Newcastle United’s season continues to peter out with the summer firmly in sight as they put in an absolute snoozefest of a display against Brighton this evening.
Neither the Magpies nor the Seagulls could break the deadlock, battling out for a 0-0 and it has left much of the St James’ Park faithful watching from home absolutely reeling, particularly by the performance from Matt Ritchie.
Steve Bruce named him at left wing-back despite all of their defensive injury woes and it clearly didn’t pay off.
Is Matt Ritchie good enough?
Yes, absolutely!
No way, get rid!
Ritchie took a hammering on social media throughout the match with supporters naming him everything from a “donkey” to being a “liability” whilst one fan went as far as suggesting that he’s not fit to feature in the Premier League.
Per SofaScore, the 30-year-old delivered just two accurate crosses from 12 attempts, lost possession 24 times and committed three fouls. It was a poor evening all round from the wide man.
Ritchie, who cost Toon just £12m back in 2016, was also blasted for being “reckless” and for being “shocking”.
Here’s the rest of the reaction…
https://twitter.com/jxtrowillems/status/1285265317581774857?s=20
Ritchie doing his best Schar impression there. 🤣
— Sarah (@sarahxnufc) July 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/jtpetherick/status/1285265999374225410?s=20
That was so reckless from Ritchie what’s he doing man.
— Jack🇧🇷 (@Jack_Rogers97) July 20, 2020
I know you all love him, but Ritchie is a liability for me, leg's have gone.
— DT (@DT3NCH) July 20, 2020
Matt Ritchie is terrible your days are done
— Matthew white (@whitestuff56) July 20, 2020
Ritchie has been an absolute calamity today.
— Richy S (@richysmith100) July 20, 2020
Ritchie is having a bit of a stinker
— Leroy (@LeroyNUFC) July 20, 2020
Matt Ritchie has become an absolute liability like #NUFC
— AJ (@TheAndylorian) July 20, 2020
Matt Ritchie is an abysmal footballer. #nufc
— The Rise of NUFC (@riseofnufc) July 20, 2020
Ritchie’s playing a shocker so far
— Stephen Frost (@SteveFrost83) July 20, 2020
Sell Ritchie too a Championship club for £10-12 mill. Not fit to play in PL!!!!!
— Bander Mogren (@Mandys_eleven) July 20, 2020