It wasn't perfect, we rode our luck at times, but I thought we played quite well today. I think the changes Rafa made were actually spot on for who we were playing, apart from maybe the decision to play Wijnaldum. I thought Tiote had a good game, and the addition of the two CDM's slowed the game down to a comfortable pace to suit our needs. Cisse does seem to be better at helping build up play than Mitro. Ratings - Darlow - 6 - Didn't have much to do, but guarded his box well. Anita - 6.5 - A reasonably solid performance. Not without his flaws, but he worked hard and wasn't afraid to get a foot in. Lascelles - 7.5 - Solid enough at the back and a good goal. Mbemba - 7 - Good defending and some decent stuff on the ball. Dummett - 6 - Quite solid most of the time, but some errors did almost cost us. Townsend - 8 - Thought he was great today. Worked very hard defensively and showed real determination, and is starting to settle in on the right side. Some good deliveries, another goal and another assist. Colback - 6 - Worked hard. A bit shakey at times, but decent. Tiote - 7 - Some stupid challenges, but more like the Tiote we used to know. Wijnladum - 5 - Some decent runs and dribbling, but quiet as usual. Sissoko - 6.5 - Some poor decision making and passing at times but scored and worked harder. Cisse - 6 - Reasonable build up play, but not much in regards to a threat on goal. Shelvey - 5.5 - Some good passing late on but nothing amazing. Perez - 5.5 - Some good dribbling but needs to learn when to pass. Benitez - 7.5 - Showing his tactical awareness. Not going full out, containing Swansea and gradually working our way to a win. A questionable decision to play Wijnaldum again, but I understand his reasons to drop Mitro and Shelvey.
I though Widgit was poor, slow to move the ball and got caught out for it, also underweighted passes.
Good result, Sunderland have done us a favour as well, but I'm afraid we will need something against a City side that have spanked us more often than not, although we do genuinely usually put in a decent performance against them at home (and still lose). Swansea were well on their holidays today but we ground out the win, Townsend being the biggest/brightest spark. Rafa made some calls and they came off, for once.
From the kick off Newcastle showed they wanted to win, do you not get the feeling you have been robbed ?
Garbage. We weren't great by any stretch of the imagination nor were we very good but as a team we fought well for most of the game and we definitely weren't bad. If you think that then you weren't watching.
Mate it was terrible and we definitely got lucky not sure how anyone could argue against that. I didn't say we didn't try?
Okay, where were we lucky? I'm not trying to suggest we played like Barca but most of the players grafted and it may not have been pretty but we deserved to win and even the Swansea fans acknowledge that which fair play to them for that.
I think this is right, and SDJ in the middle with Sissoko and Townsend wide. Same two in midfield as well though it's a shame Saivet obviously hasn't filled early potential. Cisse was a pain for Swansea and probably the right choice against City who tend not to like it up 'em. Back four to get another run depending on Janmaats fitness AND state of mind.
This definately. Some of our better results have been because of sdj being played in the position just behind the striker.
Mate 1 Swansea didn't turn up 2 Lacelles headed it at the keeper it went in 3 Swansea arrived and missed 3 good chances in 5 mins 4. Our second goal was one of the luckiest your going to get We tried yeah Swansea didn't is their fans views
I think we'll just have to agree to disagree. None of the first 3 have anything to do with luck. We may have got the bounce of the ball for the second goal but we actually scored 2 other goals as well and they scored none. Wow, they scored NONE. Sounds strange in the context of NUFC.
That wasn't for the pint. That was for the pint AND because you kept stroking the pump with the barmaid watching!!
It was a subltle phallic hint to her and her expanded pupils proved it worked..... Or that she was on a rough comedown after a night on the narcotics....
Last pint I had in Newcastle cost me two shillings and one penny , in Scrogg road Walker next to the Welbeck bingo hall, can anyone remind me of the name ?
