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Toon Player Ratings Vs Aston Villa (h)
 Match
Date: 3rd December 2005
By Paul
Mosley
An in depth look at each individual performance from the 1-1 draw
to Aston Villa at St. James' Park, rating the players, the manager,
Toon fans and the referee. Also included in our match analysis are
ratings for Villa.
Shay Given - 7
Shay Given was his usual dependable self, and was there when we needed
him. His handling was impeccable, and he made a typically outstanding
stop to deny Gavin McCann in the 2nd half. Had no chance with the
goal however, and even his distribution was a bit better. An all-round
top game from the Ireland man - his cutomary performance really.
Peter Ramage - 6
Another decent showing from young Ramage as he made his 8th start
in a row. Despite once again being out of position at right-back,
he again put in a tidy performance, more so going forward than at
the back this time, and his crossing still needs to improve if he
wants to become a permanent fixture at right-back. Barry caused him
a few problems but overall he was up to the task.
Titus Bramble - 5
Well for a good period of the game it was going alright for Titus,
and he made a storming challenge wide on the right in the first half
which resulted in a throw-in to us, which was typical Bramble. Unfortunately,
he spoilt a reasonable performance with an absolutely unbelievable
challenge 2 minutes from time which was again typical Bramble. One
has to wonder what on earth he was doing steaming into such a challenge
when Baros was going absolutely nowhere, and especially at such a
stage of the game, he could have cost his manager his job had Barry
hit the target. Ludicrous.
Jean-Alain Boumsong - 6
A better showing from Boumsong but still not enough to justify his
price tag. He actually managed to win a few defensive headers, which
was a refreshing change and hopefully a sign of things to come. In
possession he was slightly better, but he still takes too much time
and thinks too much about what he is going to do, as was shown by
the charade in the corner where he turned 3 times before eventually
playing it out off the Villa player.
Robbie Elliott - 6
Elliott is a good solid pro who won’t let us down (except with the
ludicrous late penalty at Wigan), and he showed that against Villa.
Restored to left-back after playing in the centre at Wigan, he made
a few good and important challenges, giving his all for the cause,
but also badly mistimed a couple and was cautioned as a result. Played
a few crosses into the area but no-one seemed willing to get on the
end of them.
Nobby Solano - 5
Just what has happened to the Nolberto Solano we know and love? Everyone
seemed genuinely delighted when he returned from Aston Villa on deadline
day but his move ‘home’ has been nothing short of a disaster so far
with some poor displays, including this one against his former club.
He seems a shadow of his former self, and it just isn’t working out
for him in this ‘free’ role Souness has granted him. He was very ineffective,
and was again replaced well before the end.
Scott Parker - 7
For Faye, read Parker, in another typical Scott Parker performance
we have come to expect since he joined from Chelsea. Parker’s passing
was up to scratch as ever, sometimes he did 540° turns trying to find
a team-mate, and his long-range effort on goal won us the penalty
kick when Ridgewell handled it. The only thing stopping him getting
Man of the Match is Faye’s exceptional display.
Amdy Faye - 8
Well well well. This was a very good performance from our much-maligned
Senegalese midfielder, one which he has failed to produce since the
early stages of his spell on Tyneside. Him and Parker in tandem at
the centre of our midfield worked very well together and complemented
each other very well, with one sitting back while the other pushed
on. Faye in particular was impressive for some excellent challenges,
desire to chase lost causes (for once), incisive passing, and was
unlucky not to score when he drove a volley goalwards in the final
quarter-hour. Even his willingness to get into wider areas at times
was pleasing to see, as well as winning plenty of aerial challenges.
Well played Amady, much better, my Man of the Match.
Shola Ameobi - 6
Shola was thrust into this game as a makeshift left-winger and to
be fair to him he had a good go at it. He showed off some of his best
party pieces, straight out of his box of tricks, particularly when
he escaped the attentions of Hughes and McCann before firing wide
early on. He worked very hard down the left and kept going the entire
game, but his final ball was lacking. Not a left-winger, but at least
he made a good fist of playing there.
