This is the very lowest point of the season for Newcastle United, and Sam Allardyce will have lost even more support tonight, from Newcastle’s huge fan base. Here are some early reflections on the game tonight, but they’re not good. 
- Newcastle were in this game in the first half and should have probably capitalized on their many chances before Manchester City went ahead, when Elano struck after 38 minutes. But chances were missed, especially by Nigerian Oba Martins, who seems to have lost his way in the last few games.
- Once ahead Manchester City controlled the game, and even invited Newcastle to come at them and then counter-attacked from which they got their second goal after 76 minutes.
It was Sven Eriksson’s game plan played to perfection by his team.
- Manchester City are a good side but have won only once on the road before their fairly easy victory over the Magpies tonight. They are beatable on the road, but obviously not by this current Newcastle side.
- Newcastle have now lost 3 and drawn 2 of their last 6 home games. and their only win was against Birmingham City, when we scored the winner in the last minute. This home form is the worst at the club for a long time.
- If we don’t have an immediate improvement in our form in the league, Newcastle will soon be dragged into a relegation dog-fight with both Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
- Confidence means a lot in the game of football and Newcastle players’ confidence was seen to drain out of them tonight. Just where we go from here is anybody’s guess, but the fans cannot boo the players, given their complete lack of confidence at the end, and to their credit they didn’t tonight.
- Tonight’s game, especially in the second half was very difficult to watch for any dedicated Newcastle fan. Fan depression set in when it became apparent the Newcastle side didn’t have the attacking prowess to get back into the game. We deserve better than this.
- Newcastle will need some heroes for Saturday in the very tough game against Stoke City in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. A defeat then will send shudders through the Newcastle board-room.
- This will heap massive pressure on Chris Mort, more than anybody else, since Chris has already come out and said Big Sam will not be sacked anytime soon. Just what exactly Sam and Chris will say after this performance, will at least be interesting. But it will hardly be anything else than we need to stick together etc etc etc etc etc etc etc.
Comments are very welcome – but please keep the language decent – so our young supporters can still read the site – many thanks.
Newcastle United: Given, Beye, Taylor, Cacapa, N’Zogbia, Butt, Faye (Emre 73), Duff (Enrique 64), Milner, Viduka, Martins (Owen 46)
Subs: Harper, Rozehnal
Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Ball, Onuoha, Ireland (Fernandes 76), Elano (Etuhu 71), Vassell (Bianchi 88), Petrov, Corluka, Hamann, Dunne.
Subs: Isaksson, Garrido.
Ref: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 50,956
69 responses so far ↓
1 Jaypro // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Our midfield is woefully slow and lacks any sort of quality. We need a complete redo starting with Nicky Butt.
2 iain // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:44 PM
2 defensive mf players in cm says it all.
how was that ever going to help break down one of the best teams in the league. who our manager stupidly had a pop for being too defensive against liverpool. he then goes and plays butt and faye in cm.
martins may of wasted some chances but we all know hes a confidence player and tbh sam has done nothing imo since day one to make oba who is still our top scorer play the best way he can.
3 Mat // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:47 PM
It’s too late to do anything but wipe the slate clean. Sacking the coach and letting the boys play 4-4-2 with the best players playing in their best positions is what is needed. Even though they lost tonight being allowed to do that in this game, they looked very good at times. A lack of confidence and the sheer novelty of being allowed to play is what made them come unstuck. Let them play a few games this way, sack Sam and hand over to the assistants and let the players take control of their own destiny for the second half of the season. The numpties are being weeded out, (Barton, Smith) so the team is in a position where they can run sans heavy managerial influence.
4 Tom_Toon // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:47 PM
faye was brilliant in dm, enrique was fkin brilliant at lb, butt was crap, mkilner was crap, oba was crap, duke was crap, martns was crap, duff was good, n’zogiba was immense, beye was good, capaca was ok, taylor was good, emre was ok, given was ok.
5 Grunde Axelsen // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Well, to be fair. We´ve seen worse. I think we played well in big periods. Cobining nicely down the left and right, but very ineffective in front of goal.
We just need to keep beliving and things will turn. I support Sam 100%
6 steve // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:50 PM
I just can’t see Sam turning this around, what did he say to the players at half time to make them stop playing!
We lose a third of our squad to the ACN after the stoke game and with the points gap we had between us and the bottom clubs quickly diminishing it’s looking more and more like a crisis.
Whats even worse is that we can’t seem to beat the bottom clubs so we are deep trouble (draws against Sunderland, Boro, Derby – defeats against Derby, Wigan)
No doubt Sam will come out and say some of his layers didn’t do their jobs and it isn’t his fault but it’s his job to get the best out of players he has, bloody hell Wigan managed to get a draw with Liverpool at Anfield, is he saying our players aren’t as good as that lot!
