From what we can tell Newcastle’s International brigade will all return fir and well from their international escapades.
Sam will have from tomorrow to prepare the side for the crucial encounter with Tottenham on Monday evening at 8:00 pm.
Let’s see how the boys did.
David Rozehnal – played well for Czech Republic in their 3-0 win in Germany
Michael Owen and Alan Smith were in Russia as England threw away the game with 20 minutes to go. The 2-1 defeat is exactly what they didn’t want at vital Euro 2008 qualifier 2-1 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Owen set up Rooney’s wonderful first goal but went missing for large portions of the game, even though he played the full 90 minutes. Alan Smith again wasn’t used as a substitute but as we’ve pointed out Alan is suspended for the game on Monday due to 5 yellow cards.
Shay Given of Ireland played a 1-1 draw in Dublin to Cyprus, and only equalized in injury time after Cyprus had taken an 80th minute lead. A disappointing result and Ireland will not qualify for the finals next summer. Shay played the full game while Carr was not included in the 18 at Croke Park, but is obviously back from his groin injury
David Rozehnal played the full game for the Czech Republic in Germany and got a good if surprising 3-0 victory. David had another solid game at the heart of the Czech defense. The Czech Republic therefore qualify for Europe along with Germany from their group. Am I the only one who thinks David has got a bit of a raw deal by losing his place at Newcastle after an excellent start on Tyneside?
Emre played 79 minutes before being substituted in Turkey’s disappointing 1-0 home defeat by rivals Greece. By the win Greece qualify for the finals but it will be touch and go for Turkey who secured just 1 point from their two games. Emre was booked and then subbed before Greece’s 79th minute winner.
Steven Taylor and James Milner played their second England under-21 game on Tuesday evening. Each played the full 90 minutes as in their previous game and Milner scored the 3rd goal in Cork against Ireland. England now lead their group with 12 points from their 4 games and they have yet to concede a goal. Portugal are in second place 3 points behind.
Charles N’Zogbia played again for the French under-21s who took on Romania at the Emil Alexandrescu Stadium in Iasi in a 0-0 draw. France are top of their Group 10 with 11 points from five games and Romania stay second, 3 points behind but with a game in hand.
James Troisi played for Australia’s under-23s who were held to a 0-0 draw in Beirut. This was an Olympic qualifier against Lebanon and Troisi started the game but missed a couple of decent chances before being substituted in the 84th minute.From what we can tell all players are uninjured and they will all start returning to Tyneside today to prepare for the game on Monday night.
That’s good news for Big Sam and Newcastle United.
Comments very welcome.
13 comments so far
Hammy
Oct 18, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Comment #1Hey, looks like most of the lads will get a nice holiday come the summer,
not you though Roz, well done.
Nice that they are back with no injuries, will be an interesting team selection for BSA against Tottenham, what kind of frame of mind will our strikers be in I wonder? Who do you pick, will Barton be back?
WELCOME BACK TO THE PREMIERSHIP!!!
I never want to see Mclaren again unless he’s in front of me at Newburn job centre……..
Craig Allen
Oct 18, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Comment #2No, Ed. As you know I’m a Rozehnal fan meself – so you’re not the only one thinking he’s got a raw deal – although Faye did nothing to imply he can’t hold that position down at all. Faye was equally impressive at CB. But I’m sure Roz is our no 1 CB along with Cacapa and Faye will eventually be placed in midfield. Good to have competition – will lift both Roz and Faye’s games.
I thought Carr had his hamstring done in? You have groin?
I see Zog is played at left back in the u21s – not sure it’s good for Zog to come back with the right frame of mind when he slots in our midfield again. Maybe they don’t have a suitable LB themselves? Ah, the frustrations of being a utlity player.
I’m still concerned by the number of games Milner’s played thus far. We’re not even halfway into the season already and the lad’s played so many games. Hope we get in some class wingers in order to give James a bit of a rest before he burns out.
ToonKing
Oct 18, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Comment #3This is a relief, i was trying to watch every game that our players were involved in and checking for injuries. It’s great news that everyone returned uninjured, especially Owen and Emre.
Can’t wait for Monday, i really-really hate these international brakes.
Alex Brett
Oct 18, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Comment #4I just hope we beat the Spuds, i have alot of money on the game with a friend!!!
Alex Brett
Oct 18, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Comment #5oh S*$t i’ve just seen who will be reffing the game against Spurs!!!
none other than STEVE BENNETT 🙁
we’ll be lucky to get a point now!!
wrighty
Oct 18, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Comment #6After all the England-Owen chat – just our luck to watch him pull up for the toonwith a new injury against his old mate paul Robinson (hope he gets some grief again after that 2nd goal !!!)
Bill f
Oct 18, 2007 at 12:28 PM
Comment #7Whoopee , bless the Deity who watches over the Toon (Dwwtto) , he belong to a little known pantheon of sporting Gods.
Poor old Roz he’s gone from saviour to benchsitter, I don’t think it will last and as Craig points out theres nothing wrong with a bit of competition, the bench now as many others have said is awesome, better than Chelseas?
Toon Chicken
Oct 18, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Comment #8Hammy – you’d better hope that McClaren is behind you in the queue at the Job Centre – it could be a long wait while they try and find that useless tw@t another job!
Jóhann
Oct 18, 2007 at 1:10 PM
Comment #9Some of you must be blind. Our defensive woe was just as much Roz´s fault as Taylors. Sam saw that and made the change. Roz ir our fourth best central defender. He´s good and solid but not much more. Crocks under pressure
Bob
Oct 18, 2007 at 1:54 PM
Comment #10No way is Roz only our fourth best centre back. I would say that he is better than Taylor (who has a lot of potential but still has a lot to learn) and definitely on par with Faye. Cacapa is our best centre back.
Ashton
Oct 18, 2007 at 1:57 PM
Comment #11Rozehnal was amazing against germany
he is just so confident and smart and he is our best defender
and i think Emre was injured
he is turkey’s best player and he is the captain
so why the hell they substituted him ? !!
leo
Oct 18, 2007 at 2:56 PM
Comment #12steve bennett the ref, i better start taking the throaties then, because i will no doubt be shouting alot about him… always leave when he is the ref with a raw throat… hope i dont this time,
Sinead
Oct 18, 2007 at 6:48 PM
Comment #13That was mortifying, thank God Shay was in goal or GOd only knows what the score would have been. He wasn’t too happy with the defense. Especially when they watched a free Cyprus player header the ball in to the back of the net at point blank range. Good goal, horrible defending.