Don't know quite what to make of this. Free afternoon for me, so I decided to watch a stream of the Hull v Newcastle game. Now after watching that game right through, either Newcastle are going to give us right hiding up there, or how the hell did we lose against Hull? No sour grapes about them beating us last week, they deserved it for the way we defended their counter attacks, but they were totally outplayed on their own patch today by a very strong and skilfull Newcastle outfit. Even the scoreline didn't reflect the game just like last week. Newcastle ran out 4-1 winners but they could have got double figures. Not trying to knock Hull in any way, I thought Newcastle were a class apart with their touch and pace. I'm putting our game at St James Park as a null point banker on that evidence.
I didn't see the game, but all it takes is one team to play slightly below par and the other to play slightly above par, and the gap in class can look massive. We perhaps should have forebodings regarding any of our games until we start hitting the back of the net and our defense tightens it up a bit. I am expecting nothing from here on in except, hopefully, to see the team knit together. Should they do that and we drop anyway, at least we have a team that can compete for a quick return should we go down, because at this moment we would struggle in the championship if we can't score. But maybe if they do start clicking we will scrape out of this mess and remain in the PL. Not holding my breath on that.
Just watched the highlights and although Hull were outplayed they still created chances and scored a goal . The best team definitely won the game but we don't have to be the best team to win our games, we are going to need luck, penalties (plural) and some sublime finishing to even have a prayer of surviving .
Those highlights could have been misleading cat - I watched the game from start to finish and Newcastle were a class apart. They were pacey and they're quick passing game ran rings around Hull. Midfield controllers Anita and Tiote sprayed the ball around. Sissoko and Remy with Guffran out wide on the left caused them all sorts of problems and with finishes on the end of them - something we just can't seem to do. Their right back Debuchy was everything we haven't got in that position - pace, awareness and passing ability all combined with his job as an excellent defender. We can only dream about that sort of performance (you may gather I was very impressed ). Saw Pardew's nut job on Meyler live with about half a dozen replays. No doubt he should be reprimanded by the FA and suitably punished. There was no excuse for his reaction, but Meyler ran into him and unecessarily shoved him out of the way very forcibly to get the ball in the technical area. Pity about that - it tended to spoil an otherwise excellent day for the Geordies.
