Slightly annoying. Probably the easier of the two away games in paper. Good second half recovery suggested final score 2-2 or 1-3 - we were vulnerable as we pushed for equaliser. Late changes with Vest and Valery didn’t help. Let’s hope they’re recovered for Tuesday.
A guy from Tenerife gets a hat-trick, it suggests someone was on holiday. But I trust Ralph to dust them down, and go again in a few days. Hope Yan, & Vest are back. Good to see Lemina, hope this starts a run.
Naw, I agree. Vestergaard and Valery sort of forced our hand as far as our defensive set up, but you are right in that it is not that good. I was disappointed we made no moves this winter, but apparently we are broke. Cedric was making too much to be a back up. We needed a purge and a smaller squad. Hasenhuttl decided to start the process early. Risky, but so long as we stay up, it will have been a good move. Really only hoped for 3 points out of our last two games, and we got them. In a reverse way, but points is points. Just have to pick ourselves up and win 1 of our next two, both of which are winnable.
Certainly if Lemina was fit enough to start, then I'd have been disappointed at us playing three CBs (especially given that two of them aren't good enough). But my expectation is that he wasn't, in which case I can understand Ralph going in as he did. Basically the three things which we badly need in the summer were highlighted as clear as day tonight: a CB, a striker, and a RB/RWB. (We had to play JWP at RWB, and then RB, thanks to not signing a back-up to Valery. Whilst Ings is probably the only player who Ralph hasn't managed to improve.)
We struggled big time today until second half. Physically dominated first half and they were too quick for us too. None of our players were decent first half which is a rarity. The problem is we kept lumping it long and lost every physical battle and Rondon overpowered our centre backs too (all three struggled today) . I thought Ward Prowse challenge was a nailed on red card from where I was sat and Newcastle played with a point to prove after that. Second half the extra man in midfield got us right back in the game and we really went for it. Lemina even minus the how completely changed the game, played very well. We were all over them until Long game on for Ings which I thought was a bad change. Shame Yoshida didn’t manage to score one of those chances at 2-1. Should have kept Ings on and taken maybe Redmond off in my view. After that we went a bit flat. Overall to be honest Newcastle deserved the win as that was a blatant red card. I think Hassenhuttl needs a rethink away from home against a physical side like Newcastle Sims never got in the game might have been a slightly different game if we had Long out wide to aim at on long balls and the extra man in midfield from the start. Ward Prowse obviously struggled all game out of position but can’t hold that against him.
So tomorrow, the team we love to hate will be the team we all love for 90 minutes!!! Talk about being hypocritical!!
It's ok, I can't see Brighton overhauling us with both our respective remaining fixtures anyway. If Cardiff held the Scousers to a draw I would be ecstatic.
I have no problem with Liverpool. Well apart from the weird bright as hell teeth all their players seem to get.
I'm sorry!!! I really don't want to upset your Easter. For me the big game mañana is Real v Athletic. I hope Inaki Williams scores a hatrick and gets a call up to the Spanish team.
My over confidence has retreated to the dark side of my brain once more. No more excitement, no more close calls. L'pool can have all 3 tomorrow with my blessing.
More importantly.....we have the sad exit of Laces from the match thread Who’s doing the Watford one? Hang on a minute.....there’s a noise behind me......it’s ok it’s only a Newcastle player still rolling around after a tackle earlier.
Rafa gets the absolute max out of that team, including the shady side of rolling around. It didn't go unnoticed. I think that is the worst display from Taylor I've seen, he literally gave them everything. Or was that Jame's fault?
