Another Display Of Newcastle's Blemishes

Two weeks ago, I wrote that Newcastle United's 5-0 stuffing at Spurs showed that Alan Pardew's squad couldn't yet compete with the Premier League's top clubs on a consistent basis.

Today's disappointing - but not disastrous - 2-2 draw against Wolves showed that Newcastle isn't yet good enough to consistently control games, even against inferior opposition.

Newcastle simply isn't at that level right now.

That's not to say that United can't do that at times - it already has done so periodically this season. But performances like Saturday's shouldn't be totally unexpected based on Newcastle's statistical profile.

Despite leading 2-0 after 18 minutes, Newcastle allowed Wolves to control the pace and flow of the game until late in the second half, when the visitors dropped deeper to ensure they got a point.

Wolves won the possession battle 54.3-45.7 and outpassed Newcastle, completing 379 compared to United's 328 (both teams completed 78 percent of their passes). Wolves also won 55 percent of the game's ground duels (50-50s) and had a 21-11 advantage in successful tackles, two statistics that show how they outworked Newcastle. United was slow and predictable when it did have possession - a terrible combination against a team that was pressing like its life depended on it in the midfield.

Newcastle, on the other hand, looked lethargic, particularly in the middle of the field. That Jamie O'Hara completed 44 of 48 passes (92 percent) speaks to that. Yohan Cabaye's 56 touches were about five below his season average and he wasn't involved in enough of Newcastle's forward movement, while Cheick Tiote completed 75 percent of his passes, significantly down from his season average of 83. The fact that Mike Williamson and Danny Simpson were two of Newcastle's most involved players in terms of touches (Williamson had a team-high 64, Tiote had 63 and Simpson had 62) tells you how productive United was with the ball.

In the end, Newcastle's saving grace was a 13-7 advantage in chances created, with Papiss Cisse supplying a predatory finish and Jonas Gutierrez adding a blockbuster goal.

But those weren't enough to cover up United's weaknesses. Williamson provided further confirmation that Newcastle needs a significant upgrade at center back this summer with one of his shakiest performances in a black-and-white shirt. Simpson looked uncomfortable in possession and repeatedly sent in poorly-struck crosses. Gutierrez and Davide Santon were predictable on the left flank, constantly cutting inside to get the ball on their preferred right feet. No one in United's midfield linked play in attack.

Those are the holes in a squad that wasn't built for a run at a top-four finish, as much as we'd all like it to be.

Comments

[durham mackem]

unbelievable--a mag who doesnt think that his team will finish in the top four

[DeFactoPhil]

I disagree, I think it was disastrous outcome. Dropped it into 2nd gear after the second goal, and only tried to start the engine back when tied it up. A complete lack of killer instinct that is possessed by good teams. Cabaye bad, Williamson poor, hba selfish. Still riding the early season success and lucky to still be in 6th.

[Mat]

I think at this moment in time, Newcastle is failing to do the simple things right, primarily, keeping possession of the ball. I would love to know how many times Krul played it short, rather than aimlessly bombing the ball forward at every opportunity.

It's very frustrating to see such a talented group of technical players such as Santon, Cabaye, HBA forced into a game that does not come natural to them. Not sure if it's the added pressure of being so close to a European spot which has forced us to go down this path, but as a fan, I would sometimes prefer us to lose playing beautifully, than win playing ugly every week. I know that puts me in the minority.