In what turned out to be an amazing game of football tonight, in which Coventry scored both their goals in added time - one in the first half and the second, a full 70 seconds after the 2 minutes maximum allotted time, after 90 minutes - Newcastle kept their nerve and Michael Owen hit the winner after 13 minutes of extra time.
This was a game for the ages.
But the scares for Newcastle were not over and Coventry managed to hit the cross bar after 16 minutes of extra time, and Given also made a great save down to his left, to keep Newcastle ahead.
But Newcastle deserved this win, basically because they had the extra class that matters in games like this - but with any luck we could have been 4-0 up at half time.
After 45 minutes Newcastle looked to be cruising, and had a 2-0 lead with goals from Charles N’Zigbia - which was made by James Milner, and then James himself scored when he shot home from the left wing, when Geremi worried the goalkeeper, so we were 2-0 up after 41 minutes and looking for a third goal.
Then out of nowhere, a ball into the center of Newcastle’s box wasn’t cleared, and fell nicely to Clinton Morrison, who shot home with a wonderful shot.
That brought Coventry back into the game and the second half was just as exciting, but it looked like Newcastle had the game won after two minutes of injury time - which was the alloted time by referee Bates.
But then after 93 minutes and 10 seconds Coventry equalized again, when captain Scott Dann beat Coloccini in the air from a throw in, and headed down into Shay’s bottom left hand corner.
Referee Bates will need to explain how he managed to add an extra 70 seconds of injury time onto the maximum two minutes allotted. 
But not only did Newcastle play very well tonight, and will probably not get the credit for it, because of the unbelievable two comebacks by Coventry, the lads also showed everybody they are made of stern stuff.
Most teams would have crumbled with the unbelievable bad luck, but not this group of fighters.
They picked themselves up, and Michael Owen showed again why Mike Ashley needs to sign him onto an extended contract, by again playing a captains part, and scoring another poacher’s goal.
After the game Kevin said the referee didn’t tell him why he didn’t blow for time after 92 minutes, and then he joked that the referee was enjoying the game too much.
But then he said he thought Newcastle had won the game tonight 3 times tonight.
Man of the match was James Milner, and Kevin wasa full of praise for his player after the game. Kevin believes James is way under-rated, and thinks he has played too many England Under-21 games, and should step up to full honors.
This tough game may hurt us against Arsenal on Saturday, since the lads may have taken a lot out of themselves.
But let’s give the lads full credit, they got the job done under unbelievable difficult circumstances.
In one of these games we are going to wallop some team by scoring with the many chances we create, and we’ll score 8 goals.
The lads did us proud again tonight, and we can hardly ask for anything more - they were great tonight in many ways, and remember good teams always find a way to win.
Well that was round 2 of the Carling Cuip - phew - now for round 3. 
142 responses so far ↓
1 rob // Aug 26, 2008 at 22:50
k good match but we should beat lower leauge teams in the 90 mins anyway well played
2 James // Aug 26, 2008 at 22:51
Say what you like about particular players. The facts are simple:
- COLOCCINI is sheer class, and he hasn’t even had a chance to get match sharpness yet. Will be immense this season.
- MILNER is far more effective as a central player.
- GUTHRIE is simply excellent.
- OWEN without him we’d be out of the cup and still looking for our first league win. That’s 9 goals in his last 11 games. How on earth do you replace that.
- As a team we worked so hard during the game. The fitness levels of the lads is way above anything I’ve seen at Newcastle for years.
- It was an away cup game, don’t read too much into it for the Arsenal match. We see it every season with the underdog playing long balls into the box. Yes we got caught out twice, but so many times Coloccini dealt with it.
3 micknufc // Aug 26, 2008 at 22:52
done it the hard way as usual,but played some cracking stuff at times i thought.
4 G // Aug 26, 2008 at 22:52
We battered them, ref was a twat. Impressed by Milner and N’Zogbia.
Hope we get a easy draw for once in the next round, not any of the top 4 away ffs.
5 Marguerite // Aug 26, 2008 at 22:55
What a great game and the boys played so well. It is a shame to pick out certain players but Colo is absolute class, Milner was immense and Zog put in a huge shift too. I was also impressed with Enrique’s first performance this season. What would we do without Owen?
One moan - I am not a violent person but I would love to smack Alan Parry around the face, his commentary was shameful and he was desperate for us to get beaten.
