Newcastle Post match thing

[Nicey]

Solid 3 points, rode our luck at times, but considering the players missing , no injuries, 3 points and two goals … happy with that … Lovern though …. Jesus H Christ … suspect he’ll come good in the end

[Lecter]

Sacrificed watching Real vs Atletico so I could catch my first proper look at Kondogbia. Sooooooo disappointing. Doesn't 'nick the ball off people's feet' like Lucas because he just doesn't move enough. He's got a nice touch and can dribble away from people which I like.

But it felt like I was watching ten busy, buzzing men of Monaco and a guy in the middle helping out when he could but not quite sure what he was supposed to be doing. Too far forward to be a defensive mid and too far back to worry Juventus in an attacking sense.

I'll need to watch a few more games I think.

I purposely watched that match to see Kondogbia

Its one game in isolation but the only positives I had is that he is big and strong, he reminded me more of Yaya Toure in his play (nowhere near as good oviously) than a defensive midfielder

Positionally he was terrible last night, he seemed slow to the ball, didnt tackle much or chase back. Game passed him by pretty much

Like Jaco said it could have been an off night, will probably try and watch the 2nd leg to see if hes any different

[Lecter]

Harsh on Henderson.

Yesterday and all season our midfield has been effective when pressing and they all put a shift in. They get stuck in and trouble the opposition. However, when we don't press, or that first press is beaten, we are too easily walked through by any opposition.

And tbh, that's why whenever we have a half fit or lazy striker up top, we generally can't compete unless the opposition sit off and allow us to push right on top of them. And it was exactly the same last season, but when we had a fit Sturridge & more importantly, Suarez, leading the line they pressed from the front and teams found it difficult to get through our team press.

Quite simply you can't press with half fit or lazy players. It's why Ibrahimovic didn't work at Barca.

Yes its harsh but the lad set enormously high standards last year and hasnt reached anywhere near those in terms of workrate IMO

[BigChief]

I purposely watched that match to see Kondogbia

Its one game in isolation but the only positives I had is that he is big and strong, he reminded me more of Yaya Toure in his play (nowhere near as good oviously) than a defensive midfielder

Positionally he was terrible last night, he seemed slow to the ball, didnt tackle much or chase back. Game passed him by pretty much

Like Jaco said it could have been an off night, will probably try and watch the 2nd leg to see if hes any different

Exactly, just what I was thinking. All the bad things about Yaya Toure and very little of the good. If BT Sport show any more Monaco games I'll try to catch them. Plus hopefully they beat Juventus so we can see more of him.

Is his contract up for renegotiation? Must be a reason he's being considered.