Newcastle United were beaten yet again at Ewood Park this afternoon by Blackburn Rovers by a score of 3-1, but the Magpies were fighting for a draw right until the end, when Tugay put home Blackburn’s third goal in added time.
This was Newcastle’s second defeat in a row, but was a very much improved performance over last week’s horror show against Liverpool, and with any luck at all would have got something out of this game.
Sam Allardyce – his players gave all they had today – but to no avail
But Newcastle missed too many chances after Martins had put them ahead after 47 minutes and a sloppy second goal, when the Newcastle defense got into a mix up, was the goal that really let them down.
Barton seemed certain to score after 56 minutes when he had the ball 5 yards out but Blackburn somehow survived. Then Martins seemed to have a free header after 66 minutes but put the ball over Friedel, but also over the bar. Then Emerton after 79 minutes clearly handled in the penalty box as Milner challenged, but the referee didn’t give it. It was that kind of day 🙁
But to be fair Blackburn also had chances they missed in a tumultuousand very exciting second half, where both teams went for the win. It was an exciting last 45 minutes for the crowd, and both teams can take credit for their attacking intentions. The Premier league will remain immensely popular around the world, with these kind of displays that we witnessed today in the second half.
Newcastle supporters will be unhappy that their team got nothing out of the game today, but they deserved at least a point. But let’s not say the Newcastle team did not play their hearts out this afternoon – because they gave everything they had.
And they deserve continued support from their loyal fans. 7,000 of whom turned out today at Ewood Park, and gave the team fantastic support throughout the game. But it was just not to be.
Comments very welcome – but please keep the language decent – many thanks.
65 comments so far
Cyprus Mag
Dec 1, 2007 at 6:56 PM
Comment #1I didn’t see that game I watched Blackburn hammer Newcastle
Hadrian
Dec 1, 2007 at 7:06 PM
Comment #2cyprus mag , stop talking shit , even hughes they had to scrape a win .
good display from the lads , if that was the pompy or pool game the scores would have been different .
geremi doesnt warrant a start for us imo , and we need a good quality DM to come in for butt .
sam needs a bit cash to spend in january , let us buy quality instead of loooking round for 2-3 mill deals .
ToonKing
Dec 1, 2007 at 7:09 PM
Comment #3Nicely said Ed, it was that kind of day. If it wasn’t for some unlucky finishing and poor referee the result could have been easily different.
If only we had Owen on the field today……………..
Steeley
Dec 1, 2007 at 7:32 PM
Comment #4Ed, no mention in either of your full-time reports about Carr being subbed on, and then being subbed off – did he play that bad (I didnt see the game).
Glad the lads at least seemed to put effort into the match this time, but to concede yet ANOTHER three goals and go away with no points again cant be ignored.
Not good enough really, and I can see another 3 dropped points against Arsenal if they decide to put in a typical Arsenal performance.
How many more losses will the club accept before they give Sam the boot?
johnr
Dec 1, 2007 at 7:45 PM
Comment #5Let it be said, this team is playing guts out for Allerdyce. For most of this game Newcastle looked like the home side. Battling for the ball against a physical side, and playing their most controlled football for weeks when in possession. Smith grafted and battled tirelessly, and Barton made a much better contribution with Butt alongside. Chances came often enough, but we are just not sharp enough around goal. Little Micky might have won us this one. Newcastle fans, clench your backsides for a few weeks. We may lose some more soon but it will turn around.
steve
Dec 1, 2007 at 7:49 PM
Comment #6Just got back from the game – much better performance but same end result, Rozy seems to be suffering from a lack of form and Butt wasn’t tracking players back.
Shame Sam still can’t sort out our defence
kenneth
Dec 1, 2007 at 7:54 PM
Comment #7what would have been diffrent if owen was there toonking????? martins did a great job, i think the strikers did a fantastic job today. and martins were the king. but he wil get back too the subs, when owen is back. because of the love affair with big sam.
Jon
Dec 1, 2007 at 8:02 PM
Comment #8The lads fought well today and I’m happy Martins got another goal.
Jon
Dec 1, 2007 at 8:19 PM
Comment #9…and to you guys who think Owen would have won us the match: Keep Dreaming!!!
ToonKing
Dec 1, 2007 at 8:21 PM
Comment #10Kenneth, for one, Mickey would have put away the header, two, Martins although very good today had he’s usual frustrating moments when he dropped he’s head and ran until tackled plus he had a few good chances were he acted like he was afraid to shoot and hesitated to take the shot, i feel that the experience of Owen would gotten us at least another goal.
But i repeat Oba was very good today.
ToonKing
Dec 1, 2007 at 8:22 PM
Comment #11Steeley, although it feels very weird saying this but Carr played very very good today but he got injured again, that’s why he was taken off.
Latex
Dec 1, 2007 at 8:37 PM
Comment #12Was Enrique injured as well? Would have been great if he’d started the match today, too bad about Faye.
