A rollercoaster of a night for Newcastle fans but one that ended in a monumental win, as Eddie Howe’s Mags came away from St Mary’s with a 1-0 win – sending us into next week’s return leg with a big advantage.
The game had everything. A brilliant goal – scored by Joelinton and created by a moment of magic from Alexander Isak – VAR drama, a red card for the Saints and more missed chances from the Mags, with Joelinton, Willock and Longstaff all guilty of spurning big opportunities.
Both teams had their moments. They had us on the back foot for periods of the second half – where we looked nervous and knackered, at times – but late cameos from Isak and Saint-Maximin changed the game, stretching a Saints side who couldn’t handle their pace and directness.
We could and should have scored three or four and had one wrongfully chalked off by VAR. However, Pope made some key saves to keep his TENTH clean sheet in a row, with Adam Armstrong’s ‘equaliser’ disallowed for a handball just moments after we took the lead.
Howe named an unchanged side, keeping faith in the likes of Callum Wilson and Joelinton, leaving Allan Saint-Maximin and Alexander Isak to settle for a place on the bench.
We made a really fast start. First Miguel Almiron slipped in Joe Willock – who skied over with a first time shot – then another quick move led to Sean Longstaff fizzing a low ball across the box which only just evaded everyone. Promising signs but another example of us failing to capitalise on big openings.
Moments later, our first scare arrived as Fabian Schar went down clutching his knee after a collision with Sekou Mara. It didn’t look good. Thankfully, the Swiss star managed to soldier on, albeit uncomfortably.
Wilson continued to look a little rusty in the early stages, failing to get a hold of a few balls into the final third. Then, after a Longstaff penalty appeal was waved away, Kieran Trippier’s flashed in a first time cross that was just too strong for Willock at the back post.
In many ways, the pattern of the game was similar to Saturday midway through the first half. We looked the better side, had 60% possession and were largely untroubled defensively, but there were a few nervy touches, loose passes and a lack of conviction or quality when we got into good areas in the final third.
Right of cue, our wayward finishing was then summed up by Willock 10 minutes before the break, as the former Arsenal man smashed a back post volley into row Z after a lovely give and go between Almiron and Trippier ended with another inviting cross that was ultimately wasted.
The biggest moment of the first half then came as Joelinton had a close range finish chalked off by the referee for an alleged handball. Replays showed no conclusive evidence that the ball struck the Brazilians arm, yet the decision stood. Absolutely infuriating and a decision that left Toon supporters incensed on social media.
Former Mag Adam Armstrong then came on for the hosts after Moussa Djenepo’s collision with Nick Pope left him unable to continue and the half-time whistle followed. 0-0 at the break, somehow.
VAR frustrations out of the way – for now – we kicked off the second half with more of the same, only this time it was Longstaff who fired Almiron’s cut-back way over the bar. The Geordie midfielder needs to work on his shooting, no matter how much dirty work he gets through.
Despite our early chance, Southampton did come out after the break with much more attacking intent, but it was Newcastle who created the second big moment and what a miss it was from Joelinton. It looked a certain goal after more great work from Almiron, this time down the right, yet our £40m man blazed over after the ball fell his way. An absolute howler and yet another opportunity I prayed we wouldn’t live to regret.
The Saints then made a double change, bringing on Che Adams and Samuel Edozie in place of Sekou Mara and Mislav Orsic. The noise inside St Mary’s cranked up a gear and the Saints began to get some real joy down either flank, as Edozie skipped past Trippier and Armstrong caused Burn issues.
Adams was then put clean through on goal with just over 25 minutes remaining. He beat the offside trap, only to be denied by Pope’s outstretched leg – a massive let off for a Newcastle side who were well and truly on the ropes at this point.
Howe reacted with a double change, seeing Saint-Maximin an Isak replace the wasteful Willock and tiring Wilson. The latter shook his head as he came off – no doubt aware that it was another below par display – but it was a move that would go on to change the game.
Trippier was struggling to contain the lively Edozie and soon went into the book for a blatant trip on the Saints sub. Both he and Bruno were well below their best in the second half, with the usually reliable duo often being caught on the ball.
