[Albion] Newcastle United vs Brighton & Hove Albion *** Official Match Thread ***

[Hotchilidog]

It's not so much the defeat, it's who it's too that rankles with me. I utterly despise the sports washers, the fact that at least on my twitter timeline their fans have been gracious in victory makes it even worse! Such a shame that their fanbase is now tainted by their despicable owners.

As for us, I'll not criticise the team, this final schedule which involves playing the top three whilst still needing something from those games would be testing enough for a full strength and rested side let alone one as understrength as ours. We did what we could but the Saudis had superior strength and they made it count with a well executed press that overwhelmed us. The better and stronger side won even if I thought the final scoreline was harsh.

Positives can be found in a more resilient second half performance where we finally pushed them and could maybe have snatched a draw from defeat. Good experience for the likes of Buonanotte (who very much needs the minutes to acclimatise to the PL), Offiah and Peupinion. I thought JPVH was ok, again these players are only ever going to learn with real match experience.

Sunday's win took a lot out of us. It looks to me that two full on performances in a row are a real stretch for this side right now given the ludicrous timetable we are working to. I think we win Sunday, lose Wednesday and hopefully nothing is riding on the Villa game.
Fair play to every fan that made it to the game last night an absolutely magnificent effort and we could hear you on the TV.

Roll on Sunday!

 

[Zeberdi]

I do think though that Mac and Moises have to be starting every game. I know they had the WC too, but they're not going to be here next year and are two of our greatest ever players. You just say to them 'look boys I know you're tired, I know you're hurting, but it's four more games. That's it. Four games and you get your big move. Four more games and you're on the beach. Just one last massive effort'.

If it were that simple, they’d be played and RDZ would have no hesitation but I would suggest it’s not.

These top players are literally the Club’s assets, not only does playing severely fatigued/underfit players risk potentially career changing injury for them but could have the effect of wiping millions off our investments if that happens.

It’s not just a decision RDZ would make alone, it’s down to a whole team of physios and the Club doctor to determine the match fitness level of players. In addition, not just the Club but players insure themselves/body parts against injury - I’m not a expert on Athlete insurance but I would hazard a guess that playing players when there is a foreseeable and unacceptable level of risk of injury ie when very fatigued/unfit to play 2 x 90mins in a week, could invalidate a potential insurance claim if that approach to ’managing’ their fitness level resulted in serious (ACL/Achilles etc) injury.

Even though players recover from these injuries, it’s often not to their full speed and ability they had prior ( not least leaving them with recurring issues on the original injury site)

 

[Napper]

Van Hecke was alright but way to slow when he had space to bring ball out and ping quick passes.

With Mac out we needed Caicedo in CM as nothing was sticking.

Buonotte - way way off the level needed at the moment

The fact we had a sniff of a point for much of the second half was credit to the players who tried to stand up to a massive physical side. Game fell away at the end due to us pushing.

Reset , hope for some luck saturday and then a Cup final saturday .

Really dont want to have to go to villa needing anything

 

[Uh_huh_him]

41 games for the skipper this season. Our best player last night.
Just 4 yellows in the league.

Only been subbed off twice, both times in cup games with the tie won. (Grimsby and Arsenal)
Deserves player of the season, but probably won't get it.

 

[The Fits]

41 games for the skipper this season. Our best player last night.
Just 4 yellows in the league.

Only been subbed off twice, both times in cup games with the tie won. (Grimsby and Arsenal)
Deserves player of the season, but probably won't get it.

Player of the season and PL defender of the year if you ask me. Not an exaggeration to say if he'd had this season at Man City he'd be up for the Balloon d'Or.

 

[Toongull]

Dreaded going into work today but actually quite surprised at the comments about how much better we were 2nd half and how the final score flattered them. A lot of praise for Dunk as well and how he was our best player. They think he’d jump at the chance to sign for them.

