25th February 2005
 Shay
Given
One great save in the opening 10 minutes from Jan-Klaas Huntelaar
and a couple of decent takes throughout the game for the Irishman
who was largely untested. Had no chance with the spot-kick but
deserved to keep a second successive clean sheet.
|
7 |
 Stephen
Carr
Another solid performance from the Republic of Ireland international
who has looked the part since returning from injury. Got up
and down the right flank all night and assisted the attack with
clever link up play. In defence he had to cope with Bruggink
often by himself as Dyer came infield from his right sided midfield
slot. Slowly getting back to his best.
|
7 |
 Andy
O'Brien
A reasonably solid enough game up against a lightweight attack.
He did get turned once or twice far to easily by Huntelaar however
with one instance seeing the Dutch under 21 striker get a shot
away which Shay did well to save. Not bad, but still a liability. |
6.5 |
 Titus
Bramble
Carried on from his super show against Chelsea at the weekend.
Bramble didn't put a foot wrong and it's good to see the defender
communicate with his fellow team-mates, make decisive decisions
and organize his back four. An excellent performance.
|
8 |
 Aaron
Hughes
On this performance maybe we don't need cover for left-back
in the Summer - he was superb. He defended well and in the attacking
third he was a constant threat - linking up great with Robert
as an overlapping full-back. Put in quite a few dangerous crosses
(some with his left-foot) too and had an excellent game. Well
done.
|
8 |
 Kieron
Dyer
Got at Heerenveen from the off and the Dutch side simply couldn't
cope with his pace and runs which were penetrating. Advanced
many a time into the box with and without the ball - creating
space for others. Fell a sleep when their keeper parried an
Ameobi shot as the ball was begging to be struck by the No.8
but other than that moment of head in the clouds, he put in
an excellent shift. It has to be said however, the opposition
midfield weren't exactly great and his tendency to drift inside
is worrying as he often left Carr exposed. He needs to be disciplined
out on the right and not wander infield all the time. Up against
a better side, we will get punished down our right-flank. We
missed his injection of pace and energy after the break though
when he came off for Jenas. Not bad and improving. |
7 |
Nicky
Butt
Solid and effective. Broke up many of Heerenveen's play and
drove on from midfield to support the attack. His distribution
was much better too and his partnership with Faye in the centre
gave us that solid platform to get at the visitors. Solid, no
nonsense display. |
7 |
 Amdy
Faye
An unassuming game from the midfield man. Alongside Butt he
played the deeper role and hardly got involved with play but
was always there, pressing and closing down space. His use of
the ball wasn't the greatest but he and Butt give the back-four
added protection. |
6 |
 Laurent
Robert
He's here, he's there, he's every where... that was Robert against
Heerenveen. Her was tremendous all night - an excellent game
from the Frenchman. In the final 3rd his ball retention and
link up play was superb and his crossing as good as ever with
several dangerous balls whipped in from open play and set-pieces.
Worked his socks off and helped out Hughes at all times defensively.
My man of the match and it's a performance
that bodes well for him and us if he can keep it up for the
remainder of the season. |
8.5 |
 Alan
Shearer
At times he gave Petter Hansson the run around and bullied the
Swede into submission but an injury knock picked up at the weekend
was evident as his impact on this game was largely ineffective.
Grabbed a great goal from a free kick however and did his job
before being subbed for Milner into the second half. |
6 |
 Shola
Ameobi
A hot and cold night from the striker where he looked great
in patches and shockingly awful in others. Could have had a
hat-trick on another night but a combination of poor finishing,
luck and great goalkeeping denied him. Gave away the penalty
with a hand ball which was stupid of him as there was no danger
of conceding. Towards the end he demonstrated just why he will
never be a goalscorer and with that a regular for Newcastle.
3 times United broke clear, with 2 men up over Heerenveen in
the dying moments and on each occasion Shola made it impossible
for the man on the ball to pull it back for him to score by
his static movement. In the box all by himself with Hansson
drawn to Robert twice and Milner once, Ameobi simply went to
the ball instead of stepping off and giving his man an option
to play him in. Had he had a bit more savvy, he could have been
one on one with their 'keeper. Instead his lack of movement
forced Robert and Milner to take shots. |
6 |
Substitutes:
 Jermaine
Jenas
Came on at half-time for Dyer, slotting in on the right of midfield
and did nothing of any noteworthy mention as the game passed
him by. Looks tired and in need of more than a 45 minute break.
The Dubai trip hasn't done him any good... |
4 |
 James
Milner
Came on for Shearer into the second half and initially player
down the middle before reverting to a right flank role later
on with Souness switching to a 4-5-1 formation. Tried to get
involved and worked hard to get into the game to make an impact
but he needs more than the latter stages of a game to make his
mark.
|
5 |
 Steven
Taylor
Came on for O'Brien towards the end, slotting in at centre-half
and was hardly in the game as the ball and play was up at the
other end. |
4 |
The Boss Man:
 Graeme
Souness
Stuck with 4-4-2 which was pleasing and decided to rest Jenas,
going with Faye and Butt in midfield. Tactics were pretty much
spot on - get the goals, kill them off and ease up for Sunday's
visit of Bolton. He would have been angry with their late goal
and rightly so because they never looked like scoring all night.
His decision to start with Robert was rewarded with a great
performance from the Frenchman and subbing Big Al was the correct
decision. A great end to a great week for the Scot. Well done
Graeme.
|
7 |
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