Gutless! West Brom 3-1 Newcastle.

Posted on December 6th, 2010 | 43 Comments |

Somen-Tchoyi-West-Brom-v-Newcastle Newcastle limply surrendered at The Hawthorns yesterday as they were outclassed and outfought by an impressive West Brom side.

I don’t want to take anyting away from West Brom as they did play really well, but the disappointing thing is that they didn’t need to play well to get a result such was the shocking performance that Newcastle put in.

Every team has off days, as I am sure that most of us will agree, but our off days are starting to happen far too often. We’ve picked up two points from a possible fifteen, which is relegation form, and with tough fixtures coming up I can understand a bit of the doom and gloom that is flying around at the minute. The rumour is that Chris Hughton locked the team in the dressing room for an hour after the final whistle yesterday. The lads were lucky, because if it was me they would still be there now!

Joey Barton had been expected to some back into the side to replace either Danny Guthrie or Wayne Routledge, but a mysterious groin injury put a quick end to that notion and left us with an unchanged team from the 1-1 draw against Chelsea. West Brom also had their injury doubts, although unluckily for us, all of their injury doubts managed to be fit enough to start the game.

And that showed right from the kick-off as the home side settled into the game pretty much straight away. They had the bulk of the possesion and played some really neat, tidy and incisive football. Newcastle made it easy for them though by standing off them and not pressing at all.

The first chance unsurprisingly fell to the home side as Paul Scharner volleyed over from a narrow angle. Chris Brunt had the next chance but he fired wide from 25-yards. West Brom were creating chances almost at will, so it was even more shocking that we gave them a hand for the next chance when Sol Campbell spooned his clearance against an impressive Somen Tchoyi only for it to fall into the path of Peter Odemwinige who ran through on goal but fired his effort wide.

Newcastle had a couple of half chances through Andy Carroll and Shola Ameobi, but it was certinly not enough to stem the tide of West Brom possesion and they deservedly took the lead on 32 minutes. Chris Brunt found Tchoyi in space inside the box and he cut inside Jose Enrique before curling a left-footed drive past Tim Krul from 15 yards out.

It was no more than West Brom deserved and they could have added to the scoreline before half-time through Tchoyi again or from James Morrision a couple of times. Getting in at half-time at only 1-0 was a blessing, and I stood there in the away end freezing my chebs off in the forelorn hope that Chris Hughton would fire some rockets up the arses of our players.

As it happens our play did improve at the start of the second-half, but it wasn’t to be a lasting trait. Scott Carson, a spectator in the West Brom goal aside from two misplaced clearances, had to be on hand to deny Steven Taylor on 50 minutes. Wayne Routledge put in an inviting cross which Steven Taylor headed goalwards only to be thwarted by a strong hand from Carson.

Carroll then had a chance but he dragged his shot across the face of the six yard box after being pressured by a West Brom defender. Then it was the turn of Jonas who jinked his way into the box and had his cross deflected goalwards only for Cech to clear off the line. Carroll had a rush of blood to the head with the rebound as he wildly fired the ball over the bar when he could have kept possesion and set up another chance for the team.

The game was a bit more even by now with chances coming at both ends. Newcastle were having more of the ball and I really felt that we would be pulling out all the stops to try and get an equaliser. That mission became pointless on 71 minutes when Danny Guthrie fell over on the half way line whilst in possesion. The ball fell to Odemwingie who had a free run on goal and finished cooly past Tim Krul to make the score 2-0 and end the game as a contest.

Guthrie had to be stretchered off after that incident, although the cynical person would have thought that perhaps the only thing that Guthrie was suffereing from would be embarrassment. That was my thought as I watched him sit up until the ball hit the back of the net before collapsing in a heap again. I expect some form of ‘minor injury’ to be concocted by the club. Smith replaced him and got booked roughly ten seconds after arriving on the field of play.

West Brom continued to create chances from then on and could have gone 3-0 up a number of times. They did just that on 88 minutes through Peter Odemwingie. Marek Cech cleverly fed the ball to Odemwingie who rounded Tim Krul to bag himself his second goal of the match.