6 iain // Aug 26, 2008 at 22:58
just shows a little but more quality goes a long way and a few more quality players we will be fine, also shows up how pointless it is keeping duff/smith/shola.
these are games as sqaud players they should be winning for us.
i think keegans earned himself a new players for every good performance this season, or at least he should have, ashley better have his cheque book ready…
7 Ben K // Aug 26, 2008 at 22:58
N’Zogbia is delightful, and I am so glad we’ve been able to keep him at the club, regardless of his attitude. I think Guthrie did well today, although it would be nice if someone could show him how to shoot (not that anyone in this squad outside of Oba could do so)
8 t-g-w // Aug 26, 2008 at 22:59
Bassong also deserves a mention I think. Looked very safe at the back.
Enrique also had a solid game. He can still improve defensively but launched a great through ball from the outside of his foot for Owen’s winner (Nobby anyone?). Bringing in a new left back is key so there is competition but I’m sure once Enrique learns a bit more he will be an excellent player for us.
We must keep Michael Owen.
And agree with other views on the other players tonight.
Special mention to N’Zogbia too - played great.
9 Danny // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:01
Milner was without a doubt man of the match indeed. He was all over that pitch! Tell Martin O’Neill to up his bid to 20 mill, then say NO!
Good to see Enrique playing, he was a bit 50/50. Made some awful attempts to go forward, and didn’t look like he had too much to do, as the game went on at the other side of the pitch
Bassong was good aswell, nothing special. But thats usually good for a defender
We could be better at passing the ball under pressure, which (credit to Coventry) they applied allot of.
And Owen again eh, im guessing he’ll be starting at Arsenal, he simply must! He wins our games!
Not really awful lot we could do about the goals, Coventry worked hard for them, Morrison was lucky as it was something of a deflecting a shot/pass/clearing.
All around, a good running match, our fitness is really good it seems, credit to the lads for fighting on, on both teams.
Thanks again Owen!
10 Ross // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:02
aye to be honest i never mentioned that in my last post, they never should have had a chance to score the second goal anyway!
fair enough call 2 minutes and play 2:30, even pushing 3, but they scored in pretty much the 4th minute.
milner, enrique, jonas, charlie and of course owen, great tonight. we played some brilliant passing stuff tonight which i was pleased with.
11 Ginkoh // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:02
Keegan winning style !. It’s very good game and entertain for everyone who watch the game. Beye and Bassong was lack of concentration sometime. But overall It’s very good performance for us. (except extra-time conceded however that’s football)
Also credit for Coventry, very good team play tonight and run all 90+30 minutes.
For Owen, please Sign him UP now ! for the team, We can do it better. Hopefully we can learn something from this game. Howay The lad !
12 Jim // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:02
The 2 minutes is a minimum, not a maximum, and they had a injury during it so the referee has every right to extend it
13 ronaldeano // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:03
What a fantastic game of football.
We were hit at the end with succer punch goals. As soon as MO came on, i knew he would score. That little bloke is one of the best in the world at his job and his attitude is spot on. When he signs his new contract, i will be over the effing moon!
Milner has came on leaps and bounds under the guidence of the massiah, and he was world class tonight.
If we play like this in every game this season, we will have a much better chance of winning something.
The media seem to think that spuds will break into the top 4? After our recent tremendous play and attitude, i think the cockney loving mongs need a rethink!
HOWAY TOON!!!!!
14 Drain // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:03
Getin town
15 macitect // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:03
During the first half especially we were playing some exceptional football! Unlucky to allow those two goals, I think overall we schooled them.
A couple unfortunate mistakes, but overall we have some real class moving forward. A little more time for everyone to get into a groove together and build a little more confidence and NUFC could really be a force. Consistency is key.
I’m excited about this season!
Oh and Mr Ashley - sign up St. Michael PLEASE!!!
16 natecg // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:03
Great great win. Showed real character, although against a clearly inferior team. Milner was all over the place and excellent. I thought Bassong played very well also. And, most importantly in my view, Enrique had an excellent game. He made a couple of mistakes here and there but really showed what a good defender he is. He took the ball away from the Coventry player and then made the pass to set up Owen. Excellent! I’m sure Keegan has his reasons for playing N’Zogbia at left back — because of his obvious attacking quality I’m sure — but I really don’t see why we need to be searching for another LB.
17 Ashton // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:04
Enrique = MOTM
18 HalftimeBovril // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:04
Always thought that this would be a tough game but thought we played well in large spells.
Heres hoping that we get a more favourable 3rd round draw than Arsenal last year
19 AltaBatalJoneN // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:04
Seriously guys… BUTT..? what do you guys think of him?? Do you rate him or not?? Start wondering if i’m totally blind…?
His job is to protect the defence, but what I’ve seen in our matches so far is that Jonas does that job at least twice as much as Butt.. and Milner does that, and ….. etc. etc.. Everyone else does that but they shouldn’t have to.. They should consentrate on the attacking play..
