Newcastle United v Aston Villa Match Thread

[wookster]

Holman looks poor.

Listening on WM and they can't stop praising his work rate.

Cant listen on t'internet 

[BILL DE VALL]

I predicted a 1-0,but i hope i'm wrong and we keep positive and go on to score a second
in the words of mrs doyle "go,on, go on go on gowon gowongowongowon GO ON"

[Chipsticks]

I've just come in from work, could somebody please give me a summary of the first half? I don't believe the score!

[Monty]

I like Holman, he's been really good in our pressing game, which has been a feature of the half. Newcastle haven't been able to find their rhythm. On the ball he's been a bit gash, but hey ho.

Impressed with the team effort out there. That's why Bannan's in the team - he can be frustrating but he can also play brilliant passes and crosses and Clark took full advantage of their horrible marking.

Bent's been winning a lot of flick-ons, though good to see our only long balls have been goal kicks. He looks uncomfortable on the ball when he's not in the box, but he and Weimann have been working hard and giving options, which is a great improvement.

In conclusion: keep it up, please for god's sake keep it up!

[Baldy]

Watching this live on Greek TV and it is feckin brilliant. We are playing with lots of energy, keeping possession well and getting numbers forward. I love it, just feckin love it. Keep it up lads.

 

[joecrow]

think the England squad may be the reason for Bents increased  efforts. that and the arrival of Benteke.

[eastie]

Good half. Linked up well and pressed them when not in possession. Would like to see Gabby on for Holman

No need for changes yet, maybe gabby for Weizmann in last 20 mins, I'm happy with holmans display so far, he's been involved and busy and closed down well too.

[Matt Collins]

Half time key points for me:

- still really nervous and on another day Newcastle would have scored
- but compared to my expectations, a damn sight better
- tactics working well, particularly the hassling
- still a bit sloppy on the ball at times, and you feel that one of these free kicks is going to hurt us at some point
- Best players for me: Clark, Guzan, Bannan, Lowton and Bent doing a  better target man impression than normal
- Holman working hard but not the best on the ball. El Ahmadi needs to adjust to the pace of English football

- I reckon Gabby or CNZ might be a threat as a sub. But I've thought that previously.
- Would love to have a Delph on the bench to come on and add some steel.

[russon]

Ref is giving us bugger all and i fear we'll be down to 10 before the end.

[drisaac]

Holman looks like the whole game is passing him by at the minute, hopefully he just needs a few games under his belt to adjust to life in the EPL.

Spot on.  He needs to be given 10 games at least to get used to the pace of the game.  It took Angel half a season but he came good after that.

[oldtimernow]

nice to see the midfield working in pairs to harry their players into releasing the ball often to be picked up by a third Villa player


Hunger is what we've missed

[Jimbo]

I can't see us keeping this up, but as always when I predict a Villa defeat, I love being proved wrong.

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

watching in the pub with no commentary... we need to get the ball to Ireland more. Things happen when he gets the ball. I like Holmans work rate and would have him play off Bent and bring in a little more in the way of numbers in the middle with Bannan and KEA.

[Fergal]

I would have snatched your arm off if offered this scoreline, a bit of composure in defence and we will win this

[Chipsticks]

Half time key points for me:

- still really nervous and on another day Newcastle would have scored
- but compared to my expectations, a damn sight better
- tactics working well, particularly the hassling
- still a bit sloppy on the ball at times, and you feel that one of these free kicks is going to hurt us at some point
- Best players for me: Clark, Guzan, Bannan, Lowton and Bent doing a  better target man impression than normal
- Holman working hard but not the best on the ball. El Ahmadi needs to adjust to the pace of English football

- I reckon Gabby or CNZ might be a threat as a sub. But I've thought that previously.
- Would love to have a Delph on the bench to come on and add some steel.

Cheers.

How come Bennett isn't playing? I thought he was legible as he wasn't signed on deadline day.