I never thought I’d say it, but roll on the international break. A miserable night for Newcastle as our threadbare side looked flat, fatigued and off it in all departments in a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
A Dominic Solanke brace ends our run of seven games unbeaten in the league and is our first domestic defeat since that 3-1 loss at Brighton over two months ago. We were miles off it physically and looked like a team struggling to gel with the volume of injuries and suspensions in the midst of such a busy schedule.
The result sees us slip to 7th, which could become 8th if Brighton beat Sheffield United on Sunday, after Man Utd moved a point above us following their 1-0 win over Luton earlier today.
Lewis Miley looking assured on his Premier League debut was possibly the one positive on the night, but Miguel Almiron became the latest casualty with a suspected hamstring injury, while Longstaff and Schar also went down in pain before soldiering on. There were so many mitigating factors – injuries, suspensions, fatigue and the hectic schedule – but it was a concerning display, with Bournemouth threatening to make it three or four late on.
Howe made three changes from midweek, with Anthony Gordon and Almiron recalled and Miley handed a chance to impress in Bruno’s absence. Callum Wilson missed out of the squad, Tino Livramento dropped to the bench.
It was a poor first half, which all kicked with Pope making two saves in the opening two minutes. Longstaff’s effort from range and a blocked Lascelles header were our only real glimpses of goal in the first 45, which also featured a huge block from the skipper to deny Solanke and more injury worries.
First, Schar went down holding his hamstring and shaking his head. Thankfully, he shook that off and was able to continue, but Almiron became our 12th casualty (yes, TWELVE) as he hobbled off with what looked to be a hamstring problem, seeing Matt Ritchie come on against his former club.
Livramento replaced Hall at the break, with this being the third time this season our summer signing from Chelsea has been hooked at the break by Howe. Our sluggish play continued just 90 seconds after the restart, as Trippier’s awful back pass should’ve been punished by Solanke, who took a heavy touch just as he looked to round Pope.
That would be the last time Solanke would let us get away with it, however. His first saw him react fastest to a fortunate deflection off Willock, while the second was another poor one to concede, seeing the striker poke home from a corner-kick scramble we failed to deal with.
It showed the extent of our injury crisis that 18-year-old youngster Ben Parkinson came on for his Premier League debut in search of a goal, with the U21 talent one of three academy prospects named on the bench. We looked beaten and never came close to getting back in the game, relying on a few big saves from Pope to stop it becoming three or four.
A night to forget for Newcastle. Let’s hope we can get Isak, Barnes, Botman and others back ASAP after the break, with fingers crossed all over Tyneside that Almiron’s hamstring injury isn’t too bad. Next up, a much-needed break and home clash with Chelsea in two weeks time.
STARTING XI: Pope – Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Hall – Miley, Longstaff, Willock – Almiron, Gordon, Joelinton.
SUBS: Dubravka, Gillespie, Dummett, Ritchie, Krafth, Livramento, A.Murphy, Diallo, Parkinson
100% to that first line.
Least said about the game the better.pope was good and lascelles pick of outfield in my opinion.
Many will pick over the ramifications but I’m not sure it’s necessary as the reasons are all too clear that injuries have depleted the squad in a hectic schedule and as many predicted it’s tough to compete at the top. So on we go to the nov/dec run to Christmas
HTL
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Awful performance there. Pope did well, Miley did well as did Tino when he came on. We were like rubber. Balls bounced off us to the opposition. We made Bournemouth look like City! Very poor.
This just shows our desperately poor depth of squad to handle 4 completions, and FA cup didn’t even start yet.
The match was almost as bad as this site. But not quite.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I have Prems details !
Bad day at the office. Threadbare squad huffing and puffing but totally shattered, then Tripps gets to hear a bell end of a fan accuse Tripps and the lads of not giving their all !!! I swear some of our fan base are embarrassing at times.
kimtoon(Quote)
What’s the problem now mate? I thought issues had been ironed out.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
All the same issues Olly! Other peoples details showing up, comments disappear until after a refresh, strange symbols instead of emojis, details disappear. During the match I had three other peoples details appear. ????????♂️.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
When I posted that comment above, it didn’t appear. I had to go to the home page, then back to this one to see my comment. You can see the collection of symbols, that’s an emoji. Again this frustration is not directed at you Olly. I love to read your articles and especially your match reports!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Now both my comments are missing, so back to refresh again. ????????????♂️
Gilly Toon(Quote)
been a while since i’ve been on. sites still rubbish i see. fixed? don’t be silly.
