Hardly a Bolt from the blue!

Ian wrote...

Fair enough Lee, Bramble wasn't good in the second half and we were punished because of it (again).

But spare a mention for Stephen Carr, who looks frighteningly off the pace, suspect defensively and at least as responsible for our defensive mess as Titus.

The fact we didn't bring in a right back and a centre half in the window is unbelievable, let's hope we do so in January or it might be very serious indeed.

Posted by: Ian  | October 16, 2006 3:39 PM

Adam wrote...

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. "Defensive errors cost us" is what Glenn Roeder said after the game. Where have I heard that before? I'm lost for words - GR should have done something about it the first time he said that, then the second time, the third time, etc etc etc. When will he stop blaming our defence and do something about it? Drop Bramble, he is a liability at the moment. He cost us both goals, it's as simple as that. He challenged his own team-mate (Ramage) for one header that left Diouf unmarked to score, and he simply made no attempt whatsoever to mark Diouf for the other. What a joke. And what kind of vote of confidence is it for Steven Taylor when his manager selects an error-prone liability of a player in his place? I bet that absolutely fills Tayls with confidence.

The other thing of note yesterday was that the strikers barely got into the game yet again. We need someone up front who will drop off and link with the midfield - someone good on the ball who will make things happen and give us coherency in the final third. We are up against a real quality team on Thursday, and if we can't keep possession and sustain any level of pressue, they will be all over us like a flannel for 90 minutes. I would not be surprised if we took an absolute pounding, especially if Bramble remains in the team.

Posted by: Adam  | October 16, 2006 7:12 PM

davojj wrote...

Bramble shouldn't be allowed to redeem himself as you say because he has cost us time after time.Leave him out and also get rid of Carr,when he was bought he wasn't any better than what we had at the time.

Posted by: davojj  | October 16, 2006 10:39 PM

KT wrote...

Put it this way I cant wait for November to come when I can turn over my calender and not have to look at Brambles face every morning...Im certainly not holding my breath for thursday after that performance. Why oh why is titus bramble on that pitch still?

Posted by: KT  | October 17, 2006 8:41 AM

Rachel wrote...

The only reason Bramble is keeping his place is to try and not kill off what tiny bit of confidence he has left, but while we constantly hear that he is a confidence player, surely some time in the reserves and the chance to build his confidence back up that way is a better idea all round. I mentioned last time that he has all the potential, but at 25 it is time to start delivering. It is counter-productive for both Bramble and the team to keep playing him. He was at fault for both goals. A large part of the reason we can't kill games off is down to the midfield. While I think everyone loves Parker and Emre, neither of them gets forward enough to link with the attack which leaves Ameobi and Martins stranded. It isn't either of their jobs to track back into midfield looking for the ball but midfields job to get up in support. The number of times the opposition clears the ball and our midfield isn't available to pick it up is not good enough. Solano has been poor all season, Duff lacks support due to not having a left back behind him, Carr is looking long past it and we still haven't got a decent, commanding Centre-Half. However, I think it's very soon for knee-jerk reactions. We need a striker, central defender and left back in January. Another Central defender, a right back and right midfielder next summer. Keep the rest of the squad together. Moore's retiring back to Australia / Bramble and Babayaro are possibly expendable and Owen should (fingers crossed) be fit. If Dyer decides to keep himself fit and play like we all know he can, we will have a decent squad but Shepherd must back Roeder.

Posted by: Rachel  | October 17, 2006 1:50 PM

D SCULLION wrote...

Honestly, how Steven Taylors confidence must be dropping. Week after week now, a fellow Geordie has to sit in the stands thinking how can I not be picked ahead of Bramble? Game after game,Week after week, Season after season its the same OLD Bramble. Yep, he's not a lad or youngster anymore, he's 25 yr old! Seriously, if we were doin crap at work ALL the time what would happen to us? He is costing us points, wins, confidence and is a total liability. He's out of contract at the end of the season and I bet half the championship sides wouldn't even take him. How many managers is it going to take to realise this? Everyone seems to see this "something," we haven't. Yeah, he does a good challenge now and then, but this is a consistent part of a defenders game. Crowds are dropping now because we're all getting sick of the same ol, same ol. Glenn can relieve alot of pressure on himself by dropping the man the majority of fans want out. For once can a manager not agree with what is blatently obvious among all fans-remember the reception he got coming on at Liverpool by their fans? Get the Geordie boy Taylor on Glenn, at least he knows how to defend and will give 100% He plays with pride in the black and white

Posted by: D SCULLION  | October 17, 2006 2:20 PM

David wrote...

