Oliver agrees with Roeder tactics

[Guest smoggeordie]

....and seems to think we played well....  From the Chronicle

 

 

Chronicle Sport News

Portsmouth 2, Newcastle Utd 1

Apr 16 2007

By Alan Oliver, The Evening Chronicle

 

All the talk this week will be of Michael Owen's likely return to the Newcastle United picture for Sunday's game with Chelsea at St James' Park.

 

And young teenage striker Andy Carroll will hardly get a mention.

 

Which is a pity. For it was a change of formation, a half-time blasting from boss Glenn Roeder, and the introduction of the 18-year-old striker which should have brought United a point at Fratton Park on Saturday.

 

Carroll's performance as no respecter of reputations on the south coast, reminded me very much of Shola Ameobi's early days, especially that day against Chelsea when he tangled with Dennis Wise and went eye-to-eye with Frank LeBoeuf.

 

For after strolling through the first half on a steaming hot afternoon, the heat was suddenly on Sol Campbell and Co at the back for Pompey - and they struggled to keep their cool as Carroll put himself about in no uncertain fashion.

 

The only pity for United is that just when they were really getting on top, Portsmouth's outstanding left-sided midfielder Matthew Taylor conjured up another of the speciality long shots which have become a feature of his repertoire.

 

And also the fact that David James won his battle with Oba Martins when a slip by Linvoy Primus, following a through-ball from Damien Duff's replacement Albert Luque, left the 17-goal striker with just the keeper to beat to grab an away point 10 minutes from time.

 

I always felt that United would return home to Tyneside pointless from this game, but with Michael Owen, Shay Given, Shola Ameobi, Kieron Dyer and Antoine Sibierski all injured, I wasn't too unhappy with Glenn Roeder's formation, with wingers Duff and James Milner supporting Martins in front of a midfield three of Nicky Butt, Emre and Charles N'Zogbia.

 

But, like Roeder, I did not expect N'Zogbia to turn in a performance which all but meant United played with 10 men in the first half.

 

Indeed, on Saturday United's two big disappointments of the season in Duff and N'Zogbia were side by side, and the latter has looked a mere shadow of the midfielder who won the North East Young Player of the Year award in the last campaign.

 

Roeder will also have been disappointed with United's defensive display in the first half, although to be fair, when you look at the replays of Pompey's first goal, Benjani could easily have been called up for a foul on Steven Taylor.

 

And for the first time on the field, Craig Moore was found wanting before he was replaced before the half-hour mark by Oguchi Onyewu - Kanu in particular gave Moore a torrid time.

 

As it happens, neither Kanu nor his fellow Nigerian Martins managed to score, both hitting the crossbar.

 

Martins was unlucky, and there was nothing wrong with his 50-second shot which James could have done without warming his hands.

 

But Martins should have scored with two second-half chances, the first just after the break and then with that one with 10 minutes to go.

 

United could easily have picked up a point - something which never really looked on in the first half when they were pegged back.

 

However, they hung in there, and in the second half what turned out to be Taylor's winner was the only shot Pompey managed to get on target.

 

And at least there was one consolation for United.

 

For Emre's penalty meant that James was not celebrating setting a Premiership record of 142 clean sheets against them.

 

But, this apart, there wasn't much for United supporters to celebrate.

[Dave]

But, like Roeder, I did not expect N'Zogbia to turn in a performance which all but meant United played with 10 men in the first half.

 

I did, given that he's been parp every time he's ever played in the centre for us. But hey, don't let that worry you chaps.

[Guest Invicta_Toon]

But, like Roeder, I did not expect N'Zogbia to turn in a performance which all but meant United played with 10 men in the first half.

 

I did, given that he's been parp every time he's ever played in the centre for us. But hey, don't let that worry you chaps.

 

but hey, that's just what we need, players who need to be first choice in just one position but can't play anywhere else

[SEMTEX]

But, like Roeder, I did not expect N'Zogbia to turn in a performance which all but meant United played with 10 men in the first half.

 

I did, given that he's been parp every time he's ever played in the centre for us. But hey, don't let that worry you chaps.

 

im sure he claims hes a centre mid too... cant remember why but its etched in the brain somewhere.

[BottledDog]

But, like Roeder, I did not expect N'Zogbia to turn in a performance which all but meant United played with 10 men in the first half.

 

I did, given that he's been parp every time he's ever played in the centre for us. But hey, don't let that worry you chaps.

 

but hey, that's just what we need, players who need to be first choice in just one position but can't play anywhere else

 

You're not even trying anymore are you.

[Guest alex]

"And at least there was one consolation for United.

 

For Emre's penalty meant that James was not celebrating setting a Premiership record of 142 clean sheets against them.

 

But, this apart, there wasn't much for United supporters to celebrate."

 

Does that even count as something to celebrate? I've heard about lowering expectations but that is ridiculous.

[BottledDog]

But, like Roeder, I did not expect N'Zogbia to turn in a performance which all but meant United played with 10 men in the first half.

 

I did, given that he's been parp every time he's ever played in the centre for us. But hey, don't let that worry you chaps.

 

im sure he claims hes a centre mid too... cant remember why but its etched in the brain somewhere.

 

And Dyer claims that he is best up front, but I'm not sure I would agree with him tbh.

[James]

I wouldn't be suprised if Oliver got sacked ahead of Roeder, given the overwhelming success of the Chronicle forum.