Newcastle (H) | PL | Post-Match Thread

[oldius]

Fucking hell, match of the day made it out like we'd have been lucky to draw yesterday, never mind win

I thought we were very comfortable other than that 5-10 minutes after they made 3 subs

They did, even at one point suggesting that Newcastle had enough chances to win the game. It is a nonsense argument, because we were the better team for the vast majority of the game. It always felt to me like we could raise it at any point too. Thankfully, I spoke with a realistic Newcastle fan who simply said, "It's about quality, and we don't have enough quality to beat you ."

I think we have the makings of a truly exceptional team. If I take Haaland, Grealish, Foden, Alvarez, Rodri, Ake, Dias, Ederson, Stones and Lewis as the bedrock of the future, and add some really high quality to it, we could have another dominant period, IMO. I think that it is clear that KDB and Gundo are coming to the end, especially in terms of top-end performance, for 90 minutes, twice a week. They are going to need rotating more, should they stay.

 

[ZanteWeatherman]

Good performance against a decent team. Good to see Foden back to his best and an inspired substitution bringing Bernardo on for an under par De Bruyne.

Although Ederson made an important save at the end and there was a couple of ball punches that stopped potentially dangerous attacks, his distribution seems to have gone to pot. Lost count of the number of times the ball went into touch or we lost possession due to unforced errors. He needs to get his act together. Luckily the defence were on their game so any shortcomings from Ederson went unpunished.

Yep, Ederson, apart from some early and dogshit wayward passes, when he went long, many of them were 'Joe Hart specials'. Straight into the crowd on the half way line. Unusual from him.

 

[Paul1970]

What do you mean “bottled the game”. The team played well but did not take their chances. Nothing to do with bottling - we played well but not well enough as it turned out

Bottled it upfront that day snatching at chances when clear and making wrong decisions . Our forwards bottled the chances .

 

[stonerblue]

I'm totally guessing that his pass completion rate was one of the best yesterday.

Seems theres a growing band of posters with a downer on Akanji who, for me, has been excellent from day one.

 

[oldius]

Yep, Ederson, apart from some early and dogshit wayward passes, when he went long, many of them were 'Joe Hart specials'. Straight into the crowd on the half way line. Unusual from him.

Very unusual for him.

 

[Keeper!]

Yeah, Tbf I think we were always gonna need to beat them at ours - which we’ve already proved we can do - so Iooking beyond the hyperbole/media reactions, in the cold light of day I’m not sure their game yesterday means anything more than another 3 points for them in a home match against beatable opponents.

The result yesterday for Arsenal was huge, let's not kid ourselves.

 

[Gone for a Burton]

Dias enjoys the art of defending in a way that Laporte doesnt......if that makes sense

Dias was magnificent in his defending and leadership.

Wilson started by backing in to in to him and Akanji and generally trying to mess them about.

Ruby soon took control and got in first,fierce and fair, taking control of the whole situation.

His leadership and game management in the last ten minutes was masterful.

He doesn’t need to be appointed captain, he’s simply a natural leader.

 

[chesterbells]

The result yesterday for Arsenal was huge, let's not kid ourselves.

Honestly mate, I don’t buy it. No matter how much I read about “limbs” at fortress Highbury etc etc, that game won’t matter one jot when they come to play at our place in April. It’ll be water under the bridge by then.

Their players know we’ve beaten them home and away this season; a later winner yesterday won’t erase that.

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

Great performance from everyone. Well played City. Onwards and upwards.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Akanji couldn't pass a stool, sadly.

Isak left him for dead at the byline and he was also marking fresh air when Wilson missed his second sitter after the break.

I'm not sure what Akanji is good at, apart from passing under no press?

He's weak as shit in the air and positionally, very poor.

I think we go up another couple levels again now Stones is fit and can play alongside Ruben.

Otherwise, Laporte has to play.