Never has a game been totally dominated by a side without them scoring a single goal! Wave after wave of attack and still the deadlock could not be broken. It should have been a goal fest…no really it should have!

Glenn Roeder was forced to play an ‘alternative’ starting line-up to what he would have liked. Steven Taylor came in to partner Titus Bramble, replacing Craig Moore. A new strike partnership of Albert Luque and James Milner was selected, Damien Duff started on the right-wing as Roeder opted to start Charles N’Zogbia on the left.

There was even a rare start for Steven Harper in net, yet for what he actually had to do he might as well remained where he normally contributes for Newcastle…the bench!

Ventspils were poor, really poor…but that came as no surprise. However, what they technically lacked they more than made up for with spirit and heart. However, on another day…any other day in fact…the game could have been 10-0 and thats being kind on Ventspils.

The instant plus point for Newcastle was the arrival in this game of Damien Duff. For the first time since his £5m move from Chelsea he looked like the quality player we had all expected. There was no surprise he was awarded the Man of the Match award.

Workrate aside, it was his ability on the ball which dazzled the Ventspils defence and left the Toon faithful salivating at the prospect of seeing Duff play like this week in, week out. Cutting in from the right hand side Duff looked more balanced, he was able to turn the defenders and create space for his fellow midfielders. Glenn Roeder must surely have noted this and I hope Duff gets a chance to play in this position again.

The game itself was not memorable. A string of long range efforts from Emre, Babayaro, James Milner and Duff showed Newcastle’s desire to kill of the Latvian minnows. However, there was no way that the ball was going into opposition net tonight.

This was summed up in the first half by two glaring misses, firstly from Parker who squandered James Milner’s low cross, the second coming from Duff who blazed over soon after.

The second half was more of the same, Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle. In fairness Ventspils did manage to string one or two passes in the Newcastle half but nothing to wake up Steve Harper who was probably sound asleep in the Toon goal.

With new signing Obefami Martins sitting watching in the stands, having been paraded to the Toon faithful before the game, a chance was given to Albert Luque and James Milner to prove to Roeder and the Newcastle fans that they could also provide serious strike ammunition this season.

However, it was defender Titus Bramble who came close to opening the scoring when his fierce shot almost found the top corner.

James Milner was superb. I believe this lad is a right winger, but that said he worked hard, played direct and showed glimpses of quality; a few times delivering some excellent crosses that were deserving of a striker to put them away.

Milner was nearly rewarded for his efforts but was deemed offside and his goal was ruled out. However, moments later he stepped up to take a free-kick, 25 yards out. What a free-kick…he did everything right..a rasping shot over the wall and dipping…but it hit the bar! A superb effort that deserved to be the opener.

As the game neared conclusion Milner had a clear cut chance to break the deadlock but he scuffed his shot following fine work from the classy Duff.

Alas! It was not to be.

You may have noticed I have not mentioned the other striker yet Mr. Luque… Nothing to write about, other than one headed chance he nodded well over the Ventspils net. He just doesn’t look bothered. This was his big opportunity and he blew it. Is it a confidence thing? I am not too sure. How can a player with such a big reputation be such a lame duck! Frustrating as hell for every Newcastle fans to say the least.

Overall Newcastle will be happy to progress against the plucky Latvian minnows. In a such a one-sided game there was always the fear that Ventspils would spring an attack and nick a goal. In reality Ventspils were never going to score if they played till dawn.

Newcastle left there shooting boots at home tonight. With £10m pound man Martins and the in-form Shola Ameobi to return and the midfield looking as flowing as I have seen for ages, Duff and N’Zogbia on fire at the moment, perhaps the goals have been saved for weeked?

Martin O’Neill’s rejuvenated Aston Villa wait for us in Birmingham on Sunday. However, with Martins and Ameobi, Duff and N’Zogbia, Emre and Parker, I say bring them on!