Sidekick(Quote)
Makes you think how well Toonsyran the site on his own,no wonder he packed it in its heed banging job
Icedog(Quote)
Appreciate the kind words, Gilly. I’m glad you still enjoy what I do, as it sometimes feels like my efforts go to waste.
‘Site is still rubbish I see’ and ‘makes you wonder how Toonsy ran the site on his own’ are examples of this. Maybe I take some of the comments in here the wrong way, but it’s hard not to when I see a lot of negatives and very little interaction with the work I put in to keep site up to date.
I write pretty much all the articles – at least 6 or 7 a day to cover all of the latest news – and also do match previews, match reports, players ratings, all of Howe’s press conferences, and more.
Again, maybe this is all aimed at the issues on the site, not my work, but I’d like to think the site is more than just a forum for our long-term regulars to chat, so it’s pretty disheartening to see it slated despite my ongoing efforts.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
I’ve not noticed anybody complaining about your work Olly. The owners and designers cannot fix the problems. They say they but they can’t.
Sidekick(Quote)
Don’t take any of this personally Olly, mate. None of this is aimed at you personally. I can only speak for myself here, For me certainly, these interaction threads are the main part of the site for me. It’s what drew me in 15 years ago when I first started on Ed’s page and then through various changes ended up here. There are lots of articles on all sorts of Toon related stuff on newsnow, most of it oft repeated and sensational headlined. My interest is what I cannot get from those others, I.e., the banter and interaction of like minded people like Kim, Sharpy, GoWest, etc etc that’s what sets the site aside from all the others, and sadly this is the bit that is broken, and it seems, the site owners, not you mate, don’t seem to care about. When Toonsy had the site, we’d have 500+ comments on match day. Now, most don’t bother. I write photography articles for a magazine and I’ve contributed a few here too, so I know the effort you personally put in. Not one of the regulars here will be directing frustration at you. This is the bit of the site I use most, this is the bit that’s not working right and that’s the issue.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Fair point mate. Believe it or not, the owners are trying to sort it – there’s been two separate companies come in and try to find a fix and here we are. Really not sure what’s going on, but they’re trying.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Gilly – love it mate & hit the nail on the head. I’m exactly the same.
Olly – The IT issues are certainly a frustration, and I’d take your word the owners are doing what they can do. Like Gilly, I don’t hold you accountable at all mate & certainly have no reason to doubt you.
But for me the owners of the site treat it like a business rather than a site for the fans – they are the Ashley’s of the blog/podcast world. You may think that’s unfair or harsh, but here’s why I say it:
They have no interaction with posters on here. They make no posts on match days or any other articles for that matter – nor do the article writers. There are a handful of us who regularly make comments – when like Gilly says, once over we were having to ask for new articles because of the number of posts.
I understand it costs time & money to run the blog – but this is fan site – what owners of a fan site doesn’t post on it?! Or make every effort to grow it and look for new posters – get a buzz going.
Imagine Stavs & the gang not going to the games man?! – it’s the same thing in my eyes.
Looking to expand the stadium to get more fans in!!.
Despite the IT issues, articles get pumped out on a frequent basis still & the vlog is as regular as clockwork – if there was a problem there would that still be an issue over a year later – have to say I doubt it mate.
Again, this isn’t directed at you one bit mate. But like Gilly I’ve been posting on here for around 15yrs. I have no issues with the amount of articles or the vlog – if I felt the growth of the site was as much about the fans (posters) as it was about the money
Sharpy17(Quote)
Tough gig Olly. I hope you can keep going.
as others have said it’s the community that this site offers that sets it apart and is your crown jewel to be nurtured imo. The sensible , balanced, humorous and insightful comments of the regulars are something I value over other forums out there and are a complementary element of following nufc.