7 Mat // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Brilliant summary Tom_toon… looks like we have a ready made replacement for Sam.
8 steve // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Tom_toon – yeah I’d probably agree with that assessment, although why is Martins singled out for being crap twice? to be fair to him neither Viduka or Owens would have been in those positions to score, Oba gets to them due to his speed, unfortunately he is so low on confidence that he keeps fluffing it.
9 Toon_Under // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Was impressed when enrique got a run out. For mine, he should be our starting left back and get n’zog alongside faye or butt in CM where he can be closer to the action. I know N’Zogbia is more of a left winger, but he started of as a central mid before he came to the club, can run at people and puts in some really good balls – exactly what we are missing from our midfield. At least it is a step up from Butt and Faye, and if he’s there then Smith will be up front with Owen which means no more Viduka (though he played ok tonight).
We need to change something, and for me it should be to start using our attacking players more.
10 Ashton // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Milner is pure shite
11 nightfall // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Toon_Under – agree
12 Jon // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Sack Big Sam now!!!!
13 graham // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:05 PM
I said In one of your blogs yesterday that I thought we would play with defensive mf and get beat.
My next prediction Is that allardyce will be gone by the end of the month. Or is that just wishfull thinking?
14 Ashton // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:06 PM
We need Barton
15 Michael // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Time is something we do not have. Look at man city they did not need ‘Time’ players adapting to the league, you make it seem as though Newcastle are the only team in the league that have foreign players. Times are bad. Just a question, In comparison to the last two seasons, how were we at this stage. I think what makes it more apparent this season is we do not have UEFA cup to camouflage our league form.
16 scotty // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:07 PM
I’ll repeat myself again. He will be sacked on Monday once we’ve been knocked out of the cup on Sunday by Stoke.
I was there tonight and believe me – there is no fighting spirit in this team at all. I thought Faye was possibly the best player for us and he takes him off for Emre? Surely Butt should have made way?
This is the worst xmas period i can remember for a long time. I’ve never felt this low in a very very long time. Sam is losing support quick and that usually spells only one thing………. A nice 3mil handshake and an extented holiday – ok for some!!!
17 scotty // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:09 PM
here here toon_under
18 elanos studs // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Got to admit a draw was probably a fair result ,if youd of scored first a different outcome maybe,the difference is the managers, Erikkson knows what hes doing.Not going to gloat because being a city fan i know how you all feel,you have the potential of a very good side,i just dont think big sam has a clue which one
19 nate-toon // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Very very frustrating game, especially since by the last 15 minutes we seemed to have our strongest squad out yet they still didn’t do anything.
Martins had a frustrating first half, which is not a surprise, but I agree that he really seems to lack confidence. Bringing on Owen at half didn’t accomplish much, he played decent, but also missed his best chance, so what’s the difference? I agree that Sam’s treatment of Martins hasn’t helped, since Sam always seems to prefer Owen when he’s healthy; the problem is he’s never healthy for long, so we ought to be making Martins our first choice.
Other than that, the changes Sam made were the right ones, although I would have started the game with Enrique and Emre. Zog was clearly our most dangerous player and really needs to be playing in the midfield. Emre also needs to be playing; it’s silly to play 2 defensive mids and then wonder why we aren’t creating more chances. I believe Emre started the Chelsea game and didn’t do much, but he really needs a run out of games. Emre is, without question, the best player we have for free kicks, corners and general creativity, and I really don’t understand why he doesn’t get a run of games when the likes of Butt and Smith are guaranteed a place when healthy.
But, as I said, by the end of this game we had probably our strongest team on the field and we still couldn’t do anything. And that’s probably the most frustrating thing.
20 Hammy // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Ashton…Warren maybe….Joey has just been refused bail for the second time.
I’m not being funny but we’ve had a pretty easy fixture list up until now…..Ashley has some tough decisions to make.
21 Edd Case // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Far too comfortable for Man City.
First half I actually thought we looked quite decent – even though Martins was appauling and Milner was doing his usual party trick of ’smashing a cross to the opposition or into the stand’.
N’Zogbia looked great going forward with Duff looking really good too.
Duff must start on the right for me, or allow N’Zogbia on the right or left, either way, Duff and Charles as our wingers, while Enrique comes in at left back and Milner spends more time in the reserves, learning about keeping it simple and crossing to a team mate.
Owen, given some form of service, will score, without doubt. Viduka could do with running a few extra miles in training this week to get rid of what looks supiciously like another stone in weight.
Beye, exceptional, again – this lad IS quality.
Taylor and Cacapa, not too bad, lazy defending cost us the second goal though.
