Howe about this? I am praising Jonjo and Jo!
IT was Newcastle’s first 90 minutes under the guidance of Eddie Howe - even if he was absent due to Covid.
It completely changed my mind on so many long-held beliefs.
I have been the sternest of critics when it comes to Joelinton and Jonjo Shelvey but I have to say both were excellent against Brentford.
Equally, I have defended Karl Darlow because I have felt he was badly treated in the past.
For example. the way he found out through the papers not from the manager that he was to be dropped last season.
However the lad is shot, his blunder on the first goal completely changed the course of the match and he needs to be pulled out of the team at Arsenal today for his own good.
Joelinton was a revelation . . . enthusiastic, aggressive, direct, with a willingness to get into the penalty area. Plus he crowned it all with a goal, striking the ball beautifully when he more often than not in the past scuffed his finish.
As for Shelvey, he actually sprinted to close the opposition down rather than sitting 12 yards off as he normally does.
I put it down to the Howe influence.
They were different players and contributed so much to United’s offensive display.
However, it is no good doing it just once. This must be the standard for the rest of the season if they wish to redeem themselves in the eyes of supporters.
As for Darlow, he has looked progressively shaky. It is time for Martin Dubravka to come back.
I don’t know if Darlow is making the three central defenders jittery or if they are making the goalkeeper panic but collectively United are a shambles at the back.
It really is amateurish. Ivan Toney ripped them apart.
He looks a proper centre-forward and whoever at SJP decided he would not make it at the top level and let him go ought to hang their head in shame.
Jamaal Lascelles typifies everything wrong at the heart of the defence. He jumped magnificently to head United ahead, rising above everyone in the penalty area but never once jumped with such conviction when defending in his own box. Why?
As for Fabian Schar and Ciaran Clark, they are walking mistakes yet both are internationals for goodness sake.
Schar had just helped Switzerland qualify for the World Cup finals, pushing Italy into the uncertainty of the play-offs, yet he returned not full of confidence but making basic mistakes like being on the wrong side of opponents. It really is baffling.
Unless Howe can find an answer at the back United will continue to struggle.
When you have to score three to get just a point at home against a team which had lost its previous four games then the writing is there for all to see.
I feel sorry for United’s new boss because the job is difficult enough without having to go into isolation.
I have faith in him long-term, it is just that time right now is not on his side. What is coming up after Arsenal will go a long way to deciding United’s fate.
Norwich and Burnley at home inside a week will be either the making of the team or a killer.
Nothing short of six points will do having taken only one against Brentford. have hang there. to in
I put it down to the Howe influence. They were different players and contributed so much to United’s offensive display Supermac