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Patrick Kluivert verdict on Newcastle United – A little bit clueless

5 years ago
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It looks like Newcastle fans are now landed with Patrick Kluivert.

The former player once again chosen to be in the Sky Sports studio when Newcastle United are the live match.

He was a great player in his day, undoubtedly, unfortunately those days weren’t at St James Park.

He only played the one (2004/05) season for Newcastle, making 25 appearances and scoring six goals. The odd flash of quality but the dedication wasn’t really there.

Now making his living as a pundit and once again, a bit of dedication lacking, coming from the Paul Merson school of preparation..thinking you can just turn up and speak off the top of your head, rather than knowing your stuff.

Before the game kicked off against Wolves, Patrick Kluivert stated: ‘I think Newcastle are in trouble. You can’t drop points against the teams who are struggling around you, which they have done, and not be [in trouble].’

I wouldn’t argue that Newcastle aren’t in trouble but the results/displays against the other struggling teams are the very least of Newcastle’s worries.

If Kluivert had bothered to check, he would have seen Rafa’s players have played six games against the other teams in the bottom six and won three of them and drawn the other three. Just like last season, Benitez is making it count against our closest rivals.

Patrick Kluivert said after the game he was ‘devastated’ for the Newcastle fans but that the equaliser was rightfully allowed.

Hopefully we can trust his verdict on Miguel Almiron a little more after the new record signing got the last 20 minutes: ‘He is a lively boy. Very quick – I think he gave a good impression’

Patrick Kluivert speaking on Sky Sports:

Pre-match:

“I think Newcastle are in trouble.

“You can’t drop points against the teams who are struggling around you, which they have done, and not be [in trouble].

“They need to get the points [to ensure safety] as quickly as possible.

“It’s easier said than done…but they do need to fight as much as they can to get those points.

“It is all about the confidence of the players.”

On Miguel Almiron:

“He is a lively boy.

“Very quick – I think he gave a good impression the minutes he played.”

The controversial equaliser in the fifth minute of added time…:

“The goalkeeper needs to defend himself.

“He jumps up and has to get a punch at it.

“He has to jump earlier and why does he want to try and catch the ball?”

“The only thing I’m really unhappy with is about the time.

“If it’s four minutes extra time, then I think it is four minutes extra time, then you need to whistle.

“It didn’t happen.

“I’m very devastated for the fans, the people who are supporting Newcastle.”

Stats from BBC Sport:

Wolves 1 Newcastle 1

Goals:

Newcastle: Hayden 56

Wolves: Boly 90+3

Possession was Wolves 60% Newcastle 40%

Total shots were Wolves 22 Newcastle 9

Shots on target were Wolves 6 Newcastle 3

Corners were Wolves 13 Newcastle 1

Referee: Graham Scott

Newcastle United:

Dubravka, Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Lejeune, Ritchie, Hayden (Diame 86), Longstaff, Atsu (Almiron 72), Perez (Manquillo 90), Rondon

Unused Subs:

Woodman, Joselu, Fernandez, Kenedy

Crowd: 30,687 (Newcastle 2,402)

(Newcastle go one point clear of the relegation zone as Almiron makes debut – Read HERE)

(Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to the 1-1 draw -Read HERE)

(Match ratings of all NUFC players HERE)

(Jamie Carragher and Patrick Kluivert verdict on that controversial equaliser HERE)

(Nuno Espirito Santo verdict on the match – Read HERE)

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