While the visitors were very good, so we were very poor. By far our worst performance of the season. Anything like that against Arsenal and Chelsea doesn’t bear thinking about.
We were always going to be up against it without our talisman Liam Delap. His absence affected us so much. Most crucially, it meant we had to play short the whole time, allowing Newcastle to press really high.
With Delap in the side, the players know that he will use his strength and physicality to battle for long, hopeful balls and can often turn them into decent possession.
Sammie Szmodics struggled up topSammie Szmodics struggled up top (Image: PA) Without him, that simply wasn’t an option. Sammie Szmodics certainly isn’t a target man and, although Ali Al-Hamadi can make a nuisance of himself, his final pass or shot lack quality. To be fair, he was in League Two this time last year.
All of the above meant we were slow and hesitant in possession, seemingly unsure of the best attacking option. It played right into Newcastle’s hands.
Of course, conceding after 26 seconds didn’t exactly help. In fact, the game was over at that moment.
That goal yet again highlighted the shortcomings and frustrations of VAR. it took a whole three minutes to sort it out. How on earth can that happen on such a straightforward decision?
During those three minutes, the people who have paid good money to watch the game - the supporters - were left completely in the dark, staring at an unchanging screen.
Cricket and rugby, for example, keep the paying fans informed as the decisions are reached. It adds to the spectacle. Why is the process so shrouded in secrecy in the Premier League?
Fans short-changed again - a real footballing speciality.
Leif Davis and the Blues were out to the sword by Alexander Isak and co.Leif Davis and the Blues were put to the sword by Alexander Isak and co. (Image: Steve Waller) Anyway - back to the plot, and our team’s battle to survive in the Land of Milk and Honey. Reading the views of some fans on social media, you would think it’s all over.
I understand their disappointment, but such doom and gloom is premature. We’re not halfway through the season yet, for goodness sake!
But it’s fair to say I’m feeling less positive than I was in the autumn. Our form - especially at home - has definitely dipped. Those excellent performances against Fulham and Villa seem a long time ago.
To add to my worries, in reality the relegation fight realistically now only involves four teams - us, Southampton, Wolves and Leicester. Everton and Palace won’t be in trouble when push comes to shove.
Plus, we have a really tough run of fixtures ahead, with Arsenal and Chelsea rounding off this year’s fixtures, and four daunting matches waiting for us in January.
But does all that mean we’re doomed, to steal the catchphrase of misery guts Private Fraser in Dad’s Army? No, of course it doesn’t. In football, strange things can happen...
We need to strengthen in January, no doubt about it. With a couple of injuries, our squad looks way too thin. Just look what’s happened with Delap suspended and George Hirst injured.
Suddenly, we are woefully short of quality up front. There are also players in our team who are some way short of what’s needed at this exalted level.
Terry wants to see more of Nathan BroadheadTerry wants to see more of Nathan Broadhead (Image: Steve Waller) I’m not sure why Nathan Broadhead is getting so little time on the pitch. To me, he’s one of our big talents.
He’s certainly looked lively when given a rare chance, and forced the Newcastle keeper into one of his very few saves on Saturday. Surely we should be seeing more of him?
One big positive from a desperately disappointing afternoon was the way the fans stuck with the team.
Even though the Blues were getting battered, the crowd got behind them throughout the match and after the final whistle. It’s so incredibly important that it keeps happening. If things ever turned toxic, then it really would be game over.
May I take this opportunity to wish my fellow Ipswich supporters a very Merry Christmas.
Enjoy the respite before our trip to the Emirates!