HaydnNUFC

S.L. BENFICA @ St. James' Park So, us and this lot meet again. It was against Benfica that we last played a knockout European tie. Still felt we were the better side in the away leg, it was in the home leg where our then manager quite literally said that we wouldn't bother attacking them until 70 minutes. We scored in the 70th minute. Benfica were a good side at the time, when they knocked us out they had only lost 2 matches in all competitions, the only teams to beat them being Barcelona and Spartak Moscow in the Champions League group stages that season. LAST TIME OUT? Quarter finals of the 2012-13 Europa League. After a dreadful first half of the season, an influx of France-based players in January saw us pick our form up from February to the outset of April particularly at home; we won 4 consecutive home games going into the home leg of the quarter final against Chelsea, Southampton, Stoke and Fulham. Three of those four featuring late winners. We were arguably the better side in the first leg, Cisse scoring and missing a couple of gilt edged chances at 0-1. Lapses in concentration defensively and in the second half saw us lose the first leg 3-1 but we took a vital away goal into the second leg. The first leg started with constant Benfica pressure and Krul making some decent saves. Cisse finally managed to beat the offside trap after having 2 goals disallowed either side of half time and put us 1-0 in front on the night, meaning one more goal would take us through. Ben Arfa cut inside late on before firing over, which was what most thought of as our moment to go through. Benfica were able to hit us on the break and equalise on the night in stoppage time, putting us out. Slightly bizarre tactics on the night but an enjoyable run. Little did we know we would not return to Europe until 2023; it always stuck with me when I was leaving the ground that night when some bloke next to us remarked to his mate 'that's no more European football for about 10 year'. He was right. The teams that night; NUFC: Krul, Simpson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Williamson, Haidara, Anita, Cabaye, Bigirimana, Sissoko, Cisse, Gutierrez SLB: Artur, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo, Ola John, Gaitan, Matic, Almeida, Perez, Lima, Salvio WHAT ABOUT THEM CURRENTLY? Former Wolves manager Bruno Lage got the bullet after throwing away a 2-0 home lead to Azerbaijani side Qarabag and they only went and replaced him with Jose Mourinho. A divisive figure but one I personally like from how he's spoken about his affinity with us through Sir Bobby Robson who he still refers to as 'Mr. Robson'. They lost 1-0 to Chelsea in their last Champions League game and won 2-0 in a Taca de Portugal tie away to second tier Chaves on Friday. ANY TIES BETWEEN THE CLUBS? Helder; Played for Newcastle United on loan from Deportivo la Coruna from 1999-00. 12 apps, 1 goal. Played for Benfica in two spells from 1992-96 and from 2002-04. 123 apps, 8 goals. Laurent Robert; Played for Newcastle United from 2001-05. 181 apps, 32 goals. Played for Benfica in 2006. 18 apps, 2 goals. HOW WELL DO WE DO AGAINST PORTUGUESE SIDES AT SJP? 2012-13: Drew 1-1 v Benfica (Europa League) 2012-13: Drew 1-1 v Maritimo (Europa League) 2004-05: Won 1-0 v Sporting Lisbon (UEFA Cup QF) 2004-05: Drew 1-1 v Sporting Lisbon (UEFA Cup group stage) 1969-70: Won 1-0 v Porto (Inter Cities Fairs Cup) 1968-69 Won 1-0 v Sporting Lisbon (Inter Cities Fairs Cup) 1968/69 Won 5-1 v Vitoria Setubal (Inter Cities Fairs Cup)

I think his fitness record going back to the start of 2023-24 is second worst only to Wilson’s. He’s missed about a whole season’s worth of football matches in that time up to now. Despite good performances here and there it’s been probably since the mackem cup game when he went off after 0-2 injured where the downturn in most of his performances have been. He’s not good enough in possession for where we want to be, though I’m unsure if Ramsey or Miley could be any form of replacement for him. Hindsight 20/20 but we probably should’ve gone for Ederson from Atalanta instead of giving the current contract he’s on. Can’t be a squad player on those wages.

Agree but I think that points toward pretty much all of our wingers being off it and it being time to move on from Joelinton tbh.

I think Brighton showed the value of having players comfortable in possession in midfield rather than pure physicality. They were able to run us ragged as a result and it’s been common in a few games this season now where we’ve offered absolutely nothing going forward for long periods.

Wasn’t massively convinced about him as a signing, warmed to him as a lad and really want him to do well but when he’s being substituted at half time for Jacob Murphy in October it speaks volumes. Really disappointing for £55m and him being a player we’ve chased for a year.

I don’t think Joelinton’s up to it technically tbh. In addition to that him being unfit isn’t new, it goes under the radar how much of a crock he’s been last season or two.

4 wins in 14 going back to the end of last season. 3 goals in open play in the league this season. I expect him to find the answers but I’ve no idea where on earth they’ll come from.

Shite. Have been for a while now and very few signs of that changing.

YESS

Yeah, but we’ve been mostly dreadful since we beat Palace 5-0 rather than since the cup win.

Tragic stuff, this.

And 2 goals from open play in the league all season. It’s pitiful stuff.

Joelinton hasn’t got the technical ability required imo. Couple that with Bruno being off form and we’ve basically got a 1 man midfield.

Our attacking play has been absolutely hopeless nigh on all season.

He’s the scorer of one of the most important goals in our recent history, the winner at Leeds in Jan 2022.

Harsh scoreline, that. Never a 0-3 game.

The Defoe volley game was 4pm Sunday iirc.

Might not be getting that 1/4 zip hoodie, like.

Might be getting that 1/4 zip hoodie, like.

I'd rather he keeled owa asap. This weekend preferably.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yZxdDeIixQ

First half was a bit of a non event, could feel frustration with our creative problems rearing their head. The ref then got the crowd in the game and we were much better as a result 2nd half. Should’ve scored more. They barely threatened our goalmouth for the whole game. Bruno will get the plaudits for winning the pen and scoring but Tonali again as phenomenal. Thiaw and Botman as well. Our wingers were really disappointing, Elanga in the first half mainly and Gordon I hardly realised was on the pitch second half. Been disappointed with Elanga so far, shame as he’s proper affable and really want go him to do well. But there’s been nowt there thus far. Thought Joelinton was poor again too. But hey, 3 much needed points.