It was a disappointing result for Newcastle yesterday at The Riverside, since 71% of our readers expected the lads could wrap up all 3 points yesterday against Middlesbrough.
Sebastien Bassong – Man of Match again yesterday
But it wasn’t to be, and here are some of or observations on the game yesterday.
- Another tremendous performance by the defense and especially Coloccini and Bassong, and of those two, particularly 22 year-old Seb Bassong, who seems to have picked up his second MOM performance in a row. As we write this of 230 votes so far cast 63% think Bassong was man of the match with Martins second at 19% and Shay Given in third place with 4% of the votes.
Still time to vote if you haven’t done so.
- It is becoming obvious that Jose Enrique, for some reason, cannot play anywhere near his best form, and the difficulty Jose has is that he gives the ball away far too much. Just look when he gets the ball how often he gives the ball away.
- Steven Taylor is back from injury and we hardly expect Joe Kinnear to displace Coloccini and Bassong, because they are playing so well together in central defense. But Joe may elect to bring Steven in at left back. Steven can play decently at left back and it wouldn’t be the first time he’s been deployed
there. - Good teams keep clean sheets and now we’ve had two clean sheets in a row. Of course we also have to score to be successful, but Joe seems determined to create a good defense at Newcastle. and that will be a very nice change. The lads have certainly played their best two games defensively in a row, and it’s a pity we couldn’t have nicked a goal yesterday.
But on the positive side, if the defense can keep things this tight, when our forwards get back to some kind of form, hopefully future games will be there for the winning.
- The attack looked fairly tame against Middlesbrough, with only Oba Martins looking threatening, and Joe took him off. 🙁
We don’t know if Owen and Martins together are a good pairing and Joe will be tempted to start big Mark Viduka against Stoke on Saturday. But it would be tough luck on Martins if he starts Owen and Viduka, and Martins was none too happy being replaced yesterday after 65 minutes.
Joe could start all three in a 4-3-3 formation with Gutierrez on the right of midfield, and that’s what we’d like to see, at least to see how it works at home.
- We have to get back to our winning ways against Stoke City next Saturday and we just have to get all 3 points. If we can do that we’ll have a chance to extend the winning streak to two games at Portsmouth the following Sunday. That’s a winnable game for us.
- It seems like we need a center-back, a left-back (for sure), a commanding central midfield player, and a right winger in January. If we can four good players in, we should have a decent squad. We feel Mike will be especially keen to strengthen so he can maybe get back in the fans’ good books.
Certainly the players Joe is going after in the Dutch league are much better then we currently have.
We think Geremi, Cacapa and Xisco will be on their way in January.
That’s our take from yesterday – let us know what your views are – thanks.
Comments very welcome.
45 comments so far
boater
Dec 1, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Comment #41Boring, boring you’re half of you idiots.
The Entertainer – ‘we need a player like viduka’ – ahem – we have viduka… we haven’t agonised over his long come back just to sell him for peanuts have we?? Am I going mad here..
Tommy PA… sell Ameobi to the championship? He’s scored 49 in the prem/ europe so why would you say that? It’s as regular as xmas coming in December that some fool says Ameobi for the championship… He is our 4th choice… he’s happy to be behind the other 3 – why get someone who wants to play every game or goes in the huff?? He’s a perfect 4th choice for heaven’s sake….
Finally…. we need one thing… an attacking midfielder… the debates around left backs, commanding defensive midfielders, target man in his prime… yada yada – we have 1 goal from a a midfielder all season – Duff at everton and he was playing as a striker with Owen that day….
is this not the no.1 issue to eclipse all others…
eeeeh my giddy aunt.
clinta
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:01 AM
Comment #42perhaps 71% of newcastle fans a little misguided, as most always seem to think we’ll win!
I went for a draw myself, and a loss at shitty Fulham.
clinta
Dec 1, 2008 at 1:09 AM
Comment #43If anyone thinks were going to get a single player in tha will walk straight into the first team, that isn’t old/experienced and on loan/ the cheap there dreaming.
say your dreamy star studded player lists for another day lads, as they’ll be little money splashed around and even fewer quality players out there willing to take it.
lesh
Dec 1, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Comment #44Can’t understand why there’s such a song and dance about keeping Owen.
Surely Joe pulled the wrong one off in Oba and if it was a toss up between him and Owen, I’d opt for the latter
lesh
Dec 1, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Comment #45Re the banner, has KK been replaced by Joe? If so, you’ve missed mine which still has his holiness at top left!