Faye – another class performance, wrongly taken off, Butt looked average at best.
I think we must start with Faye and Emre from now on.
The signs are there from the first half that we are a decent side, and with some luck and some key decisions going our way, we should be ok.
By the way, didn’t the team look good without Smith?
22 Craig // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Apathy has set in…
23 JP from The Rock of Gibraltar // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:19 PM
How can you say Milner is shite when he has been our most consistant player all season! He may have had a bad game today for a change but I don’t blame him after the mess we’re in. I am getting really sick of whats going on at Newcastle it always seems to end this way. Another manager that needs the kick up the ass. Nothing is going for us lately and sad to say I am losing patience with Allardyce. Our players have no confidence whatsoever and too many changes never give us stability, be it the manager or the players. We should have never sacked Bobby Robson!! Damn ass Fat-Fred’s worst move!!
What happened to ‘The Entertainers’..we can’t entertain anymore we can’t even pass, create chances let alone score!
24 lewdavies // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:19 PM
OMG just got back home after that utter tosh performance. Milner is just way out of his depth, and quite simply isn’t good enough.
Absolutly no atmosphere in the Galowgate stand tonight, because there is nothing to chant about.
Center defence fell asleep for the first goal….AGAIN. Its just so easy to score against us these days. I would drop Given, every time he kicks the ball its the same ……aerial ball straight to the oppsition, because we have no one in midfield who can win a header.
Exactly what ALL the coaching staff are doing defy’s understanding.
Our central midfield is a shambolic joke. Butt stank yet again and Faye doesnt know what to do with the ball when he gets it.
Martins just does not deserve the number 9 Shirt, and dont give me all this horlicks about confidence……. He just isnt good enough, he always needs an extra touch and and shoots straight at the keeper every time.
It really hurts when the citeh fans out sing SJP, but we really had nothing to sing about.
MO will come good but needs service and should start next game.
Zog is good and so is Duff.
Finally its not just BSA at fault. We have all called for a proper 442 and tonight we got it, but 90% of the players just aren’t good enough and the end result is we stink all over the park.
Cant see anything but a defeat at Stoke on Sunday. Oh and Manure must be rubbing their hands…………………
……….Another large brandy me thinks.!!!!
25 Phil // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:22 PM
i thought butt and faye both had decent games. the problem is that they shouldn’t both be in the same team. you can’t criticise nicky butt for not being creative enough because that’s just not his game.
milner and duff didn’t have great games but again that is because we have no centre midfield attacking outlet. man city knew we were going to attack down the wings and we able to double up without worry because they knew faye and butt weren’t going to creat much in the middle.
26 lewdavies // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Phil – shut up … Butt was awful tonight.
Too slow, cant pass, cant head forwards, cant tackle without fouling, showing his age big style. Yes he has heart, but that just isn’t enough at this level. We desperatly need a midfielder with skill, attacking flair and can pass to our own players or at least put the ballthrough for MO to run onto, and not behind him.Aaaarrrgggghhh.
27 Greg B // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I think there are a few positives to take from all the doom and gloom. Enrique looks ready to start games and will almost certainly start at left back against Stoke in the cup, this means N’Zogbia will be free to take up an attacking midfield place where IMO he will be like a new player!
Duff seems to be getting back into his game nicley and Owen must be getting fitter and more match sharp. Faye is looking very good and Taylor and Baye hboth had decent games tonight.
My main complaints are Martins and Viduka looked out of sorts, we all know they can perform much better and its up to the manager to sort this one out although Martins is off to the Africa cup. Butt didnt seem interested and Milner is better than his performance tonight showed.
However my biggest complaint is the ‘untouchable’ Shay Given, dont get me wrong I am a big fan but why is he never critisized? Tonight I felt he should have done much better with Elano’s miss-hit shot, in the past few games I feel he could have done better too.
Like I say, Im a big fan but come on, you are not telling me he isnt capable of keeping some of these efforts out?
All in all, whist down beat and annoyed, I do think we can turn things around with Allardyce in charge, however a defeat against Stoke would put immense pressure on Mort and Ashley to have a re-think.
Howay the lads!
28 andyc290 // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:37 PM
First half we were the better team and were unlucky to go in behind.
Erikson is a master of the italian game which is all about protecting 1-o leads and that showed in the second half bcos they shut us down.
Plus points – love Faye in midfield, Beye had another very good game, Zog goin forward was very good. Owen looked like he wanted it when he came on.
Negative points – Oba looked quite frankly shit, didnt make any runs. Nicky Butt tired ealry doors. BSA couldnt come up with the tactics to break them down second half. Terry Mac the alcoholic is still at NUFC.
