After nine straight wins, a brilliant end to 2024 and superb start to 2025, Newcastle United suffered their first defeat since early December after being totally outplayed by Bournemouth.
We went into it hoping to bolster out top-four hopes, see Eddie Howe become the first Toon boss to win 10 in a row and for Alexander Isak to edge closer to Vardy’s record of goals in 11-straight league games, but we got nothing of the sort.
As good as Bournemouth were, it was a pretty woeful display all over the pitch and full of misplaced passes.
Howe reacts to 4-1 defeat
Speaking to the media after the game, Howe didn’t exactly hold back in his assessment, saying we were “devoid of energy” and “off it in every area” of the pitch.
“We didn’t have total control in any phase. They were better than us and never allowed us to find our rhythm. That is not the level we have played at. We were devoid of energy. I don’t think any of our game survived. We were off it in every area.”
“Technically and physically we weren’t the team we have been. We were off. We started slowly and didn’t ever play with the intensity we usually do. I don’t think we ever had control of that game today.
“(There was) a real problem athletically. You could see we were fatigued and never really recovered from a poor start to the game and ultimately a lot to reflect on from me.”
Howe continued, picking out our conceding of possession in bad areas: “We played in areas that we usually don’t. We lost the ball quite a lot in the middle of the pitch. It is disappointing. We’ve been on a great run so we just need to dust ourselves down and go again.”
Burn’s post-match message
Dan Burn has also reacted to the result and performance, accepting we “got outworked” by a Bournemouth side who were better than us “all over the pitch.”
“Really disappointing day. Bournemouth were better all over the pitch. We got outworked which was the most disappointing thing for us.”
“I’d say to the fans to just keep getting behind the team. We’ve been on a great run. We haven’t performed the way we wanted to today but we’ll continue to do well and we’ll come again.”
At least Howe has not made up any stupid excuses like the ball is different.
Our midfield problem when we get pressed is that Bruno is too slow and often gets caught in possession in dangerous areas while Joelinton is just a brute, he rarely gets a shot on target picks up too many yellow cards and is basically not a footballer.
I believe Miley has more footballing ability than Joelinton and should be given his chance, although I can’t blame Howe for not changing what was a winning team however he needs to be braver in implementing another plan if he has one?
All winning streaks come to an end sooner or later, it’s what we learn from it that counts.
Joseph(Quote)
Totally agree with you regarding Jolinton Joseph said many times around where my seat is not the brilliant footballer a lot of our fans make him out to be one of the positions I think we need to upgrade
Darren Bebb(Quote)
We got mugged!
Ian Hey(Quote)
Howe doesn’t change. He can’t beat City, Liverpool and his beloved Bournemouth in the Premier League, he can’t win the final. I’m sure Liverpool will get to the League Cup final and he will lose to them. He develops players well, he can take the team to the Champions League, but he is not a winner, he will not bring the club a trophy.
hmd(Quote)
Bad day at the office. No dramas!!
Bmth were just better on the day 🤷🏼♂️.
Maybe it’s a good slap round the chops for the 2nd leg of the semi.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The elephant in the room is Arsenal….
The Panther(Quote)
Bournemouth neutralised Isak and Bruno and had the better of Livramento and Hall for most of the match. Gordon put in a shift running back to help out but we allowed so much space on the left side of the pitch we were easily caught out – they certainly had our measure!
Howe gets the best out of Joelinton – who is quite unsubtle in his physicality – but the success ratio of his finishing attempts in front of goal is dismally low for someone who was once a No.9.
To be fair it seems the manager gets the best out of all the players but we need to strengthen a few positions and add to the squad depth to bring the success we thirst.
Give Eddie Howe and his team a good crack of the whip to see his long term plan through. It will take a few more years yet before we are considered in the same light as Liverpool/Man.C/ Arsenal .
Sanddancer(Quote)
Well said sanddancer. Success takes time to build. We’ve come so far in a short space of time. Give the manager
Time.
Peaco(Quote)
We need an upgrade on at least four different positions yet haven’t bought a first team player for almost two years. How the heck is that progress??
sgbus(Quote)