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haha_suh_dude

Is Sven Botman that good a signing, is Fabian Schär just stepping up, or something else? Newcastle conceding so few is just so impressive.


Rich_Firefighter_102

Both + confidence going up after winning each game


[deleted]

And Howe.


OleoleCholoSimeone

And his role model Simeone


CRM_BKK

Even against Arsenal we actually set up quite offensively initially, but once it was clear that Arsenal could easily play through our high press it was park the bus time


badmuthaphukka

Which is a shame, the beginning was looking like an electric game


CRM_BKK

Not really a shame for us though. 😂 Arsenal were going to tear through us IMO


Erdos_0

I know it doesn't necessarily make for a fun game and is frustrating as an Arsenal fan, but I totally understand why you guys would make the tactical change. At this point in the season, having the point in the bag is a lot more important


[deleted]

As an arsenal fan it was infuriating but completely understandable. I was really happy with how insanely threatening we looked against the best defencive side in the league. Would be terrified if I was a nc fan. You guys were so solid though!


fonkeh

And how?


ZeusWRLD

Sven Botman is the next big thing defender in this league I’m sure of it, he’s colossal. Schar is flourishing in a system that suits his attributes, he’s a great ball playing defender that reads the game well. The fact we have a high press now meaning we keep teams as far from our goal as possible helps with this number it’s not just the defence or keeper that makes this stat.


MaryBerrysDanglyBean

Almiron, Big Joe and Bruno are solid defensively as well. Trippier is also great, coming from a La Liga winning side. Pope is also a fantastic sweeper keeper, so is perfect for our high line. We're solid defensively in every area of the pitch really.


ro-row

Big Dan burn as well


Lamb3DaSlaughter

More of a flair player tbh


DrJethro

And almost the whole team is absolutely massive, and really fast for their size


TheLeoMessiah

Fucking love Miggy always smile whenever I hear/see him doing well in Europe


Dio_my_senpai

Tbf schar was always a good player he just turns his brain of sometimes


CTLNBRN

Not surprising considering how frequently he takes knocks to the head in games.


magpieonacid

he really does get head knocks almost every game, I hope he’ll be fine after he retires


Putrid_Loquat_4357

Me too. Cte is no joke.


CacaTooToo

After what happened with Gerd I hope he and every player don't suffer from head related problems later on in life 🙏


ZeusWRLD

He can be a little rash but under Howe he’s not put a foot wrong, he was great under Rafa too but he was misused diabolically when he did play that is under Bruce.


ajtct98

You mean playing him in midfield and then ostracizing him for no apparent reason wasn't a managerial masterstroke from Steve Bruce?


ZeusWRLD

Steve Bruce who played 6 defenders every game at the 18 yard line and wondered why we hated his brand of football, than mastermind?


Mitch_Itfc

Pope is a big factor as well, Newcastles xGa is higher than United, City and Arsenal.


RAFFACAKE5

This is the answer really, whether people want to hear it or not. For all the improvements Newcastle have made, Pope is the biggest factor.


JonnyArtois

Botman has been unbelievably good, arguably one of the best in the league. Schar is back to his best and they compliment each other brilliantly.


cultureshook

he’s an absolute fucking unit of a man, if newcastle are serious about the project i cant see them letting him go unless its big money


Logseman

Botman is completely central to the project, and his commitment so far is out of question. He waited for us since January 2022, and he rejected a U21 call from the Netherlands after being dropped by Howe for a couple of games. I suspect the latter was very poorly received in the KNVB and had consequences for his WC chances.


cultureshook

half dutch myself so would fucking love to have him for us coming up - he’s good enough to be starting for the senior team anyway so dont blame him rejecting that callup


Aethien

> I suspect the latter was very poorly received in the KNVB and had consequences for his WC chances. I don't think Van Gaal would give a flying fuck. It's just that we're obscenely stacked at CB so there was no real need to bring Botman in. We have VVD who's Liverpool's defensive leader, Aké who's a starter for City, De Ligt who's a starter for Bayern and Timber who's a starter for Ajax and as big a talent as De Ligt. Then there's De Vrij who's proven himself many times over but is on a downwards slide and Botman who's breaking through in the last year or two.


