Leeds went ahead in this game three times, but all three goals were due to some poor defending by Newcastle.
Forster made a terrible mistake when he dropped the ball and gifted Leeds their first goal after just 8 minutes, and then Williamson was badly at fault for Leed’s second goal in the second half, and it was the overall poor marking from Newcastle that led to Leed’s winning goal with just 5 minutes to play.
Newcastle did fight back twice, first with a goal from Steven Taylor from a perfect corner from Yohan Cabaye to make it 1-1, and then 18 year-old Haris Vuckic scored again in pre-season, after 79 minutes to make it 2-2.
We’re sure Alan Pardew will take a lot of good things out of this game, and again the youngsters on display looked very good, but he will want to sharpen up the defense before next Saturday’s game at home against Fiorentina – and that’s probably the main thing coming out of this game.
These were the starting line-ups:
Leeds United: Lonergan, Connolly, Kisnorbo, O’Brien, Parker, Snodgrass, Howson, Clayton, Brown, Gradel, McCormack.
Subs: Rachubka, Paynter, Bromby, Nunez, Sam, White, Lees, Mendy, Bodor.
Newcastle United : Forster, Simpson, Taylor (S), Williamson, Tavernier, Cabaye, Barton, Gosling, Gutierrez, Ba, Shola Ameobi, ,
Subs: Krul, Taylor (R), Best, Vuckic, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett.
Referee: A Haines
Local lad Shola Ameobi was made captain of Newcastle for the day, and Fraser Forster was given a big chance to stake a claim to the first team goalkeeper jersey for next season, but Fraser made a terrible mistake after just 5 minutes.
A ball came in from Robert Snodgrass and the goalkeeper seemed to collect well, but then he fumbled the ball straight to Patrick Kisnorbo, who hit the ball home – a terrible clanger by the goalkeeper and a poor goal to give away so soon.
That will do Fraser’s chances of becoming number one goalkeeper at Newcastle no good at all.
Newcastle did not start this game well, and Leeds attacked and the Newcastle side were a little fortunate not to go future behind in the first 10 minutes of the game.
On 11 minutes Jonas Gutierrez was given the ball, after good play from Joey Barton and the Argentine had a decent attempt on goal from 25 yards out.
Demba Ba then looked good as he raced through on goal, but former Newcastle center-back Andy O’Brien put in an excellent tackle, and Ba tried again when he got to the loose ball but this time Kisnorbo robbed the striker at the very last moment.
Then former Newcastle target Max Gradel then headed the ball into the net from a free-kick, but he was ruled offside – where was the defense?
Newcastle started to come into the game more, and after 20 minutes Demba Ba played in Joey Barton, and then from the left wing Barton his the ball across the goal and Ba just failed to connect with a desperate lunge – good play by Newcastle.
After 26 minutes cent-back Steven Taylor got to a corner from Yonas Cabaye, but Steven’s header is off target, but he did well to get to the ball .
Four minutes later Steven Taylor again got his head on a Cabaye corner, but this time he headed wide of the target, but it was promising set-play work by the Newcastle side.
Fraser Forster then redeemed himself a little for his error for the first goal, and it was a terrific shot form the impressive Max Gradel who went down the left wing and cut in, but Fraser saved brilliantly and diverted the ball for a corner.
Maybe Newcastle should put in a bid for Max Gradel, the Ivory Coast Winger?
Newcastle equalized after 35 minutes, and it was that Cabaye – Taylor partnership again, with Cabaye’s skillful crossing picking out Taylor at every corner – and this Frenchman could become an excellent player for Newcastle.
Cabaye picked out Steven Taylor from the left wing corner, and the local lad ran in at the far post and put the ball home easily – another goal for Steven Taylor – and these goals may be the reason he gets a start at the back for Newcastle.
That’s three chances Steven had from corners in the first 35 minutes, and he put the third chance away very nicely.
Just before half time Leeds thought they should have had a penalty when Steven Taylor appeared to handle a Robert Snodgrass’ right-wing cross, but referee Andy Haines didn’t give it, but he took time outré to consult with his assistant – it could have gone either way.
