Lotus

That's the one!

2nd half was far from optimal and we were horrifically open at times, I mean at times they didn't ned to play through us, we weren't even there! But, we did get at them a good few times. It wasn't a 'fell to bits' 2nd half. Just feels like that emotionally because we dropped points from a winning position again.

What about that Schar foul after the fella had already shot? Was it against Sunderland?

Yeah, fine margins.

Looked back to earlier self.

Hate to be a pedant but it was clearly questionable. I can see why the ref is not sure it’s a foul from his PoV and I can see why VAR don’t consider it such an obvious error of judgment that they needed to refer the ref to the video replay to have another think about it. It was rough, a bit OTT but it was side on side, not a clear and obvious foul. If we’d have got a 3rd no one would be talking about past a post or two.

Yeah, unfortunately it will define his performance a bit today for some. We were very very brave/crazy leaving a 1 vs 1 at the back. C’est la vie.

More of that. If only for 55-60 mins. Makes a world of difference.

Outrageous core strength. Bastard.

True, just hoping a couple of the teams above us goes on bad runs while we’re on a good one.

I think if any of our players make those tackles/blocks on Chelsea players we’d see loads of Newcastle fans justifying it.

Not in the penalty area but I seem to remember a similar forceful challenge involving Onyewu. Didn’t think that was a foul either (haven’t seen it again in an age…).

Got to be honest, the James one is not a pen imo. Chalabah one could’ve gone either way.

Think if he’s does more good defensive work he’ll find his place in the team, with the ball as well. Really needs to pick up his man when a midfielder drifts late into the box. Happened again today.

Agree with @Sibierski except writing off CL for next year. Just never know.

Better again. Keep going!

I just feel for him now. Really want something to come off for him so it gives him a lift. Looks like he’s got imposter syndrome atm. Bless…

Caicedo looked ok to me. He certainly did his job and got close. Our 3 were always starting from too far away

We were awesome first half. We were soooooooooo open in the second half, CMs were absent so often, we were ragged trying to recover as they transitioned. I won’t apportion blame. Might have been Eddie wanted it tighter and the players ignored him (problem in itself) or he was ok with vulnerable we were systematically in the second half. Was certainly exciting. If either team had got a third there could’ve been no complaints. Shame about our finishing. Wont blame the officials for that result.

Thought he did so so well. I kept imagining what he’d be like with a good RW ahead of him. He does look like a CM playing there but I really thought he was top. Our defensive issues were in no way down to him.

James’s tackle wasn’t a pen. The Chalabah one is 50/50 for me. If the ref gives it VAR don’t overturn it but from the Ref’s PoV, I can see how it looks like a shoulder to shoulder challenge. Thought we were so good in the 1st half. Don’t k know if it’s just emotion and disappointment at the draw but our tactics in the 2nd half just seemed suicidal. No central midfield protection for the defence. Loved the ambition going forward but we didn’t ever adjust to what they were doing. Really though if we were gonna play like that Willock should’ve been on for Bruno at around 55-60 mins mark. We needed someone who could sprint back every other minute. Very happy for Wolt. Thought Gordon looked top, Barnes also looked threatening. So was Miley, great stuff at RB, really really good. Murphy was a mix, Elanga……mmmmm. Ramsey much better. Bruno good 1st half, needed positional discipline 2nd half. Tonali was a machine. Hall, very good. Thiaw good except that… Schar looked like an old man.

It’s worth remembering that Anderson did go out on loan so that helped his development. Also, he wasn’t getting the minutes here that he needed to grow into the player he is now.

EH isn’t big on trusting young players even if the older or more established players are hugely off form or just crap/barely doing anything on the pitch (see Isak last year). Just hope Miley is ready. Would benefit so much from more starts.

Wonder if Miley gets a run of games at RB now instead of Murphy. If EH thinks he’s ready it would be great for his development. Work on his tackling and defensive positioning. Also gives him some time and space to get his head up and play some forward balls.

And Pope