Hand him over, hand him over Newcastle S7 E5

Welcome dear listener to First State Kopites. It’s August 27th. I’m Paul, joined by Daz. Little different today - just focused on reviewing the Newcastle game - 3-2 to the Reds. Lot to go at - hope to bring some perspective to what ends up being a nice, comfortable:()  win.

Short version Newcastle turned this into a battle - with the rhetoric beforehand and the actions of certain players. I was fearful for our team’s safety.

• Context - 2 very difficult games against them and their tactics last season. I think it plays into the cautious approach. One of harder aways anyway. And then there’s Isak.

• Theme #1 - More defensive woes:

• Overall, their onslaught and carnage - words used by the commentator. Couple of chances around the 30 minutes mark, maybe 60 to 65 and then 85 to 95 there was lots of getting it launched. 

• A Hooper call every time they fell down - 62% possession and still lost the foul count 17-15. Forever the minecraft man (Ref Cam). How about we call it both ways was Virg’s clear message, but the cards for Liverpool were right, but they appeared a lot more latitude (Trippier, multiple Guimares fouls) 

• Kerkez -  indefensible defending - aside from that was he OK?

• Konate - the high line for the goal - the unfortunate deflection. Missed passes, the unnecessary push on Barnes.

• Lots of long balls from us, weren’t winning enough of the second balls

• Theme #2 - the major characters in the battle:

• Some unhinged emotion out there - determined to intimidate Hugo Ekitike

• Guimares (yellow for dissent, nothing for all the fouls), Burn (yellow for 2 nasty little fouls on Mo) and then Gordon seemed determined to inflict physical pain on us. Aside from kicking Cody Gakpo in the head, not so much from Joelinton.

• Tonali - funny that he injured himself, needs a few lessons from Gordon.

• Note on time wasting - at 30 minutes self-aware Geordie pointing at his watch.

• Theme #3 - bright spots. The watch without the same jeopardy - Newcastle  0.98 xG

• Another late winner against Newcastle. 

• At 2-0 it looked so under control until the high balls/long throws finally have an impact - before 55, we look so comfortable.

• 100th minute - best piece of footy, well if Curtis had connected with Mo’s pass in the first half it might have been that.

• Rio, Ekitike, Gravenberch (his goal was not ‘out of nothing’), VVD, Dom! And Ali.

• Might take time to see the very best of Wirtz but there are some signs

We’ll be back with a preview of the Arsenal game, and then a review of that match next week.. Thanks to Daz for joining me, Paul. And most of all, thank you dear listener for joining us.
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