Newcastle-Online comment: 14th June 2004
Player Performances Review
Shay
Given - 9.5
Where would we be without him? From the very first game over in Belgrade
where he produced 4 great saves right through to the last game of
the season against Liverpool where he kept Liverpool from building
on their solitary goal Given has been absolutely magnificent. Shay
has been making great saves all over Europe and England and for me
he's the best goalkeeper in the world and he just keeps getting better
and better every season. His saves and alround goalkeeping have saved
and won us many points - 16 clean sheets is a fabulous achievement.
His outstanding save at home to Charlton stands out among many world-class
saves. Great season from a great player. Newcastle-Online's player of
the season.
Total appearances (inc sub): 52
Clean Sheets: 16
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Aaron Hughes - 6.5
Not as bad a season as some would have him down for. He's not been
great but he's been solid and dependable and has contributed to a
vastly improved defence this season. A defence that, for me, has been
the best aspect of our season. His performance at Villa stands out
and although we do need better at right back, in Hughes we do have
a very good player who will never let us down and who will do a job
if required. He can also play in a variety of positions with some
even suggesting his best position is at centre half which makes him
a valuable squad member and a vital Toon player. Hughes has put in
a fairly decent season. Not great but certainly not poor either.
Total appearances (inc sub): 46
Goals: 0
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Jonathan Woodgate - 8
He's had 2 bad games that I can remember against Liverpool at home
and Wolves away but in the majority of them he's been simply world-class.
He has dominated the likes of Henry, Van Nistelrooy, Viduka, Hasselbaink,
Drogba and Kezman showing just how good he is. On the form leading
up to his injury there wasn't a better defender in Europe. He oozes
class but sadly he doesn't play enough games and that will always
hamper Newcastle. When he does play he holds the whole defence together
and inspires those around him and makes us supporters more comfortable
knowing that he will deal with whatever comes his way as Henry and
Co. will testify to. Great player, great season (when he played).
We must get him fit and keep him fit for next season because it's
no coincidence just how much our defence has improved with him in
it.
Total appearances (inc sub): 26
Goals: 0
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Andy O'Brien - 7.5
He's had an excellent season overall in which he has shown he is a
very good defender, especially alongside Woodgate with the two of
them forming what looked like a great partnership when they had a
run in the team. Vastly improved over last season and he's now more
confident and more assured (accept alongside Bramble). An outstanding
game at Old Trafford stands out and as ever he's brave, fully committed
and he reacts quick to danger. It's been great seeing him develop
alongside Woodgate and all these calls for a new centre back to partner
Woodgate are not needed IMO because together they not only compliment
each other but look a rock solid pair. Newcastle-Online's most improved
player this season.
Total appearances (inc sub): 41
Goals: 1
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Titus Bramble - 5
There has been many many plus points where Bramble has put in some
top-class performance but once again it's those lapses in concentration
that not only hamper himself but Newcastle too. He's had a couple
of great games this season and has improved over last season but his
decision making and concentration for a Premiership defender leaves
a lot to be desired. Nearing 24 now and with 4 years experience in
the Premiership and Europe he doesn't seem capable of staying fully
switched on consistently enough and that will always make him a liability.
At times his defending has been shocking for the level that he plays
at and his distribution is woeful at times. He does have potential
and has shown that on his day he's very good but there is always that
little doubt at the back of your mind that he will make a costly mistake.
Poor season overall.
Total appearances (inc sub): 43
Goals: 3
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Olivier Bernard - 7.5
Followed on from his excellent debut season in 2002-2003. Bernard
is progressing into a top-class left back and in time he can become
a truly great player. Defensively he's not the greatest as he keeps
getting caught out of position but his defensive abilities such as
heading and tackling are as good as any. Attacking wise he's had a
very good season with a few assists and a great goal at Highbury and
for a long period him and Robert terrorised teams down our left flank.
He's brave strong and determined and what I like about him is he gets
kicked so often during a match yet he never ever retaliates, he just
picks himself up and gets on with it. Excellent season and I can't
see too many better left back's in the Premiership than Bernard. He
had a few dodgy games most notably on the first day of the season
when he gifted Smith a goal but overall he's had a very good season.
