You watch the top teams and they don't panic and are content to keep possession for long periods without really going anywhere. It frustrates the opposition and takes the pressure off your own defence. The first half that's what Jairo enabled us to do. He was always calling for the ball, keeping it ticking over and taking the momentum out of Newcastle after they took an early lead. This caused them to fall back and sit deep. When there was a clear opportunity Jairo used his passing range and hit a couple of longer balls to the wings. So effective was he that Newcastle eventually resorted to Almiron almost man marking him at times.

The downside of the Luka/Jairo partnership is that neither are quick which when added to the elephant pace of Dann and Cahill means if we push more than 15-yards away from our penalty area teams can just slip balls behind, which nearly undone us in the first half. By tactic or choice we then sat in a low block in the second half to prevent that and Jairo became less effective as we rescinded possession. For me, he is a better player in possession than out of it, which is possibly why Roy doesn't favour him as his tactics are often all about shape and organisation and work without the ball.

One last thing I will say is that last night was the first game since I can remember where Luka didn't get caught in possession at least once. Was that because he had someone by his side constantly looking for the ball? Possibly. As I said, my only big worry with the Luka/Jairo partnership is the lack of pace, but it's not like we have any other options right now other than possibly Kouyate returning to the middle when fully fit.

I think the Luka/Jairo partnership really worked yesterday, good mix of having two holding midfielders shut down newcastle along with moving the ball around well. I don't remember us getting stuck in midfield once, it wasn't long before the ball was out wide, the full backs and wingers had the ball along during the game which is a step forward for us.

True, I cant remember him being caught on the ball. However he gave the ball away a mulititude of times with misplaced passes. This and the obligatory yellow - you just know its gonna happen sooner or later - is turning him into a liability.

Agree with Jairo's pace and passig sentiment. What I would add is that he does add to the overall defensive stability by moving into spaces vacated by our fullbacks. This we saw against West Ham. Newcastle were so slow to move forward yesterday that he was rarely called upon to do this.

I was thinking that would be the Newcastle perspective. We are well used to that ourselves! I don't want to say too much about Milo - basically a yellow every game. I was surprised no VAR on a couple of decisions. Shelvey probably did a worse tackle but the ref gave a yellow meaning VAR would not be used. I thought the grappling in the box might go against us, but it didn't. We were a bit lucky for the win, but we'll take it. It's not really often that we get much luck.
As for you, you have St. Maximim back, he seems lively. There are probably three worse teams (something we have been known to rely on). Where I thought you were poor was defending balls into the box. A couple of times we got clear at set pieces and clear at the far post. I guess you missed a couple of close chances too.
We can sympathise but we will bask in the glory of our lofty league position for now, of course. Can't see Bruce lasting. Rafa was decent, I thought. Of course, it's all Ashley's fault. A Saudi Prince or two will sort you out.

Red and Blue Army!

Glad to see you are your usual positive self today

I am afraid that is why we won. Whenever I see a team ceding possession to us, I know we are in for a beating.