Pre-Season Posturing
A roundup of Newcastle United's pre season...
Crewe 0-3 Newcastle United
A bit of a stunner from Andy Carroll just before the half time whistle was the least that Newcastle United deserved from a competent performance from Steve Bruce’s men.
After the break Paul Dummett hit the bar, before Christian Atsu slammed home from a Dwight Gayle centre.
Shelvey then hit the bar again with a long range effort, before a beaut of a corner from Barlaser was headed home b Fernandez to wrap things up for the Magpies.
STARTING XI: Gillespie (Darlow, 45), Krafth (Yedlin, 45), Lascelles (Fernandez, 45), Clark (Lejuene, 45), Dummett (Manquillo, 45), Murphy (Saivet, 45), Hayden (M Longstaff, 45), Barlaser (Shelvey, 45), Saint-Maximin (Atsu, 45), Almiron (S Longstaff, 45), Carroll (Gayle, 45 [Barlaser , 63])
Newcastle United 2-1 Barnsley
A second goal in two games for United’s only fit and operational striker as Andy Carroll grabbed the opener at the Magpies training ground. This finish was more straight forward than his stunner of last week, sweeping home a cross from Ritchie from just outside the box.
Karl Darlow, who is set for a prolonged period between the sticks for United following confirmation of Dubravka’s 2 month layoff, pulled off a great stop in the first half to ensure Newcastle went in ahead at the break.
There was another positive with Jeff Hendrick making his debut for the black and whites.
The Tykes levelled through Marcel Ritzmaier early in the second half before Matt Ritchie came close to scoring himself moments later.
Jacob Murphy was denied a certain goal when his shot was seemingly saved on the line by an outfield player. But the referee nor his assistants would see the incident and play was waved on.
Not to be denied, it would take a Jacob Murphy who would score from the spot, having created the penalty himself who would grab the winner.
STARTING XI: Darlow (Gillespie, 46), Krafth, Fernandez (Lejeune, 60), Clark (Yedlin, 61), Dummett (Manquillo, 61), Hendrick (Murphy, 61), Hayden (Saivet, 74), Shelvey (Barlaser, 74), Ritchie (Atsu, 61), Longstaff (Almiron, 61), Carroll (Saint-Maximin, 61)
Middlesborough 5-1 Newcastle United
The third of Newcastle’s pre-season friendlies will give most associated with the club a pretty big wake up call.
At first sight of the score you’d be mistaken in thinking that Bruce fielded the kids. Far from it. Only the absence of a recognised striker would have made the team look anything other than Bruce’s strongest lineup.
The result then, shocking.
The performance, even more so.
Bruce’s men managed to stay on even terms for just 7 minutes with a goal from Assombalonga. And worse was to come with two more for the hosts from Fletcher and then Tavernier.
Allan Saint-Maximin scored before the break for Newcastle to at least serve as a reminder that there was some quality on the pitch for the black and whites.
After the break Lascelles then saw red as he clashed with Wing in an off the ball incident. Boro scoring from the resultant freekick.
The home side scored their 5th from the spot to round things off with United quite frankly looking leggy, disorganised and totally out of ideas.
If this is that next season brings, heaven help us all.
STARTING XI: Darlow (Gillespie, 70), Manquillo, Yedlin (Dummett, 60), Lascelles, Lejeune (Fernandez, 60), Murphy (Ritchie, 70), Hayden, S Longstaff (Barlasser, 70), Atsu (Clark 60), Almiron (Carroll, 60), Saint-Maximin (Saivet, 75)
Newcastle United 0-1 Stoke
Another worrying display from a hodgepodge and makeshift Newcastle United team against a side that was struggling to stay in the Championship last season.
This time the defeat was at the hands of Stoke City, who scored the only goal through a Clucas unmarked header, looping over the stranded Darlow with just 18 minutes gone.
The Official NUFC twitter and website would have you believe that Newcastle came close on a number of times to equalising. Truth be told, United were tepid and the only attempts they could muster were little more than half chances and those on target far too easy for Butland in the Stoke goal
The Magpies growing injury list was also added to before the game with Ritchie amongst a number of players who wouldn’t make the game. Lascelles, banned for his indiscretion again Boro was also missing.
The fist list below is the team for the game. The second is a list of players currently on the treatment table. Utterly ridiculous and scary unless something is done in the transfer market in the coming week.
STARTING XI: Darlow, Yedlin, Fernandez, Hayden, Manquillo, Barlaser, S Longstaff, Murphy, Almiron (Muto, 50), Saint-Maximin (Atsu, 50), Carroll (Joelinton, 50)
TREATMENT TABLE: Dubravka, Krafth, Lejeune, Clark, Schar, Dummett, Shelvey, M Longstaff, Ritchie, Gayle
All in all, a pretty horrid pre-season. Let's hope this is not a sign of things to come!