Newcastle United got the job done tonight, as they tried to hang onto their 2-0 lead they had gained at half time, but after 63 minutes gave away a poor goal and after that, hung on for all they were worth for the win.
It had looked rather easy in the first half with Barton dominant in midfield and an initial goal from a nicely put away Barton penalty after just 9 minutes, when Ameobi had been felled in the box.
And then just before half time on 42 minutes Martins headed home an easy goal after a great cross from right back Habib Beye.
But let’s not be too hard on the lads and while WBA were the better and more enterprising side in the second half, Newcastle still managed to get the win.
Sometimes, like in tonight’s game the result is much more important than how you play, and while we seemed to just give away the advantage to WBA in the second half, we still got the win and now have 9 points from our 10 league games, which is a nice improvement on the 6 points we went into the game with.
Hopefully this will give the players that extra confidence they need.
While Coloccini had another solid game at the back, he seemed to give away the WBA goal on 65 minutes, as he slipped at the worst possible time when he was about to cut out a routine through ball, and let Miller go straight through to score Albion’s goal.
And then it was touch and go for Newcastle United until the final whistle as WBA, to their credit, took the initiative and could have earned a point out of this game with just a little luck.
What we didn’t like to see in this game is that Newcastle sat back after the interval, which would have never happened with a Kevin Keegan side.
Kevin would have said at half time – OK we are 2-0 up let’s see if we can win 6-0.
But it seems like Joe Kinnear told the p[layers at the interval to hang onto their lead, but they were the better side, and this should not have been that difficult a win for us.
In no way will we criticize Joe however, but it will be interesting to hear his comments after the game, but he looked so relieved at the end of the game it was obvious he just wanted the 3 points, like any other Newcastle fan.
You could see the stress and strain on the Newcastle fans, and the commentators on TV were so sympathetic with the Newcastle fans as they were willing their team to the win.
Well a win is what we wanted and needed – and the proof of the pudding is in the eating – and we finally manged to get all 3 points.
It’s the we needed – but from now on let’s make wining a little easier for our fans. 😀
TEAMS
Newcastle United: Shay Given, Habib Beye, Jose Enrique, Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez, Danny Guthrie, Joey Barton, Damien Duff, Oba Martins, Shola Ameobi
Subs: Steve Harper, Sebastien Bassong, Charles N’Zogbia, Claudio Cacapa, Xisco, Geremi, Andy Carroll
WBA: Scott Carson, Gianni Zuiverloon, Ryan Donk, Jonas Olsson, Paul Robinson, James Morrison, Jonathan Greening, Robert Koran, Borja Valero, Chris Brunt, Roman Bednar
Subs: Dean Kiely, Carl Hoefkens, Marek Cech, Ishmael Miller, Sherjill Macdonald, Luke Moore, Pedro Pele
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: tbc
69 comments so far
Will
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Comment #13 points! work’s gonna be class th mora!
Joseph
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Comment #2A win is a win and 3 points on the board, i’ll take it for the moment
briss
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Comment #3Got the job done is right! frightening finish but i thought that we should have been more positive in the second half instead of holding on for dear life. Kinnear should have to start to make changes ten minutes earlier. martins is rusty but give him another game and he’ll be scoring more than just one!
Punk Skunk
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Comment #4Fank Thuck!..
listie
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Comment #5We won thank god, West brom couldn’t hit the side of a barn thank god.
nimo
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Comment #6we were shite 2nite
Robby Bobson
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Comment #7First half we dominated especialy in the midfield but then we seemed like, oh OK its 2-0 lets sit back. and we cant defend good enough to do that and they almost punished us.
figsdad
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Comment #8well we carnt defend for 45mins with a 2-0 lead..
also why was given so far off his line for there goal..
Ganiyu
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:44 AM
Comment #9I hope find a better manager because getting 3points from wba is a must not a struggle.im not happy because we are up not out that zone.players in this division are professionals not apprentice.there was a big difference between Beye and jose in effectiveness.Newcastle is better than this cheap victory.hope they practice on crossing
KK FOREVER (Ross)
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:45 AM
Comment #10first half excellent, the second poor. Jonas and Barton were our bright sparks first half, its understandable they faded in the second purely down to lack of match play/fitness.
End of the day we got the 3 points and we’re out the drop zone tonight, which is an excellent feeling.
The more Joey and Jonas play, the more they’ll settle back into the system and hopefully performances like the first half will be dragged out over 90 minutes.