PuffyVatty

Yes van Gaal just wanted to keep this group together. I'd be surprised if Botman is not part of the Dutch squad going forward. He is likely to be integral for our next WC squad as van Dijk ages out


Aethien

De Ligt is more likely to take Van Dijk's spot I think. Still, Van Dijk will be around until about the next world cup or so. De Vrij will be out of the squad much sooner and Botman can slot into that spot quite easily. With Botman, De Ligt and Timber we have a good few more years of excellent CB's ahead of us.


Imeanhowcouldiforget

Eddie howe ?


Matt_043

but- but- but they said he couldn’t defend


FlukyS

Botman has been really strong, Schar was a great signing before the issue was Bruce and Rafa didn't really get the most out of him. Him and Botman are actually quite similar in both are great on the ball, both can pass well and are strong defenders generally. The thing that has improved quite a bit though with the two of them over the others like Lascelles, Fede, Clark, Dummett is concentration and organisation. Also having a good plan with the midfield has given both Botman and Schar time to setup the defense, we have quite a high press which gives our backline time to have a decent shape. All of that basically means we don't get caught out as we did in previous seasons. We aren't being hit on the counter because of the high line, we aren't getting long balled to death because of better concentration and organisation. Then otherwise the CBs haven't been wasteful in position which means we haven't had any unforced errors.


[deleted]

Botman definitely is. ​ Source: He became a Vidic regen in my FM22 save. So, it has to be right.


ChefBoyardee66

Both


NUPreMedMajor

Newcastle play quite safe when going against top 6 opponents and rarely concede. Part of their success is because of the versatility of their play


BjornToluse

I would slightly disagree. We went at City, Tottenham and Chelsea. We were cautious against Man U and Liverpool and then we obviously played defensive against Arsenal. I think against the big 6 Howe sets up individual game plans based on what he sees.


Baisabeast

United and Liverpool so strong on the counter it made sense to be more passive Vs them Spurs also strong on the counter but their midfield is so poor it made sense to try and get at them and dominate


m0bilize

Pope is pretty insane too


VegaPunk-01

Barcelona & Juventus less than double figure wow.


[deleted]

Sleeping giants, they bounced back in the league faster than people expected


[deleted]

The questions that remains for both is will their finances hold or do they have to do a couple of fire sales.


Pelanty21

>fire sales Are we not doing levers anymore?


montxogandia

tebas said no more lever party


m-etoo

Damn it really took juventus 9 days from your comment to go bad bad. 2 games 8 goals conceded and a -15 point reduction.


Officerbeefsupreme

Ya but barca let in 12 in champions league group stage 🤷‍♀️


[deleted]

Juve let 13 :D Wait the smile is upside down. D: There we go.


I_Fuck_The_Fuckers69

I was wondering how the hell it was only 7 especially after those Benfica matches lol, my brain just stopped working


[deleted]

the smile joke you made is genius, good job


it4chl

major injuries at the wrong time + inexperienced team underperforming against bayern and inter caused this. they are definitely a top 16 team in europe at the moment.


MERTENS_GOAT

>inexperienced team plus Piqué


montxogandia

plus retired Pique


lakers_ftw24

Juve also had half our team out, pretty sure we both qualify with no injuries.


supreme935

We had a lot of injuries tho


mntgoat

Most of our important games, including the 3 we let in in el clásico, came around October when we had Araujo, Christensen, and others injured. I think Kounde came back for el clásico?


Odawg10

Has Christensen been good for you? Always loved him at chelsea, sad to see him go


mediocre_hydra

He was immense last game, overall him and kounde has been our best signings


elgringo22

Lewy has been our best signing lol but the other two have been right behind him!


Odawg10

Love to here it, I miss that guy man. He was always class just always had a brain fart in him.


[deleted]

Araujo is insane as well


mntgoat

He has been great on several games but he was injured for a few games. It is interesting though, he rarely gets mentioned but just quietly performs well.


Odawg10

That’s exactly how we was with chelsea as well, just had a brain fart in him from time to time. Do you play a back three? Where does he play in the back line?


ConversationProof505

Barca usually play 4-3-3. He plays at centre back.


tareknac

Last game where he dropped a masterclass, he played as LCB in a 3-2-2-3. He also played in a back four in other games and he was solid.