We needed some inspiration and it arrived through Isak, as our club-record signing spun Caleta-Car, left the centre-back for dead, burst into the box and set up a tap-in Joelinton could not miss this time! 1-0 Newcastle, finally a breakthrough and brilliant scenes in the away end. In truth, it could’ve been the big man’s hat-trick!
The drama didn’t end there, however. Seconds after the restart, a high ball in the box wasn’t dealt with and Armstrong bundled home against his former club – only for replays to show the ball struck his hand before deflecting in off Burn. Justice!
Another change followed as Howe brought on Jacob Murphy for a frankly knackered Almiron, but we were soon playing against 10 men when a brilliant run from Saint-Maximin was seithed down by an already booked Caleta-Car. It threatened to boil over, although we had the last laugh as Murphy waved off the Croatian!
It could’ve been 2-0 in stoppage time, as Isak latched onto a Longstaff through ball and rounded the goalkeeper, only for his effort from a tight angle to hit the side netting.
Full time: 1-0 Newcastle. A fair result and one that sends us into next week’s second leg with a massive advantage. HOWAY THE LADS!
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wilson, Joelinton.
Substitutes: Darlow, Lascelles, Saint-Maximin, Ritchie, Lewis, Isak, Manquillo, Murphy, Anderson.
Should of won by more, Pope motm again for me
kimtoon(Quote)
Question
Listening to the BBC and the pundit kept referring to Jo Elinton
Wheras I’ve always thought it was Joe Linton
Which is right?
PremAndUp(Quote)
Big Joe is right coz it was coined on this blog.
the (Brit) commentators we get in the us pronounce it
Jo Elinton
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Ah well
PremAndUp(Quote)
I was pronouncing it a lot worse than either when he skied that sitter last night!! 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Are Everton worse run than even Ashley’s NUFC. The money for the take over was really provided by Usmanov a Russian Oligarch although there has been very little in the press about this. He has had to pull his sponsorship deals otherwise he might end up like Abramovich. Now Moshiri may want to sell, This is not all about the terrible state they are in, it is also about the plug being pulled on Usmanov,
Then there is the team. They really only have one saleable asset and that is Anthony Gordon. We might be able to take advantage of this as any new manager would want at least a bit of cash and the window is open for another week.
They had Danjuma at their training ground for a medical pending a loan deal and Spurs hijacked it. The terms for Spurs are 2.5 mil loan fee and 27 mil permanent so this is not just a journeyman player.
Managers – Dyche and Bielsa are favorites. Are they mad? They obviously had no plan when they sacked Super Frank. Some Everton fans are saying they should get Thomas Frank. Would he really go there the state they are in? And they called us delusional.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Of the two I’d rather have Onana 21 yr old DM
PremAndUp(Quote)
Eric – if they go with Bielsa they are doomed imo. Bielsa had time to implement his style with Leeds in the Championship & it was all exciting in the PL for ONE season before teams figured them out.
The first thing Marsh had to do when he came in was coach the Bielsa out of them!!.
Dyche may not be as exciting, but he’ll play with a plan and he’ll make them hard to beat – and they have the players for that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I was watching the match with my mate last night. He’s supported Newcastle for as long as I have and we generally have a similar set of views on it all.
We were talking transfers before kick off and he’s not impressed with Anthony Gordon – I’ve said on here before I can see why, but I think there’s better.
But he then hit me with something I’m not sure I can agree with – is he right?
He said that if we only give Howe Anthony Gordon this window, it’s similar to only signing Anita when Pardew got into Europe 😳.
He accepted the obvious difference, and I think the point he was trying to make is that Howe is pushing for top 4 with a group of players that are really over performing and injuries to key players in the 2nd half of the season could knock us right off track.
I certainly agree with that. I’m disappointed we haven’t done more in terms of squad improvement this window and seem to be focusing on teenagers.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Keeper wise I think we have decent cover.
RB – If we keep Manq then I’m happy enough he can cover Trippier.
CB – we only really have Lascelles as cover, and he’s barely kicked a ball in anger this season. There’s Dan Burn but he’s our LB at the mo.