Newcastle managed to claw back a consolation in injury time through Peter Lovenkrands, but it was arguably more than Newcastle deserved. Most of the lads had stinkers yesterday, but what is more disappointing is the seeming lack of effort on our part.

I don’t know how it came across on TV, but from where I was stood there was very little movement in the side yesterday. In the limited time that we did have possesion there was nobody willing to move into space, although West Brom made it hard for us by hassling us at every opportunity.

With regards to individual performances, you can take your pick really and criticise just about everyone. For me Nile Ranger should get a start now as he is infinately more mobile than Shola Ameobi. Danny Guthrie was shocking aswell as the ball just seems to bounce off him. I know he hasn’t played too much football, but this is basic stuff. Sol Campbell was also poor yesterday. In fact I’ve seen milk turn quicker! Jonas Gutierrez was his frustrating self, Jose Enrique was well shackled by Tchoyi and even Andy Carroll had an off day, although I think he has earned one of them to be fair and it was bound to happen at some point.

Next up for us is Liverpool next weekend, and they love playing against us. One thing is for certain though, three points from that game is a must now in my opinion.

As ever, Howay the lads!

Newcastle United: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Sol Campbell, Jose Enrique, Wayne Routledge, Cheik Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez, Andrew Carroll, Shola Ameobi.

Subs: Ole Soderberg, Tamas Kadar, James Perch, Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands, Nile Ranger, Alan Smith.

West Bromwich Albion: Scott Carson, Gonzalo Jara, Paul Scharner, Gabriel Tamas, Marek Cech, Somen Tchoyi, James Morrison, Graham Dorrans, Jerome Thomas, Chris Brunt, Peter Odemwingie.

Subs: Boaz Myhill, Giles Barnes, Simon Cox, Ibanez Pablo, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Steven Reid, Nicky Shorey.

Attendance: 23,486.

NUFCBlog Author: toonsy toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.

Related Posts:


43 Responses

  1. I think gutless really can’t summaries how bad the match yesterday was.

    But positive point is that Lovekrands(another striker) finally scores,and i hope he finally can start his season now.

    so we have 3strikers scoring.

    And Let’s hope the team works their problem and win big against liverpool.

  2. And I guess Guthrie will either be drop or “injured” for the liverpool match.

    and i am praying hard both barton and Nolan(Scouses) can play against the Fool’s.

    Start Lovekrands and Carroll for next match pls.

  3. A poor squad is coming back to haunt us.

    The players look tired and it doesn’t matter what you do, if your legs give in, you’re fcked!

    Still, there’s always January…

  4. Hughton needs to look at himself as well as the players and some of the players need a huge kick up the backside and making the listless Shola captain is just sending the wrong message out.
    Maybe the rest of the team saw the Cpt having a stroll and followed suit.

  5. Rumours circulated before the bolton game of a fall out between Nolan and Hughton and then all of a sudden Nolan is injured. We expect barton back and once again unexpectedly Barton is injured. Looking at that team yesterday they completely lacked passion. i hope we are not going back to the dark days. I know people will say this is an over reaction but until Hughton is offered a new contract I really feel that we are in limbo. It must be frustrating for all concerned not knowing what the future holds. Come on Ashley make a decision before it`s too late.

  6. Hughton must be backed he has done wonders with what he has got. The guy needs help in the form of an assistant lets get behind him on this site and show our support for him.

  7. This might not sound too silly given the nature of the total lack of effort shown against the Baggies but why not put both lover and the ranger up top against Liverpool . We can,t be any worse off can we.
    The point being that we have so many fit players not getting a run out these days. Remember what happened at the Bridge in the cup. I know they had the reserves out that day but the fitness and desire to impress had a lot to do with the win.
    We,ve had the same eleven out now for some time and maybe it,s time for a forced rest. HWTL.

  8. Shola! He has ability but one good game in 10 (if we’re lucky) just isn’t worth the risk. Starting the game with 10 men (as is the case with Shola in this form) will always leave tired legs elsewhere and has been said elsewhere giving him the skippers armband can’t sit well with those who work their socks off for the team. In our current form we can’t afford his lack of effort – it rubs off on the others.

