The last couple of games have been hard-fought nil-nil draws, one of which was a game we should have won and the other a valuable point against a top team.
Aside from the scoreline, there was another thing that those games had in common and that was how Newcastle’s men showed that they will not be pushed around, bullied or taken for mugs. It’s an ugly side to the game, for sure, but it’s one that is sometimes needed and it shows the fight and desire that this team has that they will react in such a way.
At the same time, Newcastle have shown that they’re not above a spot of gamesmanship with Jamaal Lascelles getting his second yellow card of the season without even stepping on the pitch – both times for stopping an opposing player from taking a quick throw-in.
Even the seemingly unflappable Bruno Guimaraes lost his head against Leeds, frustrated by their tactics.
It shows that Newcastle are capable of winning games but will also do what is necessary to protect a point when they need to and that’s the sign of a top team. Getting those ugly wins, the hard-fought points when they’re up against it, or just showing that fight. As long as nobody gets themselves sent off, I have no problem with the lads losing their rag a bit and using that fire to fuel their performance.
Having more than one dimension is exactly what we’ve been lacking for years and now we can pick up points playing attractive football, or fight like warriors and scrap for points – if that’s not the sign of a top team I don’t know what is.