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Toon Player Ratings Vs West Ham United
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 Match
Date: 17th December 2005
By Howaythetoon
An in depth look at each individual performance from Newcastle's 4-2
win over West Ham at Upton Park, rating the players, the manager,
Toon fans and the referee. Also included in our match analysis are
ratings for the Hammers.
Players |
Shay Given - 7 |
Given made one or two good saves and couldn't be faulted for any of
West Ham's goals. His distribution was also quite good in this match
as was his handling from corners, crosses and other set-pieces. Overall
another consistent display from the Ireland man, then. I do have one
criticism however and it's mainly a general criticism of his game
and not his actual performance in this match - he needs to force that
back-four upfield when we sit too deep because that is what invites
the pressure on and only serves to increase his workload. Have a word
with them Shay.
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Peter Ramage - 7 |
Ramage had a steady game at right-back, getting up and down the flank
throughout. He was caught out once or twice by Etherington but in
the main, he defended well, especially (and not surprisingly) in more
central positions. When one of either Bramble or Boumsong went up
field or followed an attacker, he filled in at the centre of defence
with aplomb. It's obviously his natural position. His distribution
was poor throughout though and this is a major area of his game he
will have to improve on.
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Jean-Alain Boumsong - 9 |
For me, this was Boumsong's best performance of the season, coming
on the back of a fine game Vs Arsenal last week. He was a rock and
made countless telling interceptions either with his head, foot or
just by putting his body in the way and his distribution was often
well thought out too. He was quite calm even when under pressure and
this is the Boumsong of last season. Commanding, strong, unfazed and
reading the danger well. In the air, he was much better, heading the
ball away with distance and clearance. I don't think he put a foot
wrong all game.
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Titus Bramble - 6 |
Bramble actually defended well, certainly well enough to pick up a
7 or an 8 with many vital interceptions and good moments of defensive
discipline. But his distribution was shocking throughout, playing
numerous long-balls into no-man's land when a simple 5-yard pass would
have done. We all know he has the capability to play an accurate long-ball
but there is a time and a place for that, not every bleeding touch.
I won't lay any blame at his feet for the own goal, he did the right
thing and had Solano not been in his direct vision, the ball would
have cleared the penalty box. Overall, a decent game but someone needs
to tell him he is not a playmaker. Stick to defending Bramble. Leave
the passing to the midfielders.
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Robbie Elliott - 5 |
The chink in an otherwise solid defence. If marks were awarded for
commitment, work-rate and durability, wor Elliott would pick up a
10 each week. But football demands more than that and the left-back
just doesn't have the pace, engine or ability on the ball to be as
effective as we need him to be, or need from that position on the
park. He was turned time and time again most of their attacks came
from that side. In an attacking sense he was virtually nonexistent
which made Ameobi's job all the more difficult. That said, he's a
squad player nearing the end of his career and any performance at
this level is manful of him so beggars can't be choosers really. And
as ever, he never shirked, hid or dropped that head of his.
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Nobby Solano - 6 |
Once again, Nobby played a narrow game in the first-half and this
is a waste of his talent as he just isn't effective at all inside,
he needs to be out on the flank, linking up with the full-back and
runners, not stuck in a traffic jam. In the first-half his passing
was wayward, he was caught out of position a number of times and you
can see he just isn't happy in that role. Noticeably after the break
he was on the wing and he was much happier, far more involved and
much more effective. Also claimed an assist to his name, setting up
Owen's second. We'll not talk about that OG...
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Scott Parker - 9 |
Parker just carried on from where he left off against Arsenal really,
dominating that midfield and patrolling the park like a man possessed.
With Sven in the stands hopefully his performance will have made the
Swede take notice. If not I for one don't know what Parker has to
do. He was immense in this game. Crunching tackles, delightful little
passages of link up play, a lion in midfield. What a signing he has
been. Unfortunately, a downside of his all-action game is yellow cards
and in this match he picked up his 5th of the season, meaning he misses
our trip to Anfield.
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Amdy Faye - 7 |
Another canny game from Faye, although not as good as his two previous
games, but still a vast improvement from the Faye that started the
season. He did a good job in midfield, helping Parker out and covering
the full-back positions. He also tried to get forward as often as
he could, even having a long-range (but way off target) shot and it
was the Senegalese man who set up Owen for his hat-trick with a sublime
through ball. The game did seem to pass him by at times and he gave
the ball away cheaply more than once or twice but overall, a fine
game. Well played Amdy lad.
