There were three types of Newcastle United fans | OneFootball

Newcastle United fans finally watched a team that we associate with our identity, as clearly stated by Eddie Howe.

Some people will say that this should keep Eddie Howe’s detractors quiet.

We won the game, so moaners should stop moaning etc etc.

This is where my opinion differs.

Due to our uncertain form prior to the tenth round of Premier League matches, there were three types of Newcastle United fans, in my opinion.

Those who blamed Eddie Howe and wanted him out.

Those who blamed the club management for not supporting Eddie.

Or those who pointed out the problems that we were having as a team.

There is a difference between moaning, criticising and being critical.

Whenever we lose, moaners normally blame anything under the sun – Eddie, the management, players. For example, he should not be playing for us, he is not good enough. Same with criticising players, seeing fault with players without trying to understand why. Sean Longstaff comes to mind.

The last group are those who tell it as it is and try to understand why. As an example, we played better than Nottingham Forest in the first half, not by much, but we were cumbersome in attack and we are prone to complicate play in the opponent’s half.

What about this quote on the first half of the Forest match…

‘I thought we were slightly inconsistent. In the first half, I wasn’t pleased with our performance. I thought it was a bit slow, and not direct enough. I talked about our attacking, too many sideways and backward passes. A little bit too laboured on the ball.’

I think it is okay to be critical, as long as we don’t condemn players.

Here’s my observation of the game.

Firstly, I think our manager has found the perfect balance of the team. The two Joes dovetail nicely, hence we become more coherent. This is not strictly exclusive on the personnel only but style of play.

During the first half, when players are still fresh, we need players who are good dribblers, carry the ball to the opposing half and keep the ball. Speed is nullified most of the time by fresh legs. Hence the two Joes.

However, when the play opens up, leaving gaps and tiring legs, we need players like Tonali who is technically good on the ball, being able to release the ball quickly to our fast attacker, in this case Tonali to Isak, or Tonali to Barnes.

Hence, instead of banking on the Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno axis, we use players’ strengths and weaknesses to decide who should start.

My second observation is, it is cringeworthy to see players dancing on the field celebrating a goal. Probably it is just me, but they do an elaborate celebration of the goal as if they have now won the game, when there is still a long way to go. I hope the manager shows them the clip of this over-celebrating. It will just rile the opponents.

Thirdly, Forest fell into the trap of thinking they were a good team. Over-confident and forgetting how they got to third in the first place. The fact is, they are ok, but not a European candidate.

Then attacking at will at 2-1 down, Eddie Howe just took advantage of their ‘regain the lead at all cost approach’ and it was game over with that excellent third goal on the break.

As for the media keep trying to push this Alexander Isak moving to Arsenal line, talking of him ‘auditioning’ for the Gunners when scoring that excellent winner at St James’ Park.

The thing is, if Newcastle United keep their best players and then add a few more very good signings, we could challenge the top two and Arsenal.

Meanwhile Arsenal, without Odegaard, they are bang average. They are a team that has reached their peak, without achieving anything significant, the only way to go is down for them.

Maybe the other way round, Odegaard is now auditioning for Newcastle United, how about that?