At last some fighting spirt

Dave B wrote...

I was at St Andrews last night and I and the Geordie faithful couldn’t believe KK took Oba off.

He was causing them all sorts of problems had set up Owens goal, and looked the one most likely to grab a winner.

Even in the cold light of the morning after the decision looks nonsensical.

Posted by: Dave B  | March 18, 2008 1:58 PM

Ronnie Lambert wrote...

We made the point, though it felt like victory. Strange days bros, but not as strange as KK replacing Oba with Zog. I can see where he's coming from in that Zog can do the unexpected in beating men and striking from distance, but we had the impetus and Oba's tail was up so it was in all a strange decision. Never mind, we would have grabbed the draw if offered. Now Fulham, Reading and Sunderland look appealing if last night's second half spirit can be maintained. In fact, if this team has at last awoken from their slumber, they might just realise their potential and go on a mini rampage ...... I'm in my slumber now.

Posted by: Ronnie Lambert  | March 18, 2008 3:24 PM

squidgy wrote...

The muted euphoria which greeted last nights draw with fellow strugglers Birmingham just goes to show the depressing state we are in but a point is better than nought but unless this result is built on - we are in deep trouble. However, I am 100% behind KK whatever happens at the end of the season as I believe long term we will become succesful once again under this management.

Posted by: squidgy  | March 18, 2008 4:42 PM

roy chapman wrote...

Delighted with the second half fight back last night and with a bit of luck we could have taken all three points.
Viduka can at least hold the ball up and both Owen and Martins played well.
Pleased to see the back of "strikers" Smith and Duff but still puzzled why Barton, who can't pass a ball ten yards and Geremi, the worst corner taker and free kick taker we've had, get a place.
Defence is still a bit dodgy in the middle with Faye looking suspect and Steve Taylor being caught out of position too many times for a 'future England International!! Like Enrique and Beye at full backs.
Having said all that I was a lot happier than I have been at the end of many recent games.
Keep up the second half performance against Fulham on Saturday.

Posted by: roy chapman  | March 18, 2008 6:13 PM

steve wrote...

Ive got to own up to something.I bottled it,i watched the first half on tv then switched it off,ive never done it before,i just saw another capitulation on the cards and that first half was woeful,barton in particular....then imagine my surprise when i got up this morning(after having many nightmares)to find we drew and could have won!!!!totally overjoyed.I still havent seen the 2nd half but heard all about it at work,if we have that sort of spirit against fulham(and keep starting oba)we should be ok.One thing EVERYBODY has said is that Oba was playing well and shouldnt have come off....this is my only thing with KK,I think in this league you need pace and movement which oba and charlie(even if he is gonna leave us)have in abundance,as opposed to the static,poor passers of messrs barton,butt,geremi.But thats just my opinion.nevermind.bring on fulham.....HOWAY THE LADS.

Posted by: steve  | March 18, 2008 6:30 PM

John Best wrote...

Probably did,nt want to lose the point that they had worked so hard to achieve.N,Zogbia gave a more defensive option and Martins, might well have been tired and unable to track back, new legs was a wise move and the draw will give them confidence for Fulham. We really lack quality in midfield, any combination of DUFF,BUTT,BARTON,SMITH & GEREMI, IS SIMPLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH !!!.When you consider that we have had no cup involvement; we should be a lot sharper than we look. The bookies have increased the odds; they,re seldom wrong, on the relegation issue. I still think, its touch and go.!!A couple of further injuries and this thin squad will be terribly exposed, at least 7 of them , are not fit for purpose.

Posted by: John Best  | March 18, 2008 7:08 PM

Andrew wrote...

So Kevin leaves Duff & Smith out and goes with the proven goal scorers . . . good move! Then he takes Martins off when Oba's on fire . . . wrong move. Charles N’Zogbia is a skillful player but nine times out of ten he looses the ball and causes everyone else to get caught out of position. It's a weakness he doesn't appear able to fix. For that reason alone he could never be a real full back.
The whole momentum swung Birmingham's way when Martins went off. Kevin would be wise not to repeat that switch in future. Just my opinion!

