Two poorly conceded goals in the latter end of the first half was just too much for Newcastle United to recover from this afternoon, as they went down to their 5th successive defeat and the 4th defeat since Kevin Keegan resigned from the club 3 weeks ago yesterday.
With Joe Kinnear looking on from the Director’s box, and in front of a small crowd of just over 44,000 fans, Newcastle started quite well and had lots of possession early on, but didn’t make too much of the ball when they had it.
But again it seems like the Newcastle central defense is so fragile this season, and after 31 minutes an innocuous free kick by Villanueva found Samba blindside Steven Taylor, to head nicely past Shay Given to Shay’s left. It was a simple goal from Samba but schoolboy defending from the England under-21 captain.
Then it seems like conceding a goal is almost giving up the the game at the moment, and after 41 minutes a cross from the right found the impressive Santa Cruz simply out jump Coloccini and the Paraguayan headed down diagonally past Given into the net. A nice goal from the 27 year-old former Beyern Munich striker.
2-0 down at home at half time, against an ordinary Blackburn Rovers side – hardly what the noisy and supportive Newcastle fans wanted to see.
Then after 5 minutes of the second half Blackburn center-back Ryan Nelsen, gave away a penalty against Michael Owen, but in slow motion it looked like the Blackburn player had hardly touched Michael, but we’ll not complain.
Michael himself took the penalty, and like many penalty takers now, fired straight down the middle as goalkeeper Brown dived away to his left, and it was 2-1, and the lads were back in the game.
The crowd also came alive, and made their presence felt as they willed on their team. Geremi had a chance shortly after Owen’s goal, but he tried to control the ball when a first time effort may have seen the Cameroon international score.
Newcastle tried hard to get the second goal with both wingers N’Zogbia and Duff doing well, but it just wouldn’t come, and it was our third defeat at home on the trot. We are second bottom of the league right now, and a Tottenham win tomorrow at Portsmouth, will see us hit rock bottom.
The players seemed to be a lot more energetic and purposeful in the second half, but it was another defeat at the end of the day.
There would have been something positive in the last 45 minutes that will give new manager Joe Kinnear some hope. Joe watched the game from the stands opposite Managing Director Derek Llambias, who turned up so that at least one person from the Newcastle Board, was represented at the game.
Kinnear will now have a week to work with the lads before the next game at Everton in the 4:00 pm game next Sunday.
We would expect the players to be a lot more enthusiastic and purposeful in that game, following their decent showing in the second half today, but a win is what we need to get our confidence back.
It’s like January and February all over again, but we have to turn this form around before the season goes on too much further, otherwise we’ll be at the bottom of the league again come January.
We hope Joe Kinnear can instill some pride and passion into our players, which is really what is needed right now, to pull us out of this death spiral.
Joe needs our full support, that’s for sure.
TEAMS
Newcastle United: Shay Given, Geremi, Sebastien Bassong, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Nicky Butt, Damien Duff, Claudio Cacapa, Charles N’Zogbia, Michael Owen (c), Xisco
Subs: Steve Harper, Shola Ameobi, David Edgar, Ben Tozer, Mark Doninger, Ryan Donaldson, Nile Ranger
Blackburn: Jason Brown, Stephen Warnock, Christopher Samba, Tugay, Ryan Nelsen (c), Brett Emerton, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Villanueva, Danny Simpson, Matt Derbyshire, Martin Olsson
Subs: Andre Ooijer, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Keith Andrews, Robbie Fowler, Keith Treacy, Jason Roberts, Alex Marrow
Referee: Steve Tanner
Attendance: 44, 935
161 comments so far
Xsico golden boot
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Comment #1No point getting on the young lads back he has been thrown in when infact he does have any EPL experiance I blame more the vidukas of this world who time after time let us down and pick up big wages.
Big Dave
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:40 PM
Comment #2I am just so pee’d of with the way thinks are and cant wait till the club is back in a permanent safe pair off hands
Ali
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Comment #3I can’t honestly believe these players care so much about newcastle.
They are professioanl footballers, they know what they have to do, thats why we pay them these ridiculous wages.
I would of thought they could see the mess the clkub is in and take it upon themselves to “play” football.
Lets hope Joe Kinnear can install some much needed calm and reaassurance, if not we will struggle this season.
SAMTHECAT
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Comment #4The injury situation is appalling, always remember Robson coming in after Gullit and saying when a team is struggling its amazing how many players start suffering injuries.Our morale is also rock bottom therefore since most teams are equal apart from the top 4 these 2 factors mean we will continue to lose most games.
