Sounded like Findlay did well, El-Mahanni sounded like a bag of tricks and can beat a man but not got the final pass yet! Be interesting to see the highlights later. Good result and performance. With Oxford up next will be a good opportunity for the younger and fringe players to prove a point. HTL
The usual point proven by such is that the club do not give a **** about the cup and are happy to crash out.
I can imagine the side against Oxford will be a little stronger assuming the 3 lads from the ACN are back and we have a couple of of the injured players back. I thought Findlay did pretty well, but El-Mhanni looked like a bit of a dud to be honest. I didn't think Barlaser really stood out much either. I'll reserve judgement for a while longer but I don't see Lazaar amounting to much here; I can't see him being good enough if we get promoted that's for sure. But Shelvey..... what a player. 2 assists and he created the chance for Gouffran that saw him brought down in the box not to mention a couple of really good long range efforts that went just wide. He ran the show, and it's a big relief to have him back in the side. Ritchie did well also. It has to be said that Birmingham were utter ****e, though, and we should have pummelled them in all honesty.
It's good to have won while giving some of the fringe players a go. Traditionally this doesn't go well for us and we never see them again.
Don't think you could argue with Lazaar, Findlay and Hanley getting another run out, Tiote as well if he stays, Players like Mbemba, Perez (when Diames back and forwards are fit) and Atsu can all come in and do well as well. Best performance in a while yesterday with those youth/fringe players although they were backed by quite a strong spine to the team with Ritchie, Gouffran, Shelvey etc.
After someone asked on twitter NUFC-TV confirmed they had the rights to show full championship games AFTER the match was finished. They don't show games as NUFCTV dont think there is the demand for them ....so get watching this link ...play it in the background (if you dont want to watch the game) as they will be monitoring the traffic etc. Need to get the numbers 'watching' up to convince them its worth the time and effort of uploading and/or editing it Good chance to see how the team played and the kids involved etc ..for those that didn't get to the game https://www.nufc.co.uk/nufc-tv/latest-videos/newcastle-v-birmingham-fa-cup-replay-the-full-90 Reddit thread about it: https://www.reddit.com/r/NUFC/comments/5ovaw0/full_match_to_be_on_nufc_tv/