Interesting to read through these BBC Sport ‘neutrals’ comments, following on from Newcastle United losing 3-2 at home to Everton.
Saturday afternoon’s defeat leaving United in no man’s land in the Premier Leagaue.
Eddie Howe and his players now relying on the Champions League and FA Cup for a positive end to this season.
Whether a positive or minus, at least you don’t have to wait very long this season for the next NUFC fixture to hopefully bring a win…
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, some from the scouse mackems (as well as the more local mackems, though they tend to pretend to be neutrals or even NUFC fans), plus one or two Newcastle supporters also contributing:
‘Cannot seem to keep clean sheets this year. And scoring goals seem to be an issue.’
‘Agree, you were poor to concede twice within 90 secs for both. Think Pope has had his day. When Barry and Beto score against you, it’s really bad !!’
‘I guess beating up a team from Azerbaijan doesn’t make you anything special.
Reality check for Newcastle fans after effectively being given a ‘Bye’ against Qarabag.’
‘The same Qarabag who won 3 games in Champions League and drew with Chelsea?? Not really a bye.’
‘Everton were lucky and got a gift.
Tonali was MOTM by a mile, looked a class above everyone else.
However, as we got beat the extreme reactions come out and it’s all overplayed.’
‘Write this league season off and hopefully we can do something in the cups but that’s going to be very hard.’
‘It’s taken Everton 28 games to top the 30 goal mark for the season.
Teams scoring barely a goal per game on average should be fighting relegation, not sitting comfortably in the top half. If every team served up consistent mediocrity as Everton do you could kiss goodbye to the ‘best league in the world’ tag.’
‘If the opposition keeper was MOTM, Newcastle haven’t had that bad a game.’
‘That Pickford save is something special. If Barry hadn’t scored via his backside I think we’d have had a pen anyway.
Onwards and upwards hopefully, and 2nd best points away is something we haven’t done in a long, long, long time!’
‘It’s been tough and it’s easy to be reactive when you’re frustrated but we are still a good side. Just conceding far too many soft goals which is suicide at this level and giving us a mountain to climb in some games. You have to take into account we have now played 45 games this season, if we weren’t in Europe and weren’t doing well in the cups we would be a different team in the league.’
‘Everton are 8th and are not too far from Chelsea on the table.
They can still very much and up in European places.
They were constantly battling relegation every season before Moyes came in.
David Moyes is underrated.
Watch out for major trophy within two years.’
‘How Newcastle and Spurs are in the last 16 of the champions league is mind boggling. Both defensively awful! If Everton can bag 3 at St James what are Barcelona going to do!’
‘Sorry Newcastle but you will never be a ‘big 6 team’ if you can’t beat Everton at home. Beating Everton a minimum 9 times out of 10 is a perquisite to be a ‘big 6 team’.’
‘Newcastle are consistently inconsistent.
They are world beaters today and on a low tomorrow.
They could beat Barcelona in the CL and lose to Bodo.
Strong team with real potential and evident quality but need to be really consistent.
All the best for the rest of the season.’
‘Newcastle are world beaters against sides players want to move to and can’t be bothered against the rest. Hall, Bruno and a couple others give their all but there were 8 players on the pitch today not trying at all.’
‘Funny that! Reading a Barca website, their fans were saying it was tough away to Newcastle and only two great second half Rashford goals pulled them through.’
‘The love in between Sunderland and Everton moves to a new level today.
Thanks guys…’
‘The chip on the shoulder love-in? Bless.’
‘Always thought the barcodes were punching above their weight – totally outplayed by a very well organised Everton side.’
‘Newcastle should win any game where they score 2 goals at home. What happened to the tight back 5 from 3 seasons back?’
‘As I have mentioned before on this platform, Newcastle are a very ordinary side with perhaps one or two first class players. If the toon army would remove their rose tinted glasses, they would agree that their team are nothing special’
‘Think that ends the debate that the barcodes think pope is better than pickford.’
‘As a Newcastle fan the last thing I would I ever think is that Pope is anywhere near as good as Pickford’
‘Wow, that second half was heart in the mouth stuff. Wave after wave of Newcastle attack but Everton hung on and got the deserved win. Just wish Moyes would made subs a lot earlier. Well done Everton, just need to do the same at HDS now!’