Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

News

Tuesday Night Was Classic Jonas

11 years ago
Share

Having watched Newcastle produce an absolutely stunning first half of football at Villa; filled with positive forward thinking play, as well as the required grit and determination to command a game of that sort. I thought to myself at half time this is almost too good to be true.

Having witnessed the best first half of football produced by Newcastle this season, it really was no surprise what was to follow after the break. Villa pegged us back, pressured us from box to box and were relentless in their charge to get back into the game.

(To feature on the website/magazine, send in your letters/articles to contribute@themag.co.uk)

At 2-1, after Debuchy’s horrifying career ending tackle on Agbonlahor (or so the Villa striker made out to Mike Dean), led to Benteke tucking away the resulting penalty, I could only think ‘here we go again’. Flashbacks to ten days ago of sobbing in the Gallowgate following Adam ‘league 1 standard’ Le Fondre staging Reading’s comeback were fresh in my mind. We’re going to lose to this game now. We’ve blown it. We aren’t going to hold on…

But of course, we did in fact hold out and took the three points home, grabbing a hard fought first away win of the season. Brilliant.

Now one thing I had to say after the game was just how resilient we were. In fact, it honestly surprised me. There were bodies flying in all over the place and admittedly, we had to scrap to keep Villa out by the end. This was embodied by Jonas more so than anybody else.

I’ve been so frustrated with Mr. Gutierrez this season, he’s been a shadow of his former self. He’s lost his pace. He doesn’t take a man on anymore. He can’t cross. He just wins free-kicks. I don’t care how much he runs, he offers nothing in attack. And so on and so on….

I hold my hands up here, I thought Jonas was absolutely brilliant on Tuesday night. I’d go as far to say that without him, we may well have drawn or even lost that game. He ran, he tackled, he covered Santon and of course, his shining moment, he was the man who was in the way to stop the ball from crossing the line.

You could say, well yeah, it was classic Jonas. What do you expect? Although, whilst most will remember the game for the Sissoko performance, or for Cabaye’s wonder goal, or even for Cisse getting back on the scoresheet, I’ll remember it for Jonas saving the day. For securing a vital three points and most importantly, for reminding me what an important member of our squad he is.

Yes it was one game and yes I would say he still made mistakes and I’d prefer to see someone like Marveaux as an attacking winger, however credit where credit is due. I saw the teamsheet before the game and shook my head but I could not have been more wrong.

Jonas has always been a favourite of mine but our fan/player relationship has been stretched this season as he frustrates the life out me for 90 minutes a week and I’m sure he’ll continue to do so. But for 45 minutes in particular this week, he was a hero.

Jamie also has his own blog which you can visit at carryingcoals.com

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks