NOT ON THE BALL, BUT THEY GET THE POINT

Sometimes the context makes all the difference. 

Four days after tying soon-to-be Premier League champions Manchester United, Newcastle United emerged with a point after a 1-all draw Saturday at Blackpool. Whereas the scoreless tie with the Glazer Family Debt Machine was all about Newcastle's dogged defending, grit and determination, United was, in all honesty, lucky to get a point against the relegation-battling Tangerines. 

Maybe in a small way that makes up for those last-minute equalizers against Sunderland and Spurs.

United manager Alan Pardew said after the match his team was tired physically and mentally, an assessment that looked dead on. Newcastle sleepwalked its way through the first half — particularly after Peter Lovenkrands' stunning opening goal — before improving somewhat after the break.

All in all, the result — one that further solidifies United's Premier League status for next season — wasn't as disappointing as the performance. Blackpool, a team that's been in a free fall down the league table during the second half of the season, clearly outplayed Newcastle. 

United showed very little composure on the ball and seemed content to pump hopeless balls forward rather than attempt to string a few passes together. That inability to retain possession put extra pressure on a backline that looked shaky throughout the game — left back Jose Enrique was particularly poor — and allowed Blackpool to control the match.

It wasn't the first time that's happened this season, either, which should give Newcastle even more incentive this summer to buy players who will bring improved quality on the ball. It's a credit to United's work earlier this season that Saturday's poor performance won't cost it the chance to make those additions.

Comments

[Ryan]

Agreed, we had no business getting a point there, but I am glad we did. We have had games where we had the other team on their heels the large portion of the much and came out of it with a draw or no points, so turnabout is fair play.

I twas good to see Lovenkrands play well. I thought Ameobi had a fair game too, and I agree our back line, particularly Jose, was shaky. Newcastle has seemed to struggle against the sides they should beat this year, but stepped up against the sides they shouldn't. I look forward to the Liverpool game. Hopefully we can recreate the 3-0 win from earlier this year. It looks like Andy Carroll will miss the match, so that could help us as well.