As we said before today’s game Mark Hughes’ teams are experts in getting draws, and so it proved today, as Newcastle drew 0-0 with Fulham and once again failed to beat a lower half of the table team at St. James’ Park fo the umpteenth time this season.
If we ever stop playing well on the road and picking up points away from home, we could be in some trouble.
The good news is that Newcastle kept their fourth clean sheet of the season, the bad news is that we failed to score.
So from what looked to be 6 points at home we could and maybe should have wrapped up in the last four days we end up with a single points and home results continue to be dreadful.
And the fact is that today Cheick Tiote did pick up yet another yellow card and will now definitely miss the game at Bolton next Saturday.
Danny Guthrie and Peter Lovenkrands both got starts today coming in for the suspended Joey Barton and the injured Shola Ameobi, and former Newcastle player Damien Duff played at left back for the London side.
As we had expected Damien got a rough reception, and was booed every time he touched the ball, and that was payback for his negative comments he made about Newcastle once Fulham “rescued” him from Newcastle. Pity Damien doesn’t have any class and held a diplomatic silence once he left the Newcastle club, who at the time were on their knees 15 months ago.
The first 45 minutes of the game, played in front of a decent crowd of 44,686, was Even Steven and the only thing about the first half was there were very few chances to either side.
The fact that Fulham hadn’t won an away game in 24 attempts on the road, is now thankful;ly stretched to 25 attempts, so at least we didn’t help them to end that awful streak.
And it’s surprising how much Mark Hughes and Sam Allardyce have their teams play – which seem very alike – dour no nonsense type football – which is just awful for the spectator.
The closest Newcastle came to scoring was when striker Andy Carroll hit a volley that looked like it was going in, on 52 minutes, only for goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to make an excellent save to keep the shot out – that would have been Carroll’s 8th league goal of the season, and it was the goal we needed to turn this game.
But Fulham did come close to scoring after that, when Mousa Dembele, who scored the winner the last time these two sides met in the Premier League, hit the crossbar after 70 minutes, and Newcastle had a little bit of luck there, or else the result could have been a lot worse.
The game was stagnant at best when Chris Hugton decided to send on both Wayne Routledge and Nile Ranger on 75 minutes, to at least try to get a win out of this game, and they replaced Lovenkrands and Guthrie.
But there were no goals in this game, and best that can be said about the game is at least we didn’t lose, like we did on Wednesday evening – but our home form should give Chris Hughton some sleepless nights.
Luckily next week we have a tough away game at Bolton next Saturday – so presumably we’ll have a much better chance of getting all 3 points then.
We had said before the games with Arsenal, Blackburn and Fulham, that 6 points would be an excellent return, and we ended up with 4 points, but 3 of those came from the first, and easily the hardest game – away to Arsenal.
Our terrible home results continued today – but at least we got a point – trying very hard to look on the bright side. In 7 home league games we’ve won only two, drawn two and lost three and collected just 8 points – it’s not good enough.
Don’t forget to vote for Newcastle’s Man of the Match on our home page.
Teams:
Newcastle: Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique; Guthrie (Routledge, 76), Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez; Carroll, Lovenkrands (Ranger, 77). Subs not used: Soderberg, Campbell, S Taylor, Smith.
Fulham: Schwarzer; Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland, Duff; Gera (Etuhu, 70), Murphy, Davies, Dempsey; Dembele, A Johnson. Subs not used: Stockdale, Pantsil, Kamara, E Johnson, Greening, Briggs.
Bookings: Williamson 45, Tiote 66
Referee: Lee Probert (Gloucestershire)
Attendance: 44,686
30 comments so far
Toon XI
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:20 PM
Comment #1My fear was that we would struggle to score. Although i thought Carroll put in a quality effort. Fulham gave him no room to operate.