That’s not to dismiss the articles which are in the main, good, especially original content from you and other authors. You must see tho that much of the news articles are available elsewhere
The technical problems are there and as owner for you to accept responsibility for and to find a resolution for I’m afraid. That said if you’d like to discuss options for help I’d be happy to chat
BTW I’ve seen the blog listed as a goto on other nufc forums and have recommended it myself so you’re doing plenty right.
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
To jump on the back of GoWests last comment – I’ve posted on the site over 15yrs & still am – you as an article writer & ‘face’ of the site (for want of a better term) do plenty right.
Whilst I don’t know you personally Olly I can see clearly the work you do for the site & all your efforts mate & back you completely.
But you are one man & can’t do it on your own mate & because of their lack of presence on the site, I have to assume they aren’t as committed.
Just wanted to make it clear my comments are definitely not directed at you.
Sharpy17(Quote)
There are so many ads and unrelated videos now, that I wouldn’t be at all surprised if that’s what is interfering with the site operation. I think, If they really wanted to fix it, it would be fixed. I keep coming here though Olly, and that’s because I enjoy your articles and what banter we get from those of us that are left.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Appreciate the comments guys. I am passing these on and hope we get it sorted ASAP, as I realise this has been a long-term forum for you guys to chat and talk all things NUFC.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly, I can only echo what the others are saying, also been on here a long time and also written a few articles so do appreciate your work.
kimtoon(Quote)
Olly
I have not commented on this site for several months because I think it is now a dangerous site with every poster having their email address exposed to the world.
There have been two posts on this thread supposedly from myself but these posts were not made by me.
I would ask you to look into this asap and I also expect an apology.
I will not make any further comments until the incompetent clowns running this site get their act together so you can be assured that any further comments by ‘sidekick’ are fake.
Sidekick(Quote)
Sidekick – I get your details in my comments box frequently along with many others. This is all wrong mate and I suspect it’s a clear breach of the Data Protection Act and I expect that’s illegal. That is the bit needing fixed the most. I’ve stopped commenting after 15 years as the sites become a mess.
georgio(Quote)
I also think that this part of the site is far and away the most important part of of the site. Almost all of the “articles” are simply culled from other sites and simply rewritten. I scroll down them but already know the content from other places.
Olly I do appreciate your work but I’d much prefer If you’d go for comment on events or raising debatable points instead of cut and paste articles.
georgio(Quote)
We’ve got a third developer looking at the site to find a fix. Again, a lot of the potential causes of the problem go over my head as I’m anything but a tech guy, but I do really hope it’s sorted once and for all soon. Not much more I can say.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
I find that a bit of a slap in the face, to be honest. I write a 500+ word match preview every week, a 500+ word match report every week, player ratings, occasional long reads, cover all of Howe’s press conferences, I record a podcast linked to the blog and, yes, on top of that cover all of the latest news and gossip, but that’s because I want to make the blog and one-stop shop for all things NUFC; whether it be transfer gossip, injury news etc – just like Ed did at NUFCBlog.com (which was the only site I’d ever use as a kid).
I don’t ever take a day off – there’s not a day that goes by where an article – or should I say an “article” – isn’t posted on this site, so it feels quite belittling that you say all of my work is far less important than you guys chatting in my pre/post match threads. I know you said you appreciate my work, but there were quite a few needless digs in there, so I felt the need to respond.
I am doing the best I can to sort the issues and try my best to keep you all in the loop while doing so, but I’m very much caught in the middle of it when it comes to the actual fix as I don’t work in that field.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
OLLY you are doing your best mate no one can do better,it must be a real pain in the backside after all the work you do for the site,let it go over your head and let them doing the job get on with it,don’t know how many times you have said sorry,hang on in there mate
Icedog(Quote)
you guys chatting in my pre/post match threads – that’s what this site always was.
the banter and interaction of like minded people
we’d have 500+ comments on match day. Now, most don’t bother.
Didn’t mean to offend you Olly – it’s obvious you put the hours in. I’ll leave it at that
georgio(Quote)
10 points deduction for everton then.
I’ve seen many comments about why nfc should just ignore ffp and spend.
