A tough night at the City Ground for Newcastle United, but one that ended in delight despite another poor display as Newcastle won 4-3 on penalties to advance to the 3rd round of the League Cup at Nottingham Forest’s expense.
Joe Willock opened the scoring just 18 seconds in and Sandro Tonali impressed on his return. However, we lost our way, struggled to build on a superb start and were sent to spot kicks after Jota Silva’s second half equaliser, where Sean Longstaff was the hero with our winning spot kick.
It was slightly morale-sapping from a performance point of view, but morale-boosting in the way it ended, with some brilliant scenes at the end of the game as Tonali had an emotional embrace with the traveling Toon Army after the shootout celebrations.
Celebrations aside, the lads appear to have lost the ability to control games away from home. Something which was evident last season and has continued so far this. A lack of pace, loss of defensive shape and huge gaps between the players means we lose the ability to dictate to our opponents, and we are often left chasing the game. Somehow, we are finding ways to get results, so hopefully when we do kick into gear, we will be a delight to watch.
For balance, I did think we ended the game strongly and looked the better side for the final 20 minutes, but it was a concern to see how we quickly lost control shortly after our early goal, especially up against a Forest B team who’d made 10 changes. It was a similar theme at Bournemouth on Sunday after our decent start on the South Coast.
Twitchiness amongst the fanbase on social media is sure to ramp up despite the result, and with two days left of the summer transfer window, be prepared for 48 hours of nonstop refreshing of Twitter/X and habitual watching of Sky Sports News for any shred of a crumb of information about new signings happening.
The gaffer rotated his line up making six changes to the team that started the draw with Bournemouth. Trippier, Hall, Tonali, Willock, Almiron and Barnes came into the starting eleven, in what was a strong team and a good show of squad depth.
A scintillating start to the game which had us reminiscing about the ‘intensity is our identity’ Mags when Willock netted after just 18 seconds, only for the feeling to be almost orgasmic when Tonali was sent through in the 3rd minute. Unfortunately, the keeper blocked the shot low down to his right. Tonali’s vision, pace and touch were evident (and we’ve clearly missed him), yet he was eclipsed by Joe Willock who was outstanding during his short cameo. It was gutting to see him limp off – hopefully the football gods will be kind.
18 SECONDS!! 😱
Joe Willock gives Newcastle the lead! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/L1nLTO5LBr
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 28, 2024
From Nottingham Forest’s kick off Newcastle got possession and Sandro Tonali played a forward pass to Miguel Almiron in the middle, he flicked a pass through to Isak on the right-hand side of the penalty area. Isak shot and Willock tapped in on the rebound.
Spared a deific serenading on his return from Sky Sports, Sandro’s chance came in the 3rd minute. More lovely passing, between Barnes, Willock, and Isak resulted in the Italian being clean through, this time it was an excellent save from Carlos Miguel on debut.
Willock took a knock after ten minutes and came back on to try and run it off. Unfortunately, he went off injured in the 15th minute. It was an unnecessary tackle from the Forest lad who clattered into him.
Forest pushed for the remainder of the half but apart from Nick Pope spilling onto Jota’s head, they didn’t create too much. But the last half an hour of the first half Newcastle struggled with giving the ball away in good positions and a lack of control when in possession, even though they looked dangerous on the counterattack.
The second half started with Isak taking a knock early but recovered well. Then Forest’s equaliser came in the 49th minute from a long throw. Jota, completely unmarked, smashed the ball in from eight yards on the half volley. A shocking goal to concede all round.
Nottingham Forest huffed and puffed and made things very uncomfortable for us, but their quality was lacking when compared to their fight. But as Forest tired, Newcastle finished strongly and had efforts through Hall, Gordon and Joelinton which brought saves from Carlos Miguel. But the obvious deficiencies remained in our game.
So, it was on to the lottery of penalties.
After Joelinton’s miss, we were saved by two Forest misses and Sean Longstaff stroked home a calm winning penalty to send us through to the next round as the lads held their nerve. From staring down the barrel to the 3rd round – Newcastle certainly don’t do things the easy way. Phew!
The draw for the third round followed and we got Wimbledon, meaning a trip to the 8th-placed League Two side next month. No home tie, but a decent draw and big chance to progress.
Now for a signing, or two, and a big game against Spurs on Sunday. Let’s hope that is a morale-boosting win that puts us in good stead for a tough test this weekend; although we’ll have to be much better to beat Tottenham. HWTL.
