Newcastle United (H) | PL | Post Match Thread

[JDV]

Kovacic does look gundo-esque, just no where near as good … yet.

The probing snd short passing is there, im looking forward to doing it higher up the pitch, like gundo did

It was Kovavic's brilliant probing pass up the pitch to Foden which lead to the goal.

94% passing accuracy throughout as well.

 

[Keeper!]

Kovacic does look gundo-esque, just no where near as good … yet.

The probing snd short passing is there, im looking forward to doing it higher up the pitch, like gundo did

Kovacic has done far more at this stage of his City career than Gundo did.

I love Gundo, but for the first couple of seasons he was ordinary, he became a great player in his last 3 seasons.

Kovacic has been outstanding so far, and I am sure he will become a lot better.

 

[Sir peace frog]

I praised the team last night, but woke up this morning with a thought, mo not that sort:)

My favourite player since the takeover is zabba, loved his attitude, loved his commitment, of course not the most technical compared to who has played for us for he had bollocks and heart, yesterday we showed the world that you can have all the skills in the world but without bollocks and heart you don't get in this city team,

So proud of the team for their efforts

 

[Tevez City]

Whats more important than the 3 points is Foden's performance.

Pep should keep starting him there until KDB return

 

[KS55]

I would have taken a draw before the match after midweek

Yes, I forecast a draw. What do I know? Nothing. Well done lads, a superb performance. Phil is a natural number 10, up there with Modric.

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

I just stood and marvelled at that performance, the control was incredible, there is a danger of buying into what Pep wants too much (as a fan) and being easily pleased, but he conducted that game from his Friday presser, to when he walked off the pitch after his lap….he almost played possum with Newcastle, making us out to be there for the taking, we are short of manpower, we’re tired, Newcastle are a great team, they run & run, were just some of his quotes, the guy is a psychological genius, the subtleties of how he plants a seed is something else

 

[AirbagsOptionalTheReturn]

Whats more important than the 3 points is Foden's performance.

Pep should keep starting him there until KDB return

He has played in the middle before and been amazing for one game. What he needs now is to make it more consistent from the centre. Not every game will be 9/10 out of 10 but every game in the middle needs to be 7/8 out of 10 at the least

 

[crossie]

That was very satisfying, well done lads. Newcastle will get plenty of away wins and cause whoever finish in the top 4 lots of problems. I’m maybe one of a few who is ok with seeing what life in the future without Kevin might be like for a few months & I feel ok about it!

 

[pride in battle]

Kovacic does look gundo-esque, just no where near as good … yet.

The probing snd short passing is there, im looking forward to doing it higher up the pitch, like gundo did

Kovacic has always been class, can't believe people haven't seen it before?

 

[Vic]

I’ve never seen any back 4 and mids play triangle , circle, pentagon, geometry trigonometry in a single match like today.
pep is fucking unreal .

Particularly playing out from the back. But it either ends with Eddie sending the ball long and he might have done that in the first place or we beat the press with a ball to the wing but then seem just a bit reluctant to take advantage of having left 3 opponents behind the ball. (There were times I wanted more adventurous play and times I wanted more caution...)

It looks effortless too. I would have wondered how much effort really does go into players being in the right place to do it (especially when energy is in short supply) but then I thought how much energy the opponents expend trying to stop it.

Anyone got stats for the distance Walker covered? I'm guessing it was the highest of any City player.

It must be so frustrating for opponents. I love it.

 

[Gundoggin]

Pep was very emotional after the game celebrating with the fans . He knew that performance from City was top drawer when we were right up against it . I hope he had a good night’s sleep he looks absolutely fucked the lad !
Still buzzing absolutely awesome result CTID

 

[MadchesterCity]

Reports of our demise, from a lot in this forum, have been very much exaggerated. 2 league games, 2 wins, no goals conceded, players to come back. Pep was made up, first time I can recall him going round the pitch at the end of a home league game like that. Excellent performance. I know they aren’t our rivals and I shouldn’t be bothered but rags losing as well is a nice extra. That Eddie Howe is a ****, his team kicked fuck out of us

I actually like Howe, good manager, he’s a well spoken respectful guy who never bad mouths his opponent (certainly from what I’ve seen in his post match City games interviews)

 

[GSW Blue]

That was some performance. We made the best team the world has ever seen look ordinary.