ToonKing
Dec 1, 2007 at 8:40 PM
Comment #13I think that Enrique was simply dropped…..but these injuries are piling up again quickly……..
iain
Dec 1, 2007 at 8:48 PM
Comment #14gutsy, if that is classed as gutsy then we are in trouble.
id say what our players did today was the bair minum of effort required from pl footballers.
gutsy was blackburn coming from a goal behind to win the game after getting beat at home 4-0 three days earlier.
theres a reason owen wouldnt have won us the game today, he was injured as he always is when we need him most.
gutsy would of been hanging on win or draw as blackburn peppered our goal. we couldt even defend the lead more than the usual 10 mins before we concede.
today was an improvement but only in the the sense it was harder to get any worse.
Jon
Dec 1, 2007 at 8:57 PM
Comment #15We would have won the game if Faye would have been on the pitch the whole game.
PS. Owen sucks in the air if Oba couldn’t get up to that ball well enough Owen wouldn’t either.
Vegard, Norway
Dec 1, 2007 at 8:57 PM
Comment #16I want newcastle to lose every game now, and not because i want them to lose, but because i want the club to get a reason to sack allardyce, and get on with ashley’s manager pick and his plans for the club. Cause this is just not good enough imo.
scott 9
Dec 1, 2007 at 9:09 PM
Comment #17iwasnt at the game today but i have red reports and all the comments ithink u people saynig they played bad today are only saying that because you dont like allardyce stop being so stubbern just admit we improved but was unlucky its a good thin gs our display has improved
Latex
Dec 1, 2007 at 9:10 PM
Comment #18Have to agree with the comment on Faye, if he was playing things’ll probably been tighter at the back. But also, I dont understand why Enrique’s being dropped, all the times i’ve seen him play he’s done well especially in going forward and playing him also frees up Zog on the flank.
Martins is a world class striker, he’s more fit than not and given the opportunity i’m sure he’ll do 20 goals for us this season at least, can anyone say that about owen?
ToonKing
Dec 1, 2007 at 9:12 PM
Comment #19there wasn’t any need to get up Jon, Oba was 4 feet from the goal all alone……and Mickey is pretty good at headers see Wigan and Everton, 2 very good headers.
and scott9………my thoughts exactly.
scott 9
Dec 1, 2007 at 9:13 PM
Comment #20did faye get injured or something
ToonKing
Dec 1, 2007 at 9:15 PM
Comment #21yep, sadly he did.
scott 9
Dec 1, 2007 at 9:17 PM
Comment #22gutted i hope he int out for long hes our best defender
Tripp
Dec 1, 2007 at 9:27 PM
Comment #23Any word on the knock to Faye? I suppose we’ll find out in the morning.
Toon Chicken
Dec 1, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Comment #24Jon – stop talking shit and watch the f***ing match. Martins cost us one if not three points, plain and simple. He is good but he is far from the finished article. Whoever says he should start instead of Owen when Owen is fit quite obviously knows sod all about football.
PS – sorry for the profanity but I’m getting really sick of people talking shite on here.
Toon Chicken
Dec 1, 2007 at 10:17 PM
Comment #25Jon – stop talking shit and watch the f*cking match. Martins cost us one if not three points, plain and simple. He is good but he is far from the finished article. Whoever says he should start instead of Owen when Owen is fit quite obviously knows sod all about football.
PS – sorry for the profanity but I’m getting really sick of people talking sh!te on here.
Hadrian
Dec 1, 2007 at 10:19 PM
Comment #26Ed . not liking all these add’s under each comments section , starting to fell like stuff’s shoved into my face .
get it on the side out the way .
Hadrian
Dec 1, 2007 at 10:24 PM
Comment #27it caught oba off balance that cross in , and the lads a gymnast .
oba didnt cost us anything , and his and smith’s link up play showed signs of promise , lots of smart little flicks comming from them both , something owen hasnt got .
owen’s a poacher now , modern day gary liniker , he can be unused for 89 mins and score one goal , puts alot of extra work onto rest of the squad .
steve
Dec 1, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Comment #28I was at the game today and Oba had a good game, he should start long with Owen – Smith put a lot of effort in but tried for something spectacular when it would have been easier to bring the ball down and stroke it home – afraid he’s just not good enough at this level as a striker and he def isn’t a midfielder.
We played fairly well today (everyone around me thought so as well) support was great, barton played his best game since his comeback from injury – we prob deserved something from the game but thats football
Sam needs to keep it 4-3-3 and play on the ground as we did for most of this game – once we get past Arsenal we should start picking up some points.
ToonKing
Dec 1, 2007 at 11:36 PM
Comment #29Listen to Phil Thompson’s analysis of the game today on Sky Sports :
http://www.skysports.com/video/0,20285,12606_2937171,00.html
Really makes me happy, he only has nice words about us and the traveling toon army.
