A truly awful display from Newcastle United this afternoon, both as a team and individually.
Our away form has been bad this season before today, but that was a new low and a performance lacking in any sort of quality, cohesion or heart.
Here are our marks out of 10 and comments on each player involved in today’s game:
Starting XI
Pope (4) – Without his 7 saves, it could’ve been an even more one-sided scoreline, but he didn’t cover himself in glory for Paqueta’s equaliser and made a mess of Bowen’s shot that fell to Soucek in stoppage time.
Krafth (3) – Never settled on the ball, barely got forward and was often left for dead by Summerville. Hooked at half time.
Thiaw (6) – The best of an awful bunch. By no meams at his best, but got a toe on ball to stop Bowen for the penalty claim and won a vital header at the back post to stop Wilson in the first half. Moved to right-back for much of the second half.
Botman (3) – Had a good battle with Wilson early on, but soon turned into a disastrous afternoon. Not his usual self on the ball and put through his own goal to make it 2-1 West Ham.
Burn (3.5) – Looked uncomfortable all game. Very lucky not to have been booked for a blatant pull at Bowen, out of position for Botman’s own goal to allow Wan-Bissaka in behind and struggled to support attacks.
Bruno (2) – Aside from his early assist for Murphy, I thought he had an absolute stinker. Booked for a bad foul that almost saw Paqueta score from a free kick, didn’t close down his shot for their equaliser, several giveaways in bad areas and sloppy passing, summed up by him passing the ball out of play just before West Ham made it 2-1.
Tonali (4) – Lacking that bite to his play, with his work on and off the ball a few levels below what we usually come to expect from the Italian.
Joelinton (2) – Clumsy on the ball, anonymous off it. Not sure how he avoided being hooked by Howe, as he cut a frustrated figure and was offering next to in our attempts to get back into the game.
Murphy (5) – Brilliant strike for the goal, but went missing after that. One or two well hit shots flew over but he never really got at Diouf.
Woltemade (4) – Struggled to hold ball with his back to goal, often looked isolated and barely a touch in the box, if at all. Disagree with Howe’s call to take him off at the break, but he wasn’t having much joy at all. A rare bad day for big Nick.
Gordon (2) – Taking him off at half time may have been a bad call in hindsight, but I thought he had a shocker. Ran into trouble so often, passing was slack and he wasn’t doing enough at the other end to track his man. Lost the ball so cheaply in the build up to West Ham’s attack that almost won them a penalty. Went down too easily, too.
Substitutes
Osula (4) – Didn’t look liked troubling West Ham’s low block, offering a bit of energy but no end product. Had one header that he should’ve done better with.
Ramsey (4.5) – Neat on the ball, compared to some, but made very little impact. Booked late on for shoving Paqueta.
Schar (4.5) – Another going through the motions and struggling to get things going as we tried to get back into it.
Barnes (4) – A forgettable cameo. Has the quality to make the difference but we saw none of it.
Elanga (4.5) – Needs to start taking on his man more. Lack of confidence clear again. One good ball in for Osula bumps up his mark slightly.
Shocking, the one thing you always got from us was commitment and fight. Not today. Can’t defend that. Top 5 is gone already realistically. Can we win a cup or sneak into the top 8 which might be conference league? That’s the aim now but I can’t see it this season tbh. Mid table which will really set us back ‘re progress and put loads of pressure on 26-27
East Stand(Quote)
Poorest game so far this season
Everyone at fault from Pope all the way to the top Howe
Gareth Forbes(Quote)
I’m loath to say it, but this is the first time I’m seriously concerned about Howe, I know we miss the full backs and Wissa but that’s no excuse for today, take the lead early and lose it against a team totally lacking in confidence with a toxic crowd. What’s the obsession with players like Jolinton who makes no impact whatsoever can’t keep holding on and playing players because they did season we finished 4th season that promised do much has sadly gone now take conference league spot now
Darren Bebb(Quote)
We need to talk about Bruno … way and well below standards on the field regardless of how well he represents and loves the club. He needs to drive this team as a CAPTAIN.
Sloppy is us.
RoguishBabel(Quote)
Darren Bebb :-
Joelinton has been absolutely awful for some time and Bruno needs too much time on the ball losing possession far too easily. We need an injection of pace and directness from both of them which is sadly lacking.
Neither had the excuse of tiredness as they were only afforded a few minutes against Tottenham.
As good a shot stopper Pope can be he was at fault for first and last goals and Ramsey must be given a chance.
Both fullbacks were exposed with Bissaka given all the freedom he needed due to a lack of tracking back by Gordon and Murphy was no help to Krafth.
I have said this numerous times but who motivates some of these lethargic players for away games as they seem entitled and disinterested.
Woltemade got no service at all today and needs to get further forward, has to link up play because Joelinton and Bruno are both incapable.
Tonali run ragged trying to do the work of three midfielders.
Elanga, remind me why we spent £55 million😩on him!
Desperately need Hall & Livramento back.
Joseph(Quote)
Joelinton needs dropping immediately, been a long long time since he had a good game. Full backs can’t come back quick enough. And Botman has been less than convincing since his return, could easily trade up on him. Need a kick up the rear for Wednesday
Keith(Quote)
Halloween horror players acting like an Ashley team and a manger pretending to be Joe kinnear.. Howe needs to step up and fix this nonsense asap
Mike(Quote)
Giving Pope a 4 is astounding.
He was criminally poor. Just let in one goal. Poorly punched and flapped at everything. Tried his best to let in Pacqueta free kick.
I’d say he would be fortunate to get a 1.
Hazz(Quote)
Pope needs dropping and ramsdale needs to be given a run ,as I feel more at ease when he’s in-between the sticks than pope. Elanga is the biggest flop of the season . But after that shitshow they all need to be fined imo .
Tonyb5671(Quote)