Newcastle United continue search for their first win of Premier League season after bland goalless draw with Leeds United
I sometimes have to pinch myself as I'm living the dream. I get paid to write about Newcastle United. It's a literal dream job. And then there are days like this.
Somehow, I have to shake off the sleepiness and come up with around 300 words about that match.
The fact that the first shot on target came after 43 minutes should really say everything you need to know about the game.
After seeing Eddie Howe's starting lineup, the game had 0-0 written all over it, and even after reverting to the usual 4-3-3 with Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes on the pitch, there was just never a point where we looked like scoring.
Sean Longstaff had Bruno Guimaraes in his pocket and made sure his replacement knew who came first
Sean Longstaff picked up Sky Sports' Player of the Match for clattering Bruno Guimaraes around the pitch and potentially injuring his replacement, Jacob Ramsey. In fairness, Longstaff was everywhere for Leeds, and his performance may have gone a long way towards convincing the Elland Road crowd he was a good signing.
As for Newcastle, only Jacob Murphy looked interested in scoring. It was Murphy who had that aforementioned 43rd-minute shot that was the first on target, and then in the second half, he unleashed a fierce strike from distance, which was palmed away by Lucas Perri.
We then had to wait until the dying minutes before we saw another half-decent chance when Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw a low drive blocked by the leg of Nick Pope.
Who was your NUFC Man of the Match today? Good luck
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Nick Pope24%
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Kieran Trippier0%
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Fabian Schar0%
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Sven Botman10%
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Dan Burn0%
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Tino Livramento48%
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Sandro Tonali5%
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Bruno Guimaraes0%
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Jacob Ramsey0%
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Jacob Murphy14%
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Will Osula0%
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Lewis Miley0%
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Anthony Elanga0%
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Harvey Barnes0%
How much impact would Nick Woltemade have had on today's game?
Newcastle's performance today was nowhere near as good as in the previous two games, but once again, the feeling is there that if we had a decent striker on the pitch, and by that we of course mean Alexander Isak, we'd won yet again.
Mr Twisty has potentially cost us seven points already this season, thanks to his strike.
At least we have his replacement through the door in Nick Woltemade. We'd love to know what he was thinking, watching on from the stands, whether he felt he would have changed the game. He'd have had to do it by himself, though, as there was no service going in for Will Osula, who once again was brimming with energy and effort, but zero direction or idea.
Two weeks off now with the international break. Potentially another player or two through the door before Monday's deadline. Let's hope when we come back, Eddie Howe has some fresh ideas on how to get goals using his new acquisitions, because things are looking desperate right now.
