We made hard work of it in the end, but thank everything for that.
First half was easily the best football we've played all season. One-touch, free flowing, great movement, brilliant. We had a couple of great chances and Fernandez made an incredible block, but in truth for all our good play and domination we should have been creating more. We were the best side but the game changed on Frazer getting sent off for being a muppet.
Second half, as you'd expect we started off dominating but they got more and more into it. A lucky penalty which was probably unlucky for Fernandez but a definite penalty. Other than that, Brewster should have done a lot better and we should have won by more but we made heavier and heavier weather of it. Finally got the win in the end which is more a relief than anything else.
Newcastle were woeful. When they actually put some attacking players on the pitch they looked more of a threat but in truth they looked like a team who hadn't won in 7 and were threadbare. Their plan seemed to be to put in last minute blocks and then hopefully punt it up to Wilson. I'd be shocked if they aren't in a relegation scrap by the end of the season.
Ramsdale - 6 - Again, looked uncertain and my heart is in my mouth every time he rushes out. Needs to be more of a calming influence but looks far too often like a rabbit in the headlights
Osbourne - 8 - Great going forward. Always making run and a threat throughout the first half. Less so in the first half but the wingbacks were a contestant threat
Ampadu - 7 - Best game for us. Lots of confident quick passing and looked to get forward regularly. Defensive side maybe less impressive but significantly better
Egan - 7 - Solid all game. Had a battle in the air for the most part and seemingly always in the right place. Cleared up for Basham a couple of times
Basham 5.5 - Thought he was poor at the back and mistimed a couple of headers. He was our weakest link at the back although we weren't overly troubled
Bogle - 8 - As with Osbourn a constant threat going forward and loves to shoot. Ended up all over the pitch at times. Less impressive defensively on the few occasions they attacked down his side
Fleck - 7 - Much better. Did well first half and moved the ball around quickly. Got caught a few times and needed to make quicker decisions
Norwood - 6.5 - Again, much better first half. Moved the ball around quickly and well. As the half went on though, made a few mistakes and carried on regressing second half
Lundstram 7.5 - He had a few shots but never looks overly convincing. He did much better first half but still slows the game down to much and always seems to look to the side or back
McGoldrick - 6 - linked up play well and should have done better with his chance first half. Seemed to fade second half
Burke - 7.5 - He's so dangerous when he's running at them. Fernandrz put in a great block to stop him scoring and he was a nuisance for the first 30 minutes. Never letting up. We're so much more dangerous with him on the pitch. He wasn't happy to come off but as they sat deeper he became less affective.
Subs
Sharp - 5.5 - Won, kind of, and converted the pen. Didn't think he did much apart from that. A bit slow and on his toes but he won't be match fit.
Brewster - 6 - Kid looks dangerous but his finishing is shambolic at the moment. Unlucky with the one which hit the post but should have had a hatrick. Doesn't make the best decisions and seems to be trying too hard.
Wilder - 7 - Fist win, finally, and for the first time managed to send them out really geed up. We were a much better team first half but after the sending off they just parked the bus and we struggled to get through them. He changed it with Sharp but the pen was lucky and otherwise we'd have a lot of unhappy fans on here tonight. Still, so many more shots than other games, even 11 on 11.
v. 
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