Toon Player Ratings Vs Arsenal (a)
 Match
Date: 14 August 2005
By Gaz
Pearson
A look at each individual's performance at Highbury in the 2-0 defeat,
rating the players, the manager, the Toon fans, the opposition and
the referee. Also included are ratings for Arsenal with a brief review
of their performance.
Shay Given - 8
Irregardless of the two late Arsenal goals this was an impressive
opening display from the ever reliable Shay. His fantastic save from
Bergkamp's deft chip was the highlight of his display. He had relatively
little to do in the first half but was looking like Newcastle’s hero
before the late Henry penalty and Van Persie's cool finish. He was
brave throughout and suffered a heavy fall following a punched clearance
where he collided with Steven Taylor. Thank heavens we managed to
keep hold of our number 1 this Summer. He is going to be a massive
player for us once again this season.
Steven Carr - 6
His work rate is OK but this was a poor overall performance from the
Irish full-back. In possession he was guilty of some misplaced passes
and often brought unwarranted pressure onto the Newcastle backline.
He was extremely lucky not to be dismissed following his tug back
on Henry too. I say this not because I felt it was a sending off but
the mood a certain Mr. Bennett was in, a red card would not have surprised
anyone. He needs to improve, but I am sure he will. He has the appetite.
Jean-Alain Boumsong - 8
Defended resolutely throughout the match and managed to keep Henry
subdued for most of it. Everyone can see that his physical strength
is an asset to the Newcastle defence and his partnership with Steven
Taylor looks to be blossoming into something really promising. His
overall performance today was excellent. He held the backline together
up until Arsenal struck late on. He and Taylor looked unbeatable in
the centre and his pace and aggressive man marking important to the
side.
Steven Taylor - 9
It was an awesome performance from Taylor in which he displayed his
fantastic talent through a series of last ditch challenges and brilliant
defending. Defended his socks off and showed some real die-hard passion
which will not go unnoticed by the Newcastle fans. All considered
he is still a rookie but today’s display must surely have elevated
him to be an automatic first team player? A great start to what could
be a fine season for Steven. My man of the match!
Celestine Babayaro - 6
He has yet to find his best form for Newcastle and was again today
quite disappointing considering the talent the lad obviously has.
Whether it’s the tactics or he is being told to play that way is anyone’s
guess but he seems to be holding back his natural attacking, overlapping
play. He was kept busy by Ljunberg and Pires as they alternated wings.
His match engine is undeniable he just needs to allow his natural
game to flourish more. He was rarely seen over the halfway line.
Kieron Dyer - 6
Dyer started off the game full of promise with some superb runs down
the right hand side and his dual with Ashley Cole looked a good contest.
His pace looked to be a real threat to Arsenal. However, after the
dismissal of JJ he had to form part of a solid midfield and simply
fizzled out of the game. Perhaps fitness was a factor? He was rightly
substituted in the second half. It was not a bad effort from Dyer
and with eleven men he might have had more chances to attack Arsenal.
Jermaine Jenas - 5
The goldfish bowl was a sea of red this afternoon for Jenas. However,
he was extremely unlucky to be dismissed for a challenge in which
he clearly won the ball. That said, he did not show much in the minutes
he was on the pitch. The JJ saga continues, will he or won’t he go,
well he won’t be playing for us for a few matches anyway. Either ride
it out JJ and come back strong or let the club cash in you. He is
going through his most turbulent time at St. James' Park to date on
and off the field. The boy is talented, whether he is committed is
another question.
Scott Parker - 9
Parker worked tirelessly and put in a wholehearted performance on
his debut for Newcastle in the middle of the park. He was fantastic.
Blocking everything, winning tackles, protecting the back four and
keeping possession well. He was a real thorn in Arsenal's side and
a big big advantage to United with his tenacious bite in midfield.
He faded towards the end and was clearly running on empty but that
didn't stop him snapping away. A great debut for the Londoner and
a welcome addition to the side.
Emre - 7
The Turkish midfielder started extremely well and looked to have taken
control of the middle. However, much like Dyer and indeed the rest
of the Toon midfield, he had to resort to a more defensive ethic following
JJ’s sending off. He perhaps is one or two matches away from picking
up the pace of the Premiership but his quality on the ball is there
for all to see. He played some neat ball and his work-rate was terrific,
like Parker snapping away all the time. Definitely one to watch this
season.
