Jacob Murphy delivered an unexpected point to Newcastle United yesterday with a curling strike in the 89th minute.
On paper, Newcastle United bounced back from their heavy defeat (1-4) to Manchester United with a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton at the Molineux Stadium yesterday.
Steve Bruce deployed his attacking players, but instructed them to chase shadows. In other words, instead of taking the game to Wolves, Newcastle United sat behind the ball and essentially played for a point.
The Toon Army were not surprised to see this, and they are happy with a point being claimed, although tactical criticism is alive and well after yet another uninspiring performance. Wolves supporters were left fuming with their team’s inability to score more goals.
When reading through the Molineux Mix – a forum dedicated to Wolverhampton supporters – it is clear to see that their fans were expecting nothing less than three points. Well, some of their fans saw this coming, but the overall feeling was that of frustration.
Quoting the Opposition
”Extremely bilderwilded how we didn’t take 3 points from that!”
”Season of transition I guess but my god I hate playing Newcastle with an almost visceral passion. You just knew they would score from a ****ty set piece.”
”Exactly the sort of stupid draw that cost us a European spot last season.”
”We weren’t bad by any means. Newcastle were though and were there for the taking and we just didn’t do enough.”
”Newcastle came for a draw and got one and apart from their goal offered nothing.”
”Awful result against one of the worst sides in the division.”
”Typical Newcastle game. Bored us into submission for long periods.”
”Newcastle defended relatively well but offered nothing as an attacking threat so to concede such a poor goal out of nothing was doubly annoying.”
Newcastle Verdict
Yeah, those fans should be upset. Wolves had some good looks at goal, but failed to test Karl Darlow between the sticks. Newcastle United invited the attack for long periods of the game, which made it difficult to watch, despite having key attacking players in the lineup.
Newcastle United were lucky to steal a point, especially in the way they did with that stunning free kick, but more creativity is needed in the middle of the park. Callum Wilson was left on an island on his own because of Bruce’s defensive approach.
If the Magpies want a shot at upsetting Everton they will need to take a page out of Southampton’s playbook. Bruce needs to break out of his defensive shell and give his players the freedom to regularly create plays in the final third.