to uk cities so proportionally that feels about right
Infrastructure (charging points etc) is not well established and many seem to rely on home charging..
AnOther considerstion maybe shortage of electronics restricting availability of new cars and pushing up prices
The Tesla hack / error a couple of months back made national news leading to a spike in negative chatter on e-cars
Many of the manufacturer ads right now are for e-cars or hybrid cars
Back on footy .. I hope the Sunderland fan fares well
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
cheers for that bud,friend of mine has had a Telsa for a few yrs,hes been told he needs £23.000 to renew batterys which he cannot afford,think there could be a fire coming lol
icedog(Quote)
Ice – is that right??? £23k to renew batterys???? That’s a new brand new car!!!.
It’s crazy that isn’t it ???♂️.
I’ve been looking coz I’ve got a Kia Sportage 16 plate so coming to the end of its 7 yr warranty. But there’s nowt wrong with it so I think I’m going to stick with it for a few more years – less than 45k on it and it’s spotless.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thanks for the clarification Olly. Good to know he’s stable. Sorry for the misinformation, it was something I saw on on a few social media sites. My bad! I hate to see any fan of any club taking bad at a match! ?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Eric – I know we talk about Bruce & the comments Wilder has made, as if he has the first clue what he’s talking about.
I’ll pay attention to what Jonjo has to say on it all – and actually the underlying point that he is make, which is this:
Steve Bruce does not get the best out of a squad of players. (I know that’s no revelation, but let me go further)
If Shelveys saying there is a clear difference in the length & intensity of their training, and there is a greater togetherness now in the squad – that’s huge … and it’s clear for the fans to see as well.
Yes we have new owners, but the differences Shelvey is referencing are down to Howe – not the new ownership.
For too long our players were sent out just to not lose a game of football, rather than to compete & try to win – it must have been so demoralising. As one of the rare few that get to do something you love doing as your job – to make it as a competitive sports person, and then be drilled to not really compete, but to defend & stifle your opponent.
To be sent out – ‘right lads, let’s stay in the game for 60 mins and see if we can nick it in the last half hour’ – inspirational that innit.
I don’t blame just Bruce mind, I think Rafa had a similar approach.
Wilder can say what he likes, but as a Newcastle fan I am saying that Bruce is too old school for modern day football. If the players aren’t being worked hard in training, why are they going to work hard on a match day. But I won’t put up too much of an argument. I don’t need to, his time at WBA will prove we were right, just as what Howe is doing with this squad is proving we were right about a better manager getting more out of them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Prem – I don’t think his performances warrant to hype mate. He has 1 stand out game in 10 maybe but rarely does much to affect a game too much. He couldn’t lace ASM boots imo.
I forgot about DCL. He’s ok, but the money he would cost I think we could buy better. For example, I think his fee would be similar to Schick – and I’d prefer him personally.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Rafinha as our right sided AM. Brazilian connection too
Shamrock(Quote)
Sharpy, do you reckon the pundits will change their minds on Bruce? I don’t. I think most will probably not even mention WBA or they will say Bruce kept us up for 2 years. We know on here that luck kept us up.
I think Graeme Jones has been marginalized as well and will be free to join Bruce in the summer if the Cabbage still has a job. Remember Bruce says he hired him which I dont believe for a second 🙂
I am not looking past Brentford, but I have to say if Cabbage was still in charge I would be dreading Brighton. They cant score against most teams but they slaughtered us. We gave them 70% possession and a boat load of chances. I doubt Howe will set up the same way so I am much more optimistic.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Shelvey interviewed again. I dont think he is the mope that he is portrayed as. I have heard a couple of previous interviews and he comes across quite well. He is either a very good actor or gets a bad rap.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
And Jonjo is supposedly being offered a new contract. I have gone back and forth on him so many times it makes my head spin. It was always about consistency, not talent. This Jonjo seems to play more simple balls and it helps that Big Joe is a completely different player and can do his running and tackling, and can even carry the ball forward at pace now.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It is way too early to be handing out awards to Eddie Howe or even to be totally confident that we will stay up. There are always twists and turns. But just keeping tabs on WBA reminds me that a lot of the pundits, the so-called experts, said Bruce DESERVED a chance to lead NUFC forward after the takeover. I thought that was nonsensical then. It was a mistake to even give him that last game against Spurs.
When he left, he bemoaned the effect the “abuse” he was taking was having on his family. Now he takes Alex to the Baggies and his Mam will be doubly worried when their fans inevitably turn.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)