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IMMEDIATE REACTION to the WORST GAME EVER - Leeds 0-0 Newcastle
18 Plays8 days ago
Michael battles his way through our immediate reaction to what he is calling one of the worst games he has ever watched. Was the game THAT bad? Let us know your thoughts!
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Transcript
Introduction and Match Overview
00:00:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I tell you what, it's very rare I find myself agreeing with Nigel Farage. Bloody. Welcome back to the Daily Newcastle podcast. You go to for all things black and white every single day.
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um My name is Michael Grahamslund. Today we're breaking down Newcastle United's ridiculously boring draw against Leeds United in the Premier League. It was black and white. It was absolutely boring, dreadful.
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
there was virtually nothing to unpack. There was no tactical nuance or attack in action. So this is probably going to be a much shorter episode. reviewed the game, give my player ratings, but unfortunately there isn't too much to talk about.
Team Selection and Surprises
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
um We'll talk about the team selection to start off. um It's clear there was a lot of knocks picked up on Monday evening. We picked lined up with five at the back, four changes in Barnes, Alanga, Gordon and Joe Linton.
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Out with Sven Bottman, Jacob Murphy, Willie Masula and Jacob Ramsey all making their first start of the season. It was a ah game of huge intensity on Monday.
00:01:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the game on Saturday couldn't... Well, the game today, should I say, couldn't have been any different. But it is rare we see the back five deployed by Newcastle. Usually we only do it against the likes of Arsenal, etc. When we think we're back, going to be against the wall.
00:01:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But with six players, ah mainly attacking players as well, missing already, it probably came as no surprise that we try to switch things up a bit. Personally, glad to see Osula. um Or at least I was about four hours ago.
00:01:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
um His only Premier League goal came against Ipswich before Liverpool. So putting him in against a newly promoted side seemed logical. i would have liked to have seen Lewis Hall back in the side after the the Liverpool performance off the bench.
00:02:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was excellent then, um less so when he came off the bench today. um Probably did enough to start, although if it was going to be 90 minutes of that performance, probably glad he didn't. But Eddie Howe sees them in training every day and knows a hell of a lot more about the lads than I do.
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
um On the lead side, it was a first Premier League start for Sean Longstaff and and striker Lucas Nemecha, whose younger brother Felix broke Newcastle hearts in the Champions League a few years ago with Borussia Dortmund. It comes as no shock that Lucas had no chance of doing the same today.
00:02:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
and that's not because we were good, it was just because the game was dreadful. But it was a bit of a surprise that Sheryl Pirot didn't start for Leeds, but from what I saw on social media, Leeds fans were very happy that he was dropped.
00:02:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
um might be Might not be after that performance.
Match Dynamics and Key Moments
00:03:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
But into the game, it started with Leeds on the front foot and a very scrappy game to start off with.
00:03:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
devoid of quality. Livermanto was probably the best player on the pitch, started brightly, um got a lot of crosses into the box, beat his man again and again and again.
00:03:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the one thing that was evident was a real lack of chemistry between Jacob Murphy and William Asula in comparison to Murphy and Isaac, who were the best assist to goal scorer duo in the league last year. And, you know, Isaac to Murphy was still in the top 20. Um,
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
um One of those where I think with a Sula, if you don't know what you're going to do, the winger supporting you aren't going to know either. He's very much an impulse player.
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And until player until the players around him get used to those impulses, he's not going to do much with the club. um But first half, Ramsey created the best chance.
00:04:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Great work by Tino Livramento. Get it to Ramsey on the left-hand side. gets it into William Asula, who opts against taking it first time and hits it straight at the defender. And you're thinking, OK, you know what?
00:04:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're starting to create chances. We're starting to get in behind. Maybe something's going to happen. ah No, it it got worse, unfortunately.
00:04:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there were three or four crosses like that in the first half where you are thinking, how on earth has William Asula not gotten near it? um it just seemed to be a step in front of him every time and unfortunately because you couldn't see the replays because no one touched the ball why would there be a replay it just looked like there wasn't even an effort to make the ball and I'm sure there was it was just wasn't close enough but without the replays it was really frustrating and Yeah, no goalkeeper was in any danger of conceding.
