KK denied by Boro's late surge

Paul Patterson wrote...

OK, so we didn’t lose and we scored, yes, we should have had a goal in the first three minutes, when Owen shamelessly took it upon himself to assault Mark Schwarzer, Duff’s legs looked level, when he went and scored and Wheeter committed five fouls on our lot before he was yellow carded. Oh and we could have had a penalty, and we were playing with 10 men etc, etc, etc.

But lets be fair the problems with this side are so bleeding obvious it’s untrue. It’s time to be cruel- VERY CRUEL!!

First, something Keegan will learn very quickly, Alan Smith is NOT a footballer, so we started the game with 10 men (And he got his traditional booking) and he’s one of the players I’d have out of the door A.S.A.P. (Granted he did chuck himself about today but that doesn’t make him a good player) Anyone fancy an argument about the merits of Smith?- Nope didn’t think so!

Second Viduka is a complete waste of space, sluggish, tiresome, no good in the air and hardly plays anyway. If this club are going to go forward, he mustn’t be our mainstay next season.

Now, Owen is NOT a captain, never was, never will be, he’s in the wrong position for starters. Also I’m not too sure about the merits of his game. (I know he scored and I know that’s the sign of a great goalscorer- hitting the back of the net, when you’ve done bugger else in 90 minutes) but can you truly rely on him for next season?

Duff was full of energy, but his distribution was lacking, he’s dropped a long way since those heady days of Robben and he bombing down Chelsea’s flanks hasn’t he?

Over on the right, er, Barton, not a winger, did very well when switched inside after Emre was hauled off, for doing, er, very little, which brings me on to Butt.

This is a player I was championing not so long ago, saying he was a great captain and what an influence he has, on a very poor side- Well he’s stopped passing to his own team-mates at present and is looking all of his 33 years.

Once again, our leading light, Charlie N’Zogbia, a brilliant, zippy, creative left winger, with talent and a great shot, so where does he play, Left Back.

Now this wasn’t Keegan’s fault- It was Enrique’s, Left back in the summer anyone?
Charles needs to be nurtured along with the bright, James Milner.

Now what about the back four? Carr has looked a completely different player since Keegan took over, but I have my doubts if he’s good enough long term.

The lads coming back will strengthen the back quarters, with Faye and Beye as they are two decent, if unspectacular players.

The next two are the real problem players, Martins and Geremi, Keegan will work wonders with Martins, that I’m sure about, his touch will become better and his awareness will be sharper after a few of Keegans notes start sinking in, bringing a 17 goal a season hitman, up to scratch with the best in the league, so not much of a problem there.

Geremi, Geremi, Geremi, if Jose Mourinho said he was finished, then that’s good enough for me, he has looked like he has those ‘Leg’s of a forty year old’ that Mourinho was talking about, certainly not what you’d want from a captain.

But who we bring in, in the summer is what’s going to be interesting, assuming were safe from the drop?

Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | February 3, 2008 4:46 PM

blue wrote...

I cant believe our own fans are giving stick to keegan already we have no right to beat teams that is the mentality that some supporters still have. why should we have beaten middlesbourgh they are in better form than us better defence than us and fresh young talented players like it all not we are miles away frm being a good team and some supporters have the press and papers jumping in laughter because we are so unrealistic what do expect today we are going to turn over middes and score five goals and keep sheet with the players we have got not keegans team sorry!!!. Nzogbia playing left back becausee enrique is injured, Viduka is not fit, milner cant cross and has looked shattered for weeks Keegan is picking what he can do best with and they are not that good WAKE UP support your team stop slagging them off SUPPORTERS from other teams have a go at us because some fans are so fickle Keegan has had THREE prem games do you really think we would just by magic start winning games and playing great football scoring loads of goals with the players he is stuck with. I hate seeing us like this but some players are not pulling there wieght and I expect Keegan to rip this team apart in the summer. I love my team and I still will support them all the way and if you have nothing positive to say support someone else.

UP THE TOON!!!!!!
as for relegated tottenham is 1 point ahead of us

Posted by: blue  | February 3, 2008 7:42 PM

Sandy Love wrote...

