This is my first match report for NUFC Blog and I’m not entirely sure how I approach it after that exhausting but ultimately successful opening day win at St James’ Park.
Do I go down the three points and a clean sheet route? Or do I consider the fact it was a really poor start from Newcastle before we went down to 10? The latter is a concern and hopefully we see signs of improvement in the coming weeks, but it’s ultimately a big win on an afternoon that could’ve gone horribly wrong had we not rallied.
We were defensively solid against a side who dominated the ball without actually threatening the goal. When you consider the defensive performances of last season, that is a huge positive, even if it was clear certain players weren’t quite at the races today prior to Fabian Schar’s red.
Sitting in the Gallowgate West corner, Schar’s moment of madness was received with a disbelieving response while all the time thinking “VAR will correct the error”. When it came through that he was actually sent off the general feeling that he’d messed up by getting involved and added even more urgency to sign a new centre-back. Either way, it was never a red and some pathetic antics from Ben Brereton Diaz.
What followed wasn’t a defensive masterclass but a show of solidarity and resolution. Everyone gave their all and got a deserved three points against a team that will go down. Teams having 75% possession of the ball and barely creating a chance rarely thrive in the Premier League.
I thought Gordon was poor and it’s been awhile since I’ve seen that. I hope it was just a one off and his head has not been turned. Hall had a great pre-season but he looked iffy at left-back, gifting possession back to Southampton in some really poor areas.
What positives can we take from today? A colossal performance from Big Joe, who showed some calmness to his game that I didn’t think existed. Even playing as peace maker in the Schar incident! He covered every blade of grass and together with captain Bruno played a huge role in helping us over the line. Quality was lacking today, but grit and determination to get the win was not.
Dan Burn looked solid at centre half dealing with anything the abysmal Adam Armstrong could throw at him. Nick Pope also made a vital second half stop to deny Armstrong. I doubt we win that game and keep a clean sheet if Dubravka is between the sticks, as we so often saw efforts like that sneap past him last season.
It wasn’t the swashbuckling start to the season we envisaged and better days await us, but let’s look at this positively, take the three points and clean sheet as Eddie’s Rusty Mags found a way to get the job done in a
Next up, Bournemouth away next Sunday!
A interesting match report! Lol! Tough game against 12 men. We did well considering. Joelinton absolutely MotM… outstanding today. Shout out to Hall too who cleared a certain goal off the line, so I sort of disagree on your opinion of him mate. Yes he had a couple of moments, but he’s 19!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Jonesy – happy to debate it with you mate, you you’re going to have to be more specific & expand on your points so I can explain my stance on whatever confuses you.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Joelinton was a colossus today. An 8 in the ratings is a disservice to his performance.
Hall was poor in possession today. Gordon was also poor.
When we’re in possession, having 2 players down our right who struggle to get on the ball or have any control when they do is a real challenge. Both Murphy and Longstaff are a long way off the required standard. Like them both but they’re back ups at best.
It’s 3 points and time to step up for Bournemouth away.
Hazzy(Quote)
Frustrating game all round from Schar not knowing better when he should to the ref making head scratching decisions to Diaz bringing a dose of am dram to the day.
Oh well…next.
kimtoon(Quote)
I see Minteh got a good assist today too for Brighton. Very annoyed that we were forced to sell him when that’s a position we need to strengthen.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Saints were by far the better side and they DID create some great chances.
Toonsimon(Quote)
Eddie has a lot of work to do with the squad
Paul has a lot of work to do with the board
Long week ahead I’m.affriad
Trevor Thailand
trevor(Quote)
Joelinton has had a lot of praise & deservedly so – defo MOTM.
But one thing I’ve not seen commented on yet was his control & composure for his goal 🔥
I bang on about needing more goals from midfield & not replying so heavily on Isak & Gordon. That was outstanding from big Joe coz get that first touch wrong & the keeper is back in position & defenders are on him – brilliant goal from the big man 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
The red for Schar was both unwarranted and foolish.
We need to appeal, have the ban rescinded then the appeal panel can give Diaz another yellow for simulation to add to the one he already got, then he gets a ban.
Sounds fair to me.