Gotta say i loved the fact the moment that pen was given Joey had the ball in his hands. Took real balls to claim responsibility, especially in a game like this, and he took it calmly. Great celebration too, i know its frowned upon but i love this whole saluting the badge thing he’s got going, he seems to be genuinly greatful for the chance we’ve given him and he wants to deliver, to show his appreciation to the club and fans, go on Joey son.
DanToon
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:49 AM
Comment #11Not the best performance by a long way tonight but as everyone says a wins a win!! Enrique isn’t good enough n Coloccini was not at fault for the goal, West Brom past it round him well n there was no cover for him ( cough, cough Taylor). And why the hell is Ameobi playing? I keep saying it, he’s half decent in the air but on the floor where 90% of the game is played he’s bobbins!!! Owen back ASAP!!
Barton was ok, Jonas top notch n Duff has kept his place for the next game!
Well done anyway lads, a point against Villa would be a good result!! 6pts v Fulham, Wigan please!!
sweendog
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:54 AM
Comment #12DanToon .. exactly Taylor poor again .. thats 3 in a row Kinnear has watched him be poor ..we need bassong in there instead ..
Duff had a good game
Some real positives .with Guttierez back.. Kinnears tactics wasn’t one of them.
We have a real battle to win at home to villa .. a win will push us up the table and rule out being sucked into relegation .. on this form the best we can hope for is a draw.. but I’m afraid of what a defeat will do..I’m very apprehensive if we don’t get a new owner..
Shear_legend9
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:54 AM
Comment #13Finally a bit of heart into the team with Joey playing again, it’s about time somebody started to play with a bit of pride and passion. Seems only that Given has been doing that the last few weeks. Joey’s celebration was what we needed, a show of what the club means to him and how he’s going to repay the club after the help he’s received.
On the other end of the scale we were shocking in the second half. Jonas looked great going forward and tracking back but either his crosses lacked or the men in the middle couldn’t find space so we need to work on that.
On a bright note Duff finally looks like he’s getting back to his best, passing players like they’re stood still, cutting inside and shooting or putting in quality balls. Think that midfield should now be our standard midfield with Butt and Geremi on the bench.
Hilly
Oct 29, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Comment #14JK came out after the match and said he was disappointed the lads sat back, so I don’t think his halftime talk focused around that. His responsibility in the team sitting back was putting on Geremi instead of Zogs and taking off Martins instead of Ameobi even though that was quite late in the match.
sweendog
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:02 AM
Comment #15I think we need this formation for Villa, more attack with Owen and Martins.
Given/Harper
Beye Collocini Bassong
Guttierez Barton Owen Guthrie Duff
Martins Ameobi
Will
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:04 AM
Comment #16good line up sweendog
sweendog
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:06 AM
Comment #17Hilly .. exactly he said this but the only person I could see that we sorting it out was Duff who was berating Xisco/Ameobi for not hassling the WBA defence..Kinnear must work on Taylor and hopefully our midfield might start gelling a bit better..
we need a draw or more against Villa to make sure we’re not sucked into a relegation battle.
Paul:D
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:08 AM
Comment #18hu was captain 2nyt?
sweendog
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:08 AM
Comment #19Will ..I only hope he doesn’t drop martins when owen is back and learns from what keegan proved last season when we had owen martins and the duke in attack.. owen has the tactical know how to make us into a decent attacking team… heres hoping…
DanToon
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:12 AM
Comment #20Good Line up sweendog, like this you mean??
…………….Given
Baye…Coloccini…Bassong
Jonas Barton Guthrie Duff
……………Owen
…..Martins… Ameobi – (even tho he’s shocking)
Our best team v Villa!
KK FOREVER (Ross)
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:12 AM
Comment #21by the way, did anyone notice Barton talking to enrique before kick off? he looked like he was giving him a few pointers and just telling him to keep calm.
He looked like he was handing out instructions to Colo as they came out onto the pitch for the second half again.
I’m quite certain he could be a voice in the changing room for us and on the pitch too. He keeps his behaviour on the right side of the fence and he’s surely a prime candidate for captain, he seems passionate, like he wants to play for the shirt which is exactly what is needed.
ronaldeano
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:13 AM
Comment #22If Kinnear told the lads NOT TO SIT BACK, WHY DID THEY?
IF YOU HAVE A COMFORTABLE 2-0 LEAD AT HALF TIME, WHY NOT GO FOR THE JUGULAR AFTER HALF TIME!!!!
Joe Kinear needs to get the lads playing like they did in the first half for the full 90 mins. If we do that, we will be fine.
No more suicide football man 🙁
sweendog
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:15 AM
Comment #23DanToon .. exactly .. we need that cutting edge Owen has but we also need martins to create runs and terrorise Villa’s static back four ..
