In a game in which a win would have taken Newcastle 5 points clear at the top of the Championship, Newcastle elected to have this night be a time to drop their first league points of the season at home, and they missed a penalty too.
One of the things we didn’t have last season was mental strength and this result shows that we may not be too much better off this season, as we failed to get maximum points, with a rather mediocre performance, after a stunning display last Saturday night.
But we did come back from being a goal down and then missing a penalty, so to be fair that was good.
Newcastle started badly and conceded after only 7 minutes, when Newcastle’s sloppy play was punished, when Enrique’s clearance only went as far as Ben Watson, 30 yards from goal.
The midfielder took the ball forward and then hit a left-footed shot which was deflected beyond a wrong-footed Steve Harper, off the leg of Steven Taylor, and into the net.
But then on 18 minutes Newcastle had a great chance to draw level with a penalty. The ball dropped to Steven Taylor at the far post, and he managed to hit a shot on goal, and the ball cannoned off the hand of Mikele Leigertwood, and the referee, Rob Shoebridge pointed to the spot.
But Danny Guthrie’s penalty was poor and easily saved by the diving goalkeeper. We must be able to score from penalties – especially at home. At the end of the day Danny’s miss cost Newcastle 2 points.
Goals and penalty misses change games, and this probably put it in the players’ minds that tonight was not a night for them, and in front of 38,923 Newcastle fans too.
This is not a good result, although we did come from behind, and it was our new signing Marlon Harewood who got his first goal, and it got Newcastle a point.
The break came and Newcastle were down 1-0 but in the second half as expected Chris brought on Harewood for Ranger (61 mins) and Gutierrez for Butt at half time.
It was on 70 minutes when Danny Simpson lifted a high cross to the far post, and Andy Carroll towered to head back across goal, where Harewood arrived to bundle the ball home for his first for the club.
We cannot afford too many nights like this – and make no mistake – this was 2 points lost by the lads – and we’ll have to put it down to a bad night.
While we are probably being too hard on the lads, it’s important that the team failed to deliver the goods when it mattered tonight, and that’s what is disappointing with the overall display and result.
But now it means Newcastle just much win against Bristol City on Saturday at home, anything less will be unacceptable. If we can take Bristol to the cleaners on Saturday, we’ll feel a lot better.
Newcastle still go 3 points clear of QPR at the top of the league tonight.
Don’t forget to vote for you Man of the Match tonight, on our home page.
52 comments so far
buda boom
Sep 30, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Comment #41Simon376
Are you sure you have been to the game. There was no atmosphere. The ground was only 75% full and Jonas was our man of the match
simon376
Sep 30, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Comment #42buda boom
Apart from first 10mins yes. I agree Jonas changed things, but he needs to lern to cross, had to use Jose too much for crossing. I really didn’t think the atmosphere was too bad, but then again, I’m in the East Stand, so used to it being quiet. Just a shame Butt and Guthrie were so horrible tonight
stuart no9
Sep 30, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Comment #43ROSS what i mean by belonging in the prem league is not really for our football ability(even though the money weve spent over the yearsshould have produced some kind of silverware) but for what we have at our disposal, one of the best grounds in the world, 52000 every week,a massive world wide fan base the millions that have been pumped in to this club that to me imo is why we should not be even entertaining this league,call it arrogance if you want but my view is we need to get up first time round
Lew Davies
Sep 30, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Comment #44Jose ‘s crosses are getting stronger and stronger. Practically booming them across goal, far too strong though. Got to work on our set pieces too. Really missed Ryan Tayls oh yes and surely one of the strikers could have took penalty, not Guthrie. Awful.
Hate being so negative, but really got very little to rave about.
Worried, because not sure if CH can sort this out or not. We’ll know come saturday.
good night all.
MJR
Sep 30, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Comment #45I agree Jonas doesn’t have the best end product and doesn’t get enough assists and goals. But if you look at more than just his goals/assists “stats”, we look a different team with him playing. He raises the tempo and is excellent at bringing enrique into the game.
I don’t think it’s unfair to same he brings more creativity to our left side than Butt!
Otherwise, I think people need to lay off the “Hughton will never be a manager” jibes – we are top of the league after all – not bad considering all the weaknesses in our squad so often pointed out by some (but not all) frequent nufcbloggers. The man is doing very well in difficult circumstances.
punk skunk...
Sep 30, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Comment #46It’s a wake up call!..
…Fluffed a great chance to put daylight between us & the rest…& it woulda sent a strong message of our intent!..
Waddles mullet
Oct 1, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Comment #47QPR done very well tonight
very good swift passing side,
quick in midfield routledge very good.
but they were never a great threat on goal.
first half we seemed to be scared of the pace threat.
Jonas and enrique done very well down the left.
Pished sorry
Where did the good times go
Oct 1, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Comment #48Lets be honest at home we ‘should’ be looking to win ALL our home games. Reality tells us differently and QPR are a decent team who will be in the mix in my humble opinion.
But look at our team:
Simpson= 1st game back after injury
Kizsh%&2fle = 1st home debut at CB
Guthrie = still to find match fitness
Ranger = young lad finding his way
Harewood = played very few minutes of late
Jonas = 1st game back after injury.
We were missing:
Colo = very good CB ‘this season’
Loven = still to find form and fitness
Barton = see above
Shola = Potentially one of the best strikers in thid division !
Plenty positives to come ……keep the faith.
3 points clear and NO team has me worried this season (another reason as to why we should be winning every home game).
Waddles mullet
Oct 1, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Comment #49must say that millivanilli kishanvilliii
is Kaka.
why else would fat head let him come on loan to us.
NorthernPaul
Oct 1, 2009 at 1:49 AM
Comment #50I’m pretty chuffed all in all.
A quarter of the season gone, and we’re three points clear.
I just hope we can continue to build on this, though my confidence in the team was smashed last season and I still expect us to lose every game.
Overall, we are in a position I never expected in my wildest dreams, so I’m well chuffed.
lesh
Oct 1, 2009 at 8:59 AM
Comment #51Well, having listened to the match on the radio, our game seemed to be crying out for:
Wingers who can add withd to the diamond and cross the ball well;
Wingers who can make decisive off-the-ball runs;
Anybody who can make those runs;
Dedicated penalty takers;
Passers of the ball to shooting positions.
Other than that, the lads did well to claw themselves back into the game and Harwood and Jonas clearly were the drivers behind that.
No faulting Ranger, he seemed to be putting himself about.
Over time and as he develops the strength and nous to cope with experienced defenders, he will become a great player. Same goes for Carroll for that matter.
As Ed says, it was two points lost but on the up side, one point won!
harry861
Oct 1, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Comment #52Re dragonera
With Ameobi to replace Carroll when fit. you must be joking, I agree with most of team selection you picked never Ameobi before Carroll. What did do last season apart from being injured most of time