Match highlights, post match reaction and match report from Newcastle United’s 1-0 away victory against Preston North End at Deepdale on Monday, 23rd November.
For post match interviews and NUFC ‘Blog’s match report, click on the links below (opens in new window) (more…)
Having committed my pocket money to the upcoming Barnsley and Sheff Wed encounters, I had to make do with a seat in front of the Sky cameras, and after an hour I was grateful for my decision-making. With Hughton initially opting for a 4-5-1 formation, Andy Carroll presumably being supported by the roaming Nolan, he was forced to make changes even before the kick-off as Ryan Taylor apparently pulled a calf muscle in the warm-up.
So Newcastle started with the same side that beat Peteborough, what seems almost months ago now after the international break. And of course with the more traditional 4-4-2, Newcastle fans were probably hopeful of a slightly more cavalier approach, compared to previous games away from St James’ this term. But in a first half that proved once again that this level is a million miles from the quality in the upper elechons of the top flight, we struggled to make an impression on an average looking Preston. (more…)
Nolan seems to have settled nicely into his attacking midfield/backup striker role and managed to pip Leicester City’s Matt Fryatt to get the award. Furthermore, Alan Smith claimed 4th place in the voting.
The full results were – Keven Nolan: 24.56%, Matt Fryatt: 21.85%, Peter Wittingham: 12.21%, Alan Smith: 9.63%, Michael Chopra: 3.66%, Others: 28.09%.
Gary Speed, speaking before the Blades game, paid tribute to Nolan:
“We don’t need to be reminded how dangerous Kevin is. He’s got a great eye for a goal.
“He is a great player and I speak to him quite a bit. I enjoyed the couple of years that I played alongside him and I thought we complemented each other well.
“He is a leader on the pitch and gives 100 per cent in every game and on the training pitch. He is a good footballer and it is no surprise to me than he has been banging them in this season.” (more…)
“It’s vital we get back up at the first attempt. You look at what’s happened to my old club Leeds United to see the damage that is done if you stay down for a few seasons. Hopefully they are on their way back.
“Sheffield United are similar, a huge club outside the Premier League. Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich, Nottingham Forest are all the same.
“It’s massively important to get back up as soon as possible. If we don’t get promoted you always have the risk of players seeing a future elsewhere. If we don’t get promoted this season we will have failed.”
In an honest self-appraisal Smith admitted that he’s not the player he used to be.
“I am an honest person, I know that I’m not as good as I was, simple as that.
“I know I’ll never be able to get back to as good as I was in terms of that two to five per cent that takes you to the very top – international level, Champions League level.
“I could still play there but my injury will restrict me from competing at the very highest level.
“As soon as I did my injury I knew that. I spoke to [Sir] Alex Ferguson about it and we both knew that it would be so difficult to play at that standard, week in week out.” (more…)
Tonight looks at arguably the fulcrum of a successful team, the midfield, the place that could and should control a game and dictate the style of play. That doesn’t bode well for our side at the moment because arguably, we have a midfield full of players who are very similar and lack pace. Therefore, the pace is often pedestrian and the game often goes stale.
Looking at the current crop, it really makes you pine for some of our former midfielders who have graced the hallowed St James’ turf in the last couple of decades. Reminisce about the grace of French wingers David Ginola and Laurent Robert. Recall the guts, determination and drive of Robert Lee and Gary Speed. Consider the guile we had in Emre, albeit fleetingly, and the sheer brilliance of Nobby Solano. Even having pure pace ala James Milner, Keith Gillespie to worry the opposition. You can even look at some of the less popular characters. We would kill for the pace of Kieron Dyer and dare I say, I could forgive Jermaine Jenas. Possibly even Damien Duff is a big miss? Maybe that’s stretching it…..
Anyway, that was the past, what about the present? – (more…)