00:04:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it has to be said, Tonali and Bruno were really poor on the ball. Leeds' midfield three got the better of our midfield two by a country mile. Yeah. But it does I do have to say, if anyone was going to create anything, it probably was Bruno Gamares, Tino Livermento, or Jacob Ramsey, which says a lot about the rest of the team. um That's pretty much it for the first half.
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Second half begins as the the first ends. Sloppy. um There was a few things that amused me. Nemecha accidentally jumped on Byrne's ankle. ah They were both hurt.
00:05:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Byrne, who's been stood on just nonchalantly, Gans. Yareed. Yeah, that amused me. ah It's probably the fact I've mentioned it tells you everything about that second half.
00:05:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And then Pope and Lucas Perry both smashed the ball into the crowd for no reason, with no one pressuring either of them. ah Yeah, I guess in actual football, Murphy had a decent long shot from like 30, 35 yards, produced a good save from the new Leeds goalkeeper.
00:06:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Realistically, you shouldn't be having to take shots like that from that distance. But at least you know we were trying to do something. The fans were the better part of the match. I can't repeat the chant, um but credit to them for actually entertaining me.
00:06:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And credit to them for actually making an early tactical change, because I think it actually woke Eddie Howe up. Obviously, we brought Miley on for Ramsey at the start of the second half with Ramsey picking up a knock.
00:06:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... It led to the Newcastle bringing on Lewis Hall and Anthony Alanga for Trippier and Murphy. And we continue to create absolutely nothing. The game was slow, lethargic and, well, as I said the start, really quite boring. It was probably the worst game of football since the 0-0 against Norwich under Steve Bruce.
00:06:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I don't recommend anyone goes back and watch the highlights from that. Or if you do, yeah, it'll be about 20 seconds. But in the 90th minute, Calvert-Lewin makes a good run.
00:07:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pope makes a simple save with his feet. um Yeah, I think the only thing to credit from either side was the fact that Leeds had a lot of intensity in midfield. those Yeah, it was the only good thing about the entire match.
00:07:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then after the game, I didn't see it myself, but ah the group chat exploded with the the knowledge that... um the female commentator after the game called Walt Maird Voldemort, which, yeah, at least they were trying to entertain.
Mid-Game Analysis and Advert Break
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's where the subscription goes. But for now, yeah, we're going to go into our first advert and then, well, our only advert, should I say, and then we'll do some player ratings and then we'll end it there because virtually there's not a lot to talk about.
Player Performance Reviews
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if I was getting what was right for me right now, it would be an energy drink to wake me up after that horrid match. But into the player ratings. Starting off at the back with Nick Pope.
00:08:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've actually gave Nick Pope a 5.5, which, to be honest, looking back, does feel a little baffling. um He picked up a really silly yellow card in the first half. He didn't do anything for 90 minutes but slip.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
His kick in was dreadful. But when he actually had something asked of him, He did it. He did enough. He made a good save. um He collected crosses.
00:09:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's what a goalkeeper is supposed to do Technically, ain't supposed to be rating goalkeepers based on their kicking ability. I'm supposed to be rating them on their ability to keep the ball out the back of the net. so it's the only He was a 4 before and the 90th minute.
00:09:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's pushed himself up to a 5.5 because he actually had to do his job. Yeah. Yeah, Trippier. I've gave Trippier a five. um Supposed to be one of our creative outlets.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tino Livramento has made him look really, really poor ah today. Every pass felt like it ended up in a Leeds player, while Livramento on the other side was our biggest threat.
00:09:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nonto got the better of him consistently. And if Nonto had an end product, well... he'd probably be playing on the wing for us. um And we buy him for a ridiculous fee, but he also would have won the leads the game today.
00:09:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cause he beat trippy our all ends up every single time. But there's a reason he's still, you know, at leads and it's probably no disrespect to leads. It is because he hasn't got an end product.
00:10:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sven Botman.
00:10:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did like what I saw today from Sven Botman. Unfortunately, it's another game where he hasn't lasted 90 minutes. Shock. um But every time the ball went near him, he was calm, collected. He got the job done.
00:10:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
um A lot of sort of interceptions and clearances. But every time the ball went near him, I was never concerned. And that's it that's a sign of the Rolls-Royce. It's just a shame we don't have a Rolls-Royce up front. But yeah, Bottman was brilliant.
00:10:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Then Shaw and Byrne have both given 6.5s. ah There was no sign of concussion at all from Fabian Scher. His passing wasn't fantastic, but again, defender's job is to defend and he did that pretty well.
