18th February 2005
 Shay
Given
Shay had no chance with Huntelaar's fantastic strike but the
Irishman saved the day, and Bramble's blushes, by pulling off
a world-class stop in the second half. A solid game from our
No.1 who was as reliable as ever when called upon.
|
7 |
 Stephen
Carr
An excellent performance from Carr and much more like the player
he was 2 seasons ago. Got forward well and sent in one or two
decent balls in his role as the wing-back. Defensively he covered
his flank well and defended his line. Comfortable on the ball
and a leader on the pitch. When Heerenveen started pushing numbers
up, attacking the back-four, he kept his cool and won a few
tackles out on the flank. |
7.5 |
 Andy
O'Brien
Started off nervously, allowing the dangerous Huntelaar to turn
him but he shepherded the ball out having stood strong and from
there on in he was solid enough. Put in one or two important
blocks, won a few balls in the air and even went on one or two
mazy runs. Not bad from the Irishman who seems to look solid
in Europe, while a mess in the League. Well played. |
7 |
 Titus
Bramble
Did many things well in this game, winning two life saving tackles
in the box, balls in the air and closing down his man but two
individual mistakes blotted his copybook - one costing a goal
the other forcing Shay to make a great save. Once again it boils
down to concentration and decision making - two things which
are vital for a defender and two things which Bramble hasn't
quite mastered nor ever will it seems.
|
5.5 |
 Celestine
Babayaro
Like his opposite wing-back he had a good game, until his night
came to an end, limping off after a knock to the knee. Got forward
well and defended his corner so to speak. What was noticeable
in this game is just what a fantastic leap he has on him - winning
balls in the air he had no right to win. Since arriving from
Chelsea he's slotted in really well and his positional sense
is an improvement over Bernard.
|
6.5 |
 Lee
Bowyer
An all action display from the midfielder and one of his best
performances since arriving. Struggled to get in the game in
the first-half, like a lot of wor lads, but he did an awful
lot defensively and once we reverted to 4-4-2 he had the freedom
to get forward more. Grabbed the winner with a cheeky back-heel
and caused them numerous problems. His sending off was very
harsh with neither the first yellow, an adjudged elbow in the
face (he had his eyes on the ball at all times and used his
arms to leverage a jump), nor the second where he seemed to
slightly touch the ball with his hand (by accident), were deserved.
A shame as he performed really well. Well played. |
7.5 |
 Amdy
Faye
Another solid, no nonsense game from Faye who goes about his
job without fuss. Seemed to be everywhere and unlike Jenas and
others who have ben asked to do a defensive role this season,
there is no headless chicken act with the former Pompey man.
Knows exactly what he's doing and does it well. Physically strong
both on and off the ball and in the air while showing calmness
on the ball, always looking to pass it to feet. Neat and tidy
and a decent game on his Toon European debut. |
7 |
 Jermaine
Jenas
Passed fit before kick-off and to be honest, he struggled as
the left sided midfielder - not quite knowing his role. Kept
on coming into the centre, leaving Babayaro exposed (who did
well to pin his man back) and generally bumping into players,
his own team-mates and the opposition alike. He did work hard
and did a lot of work off the ball however and in the second
half when Robert was brought on he started getting forward and
linked up play well. I fear that by moving him about and asking
him to do all these different roles will have a negative effect
on him and if Souness doesn't fully trust him in the centre,
he should replace him in the side. The lad needs a set position,
one he is comfortable in and to be given the licence to stick
to that role and the patience to grow into it. Right, left and
centre just makes him look like a headless chicken and he is
better than that. |
6 |
 Patrick
Kluivert
Started off as an advanced midfielder on the tip of a diamond
formation with his job to switch the play and to link up the
midfield with the attack. He did the former, clipping a few
delightful balls to Babayaro and Carr in the first half but
he failed to do the latter. More so because of the tactics and
the way in which the half had panned out. With Shearer isolated
up front by his own trying to shake off Hansson and with Ameobi
working both flanks, there was nothing for the Dutchman to work
with. Once Robert came on though Kluivert moved up top and started
to have a big influence on the game, setting up both goals (an
inadvertent assist for the second).
As a support man to Shearer he linked up the midfield and held
onto the ball for runners as Big Al drew the Heerenveen defence
away from space which in term allowed Bowyer to break beyond
midfield. Showed some delightful control throughout with a cheeky
flick to Robert being the highlight and generally worked his
socks off before fading towards the end. A big question mark
hung over his head from the Dutch, Toon and national press leading
up to the game (as well as from fans) but I think he proved
he does want to play for Newcastle by putting in an excellent
performance overall. The 90 minutes would have done him the
world of good. Now he needs to start up front alongside Shearer,
get a run of games and maybe then he will start delivering.
That and having the team set up to accommodate him. Well played
Paddy.
|
7.5 |
 Alan
Shearer
Legend, end of. I don't know what to write. What can I write
that can describe the man's performance? He had an ordinary
game for large spells but there were things he did in the game,
things that I can't quite articulate within this page that sums
up the man, his goals, what he means to us, what he means to
the club, why replacing him will be impossible, and why no amount
of silver can reward him for his achievements - because there
isn't enough silver in the world. Magnificent and man of the
match by a country mile. I could write a whole article about
his performance... in fact I will, he deserves it and I'd like
to personally articulate (if I can) what his performance meant
to me as a Toon supporter. |
10 |
 Shola
Ameobi
For me, he started off very well and set the tempo for the game.
He was quick out of the traps, pouncing on loose balls and getting
in the faces of his markers but as the game wore on he become
ineffectual and missed a sitter from Shearer's flick on which
dented his confidence. However no blame can be laid at his door
- playing alongside Big Al doesn't particularly suit his game
nor does the system. In fact, what system does? What type of
player would he be best alongside? Like Jenas, I fear for this
clearly talented lad. He isn't quite good enough for a side
with aspirations of challenging for the League but he hasn't
had a decent enough run in the team nor is the side set up to
his strengths for him to fully prove himself. And the truth
of the matter is that we can't afford to give him a full season
up front nor play to his strengths neither. As a squad player
he is of benefit to the club, that's of no benefit to him though. |
6 |
Substitutes:
 Aaron
Hughes
Came on for Babayaro and slotted in well. Did his job and contributed
to the win defensively.
|
6 |
 Laurent
Robert
Give us the impetus to win the game when he come on for Shola
and allowed us to revert to a 4-4-2 formation which the team
were much more comfortable with. Provided width, balance and
played a few decent balls leading up to both goals as well as
tracking back.
|
7 |
The Boss Man:
 Graeme
Souness
He is getting a lot of flack for the performance and the system/tactic
deployed in this game but as manager of Newcastle United he
is paid to manage the team to win - which he did. Whether his
decision to revert back to a 4-4-2 was forced on him or not,
he made the decisions, the correct ones. I personally don't
care who he plays or how we play as long as we win. We did,
that's good enough for me. Well done Graeme, lets hope we can
keep it going.
|
8 |
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