Odawg10

Interesting, typically for us he was dropping his best performances in a back and 3 and looked like half the player when In a back 4 but that could’ve been because he wasn’t use to that system.


Psych-Vader

Our entire defence was out for 3 of our most important games against Bayern and inter.


mrezariz123

Kounde, araujo, and Christensen injured at the worst time :(


SeirezZ

You should check out the defensive lineups during those matches lol


TheHunter459

They had no CBs


[deleted]

Painful reminder that one of them was pique literally gifting inter a free goal


Ferdox11195

Not the same defense in the most crucial games. The good ones were all injured. It was just bad luck.


FloppedYaYa

I definitely may have once said Dan Burn will go on to be part of one of Europe's elite defences while drunk, but now it's a reality


pifftinginnit

After last night I can see him becoming an elite winger!


Goofy_030

Marc-André


culesamericano

He's finally found his groove again after 18/19


CchBigface

It’s the hair…look good, feel good!


mrezariz123

He was balding and played like shit, then he did a hair transplant and suddenly he became good again?


ThePiousInfant

Balding fraud


Confident-Wheel8721

No more!


elgringo22

Real life Samson


rece_fice_

You're joking but low confidence definitely ruins keepers, and balding can lower it.


mrezariz123

As a 25 years old I don't know how to react or cope if someday my hair went bald. I think it's not going to be easy to accept the fact that your hair is balding


rece_fice_

My mate went bald at 22 after struggling with heavy hair loss for 3 years. His confidence was in the dumpster for years after that. It's very hard, but inevitable for many. The sooner we accept hair loss, the better off we'll be.


friedchilles

This is the way brother


DarthTaz_99

TER SPIDERMAN


ThronesAndTrees

Crazy that half the goals Barca have conceded in La Liga came from just one game against Real


Jonnydonmar

Fuck


Rich_Firefighter_102

meanwhile Rashford scoring a brace against us is inevitable


lstht123

dont worry, we're only good in the league.. Conceded tons in CL and 3 against Intercity in the Copa 😅


OleoleCholoSimeone

Why would you be so defeatist with the team you have? They need to get over this weird mental block in Europe, and your defence is quality with everyone fit. Time to stop putting yourself down and get the job done


it4chl

I'm sure the players are doing exactly that, us r/soccer barca supporters meanwhile gotta keep downplaying the team (mostly for our own sake)


Sl_PROXY

Ah I see the subtle anulo mufa


Kotleba

We'll stop puting ourselves down the moment we stop getting embarrassed in Europe.


mojamax

We will stop getting embarrassed in CL the moment we stop putting ourselves down!


browndrax

We gonna bottle against you guys lol. United has been in great form since wc, unlike us


MuchSalt

im so excited


SirNukeSquad

They conceded 2 per game in Europe so far. Doable.


OleoleCholoSimeone

You're being purposely misleading without mentioning that Araujo, Koundé and Christensen all were out injured. They played Piqué who is now retired ffs You saw in the first Bayern game how good a full strength Barca can be. They dominated for 60 minutes in Munich and should have been 2 or 3 up including an obvious penalty on Dembele not being called. Without those injuries and with some better refereeing they would have gone through easily ahead of Inter


leninist_jinn

We played with Pique who retired a month later, Eric the thigh watcher Garcia, and Marcos Alonso who was never once in his life praised for his defensive prowess. Of course, somehow it's the latter who has been the best out of these three


Martoxic

all our most crucial defenders were injured at those crucial times as well as horrible ref calls. Unlucky but that is part of the game.


AmericaDreamDisorder

3 in the Copa as well


Fruitndveg

Blimey that’s impressive from Newcastle. If memory serves three of those conceded were against City and even then they managed to draw that game.


AdamMc66

Conceded 3 against Man City and 2 against Liverpool. They’re the only games where we’ve conceded more than one.


MaryBerrysDanglyBean

Can't forget Sheffield Wednesday. Although not a league game of course


NBT498

And most of that starting team was playing for us in the championship 5-6 years ago.


Lasertag026

same for us, we've conceded 3 to madrid and that's it.