Total appearances (inc sub): 50
Goals 1
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Nobby Solano - 3
Started so great with a goal in Belgrade but he just wasn't getting
games as Bobby opted for Bowyer first and then Dyer on the right.
Played 8 consecutive games leading up to his sale to Villa and although
he wasn't at his brilliant best in any of those games he still showed
he had plenty to offer and selling him has proved, I think, to be
a big mistake, especially at that price. But he's gone now and we
must move on.
Total appearances (inc sub): 20
Goals: 1
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Darren Ambrose - 5
He's not done too bad since coming into the team and what I like about
him is he's a tryer and he never lets his head drop. He's been judged
by certain sections of the crowd on his predecessor and to be fair
he's dealt with it pretty well. Has bags of pace and trickery and
is most definitely one for the future. He hasn't had a bad run and
popped up with a couple of goals. It's far too early to judge but
his potential is there for all to see. Had a great game at home to
Chelsea where he give Bridge the run around and away to Southampton
where he scored that all important equaliser. Needs to look up more
and improve his crossing and passing but so far so good. Progressive
season.
Total appearances (inc sub): 36
Goals: 3
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Kieron Dyer - 4
Injury blighted campaign but even when he did play he didn't produce
the goods other than his customary energetic lung bursting running.
3 great games, at home to Breda and away to Arsenal and Southampton
(FA Cup) where he scored a brace showed us he does have the ability
but it's never often enough. He's been tried, it seems in every position
- even right back (Villa away) and he's never fully looked to be the
answer. He's too weak in the middle, doesn't score enough up front,
he's no left winger, he's no right back (that's right Shay) and ultimately
is he even a right winger? He's 26 soon and has been at Newcastle
for over 5 years now and he hasn't developed at all and is clearly
not the answer. We aren't getting a good return from him other than
huff and puff - which isn't good enough. Poor season, very poor.
Total appearances (inc sub): 34
Goals: 3
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Gary Speed - 8.5
No that isn't a typo. Speed has had a great season and along with
Shay and Big Al we'd be knacked without him. He carried Jenas all
season and whenever Robert and Bernard went walk about's (which they
often did) Speed was there filling in. He ran his socks and heart
out this season with no return. He was the calming influence and experienced
head in midfield and he's a solid consistent performer. Faded towards
the end of the season which was to be expected. Yet another top-class
season from Speed.
Total appearances (inc sub): 53
Goals: 4
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Jermaine Jenas - 4
A very very poor season from Jenas in which he looked a shadow of
the player that won PFA young player of the year the season before.
He just didn't have an influence at all for the majority of the season
and Speed carried him without a doubt. Ironically just when he started
putting together a string of acceptable performances he picked up
his injury. However it is only obvious that his second full season
would be much tougher and to be fair he's had to adjust to a more
defensive game and he hasn't fully adapted. He has great ability and
lots of potential and he'll have to do much better next season. A
world-class performance against Patrick Vieira at St. James' Park
highlighted his full potential and that's the type of performances
he will be judged on next season.
Total appearances (inc sub): 46
Goals: 3
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Lee Bowyer - 5
Like Dyer an injury blighted campaign not helped by Bobby's insistence
on playing him on the wing and the administrative cock-up that saw
him miss a further 6 games in Europe didn't help either. It's his
first season at the club and all things considered we can't really
be critical of him. However when he's played in the centre he's looked
the player we've lacked since Rob lee left - a box to box goalscoring
midfielder as his two goals against Wolves and Southampton proved.
Next season promises to be an exciting one for him if he can stay
fit and if selected in the centre. A poor season more by design than
by fault.
Total appearances (inc sub): 25
Goals: 2
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Hugo Viana - 4
It would be unfair of me to give him a lower marking than Dyer and
Jenas because he's had far less games than those two and when he has
played he's been played on the left. Only recently towards the end
of the season after injuries to Bowyer, Dyer and Jenas has he played
in the centre. But overall he hasn't shown anything that he's a capable
Premiership player and his 'performance' over in Marseille was so
bad it would be a risk just playing him again. He's 21 and it's not
my style to write off a Toon player's career at such an early age
but for the size of his fee and the style/manner he plays I can't
see him making an impact, not in the system we play and with the players
we have.