Disappointed with the result but sadly have come to expect it at SJP.
wilko
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:26 PM
Comment #2I did see the heartbreak on wednesday night ( albeit 30 mins into the game due to terrible traffic!) but couldn’t get there today , I heard on 5 live that we threw everything at them but they completely held on , they cleared luckily from lover etc etc , but we just didn’t get the ball over the line , however , I’m just glad it’s not another heartbreaker , and we are 7th by the way , let’s look poz guys, it could be alot worse
roblee7
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Comment #3anyone know when the england squad is announced? Disappointed with the result today…the expected come-down after 2 great results…typical toon! Also, when’s leon best / xisco available? Really think Lovenkrands’ overall impact in a match is minimal and not good enough for this level! Possibly one of the most lightweight premiership players, perhaps even more so than guttierez who seems to get knocked over by the slightest gust of wind
roblee7
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:29 PM
Comment #4know we’re 7th, but one or two defeats and we’re right down there, check out the table! not much in it at all
roblee7
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:30 PM
Comment #5happy overall though, we’re doing alot better than I had expected start of the season
Toonmania
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Comment #6Have you finished then roblee7?
southerngeordie
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:43 PM
Comment #7Guys just wanted to point out that the season we were relegated we had 7 wins – this season already we have 5. It’s not all doom and gloom at the moment. Yes the home form isn’t great but we’ve been great on the road. The next 6 games will shape the season.
ganiyu
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:47 PM
Comment #8Start carroll from the bench and try something new
moonraker
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:51 PM
Comment #9roblee7
no we wont be right down there cos all those teams below wont win will they?
CT
Nov 13, 2010 at 5:57 PM
Comment #10Sorry, but Hoots needs help. Tactically he is inept, if we don`t score early on and teams have to open up we don`t have the creative quality.
Jonas because he has no left foot cuts in all of the time, can`t get to the byeline and cross, play him on the right. He needs to get down the wing into space. We play too narrow and thump it for Carrols head so the last two games we are easy to read.
Play Loven on the left, quick and natural left foota.
Guyhrie has to play in the middle where he can create because sadly at the mo he`s the best we have.
Worry for us, can`t see much coming from next few games.
Thump
Nov 13, 2010 at 6:01 PM
Comment #11There was nothing poor about our performance Ed. If it weren’t for Schwarzer we would have had 3 or 4 goals easily.
North Atlantic Magpie
Nov 13, 2010 at 6:04 PM
Comment #12Lovenkrands was alright today.
Ranger is running around like a headless chicken.
I wanna see Xisco again.
Carroll had a great volley but was kept very quitet by Hangeland.
We should have tried Lovenkrands and Xisco up front today.
sweendog
Nov 13, 2010 at 6:09 PM
Comment #13thought we looked good ..they parked the bus .. we had a good few chances .. think positive .. we’re 7th .. nearly on 20 points .. and we’ve got our much favoured away games next .. 🙂
I do think we play better against teams that try to attack so the bolton game could get us 3 points ..
jasonbourne
Nov 13, 2010 at 6:10 PM
Comment #14Without Barton and Ameobi you clearly see our weaknesses. We need a new striker and a right midfielder in the january transfer window. Sell Lovenkrands, Xisco, Routledge and Best. They are never gonna make an impact anyway.
tjshawsey
Nov 13, 2010 at 6:10 PM
Comment #15Thump, agreed, at times I thought we played some excellent football, triangles, 1-2’s, decent runs from Gutierrez and especially Enrique, and Carroll worked really hard.
sweendog
Nov 13, 2010 at 6:10 PM
Comment #16again we do need a top class RW and striker .. think routledge wasn’t bad when he came on .. guthrie was good for not having played in so long ..
korn8
Nov 13, 2010 at 6:11 PM
Comment #17After a bit of reflection i have to say that 1 point vs B`burn and Fulham are disappointing. BUT we are still 7th best in the league and in an arms length away from the relegation zone! Most Newcastle fans would probably been happy with 18 points after 13 matches before the season. And we would not mind if the points have comed against Arsenal or Blackpool, Sunderland or Blackburn.
We are safe and the lads are still united both at the pitch and off the pitch.
that is the most important thing, or am i wrong?
We have to hold our heads up high and keep on fighting!
Howay the Lads!
sweendog
Nov 13, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Comment #18korn8 .. or on a positive note .. 4 points from
Arsenal (a)
BBurn(H)
Fulham (H)
you would have been happy
korn8
Nov 13, 2010 at 6:23 PM
Comment #19good point, Sweendog!
