The Newcastle team gave a good display in the second half yesterday, and with any luck at all could have won this game, and that was after being 2-0 down after only 37 minutes.
Sebastien Bassong - had another good game - first choice left back?
Here are some observations on yesterday’s game at Everton:
- Newcastle started this game poorly, and dug themselves in a deep hole for the second week running when we went two goals down in the first half. Both goals were preventable and if we are to start winning again the defense still needs to tighten up, and we need to stop giving these loose goals away.
- Not sure why Enrique was taken off in the first half after about 38 minutes, since he didn’t appear to be injured, but Sebastien Bassong looked good yesterday as his replacement. Bassong linked up well with the impressive Charles N’Zogbia, and we think he could well be the number one choice at left back soon.
And we also saw a nice long throw in from him in the second half – something Joe has obviously had him working on last week.
- We looked dead and buried just before half time, and then a great cross from Geremi on the right, saw a wonderful headed goal from Taylor that brought us right back into the game just 35 seconds before added time completed in the first half.
- Danny Guthrie had another efficient game in central midfield and this boy is a lot better than most people realize, and we’ve missed him these last 3 games. It will be interesting when Joey Barton comes back if Danny will need to make way for Barton – we think not and both will be needed by Newcastle.
- Taylor had a good game - a goal and an assist isn’t too bad for a right back, and he coolly played in Duff within a minute of the second half kick-off. Duff had it in the net first time, and with his right foot - so a great finish from Damien. It was a good day’s work for the right back.
And it was interesting that Everton left back Leighton Baines had a part in both Everton goals and also cleared off the line twice.
- Newcastle were the better side in the second half and were really pushing Everton. With any luck N’Zogbia would have got us that vital third goal after 78 minutes, but Leighton Baines made an amazing goal line clearance.
But we still should have scored, and may have gone on to win the game.
- But Everton can claim they could have won it too, as Osman forced Given into a great save on 65 minutes, and then substitute Anichebe thought he should have had a penalty when tackled by Steven Taylor on 84 minutes in the penalty box. Then on 87 minutes Anichebe just missed with a shot inches wide of Given’s left hand post.
- With 5 minutes to go Joe Kinnear left the Director’s box and was seen in the tunnel, but the 4th official had a policeman escort Joe away.
Joe knew the game was there for the taking near the end, and one of his strengths in his touchline presence, and that will be an asset from now on, since he’s now served his two match ban.
- Newcastle were great in the second half, and kept their shape very well and started to look like the team Kevin Keegan had left in early September.
The lads did us proud yesterday, coming back strongly from two goals down, and they deserve the fans’ support on October 20th, when we are at home to Manchester City.
We hope we can have a full house that night, for both Joe Kinnear and the players - they deserve it after today.
Comments welcome.
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71 responses so far ↓
1 Ashton // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:12
Butt was shit as usual
2 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:13
Ed, Barton and Guthrie will probably play together, they should and I hope they do.
Cant stand Butt any longer, sometimes he saves us, others he is a complete liability.
3 KK FOREVER (Ross) // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:21
tom_toon-agreed, there are times butt does something and you say to yourself “thats why he starts”. 5 minutes later he’ll give the ball away in some horrendous position on the field and you’ll be cursing the fact he’s on the field for the next 15.
definitly give barton and guthrie a shot together, really looking forward to barton coming back.
As for LB, i like enrique alot but i think bassong is showing real promise, he could be a talent for us in that positon. Anyone see enrique’s reaction to being subbed today? kinnear had said he only had 45 in him due to fitness but he looked less than impressed when he walked off. Bassong obviously said something along the lines of well played ( i imagine) as they passed each other and he just sorta shrugged.
4 Rob // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:24
Agree Butt is passed his best for sure, hi spassing is slow and in accurate, any rarely plays it forward. needs to be dropped, Bassong looked good again today
5 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:29
guthrie again impressed today. hopefully jonas will be back against man city coz he will give us that extra dimention
6 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:33
can’t believe ameobi actually did something decent today when he set up n’zogbia.
