It was just an awful display by Newcastle United last night but what did we learn for Sunday’s game against West Ham United?
Let’s take a look.
- The team basically didn’t turn up for the game so that’s the first thing that needs to be fixed for Sunday’s home game against West Ham United. Newcastle were second to almost every 50-50 ball and we just know that wouldn’t have been the case if we had been playing a top team like Chelsea or Manchester United. That needs to be fixed and will be by Sunday. We think some of it may even have been down to over-confidence, which you’d never expect from a Sam Allardyce team.
- We lacked ideas and creativity. Yes, we are missing Joey Barton and Emre who are our two best creative central midfield players but Geremi and Butt are too alike in their play. Maybe we can use young N’Zogbia in central midfield on Sunday and play Enrique at left back – but if he’s not available play Steven Taylor there and Beye at right -back who was only on 15 minutes but looked what he is last night. A no nonsense vastly experienced player. We need to play Habib. It may also be that our captain Geremi is rested for the next game since he didn’t have a good game last night and gave the ball away far too much.
- Ameobi looked just hopeless last night. He couldn’t seem to control the ball at all and any more of these performances and he’ll not have much time left to prove himself at Newcastle. Strange as it may seem we missed Viduka last night because he’s at least a good target man which Shola wasn’t last night. Maybe we can play Smith up front with Owen on Sunday but we think Sam has to change some things around in the team.
- The defense looked uncertain at times last night and even Cacapa and Rozehnal didn’t look as good as usual. But we think the back four for the next game should be
Beye Cacapa Rozehnal Taylor
This will free Charles N’Zogbia up to play either central midfield or left wing against West Ham to add some creativity to the team. A huge improvement is needed both in effort and skill for Sunday’s home game against West Ham. - We shouldn’t over-react to this first poor performance and as Sam has said in the past we need to support the team all the way at St. James’ Park. Whatever happens against West Ham Uited the fans at the game must support the team. It’s one bad performance last night but we still have a good season in front of us – let’s keep supporting the players big time 😀
Comments welcome.
69 comments so far
John
Sep 18, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Comment #41I do understand def..Its a good comment. I just think our whole club is going through a massive transition at the moment with a new board new manager and basicly a new team.
I think this team has massive potential. We have got winners in our squad, like Owen, Viduka, Barton, Beye, Geremi, Given, Cacapa.. theres a very good combination and that so called spine off the team is there.
What we need so badly is stabality ..We have’nt had it sonce prob Keegan and probably Robson ..We definatly have the man for that in Sam
nightfall
Sep 18, 2007 at 2:55 PM
Comment #42sam? well if he will keep leaving oba and given on the bench and stick with smith…i’m not so sure…
Doctapaul
Sep 18, 2007 at 2:59 PM
Comment #43I disagree Nightfall, from what I’ve seen. I thought Smith was superb against the big teams in pre season friendly(s) – best on pitch.
You could be patient and give Smith 10-20 games, or not.
Give Smith a chance huh?
fyi I’ve been defending Shola for years with my pals much to their taking the pi$$ – altho it has worn thin on occasion. He played well under Roeder (overall) and looked as if he was going to make it back in 2004.
I must admit tho – this is his last chance saloon.
nightfall
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:02 PM
Comment #44friendlys? he played 1!!!!!! everyone can play 1 good match….even you!!!
Doctapaul
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:04 PM
Comment #45Maybe 30 yrs ago even then I was oh so slow.
We’re not gonna persuade one another so we’ll see.
Otter
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:15 PM
Comment #46Crap coverage and commentary from Setanta, crap officiating, and crap playing from us. From the pre-match comments by Sam I knew we were in trouble. This big man-little man thing just tells the opposition that we can’t pass on the floor. 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, Sam is committed to the same players who play in the same way. No creativity and no quickness, and when we finally send on Martins (who should have been in from the start) we pull Owen instead of Ameobi, the worst player on the pitch. And then we look for a goal by sending on a DM and a right back.