29 Eve // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:38 PM
lewdavies..blaming Given for the lads not being able to header a ball is a bit harsh. He’s (obviously) told to kick the long balls or whatever. But saying that he should be dropped cause the mids can’t header is, like I said a bit harsh.
Given..couldn’t be blamed for either of the goals, made a couple of good saves, one in particular was amazing.
And Greg B..Given, “untouchable”..eh, ok. Never criticized, are you serious. Try all the time. He’s always criticized on here.You probably have started a big long line of posters who will come on and criticize him..anyone seen Johann??
Our defense, a bit slopy at times, cost us twice.
It’s a pity that our only decent defenders will be gone come the African cup.
Butt, oh dear God, that man is beyond it. When it comes to him, Sam is beyond reasoning. I honestly think that he was kept on cause he was captain. Which was a joke to begin with.
Martins was bad, really bad.
Zog was good enough.
Duff did his best with the little ball that he got.
But em no, what we need, what the team really needs is to beat the crap outta Stoke.
30 Tom_Toon // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Enrique is bloody immense!
31 Toon_Under // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Greg B – I’m starting to think the same thing with Given. In years gone by he would have stopped a lot of the goals that have been conceded this season. I wonder if the BSA ploy of starting Harper has messed with his head? The conspiracy theory would be that he doesn’t rate allardyce highly and is not putting the extra effort in, knowing full well that we’d lose a couple of games and he’d be given his P45.. Don’t really believe he’d do that though..
As said elsewhere, it’s time for a shakeup against Stoke. Harper and Enrique to start, maybe put someone like Edgar alongside Taylor, replace Butt with N’Zogbia and if he has to play, put Smith up alongside Owen, else give the donkey a final chance before he is moved on.. And maybe even give Triosi a run on the right wing and rest milner??
32 lewdavies // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Last comment for me tonight…
Habib beye is pure class no doubt and will probably put in a transfer request at the end of the season , rather than stay with this bunch of muppets.
The manager can only take so much flak, but ultimatly in my book, the players just aren’t earning their coins, and that sticks in the throat of everyone paying their wages. ie ME and YOU.
Its hard to keep the faith sometimes, but I just cant help myself.
TOON TOON.
33 lewdavies // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:56 PM
EVE- To say our defence is a bit sloppy, is like saying the TITANIC is a bit wet. Come on man, there is no improvement game to game. Straight through thr middle like a hot knife through butter. Its not just BSA’s fault, the players are just not good enough.
34 Ben // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Given
Beye Faye Cacapa Enrique
Duff Emre Smith N’Zogbia
Owen Viduka
Martins is a waste of money,confidence player is an excuse fans use who have never played the game!confidence is mind over matter, they are professionals in what they do…which believe it or not is football (martins) so we can all forget about that excuse for missing chance after chance this season…he was second string to an acoholic Adrianao and a very average Ibrahimovich!They must of been rubbign their hands at £10 million!
35 Tom_Toon // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Martins is losing my support.
Chikhaoui or even that Domochivskiy would be nice or even Leonid Kovel who i mentioned for a talented small striker, we need to start looking for gems further a field.
36 Halliday // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:05 AM
even the attendances are dipping
sad time at Newcastle United Football Club.
37 Ed the Duck // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Some great perspectives previously… mine for what it’s worth…
I thought there were a few positives:
4-4-2 made a big difference and we must continue with this…
Zog was fantastic and Enrique showed he can play a so perhaps BSA will now think him “settled in”…
We played better without Smith in Midfield… I have no problem with him playing as a CF but that’s it!
On a player by player basis:
Given – so/so… fair enough for the goals but the big issue I have is his distribution… it’s just poor… he doesnt really do good, quick, wide throws out and his kicks come straignt back.
Beye – super stuff, we are going to miss him especially if Carr comes back in..
Taylor – good, no nonsence…
Caca… er the Brazilian bloke… actually I like his positioning and passing and reading of the game and he is getting more physical… promising I thought
Zog… superb
Millner… mediocre, once you have beat them whip the cross in… it doesn’t matter that neither our Forwards would have got it today, that’s not your problem my son…
Butt – poor today, few late challenges, poor distribution
Faye – very decent game… not sure why he came off
Duff – clealry getting fitter, looked lively, could have tried to go around full back more rather than wait for Charles to overlap
Martins – he’s a confidence player and at least that looked OK but dear oh dear his first touch would be slagged off in a pub team and his passing… poor but not the worst…
speaking of which Viduka… sorry a disgrace! The sunken Bizmark is a more mobile battle ship than him… lazy, careless and pointless… I’d even rather see Shola in…
Owen – not bad, clealry not sharp, not good either but my word he sorted them ballons out!
Emre – has to start in the cup he looked lively and creative and clearly will be out on that basis in January to someone that will get the best out of him.
