text: Print Page - Newcastle v Stoke City early thoughts
  NUFC => The Club => Topic started by: Poz on September 11, 2017, 03:55:55 PM
  Title: Newcastle v Stoke City early thoughts
  Post by: Poz on September 11, 2017, 03:55:55 PM
  Title: Re: Newcastle v Stoke City early thoughts
  Post by: Scoot on September 12, 2017, 04:50:12 PM
  Post by: OmegaprimeVKM on September 12, 2017, 05:23:43 PM
  Post by: TK on September 12, 2017, 05:36:03 PM
  Post by: Surreymag on September 12, 2017, 05:49:28 PM
  Post by: Niffoc88 on September 12, 2017, 05:59:12 PM
  Post by: peachy on September 13, 2017, 09:14:10 AM
  Post by: Poz on September 13, 2017, 09:15:21 AM
  Post by: OmegaprimeVKM on September 13, 2017, 09:40:30 AM
  Pretty sure he'll end up starting again though :(
  Post by: ohsholaameobi on September 13, 2017, 11:37:07 AM
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 13, 2017, 08:44:10 PM
  Post by: Scoot on September 13, 2017, 08:52:06 PM
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 13, 2017, 09:04:44 PM
  Post by: TK on September 13, 2017, 11:20:01 PM
  Post by: peachy on September 13, 2017, 11:37:59 PM
  Post by: ohsholaameobi on September 14, 2017, 11:24:45 AM
  Post by: TK on September 14, 2017, 12:44:23 PM
  Post by: gaspytoon on September 14, 2017, 01:07:21 PM
  2-1 Hopefully :thumbs:
  Post by: PsyQlix on September 14, 2017, 01:43:36 PM
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 14, 2017, 02:22:41 PM
  Post by: holycrosser on September 14, 2017, 07:21:43 PM
  i promised to be a bit more upbeat after i finally saw a team that could keep us up...... :thumbs:
  i see 1-1 :cool:
  Post by: R S on September 14, 2017, 07:31:17 PM
  Post by: peachy on September 14, 2017, 09:59:14 PM
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 15, 2017, 08:54:10 AM
  You are so obnoxious man :lol: Why do you feel the need to reply to a well-reasoned post with "eh?" and "listen"... as if you're the voice of authority.
  Post by: peachy on September 15, 2017, 09:43:46 AM
  Listen,.Rafa has never had the opportunity to find out if he trusts aarons or not, he's always been injured or had some off-field antics going on, and if he "trusts" Atsu as much as you say why did he start Murphy at Swansea? that blows the well reasoned post clean out of the water :lol:
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 15, 2017, 10:49:31 AM
  Post by: peachy on September 15, 2017, 07:03:05 PM
  Whey lad how disappointing :roll: I was hoping to come back home to an educated reply and I get that :nonono:
  PS, Oh btw one of my FOUR driving instructors once told me I was the most obnoxious pupil he had ever tried to learn to drive :! :D
  Post by: Deffy. on September 15, 2017, 07:10:55 PM
  Post by: ohsholaameobi on September 15, 2017, 07:34:29 PM
  Post by: peachy on September 15, 2017, 07:37:35 PM
  Post by: ohsholaameobi on September 16, 2017, 12:00:43 PM
  Saw this quote on the beeb from Alistair Mann: "With officially the youngest line-up in the Premier League, a successful season of consolidation could point to an encouraging future."
  Don't be too harsh on them guys.
  Post by: ToonArmyFan on September 16, 2017, 12:52:12 PM
  need to keep Shaqiri quiet otherwise he will run riot
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 02:05:58 PM
  Team for today is as follows:
  ------------------Elliot------------------
  Yedlin---Lascelles---Clark---Mbemba
  ----------Hayden---Merino------------
  Ritchie---------Perez------------Atsu
  ----------------Joselu-----------------
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 02:13:56 PM
  Very happy with the team, good to see Yedlin, Mbemba & Atsu back. Gamez unlucky after playing well but Mbemba was brilliant against WHU.
  I think we will win 2-1 with Joselu and Ayoze getting the goals.
