St James’ Park and the Toon Army are a recipe for ninety plus minutes of noise on any given match day, but with all the extra ingredients thrown into the mix on Sunday it was beyond the norm.
New manager, core players sold, a tribute to Kevin Keegan and the visitors being Liverpool with once a magpie Alexander Isak returning for the first time since switching clubs. These factors added layers of narrative which all gave to a rich and spicy game of football being served up.
There were certainly enough footballing moments to entertain both sets of supporters but the main agenda for the Toon Army was to voice their dislike and sense of betrayal at Isak and they also made sure new signing Victor Muñoz received his share of the abuse. Muñoz may not have been aware that such a welcome was waiting for him but his history with the home supporters was choosing Liverpool over Newcastle (a good moment from Richard Hughes this summer).
So why does this writer highlight these surrounding circumstances? Well, for one it’s not something we may tend to think about outside of when we refer to the European Nights at Anfield or the songs from the Kop, but in vice captain Dom’s post match interview he spoke about the noise of St James’ park. So loud in fact that Szoboszlai couldn’t hear the ref’s whistle as he stood waiting to take the penalty in the dying seconds.
“To be honest, I didn’t even hear the whistle of the ref, so I had to look at him [to see] if I can go. He was looking at me and I was thinking, ‘OK, it’s time to go,’”
“I don’t know how many in the stadium, 50,000 against you [when taking the penalty]. Actually you can’t hear your own voice but that’s why we love football, that’s why I love football, that’s how I’m doing it. As I said before, we move on.”
It’s hard to imagine being surrounded by such deafening noise and even more difficult when attempting to play a sport which involves team mates and communication. This writer tried to think what that feeling must be like but of course professional players get increasingly used to it yet there are also youngsters with less exposure to such hostile stadiums.
Dom also spoke of the team still adapting to head coach Andoni Iraola’s tactics and how, in such a noisy stadium especially, the players needed to be closer and understand each other. As much as it could be interpreted Dom means physically closer in a game (less gaps for the counter attacks) I think he is alluding to the squad need to get to know each other better so that, regardless of how hostile a stadium is, without needing vocal commands they will know how each team mate responds, moves and therefore how to play seamlessly.
“We were prepared but I think we, with the new manager as well, we need to get even more closer to each other, we need to know what’s going on during the game. But it’s a good step actually after a 2-1 [deficit], to come back into the game, and we prepare again for next week.”
Having enjoyed dishing out relentless vocal abuse towards Isak and Muñoz it was a glorious moment from our vice captain when he celebrated hammering the ball into Newcastle’s goal and offered his own spice. Two handfuls worth as he gestured with both at the Toon Army knowing he had just ripped their victory away and that these Reds won’t buckle.
This writer has made no secret of how much I like our number eight but even though while following him in the Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig days I knew he had something special about him I am growing more impressed. It’s not just his skills or energy but it’s also his attitude about taking on responsibility and Sunday was another fine example of exactly that. He remained calm and focused with full trust in his ability as the chaos swirled and the shouts intensified Dom knew what he was going to do and there wasn’t going to be any stopping him and that’s why he hasn’t changed the side he places his penalty kicks.
Finally, when asked what we should expect from the Reds this season under Iraola’s coaching and what he himself has learned Dom gave a positive response about the squad and their commitment
That we will never give up, that’s for sure, I can guarantee. We have to fight, we have to fight every time, all day long, during the 95 minutes. Everybody who comes off the bench, as you see today, they made a big impact as well. Victor had his first minutes in the Premier League, made [won] a penalty already. So, we need the whole squad and we have to be ready.
That’s our vice captain!
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