A tough watch at the Suwon World Cup Stadium as Newcastle kicked off the 2025 Coupang Play Series with a 1-0 defeat to a K-League XI.
Our first game in South Korea after a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in Singapore last Sunday and while it may have been good for the fitness levels in humid conditions, it didn’t inspire much confidence.
K-League sides are midway through their season, which was probably a big factor in terms of their fitness and match sharpness, although it was a sluggish Newcastle display, much like the club’s activity off the pitch this summer.
We were second to too many loose balls, slow to react and lacking in quality. Again, it almost mirrored how we’ve operated in the transfer market of late, even if today was more about minutes in the tank more than anything else.
Only a pre-season friendly, yes, but it was 90 minutes to forget that didn’t do much to lift the mood almost two weeks before the big kick-off away to Aston Villa, ending with Joe Willock down in agony and off on a stretcher.
One of few positives, however, was new arrival Seung-soo Park. The 18-year-old Korean did more to excite fans in two minutes than most did all game, showing quick feet, energy, urgency and some brilliant dribbling down the left.
Newcastle XI: Pope – Krafth, Lascelles (c), A. Murphy, Livramento – Miley, Tonali, Willock – Elanga, Osula, Gordon.
Subs: Vlachodimos*, Ruddy*, Gillespie*, Thompson, Trippier*, Hall*, Schar*, Joelinton*, Barnes*, Targett*, J. Murphy*, Ashby, Burn*, Bruno*, Harrison, Hernes, Munda*, Neave*, Seung-Soo Park. (* = Unused)
Another start for Alex Murphy, this time at centre-back, with Tino Livramento back in the side, more game time for Lewis Miley and Will Osula and the return of Lewis Hall to to the bench.
Sven Botman’s absence was expected but a worry, while new signing Seung-Soo Park was hoping to make his debut in his home country with a place on the bench.
We started well in the opening minutes, although some fast exchanges early on quickly faded as sloppy passing and sluggishness crept into our play.
Miley made a promising start, showing good strength and slick passing in possession, but the same couldn’t be said for Joe Willock, who picked up an early knock. He ran it off, but the former Arsenal man just does not look robust or confident enough to cover Joelinton (who has missed 27 games over the past two campaigns) over a 50-60 game season, even if his late injury was unfortunate and another brutal blow for him.
A flat started saw Team K-League open the scoring on 37 minutes through Jin-gyu. A poor goal to concede as Jamaal Lascelles backed off and allowed the Korean to fire past Pope from close range.
Elanga’s touch and delivery was very hit and miss, with Gordon also struggling to exploit the space given to him down the left. Both looked rusty and Osula was struggling to get into the game in a hugely forgettable first half.
Howe made no changes at the break and two chances quickly came our way. Gordon burst past two on the break and played it wide to Krafth, who crossed well for Osula. The Dane got up well and glanced wide, then was given another chance seconds later, seeing his low shot blocked by the K-League goalkeeper after bursting into the box.
Osula had his third opening on the hour mark, cutting in from the left and firing a well hit effort on goal. However, much like his second chance, it was hit too close to the goalkeeper despite some decent approach play.
To add to our woes, Krafth pulled up and was replaced with 20 minutes to go. Ashby came on at right-back after a decent cameo on Sunday, while giant young stopper Max Thompson came on for his debut. A nice moment in an otherwise tough watch, with dad Ray Thompson (Newcastle’s kit-man) in the dugout to witness it.
Tonali then made way with 77 minutes on the clock, allowing Norwegian talent Travis Hernes to come on for his second outing of pre-season after featuring in the 4-0 defeat at Celtic two weekends ago.
In a move that summed up our lack of depth in Botman’s absence, Miley had dropped in at centre-back to partner Lascelles, with Howe’s reluctance to bring on Fabian Schar perhaps due to him limping slightly during Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal.
New signing Seung-soo Park made an immediate impression. Superb dribbling, spark, energy and urgency, with the winger immediately beating three men before forcing a corner.
