3rd April 2005
 Shay
Given
Shay had little or no chance with any of the goals, although
I'd liked him to have stayed on his feet much longer in the
build up to their first penalty when Vassell bore down on goal
as the Villa man still had a lot to do. Other than that, his
kicking was good, reading of the game fantastic as ever and
his handling from crosses was OK too. |
6 |
 Stephen
Carr
The pick of the defence, winning a few tackles, clearing a few
balls with his head and getting forward to support the attack
when he could. Defensively he often found himself up against
2 men as Jenas went walkabouts.
|
6 |
 Andy
O'Brien
Shocking control, shocking reading of the situation and just
an alround shocking performance. His nervousness around the
ball and a Villa shirt set the tone for the away side to get
at us and gave their attackers confidence. So bad, he was subbed
for Taylor with over 20 minutes left. He also took a lot of
stick from the crowd too which obviously got to him.
|
4 |
 Jean-Alain
Boumsong
His worst performance in a Toon shirt, unusually sloppy and
disjointed at the back and only slightly better than his partner
O'Brien. Couldn't cope with Angel's movement and aerial prowess
at times and was at fault for the Villa man's goal, misjudging
a cross. Poor game.
|
5 |
 Aaron
Hughes
A similar job to Carr where he did well in patches winning the
ball, clearing loose balls and trying to get forward when he
could but overall he had his hands full and showed signs of
nerves. Wasted one or two balls too which were pretty basic
to play. |
5 |
 Jermaine
Jenas
Awful. Shocking on the ball, none existent without it and an
overall nothing performance. What was the point of playing him?
If Souness doesn't have a role for him other than playing him
out of position he shouldn't play him and perhaps move him on
in the Summer. He has no confidence whatsoever playing wide
right or in any other position. He's a central midfielder or
nothing at all. |
4 |
 Lee
Bowyer
Prior to his punch-up with Dyer, he along with the No.8 was
our best player with a tenacious appetite in midfield, snapping
away at Claret and Blue shirts, putting in challenges, getting
forward and trying to get the ball moving. Then his moment of
madness. Bowyer all over really and a huge disappointment which
he will do well to recover from. I'm hugely upset over his act
of blatant thuggery and I for one would not be sorry to see
the back of him. He has a hell of a lot of work to do to atone
for his behaviour towards his own team-mate and the club. A
disgrace to NUFC and everyone connected with it. The highest
possible fine should be awarded, along with a stint in the reserves,
then a move in the Summer. |
0 |
Nicky
Butt
He too was awful. Lost possession cheaply in midfield for their
second goal and wasted numerous passes throughout while struggling
to get close to a Villa shirt all afternoon. Lacked commitment
and looked way off the pace. Is he even fit? |
4 |
 Laurent
Robert
The Frenchman worked hard and never allowed his head to drop
on a frustrating day for him. Poor set pieces overall despite
one or two brilliant balls meant he had little effect in this
game and he was well marked by the Villa full-back Delaney.
When he did find space not enough balls were played to him out
wide. He did play in Dyer once or twice with a couple of great
balls however. |
6 |
 Alan
Shearer
What should have been a great day for the No.9 turned into a
nightmare. No service through the middle but plenty of long
balls for him to battle with - which he did well in the circumstances,
winning numerous free-kicks. Poor delivery from the flanks gave
him little chance up against the impressive Mellberg and Laursen
however who dealt with him well enough to limit his impact.
|
5 |
 Kieron
Dyer
Our best player during the minutes in which he was on the pitch,
causing the Villa defence all kind of problems with his pace,
directness and trickery on the ball. Got himself into some great
positions too but often opted for the wrong pass when others
were in a position to shoot. Worked hard for the team too and
having watched the punch-up a few times it's hard to see exactly
what Dyer did wrong. It was Bowyer who launched himself at Dyer
who reacted by trying his level best to fend off the mad man
Bowyer, getting two punches in the face for his troubles. Based
purely on his performance in the match and on the replay's of
the incident which he was sent off for, where I couldn't see
what he did wrong, he's my man of the match.
|
7 |
Substitutes:
 Steven
Taylor
Came on for O'Brien after 52 minutes much to the relief of the
home crowd, slotting in at centre-half. But his stay was a short
one, getting sent off with just under 20 minutes left for deliberately
blocking Vassell's shot with his hand. No blame from me - pure
instinct from the lad who did what any good pro would do - sacrifice
themselves. Came off to a standing ovation and with cheers of
"there's only one Steven taylor" wringing in his ears.
No consolation however. |
4 |
 Shola
Ameobi
Came on for Jenas after 63 minutes and was hardly involved.
He did one a few free-kicks, one on the edge of the box but
this was no type of game to come on in, expecting to produce
the goods. |
4 |
 Amdy
Faye
Came on with 6 minutes to go for Robert and hardly got on the
ball, he just sat in front of the back 4 (Shay being the 4th
man in defence) to protect it. |
4 |
The Boss Man:
 Graeme
Souness
The Scot picked the right team given those missing through injury
but he could do little about his players once they crossed that
white line. Newcastle actually played well in the first-half,
although the defence weren't on top of their game but after
the break the team just fell to pieces and we well and truly
beaten by an ordinary side so he must shoulder some of the blame.
Wrong tactics and use of subs. Milner should have came on for
Jenas as Ameobi just congested the confined space in which Shearer
operated in, making it easy for Villa to push up. A bad day
at the office for everyone. Lets hope we get back to winning
ways on Thursday against Sporting Lisbon, or it could get nastier
for the Scot. Such is the fickle nature of the crowd. |
6 |
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