Why Newcastle struggled in attempt to move on from Bruce
Crystal Palace 1-1 Flooding defence
Graeme Jones, Newcastle United’s interim manager, showed how the club have moved on from the Steve Bruce era with his unexpected selection and approach against Crystal Palace.
A generous view would be that this was more a move towards the pragmatism associated with Rafael Benitez. An alternative would be that it showed a negative mindset, reflecting their lack of quality.
The blueprint was a simple one: establish a solid base, and close down space. Newcastle’s defensive third of the field could often be seen loaded with bodies, sitting deep and at least trying to nullify Palace’s dangerous attacking options down the flanks, with Sean Longstaff dropping to form what was effectively a back five.
Emil Krafth was surprisingly back in the line-up as one of the three centre-backs with Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark. Jones deployed Javier Manquillo to the right of them and Matt Ritchie to the left, with both doing some dirty work rather than venturing forward.
Newcastle’s decision to cede so
possession – a remarkable 75 per cent – meant that they had little chance to relieve the pressure, and while nobody could doubt their work ethic, they were indebted to
Palace’s wastefulness in front of goal to stay in the game.
Christian Benteke scored Palace’s goal but he missed two wonderful chances – a close-range header in the first half that struck a post and a one-on-one chance with Karl Darlow he sent into the side-netting – hit the crossbar with another and had a late effort ruled out after a Var intervention.
Reliance on Wilson
Jones’s lack of ambition meant that even his central midfielders were restrained – and any future permanent manager will need to get more out of his engine room in terms of igniting them on the break. Longstaff and Isaac Hayden were made to look like auxiliary defenders rather than a driving force here.
That meant Ryan Fraser – another surprise selection – was often nonexistent as an attacking outlet. Even the dangerous Allan Saint-maximuch min’s potential to create was not utilised and he had a quiet afternoon.
Callum Wilson was given hardly any service but still managed a spectacular equaliser with his one serious chance, firing an overhead kick into the top corner.
Using the bench
Seeing Joelinton and Miguel Almiron – both costly recruits – on the bench raised questions about Newcastle’s use of resources.
Jones said he viewed Joelinton, who was brought on late, as better in a wide left role rather than in a front two. Almiron was brought off the bench midway through the second half and left more of a mark.
Joe Willock, whose fitness the club are trying to improve, came on at the same time as Newcastle tried to boost their attack. They will surely know that they cannot always rely on the brilliance of Wilson to get them to safety.