LB – if Burn gets injured we are knackered at LB with Target already out. There’s Lewis or Ritchie, but imo neither are good enough.
MF – if we go Willock, Bruno & Longstaff – then our only cover is Joelinton, but he’s currently our LWF. Anderson is there but I’m not sure he’s ready yet & id rather he went on loan to the Championship.
WF – if Joelinton & Miggy are first choice then that leaves ASM & Murphy – I’m ok with that til the summer really. Fraser can and should move on.
CF – Wilson & Isak are good enough to see us through to summer – IF fit.
For me we are light a CB, LB, CM and a forward that could cover across the front line.
Ultimately I don’t think Gordon is a priority.
I’d be looking for another Dan Burn (a CB that can play LB), a CM and Thuram I think would be perfect for that forward player we are looking for.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I tend to agree.
I understand where your mate is coming from it would be a lost opportunity
Gordon is not ready
I don’t have a problem with buying the teenagers. One could fill in if necessary. Two No.
I don’t think PL experience is necessay.
MF I’d like Alvarez from Ajax but would be happy with Onana this window
CB I know he’s young but I want Scalvini
WF/Creativity I’ll gladly take Thuram
PremAndUp(Quote)
I have been watching a lot of the Youtube Channel “Toffee TV” this year. It has been like watching a slow motion car crash. You might think I should have better things to do but I watch because it is funny. Not because of the overplayed “Scouse Humour” but because they are going so mental and were the main fans to make fun of us over the last few years under Ashley. They hate Anthony Gordon. I like their players ratings. Some weeks nobody gets over a 5 and there are sprinkings of 2s and even zeros. They hate Maupay and O’Neil as well who were bought with the money from Rcharlison.
I dont see Everton staying up whichever Manager they get.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Prem: I questioned Idiot Journalist Ross Gregory yesterday when he said on Wraiths show that Eddie looks first for PL experience. Could have fooled me because 7 of our regular starters came from Foreign leagues with no PL experience.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Prem – I’d love Alvarez mate but not sure we get him. I’ve been impressed by Onana since he joined Everton – I’m surprised there is talk of him leaving already but if we can get him then I’d jump on it.
I would be happy with Maddison or Gallagher as well.
The one with the most weight seems to be McTominey.
Lloyd Kelly or Malanga Sarr would be decent options for longer term cover for Dan Burn as a CB/LB.
Thuram should be in already imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
A reasonably priced alternative to Thuram would be Lucas Moura from Spurs.
He’s 30 so it wouldn’t be building for the future, but he’s contract is up in the summer so maybe £5-10m could get him now.
I think he’d be decent back up/competition for Miggy and is better quality than Murphy when it comes to goals or assists imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Not keen on Gordon I have to admit.
kimtoon(Quote)
Gordon rumours picking up pace. I don’t like him, but I guess we need to trust our guys … I guess they see something in him…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Man Utd in the final it is then – that was entirely one sided wasn’t it!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Should be a good match
PremAndUp(Quote)
Do we go into The League Cup final against Man U with fear and trepidation like we would have in the past? I think we all still have a subconscious dread of playing them because of our record over the last 30 years. But we have the same points as them in the league and the stingiest defense.
Ten Hag has done a great job of turning them around but they still have gaps up front, in midfield and at right back. They were playing Luke Shaw as a CB recently FFS and Scott (would have been sent off twice this year if it wasnt Man U) still starts.
So, there has been a massive improvement at Man U but the biggest improvement over the last year has been at another United … Newcastle United. We are a totally different proposition to Forest.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
These days, I don’t think we should fear anyone. If anything, they should fear us. Barring any strange capitulation, it should be us vs Manure in the final. Bring it on.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
One of our problems is overachieving. The team is doing fantastically well but everything else at the club lags behind. Sponsors, shirts, stadium, training ground etc. (MONEY!!) It means we’ll be totally strapped by FPP in seasons to come and the new big signings we crave won’t be available.
georgio(Quote)
I am not going to defend Joelinton, but what would be the normal fine for a first offender who was slightly over the limit? Is he being fined 30k because he can afford to pay it? Is that justice?
