TOOTHLESS TOON ARE IN A DOGFIGHT
Wolves punish Dubravka’s error
MARTIN Dubravka was Newcastle’s fall guy — especially after Steve Bruce said his goalkeeper’s ‘flap’ was the cause of Wolves’ equaliser — but the head coach should have far greater concerns at the other end of the pitch.
Six goals from their first ten matches equals the lowest tally in the club’s 127-year history.
That the previous record was set last season shows this is a problem Bruce has inherited, but he has done little to improve the team’s offensive fortunes.
Two centre-halves combined to give them the lead here and such freakish moments are proving Newcastle’s best bet right now, because those charged with scoring goals are barely bothering to shoot, let alone score.
The time has surely arrived to take £40million club-record signing Joelinton out of the team.
But with no fit replacement, the one-goal striker carries on, let down by a lack of service while doing nothing to help himself either.
From the black and white barcodes to the binary codes, Newcastle have scored either zero or one in every game this season.
A 1-0 scoreline is their only hope of victory and every one of their players know it, at least judging by a second-half retreat after captain Jamaal Lascelles headed them in front from Federico Fernandez’s delightful centre on 37 minutes.
Bruce appeared to suggest that his team had taken it upon themselves to abandon any plans to further their advantage.
‘The second half was very difficult to say the least,’ he said. ‘We just decided that we’d just try to protect what we had, but we didn’t take care of the ball. Is it a mentality thing? Possibly. But we have to try to change that mentality.
‘We spoke about it at half-time, to win the second half. We just sat in and looked to protect what we had. In the Premier League that’s always difficult, you’ve got to try to pose a threat yourself, like we did in the first half.
‘In the second half, we just didn’t do enough.’
Wolves’ leveller was inevitable — Nuno Espirito Santo’s men were unrecognisable after the interval following a lethargic first half — and the only surprise was that it did not arrive until the 73rd minute.
Adama Traore was brilliant after half-time, suddenly remembering that when he runs at players at speed he is pretty much unstoppable. Just ask Newcastle’s Jetro Willems.
The winger provided the pass which allowed Matt Doherty to cross and, when Dubravka flapped at it — Bruce was right in his description — Jonny volleyed in from eight yards.
‘He knows he could have done better,’ said Bruce. ‘It’s a poor decision from Martin. If you’re going to come and flap at it, then the one thing you can’t do is just push it in the middle of the goal.
‘That’s a bit of a frustration. For all their work, it’s a simple mistake that has got them their goal.’
Dubravka signed a new six-year contract this week and spoke of taking the club into Europe. The only chance of continental adventure on this evidence would be a mid-season training camp.
Newcastle are one point above the relegation zone and, were that to remain the case come May, it would be a cause for celebration.
Bruce, however, says that is nothing new.
‘For the last couple of years, I don’t think it’s been any different, has it? Since the club came out of the Championship?’ asked the 58-year-old.
‘And probably the couple of years before that, too.
‘Our aim is to go higher, of course, but I was under no illusion that it was going to be easy.’
Doherty came within inches of winning the game for Wolves in stoppage time when he flashed a header wide from a Raul Jimenez cross.
Newcastle, meanwhile, were left clinging on after Sean Longstaff’s straight red card following a challenge on Ruben Neves eight minutes from time.
The midfielder was unfortunate — there appeared to be no malice in his actions — but his followthrough caught Neves on the shin with his studs.
‘It’s harsh,’ said Bruce. ‘The behaviour of Neves is another thing. When they’re rolling around like that you know they’re not hurt. Because when you’re hurt, you stay motionless.
‘He’s not in control of his foot, but then again, how is he supposed to be when he’s just played the ball? In that respect, it’s harsh on the boy.’