Enrique – good enough to start!
BSA – 2 DMs at home plus a back 4 against one CF… great stuff, muppet! No doubt he will cite the stats and say how we had more corners or passes over 6 inches or whatever… bugger all points though… and at Bolton he seem on permanant volcano status, passionate and committed… where is that on the touchline now…
Bah Humbug
38 Craig // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Still unsure on Enrique.
Ball watches all the time and caught out a few times on the little time he was on.
39 stk // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:09 AM
wrong manager, shouldve never been appointed.
shearer, mourinho, or klinsmann
40 lewdavies // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:09 AM
ANDYC290 – Thankyou, spot on.
Especially about T Mac…..Cooooont
(sorry ed – But it just boils my waste fluids)
Exactly what does this bin dipper get payed for????????????
It certainly shows in the performance of the players though, so he must be class!!!!!!!!
41 Tom_Toon // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Craig – I dont think he did
If we do sack sam i hope the board brings in a winner, a good manager with experience who plays nice football, only one man for me Louis van Gaal.
There are many good candidates, but none as good as him and experienced as him.
42 Leo // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:23 AM
am going to look at the positives of the game… i had the best view of the match i have ever, gave my personal seat up for the game and sat almost in the top corner of level seven, the view was beautiful…
just a side thought ed, dya think there could be a bit on the site where posters could put a picture up of where they seat at the ground looking towards the center spot… or have sat before… would be real good.
anyhoo the football
beye looked classy
cacapa made one mistake which was cleaned up but otherwise looked really classy
faye had a great game looked so composed on the ball
taylor didnt do to well…. confidence problem maybe
nzogbia looked strong in the first half. but second half looked half the player
butt had a bad game for once, maybe unfit.
milner wasnt sharp enough, made good runs but didnt capitalise where he really should have done
duff looked ever stronger and i hope this can continue
viduka is a fat pile of sh1t and does not deserve the money he is payed… he should lay off the pies
martins massively lacks confidence, you can sence he just wants to run the ball into the net, often ending with 2 or 3 defenders round him and him still getting a shot away but it not being as good as he would have done if he took it straight away
owen didnt really get into it that much… he would have been perfect for the first half
emre didnt do anything and it was bad having to have faye come of because he was our lynchpin in the middle
enrique looked ok confident on the ball but maybe a little too confident… maybe bordering on cocky. which put himself in dangerous positions…
overall it was a good first half but should have capitalised on the quality going forward
second half we just didnt get back into the flow.
43 shirts // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:33 AM
I keep seeing things about getting Mourinho in (uh, not bloody likely) but just to entertain the idea for a moment–wasn’t thera a “no english club” clause in his release agreement? I don’t think he could come even if he wanted/we wanted him. Am I wrong on that?
44 lewdavies // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:34 AM
Craig- Perhaps you should go to a game. – Enrique actually not bad at left back, just needs a few games to sharpen up. I like him and think he HAS got the heart and soul for this club. What has gone on ’till now, God only knows.
STK – Talking through your hole m8. Shearer knows fook all about managing a PL team and should start with a lower div team, to prove himself. He is nobetter than BSA at this point. FACT.
I’m sick of this Shearer rubbish. … Name one good player that has made a good manager?…
…And please dont say Keano, Southgate… etc
Yeah sirBobby…… Oh no he wasn’t a good player was he?
Come onguys wise up. Sven GE is the type of manager we need. Not Shearer.
45 Michael // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:44 AM
I think we played well, had possession, but are not creating. We are not creating. Milner and Martins are too erratic. They need to calm down their play and use their brains, not passion. Milner dribbles unnecessarily. Such flamboyance is not football. He seems to be trying to hard to entertain. I would have been happy with a boring win for Newcastle because we need a win and fast. The problem with our situation is the players do not want to play for Newcastle. Yes I agree not Shearer please be serious.
*************************************************
OK we lost guys. Please let us not fall apart now, as Fans Let us show the team we are in this together. It does not help at all and you know this if we boo them off the pitch. I urge you all Let us turn out in our number, bring out the black and white banners and show our support, for everyone, including Big SAM. Let us do something different not the usual dissent from FANS I URGE YOU TO URGE OUR FELLOW TOON ARMY LET US GET BEHIND THEM IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THIS.
46 Steeley // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Not good at all! It genuinely looks like the best possible thing that could happen to NUFC is getting knocked out of th FA Cup by Stoke during which we play bloody terribly….it SHOULD be the kick up the @rse that Mort needs so he can realise that Sam Allardyce is not the man who can take Newcastle forward.