As for Ameobi.. he is a tad shocking, falling over the ball when he was released by Martins was one of the many .. but in spells can be similiar to the duke for holding the ball up.. on plus note he won us the penalty..
Heavy hitters
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:16 AM
Comment #24Feel sorry for Bassong sitting on the bench when Taylor is on. They were the worst team I’ve seen in the Premiership in the first half but we were on the back foot all the second half. Barton and Jonas we’re our key players. Ameobi, I dont rate him at all. I’m quickly going off Kinnear too. The only reason they bring players on at 90 mins is to give them extra money and keep them sweet, why did he bring on Carroll??? We won and thats the main thing though. Its too early to make an opinion about Xisco! Hooray we’ve got 3 points !
sweendog
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:17 AM
Comment #25ronaldeano .. kinnear needs to get shouting and involved more .. if the players are sitting back surely he can shout enough to get them to push forward .. I’m not convinced on him yet .. but its still early days to judge..
matty
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:17 AM
Comment #26Happy b’day to you, happy b’day to you, happy b’day to you, Obafemi we love you!!
sweendog
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:18 AM
Comment #27KK FOREVER (Ross) .. yep impressed with Barton .. he is getting better and playing with passion for our club ..
DanToon
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:19 AM
Comment #28I see what your getting at sweendog but Ameobi is in no way the same class as Viduka!! I just don’t think he’s got any ability with his feet at all, he’s OK on the air n that’s it! But we haven’t got anything better at the moment so needs must and i agree with that line up vs Villa!
Hilly
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:21 AM
Comment #29I don’t think we’ll see Newcastle who leaks goals at the moment going to a 3 man defense. But, it’s not a bad idea if we need to chase the game after the first 45.
Villa will be a tough test and a much different game than today I think. They won’t give the ball away nearly as much and have great speed to stretch our back line. Let’s hope Taylor’s positioning is better and that Shola doesn’t foul on every outlet pass that’s sent his way.
DanToon
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:21 AM
Comment #30chris hughton still doing all the shouting!!
Punk Skunk
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:23 AM
Comment #31We actually defended a lead!..Breakthru!..
…Some players aren’t fully ‘match fit’ yet, so have to be saved for bigger fish…& givin’ young players ‘game time’ experience…Whilst winnin’!..
…Well done Lads!..
…More!..
sweendog
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:24 AM
Comment #32DanToon .. yep the good bit is we’ve got pace back into our side .. we are looking better but still some way to go .. hopefully the atmosphere will be as good as Man City and spur on Martins and co to get the win ..
Toon Toon ..Toon Army..
sweendog
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:26 AM
Comment #33Punk Skunk .. true the important bit is the win .. the Villa game should be a good gauge of where we are ..
ronaldeano
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:27 AM
Comment #34The second half was a joke.
We showed how well we can play in the first half, why cant we show the same in the second?
We should be attacking EVERY team we play like we did in the first half.
Then maybe we wouldent be biteing our nails off so much???????
Punk Skunk
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:28 AM
Comment #35Sweendogs team, but with Harper in goal!..
…Less hoofin’ then!..
Punk Skunk
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:31 AM
Comment #36The teams still nervous, but improvin’ &, more importantly, gettin’ it’s top players back to full fitness!..
…& what a difference that’ll make in a few games!..
Toony Soprano
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:32 AM
Comment #37didn’t play that well, however 3 points, match fitness for Jonas, Barton , Enrique, Baye and Martins.
Owen back for next game
some good positives !!!
I dont’ expect miracles but we will climb the table and move away from relegation.
New owner for Xmas, transfer budget for January
Things can turn around pretty quickly for NUFC with a bit of luck
sweendog
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:33 AM
Comment #38Punk Skunk .. you are convincing me about shays hoofing .. only once did he throw it out .. and that was to Gutierrez who move the ball and won a throw in .. he needs to practice this as he’s giving the team unwanted pressure .. but is this because our centre backs are shakey at best .. taylor had another poor game, if I was in nets I wouldn’t throw it to him..
Bosck
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:34 AM
Comment #39The point is a team with confidence would have pushed on and scored more in the 2nd half, but we’re not a team with confidence still at the moment. a few more wins and then you’ll see us not sitting back on a 2-0 lead but this was a start.
also another reason that the performance faded in the 2nd half is that the 3 main instigators in the first half, barton, jonas and martins are all short of match fitness so tired out. jonas looked shattered when he went off. this left duff trying to push the team on basically on his own as the ref constantly harshly penalised ameobi or shola just miscontrolled when not penalised!!!
JoshNufc91
Oct 29, 2008 at 1:38 AM
Comment #40duffs sh**e.