Guest fraser Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 We're all pleased we came away with a draw, but a lot of people are getting carried away here. It shows how low the expectations are that avoiding defeat against a team like Birmingham is celebrated like it was some great performance. Martins - Viduka - Owen is not a natural trio for a 4-3-3, and it showed. You need players who can go wide and drop back, and all three are out and out strikers. We got away with it because they have a very weak defence and they couldn't handle Martins in the second half. That was the only threat we carried, and it won't work against a better side. And forget the recent results, last night Brum were piss poor. Neither could they handle Owen dropping into midfield or Butt's tenacity and outstanding tackling, or the fact that they got nothing from the flanks because both full-backs played so well. Every one of us understands this is no team of world-beaters but they do deserve credit, as does Keegan, for getting a lot right last night. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 It all hinges on our three home games against Fulham, Sunderland and Reading, and on last night's performance, I don't fancy our chances of getting more than 4 points from those three. They aren't worse than Birmingham, our home form isn't great, and it'll still be mighty close. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymag Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I can't believe that more hasn't been made of Butt's challenge on Larsson last night. Butt obviously took exception to being shoved into the dugout by Larsson and not more than 5 minutes later whacked Larsson which, if not deliberate, certainly looked reckless. I couldn't believe, and neither could Butt, that he didn't get at least a yellow card for the challenge, and it hasn't even been mentioned by McLeish. I think Larsson's substitution at half time helped change the game in our favour, but if the same challenge had been made on one or our players I'd have been screaming for at least a 3 game ban for the perpetrator. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 We're all pleased we came away with a draw, but a lot of people are getting carried away here. It shows how low the expectations are that avoiding defeat against a team like Birmingham is celebrated like it was some great performance. Martins - Viduka - Owen is not a natural trio for a 4-3-3, and it showed. You need players who can go wide and drop back, and all three are out and out strikers. We got away with it because they have a very weak defence and they couldn't handle Martins in the second half. That was the only threat we carried, and it won't work against a better side. And forget the recent results, last night Brum were piss poor. Doesn't that just nullify your whole bloody argument? I really hate that way of thinking. It's like when people criticise a player if he scores against a poor team. What does that make the rest of the players then? Even worse, cos they couldn't score? We're playing the teams that are in and around us. Some of which, i believe, will not be as tough games as the one we played last night. Basically, what you've said is "oh, we've only done well because we have a player that makes us play well." We didn't 'get away with it', we had a player(s) that helped us get a result we deserved. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowen Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I can't believe that more hasn't been made of Butt's challenge on Larsson last night. Butt obviously took exception to being shoved into the dugout by Larsson and not more than 5 minutes later whacked Larsson which, if not deliberate, certainly looked reckless. I couldn't believe, and neither could Butt, that he didn't get at least a yellow card for the challenge, and it hasn't even been mentioned by McLeish. I think Larsson's substitution at half time helped change the game in our favour, but if the same challenge had been made on one or our players I'd have been screaming for at least a 3 game ban for the perpetrator. Pretty sure he did get booked for that one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 It all hinges on our three home games against Fulham, Sunderland and Reading, and on last night's performance, I don't fancy our chances of getting more than 4 points from those three. They aren't worse than Birmingham, our home form isn't great, and it'll still be mighty close. Birmingham away are pretty tough nuts, especially since McLeish took over. Fulham, Sunderland and Reading at home definitely looke the easier fixtures before last night. Mr Hindsight has entered the building I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 We're playing the teams that are in and around us. Some of which, i believe, will not be as tough games as the one we played last night. Well that's where we differ. I think there are tougher games ahead. Birmingham in the second half were terrible. And we do need to start actually winning. Martins did well, and can create problems for better defences, with his strength and pace. But that won't be enough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 It all hinges on our three home games against Fulham, Sunderland and Reading, and on last night's performance, I don't fancy our chances of getting more than 4 points from those three. They aren't worse than Birmingham, our home form isn't great, and it'll still be mighty close. Birmingham away are pretty tough nuts, especially since McLeish took over. Fulham, Sunderland and Reading at home definitely looke the easier fixtures before last night. Mr Hindsight has entered the building I think. Did they look like 'pretty tough nuts' to you last night? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wullie Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Fulham, sunderland and Reading aren't worse than Birmingham? Even if you're right (and I don't think you are), it's hardly a huge difference. Those three clubs have won one away game between them. Not saying it'll be easy, it won't, but howay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcmk Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 It all hinges on our three home games against Fulham, Sunderland and Reading, and on last night's performance, I don't fancy our chances of getting more than 4 points from those three. They aren't worse than Birmingham, our home form isn't great, and it'll still be mighty close. Birmingham away are pretty tough nuts, especially since McLeish took over. Fulham, Sunderland and Reading at home definitely looke the easier fixtures before last night. Mr Hindsight has entered the building I think. Did they look like 'pretty tough nuts' to you last night? they have not lost there since november or so i heard yesterday so yes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 It all hinges on our three home games against Fulham, Sunderland and Reading, and on last night's performance, I don't fancy our chances of getting more than 4 points from those three. They aren't worse than Birmingham, our home form isn't great, and it'll still be mighty close. Birmingham away are pretty tough nuts, especially since McLeish took over. Fulham, Sunderland and Reading at home definitely looke the easier fixtures before last night. Mr Hindsight has entered the building I think. Did they look like 'pretty tough nuts' to you last night? they have not lost there since november or so i heard yesterday so yes. That doesn't make sense. I'm talking about how they looked last night. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