That positive was then overshadowed slightly by what looked like a bad foot injury for Willock. It was not pretty and he was carried off in agony. A gutting moment for him and a blow that may leave us needing two midfielders now, I would argue.
Few positives to take, sadly, with big improvements needed ahead of Sunday’s clash with Spurs in our final game in Asia before a Sela Cup double next weekend.
Olly:-
You’ve hit the nail on the head Willock, he is just not robust enough, can’t understand why we got rid of Longstaff and kept him, apart from the £15m.
Joseph(Quote)
We just can’t sign anyone I can see Howe walking plenty of clubs would grab him
PL say m/city case is still months away,what a fiddle this is,gives the PL a team of shams
Icedog(Quote)
Fabrizio Romano Is such a clown!!
He thinks the reason we are struggling to buy players is we don’t have a good track record of selling players?!?!?!!! What the hell is he talking about???.
Surely you join a new team based on their ambition and the chance to either win things or play in Europe – what manager you may get to work with & how you might develop your career to maybe go on to represent your Country.
So far, other than Isak, all the players we’ve signed seem happy to stay 🤷🏼♂️.
Imagine speaking to a player you want to sign and saying ‘we think you should join us coz we will DEFINITELY sell you in 2 years – you can be sure of that’.
Absolute moron!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
I wonder what happened to this supposed set piece coach? We are still super **** at set pieces. 🤷🏻♂️
I’m getting almost as low now as I was under Ashley. We are regressing so badly. Especially when I see the Mackems sign players like Xhaka. 🤷🏻♂️
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So Isak turned up for 5 mins to the training ground, claimed to have a thigh injury (which scans show doesn’t exist) and left.
It’s now come to light that he’s been training on his own at Real Sociadad – his old club????
Who sanctioned that???
He is a NUFC player getting paid £120k pw by the club & they have allowed him to go out to Spanish?? – or maybe they haven’t and he’s just decided to do that himself.
Whatever sympathy or understanding of his situation I had before now has gone. That to me is unprofessional, petulant behaviour and I want him out the club now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
testing
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh it’s fixed
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I take it you couldn’t post either yesterday?
Sharpy17(Quote)
So Liverpool offer £110 with add ons that wouldn’t even take the total fee to £120m.
Bit of a cheek when we’ve said £150m but the fact he’s effectively gone on strike probably encourages them to try a lower offer.
I’d take that deal if it came with either Nunez or Elliott coming the other way as well – but if they aren’t willing to do that then they better find more money – coz that’s nowhere near.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Oh it’s fixed. I told Olly through fb that it was broken. Couldnt post since yesterday. I just got an error 403. I guess you were the same.
Pleased we rejected the bid. If they want him, pay what we want. £130m plus Elliott would do it. Maybe ever Nunez.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Same here mate, we was all locked out
kimtoon(Quote)
Even if they offer what we want, we don’t have his replacement so would be stupid to let him go.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sorry mate, think it was a 403 error code (that’s what I was told at least) and they’ve been trying to fix. All a bit manic!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Come on man Olly, it’s not like you’ve got a load of transfer articles to knock out 🙄😂😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Across update on pre-season games, Howe’s pressers, Isak, Sesko, strikers linked, Wissa saga, Cordero loan, CBs linked, Willock’s injury and the imminent arrival of a CEO and Sporting Director + signing of Ramsdale, I’d say there is still a fair bit to write about 😂
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
I feel like you’re making excuses buddy 😂.
It’s all a bit of a 💩 show really isn’t it mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thanks Olly, obviously all good now, at least re the site. As for our club, well that’s all 💩💩💩
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Like the others I tried to post yesterday but ‘hey hoe’ I’ll update today.
Its obvious Liverpool made their first underhanded offer on or about the cup final only it was to Isak not too Newcastle, its the way the ‘Pig Sicks’ do things and get away with. Isak obviously accepted shown by his attitude from then on. He made his choice then good or bad. My warning to him would be if they acted so underhanded to get you what will they do to get rid of you when the time comes, and it will. You have gone from Hero to Villain in double quick time!