Paul Patterson I think you must've watched a very different game to the one I watched. I agree Butt was very poor however I totally disagree with most of what you have said. Alan Smith I think played quite well and was unlucky to be substituted. He was brilliant in the air today and against two massive centre halves held his own quite well. Michael Owen did not assault Schwarzer, he dropped the ball and Owen did what he does best and used hes predatory skills to pounce on an opportunity. Emre I thought was a breath of fresh air to a midfield that has looked uncreative for so long. I think once he was subbed off is when we started to lose dominance in the game. I think Butt should've been subbed then and was shocked when he wasn't. Viduka's hold up play is excellent and in the air he isn't half bad he just didn't have enough time on the pitch to do anything effectively. I think if Barton gets in form which he showed flashes of today then our midfield can get a lot better. I think the problem is in our defence as always. Cacapa made some outstanding tackles but his passing was off. Carr had a poor game I thought even though he has looked better. I'm glad Beye along with Faye are returning for Villa because in my opinion they are our best defenders and I'm sure Enrique will be excellent soon. All in all I thought we had a good game and a win would've helped toward the obvious lack of confidence in our side at the moment. I just think we need to cut out the pessimism and call this season a write off. Things will only get better under Keegan and he has all the time in the world from us.

Posted by: Sandy Love  | February 3, 2008 8:48 PM

PeterDawson wrote...

I think that on the whole a draw was a fair result. Depsite improving since keegan came in we we did not deserve a win. Considering that boro are an average team in my book and we are playing at home its a reflection of what a poor team we accumulated under Big Sam. Keegan has a mammoth job on his hands.

We all just need to get behind the team and pray that we can make it. I have hope that we can avoid the drop, not because we are "too good to go down" but because there are luckily teams slightly worse than us below. Derby and fulham look doomed. and one from sunderland, Reading wigan or brum should complete the trio.

Then i agree with Paul, there must be a big clear out. Sort the men from the boys. Bring some fresh players in and push for a european place next year.

Posted by: PeterDawson  | February 3, 2008 9:23 PM

bonnielad wrote...

totally agree with comments of paul patterson and add that we played 3 players emre, duff and zogg who can only play with left feet. trust the smoggies to spoil the party and pinch one on the death.thought the ref and linesmen had poor games but you have to hand it to boro they never gave in and the usual lack of 90 minute play brought us undone.what about kk giving the young brigade a go surely carroll would be better than viduka who,in my opinion shows a lack of committment .no control in the midfield and too many passess going astray.

Posted by: bonnielad  | February 3, 2008 11:12 PM

Phil wrote...

Excellent post, Paul Patterson, written eloquently as usual. My only minor disagreement is that Duff is beginning to win me over. Beye, Faye, and Martins will add some physicality to the team, which looks too small and powderpuff with the current selection available. You and Bobby Moncur are right, and we all know it - many of the current squad, despite Kev's encouragement, are simply not good enough and need to be cleared out. I am confident in the current leadership on and off the field.
As an aside, it was good to hear Alan Shearer being open and honest why he couldn't be assistant manager, which was for the good of the club. Kev needs to be able to do it his way, and he will.

Posted by: Phil  | February 4, 2008 1:53 AM

Charles wrote...

You know Mr.Paul, I'm a great admirer of your comments; you write off most of the points that almost all the supporters would love to hear. And most of all, you write the best among all the others that ever written here.

But, for all the time reading your comments, I found out you're not so much of a positive supporter, are you?

I mean, I can't really blame anyone, Newcastle's lack of playing ability is merely the reason for your negative reviews but try to reason things out a bit...

Smith is a bad player for us no matter where he played but yesterday was obvious, he tried and tried hard!

He played like a child but he gave more than some players. He battled out the giant defenders and won many headers, he tackled and gave his best but let's not be carried away here, even though his best isn't exactly THE best...

And Duff? His the player I think can work under KK. Look at his skill at Boro, good and with much skill. (The goal, to me, was his contribution to Charles...) He improved more than ever under KK...

But there are things I agree with you...Butt's playing got from bad under Sam to worse...(Thanks a lot Sam!) and Owen as captain? No good, but at this current time, I think it is better to let his stay captain, at least till next season providing we stay that long...

Emre looks good at set pieces and Duff+Zog is good. Barton needs more games, he slacks a little too much, and the defenders looked better than before.

Kk is right, we need confidence, both players and supporters...yesterday was like any other day, bad luck due to bad refreeing.

If we got the goal earlier, we shouldn't be struggling and had the linesmen looked at Boro's goal, we should be winning the game instead of a draw...Admit it, we should have won.

Martins can get better under KK. He and Zog needs a little lesson at handling and passing players without losing the ball. But for Geremi? Take my advice, sell him, he's not good enough. Unless he proved he's worth, KK should just sell him for 1M. We lose money, but at least we don't keep money leeches...

