23 Aug 2026 20:59:52
Ed001 forgive me here but why is everyone having a melt down?? For a hard first game of the season I thought it was a lot more entertaining and they look much better, albeit got exposed on the 2 goals. Am I in the minority who thinks things are going to work out? What do you think ed001?
{Ed001's Note - I don't get it either, it was the first match of the season, we won last season but it didn't mean we were great.}
23 Aug 2026 21:48:37
I think there's stuff to improve on, but the slander Wirtz is getting is so over the top. He was very bright in my opinion. There's no pleasing some.
23 Aug 2026 21:48:47
I don't get it either, it was a definite step in the right direction and we'll be right up there at the end of the season. Kerkez and Frimpong struggled against the pace, but Newcastle probably have the fastest wide men in the league.
Gravy Wirtz and Szobo clearly have to work on their dynamic. But that's fixable.
Rio is great, but not a starter yet, nor should he be expected to be.
Statistically, we had the better game, on the eye it may not appear so, Neville orgasming over a few crosses across our box that were nowhere near a Newcastle player doesn't mean the world's ending.
Not great, but can already see a direction.
The Saudi sandcastle stadium is never an easy place to play, especially when they've all got their backs up as they're expected to struggle this season.
On top of that, a card-happy referee.
Great? Not at all. A step in the right direction in a less than ideal scenario.
23 Aug 2026 21:49:15
I thought I was the only one. I was finally excited by some of our play, a bit better finishing and we would have won the game. IR will sort that, being hit on the counter out you could see the 2nd goal, he won't let that happen again. All in all, not too bad.
23 Aug 2026 21:50:20
Newcastle away 1st game of season was always going to be v difficult, particularly when u factor in the Isak situation. Next couple of games will tell the tale more so.
I think meltdown is regarding the goals we conceded, v reminiscent of last season when teams just run straight through the middle of the pitch at us with not a finger laid on them.
We will get better as the season goes on, imo, but we definitely do need additions.
23 Aug 2026 22:16:30
It was an ok start, but there are a number of problematic areas.
The three main things I don't like are:
1. Our fullbacks aren't good at all with the final ball so Isak will struggle with service all season again if things don't improve there.
2. Too many of our players, especially our midfielders, are so bloody soft.
I was screaming at the screen on the second goal, "just bloody put a foot in!"
3. Grav and Szobo, one of them must sit back when the other one goes forward. They leave us way too exposed. I hope Iraola is not stubborn like Slot and sees this and fixes it.
23 Aug 2026 22:26:07
Thank God for some common sense, Newcastle away day one is no gimme! There were certainly some issues on display, but equally some positives.
Gakpo was solid today, took the game on in the 2nd half and showed some fight demanding the ball, even saw some link up with Kerkez, which never happened last season.
Grav was decent today, took the ball well, moved it forward quickly and showed a lot of energy, needs to probably learn when to just break the play up and make a City foul.
Jacquet was immense playing out from the back and showed some real confidence, a little concerned about him positionally and getting back into shape quicker, but only coming back from injury so match sharpness is not at 100%.
Kerkez was surprised to see him getting roasted online, thought he did well, managed his yellow card well and was a constant out ball for us, definitely doesn’t hide. People blaming him for the 1st goal are placing the blame on the wrong shoulders. He was outpaced by a rocket; the issue was the CBs not pushing up and condensing play and not his pace.
Munoz looked decent when he came on, pacey, tricky and could/should have won another penalty had the ref not been whistle-happy.
Biggest concerns from today had to be Wirtz and Rio, Rio just isn't ready yet to be starting and certainly not on the right. Wirtz I just don’t know where he fits? He plays his best football from the LW but we refuse to play him there...
23 Aug 2026 23:00:41
Dow-ney,
How was Gravenberch decent? Both goals were his fault. Gave the ball away twice on the edge of their penalty area, leaving us exposed to the break. Even worse, he is supposed to be the man stopping the breaks and he just leaves a big gap for them to run into.
24 Aug 2026 07:22:25
Playboi, because we were absolutely jarge that's why. Hughes has spent two months doing nothing and we have a very poor squad. It's not a meltdown, it's a fact, but you rose tinted optimists would see the positives in anything.