|
| Home | Newcastle Womens FC | A-Z Business Directory | Wor City | Geordie Music | Toon Ale | The Team | NUFC Shop | NUFC Forum |
|
Pitiful: NUFC 1-1 FulhamAfter all the fanfare, hype, expectations and excitement following Owen and Nobby's signings, it was perhaps typical of United to douse those flames of passion that had welled up since the end of August with a turgid, uninspiring, hands over the eyes 90 minutes that quite frankly, was pathetic in every sense of the word. Awful we were, awful. For this match Souness welcomed back fit-again Bramble for his first start of the season, moving Taylor to right-back in place of Carr who switched to the right-wing. In came Faye in the centre and Owen of course made his debut up front alongside Shearer in a 4-4-2 formation with Luque on the left and Parker as the anchorman. But it was Fulham who came out the stronger of the two sides with United failing to find any rhythm, cohesion or understanding whatsoever with the defence in particular guilty of all three charges. And with just under 15 minutes gone on the clock Fulham exposed those weaknesses with an easy a goal as they will score all season. Taylor sent Shay a short back-pass in the right-back position that a red shirt intercepted and before we knew it, McBride had bobbled the ball into the back of the net with both Bramble and Boumsong slipping at the vital moment to put in any kind of challenge. Schoolboy stuff doesn't do the cock-up justice. And the fun and games didn't stop there either. Fulham, more organised, disciplined and fresher continued to cause havoc down both our flanks and cutting us open at will through the centre with their three-pronged attack. Bramble and Boumsong in particular looking like complete strangers at the back as the pair, time and time again, misjudged the flight of the ball. At the other end record buy Owen rarely got a touch as 6.7in Zat Knight gobbled up all those long balls aimed towards him and Shearer. And on the flanks Carr and Taylor struggled to get to grips with Fulham's combination where as down the left Luque looked off the pace and his withdrawal on 35 minutes for N'Zogbia just summed up the half. Yep, you guessed it, he pulled his hamstring. Post-match reaction from Souness indicates the Spaniard could be out for up to six weeks... great, just great! But wait, there is more. Taylor also limped out having crashed against the post to save a shot destined for the back of the net as we were carved open once more. Little did he know, the linesman had his flag up for off-side anyway. After the break Bowyer was introduced for Taylor who couldn't carry on, slotting in on the right with Carr moving back to his natural berth. And it was Bowyer's introduction that livened things up for United with his energy, enthusiasm and tough tackling. Finally Fulham, who completely bossed the first-half, were in a game. Off went the atrocious Faye for Lee Clark and with Bowyer having an influence and N'Zogbia coming into the game, United were starting to threaten, sending in a flurry of crosses and a succession of corners. Carr also hit the bar with a terrific drive following a free-kick just outside their box, but that long awaited goal never really looked like coming. Even with Owen and Shearer on the pitch. But it came, and from the unlikeliest source too. An Owen run and shimmie reminiscent of Peter Beardsley, saw the No.10 weave his way through a few tackles before Boa Morte halted him abruptly. A free-kick on the right-hand corner of the box was awarded and up stepped little Zoggy to curl a delightful shot past Warner in goal. And with just over 10 minutes left to go, there was plenty of time for a winner even though we didn't deserve the 1 point never mind three so poor we had been and so good Fulham were on the day. The winner never came however, just a second yellow for Parker for tug on Jensen, and with it our chances of picking up our first win of the campaign. If Souness can't send out a team to beat Fulham at home, regardless of injuries, where next for him? Where next for the team who travel to Ewood next week with a mounting injury crisis, bereft of confidence and any understanding whatsoever? A defeat against Blackburn doesn't even bare thinking about, but on this evidence we need more than Michael Owen and Nobby Solano to lift us. Teams United: Given, Taylor (Bowyer 45), Boumsong, Bramble, Babayaro, Carr, Faye (Clark 72), Parker, Luque (N'Zogbia 35), Shearer, Owen. Subs not used: Elliott, Harper. Sent Off: Parker (83). Booked: Parker, Faye, Bowyer, Clark. Goals: N'Zogbia 78. Fulham: Warner, Volz, Knight, Bocanegra, Niclas Jensen, Radzinski (John 70), Claus Jensen, Diop, Malbranque, Boa Morte, McBride (Helguson 81). Subs Not Used: Batista, Elrich, Christanval. Booked: Bocanegra. Goals: McBride 13. Att: 52,208. Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire). |
Contact
| Write
For Us | Editorial
Policy | Advertise
| Privacy | TOS
| Newsnow
| Copyright
| Site
Map | We
Support | Top
|
NUFC News Archive (September 11th 2005)
