Newcastle did not play very well in the first half at home to Everton this afternoon, but the very worst thing that could happen was to have a player sent off, and that’s exactly what happened just before half time. 🙁
The last thing you want in as important a game as this is for Newcastle, is to be at a disadvantage, and after 44 minutes midfielder Kevin Nolan was given a straight red by referee Lee Mason, following an poor challenge on Victor Anichebe.
These referees have far too much of an impact on games in the Premier League these days, and so it was again today, as we will need to play the second half with just 10 men.
We don’t really have a suitable replacement for Nolan either, since Barton and Guthrie are both unfit, and we’ll have to rely on Geremi again, but the Cameroon International has played hopeless the last two times he has played for the side. Maybe Alan Smith will get a chance this afternoon too, and maybe Alan would be a better bet – and he certainly will be motivated and he’s a real fighter, that’s for sure.
So the lads are really up against it, and they haven’t played too well in the first 45 minutes with 11 men, never mind going down to 10 men for the final 45 minutes.
But this game is not over, and with the crowd behind the lads, we need another gutsy performance like we gave against Manchester City, when we were behind with 10 man, and actually scored two goals to go ahead before City equalized with just 4 minutes to go.
But there’s no doubt this will not be a huge test of Newcastle’s guts and character, to be able to get anything out of this game.
And of course Nolan will now miss the next 3 games, including the all important next game at his old club Bolton Wanderers. Nothing like shooting yourself in the foot is there?
Just before half time Ameobi had the ball in the net as referee Lee Mason ruled that Shola Ameobi had impeded Tim Howard as the of them challenged for a looping high ball inside the six-yard area.
But whenever the goalkeepers don’t get the high balls these days, the referees almost automatically think they must have been fouled, so the goal was disallowed for a foul by Shola, but it’s hard to see how he fouled the American goalkeeper.
You know, sometimes, goalkeepers actually miss balls they should get, and are not fouled.
Oh well, there’s room for some Newcastle heroes in the last 45 minutes.
Howay The Lads!!
99 comments so far
JJJ
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Comment #41I thought the entire back four were fantastic considering how much pressure the pathetic midfield put them under….
Bassong was a rock. Colo distributed well, and not only did Enrique and Taylor (Steven) defend well but the were our biggest threats out wide going forward….
MOTM is Enrique for me!!!
Butt did well defensively in midfield but is pathetic going forward and loses the ball 50% of the time with his passing….
Nolan would have made the difference but poor challenge…
Jonas is terrible at crossing and unless he can sort that out will never be good enough despite his workrate…
Duff is too afraid to take on his man these days and Im afraid is very average now…
Ameobi is for me the WORST PLAYER EVER to apply his trade in the premiership – people complain about Martins first touch but Martins first touch is like Messi compared to Ameobi, Martins wins 10x more in the air than the 6’1 Ameobi, he is stronger in the ball, and has 15x the pace and finishing ability…. Ameobi is just TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE…
Lovenkrans is a good impact player but nothing more…
And Owen did what he does best, get paid millions warming a seat in the stands!!! W@NKER, cant wait till he leaves… total waste of space!!!!!
Shanghaitoon
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Comment #42Enrique and Steven Taylor the best players for me… I’d probably give MotM to Enrique…
At least we didn’t lose!!
alanshearersdiscopants
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Comment #43beyethegreat // Feb 22, 2009 at 6:03 PM
who else thought butt had a decent game for a change
He did aye i am loathed to say. Dont really rate him but he played alright, flagged a bit towards the end. Not a bad result considering we only had 10 men for 50 mins. The defence looked solid as well, even enrique looked decent!
nufc1818
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Comment #44beyethegreat
i agree mate
what we need to do now is work on our attacking front
balls are just going into the box with no one there
and sometimes we just dont look like a team
TheToonKing
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Comment #45yeah the back 4 and Butt did great today….the rest Ok……and what a pick up Ryan Taylor was !! great business.
Guttierez1
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Comment #46yeah jose has really come along this season past few performances have been quite impressive. bassong is doing well too. i dont really get why dennis wise is being criticised so much seeing as he brought in these players along with jonas….
buddy
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Comment #47toon_factor,disagree. jose was our best player by far. most involved players in attack,solid defendin and worked his socks off. butt worked hard but offered very little
TheToonKing
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Comment #48Nolan should have saved that tackle for someone who deserves it …like Cattermole…
buddy
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Comment #49nufc1818,yeah our attack is very weak,more due to lack of creativity from midfield than nythin. get rid of shameobi and work with our forwards who can actually play footie
nufc1818
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Comment #50and i actually thought smith put quite a bit of pressure on evertons back 4
JJJ
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Comment #51Now for player ratings:
Harper – (7) … two fine saves but nothing special
Taylor S – (7.5) … superb effort to defend and get forward
Colo – (7) solid and calm in defense …
Bassong – (8) great game again. So strong and assured…
Enrique – (8.5) some timely interventions and good strong defending and overlapping runs MOTM…
Taylor R – (6) good set piece taker but needs to get forward more, seemed like and and S Tayls has reversed roles…
Butt – (6.5) good in defense but terrible passing forward.