I think collocini needs a no nonsense defender with leadership to play along side him coz collocini does like to takea risk or 2 in possesion
7 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:34
Best back 4:
Beye-Bassong-Coloccini-Enrique
Taylor played RB and all his good attacking work just masked the fact that he is poor defensively, although i thank him for his contributions today but Everton scored their goals down our right because Taylor is most definitely our weak spot defensively.
Didn’t think much of Coloccini today either but he kinda redeemed himself in the second half.
Enrique obviously wasn’t fully fit but to be honest i though he played well for the tme he was on, I like him.
8 garyfret // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:35
got to admit i was plesently suprised with the second half. maybe we can build on it
9 dubsea // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:37
yep like this player… seems consistant and level headed in the beye mold…also like the fact he’s hoping to bring in Gerry Francis in as a helping hand over this short period…we need all the experience we can get to get us over this troublesome period in NUFC history…
10 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:39
collocini is good in general but he will always have a mistake in him. a commanding centre back along side him n that would work well. lyk rio n vidic at manu
11 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:42
i think our performance tday, in particular 2nd half showed that chris hougton is a coach and nothing more. we were playing with absolutley zero confidence or spirit in the games he was in charge
12 brutooooon // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:43
Bassong should START from now own.
Taylor is better playing on the Right
Duff and zoggy are our hope to score any goals
Guthrie is our key for last night match.
Nicky Butt - Age seem to be a factor. we need to replace him ASAP. barton maybe?
Owen-not much chances for him, play average last night.
Ameobi-good substitute. we all know he is not good enough for the BPL but he can play 15 mins from the end (the best he can do). he miss two chances, firstly when he set up zoggy where he can shoot to the far post and secondly where he try to curl the ball(like what M.O always did).
the only sad about last night is that we are the best team amongst the two - but its glad we finally bounce up
13 toonmania1 // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:44
Tom_Toon
i reckon you watched a different game! or i think you watched the game from a negative startpoint rather than positive. Taylor will get there - his mistakes will happen less and less as he gets older. he was man of match today.
Enrique isnt as clever or quick as bassong, i always worry when he starts but bassong played a blinder, a must for man city.
14 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:46
Taylor isn’t s good as he was 2 years ago mate.
I like Enrique and Bassong cant really cross so he is a bit one dimensional at lb.
15 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:48
yea bassong isnt a LB he duznt offer much goin forward.
think of the difference it will make if jonas comes in for geremi in the next game
16 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:51
we still need a win tho. n man city have a lot of abilty in thier team.
we can’t have another slow start to the match
17 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:52
any1 know how many more games barton is out for?
18 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:53
If you want to fit Taylor, Colo and Bassong in and want to drop Butt hows about:
Given
Taylor-Beye-Bassong-Enrique
Coloccini
Jonas-Barton/Guthrie-N’Zogbia
Owen-Martins/Viduka
19 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:54
Just te man city game, then he is back.
20 Sav // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:54
I don’t see how you can judge Taylor, Coloccini or any other centreback when we really haven’t got one decent full-back to play alongside them.
Bassong looks canny but is very inexperienced, Enrique not much more and I think he can be clumsy, nervy on the ball, not that quick and poor positionally. Gerremi hasn’t the legs on the right. Only Beye is consistently good enough for full-back. That’s a terrible inditement of our club transfer policy. But you can’t truly assess the rest of the defence until its sorted out.
21 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:54
I just love this fact:-
sunderland’s squad has cost more to assemble than arsenal’s squad!
lol well spent keano!
22 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:56
i thought baron’s ban was for 15 games?