00:10:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Dan Byrne covered Livermanto's attacking outlet quite well. When Livermanto did lose the ball, Dan Byrne was in that left-back spot ah and he did a really good job of covering, giving Tino Livermanto more freedom.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the fact that Livermanto was on ah you know that first half was doing so well. I actually do count that down to the reliability of Dan Byrne at the back as well. um So credit to Byrne there.
00:11:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But again, it's a 6.5. Leveramendo, excellent in that first half. looked like our greatest outlet, which is insane. ah He was always overlapping, always moving, always creating very, very impressive first half.
00:11:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then in the second half, it was like a ah new player had stepped out. it was but It was like watching Habib Bay again. um One half, he'd be fantastic. And then the other, he'd be absolutely dreadful. And you'd think, there's someone else come out in the second half. What's going on here?
00:11:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, not great. First half, I'd give an 8.5. Second half, I'd probably give a 5.5. So we'll we'll find a me happy medium with 7. So gnarly.
00:12:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Probably his worst game for us. and Not at his usual stand. The passing was so off. um It actually kind of looks like Tenale is lacking in a bit of confidence.
00:12:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was a few through balls and maybe it's always easier to see this on the telly than it is down on the pitch. but There's a few balls that I've seen Tonali play or quite a few times, particularly when he first joined us into the box, little chip ah sort of around the centre-back to the player running behind. And there was three chances off the top of my head to do that today. And every time it was just turn, pass it back.
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Not great, but the movement was good. His movement throughout the game was ah not a delight, but it was almost at the standard we've come to expect from Tonali from how good he usually is.
00:12:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, not a good game for Tonali, and I'm still giving him a six. Maybe your standards are too high. But Bruno Gammades, yeah, um speaking of standards, too high.
00:13:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe they are for Bruno. but yeah I've given him 5.5. When it comes to passing in the final third, first half, it was excellent. There were two or three times in that first half where he'd pick up the ball, it would come to feet, and he's had to just quickly shift it out.
00:13:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He hasn't had time to like compose himself. It's just a flick. and he got it in behind two or three times very, very well. Excellently done. The rest of his game, however, was pretty, pretty poor by his standards.
00:13:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the annoying thing is if we'd sold Bruno and he put in Longstaff's performance today, you'd be saying greatest player on earth. um Obviously, we wouldn't be playing Leeds if we'd sold so um na to and Bruno and would be in that scenario and then if Longstaff had put in that Bruno performance today we'd probably be saying you know what he was the only creative player he was actually quite good and so maybe it is all down to standards but for me Bruno 5.5 very poor game by his standards and then Jacob Murphy
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I have a feeling, speaking of Sean Longstaff, Jacob Murphy is going to be exactly like Sean Longstaff, where his season, where he was absolutely phenomenal, was because he was playing week in, week out.
00:14:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then when he's not playing week week out, he's going to be anonymous. um He was today for the most part, but I ah have given him a little bit of credit. for the minute where he wasn't, where he's had the two shots.
00:14:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's actually, you know, the second shot from 30, 35 yards, it's probably the best, caused the best save in the game. ah But yeah, it was poor. And I've gave Murphy a 5.5 for being anonymous.
00:14:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, a so no, we'll go Ramsey. Sorry, we'll go Ramsey. um I gave Ramsey a 6.5. I was very impressed by him in that first half. I thought he was our biggest threat. Connects the play really well. He's so direct.
00:15:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Little bursts of pace in that midfield. It's the first time we've seen that since, I'd argue, I mean direct. um where and i mean direct Berta pace. Tonali has them where he goes sideways and then he curls in that pass into the into the the wing back going forward.
00:15:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
But just straight through the middle, direct running. We haven't seen that since Joe Willock in 2021-22. So was beautiful to see from Ramsey. Unfortunately, the times where he did get the ball in the box, Azula just couldn't get on the end of it. So...
00:15:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Ramsey, 6.5. Hopefully the injury isn't too bad. Unfortunately, you know Villa have sold them because they can't keep him fit. It does look like that's going to be the case for Newcastle as well.
00:15:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then on to William Sula, he grew into the game. um But it kind of feels like we've got Joe Linton up front again. He's got the striker's instinct of Nick Pope and the first touch of Romelu Lukaku.