He can’t shoot, he can’t even pass a simple pass without giving me a heartattack..
So what do you think of him??
20 Irish John // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:07
Jim that injury happened within the 90 minutes..It should off been 2 mins, not 3 and half
21 Ben K // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:08
I hate Nicky Butt. Old, slow, gives the ball away in really stupid positions. Almost blew the MAN U game by giving away that freekick that could easily have been given as a penalty (Given would have saved it though).
I have to say, though, the man can tackle.
22 KEEGAN FOR PM // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:08
Good game to watch,at times our passing was excellent.Jonas never stopped running ,Milner brilliant ,Coloccini never broke sweat.Over all good performance but Coventry really battled well.As for Michael Owen produced the goods again. HOWAY THE LADS
23 Gooderz // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:09
So in the first week of the season we got litle to no credit for our draw against Man U because of all their injuries. Now Coventry will get all the credit despite all our injuries, not playing a proper striker until the 75th minute and dominating for long periods regardless of that fact.
At least Bolton got deservedly knocked out with their anti-football and there’s a chance of a rematch against Hartlepool as well as having an extra day to recover ahead or Arsenal.
24 Danny // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:11
Didn’t really notice Butt so much this time, all i saw was him going bonkers over a silly and blind ref. And he was right to.
I am afraid tho, that if we move Butt for a AM with allot flair, Guthrie will have a job ahead of him. We need Butt for the stability and expirience i think. But then again, i didn’t really notice him cause of the other world class midfielders we have
25 James // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:11
BUTT - Makes some fantastic tackles, but often gives away dangerous free kicks. For me it’s either Guthrie or Butt in the middle, never both. Have one sit in front of the back four and get in a AMC to play alongside them.
Having Butt and Guthrie in midfield just invites teams to attack us because they both sit in midfield as holding players.
26 Spyro // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:12
i thought Butt was good, but towards the end of the game he startd neglecting his closing down duties, which was a bit disappointing. Then again he is in his mid 30’s and still playing 90+ min in top flight football.
27 Petey // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:13
the ref was right to extend the injury time, and coventry had an attack going, u cant just blow the whislte. an injury happened during injury time, so he felt the need to push foward the clock a bit….its fair do’s, we shud never have concededed tht goal, twas the last second and we shud have had everyone back giving 100%
28 Matt // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:13
Butt really does need to be replaced soon. My good and bad picks are as follows:
Bassong - Solid and very calm on the ball for such a young lad.
Geremi - Failed miserably to do anything useful and just messed up basic short passing for most of the game. I cheered when he came off.
29 Irish John // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:13
Coventry were so lucky to get extra time it was untrue..
They had one shot in 90 mins that flew into the top corner . not even the mighty Shay given could get to it.THATS ALL THEY HAD.. They got a throw in when the players should of been warming down and sneaked a goal (flukey bastards) . there probably all buming the ref now as we speak….
I thought we were awsome tonight ..some off the football was brillant to watch. Must say, Bassong looked class next to Colo..for once our defence looks quality..
Roll on Arsenal. dont forget, They play tomorrow nigth in the champ league so we have an extra days rest.
COME ON THE TOON
30 Bosamuelson // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:14
My view on the game…
From ma room on the comp, I love footydoctor…
Given: 7/10 - Had no chance to save the two goals and to be fair the first was a very good strike and always going in. Typical Given with one excellent save to take note of.
Beye: 6/10 - I think the boys up there are being a bit harsh, not at his best granted but got forward enough to give an acount of himself. But not up to his standards, expect him to be all guns for the Arsenal game to redeem himself.
Enrique: 8.5/10 - What a performance, I think N’Zogbia and Jose had a little word with each other and said lets show the manager what we can do in OUR positions and they did. For me both to start on Saturday.
Colocini: 8/10 - Another solid performance, I think/ hope he is ‘the one’. The commentators said it all he made one mistake…one mistake and that was for their 2nd goal. It was unlucky, but very well played.
Bassong: 8/10 - I think potentially it was a make or break for another season for this guy. If he came on and had a dodgey game it could have set him back. If he had more experience in the Prem he would be pushing ST for a start. However I just hope this display from him will give young Taylor a bit of a push to the next level. Very well played from Bassong as the 8/10 reflects
Gerimi: 7/10 - it was almost 6.5, he was a tricky one. I think the linesman called him offside several times when he was on and would/could have got into more dangerous positions. Benifit of the dought for his 7.
N’Zogbia: 8.5/10 - I am so glad he wasnt sold. He should his skills all night right up until the last, full of running. The two young boys down the left were really out to prove themselves…and they did. Weldone!
