A grim end to an awful week for Newcastle United, as a first-half header from ex-Mag Andros Townsend handed Luton Town a 1-0 win and our SIXTH defeat in our last seven away games.
With Man Utd losing to West Ham in the early kick-off and Aston Villa dropping points to Sheffield United on Friday night, this was a huge chance to boost our top-four hopes and respond to recent defeats in the cup and Europe.
Sadly, we were off it in all departments and continue to come up well short on the road, managing just two shots on target all afternoon. Luton had been competitive in every home game this season, running Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal close at Kenilworth Road, but it’s quite damning that this was their first home game of the season.
Our away form simply has to improve, even if fatigue, injuries and the hectic schedule have been contributing factors in recent months. We are a completely different side at St James’ Park, even when the above issues continue to be a factor. We weren’t just off it technically today, we lacked intensity, physicality and were slower to second balls than a hungry Luton side who seemed to want it more.
The result sees us slip to 7th in the table after West Ham’s victory earlier in the day, falling seven points behind Spurs; who moved above Man City and into fourth with a 2-1 win over Everton.
Howe made three changes from Tuesday’s cup defeat at Chelsea, where Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn replace Emil Krafth, Sven Botman and Tino Livramento.
We made a really poor start and were second best in every before we finally settled around the 15-minute mark. Miley had a big chance blocked from Longstaff’s cut-back and Wilson saw his point-blank header stopped from six-yards out after Gordon whipped in a brilliant ball from the left. It was a superb save, but he had to score.
Then, just as we were starting to settle, a Luton corner was flicked on at the front post and headed home at the back post by former Mag Andros Townsend. Really poor defending to be beaten to the first and second ball and it almost got worse, as Barkley smashed the bar and Dubravka made a big save with his feet to deny Adebayo.
To add to our injury woes, Lascelles went off holding his hip just before the break and that sparked a double change from Howe, who took off the skipper and Miley for Sven Botman and Alexander Isak. Our lack of cutting edge in the final third was summed up by Almiron, who found a rare bit of space in the box and curled well over ahead of three minutes of added time.
Isak added some class to our play, drifting into that number 10 role after we moved to more of a 4-2-3-1, but it was a really poor first 45 minutes. We looked slow and sluggish, both on and off the ball, and were probably lucky to go in just one nil down. Aside from a decent five-minute spell after Luton’s bright start, we were second best in all departments. Wilson looked like a man starting his fourth game in 10 days, Longstaff was off the pace and Almiron wasn’t offering nearly enough.
We had to break down Luton’s low block in the second half; something we often struggle to do. That said, the first chance of the second half fell to the home side, where Brown smashed the bar before Bruno missed a big opportunity to equalise after a smart move from the right. He had to do better.
With 30 minutes left, we thought we’d found an equaliser after Almiron slipped in Isak and the Swede finished expertly. The linesman flagged for offside and a VAR check followed. It looked so, so tight and it went against us, with Isak ruled to be a few inches ahead of the last Luton defender.
Another 10 minutes passed and we finally managed our first shot on target, as Longstaff’s threaded pass found Bruno, whose shot was blocked away for a corner. The Brazilian geed up the travelling Toon Army, desperately trying to get something going as bid to avoid another awful defeat on the road.
Another 10 minutes passed and Howe made his third change, bringing Tino Livramento on for the frustrating Almiron with 80 on the clock. Luton had just about everyone back behind the ball as they gave everything to protect their one goal lead. We had to find a moment of quality from somewhere but looked short on ideas as Howe replaced Burn with Hall in one last throw of the dice. Unfortunately, we couldn’t break them down and fell to a 1-0 defeat.
Next up, a Boxing Day clash with Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park in our final game of 2023. After a stunning first half to the year, let’s hope we can end it on a high after a damaging few weeks for the club.
STARTING 11: Dubravka – Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn – Miley, Guimaraes, Longstaff – Almrion, Wilson, Gordon.
SUBS: Karius, Dummett, Botman, Ritchie, Isak, Krafth, Hall, Livramento, A Murphy.
Awful performance. Never an offside that, those lines looked well dodgy. But we were never at races today. Dreadful all over. We will be lucky to stay in the top half this season. 😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
that was poor.
Very soft goal with Townsend losing his marker too easily and a lack of edge from nufc afterwards which prevented any real and enduring pressure on Luton, who it’s worth saying were strong aggressive and full of energy.
Initially i thought isaks goal was good but once the var lines were up it looked offside
Putting aside the usual ponts around fatigue and injury, it looks like players coming back from injury, who played out of their skin last season, are just not as effective this time around. I guess the question is can they be ??
I get what howe was trying to do with the miley tho I did wonder why it took so long for livramento to come on and if he is going to play hall, 5 mins isn’t much
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
You said it Olly… the frustrating Almiron, were you just being polite?
Longstaff was no better, can’t understand Howe taking Miley off and leaving either of them on the pitch.
I am beginning to count far too many games from Brentford away last season when we fail to show up.
Joseph(Quote)
This is why I can’t give this site up!!.
I come on thinking my post might seem harsh or go against the grain a bit – but actually the narrative the posts so far have taken is exactly where I am.
