Newcastle-Online comment: 5th August 2004
Player ratings from last night's 2-1 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead
Steve Harper - 8
Produced 3 excellent saves, 3 goal saving saves. An excellent performance
from the Number 2. We do have the best two keepers in the Premiership.
Aaron Hughes - 6
Looked lost at times and got caught out of position too much for my
liking. Got forward well but his crossing let him down.
Robbie Elliott - 5
Slow to react at times and poor positional sense allowed Celtic to
slice us open at times. Good in the air and he did try his best but
centre-half is obviously not his forte nor position. Can't really
blame the lad, being asked to play out of position. In that respect
he did OK.
Titus Bramble - 8
Pick of the defence who helped out Elliott on a few occasions. Superb
in the air and his distribution was usually very good. A few scary
moments but all in all a very good game. Dealt with the responsibility
of being the senior (central) defender if you like very well and marshaled
the back four throughout and didn't allow Hartson or Sutton to dominate.
Let down by lack of midfield cover when Butt went off and the walkabouts
of Hughes and Bernard at times which resulted in him charging about
on a few occasions...trying to do too much.
Olivier Bernard - 5
Good going forward, sloppy in defence. Got caught out of position
an awful lot in this game but as always he stuck to his task and took
a few kicks for his troubles as he always does and without complaining
either. Wasn't helped by Robert in the first half.
James Milner - 8
Covered every blade of grass and ran himself into the ground. Got
forward well and defended well. Attacking wise he was a constant menace
to Celtic and whipped in some canny crosses with both his left and
right peg and although quite a few went wayward he was always in a
position to put them in. Switched to the left when Robert went off
at half time and did more in 10 minutes then the Frenchman did in
his 45 minute cameo. As the game wore on he swapped flanks in an attempt
to get at the Celtic defence. Showed a great piece of skill late on
the penalty box to turn his man before shooting. Took on his man at
all opportunities and had a very productive game. This lad has talent,
bags of it and although he's very raw he is a frightening prospect
and Robert ought to look at his work rate which was phenomenal.
Nicky Butt - 7
Gradually getting into the grove and looked much sharper than in the
Newcastle Gateshead Cup. Bossed the midfield at times and put in lots
of little challenges to break up the play. Passing was very good as
well with some excellent cross-field balls. What I liked about his
performance was how he looked to boss the game and to take it by the
scruff of the neck. It was no coincidence that after he went off Celtic
started to boss the midfield and all these fears that Newcastle will
now play a deeper game with Butt in the side can be squashed, after
he went off we dropped deep. When he was on he was always looking
forward therefore so were the team. The more he plays the classier
he looks and he's impressed me no end. Subbed for Jenas.
Kieron Dyer - 6
Lots of effort, lots of running and lots of good defensive work in
the first half but going forward he often made the wrong decision
and after Butt went off he contributed little beyond the usual huff
and puff. With Dyer in central midfield he can add to our attacking
game but when the opposition have the ball, huge gaps appear through
the midfield. He did set up Bellamy for his goal but up against a
sterner midfield he found it tough going at times. Subbed for Pattison.
Laurent Robert - 5
Got involved early on and played some nice balls and linked up well
but tracking back you want to see more aggression and more determination
which he didn't do. To be fair he is still carrying an injury however
and was brought of at half time for Brittain.
Alan Shearer - 5
No real goalscoring opportunities again and he looked statuesque for
large periods with Balde dominating him. Frustrating night for the
Skipper overall and this just wasn't his type of game where United
looked to play it on the deck (hooray) as much as possible. Could
have done more to shake off his man and I have to say his body language
doesn't look good. Was subbed for Kluivert.
Craig Bellamy - 9
So sharp he could cut himself. Terrorised the Celtic rearguard and
never stopped chasing and pressing all night. His first touch and
control was sublime at times and I doubt Celtic fans will see a better
player in the SPL all year - he was the best player on the pitch and
his sheer presence in the team gives us a whole different dimension.
Very involved and he took his goal magnificently - with his weaker
left foot as well. He was so calm, assured and deadly accurate that
you knew it was in as soon as it left his boot. He was still running
at 100mph hour with 5 minutes to go and he has without a doubt matured
and developed a footballing brain. For me he's our most important
player and he has to start. He wasn't just a goal threat but he did
so much defensive work and put in so much effort for the team too.
Outstanding and it's great to see - lets prey he stays fit because
he's indispensable really. My man of the match.
Subs brought on:
Patrick Kluivert - 5
Come on for Shearer after 60 minutes or so and took a while to get
involved in the game. Showed a few glimpses of his obvious class and
showed just how good he is in the air with one flick on that set Bellamy
away but the Welshman's shot went wide. Likes to come deep and get
involved and he did direct two headers goalwards. Looks to be a big
threat in the air and I can see us getting some joy as a result. He
just needs to top up those fitness levels now.
Jermaine Jenas - 5
Come on for Butt at the same time as Kluivert and immediately sat
in front of the back four, very rarely getting forward. One or two
neat passes and a few good touches but he was mainly pressing the
opposition rather than getting on the ball as we sat quite deep towards
the end. Good to see him back.
Matty Pattison - 5
The Toon youngster, making his senior debut come on for Dyer on 72
minutes and looked quite good. Showed some pace and aggression and
played a few neat passes. Too early to judge but well done to the
lad.
Martin Brittain - 6
Come on for Robert at half time and got into the game straight away.
Helped out Hughes in defence and attacked well and although his crossing
wasn't of the highest order, like Milner, it's good to see him actually
getting into the position to cross and to have the confidence to do
so. Played some neat passes and his work ethic was excellent. These
Pre-Season games can't do him any harm.
Michael Chopra - 0
Come on for Bellamy on 90 minutes and didn't even touch the ball.
Toon Army - 10
Once again FANTASTIC! Outsung the Celtic fans with room to spare who
didn't seem that impressed with the proceedings nor their team. Classic
renditions all game and it was great to hear Bobby's name being sung
loud and proud throughout. No trouble that I'm aware of (although
one or two did get ejected) and within the City the Celtic fans were
really friendly - a cracking atmosphere (from us). Now if only we
could do the same at St. James' Park... |
 |
Toon
Shirts |
|
Sponsors |
|
|