It was 1-1 at half time and after a slow start from Newcastle and a gift goal from Fraser Forster, Newcastle came back into the game well and deserved to be level at the break.
Newcastle made no changes at half time and after 48 minutes Leeds captain Jonny Howson hit an excellent shot from 25 yards out that whistled past Forster’s left hand post, with the big goalkeeper down to his left covering well.
After 57 minutes Ryan Taylor was introduced for James Tavernier, who again had a good solid game, a little out of position at left-back, but this 19 year-old looks like he’s got what it takes to become a regular starter down the road.
A couple of minutes later – as Newcastle fans were shouting “There’s only one Bobby Robson”, on the two year anniversary of Bobby’s death, Leeds manager Simon Grayson made a triple substition and Robert Snodgrass, Ben Parker and Patrick Kisnorbo were replaced by Lloyd Sam, Tom Lees and Boldizsar Bodor.
On 66 minutes Shola Ameobi was replaced by his younger brother Sammy and striker Leon Best came on for Dan Gosling and 18 year-old Slovenian Haris Vuckic replaced Jonas Gutierrez.
And then a minute later Leeds again took the lead and it was another Newcastle defensive error that led to the goal.
Mike Williamson was trying to shield the ball out of play down the left, but Lloyd Sam robbed the ball from the former Portsmouth defender and Sam put the ball past Fraser Forster, more poor defending from Newcastle.
A good ball from Ryan Taylor was taken nicely by Leon Best, and Leon created room fro himself nicely and hit a shot from 13 yards out, but it was blocked by Bromby as Leon appealed for handball in vain.
The Sammy Ameobi showed why he’s such a promising youngster and the 19 year old put in a good crosses from the left wing and Joey Barton got to the ball with a flying header but goalkeeper Longergan made an excellent save as he dived to his left, as Newcastle tried to get back into the game.
Newcastle were pressing and after 77 minutes the lads were level again. And it was yet another goal from 18 year-old Haris Vuckic, who we keep saying has an eye for goal, and the youngster was set up nicely by Leon Best and he hit the ball home well – and it was 2-2.
That’s Harris’ second goal of the pre-season and he also had a good goal against Orlando disallowed for offside, but TV replays showed to have been onside.
Three minutes later 19 year-old Paul Dummett came on in place of Danny Simpson, and that allowed Ryan Taylor to move to right-back, with the young Welshman fitting in at left-back.
But with five minutes to go Newcastle gave away another poor goal, and they couldn’t clear a corner kick and from the loose ball out on the right Mendy’s cross put the ball home from a tioght angle – and agauin you have to ask the question – where’s the Newcastle defense?
Newcastle again tried to come back and Leon Best went close twice but the final whistle blew and it was Leeds who were the winners today.
Newcastle’s Achilles heel last year in far too many games was the defense, and there have been no improvements made this summer, at least not yet, and it could again be Newcastle’s weakness in the coming season.
Comments welcome.
184 comments so far
Tonytoon73
Jul 31, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Comment #161SMS right what you said there in the right system he will bang goals in.
Offkey
Jul 31, 2011 at 6:36 PM
Comment #162@ SMS – 155
I also believe the first team could get to 7th or 8th. But it seems just as likely we could get in a relegation fight with a few injuries and/or poor morale. This is the gamble MA is taking with the club.
Further, I accept the tweets are unprofessional and could get many the sack and could damage morale. But what if Joey is actually doing it for a reason other than self benefit. What if it is because the atmosphere within the club is already toxic……as we are not in the club we dont know.
Its many ifs and buts, but the fact is this is the gamble the neggers get berated for mentioning, and it doesn’t seem a fool-hardy belief on the balance of the actual evidence (rather than just opinion).
Smooth moves Shola
Jul 31, 2011 at 6:50 PM
Comment #163Offkey –
It’s only a gamble if ‘leaders’ like Barton are already crumbling. He seems to be creating a unneeded rift, without giving good reason.
If he went whole hog and elaborated, I’d probably support him. The seeds are sown, the damage is done.
