3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Newcastle 1 AFC Wimbledon 0 | OneFootball

Tuesday night’s match ended Newcastle 1 AFC Wimbledon 0.

Ahead of each match we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the game.

Plenty to talk about after this one…

On this occasion it is David Punton:

POSITIVES

A walk in the park

You can’t really grumble with progress in the League Cup.

This is exactly what Howe and his players delivered.

There was no morale sapping upset, or big story of a giant killing.

It was serene progress.

Did we really get out of third gear?

Wimbledon sat back and their attacking intent was non-existent.

The stats show how comfortable it really was. Dominant, if a tad dull.

Nearly 80% possession of the ball and the visitors with zero shots on target. We’ve seen worse nights in the League Cup.

Miggy minutes

It was good to see Almiron get some game time.

This was vital for him, as he may well be needed as we get deeper into the season.

Whether you rate Miggy or not, it’s time to get behind him. He still has a part to play this season.

Ice cold spot kick

It was a lovely penalty from Fab Schar. It showed his class.

The way he took it, sending the keeper into confusion and rolling the ball home was a shining moment of quality.

NEGATIVES

The devil and the deep blue sea

You often think managers are damned either way when it comes to these midweek cup games against oppo from lower down the football league.

Too many changes risks being embarrassed on home soil.

Picking a strong side runs that risk of injuries and fatigue ahead of the weekend’s Premier League action.

Eddie Howe went with a strong side. He was clearly well aware it was like a final for Wimbledon.

We get through, but Howe is repaid for those picks by Schar picking up a knock and potentially losing a goalkeeper, due to their participation in the cup match.

Post-match gloom

The injury to Dubravka was compounded when the manager revealed in his press conference that Nick Pope has swelling around his knee, which was why he wasn’t named in the matchday squad against AFC Wimbledon.

Eddie Howe stated that he was hopeful/confident that Pope will be ok for Everton.

However, it would be an absolute nightmare, if we did head to Goodison with no number one or number two keeper, what with Dubravka coming off at half time.

That leaves Vlachodimos as our custodian with John Ruddy as back up.

Creating

We didn’t create enough clear cut chances. It was all bit of a slog when we’d all loved to have seen a few more goals.

Newcastle 1 AFC Wimbledon 0 – Tuesday 1 October 7.45pm

Newcastle United:

Schar 45+1 pen

AFC Wimbledon:

Possession was Newcastle 78% Wimbledon 22%

Total shots were Newcastle 18 Wimbledon 2

Shots on target were Newcastle 4 Wimbledon 0

Corners were Newcastle 10 Wimbledon 1

Touches in the box Newcastle 41 Wimbledon 8

Newcastle United team v AFC Wimbledon:

Dubravka (Vlachodimos 46), Livramento, Krafth (Hall 62), Schar (Burn 90), Kelly, Joelinton (Gordon 62), Willock, Longstaff, Barnes (Bruno 46), Osula, Almiron

Unused subs:

Ruddy, Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Alex Murphy

Attendance: 51,739 (1,400 Wimbledon)

(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after AFC Wimbledon match – Read HERE)

(Newcastle v Chelsea date, time and TV details made public for Carabao Cup last 16 game – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 1 AFC Wimbledon 0 – Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United upcoming match schedule, confirmed so far to end of November:

Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 30 October – Newcastle v Chelsea (7.45pm) Sky Sports+

Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports