I was out camping this past weekend and only just watched the game. Obviously I was disappointed to see us lose.There was a lot to be positive about however.
We look very effective and dominate possession for long periods of the game. Ange-ball with Kulu and Maddison at CM appears to be very effective. We actually showed signs of preparing multiple different attacking set-pieces.
There are also some bad things- mainly that Newcastle played us exactly as you would expect- sit deep, low-block, attack via the wings on the counter- and it was effective enough to win against us.
I think Ange did well to switch up to the more attacking style in the 2nd half, but perhaps he should have anticipated this and started with that formation rather than the one he did. Sarr and Bissouma don't appear to be creative enough to break down a packed box, and especially when playing from behind. Other than the set pieces, everything about his attacking plans is pretty predictable at this point- it just depends on us being better and having good finishing, and we still aren't quite there yet when it comes to precision in attack. I think that we can and will improve in this though as long as we are willing to be patient and give the team time.
Will it be enough this season though? I hope so- I'm not sure that Levy has given Ange enough proven attacking talent to be successful trying to play his way. Its just awful luck that our record signing is already injured- we sure could have used Solanke today in battering their defense.
As for Newcastle- Anthony Gordon was incredible. He seemed to win every important ball everywhere on the pitch. Uncanny that. Joelinton I thought was a thug, and got away with a lot of very rough play.
I thought it was surprising we didn't try to run at any of their players on yellows. I sometimes wonder if we are ruthless enough at that sort of thing.
TLDR Ange-ball is coming along but it's not quite enough yet to win away at Newcastle.
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