In a pulsating game at St. James Park this afternoon Newcastle and West Ham ended up with a 2-2 draw and either team could have won this game.
Newcastle had gone one up through an opportunist goal from Michael Owen after 29 minutes when his shot from 25 yards was too quick for goalkeeper Green, who could only push it into the net.
Michael had hit the post on 13 minutes with a wonderdull move in the penalty area and a left foot cross-shot that hit the post.
The game was wide open and there were lots of chances as both teams went for the win. Then after 29 minutes West Ham scored a goal that was well worked between former Newcastle players Parker and Bellamy.
Parker took the ball off Bassong just outside the penalty area, but then Scott put through Craig Bellamy, and the Welshman easily beat Given from close range.
Half time came with the game wide open, and it continued immediately into the second half with West Ham pressing Newcastle hard and lifting their game.
After 46 minutes it looked an obvious penalty for West Ham as Bassong shoved Bellamy to the ground, but referee Alan Wiley didn’t give it – we have no idea why not – but it was a let-off for Newcastle who have given away 8 penalties already this season.
West Ham pressed forward and on the run of play they took the lead, but it was very poor defending by the Newcastle back line.
After 55 minutes a long ball over the top of the Newcastle defense found Carlton Cole completely free, and he swept the ball past Given to put the Hammers ahead.
Exactly what the back four were trying to do is a mystery, but it looked like they were pushing up to try to catch Cole offside – but he wasn’t, and was completely free. Terrible defending from Newcastle, and that’s also 4 goals in the last 4 games for Cole, who probably hopes he played against Newcastle more often.
At this point in the game it didn’t look too good for Newcastle, but if there’s one thing you cannot complain about with this Joe Kinenar side is they will fight and fight until the death, and that’s exactly what they did this afternoon.
They were pushing forward and West Ham had some opportunities to attack on the break.
After 68 minutes it looked like the Newcastle pressure had paid off as Lucas Neill sliced the ball into his own net. But referee Alan Wiley blew for a foul on Steven Taylor, who was said to have fouled James Collins – but it didn’t look like it was a foul at all. However, we suppose that made up for Wiley not giving the penalty against Bassong.
But then – cometh the hour, cometh the man and 20 year-old Andrew Carroll came though big time after 78 minutes, and following a Duff center, Carroll rose above two West Ham defenders to head the ball way and out of reach of goalkeeper Green and Newcastle had fought their way back to level the scores.
It was a typical goal we used to see often from Alan Shearer, as goalkeeper Green was rooted to his line as the ball sailed into the goal way beyond his reach – a beautiful header from the youngster, who made it look so easy.
It was the tone of the game that both sides after this goal went for the winner, and Newcastle had two chances after 2 minutes of injury time, as Gutierrez was right through on the left, but had his shot blocked.
From the resulting corner Carroll headed across goal to Owen, at the near post, and Michael just failed to head the ball into goal.
The final whistle blew and 2-2 was probably a fair result.
But we really needed all 3 points today, although the fans cannot fault the effort of this Newcastle team, and most sides would have been out of this game when West Ham got their second goal.
But not this team – but as we said we really needed all 3 points and the performance points out that we need more quality players in during January – and most of them need to be defenders and central midfield players.
We have quality but not at the level we need, and this game showed that we are at the bare bones of the squad. The lads have the fight and the spoirit – now we need to add more quality and we become a decent side.
But right now we’re simply not good enough with our current squad, and with all 8 of the injured first teamers out.
We hope Ashley realizes there is some significant danger here.
In fact there may be a mounting case for selling Shay Given, but only if we can get at least £10M for him, because we must get some new players brought in – desperately – and Ashley doesn’t appear to have the money, at least not in January.
Bassong, Enrique, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Duff, Given and Owen were good for Newcastle and Carroll looks the part, as he continues to learn the tricks of the trade in the Premier league.
Geremi had a terrible game today, as almost every free kick and corner he took were wasted – a real off-day for the Cameroon International, but Butt will be straight back in on Wednesday against Hull City.
Again we needed a strong defensive performance to get the win this afternoon, and we failed again – and just why we seem so porous at home is something Kinnear will need to sort out – quickly. We need clean sheets at home to get the wins, but we keep conceding far too many goals at St. James’ Park.
One point from the last 3 league games, with two of those at home, and 9 goals conceded simply isn’t good enough – and that’s the truth.
Comments welcome.