I’ve never agreed with that narrative, instead preferring the nufc long term plan over splash headline approach and hopefully this ruling puts to bed the “spend and f’k em” narrative
In respect of how Everton react, I can’t think of a better trigger to unite the team, board and fans against a common enemy (the PL) which will make their first two home games after the break (manutd and nufc) tasty
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Sigh **Why nufc …
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Go West, completely agree, spending massive doesn’t guarantee success and would surely bring the wrath of the PL upon us.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well I wondered if sloths could play football. I see a load of them wearing an England strip, the answer is they can’t.
What a truly shocking performance. No shots on goal against Malta. Leading 1-0 through an own goal. We are making Malta look like Argentina.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Everton will survive. They should’ve had this last season
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So, what will happen to City and Chelsea then? My guess… nothing
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Didn’t they (PL) have to wait untilMarch for Everton returns ??
Chelsea and mancity investigations ongoing so think it’s wait and see for them
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Hi guys – update below from the tech guy hired to sort issues…
Right so I’m now 99% sure it’s the WP Super Cache plugin that is causing the issue.
I’ve disabled it and tested across multiple browsers and the commenting cookies act as they should.
It looks like what was happening was the page was being served as a static html page with someone else’s credentials from their cookie, the way that works is the commenters details should be returned from the cookie or empty.
You could open a PR request with the plugin provider, they may suggest certain settings, however I did try the disable caching for guest accounts but still had the pre fill issue.
So I’ve left that plugin disabled.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Thanks Olly, let’s see how it goes
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So I just replied to you Olly, and that comment didn’t appear. I will need to go back to home page, then back to this one to see my comment. (I’ll try some emojis too) ????????
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So emojis still don’t work
Gilly Toon(Quote)
The ads are getting to the point where I can no longer properly read the comments. They are literally everywhere
Gilly Toon(Quote)
A reply to olly with his first line only quoted and a questioning emoji????
Didn’t get anyone’s details
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Ok, so still can’t use emojis but all else is good
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
testing????
kimtoon(Quote)
Right my comment isn’t showing so I will go back to homepage and start again.
kimtoon(Quote)
lol, nope gone again
kimtoon(Quote)
aah this is why I dislike international breaks. It’s good for those players not with their national teams to rest but soooo dull without anything emerging on nufc and England are so insipid ive given up even tracking their games.
I haven’t seen any notes on new nufc injuries which is good, so it’ll be nice to ge back to trying to 2nd guess Howe and if he’ll start with or bring on miley next weekend
Anyway off to split firewood and drink beer which is always good fun if a little exciting when the alcohol kicks in and im swinging a 14lb splitter :-0 :-p
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
I use Brave as my browser. Blocks all ads
PremAndUp(Quote)
Is that available for iPad?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
No idea, I don’t waste my money on apple
PremAndUp(Quote)
Was that tone really necessary mate?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Probably not,
Didn’t mean to offend
PremAndUp(Quote)
So the PL vote which isn’t about restricting nufc, but really it is, didn’t get through. It would be fascinating to see how clubs voted
It felt an illogical premise for a mid season change so in that respect it feels right not to have been approved. That aside, I’m still not convinced nufc are that interested in neves despite the commonly held narrative they covet him (so no doubt he’ll be holding a scarf at SJP in early January ;-p )
no-one has really answered why nufc’d be after neves when they have a far better player who can cover that position already in guimaraes. Sure it means the much vaunted freer role for guimaraes May have to wait but longer term neves ( or Phillips for that matter) doesn’t feel necessary.
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
I wonder if the outcome of that vote would have been different if it happened before Everton had their points deduction?!.
Voting to stop the loans might have stuck it to NUFC – if there was in fact any actual evidence that that’s our intention???
But in turn it would do their own legs longer term. We may consider loaning in Jan – bug beyond that our finances will grow and we will need loans less – other teams will likely need them more – so it makes perfect sense the vote went the way it did.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good to see nufc dismissi g the the narrative about neves being a prime target. Superbly played by ashworth to deflect attention from nufc work to get the gossip-mongers in a froth
Or
A double bluff and now working actively to bring neves to nufc.
Who knows with this club and I love that they don’t give anything away unless they want to and boy it’s fun trying to second guess them ????????
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Yeah, we have other clubs twisting in all directions trying to second guess us.
kimtoon(Quote)