I’m so glad our next game is on Wednesday.
Srky
Dec 1, 2007 at 11:52 PM
Comment #30Stay with the lads and cut the crap anymore!
Sam is the Big Man and needs time to improve!
I would like to see him for years in charge and afther that we could say we have a squad for respect.
Because Sam makes teams Big.
That’s the point – that’s why he is BS 🙂
I absolutely believe in him. He has shown his job at BW and if he’s given a decent chance he’ll show his worthiness!
nightfall
Dec 1, 2007 at 11:57 PM
Comment #31hey don’t be all enthusiastic over sam after one decent match (which we lost)… hell we all knew sam won’t get far with his tactics and he HAD to try sth deferent (sth we’ve been all suggesting) and he still didn’t select the optimal line-up for the match… i think if sbd need 5 months to come up with the line up/tactics we’ve been all suggesting from day 1…that guy can’t be the leader of any team…sorry!
evildick
Dec 1, 2007 at 11:58 PM
Comment #32the travelling fans made me proud at blackburn, so did the players.. a much improved performance.
If we get that kind of display at home with the backing of the toon army we may get something out the game. I really believe we can turn this around now.
Leo
Dec 2, 2007 at 12:07 AM
Comment #33we deserved the win
butt and geremi were our weak links, geremi not so bad but not good enough
Leo
Dec 2, 2007 at 12:08 AM
Comment #34i meant we deserved not to loose, a win would be good, but we played good football for once in a while. may it continue and get some wins along the way please
Jon Armann, norway
Dec 2, 2007 at 12:31 AM
Comment #35hello guys, i saw the game, and think a draw would be fair, blackburn didnt overplay us, but still we are making errors in the defence 🙁 As for Gerami, i dont understand why he is the Captain, he dosent show any spirit, when he as the ball or near the ball its like watching it in slow motion, and i dont think the players respect him that much, i think Steven taylor is the future captain, he has the love and spirit for the club, and Gerami doesent show any fight, hes lazy, i dont know, it seems like everything is going wrong!!!
i dont know how the arsenal game will go, im too scared to think about it, im not optimist for that game, if we play the same, they will crush us 5-0 or more :(:(:(
Daniel Petersen
Dec 2, 2007 at 1:01 AM
Comment #36Much improved performance. I can’t wait to see how we do against arsenal. Any ideas who will be in the back four next match?
Jinal
Dec 2, 2007 at 1:44 AM
Comment #37I usually prefer Martins to Owen because Martins can create his own chances but if we keep the formation we had today, I think Mickey would be the right man for us upfront.
Charlie
Dec 2, 2007 at 4:11 AM
Comment #38If we only had Owen…… what a bunch of crap Toon King. Martins may miss one or two but he gets himself in position and tries to striek quickly. Owen has scored as many as milner this season and had three or four full games before injury without scoring once. Martins has scored in every game he has been given 90 minutes in this season except the last one and that could be forgiven seeing as he had barely played any football. It was a good show from the boys though I still cant figure out what Smith does in the team as he is not a striker or a midfielder and his position should be filled by a specialist. Our backs are playing like shit and god knows how you fix them.
yh
Dec 2, 2007 at 4:12 AM
Comment #39Nobody has mentioned the part where Zogbia was CLEARLY ONSIDE and we could’ve gone 2-0 up and the ensuing Bentley free kick (slightly dubious IMO) would never have taken place?!!!
Smith played decent upfront so that is where I would like to see him if he plays. Martins’ finishing leaves more to be desired I supposed and surprisingly Carr had a decent game while Roz looked a bit shaky. Beye looked quite steady though but I would really love to see Enrique slotting in at Left-Back while Zogbia goes to the left wing. Barton was ok barring a few incidents where he seemed to flare up slightly, Butt was crap most of the time – giving away possession and free kicks needlessly while Milner (gotta love this lad) was playing his heart out again, although he wasn’t at the top of his game. Geremi is bullshit most of the time; doesn’t seem to be a god-damn captain at all! At least he took the free kick today?
C’mon, Blackburn was under pressure for most parts of the second half and we really looked like a whole different team so if there’s any positives from the game, that’s it – creating a healthy amount of opportunities away from home.
But seriously, our defense.
Bah.
Srky
Dec 2, 2007 at 10:42 AM
Comment #40Sam made a SQUAD of Bolton.
He’s obviously trying things out. And i think he can do it right. But without backing he’ll do nothnig. He is most respectable manager who came at SJP since Sir Bobby left! He knows how to make strong squad but, naturaly, needs time. Ok, think what you like, but i don’t see it nice for us with atittude like this. No one serious would not like to come here and be booed by fans after few bad results. True is that our club was unserious with ex board, we were sacking managers… Right things needs TIME to be done. If you don’t let them time to happent they simpy won’t!