good observations there. I'd addbubbles1966 wrote:We scored two goals. So the attack has done it's job.
We let in three. All starting with Zabaleta who was utterly awful. Bloke lost the plot and was thumping the ball into OUR players regularly. Atsu murdered him.
Joselu also sat on Cresswell and Masuaku.
I think Cresswell was picked pretty much because of his set play capabilities. Understandable in Lanzini's absence.
Benitez picked the two weaknesses and they exploited them well.
We missed a pen, had one off the line, missed a clear header etc. They played a fluid, counter attack game.
Cracking game. Flew by.
Masuaku's dribbling is a delight and Arnie really looks top drawer lately.
1. Ritchie murdered our midfield. Did very well and helped them terrorise the flanks.
2. Newcastle did a great job on the counter. Only wasteful finishing on their part (and the bar/post) stopped them from shipping six past us.
3. We lost the match tactically. It was obvious that hoofing the ball repeatedly forty yards plus wasn't working after the first ten minutes. It continued for 90 plus. Our long balls repeatedly mostly ended up with Newcastle possession and as far as I can recall didn't end up creating a single decent chance for us.
4. Credit to Newcastle - played well and deservedly won. Their midfield dominated ours and won the match.
5. Ayew's penalty was both hilarious and embarrassing. He needs to be made to watch that again a dozen times over with the squad. Hope they all subject him to the ridicule he deserves. Cost us a point that we didn't deserve.
6. Both the contact and the foul for the penalty happened outside the box. Perhaps kharma for Newcastle.
7. Carrol's positioning is still awful. Consistently hogging the edge of the 18 yard box wrestling instead of lurking near the six yard box. Baffling. When he was in the six yard box for crosses yesterday he made something happen. Perhaps there's a lesson there.
8. Sakho over Carroll all day for me. And Hernandez should have replaced Ayew after 15 minutes. Hernandez has great first touch, quick feet and has the potential to release the ball at the first opportunity. With a packed midfield that was exactly what we needed early doors.
9. Masuaku has a reputation - every time he went marauding down the left he had two markers. Reminds me of the days when Devo would always take a couple with him. This is something we need to exploit.