Guthrie: 7/10 - I read on here the other day comments about him never giving the ball away. He did today, not a lot hence the 7, but I was expecting a little more solid! However I think there is a beautiful partnership blossoming between Butt and Guthrie. I think he still has the potential to add a lot to his game playing alongside Butt. Felt he was going to score in the first half.
Butt: 7/10 - Bossed the midfield with the younger Guthrie. Did what was needed and picked out the odd gem of a pass. Done well to keep his composure after getting minced in the tackle. Solid!
I’ll leave the best till last…
Guterez (appols for spelling): 9/10 - I did not see the run he kept promising, like in the Man U game but his tracking back and running is amazing. I could not believe it. Up and down up and down all day. Someone said he didn’t loose the ball, I have to agree and very quick feet. Nice player.
Milner: 10/10 - again another player Im so pleased has stayed. The first two mins some played a through ball for him whilst playing in the striker role, he miss timed his run…and that was the last time he miss timed it. That combined with intellegent play excellent passing, crossing running dribbling, the 10shots someone mentioned above, I would guess 9 of them were on target but the blocking from the opposition was very good in each case. STAR MAN and deserved somewhat of a cheeky goal.
Subs
Owen: 7.5/10 - Its Owen he does what he’s supposed to do and thats score goals…and he did. The winner. Was called ofside several times that werent possibly could have had more. Well played, expect his contract to be sorted soon :-
)
Keegan: 9/10 - got the tactics spot on in my opinion stroke the ball around and be patient. If the break comes be ready. I think he really fired Enrique and N’Zogbia up and gave reasurring words to Bassong. A man managing master, aka MMM
31 Seymour Butts // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:15
have to agree about Butt but tbh jonas saves everyones ass with his tracking back! another great performance from the spiderman. Think the whole teams playing well, it was obvious we played most of the game without a striker, i think if we’d played MO from the start we’d have walked all over them. Only concern is King Habib who really hasn’t kicked off in the same form as last season. Apart from that the teams looking good - the squad isn’t! Backups needed.
32 Irish John // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:16
Petey still did’nt warrant an extra minute and half…if they did that for every stop we would be playing another 90 minutes every game…
who gives a sh*t, we still won..lets not look for negatives..there were far more positives that negatives tonight
33 Dan4Toon // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:17
Mint performance, 1 to cruise thro 1st half, 2nd to grind out the win ! luking gd jst get a gd draw rotherham at home wud do me haha, n any1 notice a certain nile ranger haha lol wud av liked 2 c him come on.
34 Spyro // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:17
Seymour i agree Habib hasn’t been great, but lets remember he didnt really have a pre season
35 Irish John // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:18
I’d agree about Butt also..Would be brillant as a squad player but needs replacing..He does’nt have the legs anymore…We can’t rely on him for a whole season…
36 jan_nufc // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:19
Milner was class. Butt and Geremi shocked me. Geremi wasn´t able to get a pass to his mates. Zogbia played well. And Given saved us the lead many times.
37 Matt // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:19
Older players generaly take longer to get going during the season as it takes them longer to get full match fitness/sharpness etc. Beye will be back to his good old self soon!
38 ende // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:19
I don’t think Butt needs to be replaced (yet), he just needs his replacement to be lined up. Frankly, I’m in favor of Barton (if he can stay out of trouble). But imagine if we could bring in a DM with good distribution skills, someone more in the mold of Carrick? I think that’s what this team might need even more than an attacking midfielder.
I’d like to have two alternate configurations for our central midfield:
1) DM/AM diamond, for now Butt and Duff or Butt and Owen or something like that.
2) Flat CM/CM with Guthrie and Milner
These two configurations give us a lot of options depending on the opponent.
39 Petey // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:20
anyone else hate clinton morrisons cockyness?
and 9+1……cmon, who does tht nowadays
40 Ant // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:22
Given - fine when called into action
Beye - Some excellent tackles, some poor passes and some intermittent mistakes.
Enrique - Fantastic going forward, excellent defending, sometimes too tight but often recovered and should always be LB.
Bassong and Coloccini - Both excellent. Barely missed a header, both well positioned, strong and quick. Played the ball out well.
Zog - Outstanding, class apart tonight. Man of the match for me.
Milner - Good display, some fine passes and decent vision. For me, still not the player Charlie is.
Guthrie - Excellent, simple as. Should take over from Butt by next season.
Butt - some great tackles but made some simply appalling passes.
Jonas - Continues to impress. Continually fouled out of games.
Geremi - Shocking.
Owen - Poor touch tonight, some slow and badly timed passes. Excellent goal and some nice off-the-ball moves.