Hitzfeld has come out today and confirmed he will leave Bayern at the end of this season….if only I thought that Sam could def keep us out of a relegation scrap I would say keep him on until then and then get Hitz in, however, on current form I think he needs to go before we get ourselves dragged into that horrific situation!
47 Tom_Toon // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Yes steely he was one of my choices but he has also entered contract talks to manage swizerland when he leaves bayern
48 Tom_Toon // Jan 3, 2008 at 1:02 AM
There are many others but ive come to a conclusion:
Houllier – Not overly successful with Liverpool.
Jol – Could be good but he slagged us off and id prefer someone who has won things.
Adriaanse – Never sticks with a club for more than 3 seasons even if they are doing well.
Bilic – Said he wont leave croatia until after euro 2008.
Irrureta – Been out of management for a while, not sure if he can speak english.
Deschamps – Not overly successful but has done well, a good young manager but we need experience.
van Gaal – Won lots, experienced, plays nice atacking football but wont slack defensively, perfect for us, and he is realistic. He also said he wanted the england job which is much like the newcastle job as sven said.
49 Eve // Jan 3, 2008 at 1:29 AM
Toon_Under ..I always thought and still do think that Given doesn’t like Sam at all.
The way Sam played with their minds at the start of the season was wrong. You can do that to outfield players, to a point, but it doesn’t work with keepers. I don’t know, I think that not having confidence in your keeper is not a good step. But I don’t think that’s the problem.
Now Given hasn’t been bad this season, he’s been decent enough but it’s like a spark in him has gone out and not a spark of form I mean of heart. He’s been at this club for 10 years plus, he’s won how many trophies now??..None, he’s seen countless of managers come and go, the defense is a crappy as it’s ever been. His effort, more so then ever now is going unnoticed, well not unnoticed but pointless, he makes a few really good saves only for a goal to be conceded by horrible, pathetic, poor defending, or bad ref decisions like the Chelsea game, maybe you’re right, maybe it’s gotten to the point where he’s given up. Like what’s the point.
Even though, consciously he’d never do it, he’d never not give 110% knowingly but maybe somewhere on a subconscious level he’s eventually given up a little bit. But I don’t think it’s completely gone, he’s still a bloody good keeper, like I said form isn’t the problem as such, whenever he plays for Ireland he has a blinder, we’ve seen sparks of such from him lately, really good saves like and after the clean sheet Sam said that he bounded into the dressing room and his eyes were shinning. How disheartening most the Chelsea game have been for him, he plays amazing and then a goal is given that’s 100 miles offside. You might say it’s the same for all the other players, but how many of those players, have been there for 10 years, and then had a manager, who clearly doesn’t seem to like him, come in, snub him for captaincy, what he’s not even 3rd choice. Question him, bench him..etc.
And like what’s different from now and 2 years ago, the defenders are just as bad, results not great. It’s IMO the manager.
But I think that the main problem, one of the main, scariest, vital problem here right now is the spirit in the camp. It’s not right. Some of the players, Given included don’t seem to like Sam at all, Sam is constantly questioning the players, blaming the players on a regular bases, targeting them, saying negative comments all the time, and these so called revolts in the camp, are just newspapers stirring, I don’t think so.
I think alot of the lack of heart on the pitch, from everyone, is down to the unhappiness in the camp, in the dressing room.
But IMO Sam is like this sort of cancer in the dressing room, if we get a new manager, just watch the difference in performances. I think it’s a very worrying sign when the players begin to loose heart, but when someone like Given does, who’s been here for 10 years plus and has always somehow been spirited and positive. How bad have things gotten behind the scenes for someone like Given to loose heart. Like it’s not form he’s missing, we know he can make the saves, we saw that last week, we saw that in a couple he made tonight, and we’ve seen it in a few matches this season.
Now all this might just seem like a complete rant, and bs, which it probably is a little bit seeing as it’s half one and I’m a little bit tipsy. But I think that the morale of the players is shot, and until that’s changed around, then we’ve not got a hope in hell of changing the results. And the only way to revamp the morale in the team is by changing the manager. Changing the players is pointless, bringing in Harper instead of Given is pointless, it’s not going to solve anything. It’s gone beyond the point of form.
50 KKN39 // Jan 3, 2008 at 1:48 AM
the only good thing under Sam’s regime is that our young hope like Zog, Oba, Milner(well at least he’s still only 22), Taylor, Enrique, remains largely injury-free and a couple players he signed are the strongest we hv for a very long time, in their best posn when fit, e.g. Beye, Faye, (even) Viduka; if other qualities we have in Duffy, Emre, Owen can stay off injuries can’t see why we can’t at least make the top 7. lost all hopes in Butt n Smith though, unfortunately Sam is their diehard fans tho so Sam together with them must be removed before we can restore our “self-respect”
51 Eve // Jan 3, 2008 at 1:59 AM
It’s only going to get worse though. How much of our decent enough players at the moment are leaving for the African Cup?? Martins, Beye, Faye..etc. If things don’t change, if a new man isn’t brought in, 2 things will happen, long serving players like Harper and Given will probably leave and we’ll, come end of season have the relegation door up our ass. Please, just change it, change him before it’s too late, before the damage is permanent.
