No ASM, no party for Newcastle United! Schar, Krafth, Bentaleb, Bruce & more criticised in Liam Kennedy's SEVEN Magpies takeaways
It was a night to forget for Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium – and sadly we all had to witness it (can we end the season now, please?).
Liam Kennedy has picked through the bones of the Manchester City shocker – and he’s found it tough to take too many positives...
Change for change sake!
Far too many changes, far too little time. That just about sums up what Steve Bruce's men's performance at the Etihad.
Add in far too many shocking performances, too!
Five at the back didn't work last time, yes. But why change so many players and the formation, and put so many players out of position?
No ASM, no party! Without him, United lack drive
How reliant are Newcastle on Allan Saint-Maximin? VERY.
His pace, his trickery, his movement, his menace. No one in the squad can replace that.
Miguel Almiron was also a miss but ASM strikes fear into the opposition - and United just can't cope when he's gone.
New contract anyone?
Krafth did not werk!
Stealing this one from my good mate Neil Mitchell, the Geordie Dentist. As he said in our fan panel last night, Emil Krafth did not work in the centre.
For me, despite the better performance against West Ham, I am still far from convinced by the Sweden international at right-back either.
Doesn't look like a player you'd keep at United, takeover or not.
Fabian Schar is no midfielder - in fact, I'm not sure what he is
What has happened to the Switzerland international? Has he changed or has he always been like this?
There's a reason why Schar is at United at this stage in his career. It's because he can't string together all of his obvious talents to put in any kind of consistent run of performances.
Poor and rash in a back four, not mobile enough in midfield. Does he have a place at United long-term? You'd have to think not.
One of three makes a case
I called for the loan rangers to get their chance and even though it was a tough game to make a case for a permanent deal, on yesterday's evidence only one of three looked even close to the standard needed.
Nabil Bentaleb was awful, Valentino Lazaro didn't do enough and was very shaky going backwards but at least Danny Rose was half decent. Well, maybe even that was pushing it.
Can't put that one on Instagram, DeAndre!
Right backs, it used to be left backs, now it's right backs.
Three of them finished the game on the park against Man City, and it's questionable whether any of them will have any kind of future if a takeover goes through.
DeAndre Yedlin was particularly bad. To me he looks like a player who is already looking elsewhere for his own future. Probably somewhere a little more 'Instagramable'.
No Jamaal = BIG problems
Jamaal Lascelles was to blame for one goal against West Ham, but when he's not in United's team it's VERY, VERY obvious.
The Magpies miss their leader when he's out. That was the case around Christmas time, too.
They need him back on Saturday.