Nolan – (5.5) looked decent until sent off, created opening for Lovey but then poor challenge…
Duff – (4) non exsisitant…
Jonas – (5) worked hard but poor in final third…
Ameobi – (2) good game for him so he gets a 2/10 well done lad, best game in ages!!!
Martins – (6.5) little time and all alone but he still made the Everton defense panick at times…
Smith (3) – little impact…
beyethegreat
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Comment #52thanks for your replys who are our cms can kaz play their if so give him a start
RyanToon
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Comment #53bassong was my MOM, he is a top player
RyanToon
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Comment #54harper 7
s.taylor 7
coloccini 5
bassong 8
enrique 7
r.taylor 5
butt 6
nolan 5
duff 4
lovenkrands 6
ameobi 5
NewManagerPlz
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Comment #55well that was an utterly boring match even when it was 11 v 11 we didnt look like scoring.
Harper – Did his job well
S.Taylor – Alright going forward seemed nervy at the back
Colo – Looked tired and slow
Bassong – Good Game
Enrique – Didnt put a foot wrong MOM
R.Taylor – Looked Poor Often lost possesion
Butt – NEEDS to stop back and cover back 4 and not get involved in attack also gave ball away often
Nolan – Silly tackle should be fined by club
Duff – Played alright tried to get involved
Ameobi – Should play football
Lovenkrands – Pretty poor and wasted good chance
Jonas – Should have started
Martins – Did good but all alone
Smith – What is his position?
Dragonera
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Comment #56Ryan
You have been proved wrong about Enrique. As a lot (including myself) suggested to you, he just needed time. Now look at him, what a performance from him today both defensively and offensively. MOTM by a country mile.
Flan
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Comment #57I see the Mail are blaming a lovenkrands “late challenge” for Arteta’s injury. They really are hateful fu(kers.
beyethegreat
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Comment #58dragon lets not get carried away
RyanToon
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Comment #59yes enrique has proved me wrong, he has been good for the last three games
JJJ
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Comment #60RyanToon,
So are you saying Ameobi played as well as Coloccini? really????
Still think Enrique was suberb today, he honestly couldnt have played any better…
Dragonera
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Comment #61Also, why are people giving Colo average ratings? He was superb and gave the Everton forwards no time on the ball. He had a great game. Ratings should be
Enrique – 8.5
Bassong – 8.0
Colo – 8.0
Taylor – 7.5
Dragonera
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Comment #62Ryan
He has had more good games this season than three. Get a clue.
RyanToon
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Comment #63dragonera thats your opinion
Piers
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Comment #64We played with a sense of poise today with will bode well for us in our next few games. We weren’t as reckless as we usually are. If Nolan wasn’t retarded then we would have gotten 3 pts.
Piers
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Comment #65which will*
WELSHMAG
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Comment #66Harper – Good job
S.Taylor – Excellent game, good going forward and strong in the air
Colo – A good performance no major cock-ups
Bassong – MOM
Enrique – Solid display
R.Taylor -Hmmm….. good delivery.
Butt – Didn’t think he was all that to be honest, I love his fouls when he’s chasing the man, he looks then trips then.
Nolan – idoit.
Duff -meh…. ineffective
Ameobi – foul,foul,trip,trip,foul,
Lovenkrands – again, wasnot in the game at all for the first 25 minutes
Jonas – Should have started
Martins – Meh
Smith – Meh
jamie
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Comment #67harper 6 not reallly much to do distribution wasnt great
s.taylor 7 did well in fairness
coloccini 6 made no big errors in the right palce at hte right time
bassong 9 so composed good distribution no worries with or without hte ball, stone cold player
enrique 8 got stuck in lost hte ball for nolans foul one major mistake all game
r.taylor 6 tried
butt 7 did well broke his boll***s
nolan 5 WHY WHY WHY no need for it
duff 4 go home son
lovenkrands 6 tried
ameobi 5 WHY WHY WHY did we give him a contract
jonas 5 learn to cross and shoot mate please love the heart though
oba 5 no chance to even try anything not his fault delighted to see him back
smith no chace to make an impact
3 things i need to say
give seb a new contract 5 years now!!!!! no buy out clause whatsoever!!!!!!!
let owen go we could fit another bum on hte seat in the stands he always takes up!!
go to bolton with the ambition of devestating them no holes barred we need 3 points NEED them
come on hte toon
mattyNUFC
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Comment #68but did not have a great game, much less a good one. he had one very clinical nick on the ball and fair credit, covered about ten yards to slide in there, round the 70th minute or so
enrique was solid, but i think my man of the match would go to taylor, and im so far from being his biggest fan too. he made some stupid errors but was solid and commited, always wanting the ball and trying to make something happen.