Posted by: Charles  | February 4, 2008 3:13 AM

Siomi wrote...

Paul got it mostly right. No arguments about Smith, but I wouldn't sell him and would keep him on the bench. He has so much energy and enthusiasm and is versatile (jack of all trades...).

I think Viduka can do the business for us, but again, perhaps as a second choice striker. He has to put in some serious work on his fitness and sharpness and do some damage in the reserves (Sheringham is a great example of that ruthless determination needed to stay sharp and fresh after the sell by date has expired).

Obafemi will come back a little disorientated after a disappointing Cup of Nations, but I agree that he will benefit hugely from Kevin's guidance and support and should soon become a formidable and potent striker for us.

I have a lot of respect for Owen and I would like to see him work on his attacking strategies with Obafemi. We certainly haven’t seen the best of them.

I don't agree about Carr. He should have gone already. He misses crucial tackles and his distribution and even ball control is suspect. He would be my first bit of business in the summer.

Milner and N'Zogi are the key for us. The team has to play to their strengths. We all know this, but I think Kevin needs to work on our attack and make it more imaginative and creative. We are too predictable and most teams will come prepared to deal with our wing play.

Funnily enough, I am not too bothered about our defence. There is enough there that with good training, organisation and practice they will become disciplined and effective and will keep more clean sheets.

This leaves the midfield. Butt had a terrible game and I just don't like Barton. I think this is the area that Kevin really needs to work on. More attacking and decisive distribution, more understanding of each other and more bloody minded determination is required. This has to be a priority on the training ground. I hate to say it, but the smoggies showed us up towards the end of the game.

The remainder of this season has to be about how we play. I don’t believe we will be in any relegation tussle; there are too many teams that are worse than us. I do believe we can use this season to develop a style of play and a confidence and a swagger that will do Newcastle proud.

Posted by: Siomi  | February 4, 2008 5:33 AM

Paul Patterson wrote...

Sandy, Sandy, I was being sarcastic with regards to Owens assault on Schwarzer, ‘Keepers are now becoming a protected species, that’s the only thing I think could have been going through Mike Dean‘s mind, ‘If the ‘keeper goes down, then I’m a’blowin’’
We’ve come so far from the 70’s when you could ACTUALLY assault a ‘keeper for half an hour before the referee would even have a word. The like’s of Malcom McDonald and even Alan Shearer wouldn’t have had a career.

Also Barton might not get into form if the courts have their way, plus Emre should be making defence splitting passes and having some shots on goal, which he didn’t.

Yeah Phil, Duff is a great player, but his passing was a little off, wanting to beat one too many and occasionally beating a man and wanting to beat him again. But I’m sure Keegan will get the best out of him, after all he has big similarities to Ginola.

Smith has never improved since his days at Leeds when I actually thought he could become a good player, but for being a striker, his record is awful, even worse than Mr Strolla Ameobi’s.

I think the whole Owen- Captain issue, is just good PR between Keegan and Owen after the comments Owen made in his book, Keegan had to do something to smooth the waters between the pair, but I even criticised Shearer as captain, because I prefer a captain in the middle or at the back, plus a goalscorer needs to concentrate on doing just that and leave the captaincy to a visionary in centre of defence.

In between Owen, Geremi and Smith, (All have been Captain this season) we have three of the worst captains in our history. Oh can we have the days of Rob Lee and Peter Beardsley back again.

Siomi, The simple problem with Smith is, he wouldn’t just sit on the bench and stew, he could have done that at Man Utd, and he’s on a ridiculous wage, so it would be a total waste, plus would you bring him on, how would he change the game if you did?

You summed it up with the ‘Jack of all trade’s’ comment, Jack of all trade’s- but master of none.

I said Carr was BETTER, but sadly that has just highlighted how bad he was in the first place. Scarily, he played in the 7-1 win over Spur’s, when Shearer bustled him out of the way to score. He played in some awful Spur’s sides and we signed him.

Charles, your right, I’m not that positive a supporter, which annoys me because I’m a positive person, but I’m also not a liar, I just say what I see, sadly over the last four years, what I’ve seen is just rank bad football. I’d love to come on here after a game and say- ‘Boy! Enjoyed that’ but I think the last time I said that was the Alkmaar game at home last season, and that wasn’t that good.

Maybe then we have to go back as far as that game against Man City 4-3 under Souness. Maybe even the game against Blackburn Rovers when John Carver was in temporary charge before the scot took over- I’d like to see Carver given a role in the new set-up.

