December 23, 2023

Luton Town 1 Newcastle 0

It's truly not good enough, should've been down 3-0 at half time. The idea that it's down to our injuries and fixtures is not acceptable. There were opportunities to play other players, the youth players or Lewis Hall. Yet they were continuously left off. Now that refusal to use those players is haunting them.

Sean Longstaff has developed a bad habit of flopping and diving. He needs to be staying on his feet. It's getting to annoying levels.

I never really understood why they signed Nick Pope. True he's been great, but Dubravka is a good keeper and didn't need replaced, and Karl Darlow was always a good #2. So it never made sense to me, and it's nice to see Dubravka in the team.

Almiron's limitations are now starting to hold the team back. He hustles and links well with Trippier but his final ball is always a let down. The first half of last season was the one and only time he was scoring a lot of goals and truly creating. Now he's back to his normal all hustle and no production routine, too many times after one of his flailing efforts I actually sigh in frustration, "what a bum."  A replacement is now required. I don't think someone like James Maddison would have been sufficient. We require a world class player, and it's time to flex the financial muscles we supposedly have. Someone like a Phil Foden, Fede Chiesa, Kingsley Coman, Rafa Leao or Raphinha. The days of settling for the Almirons and Ryan Frasers of the world are over. I've felt for awhile Almiron might be better suited to a box to box midfield role, like Joelinton. It's because he will hunt for the ball and chase after it. Granted he may lack the physical presence of Joelinton, but the midfield is exceptionally slow right now. Lewis Miley, for all his attributes, is one of the slowest midfielders I've ever seen.

Bruno was poor today as well. It's just unreal how poor we are away right now, can't beat anyone. 

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