Newcastle dodged a bullet tonight, but still deserved their valuable point at Birmingham City, with a strong and gutsy second half display.
Martins – looked good in second half – but then substituted?
Things hardly looked promising at half-time with Newcastle a goal down and looking a little fragile. It was not unlike last week at Liverpool.
But Keegan had some impact with his team talk at the break, as the lads came out battling in the second half, and the lads deserved their draw, which could have been a win with just a wee bit of luck. Bu overall a draw was probably fair to both teams.
Both teams gained a place in the league table with their point tonight, with Newcastle moving above Reading by a point, and Birmingham moving ahead of Sunderland on goal difference.
This is how things now look after all the weekend matches.
Pos Team Games Won Draw Lost GF GA GD Points 12 Wigan 30 8 7 15 27 42 -15 31 13 Middlesb. 30 7 10 13 27 44 -17 31 14 Newcastle 30 7 8 15 31 57 -26 29 15 Reading 30 8 4 18 35 57 -22 28 16 Birmingham 30 6 9 15 34 46 -12 27 17 Sunderland 30 7 6 17 26 48 -22 27 18 Bolton 29 6 7 16 28 43 -15 25 19 Fulham 30 4 11 15 27 49 -22 23 20 Derby 30 1 7 22 14 64 -50 10
Newcastle are now 4 points above the drop zone, but if Bolton win their game in hand we’ll only be a couple points above the drop zone, with an inferior goal difference on all relegation threatened teams.
We still did nothing tonight to improve our goal difference, which is still a very poor -26.
Don’t get us wrong, we were not cavalier and exciting tonight, and the way things are looking if we do survive relegation, it looks like it will be by limping across the finish line.
The Newcastle get their chance to support the lads and roar them on for a first win against Fulham on Saturday. We liked the look of Owen, Martins and Viduka as our attackers.
But please Kevin, leave Oba on for the full game – he can get goals out of nowhere – which would be a big help in these nail biting games. 😀
Anything is better than relegation – but if we do survive this season then Ashley and Mort must support Keegan to bring in new players he wants and needs.
We don’t want to go through this again.
Comments welcome.
63 comments so far
Dirk
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Comment #1team for fulham
harper
beye..faye..taylor..enrique
duff…..butt……..zoggy
………..carrol
……owen…martins
all out attack i say, leave butt help the back four and duff n zoggy have sum experience defendin so they could track back and help out when needed, part from that have them bomb forward and supply crosses, luvved martins and owen they link up well and should stay as a partner ship with sum1 like carrol holdin the ball for them.
Gooderz
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Comment #2Was anyone else impressed by Muamba today?
Okay, his shooting leaves a lot to be desired but he undoubtedly has some talent and is a tall and fit lad. Hopefully someone will take note of him and consider bringing him in alongside the likes of Giles Barnes.
Speaking of young talent, the “Dennis does Dallas” piece on NUFC.com is interesting. It seems we may be eying up even younger players.
James
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Comment #3Tonight KK finally proved he has the balls for the job.
1) He dropped Smith
2) He took off Martins to shore up the midfield because Martins kept losing his position forcing Barton to cover two places. A brave decision by KK and the right one.
His tactics were excellent tonight. He made sure we didn’t lose the game.
valle
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Comment #4as one of Butt’s critics i shall be the first to say that he was absolutely magnificent today… Barton on the other hand.
James
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Comment #5Hopefully Manure beat Bolton on Weds, and we win against Fulham on Sat, then everything looks okay again.
Andy H
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Comment #6The whole team worked really hard all game in chasing the opposition and not letting them pass. We kept the ball patiently but couldn’t really open them up. In the second half we looked much better and the strikers were linking up well. The combination of Owen, Martins and Viduka will cause defences so many different problems and they have the quality to keep us up.
AlexW
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Comment #7in all fairness i thin we will stay 4 points clear coz after all, boltons game in hand is at old trafford lol, hardly winnable
Tom_Toon
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Comment #8Butt was quite immense tonight, and as you say Barton was quite shocking.
Davies
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Comment #9Don’t be hard on Barton. He did two jobs tonight and made up for some stupid mistakes by at least three other higher rated players.
I have a little hope for all of our players after that match. Nicky Butt redeemed himself beautifully tonight as well. It’d be nice if Smith could do the same next time he (inevitably) comes on.
Tom_Toon
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Comment #10If smith sets foot on a football pitch in the black and white again ill actually cry and then plan his murder.
CRAIGG
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Comment #11James ive been trying to make that point as well KKs tactics were spot on.
Davies
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Comment #12Also, somewhat annoyingly, Viduka looked good tonight.
Spyro
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Comment #13good result, team should be left the same for the weekend
Ausgeordie
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Comment #14Viduka looked like the only one who had composure on the ball in the first half. He is predictable but was also surround by three players whenever he had the ball. He should play just behind Marins and Owen.