274 comments so far
The "Gentleman Blogger" 51times - I'm nice and humble now
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Comment #81Hugh Jorgan – oh ok thanks for the post
wigaz
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Comment #82Agree 100% with you johnny. What do you think of that deal mate? Zogs for bent? bents prob valued at £10m so swap with zog £8-10m would be fair biz if Spuds would go for it? i think Harry will bring crouch in the summer anyway. Bent would be class for us. Really hope Carroll continues his goal scoring too.
Kevin
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Comment #83Stockley – point well taken. But if they can go away and put in performances like that under a cloud of political upheval at their club – why can’t we?
JonnyNUFC
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Comment #84Only criticism i could have of Carroll today was his lay offs after winning the ball.
The midfield or defence send a long ball over…and he does brilliantly to win it and hold off the defender. Then instead of turning on the ball or laying it off to the side…he kept sending it back to the midfield/defence & many times it was back to square one.
Only useful winning it when you use that to your advantage
Bakerman
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Comment #85Re Zog:
Whatever the case may be – whether he wants out or whether thats just mischief-making by the press, I hope and pray we keep him beyond this transfer window when the stories generally all end. He is by far one of our better midfielders, second only to Jonas and given the relegation battle we’re facing, we need to keep players of his quality.
Re Ashley:
This is still his first season as owner and he is evidently still learning the ropes. As much as I feel he was so wrong in many ways, it still doesn’t make sense to not support him & the club. We need continuity (something we lack at ever level from players to managers and now it seems to owners). If he’s got a long-term plan for the club (evident from his development of youth players), then he’s perhaps got a good long-term plan for the club.
Kevin
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Comment #86Johnny – you can’t tell me you have no criticisms of Carrol’s haircut, mate!! 🙂
O'Hurley
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Comment #87RyanToon- #18
Jonas is NOT too good for us. He’s EXACTLY the kind of player we need. There is NO player that’s too good for us. We need the best players in the world. I know we’re far from getting there, but we absolutely CANNOT lose sight of that. We’re just having a rough season. At some point (and it may be 10 years from now) this team will be back up. We, as supporters, can NEVER lose sight of that. Trust me, I know about these things. I follow the Chicago Cubs. We haven’t won any silverware since 1908. That’s 101 years without a championship. And I’m STILL a fan.
Bakerman
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Comment #88Re: Enrique
I hope that we don’t go after another LB as it seems this lad is improving all the time. Fair enough his passing is a bit suspect but the lad is quick, has a decent tackle, and goes forward well. He’s only 21 and for his age has the makings of a future great. At worst I’d say he plays average now & then but not woeful.
If we do buy another LB, I hope it’ll be a young understudy to Enrique – not a more senior player. This lad has talent…we shouldn’t waste his potential!!
Dóócéy
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Comment #89Exactly O’Hurley!
Jonas is a great player and his attitude is even better! Saying he wants to play for many years for NUF yesterday.
Carroll is a goo player, he just needs time and confidence.
Kevin
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Comment #90O’Hurley – SPOT ON, MATE!! You’re right – There are NO players too good for us! We must retain sight of the ultimate goal, and we must not be afraid to tell the truth in regards to the quality of our players….And how strange is this – I’m a die hard Cubs supporter since birth!
Bakerman
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Comment #91I hope that we rest players against Hull and concentrate on the league. My wish for the game against Hull would be:
Harper
Edgar Taylor Kadar Tozer
Lualua Geremi Donaldson N’Zogbia
Carrol Ranger
Who knows, perhaps they could pull off a shocker? Whats the harm in trying??
Dóócéy
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Comment #92David Craig been on all day?
Alex
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Comment #93Jonny nufc
his lay offs would have been more useful if our midfield had made themselves available . I was pleasantly surprised by Carroll today , he actually looked like he wanted to be there . Lets hope he puts a few more performances in like he did today and starts to improve .
Ally
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Comment #94Doocey i want David craig to come on aswell ha ha
normski1930z
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Comment #95At the end of the day right now we are not good enough full stop….@hugh jorgan i will always support the team come hell or high water but i will NEVER support ashley and his cronies..we have gone backwards sooooo much under him it is not even funny…….i hope we can stay in the epl and someone with abit of ambition buys us in the summer…heres hoping!!!
Dóócéy
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Comment #96Re Ally :
Me too but you can’t blame him not coming on with all the abuse he has taken from “fans” on here.
Ok if you can’t believe him but can’t people say it politely?
He’s been right so far and could be still winding us up but he’s whet my appetite nicely 😛
Obafan
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Comment #97I’ve awlays said Taylor was a bad player. Most of you did not agree with me. But now I finally see that most of the people see that Taylor is just a bad defender.
Every time he plays, he is guaranteed to do some stupid things. And the worst of all is that he laughs whenever he does something stupid.
I hope he goes and that we replace him, cause any other player would be a better prospect than Taylor.
Bakerman
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Comment #98If we don’t do anything in this transfer window, I hope that we at least sign Fabian Delph. He’s a young lad with bags of potential who’s addition wouldn’t harm us at the moment given our thin midfield. Given the opportunity (like Arsene Wenger normally does to his youngsters), we could potentially develop a world-class midfielder.
The "Gentleman Blogger" 51times - I'm nice and humble now
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Comment #99Dan – Don’t bring your viral porn sites on here please, they suck anyway and there are kids who post here.
Ally
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Comment #100exactly mate!
Bakerman
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:26 PM
Comment #101Dont be a twat dan!
Toon1978
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:26 PM
Comment #102Dan
Naughty naughty boy is she your ex lol.
Dan157
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Comment #103wish joken kinnear would fck off
Toon1978
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Comment #104Dan
None of the is JK fault mate. He has an injury list bigger than the Afghan army and he has his hands tied as far as transfers are concerned. He has a pittance to play with and a team full of crocks AND CROOKS. He is doing a good job considering all of this.
Joe.
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Comment #105stewards are idiots. West Ham fans were crap. Anyone see the cockney mafias signs? Enriques passing at times is abysmal. Bassong, Owen and Given are great. Ref poor again.
normski1930z
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Comment #106fabian delph aye right when we offered 1 million for him……nee bother.
Carl
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Comment #107People keep saying Ashley should put his money in his pocket to buy us some players. Why? Where is all the money from ticket sales and merchandise going? Surely some of that could be used to fund players!
Toon1978
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Comment #108Carl
Where is the money going from the ticket sales and merchandising…IN ASHLEYS POCKET, therefore he sould put his hand in his pocket to buy players.
toon mad chris
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Comment #109i think we should try and swap n’zogbia for darren bent asap. N’zogbia is a good player with a lot of speed and skill but he has no end product. After n’zogbia got that goal against totenham he now thinks he is alot better than he actually is. Does anyone agree?
normski1930z
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Comment #110carl the money is going to ashleys ailing biznesses coz the retail sector is f**ked, so he bleeds nufc to keep his other interests afloat….
The "Gentleman Blogger" 51times - I'm nice and humble now
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Comment #111Ed sucks shit
Kevin
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Comment #112I missed the morning craic. How serious is all this “N’Zog for Bent” talk? Not to mention the Riise rumour Ed reported on earlier…?
nufc1818
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Comment #113i want david craig to come on as well haha
btw everyone chris mort was at the game again
and was talkin to the press a lot.
didnt see llambias anywhere.
Dan157
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Comment #114All the previous comments posted with my name are not me. You need to realize that if either me Tom_Toon or Spyro say something stupid it’s that annoying person who Ed is trying to stop with the new log in thing.
GraemeR
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Comment #115Bakerman – if we do nothing in the transfer window how can we sign Delph??
If we do nothing in the transfer window we are in the fizzy league
Dan157
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Comment #116ILL PUT IT IN CAPS SO EVERYONE CAN SEE. ALL COMMENTS ON HERE EXCEPT 114 ARE NOT MINE. SOMEONE IS USING MY NAME TO MAKE ME LOOK STUPID AND TO MAKE IT WORSE PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY FALLING FOR IT.
Toon1978
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Comment #117Seen a comment on the BBC site that Boyd from Rangers was sen at the Toon game today.
The "Gentleman Blogger" 51times - I'm nice and humble now
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Comment #118Where is Spyro anyway.
Toon1978
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Comment #119http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A45794442
CHUCK
Jan 10, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Comment #120Dont know what game you were watching Ed,
Yeah he`s a big lad and not bad in the air, but he did miss a sitter in the air talkingabout Carrol here.
But afraid he will never be PL class, faded in the second half.
As for Geremi ,sell him , he was simply awfull to day.
Guthrie showed his shortcomings, another that will never reach anything beyond a bench filler role.
Enrique did put in a couple of crosses and his pace still surprises me, but he got caught forward too often for my likeing.
Both Duff and Jonas had good games as did N`zog ( why not he was fresh)
We missed Beye badly and the fact we badly need both a defensive and a playmaking inside pair @ midfield was apparent to all.
Now is the time to put in a bid for Bent (as we are to lose MO) believe he teamed up with Martens would be a productive strike force and would compliment each other.
So Iwant Bent, Sissoko, Sahko, Mouyokolo,
Got it Joe !