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Toon Player Ratings Vs Southampton (h)
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 Match
Date: 18 February 2006
By Howaythetoon
An in depth look at each individual performance from Newcastle's 1-0
win against Southampton in the 5th round of the FA Cup at St. James'
Park, rating the players, the manager, Toon fans and the referee.
Also included in our match analysis are ratings for Southampton.
Players |
Shay Given - 7 |
For the first 45 minutes Shay was little more than a bystander, patting
down the odd long range effort, catching the odd cross and marshalling
the back-four. In the second-half however, he pulled off two first-class
saves to deny Southampton, keeping United in the game and proving
reliable as ever. Just where would we be without Given? His distribution
was much better too, using kicking and throwing to good effect, especially
to the flanks. He'll be pleased with a clean sheet!
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Peter Ramage - 7 |
Ramage for me had a storming first-half, he was involved in all our
good build-up play down the right and generally posed a threat to
his opposition full-back. His link up play with Nobby and Dyer was
in particular, very impressive. However his crossing, much improved
of late, let that side of his game down badly. In the second half
as United lost their shape, he didn't get forward as often as he would
have liked and he was more involved defensively, which he dealt with
very well in my opinion. A solid game from the Toon man then who is
steadily improving in what was his 20th game for the club.
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Jean-Alain Boumsong - 6 |
This match saw the good, the bad and the ugly side of Jean-Alain Boumsong
for me. A performance that encapsulates his time here on Tyneside.
In the first half as United held a highline he was dominant, authoritative
and useful on the ball, with his pace a tool of recovery which he
used well once or twice to rectify mistakes made either by himself
or the back four. As the game wore on though, he got a bit too cocky
and started dilly-dallying on the ball in that frustrating manner
of his which saw Southampton's Jones in particular pounce, not once
but a few times. Unnecessary pressure invited onto the back-four.
In the second-half the old nerves started to show and none more so
than on the Frenchman's face. Overall a mixed bag of a game that doesn't
fill one with confidence given the level of opposition. Howay Jean,
lad, you HAVE to do better!
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Titus Bramble - 8 |
Bramble followed on from his second half performance at Villa Park
and had a sound game overall. Dominant in the air, good on the deck
and we even saw one or two dribbles up field from the powerful centre-back.
There were one or two little Bramble moments but he was always in
control I felt despite those scares and for me, he had an excellent
game in general. Well played Titus!
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Robbie Elliott - 5 |
I don't want to slate Elliott because he's a good lad and was brought
in as cover, furthermore he's nearing retirement age so any kind of
performance from the Easington born left-back has to be judged on
those circumstances. But he was easily the worst player in a Black
& White shirt against Southampton and for me, most of it was self
inflicted. Why he needed to welly it whenever he got on the ball,
I don't know, but it certainly didn't help the team. He also got skinned
for pace once or twice by the Saints young Dyer, but that's to be
expected. Luckily for Elliott he had N'Zogbia in front of him protecting
him.
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Nobby Solano - 7 |
We saw the Nobby of old in the first-half, sparkling runs, deft touches,
clever passes and outstanding link up play with Dyer and Ramage in
particular. He was on a different planet at times and our new game
plan, i.e. keeping it on the deck, suits the little Peruvian down
to a T! In the second half when we lost our shape, Solano was the
biggest victim of that as he came inside to stem the yellow and blue
shirts and to help out his fellow team-mates. In patches though, he
was worth the entrance money alone.
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Scott Parker - 6 |
Captain for the day in place of the injured Alan Shearer, Parker started
off in typical fashion, throwing himself into man and ball to stamp
his authority on the game. Once that was settled, he struck up a neat,
intricate partnership with Emre, getting forward a lot and imposing
himself on the game in the final third. In the second half however
he faded and perhaps the number of games and the amount of work-rate
he puts in, caught up with him a little.
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Emre - 6 |
Like Parker Emre started off really well and was involved in much
of United's best play in the opening half but as the game wore on
he become bogged down deep in his own half striving to get on the
ball and to have more of an influence which affected the overall flow
of the side in my opinion. At times it seemed as if the little Turk
was fighting with his own team-mates to get a foot in the game, often
taking possession off another home shirt. You can't fault his enthusiasm
though and he worked very hard for the side.
