Newcastle United made the trip to St Mary’s Stadium to face off against fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton on Saturday.
With Newcastle winless so far in 2018/19, Mark Hughes side were only marginally better off and out of the relegation zone by a few points, so it was always set to be a tight and tense affair and unfortunately for us, they more than edged the game.
We predictably struggled to get a single shot on target from our six efforts, but they got four at goalkeeper Martin Dubravka from their 22 in total.
Dubravka had a standout 45 minutes and still managed to keep the clean sheet at the end of the second half and he deserved every ounce of praise he took – especially for the one early chance from Mohamed Elyounoussi.
I love Dubravka me
— Matty (@YEDL1N) October 27, 2018
If Martin Dubravka wasn’t the second coming of Christ we’d be down already
— Lubo (@lewisnufc1999) October 27, 2018
Thank God for Martin Dubravka!
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) October 27, 2018
Maybe not as good as given but still really good
— ben (@MassiveMuto) October 27, 2018
Dubravka I love you so much
— Dom (@DomP3arson) October 27, 2018
What a save by Dubravka
— Michael (@RoyalRitchie) October 27, 2018
DÚBRAVKA!!!!!!
— Newcastle Brasil ???????? (@NewcastleBra) October 27, 2018
The comments above were richly deserved, even if ‘best goalkeeper’ we’ve seen does a slight disservice to former stoppers but I guess all Newcastle fans have to take the joy and positives were they can this year as it’s not like we’ve got any victories to celebrate.
The 29-year-old is certainly up there though when it comes to our stoppers as few have had to be the last line of defence in these particular circumstances and that stands as a testament to the man.
I just hope when he makes the inevitable almighty clanger as all goalkeepers do during a season, fans take it for it is, an aberration and give him every ounce of leeway in the world.