I really hope that once this season is over, things get more positive, believe me you will hear about it,- I just hope to still be alive when we win something- and I’m not old either.

Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | February 4, 2008 10:06 AM

jac mills wrote...

Someone in Newcastle finally agrees with what I said earlier this year: Viduka, Owen, Butt and Duff are bit players. They should be disposable, ASAP. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Paul Patterson. I think you and I are the only ones seeing something other than black and white.

And how can KK leave a lad like James Milner on the bench. He is a bright spark at NUFC: a good, honest footballer, who gives his all every time on the pitch. Can't say that about the above. There are, I would think, many teams in the PL that would love to have James. And if I were he, a move would be in my plans. And that is not deserting the ship. It is common sense. A footballer's playing life is short, so he has to do what he can with his talent. Move on, James, and you'll prosper.

It still is early, and KK must be given every chance with this group of players. But looking from afar, as I am, the club seems to be in disarray, without positive direction and a plan to return to the glory days of NUFC, which is what the fans want and deserve. I understand that management cannot divulge all its business minute by minute. But Ashley and KK should outline for supporters a plan and timetable to achieve their objectives for NUFC. That is only reasonable and deserved. Fans are the lifeblood of any club and should be considered and respected as such. I do not see this at Newcastle.

Posted by: jac mills  | February 4, 2008 12:45 PM

Anonymous wrote...

Good performance. Too bad they ended it in a tie. They will get better under Keagan.

Posted by: Anonymous  | February 4, 2008 1:08 PM

Ronnie ( Busker ) Lambert wrote...

Right on, way to go Jac Mills it's good to see that someone finally agrees with what I said earlier this year, the fans are the lifeblood of any club. That's where your opinions go off on a tangent to mine buddy. Why encourage our best young player to leave the club? Wouldn't it be better to add better players to Milner, as has been promised in the summer? KK can hardly walk on water with what he's inherited, he's already, noticeably improved playing standards, and players' attitudes. Can't you at least try to improve your attention span to at least that of a gnat and realise that he's got 4 first teamers away in Africa, and a paper-thin squad? We were definitely robbed on sunday when Kevin should have been feted for his first real chance of victory instead of another nail in his coffin from outright pessimists, or agent prvocateurs. The REAL fans, the lifeblood of any club, as you say from over there in your stateside choice of home, don't write snidey undermining letters week after week, without REAL knowledge of what's REALLY happening at this great club that we all love. I'm beginning to think that I'm in a minority of positive thinking well-wishers for the Toon on this blog. Of course it's nice to have freedom of speech on our passions, and let off steam occasionally, but so many of the comments on this site appear to be either ill-informed, or premeditated with a wooden spoon in mind.

Posted by: Ronnie ( Busker ) Lambert  | February 4, 2008 1:55 PM

Snapper wrote...

When is the Prem League ref's boss's start to weild the axe and get rid of these unperfoming baffoons who pose as referee's. We were robbed of a point at CHelsea by a woeful assistant who could'nt spot a player 4 yards offside, we were robbed of 2 points by an official who should be reffing ladies netball, if he considered Owen's contact on Schwartzer was a foul what would he have made on the castration like tackle Huth performed in the recent cup game, he was not even booked. The same player and Aldiediere were palpably offside when Huth scored. Yet they managed to spots Duff's 1" indiscretion well enough. I would like to hear what the Smoggie mouthpiece's the 3 Legends Slaven and motormouth Look North's Clem (both self aclaimed Toon haters) have to say on the subjuect.

Posted by: Snapper  | February 4, 2008 2:19 PM

jac mills wrote...

I have just read KK's comments on why he dropped James Milner for the Liverpool game. What a load of codswallop! Come on Kevin, do not insult the intelligence of the fans. Be honest about what you do. Geordies respect a man more for honesty and straight talk than for any other character traits. Try to fool them and patronize them and you will be doomed there, and quickly. You have fans second to none -- worldwide -- so please appreciate their value. A man would be foolish not to, especially on his third time in residence.

Posted by: jac mills  | February 4, 2008 7:01 PM

John Best wrote...

This side wont improve under Keegan; the heads have dropped too far. We missed the boat, by not making secure signings in the Xmas break. We have too many, very poor players; about 10 of them.

Posted by: John Best  | February 4, 2008 7:23 PM

David Douglas wrote...

Sandy Love - When Paul Patterson said "Owen shamelessly took it upon himself to assault Mark Schwarzer" it was I assume tongue in cheek!

Posted by: David Douglas  | February 5, 2008 10:34 AM