He should stop fiddling with our feelings, we get enough of that off MA.
nick_9
Jul 31, 2011 at 6:51 PM
Comment #164Offkey where have you been hiding? So much sense in your posts and not mindless rubbish. Whilst money is a major factor in players decisions I also think having your boss tell you your not wanted and lying to you would make you very much want to work elsewhere, what’s that you say? Clubs like Liverpool are willing to pay me more and you don’t want me? Good bye newcastle. I can imagine Ashley and Llambias being very awkward people to be on the wrong side of or be unwanted by.
I’m also of the opinion that if we signed another striker, left back cover, a centre back and a right back to go along with the youngsters then we would have a very capable squad. Its upsetting when players like Jose, Carroll and Barton leave or are so disillusioned by their own employer that they will no longer be at the club. We should be building a team around them. I saw someone post ‘no country for old men’ last night and I couldn’t agree more, under Ashley we would never have a scholes, gerrard, terry, lampard or giggs. I’m also of the opinion that we are never going to see the days of paying good money for top talent like we did when we bought shearer.
I just wish we could do what most fans would see as glaringly obvious and strengthen a few positions that we lack in, the current crop seem to be under the impression that we won’t invest much which is a shame and leads me to think Barton and Jose know something we don’t. I really don’t think the likes of Smith, xisco, perch and Raylor deserve to wear out shirt and I would have much more patience with the five or six youngsters people keep mentioning than some of the cack we do play.
dave 1961
Jul 31, 2011 at 6:55 PM
Comment #165Some on hear spent their summer holidays at Rekall i think.
wingspan
Jul 31, 2011 at 7:11 PM
Comment #166I was at the game today but sat behind the dugouts because i went with my family of leeds fans (muppets)
But you could see straight away from body language of Jonas and joey in particular that something was wrong. Just looked completeley disinterested, especially jonas. I thought that joey was just pissed about shola bein captain but obviously it turns out it was much more. I dont understand why joey wouldnt be vice captain anyway, if your the best person for the job you should do it and he obviously is if he gets sold then give it to someone else after. Pardew was moanin at shola about not talkin so he obviously isnt the right man for the job. But on a positive note i thought cabaye looked classy! And he like to get stuck in!!
Also the need to sign a left back now was glaring! we ad 3 different players playin there today, none of which looked remotely comfortable or convincing!
wingspan
Jul 31, 2011 at 7:15 PM
Comment #167on another note a guy was givin joey some abuse when he came out after halftime and joey came over to ask what he said. The guy obviously said it again and joeys response was “do you think thats a good example to set to your kid” (who the guy was sat with) Now i like joey but i had to chuckle to myself. Defo a bit rich comin from him.
Wandering Geordie
Jul 31, 2011 at 7:16 PM
Comment #168Pardew should take a leaf from Wenger and have the belief in bedding the young kids in 1st team.
The Likes of Vukic are ready to be included in the team and I am sure the kid will take his chances and show us the qualities and style he has been showing us in the past few games.
As for the siging of the PSG striker I have my doubts about him.I have ben watching clips on U tube.Need I say more.
wynsleap
Jul 31, 2011 at 7:17 PM
Comment #169Offkey@162 – You’re right about the gamble but isn’t that what Ashley is all about?
When he first came he said he “bought the club to have fun”. At the time I thought that meant he wanted to speculate and really turn us into a top of the table chasing outfit.
Unfortunately it has become obvious that his idea of “fun” was to slake his gambling thirst by trying to get a team into the top part of the table (or maybe just staying in the Premier) without significant investment – or even better, none at all – judging by the current window.
It’s all a game and we’re all the mugs and it’s about time a lot of the fans woke up and smelt the Sports Direct cowdung.