  9. I mentioned it yesterday and someone also elaborate our apparently over-croweded mid-fielders seems to be in a injury-crisis and shortage.

    Alan Smith seriously should reconsider on his choice as a defensive player.

    And we only have 3 mere strikers scoring atm.

    we need better wingers.

    Anyone agree with my suggestion that perch should play as DM instead?

  10. – and so the rumours start – unrest in the dressing room. I won’t believe it and don’t even think it as the media will have a field day given the history of our club. At the same time I would be disappointed if everything was sweetness and light in the dressing room just now. There has to be a reaction to remotivate the players who have done so well so far. All teams have a dip at some point – Chelsea are on a similar run as us – but it is those who are quickest to turn things around who succeed. We have not become a bad team in three weeks. Believe! HWTL.

  11. Carroll has to start against the bin dippers. I’d personally give Vuckic a go if Guthrie, Nolan and Barton are all out like. We’ll probably go with Smith but why not even give Vuckic 45 mins? Tell him theres nee pressure on him, go out and see what he can do. He can’t pass a ball any worse than any others!
    As for Hoots, he apparently kept our lads locked up in the dressing room for well over an hour on Sunday, hopefully gave them a proper bloody earful because we were woeful!

  12. I never criticise hoots but now I have got to, makng shola captain is a disgrace is the lazyiest player in the world, guthrie isn’t good enough at this level c the difference in his crosses to brunts, 2-0 down guthrie injuryed yea akno bring on smith for christ sake shud of brought on best n ranger, n as for inquest in dressing room how bout havin the players fired up b4 kick off, certain players arnt up for it Like guthrie n jonas but coz they kno no replacement they get away with no being dropped time to use some kids

  13. I don’t want to strt rumour but marin oneil was on radio yesterday sayin he’s refreshed n has a job lined up for January, hoots lack of contract makes u think

  14. Yes we had some players missing, but that aside, the thing is the manager dictates the way you play and the personnel you draft in to cover the injuries.

    Hughton has us playing more long ball than Allardyce. It really is pathetically predictable and painful to watch week after week.

    We all knew Guthrie wasn’t up to it and when he allegedly got injured, who does CH put on when you’re looking for goals – brainless moron Smith !!!!! Surely we could have taken a punt on Vuksic starting.

    Similarly after Strolla, as usual, couldn’t be asked, CH puts on Lovenkrands instead of Ranger !!!!

    How Guttierez keeps his place is totally beyond me. He loses possession, seemingly nearly every time he has the ball. Again why not take a punt on Ferguson. He couldn’t be any less productive and probably way more motivated.

    Sol looked like old father time yesterday. Again could kadar have been much slower or immobile?

    This team can’t pass the ball or move in to space. They’re like a bunch of static,unfit zombies caught in the headlights. There’s nothing played on the deck at all now. No one has taught Carroll how to make runs behind the defence and we have no playmakers or Beardsley types to dribble through or play any through balls.

    CH is a good man manager, you can’t fault him there, but in my opinion, he is :-

    over cautious
    has his ”untouchables”
    plays way too much long ball
    won’t play youth
    has No plan B
    has made some poor signings
    is too nice and takes No hard line
    keeps Repeating previous mistakes.

  15. Vuckic is still injured peeps, so I kind of guess that would hinder him starting. I’m pretty sure that Ferguson isn’t fit either although I’m not certain on that one.

    Research people….

  16. A
    ngel (9)
    Think putting Perch in the middle would be a disaster.He,s in more books than epilogue at the moment and there,s not much point in having him suspended again. Having said that, something has to happen . HWTL

  17. Watched game out here in sunny Pattaya, Thailand, and it was embarressing!
    no pace or vreativity, long ball hoofs up field!! so many players not upto representing our great club!

    Guthrie = clueless and slow
    Campbell = slow
    Jonas = ??? wat does he do away from home??
    Ameobi = back to wat we know, poor!

    needs a major shake up before saturday, im back from hols for that game and will be there, but 3 points is a must now! CH must make big changes in both personnel and temperement, have the lads become complacent following the clubs announcement of no new players in January??

  18. I understand the criticism of the players and CH, but are we really saying that CH should go??

    Only a few games ago, he was our saviour … a solid manager and the future for the club.

    Remember there were some on here talking about european football being a possibility when we were up in the top 6.

    Also compared with other clubs our summer signings were very good and everyone here agreed that any club would have welcomed HBA and Tiote into their squad.

    At present we are suffering from injuries to key players. Name me one team outside the top 6 that wouldn’t struggle in such circumstances.

    Don’t get me wrong, we were woeful yesterday and WBA deserved the win but come on fella’s a little perspective is always useful … ;)

    HWTL

  19. Nick Dryden says:
    December 6, 2010 at 9:21 am

    CH is a good man manager, you can’t fault him there, but in my opinion, he is :-

    over cautious
    has his ”untouchables”
    plays way too much long ball
    won’t play youth
    has No plan B
    has made some poor signings
    is too nice and takes No hard line
    keeps Repeating previous mistakes.

    that’ll be a lot to do with him trying to run the club on his – lonesome – if we had a half decent owner he we be insisting on a top qaulity number 2 be appionted without delay.

    but where do you get one for the wage of a – sports direct – shop manager ??

    if you want to blame anyone then blame fat ash.

  20. All the problems stem from our piss poor midfield.
    Gutthrie should never wear the number 8 shirt ever again.
    No comparisson to the best number 8 ever. Feckin disgrace.
    Easter island statues have more movement than our team.
    I am seriously worried for the rest of the season. only 4 points above relegation slots!!! Where are the points gonna come from.
    Oh yeah, we gonna beat cesspool! Spurts! Manc Shitty!
    Think again peeps. could seriously end up with 0 (zero) points this month.
    Cant believe I was hoping for a scum win yesterday just to keep the 3 w’s at the bottom.
    Start praying.
    And dont get me started on Capt wonderful. Ha wot a joke.
    :( :(

  21. Got no problems with CH per say, his hands are virtually tied with player selection. But the Lads playing are letting him down big style. Something deffo going on with Nolan/Barton imo.
    sounds like unrest. Very worrying.

  22. Can we really blame the players? It might just be that their not good enough.

    People have totally underestimated this league. Its on a different planet to the Championship yet we still seem to think its not. Bizarre.

  23. I think the disappointing thing is that for the first time this season we have started to look like losers. That started at Bolton, but it needs to stop now.

    We have proved that we CAN get results in this league, but we need to show it on a regular basis. Injuries and suspensions don’t help but if we can get some of our regular first team players back shaprish then we still have enough to stop up in my opinion.

  24. Again,
    no creativity in MF, defense was a mess, that’s what you get.
    ‘Defended’, if that’s what can call it it, way too deep, showed way too much respect to a average team.
    We just can’t get the ‘respect’ thing correctly balanced.
    We get ‘up’ for ‘big’ games & get stuck in, but show either not enough or too much respect to average, beatable teams.
    I know we have injuries/suspensions but we shoulda had enough to come away with something yesterday.
    Bah! Humbug!

  25. Krul : Did ok… Didn’t really do much wrong.
    Jose : Poor performance – didn’t run and sometimes got caught in posession…

    Sod it… They all played crap apart from Tiote…

    Carroll was bloody rubbish!!

    Argh frustrated… Liverpool probably gonna hammer us!

  26. The knives are really out today it would seem. Sheesh!

    Like I said yesterday, it was a shocking and lazy performance from our lads. Heads seem to just drop upon the realisation that West Brom were gonna fight tooth and nail for every inch of space.

    Guthrie really struggled under pressure and merely passed square for the whole time he was on. I felt sorry for him as he is seriously lacking confidence right now. I said when we signed Gosling that Guthrie will probably be offloaded. After yesterdays performance I am almost certain of it.

    Our wingers were bad, especially Jonas. However, some of that is down to how hard West Brom worked on the flanks. Tchoyi and Thomas were defending one minute and then threatening at our end the next.

  27. Martin Oneil is off to wolves. So don’t get angry or get your hopes up, depending on how you feel about Hoots because he’s not leaving.

  28. Agreed Batty.

    Course we can blame the players because we have seen what they can do – albeit from time to time… Well not so often. OK maybe once in a blue moon.

    But they showed no fight. It was like a performance from 2 seasons ago – no spirit, no desire and a distinct lack of any quality

  29. Micky – I hope u r right. I hate Cock oneill anyway. Also I want to keep hoots here. He just needs a longer contract and a bloody good assistant alongside him.
    But I really want to know what has gone on between him and the scouse lads, cus something aint right at the mo.
    Keeping the Faith, but its hard at times.
    HWTL

  30. it was just a really shite day in the office. Maybe it’s turning the other way, shit away, decent at hyem, wishful thinking?

  31. Lets put things into perspective , we all on here said at the start of the season staying up is all that matters and we are currently in 11th place . Yes yesterday was shocking but we did have all our best midfielders out and our 2 first choice CB’s . I dont believe the rumors starting up that their has been fallouts and dressing room unrest . IMO CH put out a team yesterday that he thought could do a job and they let him the supporters and themselves down badly . IF Barton is carrying a knock then CH probably thought lets not risk him and have him fit for the Liverpool game , Nolan it was reported last week would be back for that game and yesterdays game was too early for him . SO lets not start reading to much into it yet lads and lasses . One thing that yesterday proved was that a number of our players just aren’t premiership players imo Ameobi , Routlidge and Smith should all be sold in january and jonas given a chance on the right side of the field . Ranger too replace shola and Lovenkrands given a run out at LW . we also need to at some point use Best and Xisco , after all we are paying them and they are part of the squad , they cant do any worse than Shola can they ?

  32. CH has a horrid problem. His best 11 can paly with anyone in the league. After that, the squad would have troubles in the Championship. If you were in CH’s shoes, would you have made any changes from the Chelsea draw other than bringing Joey B back in? I’d venture not. What happened on the field was the second and third line players fell to their level and the result was predictable after five minutes. NUFC was playing not to make mistakes. It was rope-a-dope football. Hang on, take the shots, and maybe get lucky. This was uninspiring and as soon as WBA put one in, the party was over, as there was no attacking quality or speed at CH’s disposal to bring on to rev things up.

    What we now know for sure is that as insufficient as some of the players are, those further down the pecking order have not shown CH they are ready for the EPL.

    The squad will improve with the ending of suspensions and injuries, and I’m sure management has been taking notes on who will be around and who will be finding new places to ply their trade.

    Howay the lads.

  33. O’Neil doesnt have the stomach to manage a team like Newcastle. He prefers teams without much ambition so as theres no pressure ( celtic aside ). having said that though he is an excellent manager and id welcome him with hoots as number 2….

    TTBaWA

  34. I agree with the above point on the lack of quality we have in the squad, we are carrying extra baggage that we have no use for and thats always costly. Smith, Ameobi, Routledge, Simpson, Guthrie, Campbell, Best, Ryan Taylor, Gutierezz and Steven Taylor all need the boot. Steven Taylor wants a big money contract thats he’s just not worth, as a centre half I think he’s shocking and only the fact he’s a local has softened fans opinions of him. Time and time again he gets caught out of position and has no clue how to hold a line. Xisco for me is the biggest waste he is a top player I can see him up beside Carroll with a run of games I think goals would flow between them. The problem we have though is out wide there is a lack of creativity and nobody who can actually cross a ball, imagine the difference between Guttierez and Laurent Robert, Routledge and Nobby Solano. Both the first two work hard on the wings but theres never any product. Why not have a look at Pederson from Blackburn, he wouldnt cost much and he’s a lot better than what we’ve got in that position. Even if we got a good leftie and put the Gutierrez on the right it might shape the side a bit better. Ameobi needs a boot in the arse enough said.