Back to earth with three points!

Paul Patterson wrote...

You caught me Lee,- My hand is up.

The crowd is a disappointment, as the one thing this club could always count on was a sell out every week, I just hope we get the squad sorted out in time for the end of the window.

Our two ‘little ‘uns’ up front certainly have a knack of jumping up and getting good valuable headers for the club.

Martins jumps like a gazelle (Doesn’t he rind you of Asprilla a bit) and Owen just knows where to be at exactly the right moment. This is useful as defenders tend to watch for them on the ground. Sadly we still need another striker as, like Kevin says ‘We have trouble keeping them fit’

In future, I’d like to see Spiderman run at a few more people and his work rate will always be a valuable asset. I’m not convinced that Guthrie and Butt will be the answer in the middle long term, but hey- points matter.

This was always the game I was worried about, more than the Manchester United game in fact- simply because this is a game, if we want to do anything this season, is a must win. Now whilst we played poorly, it’s the match we would have lost under the previous regimes.

Talking of previous regimes, I bet Sam Allardyce was laughing his back off when Bolton got that penalty.

I must again, pay tribute to one man, whilst Owen scored the goal to win the game, I simply can’t not mention this guy, he has helped Newcastle United to countless points over the seasons, whilst the Shearer’s were scoring the goals and the Solano’s were providing the craft,- usually in the past, the defenders were causing the damage- only to be backed up by the man behind them - Shay Given.

Finally, after seeing Spur’s again fail to deliver, as well as Aston Villa, (them two are probably our main rivals for any European spot) coupled with Arsenals defeat at Craven Cottage, there doesn’t appear to be anything in this league that scares me.

I just hope we play our part and beat the teams we are ‘supposed’ to.

Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | August 23, 2008 7:58 PM

Sam wrote...

have to agree mate, today went in the best possible way. Not only did we get the points, but we also put an end to the ridiculous hype that had been following us around for a week. Another plus point was Jonas' performance. The number 18 managed to play well, but not set the game alight, which will also put an end to all the hype that has been following him the past week. Lastly, with Arsenal losing today the pressure is on them next week. Who is up for another upset? Ho'way the lads!

Posted by: Sam  | August 23, 2008 8:01 PM

band waggon wrote...

Woooooopieeeee

1-0 to the toon army.

we are 4th in the league, i say we are 4th in the league!!!!

Bring on Man U....OH HANG ON BEEN THERE DONE THAT TOO..!......THERES NOTHING LEFT WE ARE THE GREATEST.

But just hang on lads lets not get carried away!

Posted by: band waggon  | August 23, 2008 8:02 PM

Anonymous wrote...

Bolton Wand.; is probably the most uninteresting game of the season at SJP.Who wants to pay good money to watch them ???..Boring spoilers for 90 minutes.They are one of my 3 tips for the drop, Who would miss them ??
A very good start by Newcastle, they have hit the deck ,running for once.A couple of injuries today but the bench looked quite impressive.

Posted by: Anonymous  | August 23, 2008 8:10 PM

Charles wrote...

Pretty good, pretty bad is all I can say in the game against Bolton.

Firstly, I don't know why there were more than 5000 seats left on the stadium, probably a peaceful strike against Ashley. The fans were not too noisy as they should be, and to be frank, I think Bolton actually played fair game.

The passing was not too good, needs more improvements on that. Credit to Owen though, having scored the winner while Given saved the penalty on the other side, I thought it was magnificent that Owen scored in his first game of the season as a sub. Proved as much that we need a striker who heads balls into the net.

The thing was, Newcastle's ground passing needs a lot of work while their crossing was good. Crosses to man like Owen or Martins can always get you in a good mood.

One thing to mention, is Zog actually playing left wing or left back? Sounds to me that Jonas is doing all his dirty work for him as well as maintaining a good run for midfield.