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Charles N'Zogbia - 9 |
Charles N'Zogbia is a little gem and don't we just love the little
man! Forget his talent, skills and ability on the ball which are excellent
already at this stage of his fledgling career, what about his work
rate? His appetite? His selflessness? His enthusiasm? For one so young,
and not of these shores, he's a credit to himself he really is and
puts a certain former French winger to shame, not to mention others
past and present. What a star he is becoming and he's our star. He's
having a tremendous season and this game he showed off his whole array
of skills, linking up play, taking on his full-back, whipping in crosses,
tracking back and defending, out jumping taller player to win headers
in the air and of course, he laid on Dyer's goal. An all-round excellent
game!
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Shola Ameobi - 6 |
He's been excellent of late and although he was far from poor in this
match, classic Shola was on show for periods. The bumbling, awkward
Shola that frustrates and disappoints. Leading the line in the absence
of Shearer the United man put himself about and held the ball up well
at times, even hitting the post early on with a left-footed strike
after a fine move, but in the air his timing was all over the place
and he needs to time those runs better too. He is no centre-forward
and any designs on that number 9 shirt he has should be vanished.
He has far more pressing concerns to think about, namely his all-round
game which still flatters to deceive. A mixed bag game for the lad
not helped by some pretty fussy decisions against him by the match
official and linesman.
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Kieron Dyer - 9 (My Man Of The Match) |
Only his 3rd start of the season and a rare appearance at St. James'
Park for Dyer, but my what a pivotal performance from the number 8
in what was a free role for him. He was at times the difference and
his energy, pace and darting runs gave us that something extra that
we have lacked all season really. I thought he was terrific especially
considering just how long he has been out for and that goal will do
him a world of good. He was sharp, determined and he came off to a
standing ovation. My man of the match. Well done Kieron.
Subs |
Luque - 4 - Came on for Ameobi on 70 minutes and
failed to have any kind of impact in the game, although he did test
makeshift 'keeper Lester Blackstock with a cute quickly taken free-kick.
But other than that, not a lot to go on. Disappointing in fact. I'd
liked to have seen him start. Hopefully his time will come.
Bowyer - 4 - Came on for Dyer on 74 minutes and for
Bowyer, read Luque. Hardly involved at all as the final 20 minutes
seemed to peter out. With the midfield in such good form, as a unite
and individually it's hard to see where Bowyer comes into the equation.
Boss Man |
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Glenn Roeder - 6 |
I personally felt Roeder picked the wrong team, I would have liked
to have seen Luque start and a few of our main-stays rested but that's
being picky. The team he did send out were well prepared and played
with confidence, composure and a seemingly tight understanding with
one another. As a result United played some good progressive football
in the first-half and could have went in at least 3-0 up such was
our dominance. After the break though we went back into 'Souness mode',
defending deep, playing with no width and looking just to kill the
game off and for me, Roeder didn't react quick enough or specific
enough and on another day, Southampton based on their and our second
half performance, could have caused a cup shock. As it were, two outstanding
saves from Shay denied them likely goals and kept us in it. Overall
though this is much better but there are one or two concerns still
there that need to be addressed if this mini-run of ours is to continue.
There are tough obstacles on the horizon and we need to either overcome
them, or hurdle them. Well done Glenn, though. A win is a win. Quarter-Finals
here we come...
Mags |
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Toon Fans - 6 |
Just under 41,000 fans is a tremendous turnout given that the match
was on telly and a late kick-off so well done to United fans for that.
Atmosphere wise it was quite muted with many content to sit and watch
what was a pretty on the eye game, especially in the first half. Overall
a quiet home crowd but the post-Souness positivity continues on the
stands. Good support for Luque coming on as a sub is worth a mention
too.
Referee |
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Martin Atkinson - 5 |
Far too fussy, both he and his linesman, especially in the second
half. But he's young and inexperienced at this level so it would be
unfair to judge him really. No real mistakes or poor decisions, just
fussy. Booked Dyer for his celebration which also can't be leveled
at him, as that's the rules apparently. A pathetic one.
Opposition |
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Southampton |
Bialkowski - 8
Ostlund -5
Powell - 5
Lundekvam - 5
Brennan - 5
Crabie - 5
Wright - 5
Oakley -5
Madsen - 7
Jones - 7
Pahars - 4
Subs:
Potter - 5
Blackstock - 7
Dyer - 6
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