Newcastle & Man City vs WBA - Match Thread

**Ska'dForLife-WBA** · 15-12-2020, 23:57

Well worth the fifteen-year wait for a point at City! Hope it gives us a lift for Sunday.

baggietrousers · 15-12-2020, 23:58

Sam Johnstone and Semi Ajayi, take a bow boys you were awesome.
Too bloody happy to dissect the rest ??

drewks · 16-12-2020, 00:04

(15-12-2020, 23:58)baggietrousers Wrote: Sam Johnstone and Semi Ajayi, take a bow boys you were awesome.
Too bloody happy to dissect the rest ??

I'm afraid Sawyers stood out again for me Thumb down

Arcane Astral Aeons · 16-12-2020, 00:04

superb tonight
deserved the point
give em all a huge applause
every one of them

outstanding

Baggiebob(BBB) · 16-12-2020, 00:06

A deserved point. Great defending, Thumb up

excellent goalkeeping (who said he was useless) Thumb up

and Grant again flopping his chance.

**Lord Snooty** · (This post was last modified: 16-12-2020, 00:08 by Lord Snooty.)

Told you we've had your pants down with Grant. Laugh

Good point though tonight. Well done. Big Grin

Slick_Footwork · 16-12-2020, 00:11

Just shows what you can achieve when you setup to be stubborn, don't have any passengers jogging about (Pereira) and have a bit of luck...

I was a tad disappointed by the lack of ambition to even try and snatch something 2nd half. After Austin came on, we just couldn't get out. At least Grant - despite not being able to trap a bag of sand - was an outball.

But it's a point gained that I didn't think was possible.

I was so angry at the end, on the one occasion that we did get out with numbers when Krovi was fouled by Ake, that Krovi didn't take the quick free kick to Gallagher who was busting his guts to try and win the game for us seeing that we had a 3 on 3 with a quick free kick. Unfortunately the dead heads Krovi and Austin were so satisfied with 1 point that they were oblivious that we actually had a chance to go at City's goal.

But despite that, obviously chuffed overall. Just hope Slav learns that the extra man in midfield is far more useful than the extra man at the back.

Some excellent performances today, namely O'Shea and Ajayi. I also thought that Phillips and Grady also put a real shift in. Double whammy with Grady in that he was one of the 2 players who were willing to put their foot on the ball, along with Sawyers, to occasionally alleviate the pressure. That didn't go unnoticed with me.

But the man of the match goes to Johnstone, who I've been critical of in the past, but was very good at everything tonight from shot stopping to getting off his line early.

Overall, let's hope we see that commitment over and over again, not just against the top sides.

wba13 · (This post was last modified: 16-12-2020, 00:44 by wba13.)

That was Magnificent, Slaven showed tonight that his players are right behind him.
We could have found an excellent central defensive partnership in Ajayi and O’Shea . Johnstone is now one of the best keepers in the Premiership.
Onwards and upwards.keep playing with that heart and we have a real chance of staying up.
I thought tonight would be his last match but playing like that he is here to stay.

Rumours rife tonight that Bilic gone in the morning Alladyce, Hughes and Pearson mentioned. Don’t know if true but the way he was hugging his players tonight he might know something is up.

Slick_Footwork · 16-12-2020, 00:56

(16-12-2020, 00:19)wba13 Wrote: That was Magnificent, Slaven showed tonight that his players are right behind him.
We could have found an excellent central defensive partnership in Ajayi and O’Shea . Johnstone is now one of the best keepers in the Premiership.
Onwards and upwards.keep playing with that heart and we have a real chance of staying up.
I thought tonight would be his last match but playing like that he is here to stay.

Rumours rife tonight that Bilic gone in the morning Alladyce, Hughes and Pearson mentioned. Don’t know if true but the way he was hugging his players tonight he might know something is up.

It would be truly bizarre to sack Bilic after this game, when we finally perform with pride, after he survived all of the other woeful performances.

But strange decisions haven't been uncommon for us this window, like selling Hegazi after the European window has closed. So couldn't write it off.

I'd welcome the decision with open arms if it means big Sam coming in. I think we would see that type of gritty performance week in week out with him at the helm.

But Sparky being linked is a bit of a worry, given his past failings. As for the ostrich, jury is still out on him.

baggietrousers · 16-12-2020, 01:01

Looks likely that Slav will be sacked tomorrow!!! Quite ironic given that effort tonight.
Alladyce, Hughes (please god no), and Pearson in the frame.
I do believe Slav has made some glaring mistakes with tactics and selection, but will be sorry to see him go, if he does.