If I was say, a teenager working as a waiter and got a fine of 30k it would ruin my life. Why is Joelinton different just because he makes a lot of money?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I’ve always thought the fine should be a percentage of your income – that’s the only way to make it fair for all, and the only way for it to be a true deterrent to anyone who thinks they are ok to drink & drive.
I’ve already read people saying it’s harsh coz he only had 2 glasses of wine & it’s not like he knocked someone over or hit another car – as if that should be the benchmark for punishment.
I know you say first offender – I suspect not, I suspect it’s more a case of first time caught.
I’m not putting the boot in on the lad – he’s done wrong & im sure he’ll take his punishment & learn from it – bet he wishes he’d waited for that Uber now though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
What puzzles me is how he was caught. 2 glasses of wine normally does not lead to erratic driving, so why was he pulled? Driving a posh car? Sunderland supporting Cop?
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – see my question would be why is he out at 1.20am on a Thursday morning.
Which probably answer your question – it was 1.20am and nowt much else happening.
Sharpy17(Quote)
According to Sky Sports this is the third day running Gordon hasn’t turned up for training with them.
When we talk about getting the right players in, with the right personality – is that the right character we’re looking for?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
After my conversation with my mate the other night & on reflection, I have to be honest & say I’m bitterly disappointed with the lack of transfer activity by us this window.
We saw Liverpool act pretty much day 1 with Gakpo, Chelsea have signed someone on almost a daily basis – Spurs, Arsenal and Man Utd have all brought players in.
It doesn’t feel like we are close at the moment & I expect Everton won’t sell until they have a new manager in place to decide.
We may well get Gordon before the window closes but character aside – I think other positions are more in need of improvement.
We have the chance of a cup & a top 4 finish & I don’t feel like Howe is getting properly backed.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Saw a comment elsewhere saying we shouldn’t upset a well oiled machine and that back-up for Miggy was all that was needed.
Hope there are no injuries
PremAndUp(Quote)
Sharpy: making fines for things like drink driving a % of income sounds like a good idea but it is not in the law rules at the moment now though, is it! Fining Joelininton 30k seems, arbitrary, punitive and not right under the current statute.
I highly doubt he will appeal it though as that would drag the whole thing out in the press. The judge knows this.
Let’s say you stole a tin of beans from a shop and you go to court and get fined $100. Prem, who let’s say makes double your income steals another tin of beans from the same shop and gets fined $200. Is that fair?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I wouldn’t be stealing tins of beans. As a 8yr old I used to steal packets of cigarettes. Today more like top shelf whisky. Mind you as pensioner myself, I’m sure Sharpy earns more that me
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – maybe I see things differently.
Murphy has been covering Miggy. But Maxi could play on the right & when you see the goal against Saints on Tuesday – Isak could play that wider role to cover if needed too.
My concern would be if Burn gets injured – what then? Lewis hasn’t pulled up trees so are we looking at Ritchie or the lesser spotted Dummett?! 🤦🏼♂️.
There’s only really Lascelles as cover at CB with Burn the other but he’s our LB at the mo.
We need at least 1 CM in as well with little cover there either.
It’s really quite ridiculous that we haven’t done more to address improving our squad so far this window.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Prem – I’m keeping the wolves from the door mate, but the way my young un goes through a weekly shop I may be foil lining the shopping bags before long 😂😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
My son, 19 is at a private drama school in Stratford upon avon, just the one year. But the course fees, rent and living expenses you are looking north of £20k. Once through that he can get granyts and student loans or work.
PremAndUp(Quote)
If Onana has ‘turned down’ Chelsea that implies that a deal was done. Can we match it and be a bit more persuasive.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – aye I fully expect him to get more expensive as he gets older.
Fortunately me & the missus are ahead of the game a bit & have been putting money away for him since he was born. I’m sure it won’t cover all costs but it’s considerably more than she or I had.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Edd had been working for a year and put a few grand to one side which has helped.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem: being a pensioner now you would probably be living on tins of beans. I talked to me Mam and she says the pension is something like 400 pounds a month. Maybe when you go to the shops with your granny cart you will “absentmindedly” forget to take the tin of beans out and put through the scanner?