We missed Oba tonight, but I’m sure MO can fill the gap. Proves we can beat the cr@p teams like Bolton who strangle the life out of the game.
We drew with Man U at Old Trafford. No reason we can’t stick in a nice shock in the league this year and finish much higher than everyone has us down for.
41 MAG PIE // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:23
Off to watch highlights soon but before I go
Ashton and Owen would be great partnership
Offer a few Krona to the Icelandics behind Curbishley’s back MA
Failing that Eto would do!
42 Seymour Butts // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:23
oh yeah what is that 9+1?
also, colloccinni - what a player! made some cracking tackles and jeez louise that boy knows how to pick a pass.
43 AltaBatalJoneN // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:23
Here’s an idea: what if we sell Butt to Arsenal tomorrow, and buy Alonso from L’pool and Mikel from Chelsea??
Damn I’m good…
44 Brave New Toon // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:25
I thought Bassong did ok, but he’s not ready for the PL yet.. We missed Taylor imo.
I thought Colocini absolurly oozzes class, Enrique had a great game.. and proved a lot of doubters wrong, he is good enough without a doubt.
the zog is obviously a left winger
Milner’s performance really pleased me.. so many comments on here from stupid posters saying we should sell.. obsurd suggestion,. he would play for any side in the league.. granted he just has to get his head up more often and ‘pick’ the pass.
Guthrie did what we’ve come to expect (so soon), he’s starting to remind me more of Batty than Lee.. really really tidy passer of the ball.
Great result.. and who knows, a couple of decent signings this week.. A result doon at the gooners, and go on a little run..
We can finish top six
45 KEEGAN FOR PM // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:26
Geremi can’t even make a 5 yard pass.How many times did he give the ball away? Keegan has to get the team to work on corners so many did’nt get past the 1st man and we must have had at least 20.
46 Jim // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:27
What’s this about 9+1?
47 Spyro // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:28
Im really wuite worried about the physical condition of out team come saturday, Jonas has started to look more tired b the end of each game. Would love to see Malouda signed as he could fill in for Jonas and also play as a supporting striker/attcking midfielder.
However, what today showed is that we desperately need a tall, fast, back to goal striker to hold up the ball in the final third. Viduka is never fit and is too slow. bring on the signings
48 Spyro // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:29
Also, why is Milner taking corners ahead of Guthrie? Guthrie has looked good from the corner flag in recent games
49 Brave New Toon // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:29
Magpie..
I agree and hae been thinking the same thing. It’s not curbusly making the decisions,. lodge a bid for Ashton that the board can’t turn down.
Ashton would be a toon legend
50 micknufc // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:30
good point earlier about alan parry.god he was hoping and praying for coventry,to be fair ex large haired mackem don goodman was fine with his comments.for once though can we have a bitluck in the cup draws this season eh!
51 Ross // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:30
seymour butts-my guess was that he wanted to wear number 9, but it was taken so they gave him ten, but decided to put 9+1 on his back so he could still have a n09 shirt?
either way, its pretty ridiculous.
although i do love the story of shearer and ferdinand. shearer wore 9 and a mate told me of ferdinand wanting 99, and calling themselves the emergency goal services, call 999 when you need a goal,haha
52 Nickies Butt // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:32
Ende you’ve been playin 2 much FM. Anyways N’Zogbia, Milner, Bassong, Colo, Spiderman, Enrique, Owen and Given all played great today 9/10. But Butt was lacking near the end of the game, Guthrie class player but made a few mistakes in his passing, Beye he just didn’t stand out as much as he normally does, and Geremi had a few bright moments but never settled into play. Lets just hope milner tries to do crosses instead of shots from now on, as he skies his shots all the time and bags the goals with crosses.
53 Brave New Toon // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:33
Spyro..!
the first time a’ve ever agreed with you!
I’m shouted at the tele every time Geremi ambles over to take the corners and EVERY set peice!
what a joke.. It’s gotta be Guthrie on them all day long
54 JonnyToon // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:36
How much more dangerous did milner look in a more attacking position ?! looked far better than when hes stuck deep on the wing, he needs a more attacking role. Last time he played there he scored v valencia to it suits him very well.
We dominated this game tbh, i was amazed they managed to score twice. It could have been 8-0 first half & our defence actually had a very good match. Just 1 brilliant strike & they desperately piled them in on the last min, not much you can do with either if it falls in the right place.
Loads of positives though, v good performance and owen does it once again !! Looking foward to the Arsenal game.
Btw agree that guthrie should be taking the corners !! Seems it was switched between geremi, n’zogbia & milner. None of the corners from them were brilliant, half didnt get past the first man.
