TRon

The reason is quite simply that most of us have assumed he was primarily a defensive midfielder who can bring the ball out. Watching highlights of his fantastic passing and carrying the ball doesn't necessarily change his primary role. It's great that he can do most everything, although notably doesn't offer much of a goal threat, so that would be why he's probably seen more of a disruptor and playmaker type. I assumed he would be replacing Shelvey based on that, but if he's actually more of an AM then I can see the logic of playing him further forward instead of Willock.

Spot on.

Especially after the win against Everton. Personally I was aiming for 5 points from the three games against Everton, Villa and West Ham. Not spectacular, but a steady accumulation against very decent teams. If we get more, great, but I doubt other teams at the bottom will match that.

Heard he had something of a calf niggle at the end, but presumably it was just an after effect of a gruelling game and shouldn't keep him out on Sunday, since we've heard nothing since.

I'd prefer a midfield of Bruno, JL and Willock. No Shelvey at all.

Went to register NUFC TV after watching that, and realised I'm already a member. Says everything about how we've been run that I never even bothered logging on for years.

Wow, I loved watching that.

The only logic I can see in starting Shelvey ahead of Willock is if we aren't looking to press too high early in the game, and are looking to just control the tempo. Then maybe bring Willock on as a sub when we need to ramp it up. But let's be clear, neither of them are undroppable, both have glaring weaknesses in their game. I think Willock can improve though, so at some point I think he'll be starting ahead of Shelvey in the not too distant future. Although both might be upgraded in the summer if the owners are as ambitious as we think they are.

He doesn't give the ball away much, I guess that's worth something.

I mean that's how I would view it, especially since Joelinton and Willock are running back when we lose the ball as well. They are both box to box players, I don't think Bruno should need any more protection than that, and given the space Shelvey operates in, surely he should be able to get that ball up the pitch very effectively when he's got it?

Not being a thick cunt or a bell end certainly helps.

Yes he's economical on the ball, I will happily concede that, but he's never going to do the type of pressing off the ball that Willock did which led to the 3rd goal. I guess there is an argument to leave in in his relatively low horsepower role in front of the defence and move Bruno up to do the pressing, but still seems like we are losing some bite in the midfield as a result.

There's no way he'll be starting next season. He was an emergency signing, and in no way will he be good enough beyond the next few months. But if we stay up at least it can be said it was a price worth paying. I'm inclined to agree we could have bought better though. He's struggling to control the ball at present, but tbh he had a decent goal return before this season.

Because he's slow to cover ground. You can see it coming a mile off when he goes thundering in for those diving tackles from yards away. Shelvey's got a lot of quality on the ball, but he's best just screening players when he's defending, he just ends up taking their legs.

Think we'll get at least a point. I like Howe's comment that we would be approaching this game sensibly and with patience, because I think Villa are dangerous opponents, and would love to hit us on the counter. Might be more of a chess match than the game last night, so we need to keep our heads and hopefully take our chances when they come.

Agree, plus he moves the ball really quickly as well. Nothing flash, but just quick one touch passes forward which get the ball up the pitch effectively. He's not going to be overlapping like Trippier does, but that doesn't mean he can't contribute to attacking moves. He was one of the best players on the pitch last night, and not all of that was about defending.

^ That's the match report from the Times in case anyone wants to read it. I love me a Henry Winter write up of a memorable Newcastle match.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/kieran-trippier-scores-majestic-free-kick-to-bring-new-hope-for-newcastle-ztrv5b7vc

Think he lacks a bit of pace these days, not sure if he ever had much, and obviously his passing is very basic, but he is a solid enough defender. He's the one you would have seen being replaced long term by Carlos.

Said it on here before, but the one thing I really loved about Ben Arfa was how strong he was on the ball for such a slight fellow. I see a bit of that in Bruno, how he just keeps players off the ball using bodyweight and leverage. Just massively underappreciated due to PFM culture around the club at the time.

Love the fact that he explains so carefully that he's not trying to have a dig at the previous regime but ends up doing it anyway.

Robert's end product was insane from what I can recall. He didn't dribble as much, was a bit more direct, but his left foot was a wand, could cross the ball with real whip, and had a rocket left foot on the shot.

Easy to forget just how productive HBA was at his best, that too in a Pardew side.

It's not. Some people are getting annoyed that he's attracting criticism, but in the end as long as we stay in the Premier, no one will be too bothered. That doesn't mean we can't say there were better options. I can understand why we bought him btw, I thought it was a shrewd signing at the time, Premier experience and a reasonable goals record. I just didn't realise how bad the rest of his game is. I'm still hopeful he'll bag a few goals before the end of the season anyway, but would rather we bought someone who's hold up play was a lot better.