We’ve been asked many times to give rating on players for the Newcastle games, those that we have watched, and here’s our first shot at that. We are trying to work out how we can allow readers to vote on the performance of individual players, and that’s in addition to our Man of the Match poll.
Ben Arfa – star man for Newcastle on Saturday
Tim Krul 7
Tim had a solid game again, and was unlucky with the goal and hardly expected Davide Santon to head the ball back to him. Made some decent saves and was safe again, and the Dutchman made some good stops in those last 20 minutes when the game was on the line. A top goalkeeper who will get even better.
Danny Simpson 6
Danny did well up against the impressive Gareth Bale, especially after he got an early yellow card. He’s not world class but Simpson is probably under-rated at Newcastle – we hope he signs his new deal and stays on Tyneside, even if Debuchy arrives before September – did well enough in the game to contain Gareth Bale.
Steven Taylor 8
Took control at the back and somebody needed to, with Coloccini missing, and Steven seemed to get better as the game went on. A good first competitive game back for the local lad after his horrendous Achilles injury, and he will be an important player for Newcastle this season – a very important player which is why we need to keep him fit.
Perchino (James Perch) 7
An unsung hero at Newcastle, and he once again cam into the side, preferred to Mike Williamson for the first time, because of his mobility, and he got the job done for Newcastle. James has shown he can play very well at center-back alongside one of the Newcastle’s established center-backs. A very important squad player on Tyneside who could improve further this season. Rumors that Brazilian selectors were watching his performance on Saturday. 😀
Davide Santon 7
Good going forward again, but was beaten twice far too easily by Aaron Lennon, and Davide has to improve his defensive qualities. He’s an excellent technical player and made some good runs down the left wing, but was at fault for the goal. The cross had beaten Defoe and would have gone for a goal kick, but it seemed he couldn’t help but head it – straight at Tim Krul, we assume he was trying to put it out for a goal kick. Improved performance from what we saw from the Italian in pre-season.
Ben Arfa 9
Again the star man for Newcastle and when the Frenchman is in this kind of form anything is possible. Made some good runs in the first half and was the match winner in the second half. He is an absolute darling of the Newcastle crowd and he deserves it – a super display by Ben Arfa which will help to silence his detractors in France – including new manager Didier Deschamps. Great start to the season for the mercurial one after the upsets at Euro 2012.
Yohan Cabaye 6
Still trying to get back to full match fitness, but not the Yohan Cabaye we know and his free kicks were off on Saturday. But he still put in a workmanlike performance for the side, and is still getting up to speed. Yohan did well enough until he was replaced by new boy Vurnon Anita after 71 minutes. Yohan will be better at Chelsea.
Cheick Tiote 7
A bit ragged in the first half, and was almost replaced by Vurnon Anita early in the game because of injury, but he hung in there. Cheick got to grips in the second half, and got better as the game progressed. Not one of Tiote’s best performances, but he still got the job done for the team and as usual displayed a lot of energy in the engine room for Newcastle.
Jonas Gutierrez 7
One of the unsung heroes for Newcastle, and the Argentine, who was captain for the day, again worked his socks off for the Newcastle cause. His level of work for the team is amazing, and the way he was able to keep possession of the ball in the second half showed his immense skill – an under-rated player at Newcastle, but not by Alan Pardew.
Demba Ba 8
Continued his good form of pre-season and scored a fantastic goal, when he hit the ball almost perfectly to give Brad Freidel no chance at all – a goal out of the blue, and it put Newcastle on the way to an unlikely victory. That will help his confidence, and it was his first goal since early February and it came after he had been switched to the left wing in the second half – which turned out to be a good move by the manager.
Papiss Cisse 6
Still coming into match fitness, and gave the ball away a few times in the first half, but Papiss will get better with more games, and maybe next Saturday he can produce another goal to add to the two phenomenal goals he scored there earlier this year. Still getting up to speed – to be fair.
Vurnon Anita 6
Played the last 20 minutes of this match on his debut, and looked what he is – a good technical player. A couple of his early touches were not good, but he should soon get acclimatized quickly to the English style of play. A decent performance for the first time in front of Newcastle fans for a player we think will turn out to be another great buy by the club. He was worth the wait.
Gabby Obertan – didn’t play enough to get rated, but did a lot of running after he came on, and we are still hoping this lad will turn out to be a good player at Newcastle.
That’s what we think – what do you think about the performances of Newcastle players on Saturday?
