Here we go again then and it’s another game on a stupid Monday night in front of the Sky cameras.
Seeing how we’ve gone around fourteen live games without a single win, that’s a bad omen in itself, but all runs have to come to an end don’t they?
Hmm.
As much as I try to retain any optimism (as much as some others think I don’t), I think this particular match couldn’t have come at a worse time. More so when you consider we’ve played “lesser” teams at home and lost.
We’ve played Brighton away, so this is probably the toughest fixture we have left this season…
I’m sorry. As much as I try to look on the bright side and recall that Blues and Wolves have turned Newcastle over on their own turf, combined with the fact that the Barcodes have the second worst record for individual errors (after us), so I think I’m clutching at straws.
The truth is I don’t think we’ve got a hope in hell of taking anything away tonight, as much as it might leave me open to abuse.
Let’s face it, we’ve won two away games all season haven’t we?
So why should we expect to get anything from this one, in front of a big crowd that are constantly being wound up by Mick Quinn and a media trying to create a rivalry that really isn’t there?
I was supposed to be doing a Q&A with a Newcastle blog, mainly to see what their thoughts were on that latter point, but sadly I’ve just been too busy and it didn’t happen. I’m pretty sure they’d have agreed there isn’t really a problem between the two sets of fans, but I digress.
So what’s been going on recently then?
Bruce says he had a message from Xia saying his job’s safe.
Xia has got the hump over some site saying he’s gambling with the Villa re; parachute money.
Players have been coming out and saying it’s not been good enough and we’ll be better.
And we’re already being linked with players for the summer.
Yawn.
None of it’s of any consequence and all that matters is we start putting points on the board.
So what do we know about the game?
Both our new full backs, Taylor and Bree are doubtful, but the good news is Mile Jedinak might be back after a groin injury. And how we could do with him being fit. It’s been no co-incidence that we’ve looked worse at the back without him, in my opinion.
There have been calls for Sam Johnstone to be dropped and while I’m not sure what it would do for his confidence, so it might be better to get him out of the spotlight. Frankly, he’s been poor for us, hasn’t he?
Bruce has talked about putting Kodjia back on the left, as he thinks he’ll be more dangerous there and that’s something I think the manager will definitely do.
Will Grealish get the spot in the hole? Possibly, but I’d be tempted to save him for later as he sums up the team, in not being a 90 minute player.
Otherwise, the rest of the team pretty much picks itself and whatever eleven starts, it probably won’t be far off what we think is our best eleven on paper.
As for Newcastle, they might have Dwight Gayle back. Great and that’s all we need.
I can actually see us getting a goal tonight, as Newcastle won’t feel any need to sit back against us, which might see us get opportunities, but we’re struggling to convert chances.
Newcastle, on the other hand will also create and with our defence conceding from pretty much any mistake, it doesn’t bode well.
I’m going to go for a 3-1 loss then and it’s more about the performance, I feel.
The last time we beat Newcastle away was the infamous punch up game which we won 3-0 and I attended.
How I’d love to see a similar result tonight.
Comments
195 responses to “Newcastle – Villa:”
Anyone else noticed we seem to be getting the right side of the oppo quite consistently? Maybe it’s just me.
Not too bad up to now.
Halfway line back to defender, just after we had a counter and the mid deliberately passed it behind Adomah, to slow it down.
Jeez, that’s so annoying.
No wonder we don’t bloody score; we aren’t direct enough.
OTOH, we actually look more likely.
Gayle off with some problem.
Mitrovich(?) on.
Newcastle showing very little up to now.
And I thinks it’s the way we’re playing!
Lascelles booked. I missed their earlier one (Shelvey? the dirty bastard).
Encouraging.
Fucks sake!
Utter dogshit defending again!!!!!!!
Can’t fault them so far, frustrating them and looking the better side
Goal says everything, no luck
I knew it when I could see Newcastle starting to press, that corner told me they would score.
I despair.
Played ok. Opposition get 1 chance and score.
When will our luck change FFS!
One corner, one shot on goal ………… says it all about the Villa this season.
Look a lot better with Jedinak sitting in front of back four.
Over three years since we won a game when down at half time – so I’m not really hopeful
That Bjarnison not in the game, problem now will heads drop? We can beat these need to keep going.
I despair. Was just thinking that the first half performance will do their confidence the world of good then the inevitable happens.
We panic and just hoof long ball as soon as we come under pressure that needs to change also We need to be more positive with the ball, were in that mindset of looking to pass back instead of foward first. Maybe thats because we dont make triangles and we dont pass and move that well. Kodjia is wasted out wide could use him in the middle. Hope Bruce changes it up a little
I’m not sure I agree Bill.
Seems to me his job is to get all over the place and get amongst them.
I’ll try and keep my eye on him.
Is Hogan playing?
He can’t do f##kall if don’t get the service mate.
He’s a Fox in the box not Diego Maradona.
That’s my point BWS.
Newcastle far far far from their best, us probably at our best for ages, contain us with ease and go in at hr in front.
We’re so bad its embarrassing!!
Our closest chance is a defected cross.
Look hopeless going forward with only 1 striker. Kodjia wasted wide. Bjarnesson couldn’t pass wind, Lansbury been shite.
Obviously watching a different game to me.
Nope, same game only I dont watch it in pretence. We’ve been crap, only Toon have been too making is look a tad better than usual
Sorry, that’s BS.
What have Newcastle created, apart from a corner and a spawny pinball goal?
Criticism where it’s due, but come on.
Huh. They’re winning and like I said, they’re playing badly. So it only goes to prove we’re shite. So its not “BS” its facts!!!!!!!
TBF that is an accurate assessment. We have managed the game well for the most part, but haven’t provided any threat. That their goals came from inept defending is hardly relevant.
As I write this we are falling apart. Again.
Defend that if you want but we will get relegated if we continue this way.
That’s cause we’ve stifled their play.
dare i say hutton is having a good game. lol well apart from switching off at the corner, we have done what was expected. quietened the crowd limited their chances, had a few of our own dangerous situations. we need to start scoring which is why we bought hogan kodija lansbury.
we are 1 nil only we can still get something from this game. we have to believe and we have to be strong. more importantly take our chances
You’ve gotta make them first.
no shots on target and some say we are playing well, shows how far we have fallen standards wise
We giving balls away, cannot find our men.hoofing balls find your player villa , fuck me what was that Bjarnison.
Get Barnston off…get Adomah on!!!
decent save from Johnstone there.
And that is the end…
Oh God 🙁
2 now i give up.
2-0 up. Sad thing. They havent even got out of 1st gear.
BRUCE FUCKING OUT.
Sorry VF – how can you blame Bruce for the two goals?
he is the manager, picking team tactics use of subs signing off keeper
Another ridiculous goal – and its goodnight from me
Total lack of composure in the second half again.
Jesus.
Will we ever score
And then their GK pulls off a brilliant save – same old script
Hit straight at him. Would have done well to get out of the way of it.
The players brought in where meant to have the right character to fight for the club. I have seen little of that so far. They put the fear of God in know one only the Villa fans.