 

[kevo]

With RDZ the key is the defence. JP isn't as bad as some on here are making out. But when you have a nervous player, who is inexperienced and (in all honesty) probably doesn't have the passing ability or composure to do this at this level (yet?) the whole thing goes to pot. If you have a bad game higher up the field It doesn't matter as much under RDZ, because everything comes from the back. GK and CBs are our playmakers. They set the tone, dictate everything and make the key early decisions in our build up play. Dunk has nailed it. Pervis has nailed it. Veltman is getting better. But it's obvious to me that RDZ will see another CB and another RB, in his mould, as absolute priority over the summer.
It's important to remember that we do very little defending. But when do have to defend we are massively exposed. So you need players who are exceptional defensively but whose key attributes are composure and passing. We have between 60 and 70% of the ball and Dunk has had the most touches and made the most passes of any player in Europe. That's what is happening now.

I think that criticism of JP is unfair. Thought he was generally very good bringing the ball out and with his passing. I think he may not be quite there yet defensively. Tbh every time Newcastle attacked it looked like they would score.

 

[Bodian]

41 games for the skipper this season. Our best player last night.
Just 4 yellows in the league.

Only been subbed off twice, both times in cup games with the tie won. (Grimsby and Arsenal)
Deserves player of the season, but probably won't get it.

He was subbed off against Liverpool for a few minutes as well I think. No suspensions (yet).

 

[NUFC1]

Morning lads - definitely not here to gloat.

We started like we always do in our 'big' home games - lightening fast in everything we do. There's always the worry, like I said on this forum the other day, that if a team with the quality of Brighton manage that opening barrage they're going to have a spell in the game. It's all about taking your chances, which thankfully we did from set-pieces (which has been very rare in the second half of the season, almost as rare as Dan Burn heading the ball in a straight line).

I knew you'd come back into it second half, and it had a feel of 'one of those nights' for us when we missed the chance to go 3-0 and 90 seconds later it's 2-1, with Willock going off shortly after given our midfield is already depleted.

I thought for all you had the ball we reverted to a mid/low block and slowed the game down as much as possible, and apart from the header that went past the far post I can't really remember you troubling us much, although in the ground the tension was quite large given the stakes for us.

Got speaking to an older couple from Brighton in the Old George pre-match so if it was you, hello! But so pleasant and were enjoying their time mixing with us, which ultimately is what it's all about.

I know the result didn't go your way this time but if there's anything I can say it's that pre-match, my group who go to the games consist of 9 of us, from 18-70. Not one of them were confident of a win and even after beating you 4-1, were all very complimentary of your commitment to playing football the 'right way', even when it doesn't go so well.

I thought Dunk was great by the way, which begs the question is to how Harry f*cking Maguire can get in the England set up ahead of him? Then I remember the national team, as has been for generations, will always pick on names.

Anyway best of luck for the rest of the season and beyond, I know you lot will be worrying as is human nature after a defeat, but you'll be fine. I know you have all been saying 'typical Brighton' and you'll lose to Southampton and I totally get it - I'm thinking the same now about our game against Leicester on Monday! But you will beat Southampton, plus Villa will lose at Liverpool on Saturday regardless.

Keep the faith lads! Great side you's have. I'll be down the Amex again next season hoping to see my first win there!

 

[Brovion]

It was the ‘secondary’ celebration particularly that rankled a bit, directed at those behind the goal I guess but looked to be including us (and he’s the only player who would have gad us in his eyeline )

Pretty classless of him whatever - thought he was better than that.

I know. With a premonition of what was to come, just before that free kick was taken I said to my wife "I bet Dan Burn scores from this. But hopefully he won't celebrate too much." When the inevitable happened and Burn had come down of the roof and had finished his victory lap of the entire stadium she said "Not too much then, eh?"

Ah well, it was his first goal for them apparently. Not quite Nathan Jones level.

 

[jimhigham]

I’ve just remembered Tottenham happened. If we don’t reach Europe I’m going to lose my mind dredging over that match again and again and again.

And again.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

Morning lads - definitely not here to gloat.

We started like we always do in our 'big' home games - lightening fast in everything we do. There's always the worry, like I said on this forum the other day, that if a team with the quality of Brighton manage that opening barrage they're going to have a spell in the game. It's all about taking your chances, which thankfully we did from set-pieces (which has been very rare in the second half of the season, almost as rare as Dan Burn heading the ball in a straight line).