55 little willie // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:41
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/27/carlingcup.coventry?gusrc=rss&feed=football
Newcastle United should have completed a routine passage with James Milner one of the most creative players on show. The midfielder, who spent a season on loan at Aston Villa three years ago, will decide today whether to make a permanent return to the West Midlands. Martin O’Neill, the Villa manager, was watching the tie and Milner specifically. Their opinion will not have been diminished by the player’s performance and Villa are believed to have had an £8m offer accepted.
56 TheGoldfishBowl // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:42
Newcastle have accepted an £8m bid from Villa for James Milner according to the Guardian…
57 micknufc // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:42
geremi was awful tonight,but for all those there on saturday i would say he totally balanced the team.but he cant pick a pass out from a couple of yards away,and never seems to be able to stay onside when we’re attacking.but he’s a mystery to me ,a couple of fine ball’s in for owen on sat from open play but dead balls we have’nt a clue
58 Cooper // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:43
i bet we get arsenal away again in the next round - or chelsea etc- always happens
by the way anyone got NUFC tatoo??
thinking of getting one
59 Spyro // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:43
if milner goes we will replace him with quality, so i am not worried at all
60 Nickies Butt // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:45
Hopefully we’ll grab them 3 players we need Warnock, Skjebred or Moutinho or Malouda and Saviola or Derdiyok. ASHTON IS TOO INJURY PRONE!!! I think we’ve got enough injury prone strikers at this club and Ashton would another one of them, so he can stay where he is. Although Enrique proved his class in LB I’ve still got niggling feelings he can’t keep it up, and we need creativity in the midfield!!!
61 micknufc // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:45
well if thats true keegns words after tonights game about milner,make him look a right spanner!!! but does anybody still believe what thehacks write my god!
62 51times // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:46
Spyro - In 6 days?
63 figsdad // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:46
we played better without taylor in the team..
against arsenal bassong and colo,
taylor got to fight for his place…
64 Cooper // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:46
Milner definately isnt going - keegan said so himself the other day - saying something like he doesnt want to sell and ashley doesnt because hes one of our best players.
if he goes ill wear a mackem top for the next home game
65 Dondatta13 // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:47
Football was the winner tonight, what a cracking game to watch …
Jonas was amazing tonight, this guy is a class act and an instant legend in my eyes. If he continues in this vein the big 4 will definatley be casting envious glances in his direction, it’s surley just a matter of time.
If we had a big strong guy up front (Derdiyok?) we would frighten any team we face. Playing fast flowing football like we did in the 1st half without a recognised forward on the pitch was sublime.
Bring on Arsenal lol …..
66 35yrsofhurt // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:48
I have read some shite tonight!!!
Zog good, he can’t pass water, nor can he defend.
Milner again worked hard but there is no end product.
Butt ’s legs were gone towards the end as were Geremi’s prior to being sub’d.
Apart from Owen, who else from the bench could KK bring on and trust? Cashley splash it !!!
On a plus note I thought Colo was outsatnding and Guthrie is certainly Butt’s replacement, Enrique showed what a LB is paid to do and Jonas never wasted a ball. Give MO his contract as a poor replacement will cost 15 Mil.
67 carlito // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:50
The Guardian in their late match report are stating that we have accepted a 8 million pound bid for Milner, and that “he” will now make a decision tomorrow on whether to return to Villa.
I hope this is wide of the mark but it may put his performance into context. Déjà vu.
He was our best player by far and his ability to win the ball finally adds credibility to the ongoing suggestions he should play in the middle, though he is as good on the wing.
Onhourable mention to Enrique - showed why we paid what we did.
Bassong did well, Guthrie disappointed.
68 micknufc // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:50
cooper.got the crest as it now when it first changed from the nufc sign on a kitchen table in seaton delaval northumberland in july 1989. top of me left arm.the one and only tatt i will ever get.. go for it son..
69 Dondatta13 // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:51
Please, someone tell me that we are NOT selling James Milner to the Villa for £8 Million, its a joke huh? ahh i get it .. oh … hahahaha …. It IS a joke right?
70 Brave New Toon // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:51
got the club crest on my calf cooper.. nice.
Load of shit. Milner going no-where.. papers will assume we are hammers/gooners etc, and have to accept sizable bids tobalance the books. we don’t’.. and there is theb benifit of carrying very little debt.
I fer no one tyhis time round,. unless we have terrible luck with injuries.. after monday 12am we will be a match for anyone in the league
71 Nickies Butt // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:51
Anyone else got a feeling we won’t sign anyone I have but I’m fully behind KK, MA, DW and PJ. So hopefully I MEAN HOPEFULLY we’ll sign them players we NEED. I makes me bite my nails when I see them Mackems signing players here there and everywhere, while we appear to be making no progress whatsoever in the Transfer market. Mind them new mackem players are all the scraps that the other teams didn’t want lol.