  Should be a good game, fairly strong Stoke team but nothing we can't match in my opinion.
  Howaaaaaaaaay.
  Post by: Toon1 on September 16, 2017, 02:31:42 PM
  Mbembas physicality for set piece defending will be main reason he's back in today
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 02:47:18 PM
  Quote from: Toon1 on September 16, 2017, 02:31:42 PM
  As well as the fact Stoke have a very powerful player in Diouf on the wing, big, physical and quick, Mbemba will be much better at dealing with him than Manquillo or certainly Gamez would, who are smaller and slower respectively.
  Post by: arfur chimp on September 16, 2017, 02:51:44 PM
  Nice to see the chancellor back.
  Whys shelvey on the bench?
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 02:52:33 PM
  Quote from: arfur chimp on September 16, 2017, 02:51:44 PM
  because Merino is class
  Post by: ToonArmyFan on September 16, 2017, 03:19:22 PM
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 03:20:40 PM
  WE ARE f***ing CLASSSSSSSSS
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 03:34:57 PM
  Joselu should have scored 2. Too eager? Needs to focus here.
  Post by: ToonArmyFan on September 16, 2017, 03:47:57 PM
  Sounds like we should be well clear hope we dont get punished for missing those chances
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 04:01:24 PM
  Where is everyone? The forum is dead.
  Post by: dec6767 on September 16, 2017, 04:04:02 PM
  f*cking hell joselu...
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 04:05:49 PM
  Joselu FFS. How many does he need? shocking stuff, 3 sitters and only hit the target once. Very very poor finishing from him.
  Post by: paullaydon14 on September 16, 2017, 04:07:26 PM
  Quote from: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 04:01:24 PM
  It`s been over moderated to death by a certain unnamed moderator :| :look:
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 04:11:45 PM
  Perez having an excellent game
  Post by: ToonArmyFan on September 16, 2017, 04:13:52 PM
  1-1 got what we deserve for missing so many chances
  Post by: dec6767 on September 16, 2017, 04:14:50 PM
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 04:15:49 PM
  Hate to say it but this is f***ing Joselu's fault, chances he's missed are unforgivable unfortunately.
  Post by: john88 on September 16, 2017, 04:16:50 PM
  thats cos joselu aint any good, hence why our opposition sold him. got to be ruthless, otherwise this happens.
  Post by: dec6767 on September 16, 2017, 04:16:53 PM
  shouldn't settle for 1 point here
  Post by: gaspytoon on September 16, 2017, 04:19:04 PM
  Quote from: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 04:15:49 PM
  Agreed, his personal hate of Stoke is making him lose focus!!!
  Post by: DontSellCabaye on September 16, 2017, 04:20:05 PM
  Quote from: gaspytoon on September 16, 2017, 04:19:04 PM
  Yep, definitely suffering from a severe lack of composure, everytime the camera goes to him his head is down. Gayle needs to be brought on.
  Post by: john88 on September 16, 2017, 04:21:26 PM
  rafa should of known his head wasnt right really, too eager to make the impact vs stoke
  Post by: ToonArmyFan on September 16, 2017, 04:24:35 PM
  Post by: ToonArmyFan on September 16, 2017, 04:25:01 PM
  lascalles is the f***ing man!
  Post by: john88 on September 16, 2017, 04:25:11 PM
  Post by: dec6767 on September 16, 2017, 04:28:29 PM
  imagine how good we could be with a proper transfer budget :!