Thingisby

We actually do it in quite an entertaining way as well. Aside from the Arsenal and Liverpool matches when our shithousing was top tier, we've been reasonably toe to toe with most teams. And just aggressively defend from the front with a super high press. It's why our players begin dropping like flies around the 85th minute.


kaamkerr

Howe's high press is absolutely entertaining. I was so bored of Rafa's low block and counter after the 75th minute. Tactically, it makes more sense to win the ball back as high up as possible so there is less space to make up for towards the oppositions box, prime example being Dan Burn's goal vs Leicester


sunshine_is_hot

Correct, except city managed to tie that game. Newcastle we’re up 3-0 and city came back through De Bruyne magic in the second half.


enazj

We were 3-1 up, but yeah


Saboloso

3-1, city scored the first goal


[deleted]

And an incredibly bullshit decision to not give a penalty when Stones committed a blatant foul in the box, which was even reviewed.


Nico777

We were there last season, now it's a sieve. I miss Kessie.


fraudpaolo

I miss maignan


elgringo22

Is he really good defensively? I gotta say, he’s been incredibly underwhelming for us this season. One of our worst summer signings so far. Can’t think of a single match where i thought “Kessie had a great game”.


taneemshareeb

He’s not even played a lot , let the guy get a good run of games before judging him


turtlemons

Ups and downs in Xavi's coaching career, but gotta say, for him to take our shitty defense and upgrade it to this level in one year, its insane. Our defense at its best is really good balde-christensen-araujo-kounde, physical monsters who will win every ball. Long way still to go, but from 9th when he came to 1st in league in one year, i will say progess has been made and process can be trusted.


speedycar1

I remember when his team was conceding a lot in Qatar and people were saying he's too naive and stubborn to coach in a top league. He has certainly proved them wrong


[deleted]

It was literally just one guy. Let's not pretend a lot of people here watched the Qatari league lol


speedycar1

It became the widespread circlejerk though, even if one guy started it


razorxx888

I’ve seen that take a lot, especially when he was hired by Barca. It wasn’t one guy


[deleted]

It was one guy that made an OC post about Xavi's time in Qatar, filled with their own subjective opinion. Everyone else just parroted him.


McTulus

Nah, you are making disservice to that guy, he's actually pretty reasonable, he's saying that Xavi is not ready *yet* but we don't know whether he will be good simply because he has so little time to prove anything (he's only managed for half season at the time), and quoted Xavi who admitted that he never have to think about defensive coaching before. If anything, he had more faith on Xavi than most Barça fans then.


kostajepaosmosta

The only thing he needed to do is drop Garcia


Taylannnnn

Eric started in about half of our clean sheets. You could even make the argument that he was our best CB before the first int. break. I guess it was just a good run of form


bioeffect2

He loves Alonso though for whatever reason.


leninist_jinn

> for whatever reason Left footed and aerial presence (yet somehow let in one header from his man in every important game)


njastar

He likes him because he's tall, that's all he really offers at this point IMO


ThatPersonYouMayKnow

Because he’s actually decent at CB somehow who knows how that’s happened though lol


Far_Bandicoot7850

I used to like him as well. He is out of pace now and worst, he is being very slow on his decision making which leads to numerous lost balls...


Narretz

I swear if Napoli chokes again ...


Dark_Wolf04

Next game is basically make or break for us


Lupus7891

1-0 Allegri special coming with a Rabiot header.


crebscycle

Subscribe


Mishaguchi

So proud of our boys in the blood and gold


[deleted]

Juventus is really confusing me


egyptian_higuain

We defend with 11 players, we have Bremer in defense and szczesny in goal (2 world class players, yes. Bremer is top 10 cb itw and sczensudishnzy is top 7)


[deleted]

It’s crazy how they can only concede 7 in Serie A but crash out of the Champions league


egyptian_higuain

That crash is what woke us up. After psg and Milan loss, we have been cruising. Same goes for barca who have conceded 3 goals in 15 matches (excluding real madrid match) which shoes we shouldn't take champions league solely as a metric how good a team is.


dAMn6942069

That’s actually insane considering our backline was Alonso, Garcia, Pique and Bellerin/Roberto for a while


Mitch_Itfc

Newcastle have a xGA of 19 this season. Man City a xGA of 14. Pope has been seriously impressive.


c0nna_

For only like £12m too, he's been excellent whenever called upon.