72 Brave New Toon // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:56
Figsdad. how can you say that? do you watch football? or just read the match reports..?
If Tayls was in the side we prob wouldn’t have conceded the first and definately would not of the second, get off the Taylor hating bandwagon, he is one of THE outstanding prospects in the premier league.
Colocinni was class again, but there was a hole where taylor should/would have been tonight
73 35yrsofhurt // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:57
Brave New Toon- Ashton too fat and slow.
74 little willie // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:57
Keegan also said the other day Shola could end up our top scorer and earn a new contract, it’s just words to keep players motivated.
The word in the press box tonight is that Milner wants a bumper contract to stay and if he doesn’t get it then he will go to Villa, Keegan will talk to Ashley about it tomorrow but I personally think he hasn’t done anything to deserve one since he signed last Summer, he’s been very average.
75 shaz // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:58
don’t believe the papers, you can only believe something when you see it for yourself.
76 WISDOM // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:00
I am wiser than you…. but I do not charge for my wisdom… this is a taste for the everyman.
hmmmmmm…. I am afraid that the majority of you are talking kak when you say tonight was a classic Milner showing… you all seem to rate him so highly but for me he contributes far too little.
He sees more of the ball than anyone else and yet produces so little… no guile, no craft and shorn of the killer burst of speed that would give his game more directness and edge… I admire his work rate yet the truth is he belongs at Villa… I don’t know why - it’s in the stars that players like that go to Villa… a blunt instrument. how you give him the man of the match is beyond me - a misplaced bravado is all I can think.
BRAVE NEW TOON - when you say all he needs to do is to be able to choose the better pass… YOU DONT LEARN THAT - this is Milner, there will never be an astute Milner that gets 12 assists a season thanks to his vision and passing prowess… he is a worker, a tryer… and always will be.
COLO - class… shored up a defense which was about to buckle fatally under pressure.
ZOG - easily the man of the match,,, everything you all seem to think Milner MAY become… he is that (when he plays in midfield)…. Duff shouldn’t get another kick this season after Zog’s running of the game tonight.
Gutierrez - looked lost… I think that he will benefit the team in the long run because of his ability to throw red herrings… whether or not he will be involved in the actual build up of our best football remains to be seen.
Guthire - the real deal… I am seriously excited by this lad… he is multi-tasking and has an evidently excellent attitude… he made a couple of errors but compared to Butt looked the experience in there… he is already a 6mil player - will be our captain after Owen and will be in the England squad for 2010.
I am wiser than you…. but I do not charge for my wisdom…
Peace to you brothers (and sisters).
77 Gordon // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:00
Agree with JonnyToon - Milner was FAR better in a central role - could be super playing just behind a main striker.
I thought his influence on the game actually REDUCED when he went back into his natural position!
78 little willie // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:01
Brave New Toon // Aug 26, 2008 at 23:56
Figsdad. how can you say that? do you watch football? or just read the match reports..?
If Tayls was in the side we prob wouldn’t have conceded the first and definately would not of the second, get off the Taylor hating bandwagon, he is one of THE outstanding prospects in the premier league.
Colocinni was class again, but there was a hole where taylor should/would have been tonight
———
What a load of tosh.
I don’t know if you noticed but we were battered in the air against Bolton, now you’re making out Taylor would have won everything.
People do go over the top when criticising Taylor but people like yourself who make him out to be some clone of John Terry are every bit as bad.
79 Ryan // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:01
Bellamy is coming back
80 Tom_Toon // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:01
little willie = fernando
that is my theory.
81 micknufc // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:03
soz i cant agree with that brave.. i go to all home games,and think taylor is a liability.dont get me wrong heart and soul all the way.. but we need class the argintine oozes it but i think this bassong could be some boy. steven taylor needs to come back down to earth in my humble opinion
82 Tom_Toon // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:05
Bassong is better than Taylor.
end of debate, it is just a fact.
83 Spyro // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:06
nah i dont think little willie is fernando, Fernando has never been on here so late, alwasy disappears around 10-11pm. I actually agree with little willie about Taylor, people on here are talking as if Taylor isn’t known for making mistakes
84 little willie // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:07
Don’t mistake everyone for know nothings who get their info from championship manager like yourself, tom.
I was on here yesterday telling everyone Milner was off to Villa, some people don’t like the truth.
85 micknufc // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:07
thats what i wanted to say tom lol
86 Tom_Toon // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:08
I think he is Fernando, disappear and 9-11 to watch big brother, sputs stupid negative vitrol and beleives everything he reads in the papers.
