Another match that ended 1-0 this season, the 5th in total, but unfortunately for Newcastle United, four out of five of the 1-0 results have ended in defeat for the Magpies. Clearly, Rafa Benitez has a game-plan and that is to keep it tight, do not concede and not to leave ourselves open at the back, but you have to wonder if the game-plan is working?
Yesterday’s defeat at home to Bournemouth was hard to take, much like the previous game against Burnley; we defended well but we just could not take our chances. Granted, we were once again victim to numerous bad refereeing decisions, but we’re sadly lacking in creativity and any source of goals up front. It is all very well defending solidly and attempting to keep a clean sheet, but when we have nothing of any note going forward, I know for a fact that this 1-0 defeat is going to repeated a good number of times yet during the season unless things change.
Joselu once again led the line but it was refreshing to see Perez finally dropped in favour of Dwight Gayle, meaning for one of the first times in his career at Newcastle United, Rafa Benitez went with a 4-4-2 system, utilising two up front. Did it work? Not really. Gayle looked sharp in the first half and more lively than he has been for a while but in Joselu we simply have a waste of a shirt. Yes, he ran around, he came back to defend, but we have a goalkeeper, four defenders and two defensive-minded midfielders in Shelvey and Hayden who can defend, in my most ever humble of opinions, the striker should not necessarily be in the side due to his defensive abilities.
The last article I wrote sparked a bit of debate on Twitter and in the comments as I had dared to question Rafa Benitez’s starting line-up and tactics (although I do miss the comments from Sunderland fans; very active last season, not so much this season…).
Personally, I think some people read just the tweet or the headline and not the article, so I was on to a losing battle from the very beginning trying to explain my comments. But, if anything, this article will go down a similar path. As someone who writes about Newcastle United, I have the platform to voice my opinion, this is a “fan view” piece, after all.
For regular readers, they will be fully aware I love Rafa Benitez. I simply adore the man. He has saved the club I love and I want to see him at the helm for years and years. But I still have the right to question his decisions, I have the right to criticise the team; I might be completely wrong of course (often/always am!) but I still have a voice. Just because I criticise the manager, does not mean I am fickle, I am not in panic mode and I do not think we are going down – I just occasionally disagree with the team on the day.
However, I also know that Rafa is working with what he has due to another summer of minimal/no investment and he is doing an AMAZING job, but it wouldn’t be natural for me to feel upbeat after a home defeat, especially against a side who are doing so poorly this season.
After a defeat it is hard not to criticise, but yesterday’s performance was much better than the one against Burnley. I think what it boils down to for me is team selection and more so the lack of Mitrovic in the side. Mitrovic is like Marmite for Newcastle United fans; some love him, some hate him, or at least don’t rate him. I am the former and despite his many, many faults, he has proven at every level that he can score goals – and goals are something we are crying out for.
source : sport.yahoo
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