23 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:57
no, 6
24 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 0:59
did any1 notice that in the 1st half we just lumped aimless long balls up, but in the 2nd half we kept it on the ground more often n passed it through midfield miles better
25 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:02
it will take barton 2 or 3 games to get up to match fitness. would be intresting to see how he and guthrie do playing together in CM, altho i suspect kinnaer might not drop butt
26 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:04
he probably wont but he needs to.
27 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:05
guthrie at £2.5m looks lot better than modric at £16.5m at the moment. i was like devistated when we missed out on modric
28 Tom_Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:11
The way Modric is playing I think £2.5mil would have been too much for him, he is exceedingly lightweight.
29 clever-toon-lad // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:17
but then again every spurs player is playing shit at the moment. would love them to get relegated, but they will prob buy arshavin and others in january
30 nate dawg // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:19
lads was my half time vimto catching up with me or did ameobi play ok? or did we just lob bassong up front for a bit lol
31 Aussie Dave // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:22
Is anyone else sick of our most experienced player, diving into tackles that he is never going to win in the box and giving away stupid penalties?
Thta is 2 already for Butt this season, and on both occasions staing on your feet was all that was needed.
On the positive side, Shola actaully pulled his finger out and gave us a good presence up front, amazing what a little effort and commitment can result in.
Hopefully a few more lads back by the next game
32 stumpofthetoon // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:22
tom toon sometimes looking from a far u seem to talk good sence excuse the spelling but how do u actualy rqate the toon i think basong was the best player when he come on
33 Aussie Dave // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:24
Nate
i agree Shola was excellent when he came on, straight away he knocked a defender 2 metres off the ball and held the ball up, he seemed to really get stuck in.
About time though
34 nate dawg // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:26
anyone think MO will feel he has to join a more ‘fashionable’ team to get back in the england set up?
35 Aussie Dave // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:26
excuse my spelling lads, late night 2am kickoff over here
36 stumpofthetoon // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:26
dave get a grip he knocked it on an run like a glipit i could have run faster fact he is not fit ful stop
37 nate dawg // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:28
o yeah forgot dunno if this has been covered but i reckon jk took enrique of for basssong for his physical strength cause saha and yakubu were killing us
38 stumpofthetoon // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:28
p.s his att if u meet him is shit total tos pot his sister is well worth a lenth tho
39 stumpofthetoon // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:33
p.s wont to be on sholas sista
40 stumpofthetoon // Oct 6, 2008 at 1:39
to be real tho thoughght toon played well after 35 mins till the end proves we can play
41 ObaFan2 // Oct 6, 2008 at 2:11
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1069522/Newcastle-manager-Kinnears-rant-land-FA-charge.html?ITO=1490
What is it with the press and the FA with this club, the FA are even tring to change the 3 match ban rule after Guthries’ ban couldn’t be lengthened under current FA rules.
OK maybe it is all self inflicted, I thought JFK’s rant was off the record…..
Anyway I’m off for two weeks and hope to hell things have changed and improved by the time I get back as I am sick to death of the direction this club has been going in the recent times.
A shame cos it was a good game today and we deserved all 3 points (maybe)
Did you hear Spurs were refused entry into the cutlery league…. as it was said a fork has more points
I’ve got more points on my licence
42 nate dawg // Oct 6, 2008 at 2:55
i hate insomnia
43 ryunufc // Oct 6, 2008 at 3:21
Taylor had a bad game defensively. That right flank is his responsibility and both goals started from there, he should have done better with his positioning.
44 Lasse // Oct 6, 2008 at 6:28
N`Zog and Duff playing well. Will one of these make way for Jonas? I fear N`Zog will be back at lb..
I just hope Kinnear knows better
45 Ganiyu // Oct 6, 2008 at 7:14
ZOG would move into central while butt would sign his retirement letter.jonas would move to the right.bassong would be the official left back of Nufc.
