Wolverhampton (a)

[Mick]

[GhostfaceKillah]

As expected. Wanted to see Tonali start but didn't for one second think Howe would do it.

The midfield have to turn up. Apart from the 2nd half of the Southampton game where the three had to dig in and they did, our midfield has been no where near good enough since.

Historically a shit game for us but we have the quality out there to ensure that today is a different outcome.

Going 1-3.

[Mick]

Get Jolinton off before he gets sent off
Longstaff, Murphy off
Tonali, willock and Barnes on

Mick

[GhostfaceKillah]

Murphy off, Longstaff off.

Shit in both boxes, again. One of the best strikers in world football and we can't find a way to get him into the game, something is fundamentally wrong for this to be happening week in and week out. Could be as simple as Tonali bringing the quality in midfield that a lower league plodder like Longstaff doesn't possess, but we are seeing this every game now.

Burn's defending for the goal was as poor as you'll see, dreadful from Longstaff but Burn had 3 opportunities to defend that goal and failed. Bruno looks slow, I suspect the international break is taking its toll.

[Mick]

He’s got to change things now - no good waiting until 20 minutes to go and chasing the game

[KMK]

Agree with both of you. That was a shocking goal to give away. Picked us off so easily and yet for all our possession we couldn’t score.

[Mick]

Its me lucky sox wot won it!

[GhostfaceKillah]

Objectively we look like a team with no plan or system. We look weak defensively and poor up top, yet we have players who can play in moments and do something brilliant. I can't remember seeing a Newcastle side in my memory who did this week in and week out, but I come away feeling angry at the performances and relieved by the results. We are sat 3rd, with a chance to go 2nd with a win next weekend, I should be over joyed, but I'm just not enjoying the season so far, as it just doesn't feel like a sustainable way to keep winning games.

We have all the ingredients with the starting 11 to play well and win, and the fact we are consistently failing to play well is cause for concern as the season is well under way now, but nothing on that front seems to be changing.

I'll enjoy the Barnes goal many many times this week, that's the one great take from that game today, along with the 3 points.