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Toon Player Ratings Vs Sunderland (h)
 Match
Date: 23 October 2005
By Howaythetoon
We take a look at each individual performance from the 3-2 Derby day
win over Sunderland at St. James' Park, rating the players, the manager,
the Toon fans, the opposition and the referee. Also included in our
match analysis are ratings for the Mackems with a brief review of
their performance too.
Shay Given - 6
Despite the scoreline Shay had little to do and couldn't be faulted
for either of Sunderland's goals. He did make one outstanding save
though from Elliott, somehow pushing it around the near post for a
corner from point blank range. His handling was also very good but
his kicking is a worry, the distance that is. Constant long-balls
up field bypass the entire midfield and put us on the backfoot, he
needs to command that defence at all times. His one major weakness.
Steven Carr - 6
Carr got forward well and linked up with Solano to good effect at
times but defensively he had a mixed game, failing to get close to
his attacker on a number of occasions and failing to cut out a flurry
of crosses. His constant backing off is a cause of concern and needs
addressed because we looking weak down that right hand flank even
when up against mediocre rivals. After Solano went off he wasn't as
effective in the final 3rd. Also had a hand in our second goal. Better
going forward but defensively still cause for alarm.
Steven Taylor - 8
Taylor's first Tyne-Wear Derby match and he was solid as a rock throughout,
authoritative, commanding in the air, vocal and not a lot got past
him. It wasn't all plain sailing though, he was caught flat footed
for both goals and got out jumped once or twice. Overall however he
was excellent and made some vital blocks and interceptions.
Jean-Alain Boumsong - 5
It doesn't get much better for Boumsong does it? Once again he was
poor and very shaky at the back, being out shined by his lesser experienced
and much younger defensive partner, Taylor. Boumsong did make some
vital contributions in the shape of blocks and interceptions but overall
his defending was cagey to say the least. He clearly lacks confidence
at the moment and is in a rut. With Bramble nearing fitness, perhaps
it's time to take him out of the firing line...
Peter Ramage - 8
A centre-half cum right-back now turned emergency left-back. Ramage
had a super game, assured, confident, defensively switched on and
he got forward well in support throughout. For me, he has yet to put
a foot wrong in any of his games since making his debut and while
he lacks real pace, he has a cool head on those young shoulders of
his and if he keeps impressing, he'll continue to gain first-team
experience. Well played and a real bonus.
Nobby Solano - 7
The long awaited and eagerly anticipated return of Wor Nobby is finally
over and what a baptism of fire to ease ones way back into the fold.
It's as if he's never been away, man. As ever great touches, excellent
link up play, especially with Carr and just a joy to see in the side.
He automatically adds balance, not just in right-footed terms and
natural width, but creativity, vision and of course being an extra
attacking option. A decent match before tiring. Welcome hyem Nobby.
Emre - 9
Only his 4th game and he writes himself into Geordie Folklore, what
an impact on this match the little Turk had. He was the difference.
Where Sunderland huffed and puffed in midfield, he pulled the strings
in ours and his vision, passing and work ethic was a joy to watch.
The last player to excite me this much was David Ginola but unlike
the Frenchman, Emre has that bit between the teeth, that steely determination
and of course, the winner... sublime. Magnificent. We need to wrap
him in cotton wool, he's priceless.
Scott Parker - 6
Parker started the game well, getting stuck in and stamping his authority
on proceedings but that (wrong, and since proved) yellow card curtailed
his natural aggression and driving influence in midfield. Unusually
sloppy and careless with possession at times too and for me he doesn't
quite look at all 100% or certainly isn't moving as fluid as he has
done in past games. Maybe rest him for the Grimsby match?
Charles N'Zogbia - 6
This was always going to be a tough game for the 18 year-old and that's
how it proved. To me, the occasion and overall excitable nature of
the match got to him a bit as he played to impress and not his natural
game. That said, he still put in a decent shift and set up Shola for
his goal with that reverse clipped ball and he too can be proud of
his performance like the other youngsters.
