The point I was trying to make was that the same group of players can have a run where they create and score little, then a few games later start scoring a load of goals. It happened to us last season, and it's an entirely valid comparison. That point is entirely separate from any other team's work in the market.
My limited opinion is that we haven't evolved, yet every other team has realised how to play against us (i.e. they have evolved). City never stand still, Arsenal have evolved under Arteta, Brighton under RDZ, Spurs under Ange, Villa under Emery. Brighton/Spurs have seen rapid turnarounds and look likely to beat the current NUFC team home and away this season, very different to last season. Appreciate this hasn't happened yet, better players are injured, etc., but it's just my view right now. I will never get how the powers that be thought a team with Burn, Longstaff, Murphy, Almiron, Anderson, etc., needed to spend their entire Summer budget on Barnes, Hall and Livramento. Jury out on Tonali who repeatedly seems to say he was surprised at going to Newcastle, didn't want to leave Milan, etc. Has a Robinho to City feel about it. It's like our entire scouting department is based in Slough. The key to EH being a success - and ultimately whether he's really likely to win anything here - is if he can evolve. My concern is that, across his entire career, evolving styles of play has always been his shortfall. I'm all for people having a belief, but obstinance is a different kettle of fish.
I don't think it's too difficult to comprehend that a selection of players, be that the same squad, or an improved one, are able to play a handful of games whereby they aren't prime Barca and they fail to create a lot. Happened before. Happening now. Will happen again. It is not unusual, nor will it be of any surprise to me when the same squad / team that are lacking creativity / threat / confidence manage to rediscover a bit of that and we'll play very well for a spell. We need to work out how to A) impose ourselves a bit more in these moments and B) get back on song more quickly. Something isn't quite right at present, but I'm not going to piss my pants about it. It'll get sorted. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I agree entirely that we need confidence in flexibility of approach and have to be able to mix it up. You're right - unless we can do that, we'll win nothing. Evolution rather than revolution however... The current situation isn't going to be fixed by a small positional tweak. We need to pick up points from the winnable games coming up, get a bit of swagger back and go from there.
You're wasting your time with football fans in the main because they believe what they 'want' to believe. They look at things they don't like and they then search for reasons to dismiss them. Football fanbases in the main are like religious cults and everything is based on emotional decision making.
If you compare something and its exactly the same I'd agree, but you're not, so it's a fruitless comparison. Why not just say let's hope the current side starts scoring goals?
They'll sit back with 5 defenders, and we'll struggle to break them down but they probably wont score. 0-0 or 1-0 to us I think. I'm hoping Isak scores to lift his head a bit.
Anyone expecting some changes this weekend? Big game against City mid week after a difficult game vs Milan Tuesday. Players like Trippier and Burn have played every min of every game so far and Trip's also played a full 90 for England and isn't getting any younger. Expect Wilson, Almiron to start maybe Barnes as well but is it worth trying Hall and/or Livarmento - either way I'd actually expect to see both this weekend off the bench at least. Anyone know if Willock is close to being back on the bench? Miss his energy and creativity in the middle.
People are finally being forced to accept willock is a key player which is nice, but unfortunately even when he returns it will take another 4 weeks to get back to his best. Fans often fail to comprehend this fact and start going after players on their returns. Newcastle have to find a different solution at least in the short term, but playing 3 cms made of lead is not going to work. Longstaff Anderson Tonali and Bruno? Is there anyone that isn't a big lump there?
Howes ****ing around too much I feel... he's trying to keep people happy , but none of them are. I'd like to see him play our best players at the same time and for a full game.... subs are not mandatory. Making a few subs when it's won OK but it's never that it's always removing key players and leaving the crap out there.
It's pointless to discuss this with you, as you've (today) got hold of a bone that you won't let go of in relation to precise comparison season on season. I'm not prepared to waste any more of my time on it.
Actually it's not it's a scientific fact you just don't know it. It's not even just football it's how humans make all decisions.
