BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after victory at Wolves | OneFootball

Intriguing to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United’s victory over Wolves.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion though, the politics almost totally absent.

Instead, what happened on the pitch dominating the debate…

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Wolves fans and the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:

‘People are saying that Newcastle are not playing very well this season, but they are quietly up to 3rd in the league, they must be doing something right.’

‘Yes, they’re quietly getting on with business.

Feel the return of Tonali will help a lot, showed how important Tonali is to Newcastle today when he came on as substitute, fantastic player.’

‘Leicester Fan here.

Well done Harvey Barnes, glad to see him doing well.

I am sure the more games he gets he will just keep getting better.’

‘He is a great signing for NUFC.’

‘Certainly the better between him and “Fall on the floor Maddison”.’

‘Eddie Howe seems to prefer to ease players into the team slowly. Bruno and Botman are both world class players, but Howe had them as subs for their first few matches. Barnes was sub for his first few games last season, then he got injured. I suspect that after a few more games Howe will start him more regularly.’

‘Well done Newcastle, back in the top 4 where you belong.’

‘Where they mistakenly think they belong and would be nowhere near without a load of dubious money.’

‘Howe has the greatest headache with the two best left wingers in the league Barnes and Gordon just wish they where as effective and as good on right wing then problem solved.’

‘It was a good tactical battle between the managers, Newcastle started really confidently and comfortably, then O’Neil tweaked it a little and suddenly Wolves were more threatening and Newcastle couldn’t keep the ball. Then Howe made his substitutions and things changed again. All the goals were a bit out of the blue, but if you put quality players in your team that can happen.’

‘Amazing really – last season Newcastle had some rotten luck with injuries, questionable refereeing decisions, the Tonali situation, and drawing/losing games where they were the better team. And yet they still finished level with Man Utd and Chelsea. This season it looks like they’re getting the rub of the green a bit more, winning very even games.’

‘Looks like Newcastle didn’t need Guehi after all then.’

‘The media, notably Sky TV, seem determined to stir the pot, constantly referring to ‘unrest’ at Newcastle.

Results suggest otherwise.’

‘Seems this year’s tactics against Newcastle is rotational fouls on Bruno and Anthony. Every match this season opposition teams take turns on fouling those 2. So avoiding getting a booking.’

‘As a neutral I thought it was a good game. On a wider point with both Barnes today and Duran yesterday, how great is it to see long range shots go in and players having confidence to shoot rather than the latest fad of every team trying to walk the ball into net.’

‘Such poor tactics by O’Neil.

Newcastle played us off the park for the first 25 minutes but we managed to gain control and took the lead.

2nd half, we never bothered closing them down and they had the freedom of Molineux. Sooner or later they were going to punish us and they did.

Back to the drawing board Gary.’

‘I thought the 1st 15 minutes Newcastle played very well and wolves did well to stay in the game, however Wolves got better and Newcastle couldn’t get near the ball and were lucky to go in at halftime at only 1-0

Howe made 3 excellent subs at halftime which swung the game back in Newcastle’s favour, to be honest a draw would of been a fair result but Newcastle had a better bench.’

‘Longstaff unfairly critisised to the extent he is. He is always there when some go missing. His mistakes are blown up out of all proportion. Of course he isn’t the best and will move down the pecking order but not a bad player.’

‘Wolves and Everton will probably save Leicester and Ipswich from relegation.’

‘Please, please let it be Everton.’

‘Nukecastle are quietly scrapping away and building momentum. Nothing too fancy or eye catching at this stage but the foundations are there. No European campaign to distract them either. Ominous…’

‘Leicester City supporters here.

Now Barnsie is fit he will bag at least 15 goals for you Geordie boys.’

‘Wolves deserved something from the game today but you can’t put a price on a player like Barnes. There are some positives from Wolves players who haven’t played together long. Take a bow Andre you are a star in the making.’

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

(3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Wolves 1 Newcastle 2 – Read HERE)

(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

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

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