Same writing style too and i have a hunch.
87 Ryan // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:08
Bellamy is coming back. According to sources inside the club.
88 Dondatta13 // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:08
Ryan, IF Bellamy was to come back he would need a jersey made of teflon because in all probablity he would last about 3 minutes 47 seconds before he said/did something, causing Joey Barton to add to the knife crime statistic ….
89 Spyro // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:08
Dont get me wrong, Taylor has been good so far this season, but he is no rock in defence by any stretch of imagination
90 Tom_Toon // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:10
comment 78, you sound even more like Fernando then.
91 Spyro // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:11
well i suppose it would make sense, he wouldnt dare come on here under his original name after Spurs’ poor start and all the talk he spouted over the summer. What a coward that boy is, no doubt he will turn up once we lose a match and tottenham win
92 LATINAMERICATOON // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:11
What a player we have in colocini. We were lucky to nab him. He is an established center back in spain and first pick in defence for argentina. It says it all. it’s surprising no other prem teams were onto him! although very few managers go for latin center backs. I’m chuffed we got him and the scum got rio’s lazy brother for the same price.
Good overall performance! still need to get a replacement for geremi and Butt another striker and as a bonus another defender then we can dream about europe.
93 micknufc // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:11
all joking aside though.. was there any need for that game to put us through it .. like it did for god’s sake we were playing them off the park..
94 Spyro // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:12
Anyway, if we do lose Milner we will no doutb replace him with quality, so whatever the outcome i am not worried
95 little willie // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:13
Spyro - I’ve got no problem with Taylor and I actually think he’s got the potential to be a decent defender for us, but the way some people go on it’s as if he’s the next Terry or Ferdinand which he simply isn’t.
He’s not anywhere near the ability level of Wheater or Richards who are the outstanding young English defenders.
Taylor made a lot of mistakes last season and he cost us a few goals from being weak in the air, a good example is Ashton’s against us in the 2-2 at Upton Park, the long ball was played down field and he got beat by Bobby Zamora for the flick on which Ashton scored from, Zamora is nothing special in the air yet to read some peoples opinions you would think Taylor is invincible with his head.
It’s not the case.
96 35yrsofhurt // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:13
Impressed with Bassong!! At last we have a young CB to put pressure on Steven “Chocolate” Taylor.
97 Gateshead Mag. // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:13
We were the better team.
98 craig chisholm // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:14
we played some good stuff tonight and i am mega impressed with our new boys - sheer class, colo will also be a toon favorite without a doubt - i love this guy, this man is going to be our rear guard marshall and his quality is so clear for all to see.
ffs, we must sign owen up. anyone who says he aint worth it is a knob, the main is a goal machine and what he has can not be learnt, its a gift and we need him so badly. i will be so pissed off is MA does not sort it out. i would treat owen signing as more important than getting another player in.
i see the press are already on our backs, crap like ‘ newcastle scrape through’ etc etc. i just hate these twats! two wins and a draw and that includes manure at old traff - thats as good as it gets in my books.
ps………guthrie is shit hot at passing.
99 Brave New Toon // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:14
little.. little willie.
What are you talking about?!
I was in the leazes (like every week),.. we did not get battered in the air, far from it.. Bolton have one way of playing, and will eventually win a header in the box.. thats just odds.
If you look at the stats, or maybe just watch the game.. you’ll see that Taylor won more in the air than anybody.. yes he gave a penalty away.. because he put himself on the line.. right place right time. if he did’nt nolon would have scored anyway.
If the stats are too much for you to understand..
how about, with Taylor: two PL games, including Man U.. one conceded.
One game without him agaisn’t a championship side.. 2 conceded.
Micknufc, I’m not about to berate a fellow mag, who travels.. your opinion is yours, and your welcome to it of coarse,.
I only defend Taylor cos i am proud to see him in the side.. I rate him as a Centre Half, I honestly think he’ll play for england and captain the club.
But yes he can and will improve (and is eager to do so)
100 Tom_Toon // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:16
Taylor is going backwards in progression if anything!
101 Jim // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:17
@35yrsofhurt - “Milner… no end product”
Is that other than the goal he scored and the one he created?
102 Spyro // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:17
the good thing is, we are now arguing over who is better, rather than who is worse…if that makes sense
103 Cooper // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:17
whoevers slating Taylor should do 1 - isnt he the under 21 captian?
one of the best defensive prospects in the league - ok theres plenty of room for improvment and i reckon he”ll learn from his mistakes
plus he now has a world class CB to learn from so lets see how he progresses further throughout the season
104 micknufc // Aug 27, 2008 at 0:19
bed for m