Fair point but Benteke scored 1 of 3 clear opportunities (excluding the disallowed goal). You’ve got to be clinical in this league. Wilson had half a chance and scored the same number.

In particular the 1-on-1 opportunity. If Edouard was playing as the central striker and he was through, I think we’d have won.

I was watching Olise for a fair bit of the first half. I don't think he was linking up with Ward very well at all. Either he was positioned right at the byline and marked out of any direct pass, or Ward was too desperate to get rid, couldn't make the pass and send it sideways or (as is his favourite direction) backwards.

The positioning wasn't really putting him in the position to make a run, and when he did, Ward had already sent it back over to the left wing. There was definitely a void for Gallagher to fill in there, so Ward could release it and CG then thread it through to Olise, but it didn't seem to happen very much.

I'd say some of it is Ward's reluctance to press forward - it's like he's terrified of the half-way line.... and those perpetual passes backwards (sideways if lucky) are a pretty good metaphor for why we only get 3 attempts on goal.

If we're getting Olise to run down the wing and cross it into CB / Edouard, then Ward needs to give him better service. It seemed he looked a lot better when he switched sides (towards the end of the 1st half I think)

Re Benteke the positives are ;

* We are starting to provide a decent service to him
* He is getting into goal scoring positions
* He's developing a good partnership with Edouard
* He's the only player in our ranks that could have scored Saturdays goal

The negatives ;

* Chance v. conversion rate
* Not suited to a high pressing game

I don't think he will make the starting eleven once Wilf is 100% again, but I'm seeing some real improvement from him. He will play his part this season I think.

In terms of Saturdays game, I think we have to acknowledge a great piece of skill from Wilson. Newcastle offered very little else. It just demonstrates how hard it can be to win games in this league.

As for that referee, he shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a top flight game.

Olise's positioning in the first half baffled me. At least 3 times ward was advancing and wanted to play the ball between the CB and LB, and was urging Olise to make that run in behind. But on all occasions Ward carried the ball as far as he could but because Olise didn't move had to instead just play it short to him.

I wonder if Olise lacked that little bit of bravery (make the run and trust that you'll be found?

Ironically when Macca was looking for a runner Olise made one and was nearly found.

Regardless, there is something to work on. He looks v dangerous on the counter and when his is full flight. When he receives the ball stationary he struggles a little.

If we start Benteke up top, the wingers are going to need to drift in a little more and make some of those gambles.

Only watching on a stream but in the first half we were ponderous when switching the ball to Olise (left to right), by the time it arrived he was surrounded by Newcastle players. In the second half it got better and as soon as he had space you could see his quality.