Newsletter

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

Opinion

Birmingham 0 Newcastle 0 – Instant fan/writer reaction

7 years ago
Share

Birmingham 0 Newcastle 0 – Saturday 18 Match 2017 3pm

We asked a number of our regular writers to give us a brief instant reaction after the final whistle:

Paul Lyon:

“From the Newcastle end today I thought the lads on the pitch, though solid enough, didn’t do enough to win the game.

“Same goes for the fans, excellent on the concourse but no way did that transfer to the stands and towards the pitch.

“Point towards promotion? The way we’re playing it’s becoming a long hard slog.”

Ben Cooper:

“This race for the premier league is like watching a man with a broken ankle limp towards A&E and at times just as interesting.

“Luckily we are most of the way there now and most of the limp is over. Deep breath, 4 or 5 big strides and all will be healed.

“We should have won this one but if the last 8 games are played with such defensive ease then our attackers should get enough goals to make it comfortable.

“We never really gave this a good go which is a bit sad and I hope to see a bit more pressure next time.

“We never really looked like winning today despite being much the better team.

“Which wasn’t difficult to be honest, Birmingham were awful.

“Over to Leeds then for a bit of marching on together!”

Scott:

“A point closer to promotion. 

“Just need Brighton to slip up.

“Two week break but got to up the ante in next two home games.

“Gotta bag max points from those games.”

Leazes Park Ender:

“A point on the road then, on a day when the team selection raised a few eyebrows.

“Some changes enforced but Mbemba overlooked.

“Out on the pitch the linesman has denied us what looked a perfectly good goal in the first half, which is a story of this season – officials in most games are hopeless.

“The two week break gives the players a chance to recharge their batteries and work on the anxiety issue, which is natural as the finish line approaches.

“Huddersfield slipping up won’t give us promotion by default. Yes it’s useful but we have to close this out.

“We’re at the sharp end now.”

Jamie Smith:

“I had a great day out at White Hart Lane a couple of years back as Tim Krul produced an unbeatable performance in goal to mug Spurs.

“Not quite the same extent from Kusczack today but reminiscent as a one man show prevented a side taking a win they thoroughly deserved.

“The point gained may not be the end of the world after Huddersfield’s battering leaves a 7 point cushion that shouldn’t be surrendered given remaining games.

“Be nice to see Brighton drop points too this evening though.”

Toon Bano:

“A frustrating game all round.

“Rafa can’t be criticised for our position in the league but he does hold the reins with his approach.

“We’re scraping over the line.”

Nat Seaton:

“Should have had the three points.

“Credit their keeper for getting them a point.

“One point nearer the Premier League but I’m leaving the Midlands feeling it was two points lost…”

Paul Patterson:

“Pleased to reach an international break to be honest.

“We are starting to look lethargic and one dimensional.”

Jamie Swan

“Looks like we have ran out of a bit of gas towards the end of the season.

“A point away and a clean sheet is no disgrace, but on possession and chances against a team who are on their backside – it’s yet another game we should have won.

“Rafa should have been allowed to make 2-3 quality signings in January to prevent exactly what’s happening here.

“Still heading towards the finishing post in the position we want, only we just seem to have our laces tied together and on a bit of a stagger instead of a swagger.

“On to the next one.”

Stats from BBC Sport:

Birmingham 0 Newcastle 0

Possession was Birmingham  35% Newcastle 65%

Total shots were  Birmingham 9 Newcastle 17

Shots on target were Birmingham 1 Newcastle 3

Corners were  Birmingham 3 Newcastle 5

Referee: Simon Hooper

Newcastle United:

Darlow, Anita, Lascelles, Hanley, Dummett, Ritchie, Diame, Colback, Gouffran (Atsu 82), Perez (Shelvey 78), Murphy (Gayle 63)

Unused Subs:

Elliot, Gamez, Mbemba, Mitrovic

Crowd: 19,796 (Newcastle 3,300)

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