As for college costs. I think I graduated in 1986 and left with debt of 500 pounds. I spoke to a friend who graduated with me and she said she owed 400 pounds. She just put 2 kids through Manchester and Oxford. God knows what that cost!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
to be fair state pension for me is about £650 pm and I have similar private pensions. My wife is p/t self employed and has not retired yet.
PremAndUp(Quote)
I’m actually not hugely worried about not having more incommings..I mean as a minimum I expect someone, somewhere to come in and replace Wood and add depth and a bit more quality to the squad, whether it’s a winger or a striker or even a more attack minded midfielder, but after that it is difficult. When we make wholesale changes we will be in a bad place but I do think we have enough cover at full back and on the wings. The great thing about starting 11 now is there is some real versatility, we can switch a few players without really impacting their performance. More worried about all these reports saying we want to offload Maxi, think that would be criminal.
Newkie(Quote)
I have mellowed a bit on Anthony Gordon as he played OK last year at only 20 and has one thing you cannot teach – pace. Has he gone on strike and how will that go down with Eddie?
This year Gordon has been awful, but they all have. Frankie messed him around and preferred O’Neil and Maupay. Even when Gordon did play he had no-one to pass to. Calvert Lewin was out and the 2 I just mentioned are cr@p. In and out of the team and no-one to pass to, I am not surprised he had an attitude.
I would like to see what he has in a better team with a manager who knows what he is doing. The Everton fans turned on him but that was probably as much a general frustration with the way things are going. They still think they will be relegated.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They proably will.
Their one saving grace is their defence. 28 conceeded is better than most around them only WHU have conceeded less.
Only 15 scored. Only wolves have scored less so it’s clear where the problem is, not replacing Richarlison when they sold him to Spurs
PremAndUp(Quote)
Even though I was quite strident in my critcism of Gordon it was because he really was playing cr@p and Toffee TV were relentless in their trashing of him. It was like they had their own Chris Wood and The Toon Review were taking about him!
In my mellower moments I think of how Bruce affected some of our players and think maybe, just maybe, Super-Frank did the same thing at Everton. You dont really have a benchmark for Gordon because he was only 18 when Ancellotti was there and I think they had Richarlison and James Rodrigeuz who he was certainly not playing in front of.
My whole football philosophy has changed a bit to encompass the possibility that a player might not be as bad as they appear and it might be the Manager or whole club set up. They could have been Bruced. Played out of position, in a 9-0-1 system, with turmoil behind the scenes. Everton are the new Newcastle.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Newkie – I’m not worried, but I am really disappointed (though I acknowledge the window is still open and we could still do business).
I could easily rattle 8 names off of squad players that have little to no future at NUFC.
I know we have no European or FA Cup football to factor in – and at most 2 League cup games on top of our PL fixtures.
But Howe has pretty much had to go with the same few players all season because the depth of squad simply isn’t there to allow him to mix things up – rest players or even rotate out of form players – though fortunately that’s only been a problem since the WC coz most players have been playing out their skin – meaning they could probably do with a rest.
We all saw the drop off in quality when he did rotate against Sheff Wed – and that’s the FA Cup done for another season.
I’m not for a second suggesting as many as 8 changes in 1 window – I think that would be too dis-stabling. But I certainly think where we are now 3 improvements at least should be happening.
Again, I know there’s still time for that to happen, but leaving it to the end of the season feels a bit 2nd hand shopping imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – know what you mean lad, there will be some like Ritchie who while good servants in their time are just never really getting in the team and you’d have to think will be on their bike in the summer. But to be honest when I look at that bench for the league cup I don’t think it’s that weak. Actual game changers, yeah okay only Maxi and Isak but for me the rest can do a job. In some of the games we’ve been winning at a canter earlier in the season I think Anderson should have had more time – as it is he’s barely played and it shows when he plays now and now it seems risky to use him. But if we want to loan him out to a decent CC side then they need to see something in him too. Lewis was awful under Bruce, no real surprise, but with what Howe has done with the rest of our players, I think he and Manquillo can still do jobs for us – and that’s not including the fact Targett should be back soon and is much better than the both of them and even probably the better player when we want to get at a team – love Dan Burn but he’s not a huge threat. Shef Weds won’t be happening again because we’re out of that one and I think it would take 4 big injuries or more to hurt us. We still played really well second half of last year and Trips was out almost after he got here and we used the other squaddies a lot more too. I think the Sheffield game was such a disappointment a lot of fans called time on almost that whole second string – a fair few will go in the summer but they’re not all **** imo and by the sounds of things are all playing their part from the sidelines (Lascelles especially, ha!)
Newkie(Quote)
So a different perspective could be he’s a hard working young and fit player who cares about the team he’s in, he isn’t a marquee signing snd he wants to play for Newcastle. Through that lens he’s ideal player for Howe
Out of devils advocate mode , I’m not sure he’s what I expected for January transfer business and I’m not sure it’s a character flaw to want out of the basket case club that Everton is right now
Mostly tho’, Howe and his team haven’t seemed to get much wrong to date
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Fear manu .. nope.
Can’t ignore they have the edge on Newcastle since the WC and historically Newcastle stink against them . I agree they haven’t improved so dramatically as Newcastle but they didn’t need to do so.
Assuming Newcastle can finish the job against Southampton .. bring it 😁
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Go West – I just came on to say I’m torn with my earlier comments on Gordon.
I remembered the footage of the Everton fans running after his car and shouting abuse at him through the window – that must have been pretty scary for a young lad to be fair.
I’m not on social media at all, but I imagine the lad may well be getting some stuck on there too.
It’s still not great if he’s refusing to show up to training, but if he’s feeling targeted by some of the fans I can imagine that must be quite scary for a young lad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Newkie – I’m not disagreeing for the fun of it mate, honest I’m not.
But I looked at that bench and think it totally supports why I’m so frustrated with the lack of improvements think window.
You’re absolutely right with Maxi & Isak – no argument there at all. I think there’s maybe only 2 or 3 teams in the league that wouldn’t be thrilled to have them on the bench to change the game.
But beyond those 2 we had:
Darlow
Lascelles
Murphy
Ritchie
Lewis
Manquillo
Anderson
There’s talk today of Darlow being wanted on loan by 3 championship teams and permanently by Forest – I would sell him to Forest and forget messing round with loans.
Despite being club captain, I don’t see Lascelles having much of a future with us. I’d keep him for now but mainly because we have no other CBs.
Murphy needs upgrading. He comes on and runs a lot, but he’s not coming on creating or scoring goals – and I’m not having that little wave to the Saints player either by the way.
Ritchie was done a long time ago. No offence to him coz he worked his nuts off for us – but it’s a squad space being taken up imo.
Lewis has never threatened the first team. I know he had a nasty injury and it’s a really shame, but I don’t see him having a future with us either. He needs sending out on loan coz I’m not sure anyone’s buying him at the mo.
Manq is fine as back up. I’m happy to keep him as a squad player.
Anderson needs to go out on loan. Ideally to a championship side, but he needs game time. He’s living off half a good season with Bristol City. He has potential – but we aren’t going to know just how good he can be sat on our bench – and if he were to come on at the minute, he makes the 11 weaker imo – so that is not a good option for Howe.
Looking beyond that – the players out injured there is only Shelvey & Targett.
Targett I’m definitely keeping. He could well be in that starting 11 so happy with him.
Shelvey could be on that bench as on ok option – but he’s never blown me away & for me he’s someone I’d be looking to move and get a few quid for – he’s one to upgrade too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: you dont need to be on the print social media like Facebook and Twitter. There are a ton of Vlogs on Youtube and they put up content every day. Toffee TV have been giving Gordon dog’s abuse all year. I watched some of the games that they commented on and he deserved it. But, as I have said before, was it all him? There seem to be no tactics, behind the scenes turmoil and Frank should have been fired during the early stages of the WC to give a new Manager a chance.
