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10 league games played now, usually enough to shake things out and point to where teams are likely to finish.

 

I would rate 15 points and a home tie away from a Carabao semi as about a B minus. Spurs, City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Brighton all played, so maybe a little harsh. Score the penalty at Everton and its a strong B. The main thing is Tonali and Willock are back and up to speed and the full backs are blossoming. Only two more games this month, but we're playing well and will go into them with momentum. I felt Tonali still missing at the start of the season and the Schar red in the opener really put a dampener on August. We're off and running now though.

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2 minutes ago, Andy said:

Without wanting to be overly negative, as we were obviously excellent today, this is the kind of game we generally show up in. I'll be more convinced we've turned the corner this season if we can put in good performances and pick up positive results over the next three matches. 

 

It's no good putting on a colossal showing like today if we get rolled over at Forest and Palace. This result needs to kick start our season. 

True. But Forest have been brilliant this season. 

If we don’t get at least 4 points from Palace and West Ham I’d be disappointed. 

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3 minutes ago, Andy said:

Without wanting to be overly negative, as we were obviously excellent today, this is the kind of game we generally show up in. I'll be more convinced we've turned the corner this season if we can put in good performances and pick up positive results over the next three matches. 

 

It's no good putting on a colossal showing like today if we get rolled over at Forest and Palace. This result needs to kick start our season. 

 

Yes, this is true.

 

However, some key changes made have made a big difference and unlocked us in a way.

 

There's a fantastic balance and chemistry we've managed the last couple of games that will carry through I think.

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LOL. I do think it’s easier to setup well tactically defensively than offensively. Biggest tactical shift was the OOP press which was impressive. Otherwise going back to old working relationships and more importantly attitudes got us the win. 
 

Arsenal biggest issue is they only have one route to goal without Odegaard.  And they were off it physically and mentally. We beat them to the punch time and again which is crucial.  All wingers lost their individual battles. They looked good at 0-0 I thought. But once we scored they didn’t have answers.
 

Last 20 went to that 451 shape that invites attack after attack that I really hate. But Arsenal didn’t have any inventiveness to take advantage and our lads gave it 100%. Bodies on the line etc.  That low block 451 no press, is hard on our players mentally and physically and needs them to be right up for it to work.  

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He needed the last 2 results. Tbh, Chelsea away wasn't awful, more down to individuals making stupid errors. 

 

Forest will be tough the form they are in. Palace won't be easy either. 4pts from that (Inc a home win against wham) and it's been a good start to the season.

 

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7 minutes ago, Andy said:

Without wanting to be overly negative, as we were obviously excellent today, this is the kind of game we generally show up in. I'll be more convinced we've turned the corner this season if we can put in good performances and pick up positive results over the next three matches. 

 

It's no good putting on a colossal showing like today if we get rolled over at Forest and Palace. This result needs to kick start our season. 

I agree with this. But there also changes that I think are positive long term and increased confidence. 
 

Joe’s on the left offensively and defensively gives us Great balance. The relationship is A1. Gordon and Tino on the right showed some positive signs.  
 

Longstaff and Bruno works in a way that can’t be ignored. 
 

That 442 press is better than whatever other press we’ve been trying this season.  
 

The relationships helped us play better football overall. 

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ATM we lose a little something with Tonali & Barnes. With Barnes I think it’s off the ball intensity and lack limited all round game. With Tonali it’s more there’s something Longstaff adds that I can’t quantify or articulate.  Maybe it’s just the relationship with Bruno.  

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15 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

ATM we lose a little something with Tonali & Barnes. With Barnes I think it’s off the ball intensity and lack limited all round game. With Tonali it’s more there’s something Longstaff adds that I can’t quantify or articulate.  Maybe it’s just the relationship with Bruno.  

 

Bruno is given freedom to roam to some extent, even when played centrally. I think Longstaff's more conservative style provides better balance.

 

Quite eager to see Tonali play in that central role with Bruno at RCM to see how that looks. Think that will work well.

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5 minutes ago, KaKa said:

 

Bruno is given freedom to roam to some extent, even when played centrally. I think Longstaff's more conservative style provides better balance.

 

Quite eager to see Tonali play in that central role with Bruno at RCM to see how that looks. Think that will work well.

Against lower blocks definitely.  The way we play we are hyper dependent on Bruno’s touch and dribbling ability to ease pressure in defence which Tonali can’t do.  
 

Agree Longstaff almost plays for Bruno. You need a runner I’ll run. You want a 1-2 here, you attack - I defend. Tonali still trying to figure out how he fits in. 

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I'm glad i kept my opinion to myself after last week's away game against Chelsea and thought it's only fair to give him the next two games because he really has redeemed himself, he got his tactics spot on today and got us a very valuable 3 points plus we are in a good position for a cup semi-final, i just hope he builds on this as we seem to never know which Newcastle will show up at times.

 

Only thing that i would say about today is i would've taken Isak off with 15 mins to go because he was totally knackered and we just needed someone like Ousula to run around and put his body about, was playing a dangerous game with our main striker in case he gets injured.

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8 minutes ago, Newcastle Fan said:

I'm glad i kept my opinion to myself after last week's away game against Chelsea and thought it's only fair to give him the next two games because he really has redeemed himself, he got his tactics spot on today and got us a very valuable 3 points plus we are in a good position for a cup semi-final, i just hope he builds on this as we seem to never know which Newcastle will show up at times.

 

Only thing that i would say about today is i would've taken Isak off with 15 mins to go because he was totally knackered and we just needed someone like Ousula to run around and put his body about, was playing a dangerous game with our main striker in case he gets injured.

Apparently he was signaling to the bench around that time he was done.

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1 hour ago, KaKa said:

Looked so so good today man. Beautiful balance throughout the team.

 

Eddie please keep the Joes together and let Gordon and Tino continue to build on their relationship down the right.

 

Very exciting changes.

Didn’t you have a hissy fit earlier in the season at people (including myself) suggesting Gordon should play on the right?

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4 minutes ago, jonny1403 said:

Didn’t you have a hissy fit earlier in the season at people (including myself) suggesting Gordon should play on the right?

 

No I was one of the first people that said he should play there.

 

And was duly called a position change nonce for my suggestion.

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Incredible few days for him.

 

One thing I've definitely noticed is that he's looked utterly unruffled all season - whether that's dealing with England speculation, facing the music post-window, dodgy performances, dodgy results - he's been so composed. He knows we haven't been good enough but he's continued to be straight down the line with every soundbite, finding the positives even in poor showings like last week. You know he believes wholeheartedly in his "never get too high, never get too low" mantra. Got to be an asset in shaky spells like the one we've been in. Onwards and upwards, boss. 

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12 minutes ago, Karjala said:

In Eddie we trust. 

 

We would be top 3 now if we'd taken our chances against Everton and Brighton. We are not a bad team.

 

We are exactly where we deserve to be IMO. We got a few lucky results early in the season, then we could argue we deserved better against Everton and Brighton, although I don't really agree. I think today we looked like we had good shape, following on from Wednesday where we had players who could recover well when we lost the ball.

 

I would prefer some more dull performances for a while where we are still 0-0 after an hour rather than going hell for leather and giving away goals because we don't have any cover when we get dispossessed. Enjoyed being in control both on Wednesday and today.

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