Michael Chopra - 5
It pains me to say this, but I fear Michael Chopra just will not make
it in the Premiership. I know he has had very limited opportunities,
but this was a very good opportunity against a very poor defence,
and yet he has still come away without even having a chance. He worked
very, very hard for the cause, and obviously loves the club, but I
fear his goalscoring exploits this season will be limited to the reserves.
Alan Shearer - 7
Definitely one of the skipper’s better games this season, and he bagged
his 1st penalty since March in Greece, beating Sorensen from the spot
for the first time. He roamed the right touchline for a lot of the
game, and caused Bouma plenty of headaches down that side, including
a thunderous drive which cannoned over off the crossbar. Better from
the skipper, and hopefully it will be better again when Owen returns.
Subs
Albert Luque (81 mins, for Michael Chopra) – 4 –
No time, no involvement.
Lee Bowyer (87 mins, for Nolberto Solano) – 3 – No
time, no involvement.
The Boss Man
Graeme Souness - 3
Well it was better than Wigan, no doubt about it. Better than Wigan
and Everton, but still nowhere near good enough. His team selection
saw eyebrows raised at the inclusion of Ameobi on the left-wing, and
Amady Faye’s inclusion in the centre, but both were proved correct
decisions. The main problem was the lack of chances we created, and
the at times keystone cops defending, which led to Villa’s late penalty.
The squad may be ravaged by injuries, but this squad was built by
Souness, and he must take responsibility for the lack of cover, as
is shown by the sadly inadequate Chopra playing upfront, and Ameobi
on the left wing while star signing Luque continues to build up his
match fitness. Souness is still on seriously borrowed time, and surely
would be out of a job had Barry not skied his late penalty.
Magpies
Toon Fans - 0
Agitated, muted, edgy, at unease, silent, waiting, expecting, disappointing.
With all the talk pre-match centering around Souness and whether he'd
still be in a job come quarter to five or not, it was as if the home
faithful were all expecting a defeat and dare I say it, quite a few
were hoping for a defeat. It was a very strange atmosphere indeed
and a new low for me. Regardless of the Souness situation, we should
all at least attempt to create some noise and passion. Half-hearted
boos and jeers at the final whistle but certainly not as bad as the
media made out. Not good enough. We are quick to criticise the team
and the manager but we ought to look at ourselves more often and ask
questions of ourselves.
Referee
Alan Wiley - 8
A very solid performance as ever from the dependable Wiley. There
was the odd wrong decision but nothing really to complain about. The
main thing was that he called the big decisions spot on, meaning the
Newcastle penalty, the Hendrie dive, and the Villa penalty. The game
flowed reasonably well, although he did miss a couple of advantages,
but overall he was very good.
The Opposition
Aston Villa
Sorensen – 7 – Wasted time from the off, but was
very close to saving a third consecutive Shearer penalty, and did
well to stop a Faye shot.
Bouma – 6 – Looked uncomfortable, nothing like the
player he was at PSV.
Mellberg – 7 – A comfortable performance at the back.
Ridgewell – 5 – Looked very shaky, and conceded his
4th penalty in 5 games.
Hughes – 7 – Welcome back to Aaron, and he gave a
solid performance typical of him.
Barry – 8 – A constant threat to United. Penalty
miss probably kept Souness in his job.
Davis – 6 – Disappointing for a player who has been
receiving deserved plaudits lately.
(sub Bakke 62 mins – 6 – Caused a few headaches in the air in the
Newcastle penalty area.)
McCann – 7 – Committed plenty of annoying fouls and
was rightly booked for Persistent Infringement. 2 vert sweet strikes
though, one of which was a fine equaliser for the evil ex-mackem.
Hendrie – 6 – Curled a brilliant free kick narrowly
wide, but then attempted to con Mr Wiley by taking a dive in the area,
rightly booked.
Angel – 5 – Disappointing, rarely threatened.
(sub Moore 62 mins – 5 – Minutely more threatening than Angel.)
Baros – 6 – Better than his partner, won Villa’s
penalty. |
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