I dont believe time after time that we put up with the clown. Boumsong wasnt any worse than bramble and he was shown the door asap. Get him out, Keep him out and Move on! SIGN A REPLACEMENT NOW GLENN!!!

Posted by: David  | October 17, 2006 2:26 PM

Lee T wrote...

If the Bolton game was an isolated case for Bramble then I would stick by him, but this has been going on for five seasons now. He's never gone more than three games without costing Newcastle a goal. When he was young we talked about his potential but at 25 a player should be close to the finished article. Arsene Wenger says that if a player doesn't have the tecjnique by the age of 19 then they will never have it. We've given Bramble five years longer than that. He's not a young man, he's a grown adult and you can't mould a player of that age. The fact is, the player that Bramble is now is the player he will always be. If you can live with that then fine, but Newcastle can't. Frankly, I don't care if it shatters his confidence to be dropped. He has been supported for five seasons and he has responded with more errors, more sloppy goals conceded, and more points lost. No player is bigger than the club and Bramble certianly isn't. For the good of the club and the supporters it would be best to drop him from the first team squad. Instantly, you would see a lift in morale in the stands and the players would be less nervous. Imagine how dispiriting it must be for the team to know that even if they score, Bramble will make at least one error to grant the opposition a goal. With Bramble in the side we effectively begin every game a goal down.

The worst thing is that Roeder never explains why Bramble is keeping his place ahead of Taylor and Ramage. He'll talk about Bramble's size and strength but never his performances. Roeder must know that persisting with Bramble will ultimately cost him his job. Imagine if we did fluke a run to one of the cup finals and Bramble is in the team. How many fans would feel confident of winning going into that game?

He may be a nice lad but Newcastle isn't the place for him. He's lost the fans because he isn't good enough. We'll forgive most things, such as Dyer's petulance, but the player has to be able to produce on the field. That just isn't Bramble.

Posted by: Lee T  | October 17, 2006 2:52 PM

Mike Dixon wrote...

I am amazed at the stick that Bramble has received after Sunday's game; it seems that people are sheep and just follow the bleating of people, especially in the media, who don't go to the games and create scapegoats- in the first half Bramble was the best defender; against tall forwards he won every header; he made one rash tackle. Anelka wasn't in the game while Bramble marked him. In the second half Anelka tore Carr apart who was abysmal. where is the stick on the other three defenders - RAmage cannot kick with his left foot, Moore goes missing and is never seen. Credit where credit is due Bramble was our best defender ON SUNDAY. Without him we have No strength or height or weight at the back.

Posted by: Mike Dixon  | October 18, 2006 11:18 AM

Jobba wrote...

I've always been one of those who held out hope that Bramble would suddenly 'get it' and play for 90 minutes the way he does in patches (I actually thought he was excellent in the first half vs Bolton), but he's made too many mistakes to be kept in the team.
However, whether it's because of playing with Bramble and Boumsong, I think Steven Taylor also makes similar mistakes...I know he's still young enough to improve, but he regularly dives in recklessly and also loses his man at set pieces. I agree Taylor deserves a chance, but neither he nor Bramble fill me with confidence at the moment.

Posted by: Jobba  | October 18, 2006 11:21 AM

weisy wrote...

If you think your T Bramble is bad then you should see our T Bramble!!!

35 games - 1 goal - not great for a striker!!

Posted by: weisy  | October 18, 2006 4:38 PM

Adam wrote...

Mike, I really don't think the people on here are sheep. Titus Bramble was absolutely appauling on Sunday, he gifted Bolton both their goals and cost us the 3 points - yet again. Anelka might have given Carr a rough ride but that's what top class players like Anelka tend to do to defenders. It was Carr's fault they made the chance, it was Bramble's fault they scored it.

As for Moore going missing, surely that's a good sign? If your defender goes unnoticed for 90 minutes, it generally means he's done his job.

And surely you can't criticise Ramage for having a weak left foot, he is a right-footed centre-back playing out of position. He always gives 110% and never lets anyone down.

Posted by: Adam  | October 18, 2006 7:45 PM