Jonas-Guthire-ZOG-duff
46 Xsico golden boot // Oct 6, 2008 at 7:46
Nicky butt is a good player he justcan not play every game like he is that pen he gae away was identical tro the one against hull can not wait for barton to be back and jonas. See the press after us again phttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1069522/Newcastle-manager-Kinnears-rant-land-FA-charge.html?ITO=1490
47 Xsico golden boot // Oct 6, 2008 at 7:46
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1069522/Newcastle-manager-Kinnears-rant-land-FA-charge.html?ITO=1490
48 Paul R // Oct 6, 2008 at 8:00
Look at this ….
Scottish businessman Jonathan Cleland claims he has agreed a £300m takeover deal for Newcastle that will “astound the world”. (Daily Record)
49 Ageordiedoonsooth // Oct 6, 2008 at 8:09
Tom_Toon go boil your heed you know absolutely nowt about football. Give us all a welcome rest and take a long walk off a short pier.
50 The Entertainers // Oct 6, 2008 at 8:13
Well done Joe and the boys.
A great result, even if Everton are in a sticky patch.
Its such a shame that the fickle fans are turning on Butt. Ok hes not playing at his best and certainly had a poor game yesterday. But behind Beye he was one of our best players last season and still has a role to play at Newcastle.
Butt is in the same catogory as another one of our players Geremi, who gets tones of abuse….Oh but the geremi bashers are quiet today ! Would love someone to just find out who many times since last season Geremi has been involved in goals, i bet it would surprise a few people.
The thing with Butt and Geremi is that both have been and still are quality players with talent to offer in every game, however both are getting on and their flaws do show from time to time, but that does not mean its scrap heap time!
Glad to see Bassong and another boo boy Taylor having good games, particularly Taylor.
The thing with taylor is hes still so young, remember CB mature later as their game is more about thought than talent, imo. Colo was brought in to give Taylor a presence and leadership he can learn off, but unfortuantely Colo has played as poor as anyone lately. Once confidence is restored and Kinnear seems to be doing a good job at this, we will see a Taylor bounce back stronger again.
Keep it up lads, we might even become an attractive proposition to buyers again!
51 The Entertainers // Oct 6, 2008 at 8:23
Just read the article in the Daily Record and Mr Cleland while very ambitious appears to be getting ahead of himself.
Whilst he almost confirmed the SA billionaires, who have since ruled theirselevs out of buying our club, where his prefered backers. Mr Cleland does not appear to have solid backers yet! However hes still talking with Keegan and to me looks like hes put the cart before the horse.
Hope i’m wrong, wouldnt be the first time!
52 Ganiyu // Oct 6, 2008 at 8:25
Geremi has crosses and setpieces crowned of as his owen experience butt nicky butt only slides his opponent when they are already in the box.butt is useless in that role.we need some one active and energetic.butt has passed his best.
53 Spidey // Oct 6, 2008 at 8:31
I agree with all of this! I think Butt will make way for Barton, makes sense. Barton is box to box and gives you that attacking option whilst Guthrie holds up well and is a very tidy player, nice combination I think.
Bassong should really start. There is a reason Metz fans were gutted when he left, and he can start either left back or next to Colo for me.
Jonas will be a huge difference to, he is probably our best player, he will make all the difference.
Just a side note, for anyone calling to sell players, I don’t think we should be thinking about that. A paper thin squad needs adding to, not weakening. Come January I think we need 5 new players with no departures: left back, centre half (for competition), winger, attacking mid, and another striker.
Great day yesterday, and hopefully full attendance in 2 weeks!
54 ronaldeano // Oct 6, 2008 at 8:31
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/news-feed/2008/10/06/my-toon-deal-will-astound-world-86908-20777703/
55 steve // Oct 6, 2008 at 9:27
1st half - Enrique played well and his physical strength is a great asset - it was no surprise that both goals came down the right hand side where Geremi and Taylor were very weak defensively in the first half. This led to Collocini being pulled out of position constantly to cover for walkabout Taylor.
JK obviously had a word at halftime as we looked a lot better in regard to positional sense.
