1.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 08:13:58
Cheers for that Ed, enjoyable read as always.

I thought Konate was really good and I actually had him down for MOTM before Trent was announced. Do you reckon he can progress to being a world class centre-back?

{Ed001's Note - yes, but I thought that a long time ago anyway.}

2.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 08:26:45
A excellent review Ed001 and spot on. Everytime Matip got the ball everyone around me including myself held out breath and then when he found someone we all applauded. Nobody give him abuse or anything we just went quiet. Konate was very good especially in the 1:1 situations. There was definitely a nervousness around the ground with the big man being out but we got through it.

{Ed001's Note - I think people are forgetting Virgil and Fabinho dropped out late when they consider the performance. For me, with 2 key players like that missing and no time to prepare for it, that is a good performance.}

3.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 08:42:15
My apologies I did intend to make that point about the two late withdrawals and having no time to prepare. I'm still recovering from"The Peanut Butter"incedent.

{Ed001's Note - I feel sorry for the peanut butter.}

4.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 08:46:29
Interesting read Ed, a couple of points - did you read the BBC article about Ox being the difference in this game? I found it bizarre, he was trying but it was all a bit disjointed.
We have seen Hendo effectively play in Fabs position when he's not there, plays it different but at least in that area. he seemed to want to get too involved higher up or wide. which is where Ox would be more effective.

Trent, any particular reason he is picking up the narrower position as opposed to going wide creating width and options? Occasionally I understand but that overlap with salah and link up is usually so productive.

Lastly, is the lack of use of minamino mean he is unlikely to come in for a run when the African Cup if nations starts?

{Ed001's Note - I haven't read that article no. That does seem odd, I like Ox but he made little impact in this game.

Henderson should have let Ox do the forward running and sit, but that rarely happened.

I find it really frustrating to see Trent moving inside when all the space and the danger to the opposition is having him out wide pinging balls onto Salah, Mane and Jota's head. I think it is mainly because Hendo is drifting out wide so much that he is taking up that space instead. But that is not where he is at his best for us.

I still expect Minamino to play then, I don't see there being a lot of options other than him to play there to be honest.}

5.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 08:54:01
One thing with Kieta is he did seem to atleast get involved and try to make things happen when be came on.
So many games have passed Kieta by where he has just kept it easy rather than try a killer pass or charge forward, both of which he is very capable of.
He was certainly rusty but I was happy to see that he was atleast pushing forward.

6.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 09:21:30
What would worry me ed1 is the “clash of heads” happens before the end of the first half. If Hayden was so dazed why was he not checked at half time!

Also st maximum was clearly injured for a good 7-8 mins before they took him off despite constantly signalling to the bench, yet Howe delayed the substation. The man is a major liability and has already been found out. Although Newcastle have more money than sense so I hope they enjoy the championship next year.

{Ed001's Note - it is madness how inept the Newcastle bench are. Why on earth anyone with any knowledge of the game would employ the clueless Howe is beyond me. But with the money they have, why have they not seen he is incompetent and replaced him? They can afford it. Unless he has been brought in to win promotion from the Championship next season??}

7.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 09:31:50
Thiago needs to be quicker when recieving the ball deep this is the premier League and against a better team we concede three because of his slow reactions.

8.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 09:38:10
Hi Ed001 and Posters - Ed loved the review as always. One thought I’ve had about Trent moving more inside and Hendo moving wide is that it is a tactical change Klopp has implemented, perhaps due to planning for having Harvey and his increased suitability to do that?

Anyways loved the review and keep up the good work - always the first thing I look for post game!

{Ed001's Note - possibly, I prefer Salah to be the one moving inside though personally.

Thank you Nick.}

9.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 09:43:16
I thought the midfield 3 as a unit were off the boil. Individually they did some nice things and also some poor things but as a collective it wasn’t there. The last few weeks Fab, Hendo and Thiago as a collective have controlled games in and out of possession. That’s only my 2 pence worth.

