Not entirely sure Rafa cares anymore, certainly the lack of any plan b - as if Rafa believes plan a will work, eventually - has long been a feature. I think the Leicester job is a good one for him to go for. Then we can really mire ourselves in the misery of some other random Ashley patsy.
Totally agree, almost threw my laptop across the room when they take it short. Just ****ing get it in there we have 3 CB's and a Striker who all love to head the ball so just put it in there. Also WTF is Yedlin doing for their second goal - not sure if its a tactical thing - but he doesn't put any pressure on at all. I get you can't go diving in in the box but you can't stand 5-10 yards off Willian in there, you are inviting him to shoot, and guess what... Like I say not sure if he just isn't very smart and can't figure out for himself when to close down or if its a specific tactical instruction for Rafa because I've never seen a defender not understand when to close down as much as him.
Considering the team, especially midfield, I thought they fought hard. Sean Longstaff ran himself into the ground and had a decent game . Marking on Yedlin side for 2nd goal was terrible with 6 toon players in the box but all in the middle when Willians got the ball. FCB had better put his hand in his pocket or his invest will be relegated, AGAIN.
Why oh why do we not capitalise more when we have set pieces? A decent cross into the box and we score. Then when we get the opportunity again, we fanny and faff about and waste what are our best chances to get something. That last corner was an abomination, wtf were they doing? Just put it in the mix for Christ sake. So bloody frustrating. But at least we didn’t get the thrashing so many predicted that we would.
Chelsea didn't look great, but it's a very common theme with Rafa's Newcastle. Stifle well, keep the score down, for the most part defend well, and when we concede it's either a mistake or something sublime (bit of both by all accounts). However, up the other end of the pitch we remain clueless. We've looked clueless for years, it's not exclusively a Rafa thing, but he's not helping it. They're not all budget players and some of it is mind-bogglingly stupid. Corner, 93rd minute, and you DON'T throw it in there? Even the keeper should be up at that ****ing stage, but Ritchie plays it to Atsu as if it's a training ground masterclass. Which we **** up. Again. And Again. Commentators were saying "Rondon is doing good work, he could really do with someone playing near him". That's about the 10th time I've heard that and thought that, but we don't change. We leave him up there alone, because Benitez seems absolutely, 100% averse to EVER playing two forwards. It's just mind-**** central.
People picking singular moments out need to realise we played well!!! We lost because they're q better side .
No, it was a good performance for a change, good chances - we're just astonished by two late game decisions. Would likely make no difference, but I'd LOVE to understand what Ritchie was doing and why. That's all. Well done Longstaff, we've got a good one hopefully. Finally..
What you haven't all considered is that atsu might have crossed better and we might have scored. If he had youd all be saying how clever it was.
Cardiff is a massive game. If they put in the same effort as we did today, we'll win comfortably. A lot of positives from today's game. Apart from that last frigging corner......
Cardiff don't need to attack they'll simply set up to kill the game, the fans will moan after 15 mins and then Cardiff will score in the last 10
Was trying to give you credit, then you come out with something like Rio's comment that paying £60m for a striker and a midfielder would be stupid, if both got injured..... The lord giveth.... If Atsu is somehow a better 'crosser' than Ritchie (I think Atsu's currently on P50, scored 0, assisted 0 in the PL), then why not have him just take the corner?
You've missed my point entirely.. Get back to your managerial masterclass tips from bbc and replace rafa
I agree but I've said the same thing after some great away games ."if we put same effort in next week".... But we never ****in Do.
