COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY
From my seat: Newcastle (a)
Comments (0) : As the half went on we got back into it and there were passages of play when each side showed dominance, both sides gave the ball away cheaply which in turn led to some end to end stuff with neither side able to craft anything of substance except the odd shot that missed plus a facinating moment when Hibbert put in a donkey drop of a cross which Big Vic attacked, caused Given to flap and his header was cleared off the line.
The half seemed destined to end 0-0 when Baines and Pienaar got in a bit of bother by the corner flag which allowed a cross to come in that Lescott mistimed and only just cleared the box. It was picked up by Butt who instantly spotting the situation with Howard off his line took two paces forward and delivered a superb looping shot over the keeper and under the bar. If that had been Kaka it would have been shown around the world for a month, but Nicky Butt! ? and it had to be against us.
So 1-0 down at the break. The manager swops Faddy for AJ at the start of the second and to think that after the Kharkiv game I made Faddy our MotM only for him to revert to 'A masterclass in giving the ball away' Still, the move paid off as within 10 mins of the restart we were level thanks to some good work down the left involving Big Vic and Baines saw the latter deliver a low inviting cross that AJ pounced on and netted from a yard out. I thought "Great, now he is up and running he could go on a scoring roll!" ? only to find out today that he is now out for four weeks due to an ankle problem ? drat!.
The half wore on and I thought we were starting to get the better of it when Osman, who was on for Pienaar, found Big Vic at the back post in acres of space. I thought "Goal!" but he hesitated a millisecond too long in making his mind up whether to blast or place and his final decision was charged down.
The half went on and looked to be good for a 1-1 when our defence went yet again into an unscripted comedy routine of clearing a ball to safety and after much head tennis Osman took charge with the clearing header which turned out to be a cushioned pass to Emre some twenty yards out who took aim and fired a belter into the corner of the net giving the keeper not a sniff. If that had been Roberto Carlos it would have been shown around the world for a month... but Emre!?! and it had to be against us.
Four mins to go and looks like we go home losing 2-1 but oh no... Another couple of mins and they get a free kick which results in a routine cross into the box, another comedy moment saw the ball reach the six yard box with only Owen for company 3-1. it's getting worse but we fight back well into injury time and the ball is worked out to Arteta who puts in a looping cross that produces yet another comedy moment as Given twists in the air to palm it over and promptly palms it under 3-2 and final whistle.
What could we make of that lot? On the day we were unable to hold the ball up sufficiently in attack to allow others to join in. In defence we seemed more for panic than professionalism. The midfield although working much harder this game didn't have the gift of the killer ball.
Today I made my MotM Carsley, both for his defensive qualities and the fact he found more Blue shirts with his passes than most. Lescott had quite a good game but I think that this morning the defence as a whole will be having a video of their defending in general and the Owen goal in particular inserted into an orifice.
Still I could'nt fault them for effort, roll on creation. The derby next ? now wouldn't that be a good game to get back to winning ways!. Have a good international break. UP THE BLUES
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