00:16:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But he's one of the only players in that team who you could see had some urgency and actually was putting work in to get us in front. So ah really can't complain too much about the performance.
00:16:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's so much better suited on that right wing. And I think there is a player in there on that right wing, but and he needs to stop fouling players in stupid positions because there is that urgency.
00:16:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
But when your urgency is just barging into players, it's it's not good enough. It's not Premier League level. And that's a Sula, really. We probably need to bring in another striker and send a Sula out on loan, unfortunately.
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
There is a player there. It's just not there right now. um And then for the substitutes, well, I'll be really quickly here. My grammar's about as good as our performance. Jeez.
00:16:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Miley, I've gave him a five. He was a passenger throughout the game. He had one good moment in defence where the full-back had gone forward, lost the ball, and Miley just cleaned up. But other than that, he was a passenger.
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Lewis Hall seemed to lose the ball every time he he got it when he came on. So wasn't impressed by him whatsoever. um Hopefully the international break allows him to get his fitness back.
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I imagine the fact that he wasn't called up by England... for the first first team, all the under-21s, tells you that he's probably not fit. um But I gave him a five because I wasn't impressed at all.
00:17:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then the two wingers that came on, Alanga and Barnes, I've given them both 4.5s. Alanga showed his pace early on, but nothing he tried came off. Um...
00:17:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was like, think of that second half as Alan Sam-Maximin's worst performance in a Newcastle shirt, ah where, yep, that bad. Every single cross just went into the stands. Every single touch was heavy.
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Every single pass just didn't seem to go where it needed to. um And it wasn't the Anthony Alango we have seen at Nottingham Forest. Hopefully the international break. I mean, I know he's going to be with Sweden, but gives him a bit of time.
00:18:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And hopefully when he comes back, he adapts a bit more to Newcastle. And we might just see a completely different player because we know how good Anthony Alanga can be. It's just a bit of a stinker today.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And then I'm much more forgiven with Alanga than I am Barnes. Barnes either seems to have a stinker or a great game. Every single game.
00:18:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And unfortunately, today was another stinker to go alongside pretty much every, well, the two games so far and this one. I gave him a 4.5, which I think brings his collective ratings from me this season up to 15.
00:18:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gives him an average of 5. It might be 15.5. Maybe I'm being a little ungenerous. um But yeah, dreadful.
Team Struggles and Future Outlook
00:19:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So far this season, I picked him out at the start of the campaign to be our star player.
00:19:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'd have a great pre-season and I is's i look like an absolute numpty. um But he just gave the ball away every time he got it. There was one moment in the 91st minute, I want to say, where he gets the ball on the edge of the box and thinking, that part of the little Barnes, take a touch, curl into the top corner, 90th minute, if there's ever a time to do it. Oh no, he's just kicked it against the defender.
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, now Calvert-Lewin's got the ball and is on the break. You lazy, lazy man. Because that was absolutely dreadful. And to be honest, I think some of those players maybe need the international break just to get their morale up a little bit. Because you can see what's going on behind the scenes is impacting them.
00:19:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you can see that loss on Monday has impacted them as well. so Yeah, one of those where I'm glad we just didn't get another sucker punch at the end, but two points from the three games.
00:20:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
We could be in the relegation zone by the next time we play. Hopefully we're not. It's two good performances and one absolute stinker, but the stinker has come against a newly promoted side and all of a sudden we've gone into the international break feeling really glum.
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But credit to man of the match, Sean Longstaff. As I mentioned when I was talking about Bruno, he was fantastic today, to be honest, and I'm glad he's had a good game. And the Leeds fans will hopefully warm to them.
00:20:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
After that, it's just a shame it came against us. And the fans of both sides were good. um At least you kept us entertained somewhat. And then a little message for the Stuttgart striker.
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know you may be not thinking it right now, um but no, you can't leave us and go back to Germany just yet. And please believe we're usually a lot better than that.
Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
00:20:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that's been us from the Daily Newcastle pod.
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
There'll be a full review of the game tomorrow, which I have the the pleasure of doing it with Ian and Kev, although we've got the displeasure of talking about that game in particular. um How we gonna talk I'm going to talk about this for another podcast, I'm not sure, but I'll make it as entertaining as I can.
00:21:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's all from us. We'll see in a bit.