Decent point I thought. Anyone who thought Newcastle would be a pushover at this stage in the season does not have a clue.
We need to beat Stoke. After they got humiliated last night by Spurs, and with the Real Madrid game looming, we have to dig 3 points out of that game
I agree we played poorly. But no worse than how we have played for most of the season. Entirely predictable and I am therefore happy enough with the point. Means we have to beat StokeNo-one though i would be easy
However that does not excuse the performance at all -it isn't a decent point its two points dropped in a huge race for 4th spot......newcastle were there for the taking and we were absolutely woeful
If we were capable of beating Chelsea 3-0 away and beating a team desperate to avoid relegation we'd be Title contenders.The safety margin has gone now. We must beat Stoke. No point in getting to the SF of this year's CL if we're not in next year's competition: Pep's rebuild is probably dependent upon it.The remaining league games should be the top priority. Finishing third/fourth, although far from a gimme,is far more likely to be achieved than actually winning the CL this season. We won't do this, of course, and will risk falling between the two stools. I'm feeling totally depressed after tonight's non performance. Most definitely two points lost.
Yes....but those world class players have either been injured, playing with an injury, or just coming back from an injury for a large part of the season. Plus one or two of our better players have clearly lost a yard or two of pace. This has left us relying on squad players to fill a big void and leaving us with with a squad that really is no better than spurs or arsneal. Take the best 5 or 6 best players out of any team (lets say Barca or Madrid) and they will struggle and not perform to their usual high standards. This doesnt excuse some of our performances but at the same time its no surprise we have struggled. In fact its quite an achievement to win a cup and make the sf of cl whilst working with an injury ravaged squad..... Not to be sniffed at really.The teams ability should be greater than the sum of its parts really. We have a couple of world class players which is more than most in the league and enough capable players who have been on and done it on the biggest of stages. But they look like a bunch of strangers, even in half our wins.
What the fuck do they do all week in training? Apart from gob off to the media about how the next match will be different.
The safety margin has gone now. We must beat Stoke. No point in getting to the SF of this year's CL if we're not in next year's competition: Pep's rebuild is probably dependent upon it.The remaining league games should be the top priority. Finishing third/fourth, although far from a gimme,is far more likely to be achieved than actually winning the CL this season. We won't do this, of course, and will risk falling between the two stools. I'm feeling totally depressed after tonight's non performance. Most definitely two points lost.
Couldn't agree more. As you say though, I have a horrible feeling we'll rest vital players in league matches and risk missing out on everything. Right now, Pellegrini's objectives probably don't line up with what's best for the club. He won't be here next season and is bound to be prioritising the champions league.
The safety margin has gone now. We must beat Stoke. No point in getting to the SF of this year's CL if we're not in next year's competition: Pep's rebuild is probably dependent upon it.The remaining league games should be the top priority. Finishing third/fourth, although far from a gimme,is far more likely to be achieved than actually winning the CL this season. We won't do this, of course, and will risk falling between the two stools. I'm feeling totally depressed after tonight's non performance. Most definitely two points lost.