That's not true (the form bit - you are right about the match). Both Snodgrass and Johnson have struggled to catch up after nasty pre-season injuries. Ruddy has also consistently looked off the pace since his major injury and I can see him struggling for a few more months yet. The only inexplicable one is Martin. He's like the opposite of King Midas at the moment. Everything he touches puts us in the ****. Terrible news about Snodders and now Pilks. Encouraging second half? I don't think so, we were helped enormously by Pardew telling Toon to sit back on their lead. Last chance saloon for Hughton against Palace, methinks, if only because the baying dogs are getting excited.
My Saturday is certainly not ruined because I never expected us to get anything from this game. However as an attacking threat in open play we're impotent, and you can't keep blaming the players. I remember before the Stoke game, Glenn Hoddle said that Norwich were a team who play with shackles on. And I think he's right.
And, to repeat myself, Newcastle weren't even any good. And they could easily have beaten us 4 or 5 if they had wanted.
Another turgid away performance. Urghhh. Must admit I stopped listening after the second goal went in. Can someone please explain to me the point of making a substitution in the 88th minute if we are loosing? To late mate.
Martin's been poor even since this captaincy business I don't think his up to the task. Not sure whats up with him he put the ball out for a corner in the opening moments of the game when he didn't need to, this resulted in the pressure which made their first goal, we won't mention the second one. His had some alright games when we've won but I think his been really poor this season, I'm not sure if it's confidence thing but he just lapses in concentration which he never used to. His the weak link in the defence if not the team for me. Ruddy is just lacking confidence, the Manchester City game is probably still on his mind and I don't think he has much faith in his captain as our right flank has been marauded down in recent weeks. Johnson's just finding his feet really, he was piss poor for their first goal but I thought he improved in the 2nd half. Snodgrass steadily improving he frustrates a lot of people, but I hope his fit and ready for next week! I quite enjoyed reading his interview after the West Ham game he'll say what he thinks you can't knock him for that, his realistic but confidence about things at least. More worrying for me is Pilkington I hope his OK, we can't deal with more injuries.
Bringing on Murphy and Hoolahoops would have been a great plan if they had time to make an impact but leaving it so late just causes them to rush things and panic, for some reason CH always seems to do this and it`s getting irritating now.
I must have seen a different match. Yes, City were outplayed in the first half having gifted a goal 2 minutes in. Newcastle are in a very good run of form and looked sharp, but they faded very badly in the second half. Having lost Snodgrass before the match, the tracking back he does wasn't there. Redmond needs to work on that. There was much more positive play in terms of threading the ball through. If either of those chances in front of goal had taken a slightly different bounce, there were City players there to put it away. City heads could have dropped after Pilks was stretchered off, but they didn't. Yes, it was disjointed at times, but there was also some very positive play. 2-1 away from home is not a disaster, ffs!
All true, and I agree a glass half full way of looking at it. I would say that it might be worth sacking Hughton just because we have dreadful luck, though. We can't keep being unlucky!
Sorry but I totally disagree a) Newcastle were poor. A better side would have got something. b) We lost 2-1 but could easily have been beaten comprehensively. 2-1 flattered us big time. c) Our much improved defence is a complete joke. At this rate we are due to concede about 70 goals this season. The one reason for keeping CH is looking rather threadbare. d) We had no cohesion whatsoever e) We were toothless upfront until Newcastle sat back (our first corner came near the end of the game) If you think that is a team that knows what it is doing, that believes in what it is doing, and that will survive this season, I can only admire your optimism and loyalty.
Oh please, at times??? and we had SOME positive play, hallelujah to that. I'd say your wearing yellow and green tinted spectacles but the tint must have been painted in Dulux one coat gloss so you wouldn't have seen any of the game at all.
It's all well and good saying that, but this is happening more often than not. It can't all be down to getting or not getting a lucky break, it is happening all too often. More to the point is, why are we ONLY getting these kind of half chances, and not clear cut chances?
I don't think you're capable of seeing anything positive, Carrabuh. This was always going to be a difficult game and so it proved, but it wasn't any disaster.
For me, it was a disaster. Not losing - lots of teams (e.g. Chelsea) lose at Newcastle. But the sheer lack of quality, lack of assurance, lack of self-belief, lack of cohesion, lack of any sign of a strategy or plan - this will be a disaster. To put it bluntly, it will relegate us. And to get relegated with players like Fer and Olsson in your team is actually quite an achievement. Admit it, he has failed. The only place he is taking us is the Championship. I know there aren't a load of good alternatives out there but I don't think they can do any worse. I really hope he gets sacked by Monday.
Sad to say, I can't help but agree. The reasons for him failing are more nuanced than him being a bad manager or otherwise, but I can't see him succeeding with us. I think he'll be given the Palace game though.
I don't think we'll get relegated even with Hughton in charge, I just see him as a very limited manager who cannot develop a team to anything deserving the status of playing in the top league.
Wow, I feel even more negative than you, which is quite an achievement! Seriously, I do think he will take us down having watched the performances of the last few weeks. You are much more astute than me when it comes to tactics and formations, but I feel that I can see the psychology. And this is the psychology of a team that is going down, I'm sure.