52 Tom_Toon // Jan 3, 2008 at 2:02 AM
im going to draw up a manager shrtlist and hand it to ma at the next away game.
53 jeremy9 // Jan 3, 2008 at 2:10 AM
Owen, put that biscuit in the basket. Man we need an on-form Owen. Martins, that was terrible. NZogbia, probably the best thing we got going for us.
54 jaypro // Jan 3, 2008 at 2:13 AM
Buy:
Taylor
Faye
Cacapa
Beye
Enrique
Martins
N’Zogbia
Hold:
Milner
Rozenthal
Duff
Viduka
Sell:
Given- not the same old Shay
Geremi
Owen
Smith
Butt
Emre (5 goals and 9 assists in three years for a “creative” midfielder is poor)
Carr
Ameobi
55 jeremy9 // Jan 3, 2008 at 2:30 AM
watching second half now and we look very uninspired and mostly not very good or threatening a bit
56 jeremy9 // Jan 3, 2008 at 2:38 AM
viduka has talent, but the dude just doesn’t seem to care. nicky butt probably listens to bsa more than anyone, which is why he plays so much and why we keep seeing the long ball from him. i like faye but he can’t really play cm. good to see duff out there. i would back bsa for the rest of the year but i don’t think he can turn things around and i’m afraid the owner has to dip into funds he didn’t want or expect to spend this year. I think you need a three year plan at this point and I don’t like or want the way we are going to be in three years w/ bsa. I’m sure most agree. But for what it is worth, the first half was some of the more entertaining football i’ve seen from Newcastle lately.
57 jeremy9 // Jan 3, 2008 at 2:48 AM
Look at what Emre has to play with. And also Newcastle and/or English football the last three years isn’t probably his best fit.
Is it possible that all but three teams have better midfielders than us. How does it come to this after Barton excuses himself from the team?
58 Mr. Blue // Jan 3, 2008 at 2:58 AM
Where were you when you were ****? Seriously where were you lot before Keegan saved you from the third tier? Your crowds aren’t that impressive considering that you’re the only football league team in the city! Imagine the crowds City would get if they weren’t 2 miles away from United, even with them there they get in the 40,000’s!
Just where do all these high expectations come from? Newcastle haven’t won a domestic cup since 1955! Even City in that time period have won a couple of FA Cups, a couple of League Cups, a European Cup Winners cup and the English League title.
59 Saxon Paige Vickers-Buckley // Jan 3, 2008 at 3:15 AM
Dear Newcastle people,
first: no it’s not a stupid name, and yes, I AM a girl (”Paige”).
Right. The problems you are having are marginal and vital. The marginal would include injuries to the likes of Michael Owen and playing Charles N’Zogbia (whom I’d like to see at City) out of position due to other injuries &c.
The vital are these: I think (not “feel”) that certain of your superstars believe Old Cod Face Rollthedice is beneath them; as, clearly, do some of you. You are in error. The problem is not Rotund Samuel, and not his tactics. Revisit what he did with Bolton, what he did with the little he had. The problem is that certain persons in your team, who wish they were somewhere else, and being managed by someone with more “gravitas” (as they say), are dissenting and doing so off and ON the pitch; and Sam, despite his hard head (as an adopted Lancastrian of 30 years) is letting his soft Brummie heart get the better of him.
Now, he IS culpable (re soft heart) for signing that bindipping chav thug Barton from us. Barton destroyed City’s dressing-room last year, and you all don’t know the tenth of it. GET RID. But tough Sam, like tough Pearce, has secretly got a big heart, which means, idiots like Barton can take advantage of him…
You need to suck it up and face facts: you are probably NOT going to finish in the top six this year, and the reason is NOT your manager, it’s the players. The tactics are fine. You have the players on paper (I hate that) and truth is, looking at the table, you actually could finish top six, right? Right, easy. If the players you have on big bucks can’t even begin to motivate themselves, even Jesus Christ couldn’t get them fired up if He showed them hell and their souls falling into same. There is WAY too much indiscriminate blame placed on managers when it is the players that are the problem. Why don’t you be different and be honest. Sam has not been given a chance, he has not been afforded the money to compete and sign, and you have some players who are just having a laugh. Rather than sing and point fingers “you don’t know what you’re doing” at Sam (you should be ashamed, the whole world saw the nice Geordie mask slip) try it with the players…because Sam, like Sven, has to try things during games to be sure about what he has got…and what he has is a bunch of players who are going to get him the sack as Newcastle lurch from manager to manager to manager.
