Maybe he should be subbed. He is absolutely creaking. Gravenberch looks very stiff legged. Early in the season he looked so good turning and gliding forward. Again around Christmas which is a long time ago now he tied up and he really looks fatigued and one paced. Szoboszlai is a monster but he is on the end of a very intense set of games and he again was played v Southampton and ruined for psg and this final. However having seen jones play that position means I woundt have blamed slot. It's a shame that the Elliott thing has happened as honestly I think the Plymouth game in in slots mind. These players had the chance to keep impressing and showing what they might do and they just have never impressed consistently. I'm looking to the internationals now to see who can get a small rest even
Was looking forward yesterday to a good sesh with me mates celebrating but instead the day went flat had a normal sesh and was home early .The twats owe me a good sesh so better win the league.
Talking of the Burn/MacAllister thing (bad planning no matter what Slot says - he won a header minutes before on the opposite side and headed it across the 6-yard box and we were lucky it was only flicked into Kelleher's hands), I was more disappointed at how Robbo was utterly rag-dolled by Murphy at the back post for their second. I called Trent out for him being abject on the far post in the air - the derby last year and Calvert Lewin springs to mind. I always cited Robbo of doing what a full back should do in those circumstances - but yesterday he was limp. I love Robbo, and his pace hasn't totally gone yet, but **** - we need 2 fullbacks next season (right as well, as Bradley is pretty injury-prone). Can't every remember him being bitched like that before, and Murphy isn't exactly Burn or Calvert Lewin in stature.
It's all about squad management. Slot is on a learning curve. He's doing very, very well but he isn't above criticism when he gets it wrong.
Totally this. The bunkum about him being unlikely to score that far out (apart from the fact that he did) is that it avoids the possibility/probability that he can head the ball across the box to a teammate better placed. It's not exactly rocket science - he can literally do what Murphy did later.
I see last week as a reality check tbh. I'll admit I started dreaming of us winning 2 trophies this season and going further in the CL than we did, but at the start of the season I thought top 4 was the aim and any trophy would be a bonus. The last week reinforces my perception of our squad weaknesses, while our position in the league emphasises it's strengths this season.
TBF, we're usually good at doing that. Macca, Gravenberch and Jones can all do it. I'm confident Zobo could too although we don't tend to see it from him, probably because he's more advanced. I don't think that was the issue. We usually do it but when we do, there is usually a simple easy pass away too if the turn isn't on. The trouble with Sunday was, the CBs and FBs were marked too so the only option was to give it back to Keheller; which we did several times but Newcastle players followed the ball giving Keheller little choice but to go safe and play it longer. Same thing Vs PSG too. As you say, our players need to be brave. If they're going Man for nan then we need to win our individual battles. We didn't do that in the last two games.
Yeah agree with this, I was proud enough after the psg game, was a good effort and unlucky. started well, and a dominant second half against a decent outfit who are flying atm Hanging on in ET though it has to be said, knackered
Shouldn’t have appeared that way either when you look at the subs. Maybe Slot was pissed off with the lot of them
Indeed. The main thing is that he hopefully learns from his mistakes and/or what he needs to do with the team. Apart from Chiesa, who's been a bit part player at best, he's inherited someone else's squad in a league he doesn't know, taking over a team that finished third under a legend, and looks like he'll win the league in his first attempt. If he can learn from mistakes and experience, then the future's looking bright for when he knows what's required and can shape the squad how he wants it more.
They have been always weak at the back post. Even at their prime they were bad at it. There was another where it went over his head and the ball was headed against him. It's just what it is and has been. This is why Newcastle set up to beat our zonal system by not hitting it near our six yard zone
All bets are off after this season. Show me the signings. In the end you have said it there 3rd place team headed for exactly the same points (82) again. 2 teams above us have imploded at the same time and will get less than 80. Thst harsh but the job he has done is good but there's change is now coming.
You're right, he inherited an exceptional team which, tbf, he did acknowledge. My biggest criticisms have been two fold - he dispatched too many youngsters too soon and he hasn't used the squad enough, seemingly not trusting some players. Obviously, when you look at our league position, his methods have been successful. However, it's now the business end of the season and the overuse of some players is telling.
Trent, yes: Robbo - no. I can think of several times when Robbo has been isolated at that back post and done whatever needed doing to stop an often bigger opponent getting a free header.
