Zurab Khizanishvili had a very good Newcastle debut on Saturday night, and certainly looked the part at right back,
Zurab Khizanishvili – impressive debut on Saturday night
And today Zurab is thanking the fans for their massive support of both him and the team at Ipswich.
The Georgian International talked to the official site today:
“It was my first time playing for Newcastle and my debut couldn’t have gone any better,”
“I was playing in front of our fans in the second-half and their support was fantastic.”
“They were shouting good things to me – one fan even asked how to spell my name, it must be too long!”
“But it was a great experience and I really, really enjoyed it.”
“It was a special game to play in because of the tributes to Sir Bobby Robson and it was the perfect day.”
The on-loan Blackburn Rovers defender played a major role in setting up Newcastle’s fourth goal, with a surging run down the right wing, early in the second half.
He eventually laid the ball back to for Ryan Taylor to deliver onto the head of Nile Ranger whose downward header was headed over the line by hat-trick hero Kevin Nolan.
That was Ryan’s seocnd assist of the game, and he also scored from a great free kick – not a bad night’s work to be sure.
Zurab talked about the goal:
“I must thank the linesman first of all,” “It looked like he was going to get in my way but I managed to run off the pitch and run around him.”
“I then pulled the ball back for Ryan and it was a great cross and a great finish from Kevin Nolan.”
“They were both excellent for us, Ryan’s crossing was very good and Kevin’s goals were excellent.
“It was brilliant win and we’re so happy to be back top of the league.”
We certainly like the look of Khizanishvili, and it could be that the back four on Saturday is our best back four.
But of course Danny Simpson will have something to say about that, when he returns form injury soon – but it’s very good that some competition for places is now building at Newcastle.
We need to bring in another defender who can play at left-back, to give some competition to Jose Enrique.
21 comments so far
premier
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Comment #1looked the part? Zurabing a laff
komfort
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Comment #2aye a left back and a half decent winger … sorted.
…and a new owner.
Kevin Nichol
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Comment #3He was solid all game; although he did duck out of a couple of challenges and must be carefull beacuse thats how you end up getting hurt!
Other than that a smashing debut….
Completely agree on the need to bring in another left back to give jose cover (i say cover because he has that position sown up in my opinion). I’deally we would need to bring in a left back who could play on the left hand side of midfield to!
Unfortunately we are not in a position to land gareth bale as his wages are to high.
punk skunk...
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Comment #4Well done Kish!..
…Keep it goin’ Lads!..
…Toon Toon!..
lacedaemonian
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Comment #5Every home game, the Millburn stand is empty. I know there appears to be a huge allocation for the executive seats but it ruins the atmosphere. Can anybody explain why this is?
I think we should pull the stadium down and build a wall behind the Gallowgate for us to pee against….
Bigbadbob
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Comment #6premier – nowt to do you troll, your sister out on the batter?
Zurab looks like a steady player and had a decent debut as did Harewood the short time he was on.
Definately need cover at left back though.
RyanToon
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Comment #7Zurab is WHAT WE NEED.
A FULLBACK THAT (KEEPS THE BALL)
UNLIKE JOSE ”’HUMP THE FCKIN BALL TO NOONE”’ ENRIQUE!
lacedaemonian
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Comment #8Enrique has been our best player this season.
RyanToon
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Comment #9lacedaemonian // Sep 28, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Enrique has been our best player this season.
Hes had two good games for me
Bigbadbob
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Comment #10premier – 37,000 yesterday, wow, what a big club!
RyanToon
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Comment #11premier // Sep 28, 2009 at 12:03 PM
looked the part? Zurabing a laff
premiershit by anychance?
Jamesthefirst
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Comment #12I must have been watching a different game, wasn’t as impressed with him as some people seem to be. At left back his defending wasn’t great. But looked completely different at CB — far better and assured. But I’m confident he’ll fill in now and again and do a job. He has no chance of replacing Simpson (that boy is sheer class).
RyanToon
Sep 28, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Comment #13I must have been watching a different game, wasn’t as impressed with him as some people seem to be. At left back his defending wasn’t great. But looked completely different at CB — far better and assured. But I’m confident he’ll fill in now and again and do a job. He has no chance of replacing Simpson (that boy is sheer class).
OUR LEFT BACK WAS ENRIQUE, NO WONDER YOU WASNT IMPRESSED 😉
Zurab was our Right Back 😉
Jamesthefirst
Sep 28, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Comment #14@RyanToon – So that’s why he was missing at left back….well I guess he had a good reason then! 🙂
Robby Bobson
Sep 28, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Comment #15Khiz is generally centre back so was impressed with his eagerness to get forward. He played well but he was never really got at and there was abit of space down the flanks due to our narrow midfield and he used it well.
One thing i noticed is Colicinni contiues to do the same things that were bad in the premiership, bit are working at this level. One of one Colo doesnt back his pace and usualy barges the striker which worked a treat when he tried it against ipswich when in the prem he used toi end up flat on his backside. Also he does not hold players up, he has to try and win every long ball and can easily be turned, but championship strikers havent really taken advantage of his. Im not havng a go at Colo becuase he has played well this season, it just shows the huge gap in ability, that Colos obivious weaknesses havent been exploited
DJG
Sep 28, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Comment #16I thought he did great. A mature, assured performance. What more do you guys want from an on-loan, cost only wages defender. Who else are we gonna play, slip on the floor Tozer? I’ll be ready in a few years Kadar? Now that Coloccini is injured Khizanishvili will be a life saver for us next to S.Taylor and hopefully Simpson will be back soon for RB.
punk skunk...
Sep 28, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Comment #17DJG,
don’t bite mate!..
…But well said anyhoo!..
…The lad is obviously glad to be here, has a decent debut, but hey, let’s cane him anyway…
…Borin’!..
harry861
Sep 28, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Comment #18From now on will call him Khiz, He had good game & looks to at home in the centre than right back & yet he did played well.
Regarding all of those blogs saying what waste of money he was regarding Nolan, He’s certainly proved them wrong.
Davies
Sep 28, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Comment #19He looked good. Good debut. Same for Harewood. Could have sunk a ship with that shot.
Enrique was pi55 poor for large portions of the game, but did have a few good moments.
punk skunk...
Sep 28, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Comment #20That’s a bit strong davies, ‘piss poor’, what you talkin’ about?..
…Oh!..I keep forgettin’, no mistakes allowed, whatsoever!..
…Tut!..
Alex
Sep 28, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Comment #21I think this lad will do a better job than colo , he looked strong and seemed to read the game well . The guy was a 1st team regular under Hughes at Blackburn and with that premiership experience behind him would be a good permanent signing in january .Once we are promoted he would know what is expected next season