Lush Vlad

Small sample size. But on the whole, we have looked shite with 3 or 5 at the back. Might change with two strikers on and with the right personnel, of course.

I don't think Trippier starts until the weekend in the cup. I have a feeling Tonali might play, as well. Then get a rest on Saturday. Just based on Howe not always rotating too much and when he made the subs and who came off. I'd like Miley back in midfield at some point, so Tino in at right back would be good. But again, I think Miley back into midfield might wait until the FA Cup and all. Expecting a lot of changes for that, with the semi final coming 4 days later.

Poor old Barnes. 3rd choice left winger now.

Bit of a mistake from him/them there. Doesn't he play for Inter now? They've got it down as Sassuolo or however you spell it.

They seem to press high up and go man for man or at least leave a lot of space in behind whenever I've seen them recently. In some ways, that should suit us. As we all know how much better we are when the game is stretched and I don't think teams against them have had too much bother finding a way around. But we're also atrocious at navigating our way round or through/over a press. I think Joelinton needs to play for that reason, as he is often the out ball and one of our only players good at holding the ball up back to goal when it is clipped into him. He has a knack of finding space for that mid range pass into him from the back, too. I suppose you could make an argument for Woltemade for being better at making the ball stick than Wissa, despite not being a target man. But then Wissa makes the pitch bigger. Just not sure he'll start 3 games in a row fairly close together? Looks like Barnes will be starting, with Murphy injured. I'll say it again even though it won't happen. But FFS put Gordon on the right and Barnes on the left. I'm still convinced we'd be a better team that way around when you think of both their attributes.

Not paid that much attention to Amorim's press conferences or owt. But never found him likeable or anything like so many others seem to. I found him irritating to listen to, TBH. Seemed to have a couple of phases of just daring the club to sack him. Then always using the system and time to adapt as an excuse. Whilst putting in dreadful performances most weeks and ending up with a terrible points return over his time at the club. I also thought he got an incredibly easy time of it in comparison to so many other managers. In particular, foreign ones. Who the press and pundits love to go after.

I thought you were going to mention Gordon and Wissa’s celebration for a second. That was awful

7 goals and 2 assists, isn’t it? EDIT: Just checked and it is. 2 assists in the Carabao and all. So 11 g&a in total. Not too shabby.

City picked up a few defensive injuries yesterday I see. With other knocks and AFCON maybe still meaning they have players missing. It should help us next week. They could look light (by their standards) for our game.

I thought they were much better yesterday. We looked a threat on almost every corner and the delivery was usually spot on. It’s far from perfect and our free kicks aren’t particularly inspiring. But I think we’ve started bagging a few goals from corners now?

Ha. I know you did. I’m similar TBF. They can’t understand mu southern accent, anyway.

I sat next to you at a game once. Can confirm

I’m sure he was just shouting ‘NEWCASTLE’ over and over when he was celebrating. All with a big grin on his face. Some boy.

what a whopper.

Not sure it’s comparable? That’s to do with arguably the best manager the club have ever had (in most of our lifetimes, certainly) and a load of impatient fuckers who want him sacked at the first sign of prolonged bad form. There’s plenty on here that can’t wait to repeat themselves on loop about player X being shite, or Y not being good at this or that. Now they’ve played a handful of games. Of course they’ve been proven correct. Even if you have been proven correct. Who the fuck cares? Have a gold star and fuck off.

I didn’t celebrate the Gordon goal. As I thought he was about 2 yards offside. Shows how good his movement is that he was barely off. Makes some great runs and his movement is good. Always lively and on the move. He does often look offside, mind. But that could just be a timing thing and getting used to his teammates. We’re hardly blessed with midfielders that will regularly find him.

I think he has had 2, possibly 3 off the line this season already from set pieces. Along with some decent saves against him (Sels for Forest?). He’s going to get 7 in all comps, I reckon.

I was actually a bit worried about Mateta’s physicality against Schar and Thiaw. As Schar isn’t the strongest or biggest and I thought Thiaw had looked a bit below his very high standards the last few games. How wrong I was. Like you say, Thiaw dominated him. Superb on the ball. Always looking for a forward or incisive pass instead of a clearance or going back to Pope. He has learned to only use him if he has to

You’re preaching to the converted there brother. I love Big Nick (P and W).

Don’t worry. Barnes will start. Just on the right. Howe showed he doesn’t mind switching wingers today. Switched Willock and Barnes. I’m sure we might see it a bit against Leeds….. 🤥

This place is full of bitter ‘I told you so’ types. Who keep the receipts for months on end and revel in supposedly being proven correct. Even if it is a negative for NUFC.

Reece James on Cherki there. Far less force or contact than Chalobah on Gordon. Of course it’s a foul.

Involved in both goals to some degree. Was it his header on target that led to the corner when Thiaw scored? Not as quick or as physical as Gordon and not as good at carrying it. But he always looks to make something happen with a cross, pass or shot. He’s better on the ball in tight spaces and all.

Thought he was lively first half. He is quality when he just acts on instinct and tries to move it quickly or commits to taking his man on. His workrate was great all game. Second half he got annoying. Seems to slow the play down and just never makes a decision or invariably makes the wrong one.

He booked Gordon for a great tackle and I think he gave us a few favourable ones and all. Ok for the most part. But not sure you can ignore that corner first half. Where I’m sure Miley has already clipped it in and he blows as if it’s a dead ball, to warn Hughes. Who has rugby tackled Thiaw to the ground. Just give the penalty you absolute bottle job.