For me, Newcastle United has always been about feelings, the love of the club, the passion of the fans and the excitement of the game.
Hopes, dreams etc etc. it’s always been a rollercoaster with this club, never more so than last season.
And after watching the game at St James’ Park against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, we look like we’ll be recovering from last summer this season too.
Reasons to be nervous – Part One
When Eddie Howe took over, one of the first things he did was to get Chris Wood in, as he’d identified when we boot the ball forward it came straight back. Wood changed that. He held the ball up and allowed us to move up the pitch.
Saturday that didn’t happen. Woltemade simply cannot hold the ball up under pressure, nor can he get away from the CB to collect the ball on his own. So the forward ball is now simply a pass to them to “try another attack”. Eddie Howe had got rid of Wood and we played through and behind teams but the players to make the runs or pick the pass have gone too. Wow, didn’t the no 10 of Leverkusen stand out! He moved between the lines, held up quick passes to his feet and looked everything we haven’t .
Reasons to be nervous – Part Two
We look soft. The young lads have energy but not the strength. We lost a huge number of 50/50s. We have lost the aggressive play we once had. Can we rediscover it? Hopefully some of these players have it in them.
Reasons to be relieved – Part One
The new manager has clearly watched Sven Botman and taken note of him being one of the top scorers and top of assists in pre-season, unfortunately all for the opposition. Burn being made captain would suggest he starts and the “post-injury” Botman will be second choice.
Reasons to be relieved – Part Two
Yoane Wissa actually looks sharp.
If he can score a few we might have a goal threat again which is crucial, as I doubt Woltemade is going to reproduce the goals from last season.
We do have some good players and if we can avoid defeat next week that could well be the start of the new Geordie juggernaut…
Reasons to be happy
The grass looked nice.
My garden looks awful but the groundsman at SJP has done a great job.
And my train home was a bit late so I get some money back.