It’s another tough week for the Geordie faithful, as Stoke City held Newcastle to a bore draw at St James’ Park.
Steve McClaren set up with the exact same tactics as the past two weeks, but with Vurnon Anita replacing the injured Jack Colback in central midfield.
Newcastle bossed the game and deserved to take all three points, but Jack Butland was in fine form and prevented the Magpies finding the back of the net. Down the other end, Rob Elliot was also in fine form, though his afternoon was much quieter – until Daryl Janmaat and Cheick Tiote were taken off.
The performance, as a whole, was pleasing, but the result certainly wasn’t. Vurnon Anita and Cheick Tiote’s partnership certainly kept Stoke at bay until the Ivorian was subbed off, but the pair lack the cutting edge to carve open defences – which left Newcastle stuck for ideas at points.
The Magpies remain in the bottom three, having picked up just one win and four draws in our opening eleven fixtures – but there is certainly some signs of improvement. Here are our player ratings:
