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Newcastle United slipped into the League Cup quarter-finals after a penalty win over Newport.
It was a difficult night for United, who were left behind in the early stages when Tristan Abraham’s shot went through the arms of Mark Gillespie.
United struggled for an answer, but ultimately Jonjo Shelvey’s wonderful goal tied the ties and sneaked into the kicks despite Joelinton’s failure.
Questions for Steve Bruce even after salvation with a kick
Jonjo Shelvey’s Last Leveler decisively changed the narrative in Rodney Park. Without him, Steve Bruce would have been traveling north with the ignominy of one of Newcastle Cup’s darkest days on his CV.
The awkward questions after two poor Premier League performances have begun to look suspiciously like pressure on a manager who has been able to mold a team in his own image this closed season.
Instead, and for the second time in a few days, the Newcastle head coach was saved from the spot as the Penatlies handed over the coveted last eighth place.
But make no mistake, this was another terrible display that raises familiar questions about Newcastle’s leadership under Bruce.
What is United trying to do under your wing? Where is the progress? And how do they lack fluidity, zipper and shape?
Bruce received much applause for keeping Newcastle’s head comfortably above the water last season, but as much as he may not like them at the moment, there are justified questions about United’s style and strategy.
West Ham seemed like a big step forward, but since then it has been difficult to discern the direction in which Newcastle is supposed to be headed and it has armed its critics with ammunition. All eyes will be on Burnley.
How many marginal men take risks?
Anyway, he couldn’t complain with the team card. It contained a good number of players with a point to prove and established top teams, but performed less than the sum of its parts for long periods.
How many of those who made the team have insisted on their case to run on the Saturday side? Jacob Murphy was one: energetic and willing, even if he left his shooting boots at NE1.
Substitutes Callum Wilson and Joelinton, despite a poor penalty, made useful cameos that likely ensure they will return to the team.
But other than that, it was difficult to get to too much stuff. Miguel Almiron flattered himself to cheat, Andy Carroll had a rough night and Sean Longstaff never really got going.
Mark Gillespie atones for an early mistake
Newcastle’s third-choice goalkeeper has been flawless in the two League Cup matches that preceded this one, but his mistake on Tristan Abrahams’ goal was one you won’t want to quickly recall.
The shot was fired with little rhythm or power, but somehow slipped through his hands, a horrifying mistake that seemed like it could prove costly for long periods of a torturous night.
Given that he is unlikely to play in the Premier League and Martin Dubravka is back at the end of the net week, it could have been a long and difficult wait for another shot.
Fortunately, he stood up to block Ryan Taylor’s poor penalty on penalties to repair the mistake and give him a chance to be the hero again in the quarterfinals.
What to do with Jonjo Shelvey?
In the first half, no one summed up Newcastle’s woes quite like Shelvey, who sat down across from the back four and tried to get things going by sending long-range balls over Newport’s well-organized midfield bench.
It was a mistake and too often he gave up possession. When it’s such an important cog in the engine room, Shelvey tends to be to blame when there’s such a jarring lack of fluidity.
There’s a debate as to what kind of Newcastle this team will evolve into with Shelvey at the heart of midfield, but one thing’s for sure – their fantastic draw was the kind of finish he’s on the team to produce.
Newcastle still has work to do in the transfer market
Monday is the international transfer window and Newcastle still has all its loan slots available. They should use them.
United desperately need a box-to-box midfielder to offer them something different than what they have, and another forward option will be required if Joelinton is to be used where he was in Tottenham (and looked more effective).
This was too pedestrian at times and lacked avant-garde.
Word from Everton was that Newcastle had shown interest in Norwich’s Ben Godfrey, though whether they need another center-back or not is a moot point.
However, United will have to change players first. Dan Barlaser’s transfer to Rotherham will be confirmed on Thursday.
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