We’ll be Alright When We Get to the Winnable Games

Best performance for ages, particularly going forward. We created at least half a dozen good chances, scored none, and fell to the almost inevitable sucker punch. A real sickener.

For the record Smith and Barton were selected again, although at least we had a fit keeper today. Smith had a decent game, without ever having a sniff at goal - for a centre forward this is not that great. Barton was largely hopeless, but laid on two glorious chances for Owen, who missed from both.

We dominated the game, created good chances, and should have won comfortably. Having said that we still creaked defensively, and Harper had to make 2 or 3 very good saves to keep us in it. Harper was a huge improvement on Given.

For all those who have been arguing Michael Owen will put them away if someone creates the chances for him - including myself - he really should have had a hat trick today.

Some good performances and hopeful signs, and no lack of effort or committment - but critically, nil points. We also lasted the 90 mins better than of late.

A big talking point was Zog’s omission from the starting line-up. He came on as a 2nd half sub, so clearly wasn’t injured. I could be wrong, but suspect he’s off in the summer - along with Viduka, who wasn’t even in the 16.

And here are what KK said after the game, quoting from SkySports:

“Incredible [the result], that’s football - it is a cruel game at times.”

“I thought it was a magnificent performance. First half if we come in 2-0 or 3-0 up I don’t think anyone would have questioned it. Second half we had four or five good chances, but if you don’t stick them away you can get punished. We got caught with a sucker punch. Blackburn stole the three points today but that’s football.”

“This week training has been superb and they had taken that into the game today, and I feel really sorry for them in there because they definitely did not deserve this.”

“They have to pick themselves up and we have got to help pick them up, and we have got to go to Anfield that is our next match.”

“We have got to face reality - we have a lot of big games to come but if players play like that today I don’t think we will have any problems, we will win more than we lose that’s for sure. I thought we gave a really good account of ourselves, but at end of day we have got nothing for it.”

“We are a team that has not won in a while and confidence is low. That last-minute goal will not help, but we will pick them up and dust them down and take them to Anfield. Spirit is good, no doubt about that. They have done everything they can to win a football match, and as manager I certainly cannot ask for any more than that”.

2 Responses to “We’ll be Alright When We Get to the Winnable Games”

1. hendrik on March 2nd, 2008 7:28 am

   my god…
   my heart was torn to two, when i see the goal..
   my beloved magpies,.. what happened to u?

2. shearyadi on March 2nd, 2008 8:56 am

   Nothing happened my friend, we’re just unlucky to get caught in the last minute. We did very well, we attack them thoroughly but it’s just another day when the result is not going to us…

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