Five takeaways from Forest 1-1 Newcastle: Toonali, Willock fears, positives and negatives
Newcastle United advanced to the 3rd round of the Carabao Cup 4-3 on penalties at the City Ground as they started this season’s League Cup campaign in an up and down fashion that ultimately ended in delight.
It took just 18 seconds for United to take the lead through Joe Willock, yet it was Sean Longstaff that sent us through on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time. Here are our five key takeaways from the game:
- Forza Tonali
Wow, I knew this lad was good, but he was excellent on his return from a ten-month gambling ban. Pace, touch, speed of thought, desire, attitude, heart, fight – you name it, he showed it, and even though he tired (he was blowing after a whack to the face in the 30th minute) you could see what it meant to him to be back playing football.
The Italian was visibly emotional as he was pushed forward by his teammates towards the travelling fans after the game. He embraced the fans who sang his name, clutching an Italian flag in a genuine moment of heartfelt support and love.
Tonali elevates Newcastle’s midfield, and he can only get better as he builds up his match fitness.
- A Prayer for Joe Willock
I wrote in the match report that I thought Joe Willock outshone Tonali during his short cameo and I’ll repeat myself here. His powerful running opened acres of space around the park for others to run into and the opening goal and Tonali’s big chance in the 3rd minute were mainly in part thanks to Joe’s running.
What a cruel twist of fate it is for the lad to pick up yet another injury! It looks like a thigh problem and hopefully it’s not long-term, but Eddie Howe didn’t sound confident in his post-match press conference when he uttered the dreaded: "It doesn’t look good."
I’ll be waiting with bated breath to see what Howe has to say in his Friday press conference
- The Positives: Something to build on
The first 15 minutes were electric. Newcastle played with pace and should’ve torn Forest apart as they couldn’t live with our direct running and sharp passing. A combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping keeping the score down from a Forest POV.
The fluidity between the midfield three was everything we had been missing in the first two league games this season. Then when things got tough the lads fought hard to stay in the game and restricted Forest to half chances and long-range efforts. Nick Pope really didn’t have a save to make.
Livramento and Barnes linked up well together on the right-hand side (something I would like to see more of) and Almiron looked sharp, despite continuing to cut inside at every opportunity. He is such a better player when he has Trippier behind him. Tripps was solid, and Hall continues to be a threat going forward – he needs to improve defensively but he is young and will surely get better.
Two signings, finding our form, retaining the current squad, and beating Spurs on Sunday will cement a hugely positive start to 2024/25.
- The Negatives: Familiar Weaknesses
Despite a rip snorting start to the game, United lost control and started to cede possession to their hosts as they struggled to maintain their grip on the game. An unfortunate pattern, which started last season, has emerged into Newcastle’s play - big gaps between players, some lacking technical proficiencies, and some holding onto the ball for too long lead to the team surrendering possession to an opposition press.
Football is all about moments and perhaps if Tonali nets the second after 3 minutes and Willock doesn’t go off injured the game remains stretched and Newcastle clean-up the result comfortably through their powerful running in behind. As Bobby used to say, ‘if is the biggest word in football.’
Eddie Howe will know what the issues are and players returning (and hopefully a signing or two) will elevate our passing, ball control and retention to a higher level.
- And So, It Begins…
The transfer deadline is hurtling towards us and closes on Friday evening at 23:00. Frankly, once it’s closed, I will feel nothing but relief.
It has been a chastening summer with incomings being very hard to get over the proverbial line and selling two young talents we didn’t really want to to satisfy PSR. Elliot Anderson played okay yesterday and deserved his round of applause and ‘Geordie Maradona’ from the travelling support.
No matter what happens up to Friday night’s deadline – the club need to address how they discuss these windows in future. Darren Eales promised a transformative window in an earlier summer interview and perhaps set unrealistic expectations about this transfer window.
I will reserve judgement on the summer window until Saturday morning. A defender, minimum, must come in. If not, well, that’s for Saturday morning...
Additionally, PSR is a huge issue clubs clearly fear after last season’s points deductions for Everton and Forest. And things will only get harder with ‘financial weighting’ and UEFA’s club cost control rules for clubs in Europe.
The only way forward is for United to increase it revenues and qualify for European competition on a regular basis. One way to do that is to win the Carabao Cup.