Calm as you like from Sean Longstaff 😤
Newcastle are through to the Carabao Cup third round! ⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/AL7ycOCleF
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 28, 2024
Away to the Wimbledon
Sharpy17(Quote)
Away again … to AFC Wimbledon who beat Ipswich tonight. When are we going to get a home draw. That was such a dodgy draw, giving most of the septic 6 a home draw against “lesser” opponents 😡😡😡😡
Good write up Jonathan… poor game on the whole. Started well and should’ve put it to bed in the first 20 mins but as usual, we let it drift away from us.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Wimbledon away, i’ll take that thank you.
kimtoon(Quote)
Absolutely Kim, I just wish that we’d get a home game.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly, yes we are well over due one.
kimtoon(Quote)
So Palace have put the price up to 75 mil now they taking the water ffs,walk away
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – can you blame them?!
We are the ones that have dragged this out by going back with offers below their valuation – considerably below (I know we have to negotiate the best deal, but we’ve been Ashley esk in this pursuit).
If the price was too high we should have walked & hoped they’d follow.
With 48hrs to go – did we honestly think they’d reduce stock?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If we do not strengthen at all, and it looks like that may be the case now, I’ll be absolutely gutted, and furious too. It’s been farcical the Guehi saga. Should’ve walked weeks ago, got someone else and if we really want Guehi, revisit next summer. We really need a CD and RWF.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’ve read people saying our squad is stronger now than when we finished 4th – yeah, but so is Villas, Brightons, Chelsea’s, Man Utd’s, WHU, Spurs – and that’s before you even look at Liverpool, Arsenal & City.
We needed to strengthen defensively at the very least after getting Osula in. To not do that is not because of PSR – we have £60m plus to spend on Guéhi – so the money is there.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So here we are. Last day of the summer transfer window and nothing! Nada! ****** all happening. And we still have not got rid of Fraser, Lewis and Hayden. Plus the only stories seem to be about yet another goalkeeper. Not impressed at all. We should’ve walked away from Guehi weeks ago and got an alternative while there were still good alternatives to bring in. You just know this will come back to bite us. 😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
£75m for Guehi 🤣
nope
kimtoon(Quote)
There’s a lot of potential and years of service being bought there. Very talented yes, but still a significant element of risk.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Howe had to give lip service – but he has to talk sense too.
To still be complaining about PSR when you’re bidding £70m on 1 player makes you sound stupid (with respect).
To then say it’s about bringing in the right player & if you can’t get them get nobody 🤔
Firstly – Schar, Lascelles (who is out for a long time) and Krafth (who is a RB by trade) – I respect all 3. But to suggest Guéhi is the only ‘right’ player to replace them with is madness.
Secondly – all 3 I think are out of contract in the summer – so even if they bring an alternative to Guéhi in, that player would still be a good back up squad player in the coming seasons.
Our squad is nowhere near strong enough yet to be THIS picky with new players coming in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Our recruitment team are a bunch of buffoons. 😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – it’s ridiculous coz we know Chelsea are looking to offload players like Chalobah & Disasi.
I simply can’t believe there isn’t a loan deal to be had there – whether that is just this season or with an option to buy.
If it’s true that we’ve tried to sign Elanga today having bought & sold with them earlier in the window – that’s a joke really 😡.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m gobsmacked to be honest. Lots of Chelsea players we could potentially loan to boost our squad, as you say Sharpy. I’m really not happy, especially after we lost Anderson and Minteh. We are weaker than last season imo
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I guess young Alex Murphy is going to get some decent game time this season. At least we have him as backup, although he’s young and somewhat inexperienced. Can’t see anyone coming in now.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I know that’s Mitchell’s thing – promote from within & give young players a chance to break into the first team – and I don’t hate the idea. BUT how many of these young players got game time through pre season?!
McArthur or Heffernan for example – why weren’t they given time?!
By the way, our U21s have just been beat 1-0 by Derby U21s tonight too.
But as well as not recruiting any first team players – they also haven’t got our young lads a replacement coach/manager.
Sharpy17(Quote)
**** isn’t it lads.
kimtoon(Quote)
😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I don’t understand how Chelsea are able to sign so many big players. Most of the top teams except us of course, have strengthened… I just don’t see us getting anywhere near the top 6 again this season.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I wonder if Tosin will enjoy sitting on Chelsea’s bench, assuming he even gets into their 25 man squad.
Gilly Toon(Quote)