Hope you will be fit and well no (slight thigh injuries) to play for your new club when you visit SJP I’m sure you’ll get a great reception.
nutmag(Quote)
So apparently Pool are saying via talksport that they won’t go back with another bid until newcastle give them encouragement .😂😂🤥🤡
That’s ok we just say to Isak, look they don’t value you enough to even try.😉
Really need a good couple of forwards in now so we can offload the k nob.
kimtoon(Quote)
Stories this morning that Sesko has u-turned and now wants to come to us rather than Manure, although not sure how true it is.
How good is the lad? I’ve never seen him play. I knows tall, 6’5”, and still only 22 which is good.
I think eventually Isak will move. Just a matter of time. Can Sesko fill his boots?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
In terms of trying to upset players & all that kind of stuff, from my perspective, we can only talk about our conduct. We try to do things in the right way. Signing players is always complex. We just try to do what we think is right. I can’t talk about other clubs, that’s not for me to say”
Eddie Howe
I think that tells us all we need to know lads.
Isak has been wound up by Pool and his agent and then they have low balled with offer. Walked away and ruined him. Almost feel sorry for him at this point.
Eddie howe has been a complete pro in backing and protecting Alex, pity Alex couldn’t return the favor.
kimtoon(Quote)
Not convinced by Sesko Gilly, I also think he’ll be using us as a stepping stone too. He supposedly dropped interest in Man u when we went back with better personal terms. It’s all about the money not loyalty.
I know he’s older but would prefer Watkins or Wissa
kimtoon(Quote)
Magpie 24/7
@Magpie24_7
·
16h
Alan Shearer on Liverpool’s Alexander Isak bid:
“£110M, £120M? For Isak? That’s just his goal-scoring foot. You don’t sell your best striker because a club with history gets sentimental. We’re not a feeder club, we’re building our own.”
kimtoon(Quote)
DailyMashHub is an easy-to-use platform offering tools for SEO, content checking, and trend analysis. http://dailymashhub.com/ It’s designed for bloggers, creators, and marketers who want to improve their content quickly without needing technical skills.
zeeshan ali(Quote)
we could do with some bloody defenders for gods sake,nice to be trying for forwards but get some defenders in PLEASE
icedog(Quote)
Agree Ice, this Isak fiasco has completely derailed our window/season and done the big clubs all manner of favors. We and Villa and forest and anyone else with ambition will not be aloud to continue an upward path unhindered.
Last time it was noise around Gordon, this time Isak. And next it will be Tonali or Tino or Bruno.
kimtoon(Quote)
Aye KIM your right there mate,it’s their ploy to disrupt clubs,one day they will get their comeuppance
Icedog(Quote)
Well something is happening with Sesko. Left out of Leipzig squad. If he comes, I trust Eddie can work his magic with him.
I see Ramsdale just announced too. Good. Pleased it’s a loan, we can see how he does. Now to move on some of the other goalies.
End of the line for Isaac Hayden too. A proper professional who always gave his all and never complained. Good luck to him.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUIJ59d5bbY&ab_channel=NewcastleUnited
Welcome Aaron
kimtoon(Quote)
Gilly there was a time his child wasn’t well and he wanted to go to be nearer the hospital his kid went to but he stayed and never kicked up a fuss to my knowledge. Isak should think about that and how to be a pro.
Good luck Isaac Haydon.
kimtoon(Quote)
So paddy power now saying they think Sesko will choose Man u. This has Ekitike written all over it.
They have our written offer, he likes our terms what’s the lad waiting for ?
We are being used again as a bargaining chip
Tell him we want answer by midday tomorrow or will pull out , sod this carry on.
kimtoon(Quote)
This window man, toon need to sack off this Sesko thing, They reject what they were asking for and now want a sell on fee too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – Isak has a sell on clause – we should offer Stuggart the same.
Basically is we sign Sesko for 75m we agree a 10% sell on for any profit we make off his sale.