We need the new owners asap then a new manager, get some injured and the banned idiots back then 4 additions in January.
Also what is it about central defenders at Newcastle, Coloccini is good enough to play for Argentina against Brazil yet he looks so poor at the moment.
The fact that Kinnear has a 2 match touchline ban is hilarious, if it didnt reflect what a joke we have running the club at the moment.
Sunderland away getting nearer.
Graham
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Comment #5How the hell can everything that Keegan has had them doing over the past 9 months suddenly dissapear overnight.
I’m sorry, but the current performaces on the pitch have very little to do with the goings on off it. It is just an excuse to show a total lack of respect to the club and the fans.
For gods sake we have been beaten by a shite Hull side, a piss poor West ham team and a blackburn team that everybody thought Ince would take down!!!!!
We’ll get nowt from Everton next week, nowt from Man City the week after and a pummeling from the Mackems after that!
I kinda feel sorry for Houghton as been dumped in at the shitty end but some of his selections are so so wrong – even with a wafer thin squad.
The club goes on in freefall while the players pick up their bumper pay packets – a total disgrace today.
Well done Mr Ashley, I hope you’re a proud man tonight
I feel sick of the whole thing and am having no more to do with this club I used to be proud of.
Spyro - Taylor is garbage
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Comment #6We have no leader off the pitch so the captain needs to do his best to lead on the pitch right? I used to think MO was a good captain for us after what initially seemed like a poor choice. However, it is times like this when the captain is really tested, and you truly see how influential he is to the rest of the team. I must say, MO hasn’t really stepped up and everyone just seems lost on the pitch. We need a leader.
Graham
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Comment #7And by the way, just because Taylor is a geordie doesn’t give him a divine right to be on the pitch. My 3 legged dog would have been more use today
toon solja in london
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Comment #8can some1 tell me if xisco is doin well or not, does he look good or is he another luque?
Greg P
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:57 PM
Comment #9Technically Taylor isn’t a Geordie as he’s from London, but thats me being pedantic.
That team is experienced enough to be able to go out and win. There are internationals in that side, we’re not that weak as a starting XI.
As Cloughie used to say “you’re a bunch of experienced international footballers, you know how to play, just go and score more goals than them!” – although he didn’t last too long at Leeds with that attitude it is true.
Back the Lads
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:58 PM
Comment #10This is my first post and would just like to say we should get off Taylors back. Yes he has been at fault for goals recently, but it is a team game, and there is no team atm. IMO noone gets on Rio Ferdinands back for his dreadfull deafending because it doesnt lead to goals because of his partner Vidic.
ronaldeano
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:58 PM
Comment #11@Spyro, Owen is the only player at the club thathas the qualitys and capabilities to lead our team.
Name another player who would do better as captain?
If it werent for Owen, who would score our goals?
Im just glad MO is fit and giving it his all
Hadrian
Sep 27, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Comment #12lets be honest here , we have seen this comming all season and knew the squad wasnt good enough .
a few injurys to key players was always going to put us in the brown stuff , had we got cover for the positions we needed and a few other reinforcements we would be ok . were talking about 10-20 million here , not billions mike ashley is acusing us of wanting .
we have struggled for the past few seasons , who in their right mind thought a net spend of 1.5 mill in the summer would do much to improve us ?
Taiwantoon
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:00 PM
Comment #13@ronaldeano
He would suggest Mike Ashley to you.
ronaldeano
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Comment #14With MO fit, we have some hope.
If he got injured (god forbid) we would be in it deeper than we are now 🙁
On the bright side, the filth are only 3 points behind us
ronaldeano
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Comment #15Its still early on in the season, so we have time to sort this out.
The sooner MA sells up the better.
The fat mong 🙁
Spyro - Taylor is garbage
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Comment #16Given would be a better captain IMO.
I am not doubting Owens goal scoring ability, but Owen just doesn’t rally the team anywhere near enough.
E.g. It was great that he scored that goal against Spurs, but after he scored he really didn’t send out the right message to the rest of the team did he. Instead of grabbing the ball, sprinting back to the middle and rallying everyone on, he just walked away looking as dejected as ever. This basically send out the message, “no point lads, we are beaten”, and thats just not good enough. Fair enough there was only a little bit of time left, but who was to say Spurs wouldn’t buckle under the pressure if we really tried them. Sunderland did it just one day before and they got through to the next round. Can you see Gerrard, Gallas, Giggs, or Terry acting in such a way? I doubt it.