  Post by: dec6767 on September 16, 2017, 04:45:17 PM
  been some shocking finishing this match
  Post by: john88 on September 16, 2017, 04:53:18 PM
  currently top 4
  that huddersfield and transfer window seem a long time ago
  Post by: ToonArmyFan on September 16, 2017, 04:53:28 PM
  big 3 points that :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
  Post by: marki on September 16, 2017, 04:53:44 PM
  whats not to like ..GET IN :thumbs:
  Post by: dec6767 on September 16, 2017, 04:53:46 PM
  3 points again, stoke weren't up for it half as much as us
  another day that's 4-1
  Post by: Brian Toon on September 16, 2017, 05:01:21 PM
  Another 3 points closer to safety. Playing well all over the pitch but have tightened up in defence mostly which is fanny tastic
  Post by: R S on September 16, 2017, 05:46:29 PM
  Survival: 25% completed. Great result
  Post by: optimistic geordie on September 16, 2017, 05:50:56 PM
  Missed the match but what a result long may it continue
  Post by: Bob the skutter on September 16, 2017, 06:08:43 PM
  Post by: PsyQlix on September 16, 2017, 07:43:42 PM
  Excellent performance, against a decent team. They have more quality in their 11 but we are superbly organised and work very hard without the ball. We are also starting to play a bit when we do get it.
  First half we did not give them a sniff and really should have had 3 goals ourselves. Could not fault a single Toon player. We were a threat down both wings. Defended as a team from the front. Mbemba had a very good game. Won lots of headers as they constantly looked to switch play. Yedlin slotted in straight away. Electric pace.
  Second half, we should have extended the lead, before Shaqiri brings a bit of magic and their first real shot on goal. Great spirit from the lads. Battle back, had chances and then Lascelles the match winner again.
  We had a couple of hairy moments. Elliot with a great save from a corner. Crouch came on but he could not bring his hoodoo this time.
  It was noticeable how committed and talkative the team was. When we lost the ball in overtime with midfield dawdling, it nearly cost us a goal which would have been harsh on the team. Immediately, Lascelles, Clark and Richie were on to everybody, pointing to players who to mark, where to be positioned, making sure we did not through it away.
  This is a very different team to the disorganised, gutless shambles of the Maclaren Premiership vintage. Maclarens squad probably had better players as individuals, but that is where the comparison ends. It will take a good team to give us a hiding this season.
  We don't rely on Shelvey or Gayle anymore. They will have their part to play this season, but as part of an organised team. A shout out to Perez. He workrate and defensive work is unrecognizable from the last two seasons. He is definitely doing his shift for the team. Merino continues to impress.
  31 points to go
  Post by: R S on September 16, 2017, 09:01:14 PM
  Post by: AceLV74EVA on September 16, 2017, 09:07:28 PM
  Great Post PsyQlix
  I would add that I think their change from a back 4 to a back 3 really helped us as they were getting a lot of 2 on 1 vs Yedlin early on and I think the gaps between the 3 defenders were what we exploited attacking wise
  I was pleased how much we created even if we didn't put them away as I thought creativity would be a huge issue this year but the team is proving me wrong.
  I also think we look so much better at the back as well so much more balanced than we have over the last couple of years, I think having a good defender at LB really helps as if Mbemba had a leftfoot for something other than standing he might be the longterm answer there. Lascelles return to form has helped aswell and hopefully long may it continue
  I really worried at the start of the season with our defensive organsation but you can see rafa has worked his wonders and we look so solid and we are a little away from being really decent, alternatively we are a couple of injuries from being in trouble
  Elliot- Looked like he could have done better with their goal in the ground but made up for it with a worldie a few minutes later
  Yedlin- His pace gives us another attacking dimension and it covers for his defensive lapses and bad decisions
  Lascelles- Good header for the goal and was solid and commanding throughout
  Clark- whisper it how many defenders in the league are playing better than the wall of Clark?
  Mbemba- defensively dealt with everything, needs to get more practice in using his left foot though
  Hayden- Blood and thunder performance again, may cost him in the long run through injury or suspension but I like it
  Merino-The lad is just a class act, calmness personified and just runs the shows
  Ritchie- another 110% performance with 2 assists to boot, shame we don't have more of his ilk
  Atsu- covered back well and got some good balls in but like against Swansea his decisions making is awful, he just seems to pick the wrong option too much he did it 3 times against Swansea in the last 5
  Perez- a very hardworking performance, a constant nuisance
  Joselu- lead the line well and puts himself about, but god his finishing was shocking today, hope it doesnt affect him too much. A very Mitroesque performance, good all round apart from finishing
  Shelvey- didn't do much but made an awful decision to shoot on his left when Ritchie was wide open to his left
  Gayle- put himself about
  Diame- slowmo at his best
  One final thing, what do people think on Joselu vs Gayle?