Posted by: Andrew  | March 18, 2008 9:46 PM

goerdie george wrote...

i understand were desperate for silverware but we arent going to get it changing it every time the going gets tough. its going to take time but i can bet most fans would rather put up with a season of misfortune and pull through it to get better every time to become a side that challanges than go through the same old story season after season. i love newcastle but we need to stick with some managerial consistency before it will show on the pitch. Alex fergusons build 2 world class squads over his career we need to stick with someone to give them that chance. not chop and change every couple of years because the managers left to fill someone elses shoes who dont fit.

Posted by: goerdie george  | March 18, 2008 10:02 PM

M Sebastian T wrote...

Lee, On last night's showing KK and the team are total rubbish.

The whole point is that it was Birmingham (not a good team) they managed to fight back against to get a draw. Not sure if you actually did, but I did saw the game and make no mistake about it Brum are the least talented side Toon will play until next season. How they do this weekend is the big test. My prediction is 1-1.

It is too late to dump KK now, before next season anyway. Lucky the owner can afford to buy the latest clueless bloke out! I still think there will be no more victories this season and right now the question is whether 3 to 5 more points will be enough.

On last night’s showing Brum are even worse than us. So there actually is some hope still.

Posted by: M Sebastian T  | March 19, 2008 1:09 AM

Malaysia No.1 Toon Fan wrote...

Hope Smith will still be dropped for the next game, Geremi as well,if not don't play him on the flank. He can't cross & his corners were terrible. Will Emre get fit again? I'm dying to see him playing in the middle of the park.
KK, please do keep the 3 men upfront against Fulham. Pray you will get your first win against them.

Posted by: Malaysia No.1 Toon Fan  | March 19, 2008 1:27 AM

dick wrote...

we really need someone other than geremi to take corners and free kicks he cannot even get them over first defender standing 15 yards away. i was starting to think he was aiming for them

Posted by: dick  | March 19, 2008 9:49 AM

Al Harrison wrote...

I only hope the fans and the new management keep faith with K.K. he can only use what was left to him by a chairman and the last three managers who couldn't manage a one of those things in a brewery,K.K. did it once before for us, give him time ,he will do it again

Posted by: Al Harrison  | March 19, 2008 12:24 PM

Sandy Love wrote...

I really hope Emre is fit and able to play the next game. We need him as a creative central midfielder but also need him for corners and free kicks. Remember Boro? He set up Owen for 3 Goals. Although one went out of play before it found Owen, one should have been a goal and the other was a goal. This is what we are sorely missing and if he can stay fit for the rest of the season I can see him saving us. Remember his goals at Reading and Everton? Two goals that ended up being the winner and he made them all himself. HE has the passion and desire that very few Newcastle players are showing at the moment and he plays very well with Martins and Owen. I just pray he's fit for Fulham.

Posted by: Sandy Love  | March 19, 2008 1:02 PM

Snapper wrote...

Dick, to say that Geremi was aiming for the 1 st defender, is absolute rubbish, if he had he would have missed them.

Posted by: Snapper  | March 19, 2008 1:37 PM

Duncan Baines wrote...

To the critic of Nzogbia: It was obvious how good a player is Nzogbia was to all our fans at the start of Roeder's reign when we had the run to take us to a 7th place finish, with him playing left wing every game. The fact he has been messed about since by having Duff take his place, being played at full-back just shows how badly run Newcastle is. If Zog signs for Arsenal or something you'll see how good he really is when he lifts a few trophies! (as Andy Cole,Tomasson,Jenas etc. went on to do)

Moreover, if Nzogbia 'loses the ball nine times out of ten' what on earth do you think about the rest of our squad? For example, Duff and Smith missing 10/10 chances!

Posted by: Duncan Baines  | March 19, 2008 6:59 PM

Cranston Lamont wrote...

You're right. Since we acquired Duff, Charlie seems to have come off as second best. I'm not really sure what Duff offers us and whatever it is, he doesn't offer it very often.

Posted by: Cranston Lamont  | March 20, 2008 12:24 PM

Ricky in Norway wrote...

“No disrespect to Birmingham, but the quality of players at Newcastle is much better than it is there.
That was a quote from Butt in tonight's Chronicle, and there lies the problem of our beloved club. A team full of has been's and never will be's that think they are so much better than they actually are. The table does not lie, not after 30 games, if you are floundering then it is for one reason and one reason alone, NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

Posted by: Ricky in Norway  | March 20, 2008 3:02 PM