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Newcastle 2 West Ham 4 – Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction to Sunday’s demoralising defeat

3 years ago
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Newcastle 2 West Ham 4 – Sunday 15 August 2pm

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

A demoralising afternoon for NUFC, taking the lead twice but ending up losing by a couple of goals.

Jamie Smith:

“Sh.t though this is, I can’t say I’m as angry or disappointed as I have been during numerous defeats of the past two years.

“We had a go in an open, flowing game that paid off in the first half.

“This then went to bits in a nightmare second period as West Ham dominated a shocking defence.

“I’ve been given plenty for talking up Lascelles but every time he’s missing our defence lacks organisation and seems to go to pieces.

“Credit to West Ham, they were lethal on the counter in spite of the helping hand we gave them.

“Some ominous signs, but I’ve felt worse after a loss.”

Brian Standen:

“Score 2…lose…hmm.

“No game management.

“Great to be back.”

Billy Miller:

“Watched this one on my last day of a holiday in Dublin and was the lowlight of a thoroughly enjoyable trip.

“Entertaining first half and we looked excellent at times but threw it away in the second.

“Playing with five defenders and still looking exposed at the back is a legacy that lives on from last season.

“Not sure what this new ‘light touch VAR’ is.

“Does it mean they don’t actually check it and just flip a coin for the decision?

“That was never a penalty and that was the moment that tipped the balance.”

Steve Hickey:

“Long hard season ahead.

“This was a masterclass in how not to defend a lead.

“Gifts galore for West Ham and a distinct lack of ideas once ASM had been rumbled.

“Outplayed in the second half by a team we did the double over last year.

“I’m afraid Joe Willock can’t do everything and fear that people may now expect too much from him. Steve Bruce needs to get his defence sorted out, more energy and ideas in midfield and better game management instilled in the team.

“Apart from that we did okay but can you find three worse teams?

“Mike Ashley is hiding behind the takeover that never was and never will be.

“He’s done it for 13 years now so what’s new?

“The pundits will love this, just love it.

“We should accept our fate shouldn’t we, the most demanding fans in the land?”

Dave Punton:

“New season, opening game, and there’s the first home defeat. Welcome back!

“Torn to bits by West Ham in that second half, completely wrecking what had gone on before where goals from Wilson and Murphy had us in a very good position.

“To come off losing 4-2 is a shocker of a start and fitness looked to be lacking after the break.

“The bad news is the club has stood still again this summer, and that’s even with the signing of Joe Willock.

“The good news is that nobody gets relegated after one game.”

Ben Cooper:

“A very entertaining game ended in disappointment for a knackered and disorganised looking nufc.

“Good going forward, United were 2-1 up at half time, but the goals masked awful defending by both teams.

“The Hammers tightened up after the break, the Toon fell apart.

“Unlucky with a bad penalty decision against them, NUFC did little to earn a reprieve.

“Defensively all over the place and with a midfield that ran out of steam after 45 minutes, United had what they deserved at half time and got what they deserved after 90.”

Jonathan Drape-Comyn:

“Is anyone really surprised?

“No new signings to add to last season’s squad, Steve Bruce, 50 thousand in the ground with their new shirts on.

“It’s Groundhog Day.”

Paul Patterson:

“Well, I said 1-3 to West Ham but that collapse is pretty unforgivable.

“No Captain?

“Once again, we need a goal and Gayle doesn’t come off the bench?

“Drop the golfer and get Willock starting next match.

“And if Bruce says “We gave the ball away too cheaply”…

“I think I’ll be needing a new telly tonight.”

Nat Seaton:

“What a start to the season – celebrating like we’d won the cup after Wilson’s brilliant goal in front of us at the Leazes end.

“Murphy’s goal aside, there was not that much more to shout about.

“With a back 5 (not sure we were playing wing-backs!) of Murphy, Krafth, Fernandez, Clark and Ritchie we are always going to struggle against any semi-decent attacking team and so it proved.

“Sadly we were well beaten in the end…”

Stats from BBC Sport:

Newcastle 2 West Ham 4 – Sunday 15 August 2pm

Goals:

Newcastle:

Wilson 5, Murphy 40

West Ham:

Cresswell 18, Benrahma 53, Soucek 63, Antonio 66

Possession was West Ham 53% Newcastle 47%

Total shots were West Ham 18  Newcastle 17

Shots on target were West Ham 9 Newcastle 3

Corners were West Ham 6 Newcastle 7

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Newcastle United:

Woodman, Murphy, Krafth (Sean Longstaff 84), Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie, Shelvey (Fraser 70), Hayden, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson (Joelinton 85)

Unused Subs:

Gillespie, Gayle, Schar, Lascelles, Lewis, Hendrick

Crowd: 50,673 (3,000 West Ham)

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