midds Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 It all hinges on our three home games against Fulham, Sunderland and Reading, and on last night's performance, I don't fancy our chances of getting more than 4 points from those three. They aren't worse than Birmingham, our home form isn't great, and it'll still be mighty close. Birmingham away are pretty tough nuts, especially since McLeish took over. Fulham, Sunderland and Reading at home definitely looke the easier fixtures before last night. Mr Hindsight has entered the building I think. Did they look like 'pretty tough nuts' to you last night? they have not lost there since november or so i heard yesterday so yes. That doesn't make sense. I'm talking about how they looked last night. You can't just cherry-pick a dodgy 45 minute period to say they're shite man! Maybe we made them look shite? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymag Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I can't believe that more hasn't been made of Butt's challenge on Larsson last night. Butt obviously took exception to being shoved into the dugout by Larsson and not more than 5 minutes later whacked Larsson which, if not deliberate, certainly looked reckless. I couldn't believe, and neither could Butt, that he didn't get at least a yellow card for the challenge, and it hasn't even been mentioned by McLeish. I think Larsson's substitution at half time helped change the game in our favour, but if the same challenge had been made on one or our players I'd have been screaming for at least a 3 game ban for the perpetrator. Pretty sure he did get booked for that one. No he wasn't. Geremi and Taylor were our only bookings last night. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 God forbid they played poorer because of how we played. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shak Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Yea, Butt's hatchet job on Larsson was a massive moment in the game tbh and he wasn't booked for it. Horrible challenge, well done Nicky. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 It all hinges on our three home games against Fulham, Sunderland and Reading, and on last night's performance, I don't fancy our chances of getting more than 4 points from those three. They aren't worse than Birmingham, our home form isn't great, and it'll still be mighty close. Birmingham away are pretty tough nuts, especially since McLeish took over. Fulham, Sunderland and Reading at home definitely looke the easier fixtures before last night. Mr Hindsight has entered the building I think. Did they look like 'pretty tough nuts' to you last night? they have not lost there since november or so i heard yesterday so yes. That doesn't make sense. I'm talking about how they looked last night. You can't just cherry-pick a dodgy 45 minute period to say they're shite man! Maybe we made them look shite? Is that what you really think? That the quality of our play made them look shite? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shak Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 It all hinges on our three home games against Fulham, Sunderland and Reading, and on last night's performance, I don't fancy our chances of getting more than 4 points from those three. They aren't worse than Birmingham, our home form isn't great, and it'll still be mighty close. Birmingham away are pretty tough nuts, especially since McLeish took over. Fulham, Sunderland and Reading at home definitely looke the easier fixtures before last night. Mr Hindsight has entered the building I think. Did they look like 'pretty tough nuts' to you last night? they have not lost there since november or so i heard yesterday so yes. That doesn't make sense. I'm talking about how they looked last night. You can't just cherry-pick a dodgy 45 minute period to say they're s**** man! Maybe we made them look s****? Is that what you really think? That the quality of our play made them look s****? You reckon they just weren't arsed then or what? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
midds Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 It all hinges on our three home games against Fulham, Sunderland and Reading, and on last night's performance, I don't fancy our chances of getting more than 4 points from those three. They aren't worse than Birmingham, our home form isn't great, and it'll still be mighty close. Birmingham away are pretty tough nuts, especially since McLeish took over. Fulham, Sunderland and Reading at home definitely looke the easier fixtures before last night. Mr Hindsight has entered the building I think. Did they look like 'pretty tough nuts' to you last night? they have not lost there since november or so i heard yesterday so yes. That doesn't make sense. I'm talking about how they looked last night. You can't just cherry-pick a dodgy 45 minute period to say they're shite man! Maybe we made them look shite? Is that what you really think? That the quality of our play made them look shite? In the second half, yeah. We kept the ball reasonably well and fashioned a few chances. We had them on the back foot for long periods of time and could easily have won it. No other team has won there for 4 months. We came very close to doing so. Can't really see what you're getting at by slagging off the result. Unless you're on the wind-up like. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 It all hinges on our three home games against Fulham, Sunderland and Reading, and on last night's performance, I don't fancy our chances of getting more than 4 points from those three. They aren't worse than Birmingham, our home form isn't great, and it'll still be mighty close. Birmingham away are pretty tough nuts, especially since McLeish took over. Fulham, Sunderland and Reading at home definitely looke the easier fixtures before last night. Mr Hindsight has entered the building I think. Did they look like 'pretty tough nuts' to you last night? they have not lost there since november or so i heard yesterday so yes. That doesn't make sense. I'm talking about how they looked last night. You can't just cherry-pick a dodgy 45 minute period to say they're s**** man! Maybe we made them look s****? Is that what you really think? That the quality of our play made them look s****? You reckon they just weren't arsed then or what? I thought they were a Championship standard side, with only one class player in McFadden. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Sorry, it just sounds like people are persuading themselves that we were up against decent opposition based on some previous results. Well whatever got them those results, it didn't show last night. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wullie Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Sorry, it just sounds like people are persuading themselves that we were up against decent opposition based on some previous results. Well whatever got them those results, it didn't show last night. But you reckon Fulham, the mackems and Reading are going to show a significant step up in class away from home? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
