Newcastle (a) post-match thread

[kaz7]

I care. And you should surely. Surely you want us to win it and therefore care if someone else does. Why pretend you wouldn’t?

He said How annoying would it be if the dippers win the league by 3 or 4 points

I don't care if they win it,how does it matter by how many points,that's what i was saying

 

[kaz7]

If true that's not good. Thought the clubs scouting reports were supposed to find out about possible attitude issues etc.

I don't believe it was anything other than him being raring to go but he was held back a bit,i've seen nothing in his interviews that screams bad attitude

 

[kaz7]

To slow to predictable nobody willing to take a chance nobody playing for each other seems to be no confidence around the team atm it all points to unrest behind the scenes i just hope im well wide of the mark.

It points to no vinny and no leader,unrest is stretching it and i think wide of the mark

 

[lazerblue]

every man and his dog knows what shelvey does yet no one bothered to get close for the free kick

 

[WestGorton]

City had enough chances to win with ease. There lies the issue more than an other.

 

[manimanc]

City had enough chances to win with ease. There lies the issue more than an other.

Spot on with your post, this is a recurring theme in most games, we have shot after shot and usually nothing, other teams one shot one goal.
We need to be clinical, bernardo puts his chance away yesterday and it's 3 points, simple as.

 

[St.Pauli support]

every man and his dog knows what shelvey does yet no one bothered to get close for the free kick

Spot on.
And the slowest on the first yards tries to get in the way, Rodri, who should help in the air.

And the quickest on the 1st yards, Raz, was supposed to clear the header? Wtf was gong on? Panic?

Another general issue I will NEVER accept:
when you want to block the ball you simply can't turn away (as a professional!) as you can't see anymore where to block. Why is Rodri turning away? Take it for the team ffs. He surely would have survived.

 

[kippaxking79]

Looking back at our past few games we have resorted to pumping the ball aimlessly into the box. We are not the tallest team by any margin so don't know why this "tactic" has crept in. Its not as if they are proper crosses. Little dinks from the angle of the 18 yard box. Winds me up as even shite centre halves will mop them up most of the time. We need to re group and I keep looking at the fixtures convincing myself we will be down to 4/5 points behind after new years day, but in reality I can't see us not dropping points ourself. I think half of the 11 point gap was down to not strengthening in the summer. Vinnie was a huge player at this club, just didn't realise how huge until he's now departed.

 

[GoatersLeftShin]

I was up in Newcastle visiting family and watched the game in The Stack in the centre of town which is quite nice. Not much fun surrounded by Geordies celebrating like they'd won the league though.

Let's be honest now, given the last few games, this was on the cards. Granted we didn't lose but come on we should be able to hold a lead for 10 minutes against a team who are fighting relegation if we have ANY hope of winning the league. We had plenty of possession and plenty of chances but it's comical how lethal we make run of the mill opposition strikers look. I think they had 3 or 4 good chances and took 2. It's beyond a joke.

I am worried that Pep can't see the blindingly obvious: fast forwards against our defence will score. Plus, we look like we can be bullied by big centre forwards. If we carry on playing as we are, I do think that we'll be well out of the race by January. We have to change something. The idea we can win the Champions League with this team is completely delusional.

I think we need to get back to the basics and make sure the defence is tight. Make sure we're hard to beat as every single title winning team has a good defence, especially in the Champions League. I do wonder if the fact we look like we can concede against any attack is just causing a loss of confidence right across the team. I also wonder if having an extra player or two further back might encourage teams to come out a bit. At the moment, opponents are getting 9 in the box and waiting for the counter.

Left back is a serious problem but we can't afford months to see if Mendy will ever come back to any decent standard so we have to play Angelino. We should play Stones and Otamendi in central defence and if they aren't up to it, get rid of the pair of them (I don't think they are) and at right back it's Walker. That's going to be our strongest defence. In front, Fernandinho and Rodri and the rest can sort itself out.

I genuinely think this season might be the hardest one that Pep's had. I don't think spending in January is going to be the answer. Fresh legs, fitness and organisation don't get bought. We don't have any leaders on the pitch - we have good players, but not players. To some extent, I do wonder if Pep would've bought a 25 year old Kompany? Kompany was ok with the ball, probably not as good as the others but his determination, aggression and leadership were something else. I'm not sure you can buy that.

I am absolutely sure Pep knows what to do though. I'm more than happy with what I've seen over the last two years and if this season if one where we start rebuilding I'm happy with that.

 

[Eds]

Calmed down a bit after yesterday. Apart from a total inability to kill off teams what pissed me off more yesterday was most of the players running down the tunnel within seconds of the whistle and then the train being cancelled. More acknowledgment from Trans Pennine staff that their service is shit than from the multi millionaire players. Utter shithouses.