Promising signs ahead - My thoughts on the leeds game

Troll leeds fans - https://not606.com/threads/leeds-utd-v-newcastle-utd-match-thread.398391/page-8

Our performances are steadily improving. We do still lack a cutting edge, and still do make defensive mistakes, but we look a bit more solid.

No more games until 8th of feb so this will give the players more time to gel and hopefully transfers in to get used to the team!!!

POSITIVES YOU FAT ****ERS!!

PLEASE - Play ****ing Manquillo LB from now on. He looks so much better than Dummett and others in that position.

Willock also played well. He just needs time.

One thing I'd say is I think 4-3-3 does seem to suit our team more than 4-4-2 because it gives some of the CM's more freedom to roam, such as Willock.

Ratings -

Dubz - 7 - Good. Won a good amount in the air.

Trippier - 8 - Solid

Shcar - 8 - Solid game

Clark - 6 - Decent enough

Lascelles - 6 - OK.

Manq - 8 - Excellent

Fraser - 7 - Worked his tits off

Willock - 8 - Great energy, good defensively and a threat going forward. Looks a bit clumbsy at times, but shows promise.

Shelvey - 7 - Good goal

Longstaff - 7 - Worked hard.

ASM - 6 - Some good runs but needs to stop looking for a foul and just play on.

Wood - 7 - Good target man display. Won a lot in the air and brought others into play. Him winning balls from long passes is crucial as we cannot play from the back well.

MOTM - Willock I think. Did so much work.

 

Waits for the others to post as these ratings do not reflect the negativity on the match thread.

 

Not the best first half, but it got better towards the end IMO.

 

I didn't watch it but relied on the negativity of the match thread. I thought everyone was going to get 5s and 6s

 

I thought Willock was head and shoulders the best today. ASM was very good in my opinion. Would have liked more end product but just importance in playing on the counter is there for all to see. I also thought Lascelles was very good, made any number of important blocks and clearances. I won’t let my dislike of him cloud that.

 

Still I hope we sign someone.

Shar was our best CB today by a mile.

 

Mister Magoo needs to stop reffing Newcastle games. These penalty decisions that we ain't getting are becoming very f*ckin' annoying

 

There was none. Your just moaning.

 

And yet hes utter **** and no progress is being made.

I support him 100%>

 

Observations:

Trippier shouting and pointing at the defence… then Lascelles copying his gestures and words. This happened a few times. Trippier is our captain.

Lascelles was a shambles. When he went off Clark steadied the defence and added a new dimension… the ability to pass the ball out of defence.

Trippier. Fan favourite already. Didn’t put a foot wrong. We are lucky to have him. And he loves the Toon.

willock. Looked great and got everywhere.

manq- cool, calm and collected. He must start more games now.

wood. Underwhelming. So lacking pace. Looked like a startled rabbit when the ball was played through the middle. We didn’t ping all the crosses he needs In though.

ASM, went a bit Ronaldo at times moaning at others rather than rolling his sleeves up.

 

I think it's a bit harsh on wood. I like how we have a target man who wins the ball up the pitch and knocks it down for others. It's useful because we are dreadful playing the ball from the back at times.

 

a lot of his play was on the deck today Tash. That’s not his strong area.

 

I think after giving the game some careful thought and avoiding any rash, immediate, knee jerk reaction. And after having time to put my thoughts in order I would sum up my post match reaction as follows…

 

My thoughts on the game..

 

Trippier definitely MOTM, defending was perfect and passing was spot on. Schar also great, unlike the Watford game, we looked like we could comfortably hang on to the 1-0 lead.

Willock finally played well, and the difference with Manquillo in the team is obvious. Dubravka finally has an error free performance.

Negatives - Lascelles as ever, and ASM still seems to be a bit of a loose cannon, needs to reign in those mazy runs sometimes, although he was denied a clear pen.

 

This! The first half was very slow starting, got better and better as the game went on, was pleased to see when we did score we didn't sit in either we kept going with what was working.

Also think the injury to Dummett was a blessing in disguise - he was starting to be run ragged by Raphinha and getting Manquillo on was huge!

Said at HT but I'll say it again - Shelvey, Schar and Lacselles were the best players in the first half and probably the best players on the pitch, having slated them all week prior to the game all three deserve the praise for stepping up this weekend. Hell while I'm at it, Clark even looked like an EPL player when he came on. Now where did I leave my crack pipe?

 

Jonjo is in Garth's team of the week lol.

 

However lazy we might think Jonjo is, Garth is ten times lazier......

Which teams won? Who scored for them? Team of the week done!