What was wrong with Isak + why was NUFC final ball so bad?

The Daily Mail's Craig Hope reflects on Newcastle United's frustrating 1-1 draw with Brighton at St James' Park.
Why was the final ball so poor? Craig explores the reasons behind a result that could yet cost Newcastle dear in their pursuit of European football.

[robnicholson]

A passionate account Craig. Thank you... and thanks so much for your work in keeping us informed throughout the season. Let's hope the lads can pull off a result on Wednesday...

[DavidSmith-grgd]

Great video Craig, supported nufc for well over 60 yrs so fully expect them to beat Man Utd and then lose to Brentford

[johnykinson]

Was at the game on Saturday and your report and analysis of the match was PERFECT. Everything you said went through my mind as the game unfolded. Spot on about the "players" not turning up when they were needed and the pressure of the last two fixtures would have lifted somewhat.

[derekoetting]

I don't agree with your anderson assessment. I thought today he wanted to play in gordons position and kept sitting higher up then gordon. Gordon had to keep comming deep for the ball which is what anderson should have been doing for gordon. I thought andersons positional play ruined our left side which is usually our best attacking threat.

[SensibleMoniker]

Another crucial match that is a damp sqib and we come up short - bit of a theme now. Starting 11 included Dubravka, with a midfield that inluded Murphy, Longstaff and Anderson - what could possibly go wrong?

[ddunn]

The final 3rd play was driving me nuts, every long or through ball was cut out or went nowhere near our players. Brighton did a good job at cutting them out. I thought Tino had a poor game, constantly beaten at full-back or just caught out of position, leaving it 2 on 3 a lot in the first half. Gordon said he doesn't like playing with his back to goal and he's not as comfortable doing that, we should have put Joe at striker instead and put Gordon on the right and Barnes left.

[stephenstrong]

Isak was unwell yesterday and carried it on into today’s game. He had to in the absence of Wilson.

[earthlingcarl]

Almiron should never play again after that dive, shameful.

[knownpassenger]

Joelinton has such an impact in terms of build up, pressing, holding the ball up etc etc. We need stars like him and Trippier to come back and really kick on if we are going to get 6th and hopefully Europa league.

[grahamritchie]

Spot on Craig the final ball was just not good enough. Also I lost count how many times I shouted 'shoot!'

[MarkWeir-crtk]

Bruno was devastated at the final whistle, looked inconsolable

[johnson_street_IEMD]

Brilliant assessment ... i opted for the Toon Review watchalong, and probably glad i did ... in some ways, it will be great to see this view in August when Tonali will nearly be available, hopefully Bruno and Isak are still our players, and we will hopefully have signed that third striker we desperately need

[davidbennett]

Love your views Craig. I thought yesterday was very frustrating for us supporters as we know they can turn teams like Brighton over. Our final ball was not bad its just they were off the mark as if they were not on the same wavelength. Brighton were frustrating us, going down too easy however a cple of our guys did the same. Brighton also were managing the time of the game with GK taking a long time for goal kicks. May not get Europe in this form but slow and steady wins the race

[andrewford]

My biggest issue is the desire and consistency of the team. When we had to beat Brighton this time last year we found a way whereas this time around we just couldn’t get across the line or actually even looking like doing it. We could get 6 points next two games or 0. Neither would surprise me; and that’s the issue….

[JamesLynch]

Bang on as always Craig, and good to see you in the boozer tonight

[helloyoubeautifulpeople]

Eddie needs to be ruthless, if Pope is fit, play him, Joelinton fit?? Play him

[btaylor]

Morning Craig, great report mate, absolutely spot on as usual. Certainly agree, we didn't have the final cutting edge yesterday which was disappointing. Didn't think the referee had a particularly good game either, allowed Brighton to waste so much time and stopped the game for cramp, really??
We are going to have to be on our best game against Man Utd and Brentford, both difficult games so we'll need our strikers to be at their best. A lacking midfield performance too which is disappointing. Lets hope the lads can prepare well mentally as well as physically for our final push as Chelsea are hot on our heels.
For next season the owners MUST address our striker position, Isak needs a younger type Wilson player along side him. For me, Wilson needs to be moved on as we cannot rely on him to be available, he's far to injury prone. I believe Eddie will get the lads up for our final 2 more gsmes, let's give it all weve got!
Cheers Craig, all the best mate 👍🖤🤍

[Cory-lhyp]

I’ve always defended Almiron amongst my friends - even though I’ve known he’s technically not good enough and needs moving on, Ive always respected his attitude and work rate. However after today I never want to see him in a Newcastle kit again.

My biggest hate in football from playing and watching is diving. However if people dive when there is contact but they exaggerate it as they are losing the ball or running into a dead end I still hate it but I kind of understand it. However diving outside the box where there’s no contact and you’re through on goal at the end of a must win game is inexcusable for me and unforgivable. I don’t care about depth Eddie needs to punish him for that and leave him out the squad for the remaining 2 games.

Thought Bruno and Anderson were class.

Struggling with the Harvey Barnes move tbh, I know he’s shown glimpses but for the same price Antony Gordon cost that’s the level we need to be seeing, not glimpses. If he was free/15m id accept it. But at 40m serious questions need to be asked. We’ve blew a chunk of our budget on a player who isn’t even ahead of Jacob Murphy in the pecking order (love his personality but he’s also not good enough). Make it make sense?

[hannahreed-yvdx]

The press was really poor as well. Brighton weren’t playing out from the back, they were going directly in to the strikers feet. By pressing so high it took our front 6 out of the game. They just needed to move one midfielder back in front of their striker. I’d expect my captain to see that and direct a change on the pitch.

[kathchandler]

Bruno didn't look happy at the end of that match, he dropped to the ground and stayed there, I knew exactly what he was feeling ! 😢