We lost this game and hour before kick off, the team sheet saw to that

1

The game was lost in the first leg. The team seemed balanced and other than their 20-minute onslaught, which any opposition would have struggled with, I thought we gave it a good go, and was a great game. Only 2-1 and against "Moneybags" in that Cauldron was respectable. Good Luck to NU I hope they smash the nasty b'tard of the North.

5

5 at the back didn’t work. It just meant that our midfield was overrun by theirs and gifted them possession. They exploited our unfamiliarity with the system and the gaps between the 3 centre backs and full backs. In the first half Bree provided virtually no protection to Lyanco, who struggled with the pace of their forwards. We looked a lot better in the 2nd half with a back 4 and Lavia in central midfield, however the tie had been lost by this point. It was strange to see Jones abandon his recent tactical switch of playing JWP as a number 10 as he looks our biggest goal threat.

6

We rate the players, the ref and the match. The important omission is the rating we should give to the manager. He is the one who really has the most influence on the match result.
Yesterday his team selection was ridiculous. His tactics were stupid......until forced into changes by events.
My rating for our manager yesterday would be a generous score of 2. He was responsible for vertually gifting Newcastle the game. He is a total clown.

2

Looking at the positives - Jones has managed to reduce the scoreline of our defeats if not the inevitably of them, but has the same obsessions as Ralph of trying to be 'clever' and playing 5 at the back, leaving our brilliant LB on the bench and playing our best available RB at LB. Like Ralph he's managed to run one of best players into the ground and to injury.

Our best tactical manager over the past few years have been circumstances rather than the well-paid managers.

Let's see what the new players add to the team, but I can't share the blind optimism of some around here. COYRs

4

Glaring chances missed in both legs sum it up. Lost both by one goal when both could of easily been draws.

4

Right starting eleven - 2 Wrong starting eleven - 1

0

I thought we murdered them in the second half without the end product and Saints commentary didn't do us justice, they seem to spend most of the game not commentating on what was actually happening on the pitch - bring back Brian Moore.
So I'm not down hearted, in fact I'm proud of the lads for the second half performance. We just didn't have the midfield thrust especially in the first half. We grew into the game but after the two quick sloppy goals it was all over and Newcastle largely closed up shop - which they do tremendously well.
You do have to wonder how many brain cells NJ has, and whether he'll ever learn, after: beating man City but playing a consistently failing formation; putting Bree (for his first game) and Bednarek (who hasn't played a full Premiership game in months) in; and leaving out Perraud, Caleta Car and Lavia. NJ seems to have an arrogant, obstinate streak in him that says I always know best disregarding anything that has happened. Even with the new transfers this stupid attitude could lead to relegation.
But at least we'll all know he'll be to blame because I don't think we can now not doubt the owners after their excellent efforts albeit a year too late. Time's running out because we have to win matches. NB. Unfortunately Charley went AWOL last night and Orsic stayed sat on the bench. Looking for to seeing all the new lads get game time only wish there was a decent reserve team and league for them to get purposeful practice.

6

Ridiculous starting line-up lost us any chance of playing on Saudi anxieties. We simply handed them it with the passing (and falling over) in the first 20 mins.

Even then, just like the first leg, there was a key chance at a vital stage that fell to one of the people we pay handsomely to score goals. 2-2 with 20 mins ago would have got the Saudis really twitching

4

I don't think it was really the place to tinker with the back 5 in the second leg of a semi final. Playing Bree straight away seemed bonkers. However, our main problem was that no one seemed able to make a pass. Tie over after 20 minutes unfortunately.

5