  I think Gayle would put the chances away Joselu missed but would we play well enough to create the chances without Joselu doing the dirty work up top?
  Post by: Fatlegend on September 16, 2017, 10:16:59 PM
  Said it while the game was on. Gayle doesn't miss the chances that fell to Joselu. But would he be as effective overall? Unsure that Gayle has the qualities Rafa is looking for. Merino was class today.
  On a related note had anyone seen the Mark Hughes interview after the game. You'd think Stoke had given us a hiding and we had gotten away with robbery. For me stoke we're dreadful for almost the entire game and but for some crappy refereeing and better finishing we could have been way out of site long before they pressed us in the last 10.
  Post by: t00nraider_ on September 16, 2017, 10:37:43 PM
  Quote from: R S on September 16, 2017, 09:01:14 PM
  The bonuses mustn't be enough.
  Post by: Finnish Geordie on September 17, 2017, 04:07:59 AM
  I think we are more efective with big man upfront. Joselu had a mare with his finishing against his old club and yes Gayle would put in at least one of his changes. Joselu and Perez is starting to find each others better day by day so I would say his our first option striker atm
  Post by: holycrosser on September 17, 2017, 07:29:11 AM
  another 3 points towards safety :thumbs:
  getting them in early is a bonus as we have some tough games and batterings ahead, yet another great weekend
  Post by: shotleyskunk on September 17, 2017, 08:48:25 AM
  Good performance and more importantly 3 points. We should have put this game to bed within the hour with 3/4 gilt edged chances. Stoke caused us problems at the end with beanpole Crouch hoyed on to exploit the route 1,,which almost grabbed them an undeserved point,
  All in all a good weekend and another game where we have shown we can compete in this league.
  Post by: OmegaprimeVKM on September 17, 2017, 10:10:14 AM
  I don't think that the team was as comfortable as people are suggesting - there was, however, a better team yesterday and that was most certainly Newcastle. Finishing could use some work, especially Joselu, who's snatching at stuff (not surprised as he isn't a top striker) but there's daylight between the team now with him leading the line and the performances when Mitrovic plays up top - Joselu is definitely a better option for this style of play.
  Post by: Surreymag on September 17, 2017, 11:01:28 AM
  Cracking result very happy.
  Post by: Toon1 on September 17, 2017, 11:08:42 AM
  Still hungover to f**k after that day but worth it - great result and we look like a team! We are taking advantage of the easier start and getting points on the board will breed confidence for when harder games come around
  Post by: AceLV74EVA on September 17, 2017, 11:14:48 AM
  Quote from: Fatlegend on September 16, 2017, 10:16:59 PM
  Mark Hughes was a horrible player who became a horrible manager
  I think like Mitro its fine when chances are missed if we win the game but if we are missing the chances and not getting the win then Gayle may force himself back in
  Post by: peachy on September 17, 2017, 11:36:44 AM
  Had to take her youngest brother Jack (or jerk to his friends) with us to the match, think Mr Logic, glasses, zits, skinny as a f**king rake but with long hippy hair down to his a*se, so we're sitting in the Leazes about 2.30pm surveying the scene we overheard this guy in front banging on about the threat from North Korea if the war kicks off, my mate jokes 'that's the only thing that'll stop us getting three points today' we laughed, 10 minutes later we're talking about something else, suddenly Jerk stands up points to his left and says "whey if that's the East stand there,.. reet?" we agree, so he continues "that's the direction the rockets'll come from" :| we had to explain to the daft c*nt we were only joking and little fat Kim has more important targets than SJP, although within 20 minutes of the match kicking off there was incoming from the east not so much a rocket but a cross as accurate as an Agni missile from Ritchie curling tantalisingly towards the far post, from where we were sitting young Atsu was right in our eyeline and as the move develops with Merino through the middle he is loitering with intent on the edge of the box but the second Ritchie launches it he turns on the afterburners and my word TV doesn't do his pace justice at all you have to be there and see it live, scintillating stuff, his eyes totally glued to the ball and you could hear the thump as he volleyed it into the net.