Lee Bowyer - 6
Bowyer worked hard and tracked a lot of Arsenal runners but at times
he was chasing shadows as Arsenal got more of a foot in the game.
However, he was stifled in his attacking role somewhat when Newcastle
were reduced to ten men. He is a threat going forward and a player
who can knock you in ten goals from midfield if played in his right
position and on form but with Parker and Emre in the side and the
need for a left-winger, it remains to be seen whether he'll make the
first-team enough to have that sort of impact. Time will tell.
Alan Shearer - 6
This was not a pleasant Birthday present for Big Al. He works his
socks off and we all know he has black and white blood but he had
no chance today up front on his own. However, he was unlucky when
his shot fizzed across Lehmann’s goal in the first half. His old legs
and brain are invaluable assets to Newcastle but he needs a strike
partner who can give him the help he needs and more importantly, deserves,
to score goals.
Subs
James Milner - 4
I am a big fan of James. His work rate is second to none. He needs
more games in my opinion but he did well when he replaced Alan in
pressing the Arsenal midfield and defence.
Charles N'Zogbia - 4
Wasn't to blame for the penalty decision which TV replays later showed
wasn't exactly a penalty. Hard luck for him but he'll bounce back.
Amdy Faye - 4
Too little time to make an impact, although he didn't cover himself
in glory with their second goal, failing to track back quick enough.
The Boss Man
Graeme Souness - 7
Firstly, I am NOT going to criticise Graeme Souness because the match
was taken from us not by his performance as manager but by referee
Steve Bennett’s ridiculous straight red card for Jermaine Jenas. Up
until that point Souness had deployed tactics that were doing reasonably
well. That is the way we are going to have to play away from home:
pack the midfield but have pacey runners supporting the striker or
strikers. Arsenal are no mugs and we were playing some really good
football and looked extremely comfortable until the departure of JJ.
The sending off changed the way we had to play.
Souness then opted to go for a damage limitations job, try and grab
a point and perhaps nick something on the counter attack. Until 81
mins he seemed to have pulled it off. However, N’Zogbia’s debatable
challenge gifted Arsenal the chance to make it 1-0 and the game was
over. The spirit and the heart is there, 10/10 so far for that. Newcastle
have not looked so solid for years and a lot of teams will find it
hard to beat us.
However, the attacking side of our play must now be looked at and
strengthened. In all fairness we never looked like scoring today and
until a few more additions are brought in we are going to struggle.
Souness has proved he can build a team with mettle, resilience and
solidity but can he create an attack to match it? I hope so. There
were a lot of plusses today for Graeme and even though the scoreline
reads 2-0 to Arsenal I can not blame Souness for today’s defeat. In
my opinion I feel we had the game robbed from us by referee Steve
Bennett.
Magpies
Toon Fans - 8
The Newcastle fans were in tremendous voice, one of the best atmospheres
at Arsenal in a long time, highlights included baiting Ashley Cole
comparing him to the rectum and enquiring as to why Van Persie was
not in a Dutch jail. Superb stuff.
Referee
Steve Bennett - 0
It was an absolutely appalling display by the man in the middle. A
straight red card for a challenge in which a player wins the ball?
A blatant last man foul by Senderos and not even a yellow card? Is
this the blatant bias towards the 'big clubs' that will continue to
spite the Premiership? I sincerely hope not. Surely there must be
some punishment for referees when they make match-changing decisions.
A sending off should have to be verified by two or more officials
in my opinion unless it's a blatant sending off. Bennett also fouled
up on the penalty.
The Opposition
Arsenal
Jens Lehmann: A spectator. 5
Ashley Cole: Decent display. 7
Philippe Senderos: Rarely troubled. 6
Kolo Toure: Good Performance. 8
Lauren: Solid at the back. 6
Robert Pires: Not the player of old but still a threat.
6
Freddie Ljunberg: A menace to the Toon backline. 7
Ces Fabregas: Worked hard but dominated by Parker
& Emre. 6
Gilberto Silva: Good display. 7
Dennis Bergkamp: Drifted in and out. 6
Theirry Henry: Not many chances other than the pen.
6
Arsene Wenger will be happy with the result but Arsenal seem a shadow
of previous seasons. |
