A closer result than we might have expected perhaps but a few - for me at least - inexplicable issues.
1. Why was Perraud not started?
2. Why a back 5? Why not a 4 (KWP, Salisu, Bednarek, Perraud)? Was it because he wanted to start Bree? If so, that is an appalling decision.
3. Why was JWP asked to play deeper when he's had a good few games further forward?
I completely understand that NJ expected a 20/25 minute onslaught at the start of the game and wanted to try to get to say 30 minutes scoreless. However you don't protect your goal by putting a creative player (JWP) in a defensive position and then pick Edozie who can not defend at all.
Instead you have Lavia, Diallo and perhaps Maitland-Niles in front of the above 4.
JWP a little ahead of them and Adams and Armstrong.
Once they have run our of adrenaline you sub probably Diallo for Edozie or another attack minded player.
Given that Plan A failed after 20 minutes, why not then make the change?
In the second half with JWP further forward, Newcastle looked very ordinary and with a bit of luck we could have had a goal.
I'm beginning to worry a little that we're playing better than we did under the last days of RH and first days of NJ, but only for perhaps an hour and by then the game is away from us. That is not good when we need to win 8 games out of the next 18 to have any chance of staying in the PL. |  |
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