Bolton playing the 'Hold the line' game against us and capitalized on the team's disorganization after the counter. Really could have done better against a team like that, one of them is to cross good balls in the center and wait for a striker to aim and head it down into the net.

Overall, a good performance that still needs improvement on passing and shooting ground level goals.

Hopefully Ashley's WOW signing is a signing and not a sighing. So far as he said those words, we've seen nothing and we despearely need a good striker now. A creative midfielder and a striker would be perfect. And...please give KK the keys to the chest or there won't be a chest to open in the future.

Posted by: Charles  | August 24, 2008 6:05 AM

abiyansaale wrote...

Yes i agree with u 100%.

If there is need to grind out results, it shd be done.

Bolton are always trick opposition but getting them off guard is the rule to win over them.

Am hopeful that Duffy and Oba will be back so that our numbers are not reduced once again.

NUFC need to get a creative player to give Owen goal scoring opportunities.

Posted by: abiyansaale  | August 24, 2008 7:44 AM

Brunahl the Viking wrote...

Wasnt at the game. My son however said it was a great atmosphere and we played well in the second half. Which part of the game was awful, Lee

On another note. If we are still looking for signings why not look to Usian Bolt, he has pace he is 6ft 5 and hasnt got a club! If Romero can make the transition from rowing to cycling why not suggest that Usian Bolt switches from sprinter to Toon Striker. Think outside the box Kev.

Posted by: Brunahl the Viking  | August 24, 2008 8:10 AM

Peter Harper wrote...

Why oh why does KK persist in playing N'zogbia at left back. N'zogbia is totally devoid of any defensive positional sense and, sooner rather then later,if he continues in the same role Newcastle will pay the penalty.N'zogbia is an attacker-end of story.Jose Enrique must wonder what he has done to be out of the team.
Secondly I would say that Danny Guthrie is one for the future not for the present.This is the Premier League and he's not up to it.He is the midfield equivalent of Ameobi-reliable for an emergency but no more.There was a Steven Taylor lookalike sitting in front of me with his attractive girlfriend and I can say without fear of contradiction that his moves were much more inventive than Guthrie's.We desperately need creative ingenuity if we are to progress.Without it we will be at best mid table.
There is no doubt we are moving in the right direction but we need to spend
money now to link defence to attack.Without investment in the right area we can look forward to a season of safety but mediocrity.

Posted by: Peter Harper  | August 24, 2008 8:51 AM

Bill Beaumont wrote...

Much as he usually disapoints me, you have to credit Geremi's crossing. I thought Guthrie was a) too easily knocked off the ball b) wanted too much time on the ball and was punished for it and c) plays a similar game too Butt. He looks very promising, but we desperately need a creative central midfielder - and have for many seasons.

We also need another sriker. Duff isn't up to it. Yeah, he looks fitter, but he's easily knocked off the ball and rarely goes past his man.

Coloccini looks like a monster buy!

There was a major problem with the re-organisation of the crowd. Suddenly, large groups who preferred to stand appeared in areas that this doesn't normally happen. Surely it's time to create a standing area? I've got nothing against the idea of standing, but there were families behind me who couldn't see; we stayed seating to help their view, but we ended up only see one half of the field. Surely the re-organisation could've been organised better?!

Posted by: Bill Beaumont  | August 24, 2008 9:04 AM

ronnie lambert wrote...

Yesirree Bob, good win but very nervey from where I was sitting, behind Shay's goal in the Gallowgate. Boy were we lucky not to conceive at least one goal, and I don't mean the penalty. Collocini was the difference between last season's dodgey defence as Taylor continues with his death wish. Somebody please get him a straight-jacket or put him in goal so he can handle without worry. He might easily have been sent off for two blatant hand-balls. Last week's great 11 man effort was today put into context with some very poor performances from Butt, Martins and Duff who was aware of his shiter and virtually begged to be subbed. Thank goodness for the professionalism of Geremi and Owen who rescued us from a crowd boo-ing at the final whistle. O.K. so Bolton are the worst spoilers in the premiership and came to kill the game, but on last week's team effort, this was definitely after the lord mayors show. How Given got man of the match ahead of Gutierez beats me, someone who made that choice is probably a girl with a crush who only lifted her head from her knitting to watch the pen. Get these other 3 signings quick, including this wow man cos at least 3 are panicking already. A very good three points though, after Bolton tried their hardest to get back in and were unlucky not to do so.

