Brentford 4 Newcastle 2 – Saturday 7 December 3pm
Instant fan / writer reaction from some of our regular contributors on The Mag.
Billy Miller:
‘Back-to-back 6 goal thrillers.
Unfortunately, we came out second best in this one.
A good first half but we were stale after the break and the options off the bench weren’t able to impact the match.
The games are coming thick and fast now.
A win against Leicester is vital and then if we can avenge this loss in the cup, we should be in better spirits going to Portman Road.’
Simon Ritter:
‘First half we were probably the better team; second half we were not.
A game of missed opportunities by us and chances taken by them.
On Wednesday night Liverpool equalised twice and nearly won at St James’ Park.
Today United equalised twice but were not good enough to inflict a first home defeat of the season on Brentford, who so far have dropped only two points at the Gtech.
The League Cup quarter-final later this month will be a different game.
If the outcome is the same, the long, long wait for an important trophy will go on.’
Nat Seaton:
‘Really enjoyed the first half.
At half time I said to my mate, this game is ours for the taking, how wrong I was!
Our second half performance was nowhere near what we had produced in the first.
It’s not that we didn’t create, but our finishing was shocking, I lost count of how many off target… goes without saying this has to improve.
In the end we made way too many mistakes (with some of them hard to understand) to take any points against a team who have never won against us in Premier League until today!’
Bazoox:
‘Really disappointed. This is nowhere near good enough.
No matter what anybody says, the pressure has to be cranking up on Eddie Howe after a result like this.
There is simply no momentum this season.
We are a far worse side now form-wise than at any time in Eddie’s tenure at our club.
This could potentially turn out to be the most depressing Christmas we have endured for years.
Let’s also try to get rid of deadwood like Trippier, Wilson, Murphy and Almiron ASAP.
We might even be able to afford a new signing in January if we do that, but I won’t hold my breath.
One step forward against mighty Liverpool on Wednesday night and now two almighty steps back against an average Premier League side.’
David Punton:
‘An absolute drubbing after a second half horror show. Really poor.
It’s on the manager this one and yet he was a hero in midweek.
Defensively we’re just not good enough.
Even at 2-2 there was a feeling Brentford would open us up again.
It’s been a three game week and the Liverpool match had clearly taken some toll on us.
Amazed that Howe left Gordon and Tonali out. He wanted to freshen us up but it hasn’t worked. Poor in midfield.
Has this manager taken us as far as he can?
Results will dictate that, but I think he deserves time and getting rid may not be the magical answer.
We remain short of a centre half after a poor summer transfer window.
That’s two points from 12 since the international break. Worrying.’
GToon:
‘The results this season with a squad with few injuries and no European games would suggest the management of the playing 11 and tactics are not working.
A well-drilled side would not fluctuate in performance between games like we do.
No doubt some ppl will point to the three games v arsenal, Chelsea and forest but I remember Norwich away and Everton at home in the 80s and we still went down.
It’s the season that counts, not the odd game.
Bournemouth, Brighton, Fulham, Everton, West Ham, Crystal Palace and to that list of elite clubs we can now add Brentford.
When manyoo get something later, we are 13th.
No different to life with Bruce. If Eddie doesn’t get the sack I’d like to think someone has a word with him at least, as this isn’t good enough.’
Matt Busby said to…:
‘Another disappointing display.
First half we should have been out of sight but a combination of poor defending and poor finishing had us level at the interval.
Second half we just weren’t good enough.
We’ve made much about the strength of the bench now that the injury situation has eased and yet we looked worse after the substitutes came on.’
Tony Mallabar:
‘Brentford, f..ing Brentford.
We are 12th and no wins in four.
I am Eddie’s 2nd biggest fan and will keep my powder dry till the Saudis find out what’s happening with the Man City charges.
On the plus side, Gunnersbury tube station is open, so no trek to Acton tube station.’
Brentford 4 Newcastle 2 – Saturday 7 December 3pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
Goals:
Newcastle United :
Isak 11, Barnes 32
Brentford:
Mbeumo 8, Wissa 28, Collins 56. Schade 90
(Half-time stats in brackets)
Possession was Newcastle 56% (53%) Brentford 44% (47%)
Total shots were Newcastle 16 (9) Brentford 11 (4)
Shots on target were Newcastle 3 (2) Brentford 8 (3)
Corners were Newcastle 4 (2) Brentford 3 (1)
Touches in the box Newcastle 40 (19) Brentford 26 (12)
Newcastle team v Brentford:
Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall (Trippier 83), Joelinton (Tonali 60), Bruno, Longstaff (Wilson 73), Barnes (Almiron 74), Isak, Jacob Murphy (Gordon 60)
Unused Subs:
Dubravka, Targett, Osula, Kelly
(The wrong kind of six goal thriller this time – Brentford 4 Newcastle 2 – Read HERE)
Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:
Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)
Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)