Newcastle got a lesson to be learned

Posted by: Clarky · March 5, 2009

The bottom line from last Newcastle performance against ManU was we got nowt from a very creditable performance in a game we most certainly should have taken a point from, and frankly it would not have been robbery if we’d taken all three.

Peter Lovenkrands scores to ruin Van Der Saar clean-sheet record attempt

That we didn’t was once again down to downright appalling defending on both goals, but particularly the second, which was horrific even by our dismal standards.

I thought we were well-organised tonight, tried to hold possession, and gave “the world’s best team” one hell of a contest. What utterly confuses me is why we can look like a decent team v ManU after looking like a bunch of clowns only three days ago at bliddy Bolton.

In addition to scoring, and concurrently spoiling Van der Saar’s record cleansheet attempt (hee, hee!), we created several half chances in the 1st half with players seemingly reluctant to throw their bodies at excellent crosses hit between their back four and the keeper.

On their part, apart from picking the ball out of the net twice, and dealing with a number of corners – not always that well – Harper didn’t have a whole lot to do. He made a fairly comfortable save from Rooney late in the game, and tipped one fierce shot over the bar, but we were never under seige.

Jonas Gutierrez spidering Park

I thought Martins had a smashing game, foraging largely on his own, but keeping Rio and Vidic on their toes throughout. Lovenkrands played a deep lying role, supplementing the midfield, but covered acres of ground, and I thought he had a very decent game.

The midfield of Smith and Geremi, supplemented by Ryan Taylor and Lovenkrands were able to keep things under reasonable control, although they began to run out of steam towards the end.

Geremi run out of steam towards the end

Unfortunately, Ryan Taylor made the critical error when trying to chest the ball back to Harper and leaving it short. What happened then is a bit of a blur, because our defenders seemed to stop as though the whistle had blown when the ball seemed eminently clearable.

While they dithered, ManU played on, and scored one of the softest goals you will ever see at any level. Very, very disappointing – especially as we defended well for long periods, and kept Dangermouse and Berbatov relatively quiet. Rooney was lively, and a constant threat.

Bassong and Enrique played well. Jonas worked his gonads off, got a few kicks for his trouble, but too often ran down blind alleys for me, and didn’t create enough.

Another defeat, another game less to play, and we are slipping inexorably into serious trouble. However, a lot of positives can be taken from that performance. Much of the improvement for me was down to better ball retention, which gives you more control in the game.

I sincerely hope that is the lesson to be learned going into the remaining games. Geremi and Smith certainly didn’t play blinders, but they achieved a lot by holding their positions, and playing it simple, and passing to feet – usually, if not always.

Tags: English Premier League, Manchester United, Newcastle United

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 5th, 2009 at 6:18 am and is filed under Game Review, Newcastle Players, Newcastle United. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed, or trackback from your own site.