10.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 10:09:35
Thanks as always Ed.
It is worrying that a clearly dominant display was a bit concerning till Trents thunderbolt.
However, Great win and 3 points with late changes.
What I couldn't believe was the majority of the post match discussions in the studio focused on the decisions that all said should have gone Newcastle's way.
The first goal for Liverpool, why did they not accuse the players of blatantly cheating and congratulating the ref for spotting that? What I couldn't believe more was the Trent superb tackle being analysed as a penalty. It is infuriating that there seems to be an agenda for controversial discussions rather than brilliance of play.
The final straw was taking away from Trents strike by saying the ref ran in the keepers eyesight!

11.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 10:54:44
Hi Ed I think most people were asking the same questions about the “head injury”. TV presenters and interviewers would also be aware of what happened.
Why are these managers not asked real questions? Are they not allowed to be? In my view after Howe said about how it cost them the game, he should have been told “but we’ve all seen the incident and there was no head contact, and even if he was dazed as you say, why didn’t you take him of? ”
Would be interesting to see an interview like that!

12.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 11:42:32
Thanks for the reply .

I think the article came from the analysis by S Warnock, which kind of explains it, I think he's woeful.

TAA is so good in the wide positions, from deeper and the by line It is a head scratcher - he did it against Brentford, and a few other games. I personally want to see us really stretch and pull teams around, which helps when your fullbacks create the width on both sides.

I hope Minamino gets some opportunities- he deserves them and allows for the other 3 to get some rest.

13.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 12:08:26
I thought we missed Fabinho too Ed, Henderson was often more advanced than the Brazilian would have been and there was a lack of cover to Newcastle’s breaks.
The match was a good cameo of Thiago’s abilities, he is far better than Wijnaldum on the ball but his mobility is obviously poorer. He looked like he tired in the second half too, but the midfield, and team as a whole, faded.
I was getting nervous as the second half progressed but Trent’s rocket thankfully sealed the points.
I meant to say after the Wolves game, there was a complete lack of ball boys and girls at Molyneux, another game-slowing tactic to watch out for at aways.
The rugby Lions series was affected badly for deliberate injury delays and the football analysts have clearly taken this onboard too, it’s definitely more pronounced this season.

14.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 14:29:20
Great read as always ED1, especially the detail on the “head “ injury. All the pundits here in the US seem to have an opinion on it and most saying the game should have stopped. Oddly for some reason not one of them has actually zoomed in and slowed down the footage to defend their point. It’s really sad they choose to create controversy rather than show the actual controversy. Is been happening more and more like against Wolves where every few minutes a player was down. To be honest he should have been booked.

{Ed001's Note - Atletico Madrid were the worst. It is blatant cheating and it is about time these players got booked for it. It is clearly a tactic to break up play and stop the flow of the game.}

15.) 18 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 20:19:40
Ed1 - is trent's new role is the new wrinkle what Pep was talking about earlier in the season? Initially I didn't like it for 2 reasons:

1- we were scrambling to cover the gap
2-Trent looked really passive to me. Often just standing in the middle of the field and seen him throw his hands up a couple times if the ball didn't come to him

But over time I've come to appreciate it as it does bring a new dynamic to how we play and opens up even more angles of attack. We seem to be more aware to cover the gap when Trent does float in-field.

{Ed001's Note - I have no idea you would need to ask Pep.}

16.) 19 Dec 2021
18 Dec 2021 21:17:14
Good article Ed and glad someone is calling out Hayden. I see all the pundits going on about how badly the ref did in the situation. I thought he did really well. Friend of mine said he'd be upset with the ref if we conceded a goal like that. Personally I'd be very unimpressed with any player that pulled that.

17.) 19 Dec 2021
19 Dec 2021 10:35:45
Didn't ask Pep, don't have his number unfortunately. But found the article and he spoke about a slight modification to how we attack. Other than what we've already spoken about I feel like we have been getting our VMs more consistently involved in the attack. So perhaps either of those 2 are it.

Anyways, good to evolve and am sure there will be teething issues along the way. I feel like we have figured out the TAA playing centrally quite quickly.

18.) 19 Dec 2021
19 Dec 2021 15:59:28
VM’s as in Vendor Masters?