Shola Ameobi - 9
From Zero to Hero in the space of a week, extraordinary performance
right out of the blue. Two well taken headed goals, lots of skill,
control, balance and awareness and a tremendous work ethic that had
the crowd in full appreciation. God knows where this performance came
from, we all know he is capable of the unexpected but given his recent
form, this was breathtaking. He was immense he really was and had
a great game. My man of the match. Can he keep it
going however is the question? He'll have to. Well played Shola lad.
Alan Shearer - 6
As ever with Shearer he gave his all, used his strength and prowess
in the air to the best of his ability and he lead the line well at
times but overall, and I'm sick of saying this, he had little impact
on the game - set-pieces aside. In open play he was often statuesque
and well marked by the Sunderland defence and whenever it went to
him, play slowed down which allowed the Mackems to get men behind
the ball and regain some shape and organisation. Playing with a hernia
obviously doesn't help so for me, the club and he should take that
operation now and allow Ameobi and Chopra to fight it out with Owen.
Luque will be back soon and he can play up top if needed. We shouldn't
be flogging the great man like this and it's awful watching him struggle
against defenders not fit to lace his boots.
Subs
Amdy Faye - 4
Came on and never gave the ball away once, OK he did, a few times.
But we won anyway.
Lee Clark - 4
A substitution best described as rubbing salt into the wounds, got
stuck in, made a few decent passes and one more Geordie at the final
whistle to saviour Derby day victory.
Michael Chopra - 4
Came on for Shola and had little time or too few a touch to make any
kind of impact.
The Boss Man
Graeme Souness - 7
There isn't a lot a manager can do in games like this but prepare
his side as best as he can and this is how I would describe Souness'
impact on this game. He did make a brave decision in starting Shola
despite widespread demands for him to go with Chopra instead, lead
by yours truly on these very pages. In that sense he played a blinder
and the win was a massive result, make no mistakes about that. The
final whistle and the way Emre and Parker congratulated him showed
that. Not to mention Freddy Shepherd's puff of the cheeks and what
looked like one two many a sigh of relief. So 3 points and the win
we all craved but there were still signs of that uphill task in this
match. We played far too deep in the second half and the backing off
has to be addressed because that's an invitation for attackers to
take a pot shot. Overall, job well done.
Magpies
Toon Fans - 8
We can create an atmosphere when we want to, sadly it takes days like
this to get the crowd going which is so frustrating because it should
be like this for every match. Anyway, the Mackems were rarely heard
and I sit up in the Milburn L7 where as we were loud and proud throughout.
There was the odd lull but it soon picked up. The game I feel contributed
enormously to the atmosphere as it was action packed and frenetic,
almost demanding of us and we delivered. Downsides were the early
abuse for Shola when he failed to run down a lost course, some booing
of Faye when coming on and that god awful "easy-easy" crap.
One word: Pathetic. I'm all for jovial banter and I can stretch my
threshold to accept any kind of chant that helps generate an atmosphere
but this is so pop-idol and embarrassing. Ban those that chant it
I say, for life. Overall, cracking.
Referee
Rob Styles - 7
Styles tried to let the game flow and while he missed a few things,
called a few things wrong (SMB penalty claim aside - he got that one
right), he has a decent enough game with no major issue to moan about.
The Opposition
Mackems
Davies: Dodgy keeper, flapped like a bird in zero
atmosphere. 5
Nosworthy: Defended well against Zoggy I felt but
that touch, heavy... 6
Caldwell: Destroyed by Super Shola. 5
Breen: Did well enough to contain Shearer. 6
Hoyte: Premiership class, and Arsenal's. 6
Lawrence: Fluke goal, fat, and stupid hair. 6
Miller: Bottled a few tackles, big fanny. 5
Whitehead: See above. 5
Welsh: Sent in one or two decent crosses, but poor
at the back. 5
Elliott: There best player, despite his fluke effort.
8
Gray: Caused Boumsong a few problems, but no real
threat. 6
To be fair to them, they played well and made a game of it and McCarthy
has done well to get a performance out of this rabble he really has.
Going down though. |
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