3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Wolves 1 Newcastle 2

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The Mag

·15 September 2024

3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Wolves 1 Newcastle 2

Sunday’s match ended Wolves 1 Newcastle 2.

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

OneFootball Videos

Plenty to talk about after this one…

On this occasion it is ‘Matt Busby said to Joe Harvey…’:

POSITIVES

Up to third despite not playing well?

Three points and up to third after a weekend where those around us slipped up.

The sign of a good team is when they pick up points whilst not playing well.

That has been Newcastle United in the early part of this campaign. Not convincing but still unbeaten, which includes progressing in the League Cup.

That’s our best start since 1995 when we wore that iconic ‘Dennis the Menace’ kit and Ginola was emulating Barnes. Very satisfying.

Three Big Moments

Fabian’s equaliser, Harvey’s barnstormer and Nick’s worldie, were the three big moments that got us over the line.

With the game slipping away, Schar has hit a fabulous shot from outside the area. Okay, it took a slight deflection on the way, but it gave Sam Johnstone no chance. Game on.

Within five minutes, Barnes had cut inside and hit an unstoppable shot into the other top corner. Massive.

With the game deep in injury time, Nick Pope has stretched every sinew to push Cunha’s neat volley to safety. A huge save.

Decisive Substitutions

Eddie doesn’t often change things at half time but needed to today.

Isak was forced off having taken a blow to the face in the last minute of the first half. The same couldn’t be said for Joelinton and Sean Longstaff, Eddie had presumably seen enough.

Barnes and Willock gave us some much needed energy and Tonali looked assured in midfield.

The performance second half was maybe only marginally better up to the 75th minute but two goals in the next five turned the game well and truly on its head.

NEGATIVES

Start with your strongest eleven

I couldn’t understand why Harvey Barnes and Lloyd Kelly didn’t start.

Tonali’s omission from the beginning, I kind of got, given he’s been with Italy and Eddie has been working with the lads who haven’t been on international duty.

I feared that we’d end up chasing the game when I saw the line up and that’s what transpired.

Surely Eddie needs to start with his strongest eleven in future?

A poor goal to concede.

I’ll cut Sean Longstaff some slack because he gave the ball away well upfield, but within seconds, a poor Wolves side had badly exposed and exploited our defensive frailties to score the opening goal of the game. It was more than a bit shambolic.

Bruno out of sorts and limping off

I thought Bruno Guimaraes was poor once again and perhaps more worrying, he limped off towards the end.

I’ve always said that when Bruno plays well, Newcastle United have got more than a chance.

Maybe he was jetlagged having flown in from Asuncion on Thursday but he’s not been firing on all cylinders since the opening fixture and that’s a concern.

Wolves 1 Newcastle 2 – Sunday 15 September 4.30pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Schar 75, Barnes 80

Wolves:

Lemina 36

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Newcastle 51% (63%) Wolves 49% (37%)

Total shots were Newcastle 14 (3) Wolves 12 (5)

Shots on target were Newcastle 6 (1) Wolves 5 (2)

Corners were Newcastle 7 (2) Wolves 4 (2)

Touches in the box Newcastle 22 (7) Wolves 27 (8)

Newcastle United team v Wolves:

Pope, Livramento (Trippier 64), Schar, Burn, Hall, Joelinton (Willock 46), Bruno (Kelly 87), Longstaff (Tonali 46), Jacob Murphy, Isak (Barnes 46), Gordon

Unused subs:

Dubravka, Krafth, Osula, Almiron

(HERE is the photo which all Newcastle United fans are absolutely loving tonight…)

(Wolves 1 Newcastle 2 – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Wolves 1 Newcastle 2 – Interesting independent ratings on Newcastle United players – Read HERE)

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

Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3pm)

Tuesday 24 September 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle (7.45pm) Sky Sports+

Saturday 28 September 2024 – Newcastle v Man City (12.30 pm) TNT Sports

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