I knew you'd come back into it second half, and it had a feel of 'one of those nights' for us when we missed the chance to go 3-0 and 90 seconds later it's 2-1, with Willock going off shortly after given our midfield is already depleted.

I thought for all you had the ball we reverted to a mid/low block and slowed the game down as much as possible, and apart from the header that went past the far post I can't really remember you troubling us much, although in the ground the tension was quite large given the stakes for us.

Got speaking to an older couple from Brighton in the Old George pre-match so if it was you, hello! But so pleasant and were enjoying their time mixing with us, which ultimately is what it's all about.

I know the result didn't go your way this time but if there's anything I can say it's that pre-match, my group who go to the games consist of 9 of us, from 18-70. Not one of them were confident of a win and even after beating you 4-1, were all very complimentary of your commitment to playing football the 'right way', even when it doesn't go so well.

I thought Dunk was great by the way, which begs the question is to how Harry f*cking Maguire can get in the England set up ahead of him? Then I remember the national team, as has been for generations, will always pick on names.

Anyway best of luck for the rest of the season and beyond, I know you lot will be worrying as is human nature after a defeat, but you'll be fine. I know you have all been saying 'typical Brighton' and you'll lose to Southampton and I totally get it - I'm thinking the same now about our game against Leicester on Monday! But you will beat Southampton, plus Villa will lose at Liverpool on Saturday regardless.

Keep the faith lads! Great side you's have. I'll be down the Amex again next season hoping to see my first win there!

Fair dos. You deserved the win.
We were down to bare bones and saving a couple for Sunday. Shows the gap between our first 11 and the rest of the squad.
Looks like the board are actively working on improving the situation for next season.
Hopefully we complete our target over the next 2 games and can have a party at Villa on the 28th.

Best of luck to you for next season, I'm not a fan of your ownership, but your fans deserve to enjoy yourselves as much as anyone else.

 

[NUFC1]

Fair dos. You deserved the win.
We were down to bare bones and saving a couple for Sunday. Shows the gap between our first 11 and the rest of the squad.
Looks like the board are actively working on improving the situation for next season.
Hopefully we complete our target over the next 2 games and can have a party at Villa on the 28th.

Best of luck to you for next season, I'm not a fan of your ownership, but your fans deserve to enjoy yourselves as much as anyone else.

I'm sure you will be fine, to the point where I'd be willing to bet my mortgage on it! At the end of the day, if the consolation prize is Conference League, which I know is not ideal, then so be it. It's a competition that will give you cracking trips and a genuine chance of winning it. I know West Ham have suffered in the league this season but a lot of it comes down to coaching. You're likely to have quite a kitty in the summer and whilst I understand your ethos isn't to go crazy in the market, you should have enough there to pack out your squad so you don't detriment your league form at the expense of having a good run in Europe.

However, I think you'll be fine for Top 6 and Europa League. One win should do it, and remember - Man City will more likely than not win the league on Sunday. They'll come to a rowdy Amex on Wednesday without Haaland, De Bruyne et al with the treble in mind. Their 'second team' is obviously better than most in Europe, however it's a game you can at least get a point in. You will beat Southampton, then if needed you have the insurance policy of Villa last game. Human nature and past experiences allow us to all get worried - I'm shi*ting it for Monday against a terrible Leicester, but we both should get the job done. We only have ourselves to blame if not. I definitely don't want it going to the last game for us! Although the idea as a neutral of Villa vs. Brighton for a Europa spot is enticing, I genuinely hope (and think) you will get the job done prior. There's also no chance Villa get anything from Anfield with the way the officials are with that lot, so that should help with the nerves for you, but crank it up a tad for us pre-Leicester!

Agree re: ownership, but appreciate the well wishes. As I said on my maiden post on here on Wednesday, all we want to do is enjoy watching our team like any other fan. It's the culmination of a week of work and an escape from reality. Football is a release for most, certainly for me. Following Newcastle home and away for almost two decades has brought not much in the way of results (I know I can't really moan when you look at the likes of Blackpool/Bury et al, but it's all relative to your situation isn't it?) but no state should be in a position to ever own a football club, that much is clear. Sadly there isn't much the average Joe can do about it, as with anything in life - money talks.

Hope all the lads and lasses who made the journey north, despite the result, had a cracking time in the City and travelled safely back. I seen quite a few Brighton fans in the bars which was great to see. Always welcome up here.

 

[Bestleft2]

7 games in 26 days is utterly ridiculous - going on a decent cup run has punished us - any other club would’ve been up in arms about that schedule -I’m not making excuses but I’m making excuses

 

[Stato]

I know the result didn't go your way this time but if there's anything I can say it's that pre-match, my group who go to the games consist of 9 of us, from 18-70. Not one of them were confident of a win

Eddie Howe is newish to you, so you can be forgiven for not knowing his history against us. He's a decent coach who doesn't generally need a slice of good fortune to get something out of a game, but need it or not, he always gets it against us: Playing us when we're at our nadir in the season, when we're struggling to put out a team, penalties given for tackles outside of the box, penalties given after his attacker, not our defender handled in the box, double sending offs after ten minutes. He's had them all against us at various clubs across the divisions. Tell your group from us not to worry next time. However good we are, all the time you are managed by Smug Eddie, we'll be as successful against you, as West Ham were against us whenever Glenn Murray was playing.

 

[NUFC1]

Eddie Howe is newish to you, so you can be forgiven for not knowing his history against us. He's a decent coach who doesn't generally need a slice of good fortune to get something out of a game, but need it or not, he always gets it against us: Playing us when we're at our nadir in the season, when we're struggling to put out a team, penalties given for tackles outside of the box, penalties given after his attacker, not our defender handled in the box, double sending offs after ten minutes. He's had them all against us at various clubs across the divisions. Tell your group from us not to worry next time. However good we are, all the time you are managed by Smug Eddie, we'll be as successful against you, as West Ham were against us whenever Glenn Murray was playing.

Ahh, so basically like when we play Big Sam then!?

Fair enough, mate. Didn't know that. I'll tell them not to worry, but unfortunately it's in our nature. Most of us now are relentlessly worrying about Leicester, although logically if we play anything like we did in the first 45 last night, we should definitely be fine. Injuries in midfield is a huge concern.

We did once blow a 12 point lead to win the Premier League, if you didn't already know.....

 

[Ooh it’s a corner]

By the way I LOVED the fact that your ground is so close to the city centre. Good Metro service to the airport and friendly locals. Apart from the result(from our perspective) it was a great visit

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

Oh stop playing to the gallery for goodness sake and get over yourself - that’s several posts where you’ve made sweeping comments about the intelligence of your fellow NSCers - why don’t you read a few more posts and get a more balanced view of what most people have been saying for days - of course it’s fixture congestion, fatigue, injuries and a manager having to take calculated risks on who to play, for how long and when in order to get us into Europe.

We are not idiots!

I am.

 

[Stato]

Ahh, so basically like when we play Big Sam then!?

Fair enough, mate. Didn't know that. I'll tell them not to worry, but unfortunately it's in our nature. Most of us now are relentlessly worrying about Leicester, although logically if we play anything like we did in the first 45 last night, we should definitely be fine. Injuries in midfield is a huge concern.

We did once blow a 12 point lead to win the Premier League, if you didn't already know.....

I remember, although poor old Kevin wasn't up against a Leicester side that hasn't won a game since before Valentine's day.

 

[NUFC1]

By the way I LOVED the fact that your ground is so close to the city centre. Good Metro service to the airport and friendly locals. Apart from the result(from our perspective) it was a great visit

Glad you enjoyed yourself. I'm not sure of the exact number but I think St James' is within a 5 minute walk of over 120 bars. I do hope we never relocate (and the new ownership have said we won't) , but demand is exceeding supply at quite a high level at the moment. We have bought the land back which Ashley sold which is directly behind the Gallowgate end, which should allow another 12k seats. I'd imagine we would want any work complete prior to Euro 28 as we've been selected as one of the host venues should we be successful. We can't extend the smaller East Stand (to the away fans left) due to Grade II listed buildings directly behind the stand.

It really is unique to have the ground in the City Centre, certainly from my experience. You can be down by the Tyne on the Quayside enjoying a beer and be inside St James' within 10 minutes, it's great. We always say it would be the perfect away day, save for the stairs up to the actual away end!