Bassong was great today
Colo wasnt mad, still some bad passes to nowhere comin outta the back
enrique wouldve had my man of the match if it hadnt been for a few daft passes to nowhere, but he was solid and i hope we hold on to him for a long time
duff – well, he was substituted at half time
jonas – great effort, but again, poor decision making, unfortunately, and not just from his wayword shot. really awful crossing. somebody needs to work with him.
butt – nothings changed, he’s a great spirit to have in the team no doubt but did anyone else try to count how many times he fell over from nothing?
shola – sparks of decency, but again, same ol’ shola
martins – cant really do much as a lone striker in a side of ten men where our CM’s arent anywhere to be found. tried though and ran everywhere for the cause
ryan taylor – i thought had a really solid game
harper – maybe he feels a little underpressure. some wayward goal kicks and clearences, but wasnt really tried at all. still happy to have him playing
smith – didnt see him at all once he came on
am i forgettin anyone? oh well.
CONCLUSION
our back four saved our a*** today. great display and great spirit considering
Dan4Toon
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Comment #69well considering everything a point it OK and smith and martins got some playing time and hopefully Guthrie will be back for Bolton :). Enrique and Bassong equally as good for me!
Harper
s.Taylor Colo Bassong Enrique
r.Taylor Guthrie Butt Jonas
Martins Viduka/Smith/Lovenkrands – Any ones guess to who partners Martins next week 😛
WELSHMAG
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Comment #70Bassong has further displayed that he’s a VERY strong CB. he has it all in my opinion.
Dan4Toon
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:25 PM
Comment #71Sorry forget to mention Carroll in that because apparently they like playing together but that remains to be seen 😉 !
buddy
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Comment #72in fairness ryan, enrique has had plenty of very good games. i think we should park any thoughts of getting rid of enrique. he keeps on improvin with games, and will continue to improve. his attacking instincts are great to see but obviously is nowhere near the finished article he was certainly betr than baines today
stevep
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Comment #73the whole back four looked good today – Collocini also played well MOM between Enrique and Bassong, nice to see Enrique having such a good understanding with Jonas.
Midfield looked a bit weak even with Nolan, Ryan Taylor needs a bit of time
Ameobi played ok – lovenkrands had a poor game (ameobis goal should have stood for me)
next few games will determine our season!
Toon_Factor
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Comment #74Harper- 8 Nothing to do really
S.Taylor- 8- Good Attacking and Defending
Coloccini- 9 Kept Jo quite, one of his best games
Bassong-9 Solid as usual
Enrique- 10 Revitalized what a player he has been these past couple of weeks
R.Taylor- 6 Wasnt at his best
Butt- 10 Solid in midfield MOTM
Nolan- 4 Sent off but played good until then
Duff- 5 Total opposite of last week
Ameobi- 5 Terrible once again
Lovenkrands- 6 SHOULD OF SCORED
Martins- 6- Midfield didnt give him any chances
Gutierrez- 6 Tried, but didnt provide anything
Smith- 4 Little time but still did nothing
WE NEED TO WIN NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!
beyethegreat
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Comment #75enrique played well but we still need another lb(for cover) but perhaps he is improving which isnt surprising since hughton and kinnear were full backs(i think)
RyanToon
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Comment #76iam going bolton next week and and havent recieved my tickets, haveYOU recieved yours yet???
i ordered them on thursday 19th!
Shanghaitoon
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Comment #77At one time, we were always slated for having such a terrible defence… We known to have the worst defence in the PL. Just lok now at how many times this season we have had a defender as MotM. Consistemntly our whole defence is playing well. (Although there are still one or hickups… Liverpool, Ahem!).. its good to see that we’re getting some decent performances our of our defenders these days…
Soren
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Comment #78Bassong is incredible, so confident on the ball and in marking and tackling. Love this guy. MOM today. Enrique, as people have mentioned, also played well today and now has had a string of good performences. He is definately improving. Taylor at right back is also coming along and I was surprise at how well he came forward, good display. Overall we had a good team effort after Nolan got sent off, and we really held Everton well. 1 point is quiet good considering the circumstances, but can’t help but feel we could’ve nicked it with 11 men, ahh well.
RyanToon
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Comment #79for me bassong is one of the best centre backs in the league but colo (who i rated) looks poor IMO
WELSHMAG
Feb 22, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Comment #80ohhh harper made a pretty good reaction-save, so props to him for that, it reminded me of shay 🙁 still a clean sheet does wonders for the confidence but everton were missing so major firepower!