Posted by: ronnie lambert  | August 24, 2008 10:31 AM

M. Sebastian T. wrote...

Before getting too carried away Toon fans should consider that currently their team has the same record as Hull. Perhaps if NUFC are near the top in November people on Tyneside can realistically start to dream. In the same way it will be silly to get too down in the dumps after losing two games in a row (which will happen).

Some years back Carlisle were top after 3 games but got relegated in the end.

Posted by: M. Sebastian T.  | August 24, 2008 11:34 AM

rich wrote...

The press seemed to take delight in mentioning we were missing 5000 supporters. What they conveniently forgot to add was that it was still the weekends highest attendance in English football, not bad for a team tipped to by the same people to struggle this year...

Posted by: rich  | August 24, 2008 1:48 PM

Sy wrote...

Personally I think we should just take the three points and be thankful that two of the worst fixtures in a season are out of the way already.

Bolton really are a miserable excuse for a football team. I hope to all that is true and good that they get relegated this season and never come back. They had about three players swarming and hunting in packs around the pitch whenever they didn't have possession. It would have been a travesty if they'd scored their penalty - I agree with Ronnie about the straightjacket for Taylor by the way.

So all that said, lets look at a couple of positives. There's a lot of talk about Michael Owen needing five or six games after a lay-off to get back into the swing. Well I think scoring in his first game back will speed this up. Another solid performance by our new Argentines and did anyone else think Geremi looked fitter and trimmer than last season?

A couple of negatives though. Milner's crossing is still worrying, both in open play and from corners. Oba's injury is a big negative, hopefully it's not too serious. And why N'Zogbia is keeping Jose Enrique out of the team baffles me, and I can't help thinking that all the hard work the lad did at the end of last season and the rebuilding of his confidence after the Allardyce shambles has gone to waste. That's a shame as he looked tonnes better than Zog does at left back.

I'd agree that the Guthrie-Butt partnership is a short term fix. I see we're linked with Malouda of Chelsea today, but I still think a specialist creative centre-midfielder is what we need more than another versatile winger. We need the creativity in the middle to address what's been missing for a long time and give us that cutting edge when we need it.

Hopefully we'll have a new addition by the time we go to Arsenal next week.

Posted by: Sy  | August 24, 2008 4:52 PM

Tad Caster wrote...

Try Jonas centre midfield to partner Butt, who, hopefully, can stay alert for the full 90. Jose at left back; Charlie wide left; Milner wide right. Owen and Martins up front - except I see the latter is out for two or three weeks. Duff cannnot cut it up front. I'd sooner see Shola play there for the next few games, if we don't flog him. Maybe even Smith. Then again...

Unless, of course, KK sticks with Milner and Owens and plays Geremi wide right.

One point about the game. What planet is Megson on when he suggests Bolton should have at least had a draw? They came out well at the start of the second half and had that purple patch at the end when it suddenly dawned on them that they were not going to get a draw - and that was that. They came to stifle our style of play and largely succeeded, but we had more possession and more chances and, let's be honest, Martins and Milner ought to have put away their chances and Owen could have had another one. Didn't they whine a lot too?

I agree with the above comments about Guthrie; he needs time and we need a creative midfielder (and a proven striker). Butt can be sloppy at times, especially as the second half pogresses. I thought Charlie had a good game yesterday, both defensively and in attack.

Posted by: Tad Caster  | August 24, 2008 6:44 PM

Stuart wrote...