We have the players to win, Sam just needs to give up some of these ideas:
–“big man, little man”
–a midfield made up of defenders
–trying long throws every time (take too long to set up)
–long throws from someone who throws lobs (Onyewu was poor for us, but those throws!)
–having the same players take all free kicks
And Rozenhal would be my captain, trying to carry the whole team and nearly succeeding.
Magpie Neil
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:18 PM
Comment #47Fergie doesnt let excellent players leave the club unless –
A) They challenge his authority.
Or
B) They dont produce the goods.
Smith has a good attitude and is probably a good player to have in the dressing room. But he just didnt produce at Man U and i doubt his ability to turn it round at St James.
Only question is has Big Sam got the balls to drop his most expensive signing of the summer!
Jerry
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:25 PM
Comment #48NIGHTFALL – I AGREE ABSOLUTELY WITH YOU ON SMITH!!!
Doctapaul
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:30 PM
Comment #49I’m Losing 3 to 1 on the Give Smith a Chance campaign. Help!
John
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:31 PM
Comment #50Smith is a player Newcastle have been crying out for ..He gives us so much agression in midfield and grit and determination something we have lacked for years..Probably since David Batty….
Hes much better than some off the shite that played in there last season that basicly bottled it..He would’nt off
Doctapaul
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:35 PM
Comment #51Ta John, 2-3 now!
Jerry
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:38 PM
Comment #52Otter – spot on everything you ve said! I agree especially on Rozenhal! he’s been the best player at NUFC this season so far.
PP
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:45 PM
Comment #53The fact is:
Sam want to use his style[Long ball+fuc*in old fasion] with Newcastle to be in top 5. Then he’ll get the good reputation and praise alone. This is him.
John
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:50 PM
Comment #54PP whats wrong with taht mate…Id rather have that then play good football and finish 13th
Big Sam Fan
Sep 18, 2007 at 3:57 PM
Comment #55Smudge is awesome..he has been soid for us bar last night!! definalty a key player this season!!
Doctapaul
Sep 18, 2007 at 4:39 PM
Comment #56Big Sam Fan, equalizes
“Give Smith a Chance” 3 – “Divvnt like Smith” 3
plus
When was the last time that Newcastle didn’t play long ball?
Jerry
Sep 18, 2007 at 4:49 PM
Comment #57Under SBR Newcastle didnt play long ball
Doctapaul
Sep 18, 2007 at 4:51 PM
Comment #58Jerry // Sep 18, 2007 at 16:49
Under SBR Newcastle didnt play long ball
SAD BUT TRUE.
Doctapaul
Sep 18, 2007 at 4:53 PM
Comment #59Here’s a curious thing – why play a big man up front with only 1 winger (if you can call Milner that).
I cant recall 1 decent cross to head last night from open play?
Steve
Sep 18, 2007 at 6:29 PM
Comment #60stop saying that smudge is a decent player – he’s a heart on sleeve player with little creative skill, he’s constantly out of position and he can’t hack it as a striker (although he’s as good as ameobi) – he’s done nothing other than play well in one friendly – can’t see why we need to extend Butts contract, he should def be a bench warmer for whoever we bring in during the jan transfer window
Bartons probably at least 3 weeks away from his 1st game so he aint gonna save us for the next few games
Lets start a petition to stop Geremi taking free kicks and corners – he’s hopeless at them in every game so far
Doctapaul
Sep 18, 2007 at 7:01 PM
Comment #61The Anti-Smith team have just taken the lead 4-3.
Sinead
Sep 18, 2007 at 8:17 PM
Comment #62Smith is an outstanding player he mightn’t be the most technically skilled or whatever like but Smith was able to lift Man U, nearly everytime he came on to the pitch, his workrate is unbelievable, he always gets stuck in and ya he was frustrated on Monday like but can ya blame him and he got booked, but I’m telling ya he’s worth the wait, he’d the ability to change a game when he was with Man U, now personaly I don’t think he wanted to leave I think that he was really happy there. But it was either leave or not get regular team football, which really guys like Smudge need he lives and breathes football.
