He played a hell of a match. None of the Utd goals were on him, and he basically shut his side down for much of the match. Don't think he ever lost a 1v1. Had a couple of good moments in attack but never really had more than 3 opportunities to come forward
He's actually become a pretty efficient offensive player as well. Not a lot of wasted time on the ball, doesn't dribble at players, just tries to exploit space with his pace, make smart passes (one of his led to a good shot on goal) or deliver a cross.
We can thank Rafa and his staff for that. I only wish he was on a better team that could hold the ball and bring him into the attack more often.
"Dear customers, we are glad you enjoyed our alternative programming, but normal service has now been resumed." Sort of
2nd half - Mourinho unleashed his attackers. Pogba was EVERYWHERE and every bit the world class midfielfer his talent demands. The problem with Mourinho's normal system is that it requires multiple world class defenders and probably an elite defensive midfielder who can cover half a pitch as well. He loves to oresspre, soak up attacks, and exploit mistakes and score goals because he's got world class individual attackers. He's won trophies in 4 different nations and 3 champions leagues trophies with such an approach. The problem is that he hasn't got world class defenders inspite of personally picking out Bailly and Lindelhof - and Matic while good, no longer is athletic enough to cover the space he did while at Chelsea with Mourinho. Basically, this team will cave defensively, and playing Mourinho ball gives you a lot more opportunities to cave. He needs to accept that he's going to give up goals and just try and score as many as possible. Unleash Pogba, allow Martial and Mata and Alexis and Rashford and Lukaku to stay forward when Utd have the ball. Basically play the way Sir Alex demanded Man Utd play. I just don't know if Mou has it in him to let Utd play that way. (Now back to your regularly scheduled Yedlin thread).
He's a counter-attacking coach and always has been. Will he change? Colour me doubtful. As the saying goes "people don't really change with time, they only reveal themselves."
Joking aside, Saban was an important player in a conference-winning gridiron side in the 70s. That's a decent level. Mourinho's playing career was, as he admits, nothing: over five seasons he got a cup of coffee at two D1-D2 yo-yo sides, followed by one season in D3 before wrapping it up in the regional leagues. The stubbornness and the enormity of the ego required to take someone with that record of non-achievement to coaching titles in half-a-dozen countries and CL titles galore is incredible. On top of that, arrogance is usually a reaction formation, to cloak insecurity and self-doubt, and change means accepting being wrong and shows weakness. He has always been capable of changing formations and tactics to suit particular games and even particular squads, but it's very unlikely that Jose will change his entire approach to the purpose of tactics and formations: to win by stopping the other lot from playing, not by playing "better" than they do.
Starts: TEAM NEWSHere's how Newcastle United will line up for today's @premierleague game against @OfficialBHAFC at St. James' Park. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/Oe8P9M3BA4— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 20, 2018 Down 0-1 at the half. Had 8 minutes of stoppage time in the first half, due to injuries.
📸 @yedlinny charges forward for Newcastle at St. Mary's. It remains 0-0. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/GD4XKbtHYj— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 27, 2018
ends 0-0. You could take solace in the clean sheet... or you could take this fella's take. 1056217618674319361 is not a valid tweet id
not sure if a link to this got post and I'm too lazy to check. 'If there is anyone to blame on the pitch, it's the players' - DeAndre Yedlin on Rafa Benitez https://t.co/pEn7fC1Wch #nufc #toonarmy— NUFC Live Updates (@NewcastleUtd247) October 27, 2018
time for NUFC to make hay current league position of their next 8 opponents (through Dec 22) - 7, 6, 15, 13, 10, 20, 18. Those first two are Watford and Bournemouth swimming in deep water.
Everyone slept on NUFC. Won today 1-0. Sounds like Yedlin had a so-so 1st half (like last outing v Watford) but a better 2nd. I didn't see it, and of course fans love you when you finally win, but got some good notes from the NUFC folks.
Yedlin starts - contributes to 1st goal. NUFC making use of their "weaker" opponents so far. Yedlin does brilliantly to latch onto Mo Diamé's pass and cross for Rondón, and though Begovic parried the forward's first effort he couldn't do anything about his second. 1-0 to #NUFC!— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 10, 2018
team btw. TEAM NEWSHere's how Newcastle United will line up against @afcbournemouth at St. James' Park this afternoon. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/U5svfjeYCR— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 10, 2018
A new NUFC? 39' - GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!! RONDÓN AGAIN! 2-0 TO #NUFC! pic.twitter.com/DBCeEtEOK3— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 10, 2018
8 mins of 1st half injury time costs NUFC 45+6' - GOAL - Newcastle United 2 AFC Bournemouth 1 (Jefferson Lerma) #NUFC— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 10, 2018