The injuries & fatigue excuses can only last so long. We had more possession than them today with the same number of chances & twice as many corners – but half the shots on target. That’s poor!!.
Our form away from home this season is awful. Our play in the final 3rd is well below standard.
Wilson – 87 games 45 goals
Isak – 31 games 17 goals
That’s is an outstanding return & up there with the best forwards in the league.
But beyond those 2 players
Miggy – 161 games 23 goals
Big Joe – 150 games 18 goals
Longy – 125 games 6 goals
Bruno – 65 games 10 goals
Gordon – 32 games 7 goals
That’s simply not good enough!!. To go from forwards with a 1 in 2 ratio to midfielders where the best return is 1 in 5 for Gordon isn’t good enough.
People talk about wanting to move Bruno forward, but his goal return is 5 in his first season, 4 in his second & he has managed just 1 goal so far this season – it’s not even offer he gets a shot on target.
I love this team. I love the work ethic & the way they fight for each other. It’s brilliant we have 2 forwards as prolific as they are – but we need better for the 5 around them if we are going to make those CL places every season.
For me we need to upgrade Miggy & Longstaff because for all the work they do for the team – their goal return just isn’t good enough.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I suppose I should extend that to players who are out as well
Willock – 67 games 5 goals
Murphy – 133 games 9 goals
Anderson – 29 games 0 goals
None of them are good enough ratios either imo.
Barnes is obviously harder to judge but for Leicester
146 games 35 games – 1 in 4.
He’s 6 games 1 goal for Newcastle.
Tonali likewise difficult to judge but for Milan
70 games 7 goals
I’m saying games – appearances is more accurate really.
Going forward there are going to be difficult decisions to make on players currently in our squad because there just isn’t enough goals from midfield & wide players imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Can only agree Sharpy. We can only play the tired card so far. Other teams are playing as many games and we are getting the chances. We are just not performing for some reason. Maybe these players know they cannot be replaced due to injuries and are just complacent? That’s a shocking attitude to have but who knows. I’m still angry hours after the match.
With all teams dropping points except spurs we had a real catch up opportunity today against a bottom team that has not had a clean sheet all season and we blew it 😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – I just thought it was important to show this isn’t poor period. There’s players there that just don’t contribute enough where it matters.
My other frustration this season is it seems to be win or lose – and it tends to be pretty comprehensive either way. We seem to have forgotten the importance of draws this season – only Man Utd have drawn fewer games. It’s not really ambition I know but them points add up by the end of the season and could be the difference.
Sharpy17(Quote)
HOWE team selection he is far to loyal to players a dropping Liveremento FOR Dan Burn not only that his total management of the game was pathetic he has taking us as far as he can
rintintin(Quote)
Can’t argue with any of the above, sometimes managers and coaches can be too close to what’s going on in front of them on the pitch to actually recognise it, and more importantly do something about it, especially with some of the players performances.
There was a true saying. “You are only as good as your last game” and we have had certain players really underperforming especially away from home.
Joseph(Quote)
Miley has been brilliant so far but lost Townsend for his goal yesterday and Wilsons chance should have been a goal it was a sitter but went straight to keeper😠
Isaks goal was a close call but think it was just offside but could of gone any way and at SJP would probably have stood, that lino has **** fine eyesight to spot that from open play.
Overall frustrating to concede from a corner and not open play.
To be fair to Luton they showed more fight and endeavour and we can’t say we were not warned given how close they took City and Arsenal in those games and then there was the Tom Lockyer factor and they were at home.
We are having a bit of a mare at present but hopefully a better second half of the season awaits. January window, could be helpful who knows.
We better beat the scum though or I will NOT be happy.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy lad, those Willock stats cannot be right after he saved us while he was on loan with us, didn’t he score 8 in a row? He is a great finisher and criminally underrated by our fans imo, having him fit would have transformed our season. He and Joelinton on the left was basically our best play last season and the drew all the focus and attention and away from moggy on the right, who then had the space to score his screamers. Gordon has been great but he can’t rotate with Joelinton in the same way and now with him out we can see that none of the other midfielders, bruno included, can drive through the middle of the park like Willock and Joel.
We do need an improvement in the midfield and it’s a shame that Howe seemed to think the same as many fans that if Maxi was the problem when the reality is like you say Sharpy, the rest of the midfield or team generally needs to contribute more. Let’s not forget our set pieces were good last season and with the supposed quality of the deliveries we have our defenders especially Botman and Burn should definitely pose more of a threat.
I don’t have a huge problem being “reliant” on Isak and Wilson, but we do need another backup who can help them, they are both struggling with fitness and we know with Wilson in particular he cannot be played week in week out and be expected to perform at his peak or remain fit.
Newkie(Quote)
Merry Christmas everyone! Have a good one.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Those are Willocks stats since he signed on permanently mate. His loan stats were listed separately.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Merry Christmas to you all. Hope you & your families have a great day.
Olly – all the best mate. Thanks for all your hard work on the blog this year 👍🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
all the best to all on the blog,and thanks OLLY,lets hope for a better new yr
icedog(Quote)
Sharpy – thought so otherwise it would be shocking!
Merry Christmas to everyone, have a great one with you and yours.
Newkie(Quote)
Merry Christmas folks hope you all having a good one 🎄
kimtoon(Quote)