In my opinion, the only thing that saved Frank was his Pals in the media. Eerily similar Brucie. Luckiest Manager alive… so much luck to get some of the wins, then no fans during Covid, then an 8 million payoff. Did he do a deaI with the Devil? I s’pose he did – Mike Ashley. It is a disgrace that our new owners had to pay him off and that there were no consequences to the Fatman.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: there is also Krafth who looked good once Eddie got his hands on him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Joelinton was seen speeding which is why he was stopped. That’s the story anyway. Fines are based on income now thus his “huge” fine. It’s less than a weeks pay for him. Drink driving is a serious offence so I think this is also sending a message to other footballers. They don’t need to do it, they can afford drivers or taxis. Sorry for the lad but hopefully he will learn.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’m also quite disappointed that we’ve not got anyone in. Players get complacent without strong competition…. Thought we’d do better than Gordon.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Eric – do we expect too much from our young English players?.
Gordon I’d only 21 now & the Toffees are slating his performances but the lad is still learning, he’s probably only just fully physically developed to be fair to him.
But I think of the likes of Gallagher, Sancho, and recently Rashford and not so far back the likes of Mount & Rice – Rice is only just 24 now.
Kids now move for such big fees & get put on such big wages that I think managers have to play them.
But actually I suspect most players don’t start to reach their peak til around their mid twenties.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – there was an improvement in Krafth. It depends how he returns from injury I guess.
He could fill in at RB or RCB – but he’d be nothing more than a squad player for me.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – all good lad, be boring to come back here and be agreeing with everyone! I know what you’re saying, none of the squaddies are the long term answer when we want to be chasing the league, but for me everyone on that bench probably bar Ritchie can do a job for now, I do think training and working under Howe will have done with them good, and if we slotted one of those lot in amongst our first 11 I don’t think it would be a shock.
Agree with you all on the individual levels in the long term, I’m just not sure who we’ll get out in the next few days to get someone else in, and I don’t think bringing someone in and de-registering one of our current squaddies is the right idea either, goes against what’s got us here. Feel like Wood was probably the only player actually wanted where an upgrade was easy so assuming we replace him it’s the right move. The rest will go in the long term, but for me I wouldn’t be getting shot of Lascelles, Manq, Lewis or Murphy right now. If Shelvey can ever get fully fit he’s okay cover, and for me if we find ourselves a few goals up in the league again at some point we should be bringing Anderson on.
I guess I’m just still wowed by the season we’re having, I don’t think not getting CL now or not winning the cup would make it a failure and we should take our time getting all the right players in.
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – let’s go worse case. If you said at the stay of the season that we’d get to the semi final of a cup and let’s say finished 6th in the league then I’d have bitten your hand off mate.
If that ends up being the case (let’s hope not) then once the disappointment wore off then I’d agree that it was still an excellent season based on where we were when Howe took us on.
But I’d also be left wondering what might have been if only we’d done more in the January window.
If also be wondering if we’d get a chance like this again – because you have to expect that Liverpool & Chelsea will not be this poor again next season – and Man Utd seem on the up.
I’m not saying spend on the scale of Chelsea – I’d hate that!!.
But I’m not sure the Saudis are looking for ‘didn’t we do well’ either.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – I get you, I did think we’d see someone in early just to keep the momentum going. If it’s a case of Wood out and Gordon in I’d find it really underwhelming, probably weakening us actually so that would be pretty criminal. You’d have thought with the new money in we’d be constantly identifying and speaking with clubs/agents/players. Chealsea’s new lot certainly didn’t waste any time!
Barring a crisis in the next month or so we can field our best team and with some luck get a win in the cup. I’ll take that and finish anywhere honestly! In the summer we can dedicate more time and get some proper upgrades in – even if we don’t get CL footie we’ll be a lot more attractive than we were last season – and we still got Bruno when we looked like relegation fodder!
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – at the risk of Erics head exploding, I’d take the cup win & an anywhere finish too – but I know the 2 are mutually exclusive 🙉😂.
Maybe I’m being a bit diva about the window. We could recruit and the newbies barely feature anyway – I mean look at Trippier & Isak, both injured and out for lengthy periods almost as they walked through the door. Then Howe held Bruno back (and rightly so) so we didn’t benefit from him straight away either.
