An out-of-sorts Toon Army ground out a point against the Cherries this afternoon, as Anthony Gordon’s second-half equaliser came to Eddie Howe’s rescue before the home side were denied by VAR deep into stoppage time.
I’d imagine fan reaction to this one will be largely disappointed with the overall performance. If we are to achieve our desired goals this season, improvement will be needed, and quickly too. It’s a steady start with four point from a possible six, but we have a big week ahead – new signings needed, Nottingham Forest to come on Wednesday and Spurs next up in the league at St James’ next weekend.
If Newcastle had won today, it would’ve been the first time since 1997/98 that we had won out two opening games of a Premier League season, but we’ll just have to settle with still being unbeaten instead as some VAR drama at the death helped us avoid what looked at one stage like a dismal defeat.
Eddie Howe made two changes, bringing in Emil Krafth and Lloyd Kelly for Fabian Schar and Lewis Hall. We started poorly last weekend, but in the opening 20 minutes here we looked the better of the two sides as we controlled possession, won our duels and created a couple of openings.
However, the first real chance went Bournemouth’s way, Evanilson’s well struck effort from the left side of the six-yard box drew a save out of Nick Pope with his legs. United then went straight down the other end, and Isak played an excellent ball across the box which Gordon was too slow to react to.
Semenyo then hit the crossbar with a fizzing, dipping effort before Bournemouth took the lead. In the 37thminute Joelinton was robbed of possession deep in his own half, allowing Semenyo to square the ball for Tavernier to tap in from a yard out. Perhaps highlighting a £65million hole in our backline?
The second half of the first half was incredibly poor from a Black and White perspective with passes going astray, poor application of the press, slack running and bad body language clearly on display.
The opening salvos of the second half continued in the same vein, resulting in another Semenyo effort in the 55th minute which he blazed over the bar. Eddie Howe changed things up bringing on Trippier and Barnes for Livramento and Murphy to try and shake the malaise out of United. Yet it was only after Lewis Hall and Joe Willock entered the pitch in the 70th minute that things started to improve.
The final fifteen minutes, plus eight minutes of added time, were a roller-coaster of emotions. First Anthony Gordon bagged an equaliser at the back post in the 77th minute from a delightfully dinked in cross from Harvey Barnes. Dan Burn then forced a big save out of Neto in the 80th minute with a looping header from another deep cross.
Newcastle passed out from the back poorly and some more sloppy play almost saw Bournemouth grab a late winner. Semenyo, who terrorised our defence all afternoon, smashed in a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box, forcing Pope into a big save. From the resulting corner Outtara thought he’d scored the winner with his head – but crucially VAR disagreed. Handball was given and the goal was ruled out.
Eddie Howe has never beaten his former club Bournemouth in the Premier League in five attempts and I’m happy to admit I was nervous going into this game.
Bournemouth always promised to be a tricky first away encounter. They have built a very solid platform on their return to England’s topflight, with smart business in the transfer market and the appointment of a tactically astute manager. So, it was great to see United fight to get a point. Just how merited it was is, however, up for debate.
Despite the result today (Forest game on Wednesday night in the cup excluded) all focus must now shift to adding real first team quality to the squad. All summer the new structure installed above Eddie Howe has been charged with bringing in much needed reinforcements, and so far, they have struggled to deliver.
The squad remains largely unchanged from two seasons ago and whilst it retains the excellent combative, high pressing, defensive qualities of 2022/23 and the improved goalscoring output of 2023/24, it continues to lack ‘top six’ quality in certain, well-known positions.
It is also bloated by a failure to cut the deadwood, as hangers-on, has-beens, and not-good-enough’s on Premier League wages continue to eat in any PSR calculations.
After a long summer of almost ceaseless transfer chat the time has come for that to end. The time has come for Newcastle United to act.
Howay the Lads.
I’m basing this on if it was reserved how would I feel?!
VAR robbed Bmth today. For me we got lucky twice – obviously the goal not being given. I don’t think that’s conclusive at all.
I also think the way Joelinton took the keeper out with a close line could easily have been looked as – that would be a sin bin in rugby for sure.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I tend to agree.
