Another FA Cup Disappointment For Lifeless Newcastle

You can't say you couldn't see this coming. It's Newcastle United, after all.

Away games against lower-league clubs in cup competitions tend to be no-win situations for Premier League teams. And if you weren't at least a little bit uneasy going into Saturday's fourth round FA Cup game at Brighton, then you clearly didn't watch last year's debacle at Stevenage.

Newcastle might not have played as terrible on Saturday as it did in last year's humbling exit, but it was still fairly lifeless in punching out of the competition. United, operating once again in a 4-3-3 formation, simply didn't create enough legitimate scoring chances, as Alan Pardew correctly pointed out after the match.

Newcastle was dull and predictable in the attack, with Shola Ameobi providing little to no movement as the focal point of the forward three. Leon Best generated most of United's chances before fading as the game wore on, while Hatem Ben Arfa failed to conjure up any magical moments. Jonas Gutierrez roamed in the midfield, with Yohan Cabaye and Danny Guthrie sitting as anchors, but the Argentine was about as wasteful with the ball as he's ever been.

Cabaye, meanwhile, reminded everyone that he can be hot-headed at times with a silly kick at Brighton's foul-happy left back Adam El-Abd that could draw attention from the FA. Pardew persevered with his starting lineup for far too long before replacing Ben Arfa, Guthrie and Davide Santon with Ryan Taylor, Dan Gosling and Shane Ferguson in the 83rd minute. Somehow Ameobi, who seemed content to wrestle with Brighton's two center backs for most of the match, avoided being withdrawn.

In truth, Brighton was incredibly lucky to emerge with a win, even if it did defend superbly. The goal came from its only truly threatening movement of the game, and needed a deflection to break the scoreless deadlock. Had Danny Simpson not been booked for a challenge in which he clearly won the ball, maybe he could have stopped Will Buckley on the halfway line before he created the goal. Even so, Simpson's performance on the play in question was troubling.

Had Newcastle made use of its dominance in possession, then that one play wouldn't have been so significant. But these sorts of games happen, particularly when a team is missing its two best strikers, its midfield enforcer and its defensive leader.

So, while it's fair to say United could still do with a few more creative players in its ranks, it's worth remembering that upsets are a part of cup competitions - particularly when you're Newcastle United.

Comments

[Jeff]

That was a truly uninspired effort. Very disappointing. Agree on all points. (I thought the trip to the warmer climates was supposed to refresh the squad? Looks like it had the opposite effect). I've watched all available NUFC matches this year (US) and this was by far Simpsons worst match. Not one good cross and getting beaten again and again. But as Tom stated 'lifeless'

[M]

Ameobi had a decent game. He held the ball up and distributed it well... mobility and movement isn't his thing however.

I wouldn't blame Simpson too much either, that Buckley fella is lightning.

In this formation Jonas' role is a crucial one, unfortunately he didn't enjoy the best of games yesterday.

I thought the performance was roughly similar to the 1st half at Fulham last week. We passed it reasonably well, gradually asserting ourselves and increasingly controlling the game but without creating many clear chances. But we did make enough chances to win the game

The thing that left a frustrating aftertaste was our inability to respond to going a goal down. Subs were late and ineffective.

For me, Vuckic (injured??) should have made the bench ahead of Gosling. He'd be the man to replace an out of sorts Jonas from the bench. Also - get Shola off, stick Best up top and bring on Loverman (he played well last time out vs Chelsea and 'wingforward' is his natural position) or Obertan wide left. Ferguson for Ben Arfa I agree with.

[Toon Fan in MN]

Poor Mike Williamson. One can only speculate what was going through his head after the own goal. Probably a mix of swear words and "AGAIN??"

Still can't believe how dead they looked. But with so many key players out, I suppose the pieces were in place for an upset.

[Mathew]

@ Jeff - Ameobie had a horrible game - He didn't challenge for the ball and when he did he either fowled the defender or lost out. He spends more time on the ground looking at his shin guard and complaining he was just taken out by a truck! He's horrible! Movement is everything in football and he just stands there like a lamp post expecting a perfect cross to hit his head and go in the goal! There is a reason we just spend 10 million on a new striker.
Best looked frustrated but I still don't know why they didn't sub Ameobi out and move back to a 4-4-2, stretch the field onto the wings and get the balls crossed into the box and wait for something to bobble out to Cabaye.
The whole team looked tired and lazy, they just need to pull themselves up for the game Wed' as Europe is now the focus!! SELL AMEOBI!!