See what happens between now and Tuesday I guess 🤷🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
I reckon the journos never really apply any logic to their stories and only ever say stuff when it is just about to happen. Take Anthony Gordon. They are so shocked now that his price may be 40 mil now inc add-ons. But a lot has happened since the summer.
* He played well last year as a 20 year old but has been shyte this year,
* The Fans have turned on him.
* Their attacking players bought in the summer have turned out to be dogsh!t
* A new manager needs money and they have to sell to buy.
* He has gone on strike
It has suddenly occurred to The Telegraph that Gordon is their most saleable asset, that the real money behind Everton was always a Russian Oligarch (Usmanov) and they will probably get a points deduction next year if they flout FFP again. Everbody knows they cooked the books, even their auditors who have said they may resign.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How about giving Everton a sweetener? We have surplus players that are still better than they have. I am not saying part-exchange, just buy Gordon and let them have someone from our squad who would go in the summer anyway. Some candidates:
Ritchie
Fraser (like for like)
Lewis
Murphy (like for like)
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I see the Sun have taken it to a different level of stupid with todays transfer nonsense – I say nonsense rather than rumour because it is simply nonsense.
They claim we will go get Kane & Son from Spurs.
Stupidity like that just shouldn’t be allowed to print.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We still seem to be dragging our feet… 4 days left. We need reinforcements in. Linked with loads, brought in none. What happened to the youngsters we were linked with like Rigg from the Mackems? Nothing has materialised from anything.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
What do you think the add-ons for Gordon are?
Appearances
Goals and Assists
England Caps
Dives
Daft Haircuts
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I work with a lad who supports Everton and I’ve had so much fun with him today – I do think he hates me now.
With the imminent arrival of Dyche I have suggested they stop building the new stadium and move straight into Turf Moor – they can use the Gordon money to get Ashley Barnes & Arron Lennon in.
Poor Everton 🤷🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
I said about a week ago that I had done a bit of a U-Turn on Gordon. I have watched him quite a few times this year and he has been terrible. He may have had mitigating circumstances. Everton are a basket case club with fans who think they should be Liverpool. Super-Frank also messed him around playing in different positions and never giving him a run in the team. I think the players at Everton were never good enough to make up for Frank’s inadequacies and lack of experience. You would never know it though from what his pundit pals said.
So now it is Dyche and he will get the money from Gordon. It seemed sort of inevitable because who would go to that team without the ability to bring a couple of players in. I think they are 50/50 for relegation but I quite like Dyche so for his sake I am not going to be cheering for relegation.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Looks like a deal is agreed for Gordon! Well good luck to him. He gets my support if he puts on the black and white! Also see that Fraser may be going to Everton? Good luck to him too if that’s the case.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Trippier signs a new deal to keep him at Newcastle til 2025 – whilst that’s great news, couldn’t that have waited til Feb while we focus all our attention on signing new players through January???
Sharpy17(Quote)
We play Everton away on April 25. I expect them to still be in a relegation fight. Gordon should be settled in by then and ready to score a last minute winner. We will need extra security for the coach.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Actually we will need extra pitchside security. They didnt do a good job last year when that guy ziptied himself to the post.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have seen Gordon compared to various ex-Newcastle players in termS of workrate, attititude and sh!thousery. David Speedy is the most often mentioned.
They are missing the most obvious who I have yet to see mentioned – CRAIG BELLAMY.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have also seen Vlogs and Blogs mentioning Gordon’s pace adding to what we have. They talk about Isak, Miggy, sometimes Willock. For some reason they never mention Maxi who is lightning when he is in full flow and not being kicked by 2 players.
I think we must have the fastest front line in the PL now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You can now see Eddie’s blueprint after a few transfer windows:
A goalkeeper who claims the ball on set pieces. Doesnt hurt that he is a good shotstopper and is fast off his line.
A stingy defense.
A midfield that compliments each other and who all can offer protection to the back four – Bruno can pick a pass, Joelinton is the enforcer and then Sean offers energy. If only he could keep his shots in this solar system!
Forwards – pace, pace, pace.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
All he needs is to be able to teach finishing, which is apparently something you can’t teach
PremAndUp(Quote)
Quite
kimtoon(Quote)