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Shola Ameobi - 5 |
Excellent against Arsenal out wide on the left, frustrating against
West Ham, despite some good moments in the game. At times he was very
effective when coming infield as he linked up well with the central
midfielders but up front he wasn't involved much while in defence
he gave away a penalty (not intentional handball) and for parts of
the match, went missing. Yet to be fair, he is playing in an unnatural
position and in Elliott he doesn't exactly have the best foil to work
with down that flank. He did a job asked of him and worked hard for
the team and that I guess, is all we can ask of him at the moment.
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Alan Shearer - 8 |
Like Parker Shearer followed on from his Arsenal performance and while
he wasn't quite as involved in this match as he was in that one, he
contributed an awful lot nonetheless, at both ends. Took his goal
expertly, set up Owen and cleared a goal bound effort off the line,
just one of many vital defensive interceptions. He also sent in one
or two mean crosses that I bet he would have loved to have been on
the end of and he conserved his energy well, often playing in midfield
alongside Parker. Just 2 to go now Al...
|
Michael Owen - 10 (My Man Of The Match) |
Anyone who was at this match or who watched the highlights on TV could
be forgiving for thinking that all Owen did was score three goals,
which he did. But off the ball, his movement and positioning, his
awareness, timing and speed of thought is absolutely magnificent to
witness. He could have had 5 goals in this game simply because of
his movement and it's frightening, and mouthwatering, to think just
how many goals he would score in a free-flowing, fluid footballing
Newcastle side. The service at times was shocking and he had to fight
and toil with much bigger defenders which is kind of sad to see in
a way because we are under using him, as crazy as that will read.
But on the other hand, thank god we have him. He, as Big Al says,
was the difference and his hat-trick will be the first of many, I'm
sure. Brilliant finishing.
Subs |
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Lee Bowyer - 4 |
Came on for Solano with 10 minutes to go and got stuck in from the
start and even set up Owen with a great cross that Carroll did well
to save from the England man's header.
Boss Man |
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Graeme Souness - 7 |
Souness kept faith with the side that beat Arsenal and we won so in
many ways, another fine weekend for the Scot. However, once again
we start the game with no width and playing deep as a unit which just
invited pressure and saw United concede lots of possession to West
Ham. And it left Owen looking forlorn once or twice as he pleaded
with his midfielders to push up, with the England man often left isolated.
It's these tactics that are undermining Newcastle and it's infuriating
because it happens in every game and every defeat we have suffered
this season has often been the result of playing narrow in midfield
and pushed back deep in defence. Push upfield a further 30-yards and
give Nobby licence to hug that touchline Graeme and we will pick up
more points. It's your job on the line, why be so cautious and negative?
Nonetheless, 3 much needed points so well done Souey.
Mags |
|
Toon Fans - 8 |
Very loud, and travelled in large numbers despite it being only a
week before Christmas. They stuck with the team when we were pegged
back and upped the noise levels. Shearer's goal was met with delirium
as the fans chanted: "He only needs one more!" as well as an old favourite
"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it is
to see Newcastle win away!" Top effort.
Referee |
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Phil Dowd - 8 |
One of the better officials and the Staffordshire ref had a good game,
letting it flow where and when called for and not too whistle happy.
He did give West Ham a penalty but it was a penalty, despite no real
intent by Ameobi. No major decisions to call other than that and it's
good to see a referee use common sense and officiate intelligently.
Opposition |
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West Ham |
West Ham certainly took the game to United and caused us a lot of
problems, especially down the left-hand side with Harewood in particular
impressive. They played neat, attractive football and showed lots
of drive and commitment. The scoreline flattered Newcastle and on
another day, we could have been beaten. Perhaps the Hammers deserved
a point but in this game, it's all about taking your chances and in
£16m man Michael Owen, we have one of the best, assisted by
old war-hoarse Alan Shearer. The key to our victory for me.
West Ham have enough about them to pick up enough points in this League
to stay up, as they have already proved. They lack a clinical finisher,
if they can add one to their squad in January and perhaps an experienced
centre-half, they could go on to have a good finish.
|
Ratings |
Carroll - 6 - Where was he for Owen's 3rd? Some good
saves mind.
Repka - 6 - Worked hard and defended well enough.
Ferdinand - 7 - Impressive display from the youngster.
Collins - 6 - Found it hard going up against Shearer
and Owen.
Konchesky - 6 - Left big gaps in and behind him.
Good going forward though.
Benayoun - 7 - Tricky, quick feet and hard working.
Mullins - 8 - A Captain's performance.
Fletcher - 6 - Got forward well but lacked real quality.
Etherington - 7 - Started the game on fired but faded
in the second half.
Harewood - 8 - Gave Elliott a torrid afternoon. Impressive.
Zamora - 5 - Did very little up front, well marked.
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