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Opinion

3 Positives and 3 Negatives from Watford 1 Newcastle 1

5 years ago
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Saturday afternoon ended Watford 1 Newcastle 1.

Newcastle taking the lead on 29 minutes from an excellent Rondon header, on the end of an equally excellent Ritchie cross.

Doucoure though equalising with only eight minutes remaining, a free header from around the same position where the NUFC number nine put the visitors in front.

The Editor asked me beforehand to write about 3 positives and 3 negatives from the game, so here goes…

Well after  the Liverpool game when everyone jumped on Rafa, I wonder how many Arsenal fans are wanting their manager sacked this morning? Anyway I’m digressing!

POSITIVES

Unity on the field

It is obvious to everyone that the team are playing as one.

There is an obvious team ethic that does ensure they fight to the end

Even after Watford scored, we still looked the more likely to win the game!

There were good performances across the board particularly in midfield where Diame and Hayden largely dominated!

Unity off the field

Away from home, the fans stand fully united, the support is unwavering, loyal and appreciative.

It’s what is lacking at SJP, where disharmony and boos are commonplace.

The 12th man might just be what Rafa needs to get this team over the line in this tight relegation dogfight, so we need this at home!

A decent point gained

A third positive is the fact that despite it feeling like two points lost, it was in fact a decent point gained.

Watford are well capable of beating most on their day and we have had little change from Vicarage Road since the early 80s, where I remember witnessing a 3-2 win in the snow!

So despite the late equaliser and other results, it was still positive for me.

NEGATIVES

Well you have to be churlish to pick too many…

Where was Kenedy?

Was he injured? Apparently not!

Someone tha twe know has immense talent and someone we chased for such a long time, seems to have gone backwards.

A successful relegation run in will need a fully fit, fully interested Kenedy.

Let us hope Rafa can bring the best out of him for the rest of the season.

Luck and small margins

Yes, it transpires that Rondon was offside, when having a second goal disallowed, but this was so close and the sort of decision that we don’t ever seem to get.

If that was Salah at Anfield would it have been flagged? I honestly doubt it!

This is not a one-off, NUFC have been on the wrong end of so many poor decisions in recent years – fans of each club can no doubt claim similar but if you examine the evidence it is so obviously clear.

FACT -NUFC have more bad luck than most!

The equaliser

It was difficult to find a third negative from yesterday, and I certainly don’t think any individual deserved any criticism, but I’m simply going to say their equaliser was preventable.

The cross could have been stopped and the marking better, nothing more needs to be said.

Looking forward to Man Utd on Wednesday – happy new year.

Stats from BBC Sport:

Watford 1 Newcastle 1

Goals:

Watford: Doucoure 82

Newcastle: Shelvey 29

Possession was Watford 63% Newcastle 37%

Total shots were  Watford 12 Newcastle 8

Shots on target were Watford 5 Newcastle 2

Corners were  Watford 3 Newcastle 6

Referee: Graham Scott

Newcastle United:

Dubravka, Yedlin, Fernandez (Schar 46), Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie, Hayden (Shelvey 79), Diame, Perez, Atsu, Rondon

Unused Subs:

Woodman, Muto, Joselu, Manquillo, Murphy

Crowd: 20,336 (Newcastle 2,000)

(The instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to the Watford match – Read HERE)

(Javi Gracia forced to defend himself after Newcastle match – Read HERE)

(3 late Premier League goals ruin Newcastle’s Saturday afternoon – Read HERE)

(Charlie Nicholas picks apart Watford 1 Newcastle 1 – Read HERE)

(Match ratings and comments on all NUFC players after Watford HERE)
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