midds Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Sorry, it just sounds like people are persuading themselves that we were up against decent opposition based on some previous results. Well whatever got them those results, it didn't show last night. How do you know how 'decent' the opposition is if you don't use their previous results? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brummie Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Sorry, it just sounds like people are persuading themselves that we were up against decent opposition based on some previous results. Well whatever got them those results, it didn't show last night. But you reckon Fulham, the mackems and Reading are going to show a significant step up in class away from home? I hate to grim you out, Wullie, but we've got Sunderland at our place on Saturday, and not only are we playing shite recently, but we're also undergoing an injury crisis. If Dwight Yorke scores, I will kill myself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Sorry, it just sounds like people are persuading themselves that we were up against decent opposition based on some previous results. Well whatever got them those results, it didn't show last night. But you reckon Fulham, the mackems and Reading are going to show a significant step up in class away from home? I hate to grim you out, Wullie, but we've got Sunderland at our place on Saturday, and not only are we playing shite recently, but we're also undergoing an injury crisis. If Dwight Yorke scores, I will kill myself. You'll batter them! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rebel_yell12 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 We're all pleased we came away with a draw, but a lot of people are getting carried away here. It shows how low the expectations are that avoiding defeat against a team like Birmingham is celebrated like it was some great performance. Martins - Viduka - Owen is not a natural trio for a 4-3-3, and it showed. You need players who can go wide and drop back, and all three are out and out strikers. We got away with it because they have a very weak defence and they couldn't handle Martins in the second half. That was the only threat we carried, and it won't work against a better side. And forget the recent results, last night Brum were piss poor. Neither could they handle Owen dropping into midfield or Butt's tenacity and outstanding tackling, or the fact that they got nothing from the flanks because both full-backs played so well. Every one of us understands this is no team of world-beaters but they do deserve credit, as does Keegan, for getting a lot right last night. Agree with this, especially the selection in bold. McLeish himself said that Newcastle's "international" players found another gear in the second half, naming Owen, Butt and Viduka in particular (it seems that the fans noted Martins more than either manager or most of the commentators...). McLeish particularly singled out Owen, and his dropping back into midfield during the second half -- in his post-match comments he really seemed impressed with Owen, to be fair. Martins-Viduka-Owen aren't a bad 4-3-3 combination, if Keegan continues to direct that OWEN be the one to drop deeper -- Martins isn't capable, and Viduka is nowhere near mobile enough. They are hardly ideal, but with the current midfield available, why not persist with what seemed to be rather productive last night? As for the "quality" of the opposition -- Birmingham aren't easy to beat at home (ask Spurs), and it IS possible that Newcastle dominated because the lads were actually playing well after the equalizer from Owen (with no small 'assist' from Martins). To assume that Birmingham were sh*** because they didn't win is faulty logic. Fulham will be on a high note after defeating Everton the past weekend, so Saturday could be very important. However, I don't think Fulham, Reading or Sunderland have good away form this season, so the fact that all three are at St. James' may be just enough to tip the matches in favor of Newcastle. Coming back for a draw, rather than conceding a draw at the end of a match (as v. Boro) can be good for confidence levels -- it was good to see a solid 2nd half, rather than the usual capitulation. There are plenty of positives to take from last night. A short list follows (feel free to add any others you can think of, I'm sure I've missed a few): 1. Return of Obafemi Martins -- looked fit, ready to fight, and took some good shots on goal, one of which helped get Owen his goal. 2. "Return" of Michael Owen -- after stringing 8 matches in a row together for the first time on Tyneside [touch wood], Owen looks fitter than he has since Nov 2005, and played very well. His work-rate was top-class, and he was acting the captain as well. Proved that his game is becoming much more than just goal poaching by doing very well dropping deeper into midfield, of course he also provided a good reminder of why he is known for instincts, finishing and reading the play. 3. Owen-Martins partnership -- aside from three matches at the end of last season, with Oba off form and Michael just back from his knee, we've not seen these two together. It actually looked quite promising last night, as the two worked together quite well. 4. Enrique -- Newcastle may have solved that pesky LB issue, which means Zoggy won't be stuck there any longer. 5. Beye -- solid, the sort of defender Newcastle needs. 6. Viduka -- at least he's semi-fit again. Promising to have options upfront that aren't an untried kid (Carroll), a player who isn't EPL-standard (Ameobi) or the positionless Smith. 7. Speaking off, the absence of Smith was a positive. Is this the first match he didn't play for Newcastle? About time. 8. Some decent tactics and apparently, a very effective half-time talk, from Keegan. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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