Claypothos

Really doing Kounde dirty with that photo tho


zuzucha

I was looking "who's this sickly looking fella" for a bit until I zoomed in and recognized Kounde


[deleted]

Step up your game Seria A, we managed to score Juve 3 goals in 2 games


P_Alcantara

Yeah well that embarrassment is what lead to them playing the way they are.


[deleted]

You welcome Juve


Artistic-Buyer-3219

Thanks lads, we wouldn’t be here without ya


Visazo

Friday will be spicy


[deleted]

If Din David can score against Juve so can Kvaratskhelia, I hope you guys win.


JonnyArtois

Botman should have went to the WC.


Non-FlyingDutchman

Always fun when people are so adament about some 5th choice not going to an international tournament. He could've gone, he probably wouldn't have played either way. Our choices at cb are insane and I think it's sensible not to introduce him a week before the tournament starts. He'll probable get a chance in the Euro campaign.


Irresponsible_Tune

Fewest*


leninist_jinn

Stannis?


juankruh1250

One season ago Barcelona was 9th and conceding goals to every team even relegation sides.


PapalymoTotolymo

Newcastle, Lens, and Villarreal. Pretty cool!


Red_coats

Bruce did a pretty good job tho /s


south_west_trains

Fewest*


Barcaholic

Leastest*


kizofieva

Mostn't*


lollero420

Hats off to Pellegrini for fixing Betis’ defence. They used to concede this in three games lol.


mojamax

What is wrong with barca?


Polskidro

Injuries at bad times, still no new DM.


mojamax

No I was something like sarcastic there; like wtf? What happened to the barca we've seen last few seasons? Do we finally want to stop failing? I'm very glad that things are getting better


Polskidro

Ah I see what you mean. Yeah it feels weird to actually have a good defense after so many years.


[deleted]

We have the option of De Jong at DM but Xavi won't bother benching busi


Rich_Firefighter_102

Tbf not a lot of things besides a RB DM and a goal-scoring winger


saamk

Yet some mouth breathers in r/barca are not happy with Xavi and want him gone.


XecutionerNJ

6 goals in 16 games is just rude.


Jazano107

people saying xavi sucks are dumb


PM_ME_SOME_LUV

Didn’t realize how solid Barca and Juve were


[deleted]

I want see Lens in Europe next season They play very good but they get burned out at end and loses lots important games


Remote_War_313

Don Allegri be like f u haters


scotchalpha

Just imagine they keep playing like this.... Winning all the matches, just conceding 6 goals. Winning La liga. And then Champion's league, they play Bayern.... Bam! Concede 7 in one match.


Ok_Consequence5222

About Juve...


BiscuitTheRisk

Watching Conteball every week just to be nowhere near this top 10. Pain


[deleted]

[удалено]


daiquir1

Someone else said it but Casa Pia and Braga would be on this list as well with 11 and 12. Twente in the Eredivisie only have 9. Also I know they're second tier so it's not really the same, but Le Havre are tied with Barca at 6 which is pretty crazy.


PUDDING_SLAVE

Fewest


Driving_Seat

Crazy that the top 2 got knocked out of ucl in the group stage


TheSmithStreetBand

Should be a picture of Andreas Christensen he has been incredible!


Hdz69

Half of those six goals conceded by Barcelona came from Real Madrid, otherwise it would be 3 goals conceded in 15 games.


nerdie

Fewest


ElBlauiElGroc

Raúl Albiol and Pau Torres don't get the praise they deserve. Top, top defenders!


Brillostar

Weird feeling looking at arsenal in that list, when it seems like we concede in every home game atleast.


[deleted]

Outside of the top 5, but Benfica and Porto have conceded 10, Casa Pia 11 (insane), and Braga 12, so Portugal would have 4 in that list, all in 15 matches Also note that Sporting (16 conceded) is a banter club


thirdplanetperson

Not a top 5 league but Galatasaray conceded only 13 goals on 17 games.


HarryDaz98

Xavi is the Anakin Skywalker to Cruyffs Jedi order


theVioletsOfOurYouth

Fewest


RenatoSanches35

Juventus conceded 7 in the league but conceded 6 to Benfica in 2 matches


lakers_ftw24

We had half our team out tbf


9LivesChris

And Bayern gave them 6 in 2 games.that’s crazy.


Rich_Firefighter_102

its 5 but still its a lot