Tom_Toon
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Comment #17Jonas or Beye should be captain when they come back.
Jonas is my preference.
ronaldeano
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Comment #18I agree that Given would be a good captain, but you cant communicate with everyone on the pitch from your goaline.
IMO, the captain needs to be an outfield player because he would be more effective
The Entertainers
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Comment #19January cant come quick enough…!
Lets just hope theres money for about 11 players.
I’m pretty doom and gloom at the moment and believe we will get nothing from our next few games.
Just hope the sale goes through and Keegan comes riding into town with Shearer on board.
We need a lift and Mr Keegan will certainly give us that.
Michael
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Comment #20The players are the biggest disgrace to this club at the moment, not Ashley or Wise. They get paid more in a week than most people do in a year, and then they get all upset because of boardroom trouble etc.
What an awful excuse, they are professional footballers, have been taught to play football since they were kids. So why can’t they go out on the pitch and perform just because the owner is trying to sell? I have no sympathy for any of the players whatsoever. They have no pride in their own performance and they wont care in the slightest when we get relegated, most of them will be gone in January anyway and wont even feel any guilt at the part they played in ruining this club.
ronaldeano
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Comment #21TT, Jonas is still learning the PL, he is in no way a captain for NUFC.
Owen is the only outfield player that comes close to leading the lads.
God i wish Shearer was 22 again…..
ANDYGLLOSTOON
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Comment #22i think barton will be the captain in the future if he cleans up his ways!
Spyro - Taylor is garbage
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Comment #23Ronaldeano
You clearly feel Owen is our best player. However, the best player doesn’t necessarily make the best captain.
canmag
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Comment #24the performance on the field must rest with the players ,yes we have injuries but the ones who are fit must get your head down start working hard don’t make excuses you are very well paid
for what you do,if you have a squad number you must be good enough to play in the first team .
wonder who next injured player will be.
ronaldeano
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Comment #25@Michael
We havent got enough players, never mind fit ones.
We have got enough quality in our squad to be doing better than we are now, but they are injured.
If Jonas and Martins (for example) were playing today, we would have got a result if we play like we did in the second half for 90 mins.
The fact that Fatso and current eyes undermined Keegan in the TM is starting to speak volumes.
WHY was Milner not replaced???
I HATE YOU MIKE ASHLEY
Spyro - Taylor is garbage
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Comment #26Good point about Barton
ronaldeano
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Comment #27@SPYRO
Owen is by far our best player.
Everyone elce dosent even come close to being in the same league as MO.
He is shear class mate
ANDYGLLOSTOON
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Comment #28thanks spyro, did everyone see him in the crowd on wednesday watching the game, i dont condone what he did but i do beleive he has presence, aggression , motivation and leadership possiblities,but i hope he just doesn’t let himself down again.i am fan of his i admit
seetow
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Comment #29i just read an article in which the comments where bettyswollocks started chiding me and some other guy for slagging cashley off.
bettyswollocks, where are you? anything to say to defend cashley now?
Spyro - Taylor is garbage
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Comment #30i think he is a bit too one dimensional tbh
ANDYGLLOSTOON
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Comment #31i know what you mean but he could be a good leader just through his balls(no smutty comments please)
Spyro - Taylor is garbage
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Comment #32Andy
was talking about Owen mate, not Barton
LBToon
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Comment #33Fans have abandoned the club, owner has abandoned the club, coaches have abandoned the club. Do we really think they should try harder for a club that has all but abandoned them.
ANDYGLLOSTOON
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Comment #34oh ok mate ,but i stand by my comments
Tom_Toon
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Comment #35I’d rather have Viduka on his day than Owen on his day.
Viduka on his day is unplayable, nobody can handle him!
Spyro - Taylor is garbage
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Comment #36Joey Barton is our best midfielder and he is one of our best players when on form.
ANDYGLLOSTOON
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Comment #372 games left for joey 1 for guthrie 2 hopefully for jonas ,beye? viduka?martins?
Tom_Toon
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Comment #38I think Jonas is our best midfielder but Barton is definitely our best CM.
ronaldeano
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Comment #39TT,
What have you been smoking son?
Viduka is ‘Amy Winehooses armpit’ compared to Owen.
Give your heed a shake mate
Spyro - Taylor is garbage
Sep 27, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Comment #40Martins and Viduka are both out for around 2 months i think.
TT
I would say Gutierrez was our best midfielder but i just dont want to jump the gun. If he carries on like he has done then he will definitely be our best midfielder imo