---
title: "Newcastle United: Lee Ryder criticises Matt Ritchie display"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/matt-ritchie-southampton-premier-league/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2021-08-29T10:41:20Z"
modified: "2021-08-29T10:41:20Z"
---

# Newcastle United: Lee Ryder criticises Matt Ritchie display

**Lee Ryder has criticised the display of Matt Ritchie as Newcastle United drew 2-2 at home to Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.**

### The Lowdown: Disappointing day

While the North East club did manage to pick up their first point of the season at St. James’ Park, ultimately it ended in disappointment as they went 2-1 up in injury time through Allan Saint-Maximin, before giving away a needless penalty with one of the last kicks of the game which was scored by James Ward-Prowse.

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While there were some decent performances in the famous black-and-white stripes, others failed to impress heading into the international break.

### The Latest: Ritchie criticised

Writing in his latest piece for [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-player-ratings-southampton-21426925), Ryder was particularly critical of Ritchie, claiming that he ‘did not conjure up’ his usual supply line and was ‘unconvincing’ at wing-back.

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The journalist gave the Scotland international a mere 5/10 overall rating for his performance, the joint-second worst out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch.

### The Verdict: Justified

The criticism of Ritchie was certainly justified given his overall display, which was not convincing at all.

The 31-year-old lost out on five of his duels in the match, and also failed to record a single shot on goal or successful dribble ([Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/southampton-newcastle-united/OV)).

He also failed to block any shots or make any interceptions or accurate crosses, and lost possession of the ball on no fewer than 14 separate occasions, the joint-third most out of any Magpies player ([Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/southampton-newcastle-united/OV)).

Nonetheless, Ritchie will have to produce better performances if he is to stay in the team after the international break.

[***In other news, find out who NUFC are now ‘in talks’ to sign here!***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-transfer-rumours/mouctar-diakhaby-leicester-premier-league/)