3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Fulham 3 Newcastle 1

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The Mag

·23 de septiembre de 2024

3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Fulham 3 Newcastle 1

Saturday’s match ended Fulham 3 Newcastle 1.

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

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A game full of incident.

Plenty to talk about after this one…

On this occasion it is David Punton:

POSITIVES

Second half

You can’t gloss over the fact it was a terrible result, but that’s football, defeats can and do happen.

You also have to say fair play to Fulham, who were better on the day. Maybe if Joelinton’s effort had just stood it may have been an entirely different afternoon.

At least we came out with a new look in the second half and had a foothold almost immediately after some tactical changes and some subs.

On another day Fab Schar’s big chance would have gone in and we’d all be talking about a decent enough point on the road.

Another goal for Barnes

It’s very possible Harvey Barnes may hit double figures this season, if he can stay fit.

He’s one of the most natural goal scorers we’ve had for a while from the wide positions.

This was another one for Barnes’ tally at Craven Cottage. He’s all of a sudden become such an important player and this form is what was hoped for last season before his freak foot injury occurred.

Bigger picture amid the meltdown

You can always keep that glass half full, right?

We are still only three points off the top and have taken six points at home and four on our travels. It’s still very early days.

There has been the usual social media meltdown from some but we just have to get behind the team and manager.

Keep going, it’s a long old season.

NEGATIVES

Tonali selection – bewilderment

Our Italian pass master had to wait until the 74th minute to enter the fray.

I’d like to see this lad starting some games. It’s high time the £55m superstar was given an extended run in this Newcastle team.

It was bewildering to see that yet again he wasn’t in from the off.

Given his form for Italy during the international break he has got be more heavily involved. I get the issue of load spike but for me he’s more than ready to go.

Penny for your thoughts, Eddie

Does Eddie Howe know what his best midfield is?

You came away on Saturday thinking that perhaps he doesn’t and is tinkering around to get it right.

It all feels like a puzzle at the moment and that’s despite some decent results up until this outing in west London.

Bruno mare and then total honesty

Bruno’s error which led to their third goal is proof that he’s only human. We need to see more from the skipper.

I saw recent reports claiming he wasn’t at his best for Brazil recently. You get a sense he hasn’t hit the top gear yet and we need to be patient with him to find his best form and you could say exactly the same in regard to Anthony Gordon.

Bruno was up front about our shortcomings after the game.

It doesn’t get any easier, what with Manchester City up next at St James’ Park in the Premier League, after hopefully progression in the League Cup on Tuesday night at AFC Wimbledon.

One thing is for sure now, we are all aboard the Toon rollercoaster.

Fulham 3 Newcastle 1 – Saturday 21 September 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Barnes 46

Fulham:

Jimenez 5, Smith-Rowe 22, Nelson 90+2

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Newcastle 61% (60%) Fulham 39% (40%)

Total shots were Newcastle 15 (4) Fulham 22 (13)

Shots on target were Newcastle 4 (1) Fulham 11 (7)

Corners were Newcastle 0 (0) Fulham 6 (3)