Thankfully it’s not rugby!
Jonathan Young(Quote)
I see Madueke notched a hat trick today – there’s another target gone 🤦🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
I had to record it and just finished watching it back. God we were awful. No attacking power at all. We got very lucky with that disallowed goal, it looked like shoulder and could easily have been allowed. And wtf was Joelinton doing? Poor game and lucky not to get red at the end there.
And we will not be getting Madueke from Chelsea after today.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Ugly end to the game which was poor overall.
The nufc forwards were pretty anonymous and not served well by some sloppy, poor and negative play all round.
Hall changed the game but is lacking defensively. I think he’s a MF player and I would use him as back up to guimaraes.
Nice to see Willock back with a couple of Willockinho runs. I would start him before longstaff or Murphy but suspect he’ll play LMF mid week as I think Joelinton took a knock today.
Barnes, gordon and isak up top as fluid front three. Lovely finish from Gordon as he saw it late ( it was his only real contribution today) after a delightful cross from Barnes who looked very good coming on.
Var got it right to disallow the goal. Ball hits him direct on the bicep area .. handball. Maybe if he hadn’t had it draped over burns shoulder it would’ve deflected in off burn who defended poorly. No sympathy for the whining about it.
Joelinton should have had a straight red. That he didn’t is not on var as it does not review yellow unless its a 2nd card leading to red. Suspect the ref will recognise he missed one when he watches it back and if they still do retrospective reds, it’s coming to joelinton
Jonesy(Quote)
Ref’s seen the incident and booked him, so I think that’s it dealt with.
Don’t think they’ve banned anyone retroactively in years
Jonathan Young(Quote)
Same old same old as last year, EH sets up the team to concede too much possession to the opposition, he hasn’t seen it all last year so not sure he’ll see it this year either.
As long as we keep playing like that this year then we won’t get Europe again, too many teams have improved.
David(Quote)
Aye .. just checked the wording and coz he’s booked they won’t look at it. Lucky boy
Jonesy(Quote)
Jonesy – they could if VAR thought it was serious reckless play. The ref would be recommended to review it & can cancel out his yellow & issue a red.
I don’t think Joelintons fell into that after the ref booked him – but it was bloody stupid all the same.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The wording is violent conduct ( spitting, biting and offensive language also referenced) that feels a step up from reckless but irrespective of semantics or how we classify joelintons action I think we all agree he was lucky he got away with it
Jonesy(Quote)
Jonesy – yeah very much so.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We need some players in before this window closes.
We have to get a CB for sure. Krafth isn’t a natural CB and got caught positionally today – as did Burn to be fair.
I actually would have flipped Burn & Kelly today. I think Burn is better suited to LB and Kelly a better CB.
We have to bring in either Gomez or Disasi and someone like Chiesa for the wide position.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yes the team needs strengthening for sure.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sorry it’s long.
It feels unfair to consider krafth as anything but up against it today as nufc’s 5th/6th choice CB trying to keep quiet a £40m Brazilian international on a high of his first game for a club. Krafth did ok.
Krafth, however is a good example of why new players would be useful.
I’m just not sure those competitor cast offs regularly linked and named above will do anything but keep nufc where the club currently are as also-rans and help out the cartel. I’m discounting the loathsome and bang average madueke btw.
So for me it’s all in on next level incoming players as nufc need to start taking risks to bridge the gap to the cartel. Yes please to guehi.
Bring in lesser level squad players by all means but only if one of the current crop go out. Other than that give the money over to young prospects and get nufc’s competitors to buy those while the club take the pick of the crop.
Jonesy(Quote)
We have been awful for both of our first 2 games. Very lucky to have 4 points imo. Almost zero shots in either game. No cohesion, poor in attack. I hope Eddie sorts it out soon because better teams will thrash us. We absolutely have to get reinforcements in. Desperately need some fresh players in there for squad depth and competition for places.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
“Loathsome and bang average” Madueke scored a hat trick today! Just saying … 😂😂 when was the last time any Toon player scored a hat trick? I can’t remember that’s for sure.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Just watched MOTD and that is a goal for Bmth. That for me hits Burns shoulder.
I also hate seeing that close line from Joelinton – it’s absolutely disgrace. It’s dangerous & he could have seriously injured the keeper – it’s disgusting.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Jonesy – I asked you to clarify last week and I will again. How do you mean as lesser players?
I don’t care how long your post is, I’d rather understand which players you are happiest with versus those being discuss as potentially coming in?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Seen his behaviour and posts have you ??.. check him out before sneering.
average as well as great players can score hat-tricks. Remember Chris Wood .. are you advocating spunking £40m for him. Just saying ….
Jonesy(Quote)
I did name him .. guehi ( maybe my post was too long)
Lesser players;
i) squad player/ off casts for the teams nufc want to compete with; ii) Players who aren’t established internationals in elite national teams; iii) players wanted by professional coaches as being CL ready.
That isn’t Gomez or disasi who would I suspect improve nufc but not enough to compete at the top. I’m sure Chelsea or Liverpool would love nufc to sign them while they compete in Europe and nufc scratch around the carabao.
I know guehi doesn’t guarantee that which is why I said nufc need to take a risk.
Jonesy(Quote)
“Almost zero shots” check the link below ( if you can take your eyes off Chelsea) .. just saying🤣🤣
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c17gnyyj7n2t#MatchStats
Jonesy(Quote)
Jonesy – you didn’t name ‘them’ you named him – hence why I asked you to clarify … something you still haven’t really done as I note you still haven’t named an example of who you’d class as a lesser player 🤷🏼♂️.
Meanwhile there are plenty of example I can provide where the top clubs have bought & sold with each other & made their first team or squads better – especially between City, Chelsea & Arsenal.
I don’t get what you mean by scratching round the Carabao?! We’ve finished in European spots in the last 2 seasons. It was only Man Utd winning the FA Cup that cost us that place – or were they scratching?! 🤔😂.
The irony to your point is that Palace bought Guehi from Chelsea – who at the time fit perfectly your ‘lesser’ player criteria but is now going to cost us £65m.
My point being, I believe Howe can take what you class as lesser player & coach them to become £65m player – or more.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bit of a wind-up merchant Jonesy, aren’t you fella?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
defending for their goal was schoolboy stuff,something not right at the club seems the fire has gone from the players they just seem to not care imo
icedog(Quote)
You are spot on mate, maybe since Amanda left things have changed at top level. Also we have Tripps with family issues and Isak not signing a new contract which concerns me a lot.
We need two top quality players in to strengthen and refresh what looks a stale team.
kimtoon(Quote)
KIM I don’t think this guy is up to it,spending six weeks trying to sign one player is. a joke,he will come with crack we didn’t have the time to get it over the line ffs
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – add to that our interest in DCL and signing 2 GKs we didn’t really need while still looking to sign another in young Trafford.
It’s been pretty pathetic this summer, and they seem to have put all their efforts into signing under 18 year old – despite having nobody to coach them that is.
Mandy leaving was all very baffling – especially as she is now closing in on a Spurs investment.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ice, Sharpy. I personally feel a lot of the feel good factor and momentum that built after the take over has fallen away. Don’t get me wrong it was great to see the team spirit when we lost Schar v Saints but this weekend I saw a lot of frustration at times.
We are no where near as attacking as we were and there are a lot of individual errors popping up.
Defensively we look all at sea at times, yes I know that we haven’t had a settled back line but we cannot use that as an excuse all the time.
B/mouths second was a handball by the rules now but they should not even of gotten the chance and at one time that would of been given, we got lucky.
Big Joe lost his head after getting clattered first half and should of seen red at the end, he like the team got lucky.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I think defenders don’t fully mature until mid twenties. By that I mean have a full awareness of positioning, reading of the game & composure both on the ball & in the tackles.
That’s not to say I think pre mid twenties players are no good – far from it. I just mean the consistency isn’t yet there to be solid week in week out.
The offensive side of the game is harder imo.
I think switching to 2 young FBs, and playing 2 natural FBs at CB has certainly shown in our defensive vulnerabilities. That’s not me saying I think they have been ****, it’s not the individual players faults.
