The Newcastle preseason has ended, with defeat perhaps appropriate at the end of a tough summer, both on and outside the field.
In the last 24 hours we have seen just over 82,000 coming in and out of the park of St James and see how Eddie How’s Mags signed with Espanyol on Friday with Espanyol before the meeting of today La Liga Giantico Madrid saw Diego Simeone’s men lift the Sela Cup.
We were against heavy opposition and the difference turned out to be possible when they revealed the French star Antoine Griezmann, while our top striker Alexander Isak mocked somewhere on Tyneside.
The lack of senior striker was clear, because it was a large part of the preseason, and it was another competition that emphasized different parts of the team to be tackled.
Fortunately, one of these a center-back addresses will be, with £ 35 million German Gigant Malick Thiaw who is closed in a much needed boost from AC Milan, but more must follow, with two strikers and at least one midfielder needed when Isak throws his toys out of the Pram.
Back to the game meant our lack of options Full-back Harrison Ashby started on the right side of a midfield three, with Anthony Gordon in a false nine roll and Alex Murphy during the break after Sven Botman returned with a positive, albeit the 45-minute cameo.
Anthony Elanga was a clear spark. Just like Park Seung-Sooo last night, he had the beating of his husband and connected to Kieran Trippier on our right side. Elanga’s intersection was mixed, but he looked sharp in one side that could have scored at least two in the first half if Joelinton could end with his head.
The Big Brazilian passed two, threw a wide wide and saw a huge chance went straight to Oblak, Gordon pressed well and Jamaal Lascelles was a solid presence on the back and delivered a solid display in his first St James’ Park starting since recovering an ACL injury.
Ashby settled in the game after a sloppy start, Tonali was a bit limp on his usual high standards and Pope was a mixed bag, which made a few good stops alongside some typical dubious moments with the ball on his feet!
The opener of Athleti came 50 minutes when Julian Alvarez broke at the counter and finally tapped on the rear pole of Baena’s Kruis, with their second arrival when Griezmann went his finish early and slipped Pope after holding Sorloth’s resignation.
While the Spaniards brought quality to the field, we saw the will of Alfie Harrison and Leo Shahahar come up, so that Howe Hand Short Camees to U21 talents have lately trained with the first team.
Gordon went down and held his ankle and it didn’t look great while he went off the tunnel, although it is nothing serious. His post on Instagram after the match had confirmed this, with the wing player: “I just turned my ankle, no problems.”
That is a relief, but after no winning season, the current Isak-Saga, too many failed transfer activities and two strikers that were still needed in addition to a midfielder, we have a few weeks ahead and a heavy task to Aston Villa a week a week for a week to the 2025/26 season on the rear foot and in need of a lift.
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Lascelles, Botman, Livramento – Ashby, Tonali, Joelinton – Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.
Subs: Ruddy, Gillespie, Kuol, A. Murphy*, Heffernan, Harrison, Bailey, Charlton, Sanusi, Shahar*, Neave.
How do you want the boys!
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