Comments welcome.
36 comments so far
Bloody Marveauxlous
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:39 AM
Comment #1This is a good section Ed, as was the Weekly Review! (Hint, Hint)
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:45 AM
Comment #2Must say ever since the scum RVP is out of the gunners squad I can swallow them, almost if their serenity of the Henry era came back a bit…I like their new signings Santi Cazorla, Girourd, Podolski…
very cool
Hatem's better than Messi
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:45 AM
Comment #3I think Ed’s ratings are about right. Perch – 8?
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:46 AM
Comment #4@ gorgonzola check out @Cwarr07 i have no doubt in my mind he’s after dreaming up some shit and will again be wrong . Anyways i think it’s all paper talk we know nowt till the other club releases a statement saying they have recieved a bid
Beattie25
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:48 AM
Comment #5Perch was a 10
DG MAGPIE
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:49 AM
Comment #6Krul
Simmo
Saylor
Perch
Santon
Benny
Cabaye
Tiote
Jonas
Ba
Cisse
Oba
nico
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:50 AM
Comment #7I agree with most of the scores however Perch should be at leat 8 or 9. He never gave the ball away once and defended brilliantly with great pace. He’s now establishing himself well. Tiote was his usual early season self, sloppy, give the ball away to much, still good in tackles though. I’d only give him a 6.
DG MAGPIE
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:51 AM
Comment #8Krul 7
Simmo 6
Saylor 7
Perch 7
Santon 6
Jonas 7
Cabaye 5
Tiote 6.5
Benny 8
Ba 8
Cisse 5
Oba 7
Anita 6
WWYCD
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:53 AM
Comment #9The ratings are a bit better than the Sunday Suns (where every player gets 8-10) but I think a few are higher than they should be
Off topic news broke last night of Adam Johnson being avaliable hes a great winger but needs to learn to work harder for the team something Pards has experience dealing with now I know winger isnt a priority and we have a fair few but if a good player comes up for grabs surely we should atleast take a look
TorqToon
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:53 AM
Comment #10I would give Jonas an 8 but other than that ed you are spot on, sir !
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:53 AM
Comment #11BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
I dont have twitter can I see any of the news beside being a twit 🙂
nico
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Comment #12I also don’t think we can call Perch an unsung hero anaymore. I myself on a number of accasions was singing ‘Oh Perchinio’ haha
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:56 AM
Comment #13you took the gloss off that article ed by explaining who Perchinio is, anyone who doesn’t know that is on the wrong blog LEGEND ha ha
nico
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:56 AM
Comment #14Johnson would be a great signing but not sure he’s priority now. I have this terrible feeling he might end up a Blunderland. I really hope not. He does want to live back up here as that where he’s from and where a few of his mates are.
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Comment #15its not news its garbage m8
619nufc
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Comment #16Who would you all play vs Atromitos/CFC?
I’d go for:
vs Atromitos on Thursday:
Alnwick
Anita Perch Williamson Santon
Gosling Abeid
R.Taylor Vuckic Ferguson (if fit)
Cisse
vs CFC
Krul
Tavernier Williamson S.Taylor Santon
Anita Tiote Vuckic
HBA Amalfitano
Cisse
The reason I choose Willo over Perchy is because Willo was outstanding vs Chelsea last year
Hatem's better than Messi
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Comment #17Ed, you might find something useful if you search WordPress for ratings plugins.
Some are just for articles and of no use, but some are more flexible.
Nick 69
Aug 20, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Comment #18Tiote would be a 6 for me, gave the ball away constantly. And Jonas would be an 8, the only times he lost the ball was when he was fouled and won a free kick for us, although must say he looks much better in the center these days
nufc 11
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Comment #19I thought Taylor and Santon were poor jst proves the point if you ask me Santon is better placed on the RM and Taylor RB he posistion at times is questionable better finshing and spurs cud have been out of sight top marks for effort tho.
jesperfuglsang
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Comment #20Ed, I would probably say Jonas was an 8; but overall I agree 😉
Yo…rumors has it the Scum has tablet a bid of £10M for AJ; I think that money could be better spend at our club.