Munster Mag
Jul 31, 2011 at 7:37 PM
Comment #170Sadly, the more i think about the regime at the top, the more i worry. Despite what Felipe and others will try to say about not signing any more Luques etc, which i agree with, it still kills me that we cant just get a striker in quickly, and other players we need. Simply, the money is there, by the bucketful, and the happy clappers on this site really do have to learn to respect the fairly obvious and straightforward views of Barton, and more importantly, Keegan. MA could sell Tiote and Enrique for 20 mill, but all we’ll see in return are freebies from France on lower wages, or certainly a significant net profit on the purchase of new players. Its disgusting, and despite not being a neggar, a few guys like Felipe ( who has failed to answer fair questions on this site from me before ) need to wake up and smell the coffee, inhaling deeply. If Erdinc doesnt sign, i’ll be quietly pleased because of this saga, but i fear a cut price. replacement that will make Best look like George Best
Lee Dodd
Jul 31, 2011 at 7:45 PM
Comment #171The Thing I am Pleased about is That Haris Vuckic is Fit and Starting to Show he can Do A Good Job For us Like Shane Ferguson !!!! If we don’t buy any More new Players We have Good Youngsters As Good Back Up Now !!!
wingspan
Jul 31, 2011 at 7:46 PM
Comment #172Also whats happened to tamas Kadar? Hes left footed isnt he? Surely he should be gettin a go at playing left back pre season. Or is he inkured?
kingkev9
Jul 31, 2011 at 8:17 PM
Comment #173Davy – if you were Nolan, coming up to 29 and your present club, where you had been a loyal and very valuable player, werent prepared to offer you a new contract (after already agreeing one) how would you feel? Yes he could have stayed, i agree. But his relationship with the board was now broken, and at 28/29 you want a good last contract to secure your final years in the game. Nolan should have had his contract extended by 2 years and been kept as he was vital to us.
kingkev9
Jul 31, 2011 at 8:43 PM
Comment #174I give up on here. The pro-ashley brigade cant back up there posts with any facts, which speaks volumes.
Come Sept 1st, we’ll be bottom 6, jose gone, joey gone, remember where you heard it first.
GeordieJordy
Jul 31, 2011 at 9:12 PM
Comment #175Only happy for Vuckic, I have always said that he is one for the furture, i decided to go and get the new home strip today with Vuckic on the back only to find that they were all out of the letter C….. haha so i got Barton :s
Constanstine
Jul 31, 2011 at 9:13 PM
Comment #176Our strikers are garbage. Ameobi doesn’t even deserve a start. Ba and Best are not consistent and certainly not good enough. We need a striker who can score over 15 goals a season. Our midfield are looking good and settled, another winger as Routledge’s replacement is optional. Our defense will be a let down next season. Jose is so fked up and he’ll be having no life at Newcastle till new summer and leaves us on free transfer. Simpson lacks talent and development.
NOVA2967
Jul 31, 2011 at 9:53 PM
Comment #177So with fergy and tav we have cover on the defensive wings. Cbs seem a little thin with Colo, Taylor, Willo. Cm is packed, we could do with one more winger and striker we could do with one but not a panick buy, ba, best, ameobi, loven we maybe one more then
maverickman1979
Jul 31, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Comment #178why does this blog/Ed kiss Alan Pardews arse the man is a complete and utter joke !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Davies
Jul 31, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Comment #179Jesus. There are some proper cry babies on here. Boo hoo.
Felipe
Jul 31, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Comment #180@kingkev9: I will remember!
STS_Toon
Jul 31, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Comment #181Just seen the goals on SSN…Forster…Shocking! No way he could be our number 1 next season.
NathanH NUFC
Jul 31, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Comment #182The way i see it, we were without Tiote and Coloccini, and i doubt Krul would have spilled that, so in my book, no real worries, since Tiote practically stopped Man Utd on his own, so if he were at Leeds, i doubt we would have conceded so many 🙂 Make Krul #1 and loan out Forster, looking forward to Arsenal now, got tickets 😀
Brutooon
Aug 1, 2011 at 1:13 AM
Comment #183The reason we lose is because AMEOBI IS THE CAPTAIN
what a poor choice.
shearer4pm
Aug 1, 2011 at 7:10 AM
Comment #184being at the game i think we were surprised how competative it was in the first 15mins and got over whelmed, the amount of knock downs i saw from ba and ameobi was impressive if we still had nolan or bought somone who can shoot from distance we could get 3-5 goals a season, i thought gradel had simmo in his back pocket and was relieved when he came off, and finally what an awful stadium lay out, only enough leg room if your 4foot0