Toon Player Ratings Vs Birmingham City (h)
 Match
Date: 05 November 2005
By Gaz
Pearson
We take a look at each individual performance from the 1-0 win over
Birmingham City at the St. James' Park, rating the players, the manager,
the Toon fans, and the referee's performance. We also give a brief
review of Birmingham's performance.
Shay Given - 6
Shay was a spectator for much of the match but was kept on his toes
during the second half as Birmingham played counter-attack football.
A good save low down to his right from an Emile Heskey drive was the
highlight of the day for Given who was more commanding in goal than
usual, forcing his defence up field which was a good sign. Mr reliable
will be pleased with another clean sheet, that's 6 in the League now,
equal what we achieved last season.
Peter Ramage - 6
Ramage did OK. When I say OK I really mean that I want to slate him
but can’t really bring myself to do so. His effort and determination
warrant him a safe 6 but his passing at times was woeful. His crossing
also left a lot to be desired, with a number of them wayward and well
off course. Not his best performance then, he just needs to add some
more quality to his game. And I am sure it will come in time.
Steven Taylor - 7
An impressive display from the England Under 21 man. Taylor was a
rock at the back, clearing chance after chance both on the ground
and in the air. His distribution was much improved. As the games keep
coming, his reputation enhances. Taylor is fast becoming somewhat
of a hero to the Toon faithful. He is slowly cementing his automatic
place in the first team and displays like this when up against a powerful
and tricky Heskey will do him no harm.
Titus Bramble - 6
Bramble came in for the injured Boumsong and did well with Taylor
at the back. Coped well with Heskey and made some crucial interceptions,
particularly in the second half. However, his distribution can either
be fantastic or really poor and today we saw a mix of that, with his
end product quite poor to be honest. He just sometimes needs to opt
for the simple ball rather than launch a 40-yard pass all the time.
Other than that, not too much to grumble about. Lacks match fitness
clearly as well.
Celestine Babayaro - 6
I felt Jermaine Pennant gave Babayaro a torrid afternoon. Pennant’s
pace and skill seemed to bamboozle Baba at times, with only the Birmingham
man's final ball letting him down. However, to Baba’s credit, he kept
his concentration and did his best to cope with the pacey Pennant.
A solid second half show earned him the mark and it's good to see
him playing more and looking fully committed to the cause. I still
feel his place is under threat however and January should be interesting.
Nobby Solano - 5
Not the Nobby Solano that graced the St. James' Park pitch over a
year ago. However, I am hoping this is just cobwebs that he will blow
away in time. His passing was, uncharacteristically woeful, but perhaps
he suffered from the same problem that N’Zogbia did. It certainly
appeared so. Forget this Nobby, we know and expect you to be better
next match round.
Emre - 8
The little Turkish magician strikes again! Once again he was our main
architect in the midfield, the only real source of any Newcastle attack.
His passing is second to none and his long range goal capped yet another
impressive display. He did fade in and out of the game but when he
was on the ball he caused the Birmingham back-line numerous headache’s
– the difference between the two teams in my opinion. My Man
of the Match.
Scott Parker - 7
Scott played the holding midfield role with aplomb yet again. He battled
well and broke up lots of Birmingham possession. His off the ball
work was superb and his reading of the play equally impressive. One
criticism is that he needs to find his attacking form again. He seems
to get a nose bleed when in the opponents half and he needs to eradicate
this from his game as we need mote goals from the centre. But his
job is to protect first and foremost and that's exactly what he did.
Charles N'Zogbia - 5
It was very brave of N'Zogbia to play after his father passed away
in midweek but he offered very little down the left flank and maybe
his loss effected him? Birmingham swamped the midfield and thus forced
Newcastle to play a more controlled game focussed in the centre of
the park. As a result his work down the wing was limited.
Alan Shearer - 5
Big Al was anonymous in this game. He offered little as an attacking
threat. Not the player he was but we can’t keep using that as an excuse
anymore. In cup games it’s fine but week in, week out in the Premiership
it’s a no-no. Time to be a man about this Alan and take the back seat
yourself if Souness won’t drop you. As he showed against West Brom,
he can be very effective from the bench.
Michael Owen - 7
Michael was effectively marked out the game by a stubborn Birmingham
defence. He had obviously been singled out as the danger man and has
a result was largely stifled of chances. However, just when every
other person in the ground was willing Michael to shoot, he kept his
cool and laid the ball off to Babayaro who passed to Ameobi who laid
the ball back- the result, an Emre goal. That piece of Kipling calm
alone makes me reward Michael with a 7.
Subs
Shola Ameobi - 6
Did nothing wrong… oh yeah he got in Emre’s way. But apart from that
he had a canny spell when he came on. I couldn’t really tell where
he was playing however: left of the three attackers? Left wing? Anywhere?
His low cross at the death of the match deserved someone gambling
on it as well.
Lee Clark - 6
Great welcome for the Geordie hero. Did his job well.
The Boss Man
Graeme Souness - 7
Souness could do no more than field his best team and tell them to
go out and continue what they have been doing. Unfortunately it was
Birmingham who came up to St. James’ and decided to be negative, stringing
5 across the midfield. Consequently it was hard work in breaking them
down and as we tried for 78 minutes in vain we always looked vulnerable
on the counter-attack – like any team would. It was far from vintage
but a win is a win. He can sleep easy for a fortnight before heading
to Chelsea. A win was vital – and we got it. Can ask no more than
that.
Magpies
Toon Fans - 7
Nothing much to get worked up about. Good lads on Row Y of the Leazes
End… sang their hearts out for the lads! The Toon fans also stayed
with the team in sticky spells which was a pleasant surprise. Birmingham
Fans - 3. One of the worst set of away fans going. For a city the
size of Birmingham it’s nothing short of a disgrace.
Referee
Mike Dean - 6
Good first half. Spot on with all his decisions. Poor second half…
easily a pass back and ruined the game with constant stoppages.
Opposition
Birmingham City
Taylor - 5 - At fault for the goal.
Upson - 6 - Defended resolutely. Should have scored.
Cunningham - 6 - Solid at the back.
Taylor - 6 - Worked hard.
Clapham - 6 - Busy little player.
Jarosik - 8 - Stood out a mile. Unlucky to see strike
bounce back off the post.
Lazaridis - 5 - Diver. In the wrong sport.
Pennant - 6 - Pacey and caused a few problems.
Izzet - 6 - Got around the pitch well, then tired.
Kilkenny - 6 - Steady game.
Heskey - 6 - Did his best on his own up front. Only
one effort that Given easily saved. |