Don’t like paying so much for a player who could be great under the right circumstances…
I would like a new RB and a CB and depending on Shola’s injury maybe a new forward 🙂
toonarmydownsouth
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Comment #21Jonas would be a 8 for me he was solid
Tiote would only be a 6 still looked a touch of bieng match sharp
Simmo would be a 7 thought he had a solid game and got the assit, sort of!
jesperfuglsang
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:07 AM
Comment #22Don’t know how it hot is was yersterday where you guys are from, but this is a picture from Holland just outside Amsterdam 😉
http://translate.google.dk/translate?hl=da&sl=da&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fvejret.tv2.dk%2Fartikel%2Fid-53511814%3Aer-det-her-europas-mest-fyldte-strand.html%3Fforside%26forside
…talk about a crowed beach 😉 lol
jesperfuglsang
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Comment #23Denmark has hot as hell as well 😉
WWYCD
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Comment #24jesper
Tbf we have apparently tabled that sort of money on other players so why not Johnson? Aye we need defenders but nothing to say we cant have both imo its not like we are on the bread line despite what some would have u think 😉
We have been told if the right type of players become avaliable there is plenty money for us to get involved, not saying we should go all out for him but we should be involved in some way imo anyway
jesperfuglsang
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Comment #25Yo…I don’t know 😉 maybe it’s just because I happy with the options we got in that area.
I would take him on loan with an option to buy, but right now I would like a ball playing CB and a forward thinking RB 😉
…and I will probably get non of the above 😉 lol
jesperfuglsang
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Comment #26*I am happy
t00ntime
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:14 AM
Comment #27@619nufc
1) anita plays CDM and LB, RB is even harder for the lad. So that wont happen
2) vuckic above jonas after that performance? Cant see it
3) ba played twice as well as cisse and yet u wud play cisse twIce in 3 days over ba? Seems kinda strange/stupid
4) i’m not 100% sure but i think pardew
wanted to keep ferguson as a LB
5) amalfitano above cabaye against chelsea? No, just no
6)alnwick above harper? Seems unlikely
5)
pawl250
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Comment #28A post in regards to the previous article, Pardew could well be given a lengthy ban.
Look its no malice but yes you have to make an example of what will happen if anybody related to the club were to lay hands on an official. Especially given the circumstances as to why he pushed the official -disagreeing with a decision despite how bad it was.
If I recall Di Canio was given a lengthy ban for the red card, then push on the referee. In what way is this difference other than Pardew didnt get sent off BEFORE pushing the official.
I just think we can perhaps expect atleast 3-4 matches and a fine. Anything less is a massive bonus I would say, but still it would be very unwise to think we may just get off with a slap on the wrist and a fine. Especially given the FA is run in current times!
Bit worrying, although it wont have too much effect on the match, Pardew will still be watching and no doubt communicating in some format.
WWYCD
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Comment #29jesper
Aye I wouldnt be disappointed if we are left with the wingers we currently have but I wouldnt turn Johnson down if he is willing to come
I dont see us getting a CB tbh though Id happily take one Id also rather have a LB than a RB
Again we will probably not get any of these haha
jesperfuglsang
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Comment #30Yo…what’s the saying; Expect the worst and hope for the best 😉
Is there any news on the seriousness of Shola’s injury?
619nufc
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:29 AM
Comment #31@toontime
1) anita said on nufctv that he can happily play CDM, RB and LB
2) I’m sure I saw somewhere that Jonas played through injury on Saturday, and aggrevated it? I could be imagining it though!
3) That’s a typo, I was supposed to put “Cisse/Ba” instead of “Cisse” for both the games
4) Whenever Pards has bought on Fergie as a sub, he’s played left wing though
5) just a personal preference haha
6) see above
JP...from The Rock
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Comment #32Good sum up Ed, I like it, though I would have given Perch an 8 at least considering it was the first game and he was placed at the heart of our defense. He did brilliantly against strong opposition and deserves that extra bit of credit I think.
Ben Arfa was a handful all game. When he gets even more used to tackles flying in for him from all angles will we see the true HBA. He is really close to becoming outstanding in every game. I am anxious to see how he’ll do in our next match. Ramadan is over now so Cisse and Ba will be much sharper come next Saturday so no worries 🙂
nico
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Comment #33nufc 11
Santon played well, as did Saylor. Were you at the game, because I can’t believe anyone would say theye were poor?
nico
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Comment #34619nufc
Fergie made is full debut at left back when Enrique was injured and did well. He has played more on the wing though and I think thats where Pards sees him playing
Magpie from Lithuania
Aug 20, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Comment #35Ed, you’re the best!!!!
blissna
Aug 20, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Comment #36I think simmo played better than santon. Would swap those two ratings. And perch was outstanding. Defo 7-8