Total appearances (inc sub): 26
Goals: 0
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Laurent Robert - 7.5
He started off very poor but after his sending off away to Everton
he come back a different player with a work ethic and power in his
boots which accumulated in 12 goals and over 20 assists. His partnership
with Bernard down the left was as good as any at times too. From October
to February he had a great season then it sort of went stale for him
where he reverted back to his stroppy, lazy self and as the season
wore on and we needed him more than ever to produce he disappeared
big time. Some of his goals were simply awesome, the two against Spurs
standing out and for a time he was electric. Sadly he just doesn't
seem able to play to a consistent level. When he's good - he's great,
when he's bad, he's atrocious and if we are to close the gap at the
top we can't afford to have a player who only produces when he fancies
it. Without his goals and assists however we wouldn't have finished
5th that's for sure, but in those vital games when we needed him most
(Marseille away, Wolves at home etc.) he disappeared spectacularly
and showed a lack of commitment and guts at times. A much better season
than the previous one but still not enough from a player who can do
much better.
Total appearances (inc sub): 51
Goals 12
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Alan Shearer - 9
Awesome, simply awesome. His 28 goals and overall performances are
the biggest factors as to how we finished 5th. At 33 to put in a season
like he has is nothing short of magnificent. Some of his performances
this season begged belief. Away to Fulham where he literally dragged
us back from 2-0 down to win the game 3-2 and at home to Charlton
where he terrorised their back four to such an extent he was not only
tackling them but winning them too both stand out as does his goal
and performance at home to Chelsea. It wasn't all great however. In
January he looked tired and his game suffered but he come back even
stronger, yet towards the end of the season after the defeat in Marseille
and his penalty miss at home to Wolves his season was over. He had
gave his all and he had nothing left in the tank which is why he didn't
have an impact in the last few games. Bad decisions by Bobby and under
performing team-mates let him down - his 28 goals and performances
were more than good enough to win something and to finish above 5th.
He's always been good enough though, sadly Newcastle haven't.
Total appearances (inc sub): 51
Goals: 28
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Shola Ameobi - 7
Overall he's been very good and has improved so much he is not only
scoring goals but he's having an influence with each game he plays
too. His season didn't start too well and when he come on he looked
lackluster and no threat to the opposition but as the season wore
on and the more he played via Bellamy's absence the more he got to
grips with his game. Big goals away to Middlesbrough, FC Basle and
at home to Valerenga won us games and overall through his goals and
assists he contributed towards 26 points this season and has proved
IMO that he can cut it in the Premiership and Europe. 3 goals and
two assists in our last 5 games made a huge difference when Big Al
tired. Shola's performance at home to Chelsea, away to Southampton
and when coming off the bench to win us our home leg against Valerenga
was him at his best and when he's on form and full of confidence there
isn't a defence that can cope with him. He's had his bad games and
he still frustrates but he's young, not a first-teamer and playing
alongside Shearer who doesn't exactly compliment his game (and likewise)
but overall he's been a huge plus this season and it will be interesting
to see him alongside Bellamy for a full season. Shola is proving he
can step up and claim responsibility for grabbing the goals. Needs
to show more oomph and learn to time his runs better however.
Total appearances (inc sub): 40
Goals: 10
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Craig Bellamy - 6
He is so vital to our team that when he isn't playing we look a totally
different team - when he plays there is more urgency and more attacking
thrust in our game. Sadly he was injured for the majority of the season
and didn't it show as we lacked the drive, pace and up and at em'
style that Bellamy brings to our forward line. In the 24 appearances
that he made he scored 9 goals which is a great ratio and in that
spell of 10 games just after returning from injury everything he touched
went into the back of the net and his one on one finishing was excellent.
He is a big player for us but he's no use if he can't play more than
45 games a season. When he did play though he made an impact and frightened
the life out of opposition defences.
Total appearances (inc sub): 24
Goals 9
*Players had to make more than 10 appearances to qualify |
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