From bad to worse.

[ClaretinBudapest]

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.
Ekdal heads the ball out for a corner when it was easier to head it out for a throw in.Ugochokwu thought he was playing volleyball and Pires shows us why ne has not started a game yet this season.
You have to laugh otherwise you will cry.
It really is pathetic now.Apart from that we showed how to huff and puff without creating any clear cut chances and played half decent for the first 4 minutes.

[Swissclaret]

I thought it was harsh on Pires but very subjective.

I agree though. The difference is very marked. Our players just don’t have the skill at this level to act calmly, stay in control, build and find good targets. It is all very frenetic.

[ClaretinBudapest]

I thought it was harsh on Pires but very subjective.

I agree though. The difference is very marked. Our players just don?t have the skill at this level to act calmly, stay in control, build and find good targets. It is all very frenetic.

I did not see any contact on the replay and even his going down was delayed.Pires was done up like a kipper.

[malwayne]

I did not see any contact on the replay and even his going down was delayed.Pires was done up like a kipper.

If you could see there was no contact, why was the decision given ?

[ClaretinBudapest]

Newcastle took their foot off the gas in the second half and almost paid for it.You cannot miss free headers from 2 yards out in the PL against top teams.We should have had a point at the end.Flemming and Laurent getting in each others way with a brilliant delivery from Edwards.

[Swissclaret]

I did not see any contact on the replay and even his going down was delayed.Pires was done up like a kipper.

I agree CiB. I hate that aspect of the game. On at least 4 occasions Newcastle players went down clutching their shins or ankles. Replays showed no contact whatsoever with their shins or ankles.

[Supersub6]

I agree CiB. I hate that aspect of the game. On at least 4 occasions Newcastle players went down clutching their shins or ankles. Replays showed no contact whatsoever with their shins or ankles.

Corruption rules.
Hands in front of chest to protect against imminent collision, which is quite natural, ball hits hand, VAR gets involved and penalty given.
I am still trying to work it out after playing and refereeing over 1000 games in my 79 years.
Likewise with the 'foul' on Elanga who had pushed the ball too far ahead of himself and Dubravka was collecting it. Would we have got that decision at the other end today? Answers on a postage stamp.

[Swissclaret]

Corruption rules.
Hands in front of chest to protect against imminent collision, which is quite natural, ball hits hand, VAR gets involved and penalty given.
I am still trying to work it out after playing and refereeing over 1000 games in my 79 years.
Likewise with the 'foul' on Elanga who had pushed the ball too far ahead of himself and Dubravka was collecting it. Would we have got that decision at the other end today? Answers on a postage stamp.

I agree Super. I thought the rule was that the player had to have the ball under control and that it is a clear goal scoring opportunity. That was not the case under either of those rules.

[ClaretinBudapest]

Corruption rules.
Hands in front of chest to protect against imminent collision, which is quite natural, ball hits hand, VAR gets involved and penalty given.
I am still trying to work it out after playing and refereeing over 1000 games in my 79 years.
Likewise with the 'foul' on Elanga who had pushed the ball too far ahead of himself and Dubravka was collecting it. Would we have got that decision at the other end today? Answers on a postage stamp.

He did play the ball just to take it away from Pires then fall over.There does not seem to be any need for contact these days Sub.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

My honest conclusion is we were robbed.

[ballcock]

My conclusion is that next Saturdays game home to Fulham is a must win game

[Swissclaret]

My conclusion is that next Saturdays game home to Fulham is a must win game

My concern is that Parker will set up the side not to lose, rather than go out to win. I hope that I am wrong. Comparing yesterday with the performance against Palace, it would seem that the message has got through that we are too slow and turgid on the ball. We were quicker yesterday but almost frenetic at times.

We need to get the balance right, obviously. I do see yesterday as an improvement as we are never going to score passing it across the back line and then back to the goal keeper.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Let's live in the reality guys, relegation is nailed on and from previous experience Pace is not a sacker.

We will churn the team around again and keep the moneymen happy.