Taylor put a great shift in throughout the 2nd half and Bassong looked ok at LB.
Butt is becoming more of a liability these days and like everyone else I believe he should be dropped to the bench.
We really need to sort out our CB pairing - surely two out of Collo/Bassong/Cacapa/Taylor can form a decent partnership although having to cover constantly for out of position defenders.
56 Edd Case // Oct 6, 2008 at 9:57
I agree we should have won the game…
BUT…
Yet again it takes us to concede goals first before we decide to play - really, really worrying.
Butt’s challenge for says enough about his ability these days. His general play is still very good but he does give the ball away all too often and some of his tackling, as we saw yesterday, just makes life harder for the team.
Taylor did well, but he’s not a right back.
Geremi was average at best and his free kicks are poo - mind you, so are everyone elses.
Young Charles was my MOM, purely because he never stopped wanting to beat players and go forward - he looked like he wanted to win the game.
Over all, we should have won and we can take great heart from this game and hopefully get all 3 points from the Man City game.
57 irish_al // Oct 6, 2008 at 10:01
Good points Steve, i don’t want to spend to long picking faults with our defenders individually as like you say, poor play from one defender can make others look poor, i think a lot of our players are capable of doing better than they currently are
Not due to lack of effort but due to lack of intuition or knowledge of each others play
My opinion on Nicky Butt is that he is a valuable member of the squad, i would agree that he does make mistakes, i was suprised to see last week that according to opta stats he was in the top five players for number of tackles and number or passes (not in terms of success rate but passes made and tackles attemped) which shows the level of work he does put in
I’d rather we had 20 better players at the club but we don’t and aren’t likely to so i feel that rather disregard certain players and call them useless it is better to simply acknowledge there are players that we think are better in that role with slamming the player you would like to see them replace
I would like to see Barton and Guthrie paired in midfield as they would offer more mobility than most other pairings
58 I Made 1000 // Oct 6, 2008 at 10:18
im looking foward to the citeh came now
59 Ganiyu // Oct 6, 2008 at 10:30
I just realised we concede alot of goals if only our defensive players blocked the opponent crosses.i enjoyed seeing the lads marking aggressively for the first time in ages.
60 Oba one konobi // Oct 6, 2008 at 10:30
The boys played with alot of spirt yesterday and made us proud. Do agree to back JK and give him all the support needed to steady the ship. but ed I feel that we should stop kissing up to KK because I feel with new owners should come new ideas. We were only sold last year and already we have turned on our owners, who I feel had a FANTASTIC vision for the long term stability of the club. Wish our chaiman would have stayed tho.
I know this will be unpopular but I think we needed to start by investing in youth and look to europe over the next 5 years. I know that seems long but we have been out over the last 2. DW did a FANTASTIC job in spotting young talant and bringing them to NUFC. I heard NO one complain about JONAS (3mill), Guthrie(2.5mill), Bassong(1.5mill) and about 7 youngsters that have been bought since he has been here.
I think the biggest mistake on MA part was to bring back KK and fill the supporters who are VERY EMOTIONAL with success under KK, when ALL of the UK and people around the footballing world including myself thought it was a BIG mistake.
I for one wish MA would not sell because mark my word if he was to buy and unfashionable club they will be beating us inabout 5 years time.
New owner new problems. Start with a plan with a hungry young manager and stick with them! Does NOT have to be from the AREA. IT IS A GLOBAL GAME!
61 Ganiyu // Oct 6, 2008 at 10:41
I wished the same but the fans are not patient enough.