Phil was superb but I was most impressed with how Kova and Gvardiol have just slotted in as though they’ve both been here years.

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

I just stood and marvelled at that performance, the control was incredible, there is a danger of buying into what Pep wants too much (as a fan) and being easily pleased, but he conducted that game from his Friday presser, to when he walked off the pitch after his lap….he almost played possum with Newcastle, making us out to be there for the taking, we are short of manpower, we’re tired, Newcastle are a great team, they run & run, were just some of his quotes, the guy is a psychological genius, the subtleties of how he plants a seed is something else

To add to that (I’m just watching motd) he had a hand in the goal too! With more orchestrating from the throw in

 

[ManCityGR!]

Agreed. Outside of the actual performance, my takeaway was definitely that we need two more quality players. Olmo and Doku would be the dream but I'm not sure how unrealistic that may be this late in the window.

We got(or will get soon) another 30M for Cancello, we were treble winners and got a huge amount of money from there, so late or no late is irrelevant, we HAVE to sign 2 more good players it would be a crime and a shame to our team if we don't.
There is no logic whatsoever to not make 2 good signings. All top teams spend and spend and spend but we are extra extra cautious while we have the money to spend and we also have the smallest squad. This is crazy.

 

[svennis pennis]

Kova is top class and much nearer to Gundo than you seem to think.

Also, not many players slot into City’s midfield so seamlessly. He would have been MotM today bit for a stellar performance from Foden.

I don’t really remember Gundo ever dancing his way past three / four players to break the press / lines in the way Kovacic does… certainly not multiple times a match.

Think the mistake here is to compare the two, we’ve never really replaced players with a ‘like for like’ and nor do I think Pep wants that as it makes us predictable.

Kovacic’s start has been incredibly impressive, he has us ticking in midfield and he is already linking play and conducting himself with total class. Absolutely bonkers that Chelsea let him go.

 

[Bigga]

I've not been able to read the thread as it's gone on (work, tiredness, blah, blah), however watching the game yesterday I was impressed with Ederson, Kovacic, Gvardiol and Foden (Walker as well to some degree).

What can one say about Ederson? Gone are my nerves of 'shit, he's gonna fuck up' and now I just enjoy the show. Controlled in chaotic moments. It's exceptional and I don't care anymore as I trust him as much as any outfield player.

It certainly looked like Kovacic loved his role buzzing around the middle, that he only did in fits and starts at Chelsea. From just short bursts and short passes to longer dribbles shows his confidence and influence growing. He had me nodding my head at some of his antics! Haha!

Foden... Grew into the game once he knew where the best gaps were... My only gripe is his end product delivery to Haaland. The difference of delivery between KdB and Foden is night and day and it needs working on. I expected balls to curl into the shooting angle, but they were balls straight at angles driving EH out or under his feet.

Frustrating, but I'm sure he'll readjust as that partnership is, potentially, frightening/ just as lethal as EH and KdB.

Not sure why Haaland has gone back to last season's start as he got his goals after being more involved in the play.

Overall, I think we're just coming out of preseason mode and dust the cobwebs off after next week.

 

[nellyonthewing]

That was some performance. We made the best team the world has ever seen look ordinary.

Phil was superb but I was most impressed with how Kova and Gvardiol have just slotted in as though they’ve both been here years.

‘Phil was superb’ - wow your expectations are pretty low in all honesty.

 

[jimharri]

Just had my first decent look at the Gordon challenge on Ruben. That was sly. He knew what he was doing.

 

[GSW Blue]

‘Phil was superb’ - wow your expectations are pretty low in all honesty.

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback.