Newcastle United notched their second pre-season win in as many games as they beat Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox tonight.
While it was just a pre-season friendly, Newcastle fans were able to get a glimpse of what lies ahead next season with their first look at Sandro Tonali as well as newly confident duo Elliot Anderson and Anthony Gordon.
The game at Ibrox in which Newcastle left it late to grab the win was, as the old cliché goes, a game of two halves. Newcastle were extremely dominant in the first half and looked good for their 1-0 lead given to them by Miguel Almiron on 16 minutes.
Eddie Howe gave plenty of players a run-out in the pre-season friendly against Rangers
Eddie Howe made a raft of changes at half time closely followed by another set of changes ten minutes into the second half. These changes massively disrupted the flow of the game and allowed Rangers to dominate, eventually equalising after a mistake by Karl Darlow.
Newcastle grabbed the win on 88 minutes after Alexander Isak turned on the style and chipped a lovely ball into he box for Harrison Ashby to loop into the goal off his head.
Newcastle have plenty of positives and a few negatives to take away
There were a lot of positives to take away from the game as well as a few negatives. Here’s three of each:
Sandro Tonali
It has to be kicked off with Sandro Tonali. What a player we have signed if those first 45 minutes are anything to go by. He’s got fire and fight, he chased his man down like a ferocious dog, always looking to get on to loose balls. Then when he’s got the ball he’s so calm and silky, and his eye for a pass is delightful. More of this please.
Jamal Lewis
Now Lewis‘ second run out this pre-season and I’m sure Eddie Howe sees what we see … he is simply not good enough for Newcastle. Last season was blighted by injury so it would have been unfair to judge him on that, but he’s back now and it’s clear as day he’s just not at the level Eddie Howe is looking for. No concept of offside, sloppy passing and a poor final ball. It’s just not good enough.
Anthony Gordon
After winning the cup and player of the tournament at the Under 21s Euro Championship Gordon has come back to Newcastle with fire in his belly. On for the second half, Gordon showed off his pace and tenacity from the get-go. He seemed to favour the move where he’d run off the shoulder of his man and try and turn him on the spot several times, it didn’t always pay off, but when it did his pace is devastating and that will be a huge part of Newcastle’s game next season.
Bruno Guimaraes
I never thought I’d be writing about Bruno Guimaraes in a negative fashion, but as another second-half addition, Bruno struggled to get into the game. He was easily shoved off the ball after Darlow’s bad pass from which Rangers scored and beyond that he was practically invisible. Granted he celebrated his wedding several times so he’s got a bit of wedding cake to shift before he’s back up to speed so we’ll let him off.
Elliot Anderson
Young Elliot Anderson had another fantastic game. He looks alert and ready to push the team forward. He helped himself to another assist too, placing the ball nicely in front of Almiron for him to curl home. Anderson knows he’s got to prove himself this season and he’s off to a good start.
Squad depth
The second half tonight showed just how much we lack squad depth. I know these friendlies are a chance for Eddie Howe to have a look at the fringe players and the youngsters in and around the squad, but there was only really Nick Pope and Joelinton missing tonight with Allan Saint-Maximin rumoured to be on his way out of the club. So if Newcastle pick up a couple of injuries, these fringe and youth players are who we have left to call upon. If Howe truly wants two players per position, he’s got a long way to go.
All in all though it’s still early days both in terms of the season and the transfer window so there’s a lot that can change between now and 12th August.
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