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Tony Mowbray “I couldn’t see Newcastle scoring..” – Difficult to disagree

Tony Mowbray was proud of his team after their performance and result at St James Park.

However, the Blackburn boss believes is side should have won.

Difficult to disagree with him when he declares ‘I couldn’t see Newcastle scoring..’ as all of us who were there, were thinking the same thing.

Blackburn were decent and Newcastle were terrible, it was shocking to see the lack of ability and/or desire from so many in black and white.

The visitors played the better football and deserved to be in front but as Tony Mowbray points out, the substitutions did eventually change the result.

Some of Jonjo Shelvey’s passing was exceptional as Blackburn tired, the only problem being that it was the likes of Joselu who he was hitting with the odd sublime pass.

Atsu and Perez then came on and Newcastle were at last on top and looking like they might get something, neither of them are brilliant but what had gone before made even them look a class above.

It was Perez who won the penalty and Ritchie who dispatched it.

Tony Mowbray was born and bred in the north east down the coast at Saltburn and he reminds us all of the powerful things that still exist when you talk about Newcastle United, stating ‘Newcastle is a massive club, a historic club in the English game, have a manager who has won the European Cup and the support base who turn up every week.’

One day that potential will be unleashed once again…but it won’t be seen in a week and a half’s time at Ewood Park.

Newcastle now facing the grim prospect of an unwanted extra match only a few days before the key Premier League match at home to Cardiff.

Tony Mowbray:

“It’s very quiet in there [Blackburn dressing room], they are disappointed.

“I couldn’t see Newcastle scoring but to be honest, fatigue, a soft penalty, VAR confirmed it, so we will accept it.

“l am disappointed.

“The team we saw was the team that just came off playing the top four in the Championship back to back, that’s the performance level we have given. Hard working and honest.

“Then Newcastle brought on better quality.

“We were in League One last year, so it’s a great credit to these players because most played in League One.

“I am from the North-East, Newcastle is a massive club, a historic club in the English game, have a manager who has won the European Cup and the support base who turn up every week.

“He made a lot of changes, eight, when the quality came on it made a difference.

“We know we have a a tough test coming in the replay and hopefully supporters turn out at Ewood Park.”

Stats from BBC Sport:

Newcastle 1 Blackburn 1

Goals…

Newcastle – Ritchie 84 (Pen)

Blackburn – Dack 56

Possession was Blackburn 46% Newcastle 54%

Total shots were Blackburn 7 Newcastle 19

Shots on target were Blackburn 3 Newcastle 9

Corners were Blackburn 8 Newcastle 7

Referee: Kevin Friend

Newcastle United:

Woodman, Manquillo , Schar, Lejeune, Sterry, Ritchie, Longstaff (Perez 80), Hayden (Shelvey 57), Murphy (Atsu 75), Kenedy, Joselu

Unused Subs:

Harker, Clark, Yedlin, Rondon

Crowd: 36,440 (3,000 Blackburn)

(Instant NUFC fan/writer reaction HERE)

(Rafa Benitez “A replay is bad news” – Read HERE)

(Match ratings and comments on all NUFC players v Blackburn – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 1 Blackburn 1 – Match report HERE)