Keep it up. With you out of the frame you make it easier.
Yours Man Cityidly, and good luck (seriously).
SPV-B.
60 Frankie Boy // Jan 3, 2008 at 4:46 AM
Well then at least we know now it wasn’t a mysterious injury with Enrique, which just leaves a million and 1 other reasons why he has not been getting a game.
For F*?ks sake somebody from the club put us in the picture.
61 AdamCF // Jan 3, 2008 at 7:50 AM
My thoughts are plain and simple. We need a manager that is prepared to roll his sleeves up with the boys, not up with the gaffer looking down on ‘em. I’d say most fans would look more positively on him if this was the case.
A dose of reality, however, with all said and done, a finish between 6-10 isn’t that bad for a manager’s first season with the club, with what he had to deal with. I know we’re behind this and the test will be when all our african ’stars’ are away. Hopefully, Enrique steps up allowing Zog the left wing roll he deserves.
62 Veerapong // Jan 3, 2008 at 8:42 AM
Pay your attention Sam. The team should be:-
Given
Beye
Rozehnal
Taylor
Enrique
Faye
Emre
Duff
Zogbia
Viduka
Owen
:- Must Buy
-Class Right Winger
-Class Attacking Midfielder
SORT IT OUT MATE!
WE ARE SO SICK OF THIS SHITE
63 scott 9 // Jan 3, 2008 at 11:00 AM
i was at the game last night and we didnt deserve to lose we should have gone 2 or 3 nill up in the first half viduka only plays when he wants get smith with owen up front next game. faye did exeptional in dmf need another cm this month to play alongside him.
o i laos got a fanzene wile at the game anyone see big sams interveiw he was asked why he dont play milner on the right and zog on the left and he said
” nzogbia plays at lb because we are a far more attacking team with him there cause we dont have a defensive left back at the minute enrique isnt ready. and james milner is not a right midfielder so lets put that one to bed james loves playing on the left as his deliveries are better and his strength is jinking back on his strtong foot.
i with the milner thing i have to agree he is shit on the right we have seen in recent performances he is much better on the left as soon as he started playing on the right people was saying he was shit.
i have to sya again faye was exellent last night that should be his position for us .
64 Steeley // Jan 3, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Vicky SMithson Paige Butlers Smythson Windsor – simple answer to your post….get rid of the manager and get someone in who the players actually believe in and want to play for!!
If you were a talented footballer and were being told to limit your play and just hoof the ball upfield would you not want to try get your point across as well!?
65 scott 9 // Jan 3, 2008 at 2:58 PM
VEERA PONG I AGREE WE NEED A CLASS RIGHT WINGER AND A CLASS ATTACKING MIDFILEDER
i think we should sign
arshevin
cardoza
and a class creative attacking midfileder can anyone think of anyone that wouold be available that could play with faye in the centre
66 scott 9 // Jan 3, 2008 at 2:58 PM
o and a right back aswwell
67 Bo // Jan 3, 2008 at 3:18 PM
After yesterday it is more obvious than ever to me that Allardyce has to go..The only positive bit was that during the last 15 min the 11 was almost as good as can be (too short time though)..Im kinda shocked that so few have anything to say about the fact that he (sam) picks Faye, Butt..Smith and Barton (when they´re available) ahead of Emre!!! What is happening??!! All of my friends are clueless…Anyone with just a tad of football knowledge can see that Emre is a superb player (perhaps too good for this team..correct Jeremy9) Instead last night he played two defensive centre mf..and each time Faye had the ball..it seemed like slow motion..What scares me the most is if Allardyce “scares off” the likes of Emre, Martins or Beye..and then builds a more boring side than ever..”the sam way”. Keep Emre, Martins, Beye, Enrique and N´Zogba for gods sake! Given, Rosehnal, Butt, Milner and Barton are ok..the rest debatable…Things can only get better…
68 A geordiedoonsooth // Jan 3, 2008 at 3:58 PM
LewDavis said Sir Bob wasn’t a good player, did he ever see him play? Sir Bob was an outsanding winghalf for Fulham, West Brom & England he was capped more than 20 times & would have got more in not for the emergance of a certain Bobby Moore. Other good players who have made good manager & I think he means British, How about Brian Clough, Bill Shankly, Terry Venables, Don Revie & Kenny Daglish to name a few
69 scott 9 // Jan 3, 2008 at 5:34 PM
give sam time we need 4-5 players in january i think we should sign.
cardoza
stienson
arshevin
a good creative cental midfield player
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