Wasn't a pretty game at all, was never going to be. An ugly win was the best we could hope for and we got it.

If we look at the corresponding fixtures from last season a 6-0 loss and 0-0 draw, we have seen a vast improvement. 4 points instead of 1, and a +1 goal diff instead of -6.

Now we go to Coventry for what I consider a must win. I'm not sure what their style is, but we should be in good shape to win given the style of opposition we have faced.(Man U flair, and Bolton boredom)

Don't be surpised too see us come home from Arsenalt with nothing. Fulham did us no favours. When was the last time Arsenalt lost 2 in row?, But hey a win at Coventry and a good display at the emirates will keep me in a positive mood!

Posted by: Stuart  | August 24, 2008 7:38 PM

Siomi wrote...

Who'd pay to go and watch Bolton? 10 men behind the ball clogging up the final third. Boring boring Bolton!

I was interested though to see lots of empty seats at other grounds this weekend. I think this is the Olympic factor; football somehow looks jaded and overblown next to the excitement and effort shown by the athletes on the other side of the world. Should the Premier league be worried? Probably not. As winter draws in, interest will return, but it is a timely warning!

Posted by: Siomi  | August 24, 2008 8:45 PM

rita taylor wrote...

I agree with Ronnie Lambert about the man of the match. The 'keeper can't be man of the match with only one save to make [not Shay's fault of course]. Jonas should be a bonus but he is covering up for disappointing performances from 3 or 4 others.
Surely it is worth a try having N'Zogbia 'up front' with little Michael at Coventry and Enrique at full back.
Ronnie is wrong about one thing though. Just because you knit, it doesn't mean that you don't know a good player when you see one.

Posted by: rita taylor  | August 25, 2008 1:31 PM

iain wrote...

crowd was disapointing but there are plenty of reasons that explain it. new seating/ticket system, poor economy, price inecrease, bank holiday weeked etc etc.

and it was still i think the 2nd highest attendance of any pl fixture that weekend.

lee your right a little bit of quality goes a long way, but it cuts the other way as well. as a little bad of very poor play from poor players can drop you in it when your coasting through a game. ie duff doing nothing makes it extra harder for others as they have to do more he at times even gets in the way as his movement is so bad, tbh its non existent. butt might hit 60yrd passes ala becks but at times his backwards passing on the deck is suicidal esp for a player with no pace to get back on goal side of the opo players hes just passed to.

we need 3 new players desperatly just to keep our really bad ones out the team. geremi is winning me over albiet though as a usfeull squad player, but when he can cross like he does for owens goal how can he never get his set pieces past the first man. 9m for milner from villa looks very tempting on the basis that its rumoured chelsea would take 10m for swp. although a better option imo is to buy a good lb put zog lw jonas rw and bench milner on the basis at his age (how is he still and u21 ???) he will still come good and learn how to cross the ball

Posted by: iain  | August 25, 2008 1:47 PM

gordon wrote...

Just pleased with the 3 points today but we desperatly need another quality centre back,taylor is nothing more than average and almost give bolton a 3-0 lead due to very poor defending.

Posted by: gordon  | August 25, 2008 1:56 PM

Ray wrote...

Can't agree about Taylor. He made some very timely interceptions/tackles blocks. His double save gave Shay the chance to keep it 0-0. He will only get better with his current reliable partner. There are half a dozen players/positions worth criticism before slagging off ST.

Posted by: Ray  | August 25, 2008 7:12 PM

Jonnie wrote...

Lee,

I remain optimistic after Saturday.

We were top of the league after the first game last year after beating Bolton on their patch 3-1. Even so I think we've had arguably a better start than we did to last season. It may have been hyped up but the draw at Man United was a major major boost. We have to go to Arsenal now and expect to get a similar if not better result. After all, we can only play better than we did last Saturday.

Come on Newcastle!!!!

Posted by: Jonnie  | August 25, 2008 7:27 PM