I don’t know what it is maybe it’s the atmosphere, the players around him that he’s not getting the support or something maybe it was just a bad day but he was just so frustrated on Monday. He’s a lot of ability and ye will see that, he was a massive fans favourite at Man U no one wanted to see him leave. They are regretting selling him, well the fans are anyway. Tevez like is a joke, he wont work as hard as Smudge does I can only think of a short list of players who would.
He was a massive player, everyone loves Smudge, all the Man U players did, the fans, everyone. Give him the chance and he’ll work for every inch, every blade of grass on that pitch he’ll run the ball up and down that pitch like there’s no tomorow, he’ll chase it even when it’s unlikely he’ll get it. Give him the chance, it’ll be worth it.
But like ye’re questioning him here now, and that’s ok I suppose he, like he wouldn’t make it on to the Chelsea team because he doesn’t have a name, he doesn’t score a lot of goals but I can’t overstate how much of a possitive influence he’ll have at Newcastle, just give him a chance. It’s something I can’t explain to you, you’d have to of seen him play regularly for Man U and then see him not play and you’ll notice his impact allright, it’s something ye’ve to see for yereselves though. I can’t really explain it. He wouldn’t have played so much for Man U if he wasn’t as good as I’m telling ye. He was outstanding for Man U.
I don’t see why he can’t be at Newcastle. He needs a chance though and you’ll see what he can really do. Like his work rate alone is outstanding not to mention that he’s such an impact player, if he can lift a team like Man U and have that much of an impact like, I swear he’d come on and he’d run down a few balls and then Rooney would start and then the entire team would be at it, really fighting for it all. That 7-1 against Roma was a lot down to him, he just lifts everyones spirits, their work rate, everything. He’s such a fighter, I can’t rate him high enough.
I don’t see a reason why he can’t do the same with Newcastle.
iain
Sep 18, 2007 at 8:26 PM
Comment #63all i will say is more than 5 performances like that this seson and i think come next summer mike ashley will consider a new manager.
we hated roeders/souness excuses, but now sam can get away with saying the international break was bad for us ??? theres no excuse for int players not being able to pass the ball more than 8 yards. i can take loosing to derby but not being played off the park for 90 mins in all areas by a team who have been thrashed by crisis team spurs and made to look like a joke at anfield and who could of put 6 past us had they taken their chances.
i thought sam was better than that tbh. his rant at benitez has swayed me right back into thinking hes not right for us. we have a very average start to the season perforance wise and sam thinks he can slag off a double cl winning manager. i thought that crap was over when shepard left.
PP
Sep 18, 2007 at 9:03 PM
Comment #64John but i dont think that with this plan Newcastle can achieve that. I saw football not result.
Shearer 4 pm
Sep 18, 2007 at 9:39 PM
Comment #65anyone got a link for millers goal it sounded like the highest point of there season
Tim
Sep 18, 2007 at 10:12 PM
Comment #66Big Sam Fan – You’re game comments/analyzis of the players are spot on. I think we saw the same game then 🙂
The biggest achilles heal this season for Newcastle will be the midfield – no space, creativity or flair. Can’t put Geremi, Smith and Butt in together or else you end up with a big NADA. I think the succes for this department will depend on how well Barton and Emre will perform. Push N’Zogbie up on the left winger role and hopefully he can interchange that slot of Duff ever gets fit again. Milner on the right looks quite lonely at the moment – no one to fill his boots if he misses a game.
Tim
Sep 18, 2007 at 10:15 PM
Comment #67As for Smith, you can read my comments here: http://nufcblog.com/ft-derby-1-newcastle-0-newcastle-dont-turn-up/#comments (last post at the moment).
cool guy
Sep 19, 2007 at 12:26 AM
Comment #68We should of had shay given in goal! there is a big week of football coming up and if we played like we did against derby well, where stuffed
squaretan
Sep 19, 2007 at 3:16 PM
Comment #69Blaming on international games for the lost. What an excuse! Anyway from what view and predict about a team about Newcastle is that when they are expected to win they will loose but when they are expected too loose they will win…
Yo yo performance!