And even better: How many points does we usually get against Bolton away? 😉
Have to be 3 points there 🙂
roblee7
Nov 13, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Comment #20as mentioned, I’m more than happy with our position at the mo and think hughton has worked wonders, just we always seem to rise to the big games and then let ourselves down against the lesser teams…just think its a shame, these last 2 games were a real chance for to make a HUGE gap between us and the bottom half, but still, cant be over-critical given that we’re 7th!!!just cant help thinkin we’ve missed out on a big chance n surely im not the only one thinking this after the arsenal / mackem games….
ash1001
Nov 13, 2010 at 7:18 PM
Comment #21Forget the brilliant results against the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Sunderland Everton West Ham etc and look at the other 8 games, 5 of which were at home, sorry to say it, but its not looking so good. Hughton afraid to say it is been found out, both tactically and in the use of substitutions – today for example everytime Fulham got a corner we had Colicinni marking Johnson, what did Johnson do run straight out of the box, taking Colicinni with him as the ball sailed over there heads leaving Williamson and Carrol to deal with just about everything. No corner was ever aimed at Johnson so why not put someone else on him and leave Collo in the centre – it never happened.
If and its possibly starting to be an ‘if’ Hughton needs to stand up to Ashley when the transfer window opens and demand that he is able to purchase the players that are required to ensure we remain in the premiership.
Heres hoping we can pick up a few good wins at home and Chelsea would be a bril start.
Selbymag
Nov 13, 2010 at 8:59 PM
Comment #22Ganiyu @8 Are you for real Carroll was our only real threat today. Who would you play Ranger – Runs around without actually contributing, Xisco, Best. Get real moron.
Selbymag
Nov 13, 2010 at 9:02 PM
Comment #23Get JOnas on the right as he offers very little on the left he is possibly the most infuriating player we have had in years. Enrique deserves a bloody medal underlapping / overlapping all afternoon. At least he used to track back.
He has the ability, dont get me wrong one run today along the byeline was class. He even managed to fall over needlessly when a defender breathed on him!!!!!!!
Brutooon
Nov 13, 2010 at 10:29 PM
Comment #24Hangeland is annoying, but carroll did well to battle him
Fulham did well by stopping tiote, becos he is the our key attacking or defending
Charlietoon
Nov 13, 2010 at 10:39 PM
Comment #25Whining about things wont help…
jimiley
Nov 13, 2010 at 10:39 PM
Comment #26Jonas has to be the most overrated player ever at SJP. A winger who cannot cross and cannot shoot. He excels at dribbling down blind alleys. I would never call a Toon player a diver but he is the essence of the eternal rubber man. He falls over at 10 paces and a breath of wind. Tom Daley had better watch out in the Olympics because I reckon Jonas could be representing Argentina in the 10 metre high board.
jimiley
Nov 13, 2010 at 10:43 PM
Comment #27Does anybody really believe the fat man is going to renew Hoots contract??? Check out the home form!!! Who can we beat at home apart from the Scum and a rag bag Villa without a manager. Worrying times for Hoots.
Sav
Nov 14, 2010 at 1:33 AM
Comment #28We are basically a pretty crude, direct side, newly up from the Championship. Since the summer everyone has cried out for an attacking midfielder. Someone to pull strings, see a pass thread the ball through and can get up to support.
Nolan does the last part but not much else. Gosling was signed for nowt but is crocked regardless of whether or not he is good enough. Routledge and Jonas do not deliver half enough decent crosses.
This is why we have picked up points away against better sides, but not so many at home against sides committed to defend.
RedMissionBells
Nov 14, 2010 at 4:07 AM
Comment #29Hi fellow Newcastle fans,
I think we need to forget about the good results we’ve had previously. Also, I found that our players found it hard to break down Fulham. In my opinion, it is because teams coming to St James Park are more concerned with defending. As such, there are fewer opportunities for our team to score. We are really missing creative players like Ben Arfa. Lovenkrand looks energetic today but his first touches were doubtful at times. Also, lets not put too much hopes on Gosling. I hear he does not have much pace and the only other central midfielder I know who plays well without pace is Juan Román Riquelme.
rwpoynter
Nov 14, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Comment #30After Saturday at Arsenal, it has been a disappointing week maybe, but the positives from yesterday are that we got a point and kept a clean sheet. A really topsy turvy season all round not only for us but others too. Talked to an Arsenal season ticket holder last night who admitted we completely dominated the midfield last weekend. Tactics at home need to be different from those away but I would still go for the 4-4-2 wherever likely to get a positive result. If we perform for the rest of the season as we have so far, we should end up with 51 – 54 points. That would be great for a first season back. We , the supporters must not fall into the trap of expecting too much too soon.