If one Newcastle player was trying to take responsibility, battle and get us back into yesterday’s game at Sunderland, it was Bruno Guimaraes.
The Brazilian was still well below his brilliant best, but he didn’t hide and was the player to have our only two shots on target, summing up just how toothless our front three was all afternoon.
Speaking to the media after the match, Bruno did not hold back when discussing a frankly pathetic display, calling it a “mess” as he openly criticised our lack of consistency, questioned our mentality and lack of fight:
“I’m very angry, I’m so embarrassed and so frustrated. There was no crossing, no passing and no shooting. No nothing. It was a mess, in my opinion.
“We know we have a better team than them (Sunderland) but we didn’t play like the better team. It was a mess.
“The consistency isn’t there, the mentality isn’t there. We didn’t compete. The fans expect and deserve better.
“We accepted the way they play with the long balls. You need to compete in a derby and we didn’t.
“We only have one way we can go from here…and that’s winning in a few days.”
In quotes shared by ESPN, Bruno also discussed our inability to win duels, lack of quality on the ball and the justified criticism that will be coming the team’s way from supporters:
“It’s a tough one to accept for me. I’m very frustrated. One of those weeks we were very excited at the training ground, but we came here and didn’t perform the way we can perform.
“So frustrated and it makes me feel angry about our performance today. We were not there. No shooting the ball, no crossing the ball, no passing. We should have demanded the ball more.
“I think we just accepted the way they will play, long balls, win the duels. In derbies we have to win the duels. It’s not just as a defeat, more the way we play.
“The fans are right [to criticise] because it’s a tough one to accept. We had a great opportunity to go in front of them and we just missed it. For me it’s so frustrating.”
Bruno is right and summarises our fundamental issues well, but we need actions now, not words.
He is not the problem and I suspect it would’ve been a different story on Sunday if we had 11 players with his heart and quality on the pitch. However, something is clearly wrong and must change if we’re to turn around what is quickly turning into a nightmare season.
Fulham on Wednesday is huge, as is Saturday’s clash with Chelsea in the Premier League, but it will take more than just a few wins to make up for that unacceptable derby display.
If only we can persuade the scousers to come back in for Gordon. He’s an absolute disgrace, looks completely disinterested with zero work rate. Elanga’s confidence is shot, can’t see him starting again for a long time.
Keith(Quote)
Gordon has just gotten too big for his boots. It’s not that he can’t play, it’s that he chooses not to. If yesterday was a cup final or a Champions League game he’d be giving it the big I am. Instead he thought it would be a game you don’t need to turn up for and you’ll still get a result (which I don’t think you should treat any game that way, especially not a derby). Since getting a shot at England, winning the cup and Champions League football it’s gone to his head. I think there’s a few players that’s the mentality that’s crept in. Stop being lazy and do your job I’d say.
Barry(Quote)
The worrying thing for me is that this type of performance is not a one off, it has been like this for most of the season with lapses of concentration in defence, sloppiness in midfield and forwards who can’t score goals consistently.
The goals Gordon has got are mostly from the spot so that’s no recommendation.
Eddie Howe doesn’t seem to know what to do just like when Bournemouth were relegated and is coming out with the same rhetoric every time.
He needs to change to a system that suits the players and stop putting square pegs in round holes.
Woltemade is a good player but he definitely isn’t a centre forward, and we need one badly.
You can be too nice as a manager and Howe needs to learn to be a B…..D like Ferguson could be.
Joseph(Quote)
but it will take more than just a few wins to make up for unacceptable displays this season.
Fixed this bit for you Olly 👍
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Howe failed big time with his strategy and man management. He chose to close an eye on the Inconsistent Gordon and Elanga . The team had stopped pressing for many games and resulted in high pressure of the defence. This must be strategy of the manager. Our players were much better when they press and attack rather than just strolling with the attackers and try to block crosses and shots . Tonali and Jolinton had not been their usual self of aggressive pressing. Even Woltmade started to press and tackle less. This manager has to go.
J(Quote)
All three wingers are good running into space with the ball, but recently seem to get the ball too deep. They then have to beat their man and/or gallop 50 yards up the wing being challenged all the way. Need to get back to the Tripps/Murph type overlap that got the winger a free run in behind.
AW(Quote)