Boy we need some decent mids. I would have liked to have seen Lua Lua on the bench and swapped for Geremi in the second half. Barton did not play well but Smith would not have done better. Butt is so crap with the ball and but did well getting the ball tonight. He is still not good enough though. Faye has shown he is a true NUFC defender.
James
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Comment #15Davies – agree, he was annoyingly effective. The ball just sticks to his feet. But every time he was looking for a midfielder to burst through for the lay off, there wasn’t one. Barton was too knackered from covering for Martins, Butt was too busy running everywhere else, and Geremi was too busy doing nothing.
micknufc
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Comment #16i like geremi’s corners!
comments welcome
Martins
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Comment #17Barton was the worst palyer on the pitch lost ball every time.
richie
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Comment #18yes same team for fulham,,as commentator on setanta said in the seocnd half..,’newcastle actually look like a football team’
saying we stay up big if,, enrique and beye actually look like they could b a force in the prem
Tom_Toon
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Comment #19micknufc // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:45
i like geremi’s corners!
comments welcome
————————————————————
F*** that
richie
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Comment #20tom toon smith looks out of picture now..i was actually defending him for his efforts but it looks like were far better without him,,
in actual fact he has an adverse effect as his play is so negative and mondane
it took a game with him out of the side to notice this
ScottyT
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Comment #21viduka is someone who when he fancies it is a great player his hold up play close skill to his body and link up play is vital to us .. only problem is trying to make him fancy it every game
also am glad to see others taking note of butts performance tonight. he may not be good enough nymore but hes trying his best and i thought he did a good defensive job tonight. barton on the other hand is just woeful every single game does nothing but give the ball away. geremi imo wasnt good either but only just better than thuggy barton
fulham is massive now…
Kash
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Comment #22Faye was shit yet again, totally rubbish. All of you who commend him are a bunch of fools!!!!
Can’t trust Cacapa or Faye, Taylor isn’t in good form and no wonder considering the africans the others have been shit!
Enrique played very well, good game! Beye can’t cross but solid otherwise! Geremi had his best game for us, while Baton showed determination but his passing was poor! Butt had a good game too!
All strikers put in a good shift with Owen pick of the bunch!
Against Fulham, well if Diatta is fit, then throw him in with Taylor.
CJ
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Comment #23Where is grey pubes today.
ScottyT
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Comment #24also yes agree faye was very poor tonight and cost us the 1st goal. in all fairness he really shouldnt be getting muscled off the ball by james mcfadden.
GP
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Comment #25Can’t see Bolton getting anything at Old Trafford, especially as Man Utd will be looking at this weekend and saying “Arsenal won’t get a win there” so it’s a huge opportunity for them to swing the title race to their advantage.
James
Mar 17, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Comment #26Team for Fulham
———————–HARPER————————–
BEYE——–TAYLOR——-FAYE———ENRIQUE
——–DUFF———-BUTT———NZOGBIA
———————–VIDUKA—————————-
————OWEN —————MARTINS———
CJ
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Comment #27Has anyone had a look at that thing that say’s who is sam’s best summer buy i would love to know who voted for Barton Rozenhal or Cacapa if i find out i will make sure they get locked up in St nick’s and go to rehab.
ScottyT
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Comment #28lol well i can say that like most others i voted for wor habib 🙂
CJ
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Comment #29Same hear you would have to be pretty fooked up to vote for Cacapa Rozenhal Smith Geremi and Barton.
richie
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Comment #30i had my doubts about beye and enrique but was really impressed wth both tonight
CRAIGG
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Comment #31I was wondering who voted for Barton the other day!
Not me i voted for Faye who tonight aside has been awesome
Tom_Toon
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:13 AM
Comment #32I voted for Enrique.
Spyro
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Comment #33jose enrique was my choice
richie
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Comment #34how is enrique rated in spain?? 6mill he wasn cheap for a young player
CJ
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Comment #35Cannot complain about those 3 would have been great to see Enrique’s shot nestle in the top corner would have been a contender for goal of the season.
Spyro
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Comment #36well rich, wen we bought him they said he was an under 21 player who is fully expected to make the push up to the senior team in the next couple of years, and based on his performances for us i can see it happening too. taking into account the madness that has been happening around him, the fact he is a young lad who can barely speak english, he has played very well most of the games he has featured in. The thing is, he just keeps getting better everytime he plays aswell
CJ
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Comment #37Enrique is rated highly in Spain i think he is thought as Spains no1 choice left back for the future i think he has also lost a few pounds from the start of the season that is off his belly not Joey jailbird Barton robbing him.
CRAIGG
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Comment #38Just been on SKY Sports.Com and our stats the one the stands out was Our passing success which was 71.6%
When was the last time we had that sort of percentage maybe 2 seasons ago as the best part of the last season and a half has been long balls and scrappy midfielders and no ball retention at all things are looking up.
Spyro
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Comment #39LOL @ CJ
Tom_Toon
Mar 18, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Comment #40http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j64ZnPeyWVg