Newcastle 1-0 AFC Wimbledon

&c

On Tuesday night, Newcastle and Wimbledon played out what may well be the most low-key fixture ever witnessed by a (frankly astonishing) sold out SJP.

In this rearranged fixture (following Wimbledon's pitch being dug up by wombles), Newcastle didn't even get into first gear, never mind out of it, spending at least the entire first half coasting in neutral.

There never felt like there was an ounce of jeopardy in this game, with League Two Wimbledon seemingly content to sit with 11 behind the ball with the sole aim of not getting a hiding.

There was never any danger of that, with Newcastle at one stage having had more than 85% of the ball and absolutely nothing to show for it.

Nobody was willing to have a pop, put a ball in the box or look for a cutting ball through the defence, and it seemed fitting that the game was settled by a penalty - the game didn't deserve a real goal.

If that seems harsh, that wasn't my intention.

We won the game with the absolute minimum of exertion, and did look a tad more interested with the half time introduction of Gordon and especially Bruno.

That livened up a team that had seen eight changes from the draw with City, though with no look in for the likes of Trevan Sanusi or Alfie Harrison.

If none of the bairns are worth a look over some of the starters today, I suspect we've got another written off generation of academy talent coming through.

The only other points of note are that Osula started - though we could have started Isak, or for that matter John Ruddy or prime Shearer and it would have made no difference given the utter lack of service - and Vlachodimos got a game in the second half.

He looked comfortable, as I would have between the sticks in this game.

Next up in the cup, Chelsea at home.