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Newcastle United: What Happened with Bristol City, and What’s Next?

By Jody Swem

Newcastle United's Aleksandar Mitrovic and Jonjo Shelvey (right) wait to restart the game after Bristol City's David Cotterill (not pictured) scores their second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at St James' Park, Newcastle. (Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/PA Images via Getty Images)
Newcastle United's Aleksandar Mitrovic and Jonjo Shelvey (right) wait to restart the game after Bristol City's David Cotterill (not pictured) scores their second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at St James' Park, Newcastle. (Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/PA Images via Getty Images) /
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What to expect, how to expect it, and how to be shocked in the process.

Last night, as usual, I hopped onto a Newcastle United Facebook group and live-streamed my analysis of Newcastle United’s situation right now.

I gave a brief synopsis of our match against Bristol City, in which I feel that we lacked confidence, and are slightly intimidated of Brighton and Huddersfield barking up our tree (first place).  I noted how Mitrovic and Colback let us down when we needed them the most. I also covered Karl Darlow’s common mistakes as of late.

Bristol City’s David Cotterill beats Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow and Paul Dummett to the ball to score his side’s second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at St James’ Park, Newcastle. (Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/PA Images via Getty Images)
Bristol City’s David Cotterill beats Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow and Paul Dummett to the ball to score his side’s second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at St James’ Park, Newcastle. (Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/PA Images via Getty Images) /

I summarized what I think Rafa Benitez’s strategic moves are for the Brighton and Huddersfield matches coming up (specifically the uncertainty of Dwight Gayle and his injury), and resting of other players.  I noted that Darlow should start against Brighton, and that if we do not have a clean sheet by the second half, we should allow Rob Elliot his chance to show us that we need him.

Moving on in my synopsis, I articulated how I feel that Aleksandar Mitrovic had his chance to show us his ability and drive (against Bristol), but failed.  He certainly is driven and has ability, but he is inconsistent.  This is better for the experience of Daryl Murphy to step in and help control the team with his sage ways and hold up play, as well as poaching a goal or two.

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Summarizing Jonjo Shelvey’s season, I pointed out that although he gravely helped us at Bristol, he will need to step it up a notch versus Brighton, and Huddersfield for that matter.  A viewer felt that he was one of the few highlights of that match in which I agreed, but was not happy in the team’s joint decline in effort and drive.  This did pick up later in the game though.

Huddersfield are just as much as a threat to us as Brighton are, and it was pointed out by myself that we need to treat both matches with fight and determination… and how we as fans can sing, scream, shout, and cheer our players into performance.  They truly love it, and we need to raise the roof with noise, rather than wasting our time moaning about player’s mistakes in which the player already knows.

Next: Newcastle United: Three keys to defeat Brighton

I covered what to expect, how to expect it, and how to be shocked in the process. If you have 30 minutes, I have included a recording of my livestream concerning these very things.  Feel free to watch and reflect.

Check out our other articles here at Newcastle Toons. Not only will you find a great source in unique and opinionated material, but you’ll get some contrast in your reading.