15th April 2005
 Shay
Given
Shay had a fine game overall in goal and didn't deserve to let
in 4 goals, none of which he can really be blamed for. Pulled
off one truly outstanding save and swept up well all game. He
had movement problems with his hip injury but he didn't let
that bother him. |
6 |
 Stephen
Carr
Terrorised by Douala all game and later on in the second half
by Barbosa, getting twisted and turned whenever attacked. He
did win a few balls in the air and got forward well but his
crossing was woeful and he made the mistake right at the end
for their 4th goal, giving up possession on the edge of the
box. A night to forget. |
4 |
 Titus
Bramble
Back from Injury Bramble had a relatively quiet game winning
a few vital interceptions and playing out a few good balls but
his rustiness showed once or twice when he was caught in possession.
Inadvertently flicked the ball on to the head of Niculae for
his goal in trying to clear it after initial poor marking from
the centre-half. Replaced after the break by O'Brien. |
5 |
 Steven
Taylor
Started well, winning a few balls in the air, leading the back-line,
bringing it out and into midfield and putting in a few blocks
but as Sporting got into their stride and committed men forward
his inexperience showed as he was like a bull in a China shop
at times, trying to defend everything which left him out of
position once or twice. At least he took responsibility and
lead from the back when others wilted under the pressure though.
Also at fault for their 3rd goal. Overall, a great game to learn
from however and I'm sure he will.
|
6 |
 Celestine
Babayaro
Defensively he done a good job and won numerous tackles at left-back
as Duala switched flanks to test him out. He didn't let himself
down in that battle and defended well all game. In the attacking
3rd however he didn't get forward enough and when he did he
was wasteful in possession and hesitant. |
6 |
 Jermaine
Jenas
Jenas had an excellent game before being taken off at half-time
for Milner. Playing wide on the right he orchestrated many of
our opening attacks and didn't waste a pass once. He also won
a few tackles and took the game to the home side. His most impressive
performance in a long time and his substitution weakened our
cause. |
7 |
 Lee
Bowyer
Worked tremendously hard and got up and down all game but tactically
inept and a headless chicken throughout. When he needed to sit
he went forward, when he needed to get forward he sat back.
Poor on the ball too. |
5 |
 Amdy
Faye
Got lost in the storm and failed to protect his back-four. His
passing was once again poor and this is a worrying trend for
Faye who does a good job when we don't have the ball but when
we do, he's often the one relinquishing possession. Poor overall. |
5 |
 N'Zogbia.
In only his second start the 18 year-old failed to make an impact
and in an attacking and defensive sense he was a weakness in
our side. Worked hard and showed lots of character but maybe
just too much for him at this stage. Played on with an injury. |
4 |
 Alan
Shearer
Other than a few sights at goal the No.9 rarely got involved,
conserving his energy for Sunday I suspect. After Dyer went
off his game was nullified and subsequently his impact. |
5 |
 Kieron
Dyer
In the same way Douala terrorised our back-four, Dyer did the
same to Sporting, scoring a well taken goal and causing havoc
for the home side. The No.8 had an enterprising game but was
subbed after picking up a hamstring which allowed Sporting to
push up and meant United lacked an outlet. My man of
the match. On the downside, I didn't like his body
language at times, angrily remonstrating with team-mates for
poor or misplaced passes. |
7 |
Substitutes:
 James
Milner
Could have and should of scored not long after coming on. Other
than that chance, he offered little and had no impact whatsoever.
|
4 |
 Andy
O'Brien
Came on for Bramble and his presence seemed to have unsettled
the defence. His first touch was a mistake and although he cleared
a few balls, he was very nervous throughout - contributing to
defensive aberrations. |
4 |
 Patrick
Kluivert
One poor pass to Shearer when through on goal was his only meaningful
impact on the game. He shouldn't even be on the pitch in that
state, if you thought he was fat before, he's ballooned now.
A disgrace to himself. |
0 |
The Boss Man:
 Graeme
Souness
Picking Taylor ahead of O'Brien and bringing back Bramble and
Given seemed like good choices where as putting Dyer up front
was tactically spot on as it worked. Dyer scored and caused
them all kind of problems and the game plan was going great.
Then exit Dyer, Jenas and Bramble and Newcastle go to pot. The
team's concentration levels are poor and our ball retention
is awful. Work on it Graeme, now. |
4 |
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