62 Xsico golden boot // Oct 6, 2008 at 10:50
Hungry new manager oba one alan shearer. KK will be our next manager just watch. I am glad we picked up a point sort of stops the rot not getting over excited. spuds really struggling and ramos looks sick well what a great structure director of football selling two strikers and anyone on here wonders why KK walked he did us all a favour unlike ramos he was not going to be walked all over the new owners if we ever get any will bring him back see ambani infor west ham or is he I reakon he telling MA i can go else where if I want what a mistake west ham one of many in a big city the toon the one and only
63 irish_al // Oct 6, 2008 at 10:53
I’ve been dissapointed rather than angered during the time that Ashley has been the owner of the club, not so much at him as much as the staff involved under him
Leaving out the boardroom politics we have been left with too thin a squad, this has not been in his interest either
I don’t think there was an issue with the stratagy, i think the issue was it’s implementation
64 Oba one konobi // Oct 6, 2008 at 11:03
I agree Xisco GB, but if Spurs was not doing so badly I do not know were KK would have left us.
I personaly thick KK IS acting like a spoiled kid. In reality you buy a club worth OVER 1/4 billion. Would you HONESTLY trust KK to spend your hard wedge! I know I would shop around the world to find a modern manager with fantastic ideas that can spend my money wisely(forget the pun). If not I will need a structure in place so IF the manager goes I will not be left with expensive players that the next regime does not want. So I agree a bit with the continetal system exspesially when it comes to young players which KK seams to dislike.
65 DanToon // Oct 6, 2008 at 11:36
My starting 11 would be…
……………..Given
Baye Bassong Coloccini Enrique
Jonas Barton Guthrie N’Zogbia
…………Owen Martins
Subs. Harper, Taylor, Duff, Xisco, Cacapa, Butt, Geremi
Out. Ameobi, Smith, Viduka… dead wood!
66 Spidey // Oct 6, 2008 at 12:32
DanToon, agree with that line up! I think Beye and Taylor are competing for a place, as I think Taylor is way more effective as a right back.
Lack of height up front doesn’t matter, keep the ball on the ground and there are lots of goals up there.
But right now we can’t think of getting rid of players, not before we buy in about 5 or 6, we need every player we have got, as it’s going to be a long season.
67 Spidey // Oct 6, 2008 at 12:44
…and don’t forget about Nacho on the bench, he may be useful, even for a year.
68 Toon // Oct 6, 2008 at 15:52
many city game……
given
beye taylor colo bassong
jonas guthrie butt n’zog
duff owen
enrique come on for bassong at half time….
bench: enrique geremi capapa edgar xisco ameobi harper
nacho injured??
looking forward too it
69 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 15:52
The Entertainers
I dont believe we are fickle…
Butt has been useless forquite a while…
He is purely a defensive play and as such needs toplay with another highly creative midfielder next to him to be effective…
At Man United he had Scholes, Beckham and Giggs to hand the ball to once he made the tackle.
Now he sees his role as a bit of a play maker because he is a senior player… so he looks for the quality passes but unfortunatley he doesnt have the ability…
The way our team is set up, we no longer have a midfield playmaker but rather box to box midfielders.
So Butt doesnt fit in because he can only contribute inside his own half… Therefore Barton and Guthrie would form a more suitable partnershipin the middle of the park because they can contribute in both halves…
Jonas, N’Zogbia and Duff (used to be Milner) can add creativity on the flanks (we should sign another right sided midfielder).
Our best midfield without a doubt is:
Jonas (RM) Guthrie—-Barton N’Zogbia (LM)
with Barton playing more defensively and Guthrie pushing forward a bit.
What could happen is … say we were playing two strikers up front… we would take off a striker and play Butt as a defensive midfielder, we’d then replace Zog with Duff and play with Jonas and Duff in more advanced roles.
Example
——————–Martins (Xisco)———————
(dont think Owen can play alone role)
Duff —– Jonas
————Barton—————Guthrie—————
———————— Butt ————————-
70 JJ // Oct 6, 2008 at 15:55
Sorry type error (shidt Jonas to the right wing)…
71 mhlangat // Oct 6, 2008 at 16:28
We could have won just as easily as we could have lost. Great comeback and great character but we need to keep ourselves firmly on the ground. Everton are hardly high flying.
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