It may also example why we have looked off offensively – protect the weakened back line being more of a focus.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know I’m sounding like a broken record here, but that we still haven’t signed a defender is just incomprehensible to me.
We know Botman & Lascelles are out for lengthy periods – so we are already light in that position.
But furthermore, we know Schar & Lascelles and maybe ever Krafth & Burn could all be gone next summer – add to that Trippier on the verge of leaving & Target not seeming to have a future at the club … oh and then there’s Lewis & Ashby who don’t look like ever getting a game.
Yet we have eyes on ANOTHER keeper, despite having 5 already – and spent the first part of the window going after the only player to have a WORSE injury record than Wilson (and considerably less goals when they do play).
We have neither recruited, nor got rid of players – nor have we hired new coaches for the youth team … any clue what they have been doing???
Sharpy17(Quote)
I hope things change for Spurs. We need to smash them again like we have in the last two seasons at home. As we are at the moment, we would struggle to smash anyone.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – I’d just take a better performance against Spurs coz at the moment we’d struggle to smash an avacado let alone a rival top 6 side 😖
Sharpy17(Quote)
Got a cup game to win first
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – aye that’s far from a gimme either is it 😖.
To go out of a cup so early & with no European football – there’s not much of a season to look forward to then really is there?!
I can’t imagine it would be too attractive for any potential incoming players either really 😖
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know he’s been spoken about a lot this week – but the return of Tonali could be a huge boost if Howe gets the introduction right.
It looked a little disjointed when he first came in – that midfield of Bruno, Joelinton & Tonali so hopefully they’ve been working on that behind closed doors.
The fans are desperate to see him back & im sure the players want him in the side after training with him for so long.
Bench him at Forest & give him 20-30mins. Start him at home against Spurs would be my plan I think.
Sharpy17(Quote)
With regards to our wide players – I think the weekend made it crystal clear we have to move Gordon to the right. He starts with Murphy as back up. On the left we go with Barnes & promote Sansui as his back up – I suspect Miggy stays & he is third choice to cover either flank
Sharpy17(Quote)
If Sanusi isn’t ready then we know Joelinton or even Willock could play that position as back up to Barnes too.
What’s really hard to stomach is that Mintah has gone straight in at Brighton & looks ready – it’s fair to say in other circumstances he’d be our starting RWF 😡.
But there’s another situation – poor management left us with a PSR deficit 🙄😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
This cup match has definite banana skin potential… you can just see Anderson scoring against us. Away again, against prem opposition is not great. Let’s hope we play better than we have in our last two games. I think we will put out a strong side. Be interesting to see who’s in goal. Pope, Dubz or Vlachodemos.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’d like to see Sanusi get some minutes if possible. We may need him if we don’t get any other forward reinforcements in. May see Osula too. Looks like Wilson is out long term again.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So Guehi is playing tonight for Palace. This means he’s cup tied. Never in a million years would I spend £70m on him now. We need to walk away from that deal. In fact, run like hell. Go for Logan Costa for a LOT less and get a decent RWF.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – I’d be going after Disasi or Chalobah with PL experience – I think that’s pretty important.
I’m watching Fulham now & Anderson for £30m was a steal when you think they want £70m for Guehi.
The papertalk put Disasi at £45m and Chalobah at around £25m – Logan Costa is listed at between £20-25m. I think there’s an argument for buying Chalobah & Costa for the £40-50m combine cost.
That would then allow for a to move players on at the end of the season too 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Absolutely agree mate. I don’t know what’s going on with our club now. Seem like a bunch of inept clowns sadly…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So much for being the “richest club in the premier league” we seem to have employed Krusty the clown to our recruitment team
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – you can twist about PSR restrictions when you’re trying to spend £70m on one player – I’d call BS if that was coming from a different club so I can’t accept it just coz it’s us.
The reality is that £70m could be enough to get the players in we need right now 🤷🏼♂️.
Of course it’s worth remembering it’s £70m because we haven’t moved anyone on to increase those funds either.
Sharpy17(Quote)