So we sell him for 100m and Stuggart would make all of 2.5m 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree Sharpy. Any sell on won’t be that much if based on profit when we are paying that much. However if it is a lot, it means we’ve made a lot of profit on him, which means he’s done well for us. No brainer. 🤷🏻♂️
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I wonder what happened with this lad Vakthang Salia or whatever his name is. Was meant to be joking us on Aug 1st when he turned 18. Never heard anything more on him.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
How is he worth that much though , totally unproven in PL , reckon Klopp has told them to get as much as poss cause of what we are asking for Isak .
Or maybe they are just greedy.
No wonder Arsenal walked away.
kimtoon(Quote)
I think Salia joins us on his 18th birthday – 30 august.
No doubt he will be sent out on loan and kick his heels for a year.
We signed Miodrag Pivas last year – a centre back who also plays midfield defence -and they are positions we really need cover for. Unfortunately for him our loan arranger sent him to Willem ll and I believe he only played for a few minutes in the whole season – so he has probably gone backwards in his development,
It’s about time to stop our young players being sent abroad on loan deals.
sidekick(Quote)
Sidekick – yeah it’s Shola who oversees the loans mate & he needs shifting!!
We would be far better off loaning to Championship or league 1 clubs where we can monitor their progress better. The players can learn the English culture and actually the competition is probably better as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So it looks like Liverpool have made a BS bid for Isak then turned to Rodrygo at Madrid.
They are either trying to force Isak to make a move and put a transfer request in – or they weren’t all that bothered in the first place.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Our loans are basically dire! Very few work out in our favour. I wasn’t happy to see Cordero go to Belgium either. They just get lost and we rarely see their true value. They should bet first season in our U21s then maybe go to league 1 or championship club or even a lower premier league club. Even Brighton are able to send loanees to other premier league clubs ffs.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Plus, if we want them, in the future, to count towards our homegrown contingent for the likes of CL or Europa league, they need to be with us for 3 years before age 21? I think?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well at least Isak will see he’s been played now and get his head down for us.
kimtoon(Quote)
Re the Sesko kid. Keep Isak for another year and go get Wissa as Wilsons replacement. Are we really that desperate we would get mugged off for a 22 year old unproven player . There is a reason Arsenal walked away from buying him. Also it’s clear he wants the Man U move that’s why his agent got that story out about him preferring the Toon last night to draw out a bid from Man U. They are skint though and need to include a player in the deal.🙄
We are STILL waiting for the lad to say where he wants to go, he apparently will let everyone know where he wants to go soon 🤣Hilarious considering there is no choice to make as Man U have not made an official bid yet.
What ever, this window is a joke and it’s on us.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – Arsenal seemed to sign Gyokeres shortly after their new Sporting Director came in – maybe it was something as simple he had a better relationship with someone connected to the player – the selling club or his agent for example.
Just coz Arsenal turned their nose up doesn’t mean he’s a dud.
Liverpool opted for Nunez over Isak for example 🤷🏼♂️.
I don’t see a scenario where Isak stays after the way he’s gone on – and interestingly Howe is playing Gordon through the middle – I know he’s done it before so maybe I’m reading too much into it but … 🤷🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
1-0 down already 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
Anyone watching this Spurs match? We were so poor at the back once again for the Spurs goal. Glad we got back into it though and good goal from Harvey. Miley canny in midfield but Joelinton looks rusty.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’d like to see more of our Korean laddie. Hope he gets more time in this match.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Bruno lucky to be still on the pitch too. A red card if this was a premiership game
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Didn’t see the game , our Hazel came for lunch and I don’t see her that often, spent time on the veg and fruit patch, good to get away from Toon news for couple of hours tbh.
Sharpy, re Arsenal and Sesko, was chatting to some gunners fans yesterday funny enough and they were saying the club backed out due to wage demands and Leipzig being too greedy. Twatter was full of football fans of all clubs saying Leipzig smoking some dodgy stuff last night in relation to what they are asking for Sesko . Football has lost it’s soul , too much money in the game now.
kimtoon(Quote)
So Goncalo Ramos is another we are looking at now. Apparently have told Sesko team and club we want answer within 24 hours or we are out. TFFT
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh and Eddie doesn’t know if Isak will be at training. Read him the riot act and fine him if he doesn’t turn up.
kimtoon(Quote)