All that said, we were horrific. There’s no excuse for that performance with those players available. It’s not the players, its the tactics.
Along with Pards, Hughton and Roeder, Howe is a motivator, and motivators work their magic for 18 months to 2 years tops. He’s past his sell-by date and we need someone with a bit more tactical nous about them.
Daveys **** mate(Quote)
Davey – you’re absolutely right mate, Diaz got his yellow for his initial push on Schar – he should have got a 2nd for simulation.
But as weak as it was, the red would stand mate. Schar should have walked away once he pushed him back – he’d have got a yellow for that, but as soon as he lent in with his head it was always going to be a red.
I get why Burn went over to lift Diaz up, but the nonsense that brought probably didn’t help Schar – but I love that he confronted him in the tunnel 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think a big issue with the Guehi deal is that Palace agreed to a 20% sell on fee for Chelsea – so if they value him at £50m, they need to get £75m for him.
That’s the problem here I reckon – and it wouldn’t surprise me if Palace are trying to build in a sell on of their own to maximise their profit.
It’s one I think we leave our latest offer on the table & work on other targets now – BUT, because this one has been SO public, other clubs now know what we’ve offered for Guehi and probably inflate their valuation of a player that will be aware are our second choice.
We’ve made a right of this one imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d leave Guehi now. Go back in for either Thiaw if he’s willing, or Tomori from ACM, or Logan Costa is it? Or even Andersen from Palace whose also decent.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Chelsea have no shirt sponsor again? Odd.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Oh dear. Chelsea losing 2-0. That’ll be another manager sacked then. 😂😂😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – with Botman & Lascelles out long term – and Lascelles & Schar out of contract next summer (I think), I’d be looking at a player who can go in right now along with one to develop this season.
I’d go Gomez ready to go straight in – he can play CB but can also play RB and LB. If we make European footy again this season then his versatility would be great. It would also mean we could sell Trippier now & have Gomez able to cover RB if needed. He’s valued at £45m.
I’d also get Logan Costa to develop. He’s a lot younger and could be a very good CB – he’d mean when Lascelles & Schar are due to leave next summer he’d already be there. He’d cost £20-25m.
That would give us good depth to CB and mean even when fit, we wouldn’t need to rush Botman or Lascelles back.
The combined is around what we’re looking at for Guehi.
Thereafter, I’d be working on Chelsea to do us another loan deal for Madueke similar to that of Halls. £5m loan fee now, with a £35m fee next summer.
Window shut let’s get cracking.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sounds like a plan Sharpy! Let’s hope the club pull their fingers out and get something done soon. We still need a right wing forward too!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
If we could get Chiesa, Madueke or Ferran Torres for around the same sort of money – who you picking?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d take any of them actually. Maduake and Torres have prem experience but I’d love Chiesa too. I don’t really have a preference. All would do a job for us.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – I’d love Chiesa too, but his injuries would worry me. But if we could get him for £20m – would that be a fair risk?!.
Madueke I think could be got on a similar deal as Hall was – loan with a guaranteed fee.
Either of those.
I’m not sure on Torres.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I also think we’ve agreed a deal for Guehi, but the delay is Palace sorting his replacement.
They have to pay Chelsea 20% for Guehi so it wouldn’t surprise me if they are looking to get a bit money off Chalobah to counter balance that.
I think that is the delay in getting our deal done.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I don’t understand spending £20m on a keeper from Forest if he doesn’t appear to have a beginning with us let alone a future?!?!!!
Talk of him leaving already – it all seems like a steaming pile of mess at the moment like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think the only reason we took the goalie was so that they would pay what they did for Anderson… pure PSR escape exercise I think. Shame for Vlechedemos though.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Sounds like Torres would refuse to come to us. 🤷🏻♂️ his loss. He can warm the bench at Barca. I’d love us to go for Mbeumo. Cannot see it happening though.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Buy Chilwell & Disasi for the £65m and loan to buy Madueke.
That allows us to sell Target & loan out Hall if we wanted to.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Whilst I’ve listed Chilwell first – the priority would be Disasi & Madueke & look to bring Chilwell too.
A fit Chilwell is better than Targett & I think Hall is still learning
Sharpy17(Quote)