Toon Euro adventure continues
It may have been an instantly forgettable evening at St Jamesâ Park last night but to use a traditional footballing cliche - it was the result that counted.
In all honesty the performance was quite good apart from a lack of ruthlessness in the final third.
And had there been somebody to polish things off in the danger zone it could have been a heavy defeat for FK Ventspils with enough chances created to win two or three games.
United will probably play worse and win similar games this season.
The main talking point of the night was the introduction of Obafemi Martins who enjoyed a terrific reception at St Jamesâ Park and indicated that he could prove to be a real Gallowgate favourite - twirling his black and white scarf round his head certainly wonâÂÂt do him any harm but even he knows he will be judged on goals from now on.
Albert Luque could really have done with a strike himself, yet the likes of Damien Duff, Scott Parker, Charles Nâ Zogbia and James Milner all suggested there is enough attacking impetus in the side to provide for the rest of the firing line.
And what about the 30,498 crowd?
22,000 shy of full capacity it may have been.
But considering the game was on TV and against minor European opposition it was still better than the crowd that turned up to watch Gareth SouthgateâÂÂs first Premiership home game in charge against the champions Chelsea.
The aggregate 1-0 win means a place in the first qualifying round with Belgium, Portugal, Norway, Ukraine or Estonia the next port of call for the Toon Army and Glenn Roeder.
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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A good performance overshadowed by a lack of firepower...lets hope Martins can play a full season and hit 20+ for us this season and that he can make the number 9 shirt his own...if we are still chanting shearers name at the end of the season we have problems.
I'll second that Steve - I thought it was quite a decent game to watch even if we didn't score. The fact Ventspils hardly got near out box speaks volumes for the way our forwards played. Terrific free kick by Milner, and some delightful play by Bramble - did you see that back-heel?! Should've given Titus the number 9 shirt if you ask me.
Ha ha ha,Titus nearly scored again with a right foot screamer on the edge of the box in the second half!!! Martins has been reminding people that he is very fast...so was Wayne Fereday....only joking....hope he does well
csTrees of nature means are very Ha ha ha,Titus nearly scored again with a right foot screamer on the edge of the box in the second half!!! Martins has been reminding people that he is very fast...so was Wayne Fereday....only joking....hope he does well I'll second that Steve - I thought it was quite a decent game to watch even if we didn't score