  Obviously last season I always had confidence that we could win every game but this is the first time for god knows how long I have felt like that in a premiership match, feeling invincible after two straight wins seems f*cking ridiculous I agree, but it's because the team spirit is there the movement off the ball is there, the workrate of the players is phenomenal, Clark and Lascelles have been transformed, clearly that hernia op has done Lascelles the world of good, but also his concentration levels have improved so much (could be in the knowledge that Lejeune is waiting to nick his place if he f*cks up) he doesn't just talk the talk now he walks the walk and the whole squad genuinely respect him now and see him as the big boss man on the field, which every team needs,..when the teams came out I'm saying where's Yedlin? I do wish he would stop changing his appearance, he looked like Lascelles mini-me,..Jerk says "he's probably forgotten to renew his work permit, so has to be in disguise" (stoopid boy :roll:).
  I can honestly say now I have no sympathy with Joselu whatsoever, this was his perfect opportunity to stick two fingers up at Hughes and he bottled it, the first sitter he missed was just a bad first touch, ok I think it was Yedlins long range shot which deflectad and came at him at speed, Butland was out quickly but still I think he could have been braver even if it ended in colliding with Butland it looked a bit airy fairy, almost as if he didn't want to score, the one in the second half that he blazed over the bar, just no way should strikers miss those, that was a defenders effort leaning back, you need to have your body over the ball to keep it down, very disappointing and Hughes will feel vindicated now you see,.. but that's not the end of it you smug litle Welsh twit, Cheapo-Moting wasn't much better so let's see who scores more over the season.
  Shaqiri is a player I would love in our side, but as an opposing player he is so f*cking annoying, constantly nagging the refs, complaining about everything when he doesnt get his own way he's jumping around like a cat with a firework up it's arse, it was a great strike but Elliot should have had it unless he saw it really late I don't know, but Shaqiris' celebration leaping around pointing to his name on the back of his shirt, just proved that the chants of "you fat B*stard" in the first half had hurt him :lol:
  Matt Ritchie was man of the match by some way, absolutely brilliant performance, Lascelles the hero again though for his winner, oh i forgot to say another reason I feel confident about winning games now is Merino, he fills you with confidence because he is just what we have been missing in the midfield, his consistency, Shelvey is great but only when he feels like it, he blows hot and cold you never quite know what you are going to get because he does have mental issues, but Merino has his head screwed on the right way, he has all his faculties working and on a football pitch he see's everything, his awareness, his passing, his running with the ball, his tackling, the kid works his socks off in every game and I have no doubt a lot of our players are watching him during a game and thinking 'we've got a good one here' and would rather have his rock solid consistency in the side than the loose cannon Shelvey.
  Post by: t00nraider_ on September 17, 2017, 05:05:57 PM
  so you think Merino ahead of Colback?
  Post by: ohsholaameobi on September 17, 2017, 07:06:00 PM
  That first Joselu chance he just didn't quite reach, got no blame for me on that one.
  The second it rebounded to him and he just reacted without thinking to place it in the corner, a bad miss.
  The third was an absolute sitter like.
  Also Atsu should've got it out his feet quicker and scored when he went clean through.
  Stoke had their chances too but thought we were more than worthy of 3 points.
  Hopefully can keep the momentum going and get at least a point down Brighton.
  Post by: ohsholaameobi on September 17, 2017, 07:07:41 PM
  Ritchie now has the same assists as David Silva, and 1 more than De Bruyne, Eriksen, 2 more than Mahrez...
  ?12m, what an absolute steal.
  Post by: French on September 17, 2017, 07:42:58 PM
  Great win, great atmosphere, fantastic work rate.
  Merino is an outstanding player. How refreshing to have a player with such ability and such a vision for the right pass.
  The back 4 look so well organised too.
  I just love the fact we are doing so well despite under-investment in the squad. Get the best of your players and your team should be the number 1 goal of any manager. Well done Rafa :thumbs: