Player Ratings: Newcastle Vs Stoke… Hat-Trick or Treat Special!
Posted on November 2nd, 2011 | 65 Comments |
Watching Tony Pubis ‘kick off’ because of our defenders using their (Stoke’s) tricks, er, tactics at throw ins. Namely, taking time to dry the ball with the towels provided for Rory Delap’s thunderbolts. He must have thought double drat when Ryan Taylor actually produced some howitzers of his own; nice one Ryan.
He (Pubis) also looked ‘put on the spot’ and decidedly uncomfortable when asked by the reporter about Stoke’s reticence to buy Demba “ticking time bomb” Ba when they had the chance recently.
All in all, Stoke were ‘out Stoked’ in a game that made them look perticularly ordinary and belied their terrific and enviable home record. Newcastle took the game to them, put them under constant early pressure and were rewarded for their endeavour with a 2 goal half time lead.
Most of Stoke’s lads were rendered anonymous for large tracts of the game. The ref seemed to ‘help’ Stoke back into the game in the second half with what looked a very innocuous penalty, but to his credit, he seemed to ‘even it up’ just 6 minutes later, handing Demba Ba the opportunity to complete a ‘perfect’ hat-trick from the spot.
Pulis had obviously set an ‘H’ bomb off under his team during the break, let alone ‘give them a rocket’. But the ref did seem to hand them a few easy free kicks and various decisions. No matter, the lads kept their focus and saw the game out, registering an excellent away win. It was just a pity we didn’t get the clean sheet that our courageous defence would have throughly deserved.
So, time for some player ratings:
Defence
Tim Krul 8: Was always there when required, grabbed crosses, launched throw-ins and the like and would not be put off amidst some ridiculous pressure at throws and corners. Totally surrounded most of the time, whilst being bumped and baulked for his trouble. Excellent concentration! Only smudge being some of his kicks.
But hey, he needs something to learn!
Danny Simpson 8: Quite possibly his best and most complete game for us; great work! Had Pulis absolutely ‘stottin’ with his ironic ball drying routine.
Keep it up kidda!
Fabricio Coloccini 8: Yet another imperious display from our leader. Cool under pressure, productive with the ball, great marshalling of the defence. Top left footed diagonal cross to Best to set up the second goal.
New contract please!
Steven Taylor 8: Got stuck in all over place. Blocked, passed, headed away and was also on hand just in case Demba missed his second goal. Wasn’t out muscled at corners etc, and kept his cool.
Ryan Taylor 8: Even though Stoke had orders to bombard him down our left, particularly in the first half, he would not let them pass. He took a few ‘hits’ on the night but still got up and put in a great shift.
Again, upset Pulis with the towel and his own ‘bomb-like’ throw in.
As you can see, I gave the whole defence an excellent “8” individually, but I’d really give them a 10 collectively as they really were greater than the sum of the their parts, Truly excellent defending!
Midfield
Jonas Gitierrez 8.5: Wow! What a game from the lad, helping out Ryan down the left, taking the pressure off while still providing an out ball. Not as effective going forward for that reason, but what a shift. Jonas is playing like a man possessed at the moment.
Long may it continue!
Yohan Cabaye 8: Another good solid performance form Yohan. Didn’t get to shine too much in a tough away game but played neat passes all night long, even without his usual partner, Tiote.
Danny Guthrie 8.5: Excellent game by Danny! Came in to fill the unenviable boots of Tiote and put in a storming display. He’s come back fitter and better than ever.
It must make Toon fans sleep a lot easier knowing that when Tiote goes to the African Cup of Nations in January, we have a guy who will produce this kind of game. I honestly think he ever so slightly out did Cabaye in this one.
More like this Danny!
Gabriel Obertan 8: Quite possibly Gaby’s best game in the Black ‘n’ White too. Great, deft cross to find Ba for the first, upset their back line every time he got at them. Looked like he was loving it too. Was our main outlet due to Jonas’ defensive duties on the night.
Really starting to find his feet now.
Forwards
Leon Best 8: Held everything up he was given, flicked on to Obertan for the first. Pressured their defenders constantly. Laid on the second, albeit, a slightly scuffed shot, but took the ball down by juggling with head and chest. Then won the penalty, when he was obviously pushed and to his credit, didn’t flop like a nancy, a la a certain stick man at the other end.
Denba Ba 9.5: What can you say? Another hat-trick or treat! In fact, a ‘perfect’ hat-trick, left foot, right foot, header. Still had plenty to do to cushion the first one back into the net, contorting himself, great control. Nice easy ‘stab’ tap-in for the second, in the right place at the right time. Finally, a well taken penalty to take the pressure back off the team and effectively ‘kill’ Stoke off just as they were getting all the breaks.
The only reason he doesn’t get a 10 is because he was the one adjudged to have ‘felled’ Crouch, and like last time, I’m saving it for when he gets 4 in a game.
Man of the Match!
The subs didn’t have much time to make much of an impression, but they played their part in a great away win. Well done Perch, Sammy and Gosling.
Alan Pardew got it spot on, and some of the teams who have gone before us will perhaps be wishing that they’d approached it like we did.
Special mention for the amazing away support, they really got into the game and it was great to hear a pin drop for most of the match from the home support. The team kept the Britannia Stadium about as quiet as I’ve heard for many a game.
Nice!
Overall, a top all round team away performance with no losers, don’t ya’ think?
Stroll on Everton!
Howay the Lads!
NUFCBlog Author: CLiNT FLiCK
Cut me in half & it'll say Newcastle United F.C. just like a stick of Black 'n' White rock!
CLiNT FLiCK has written 42 articles on this blog.
Brilliant game! Lets stay third with a win on saturday. :D