Sideshow Bob hits the spot.A quick trip up to Watford for this North London dwelling Geordie, and my first visit to Watford’s Vicarage Road.
The last time I went to a game with today’s companion was the time we lost 6-1 to Leyton Orient, with my (Arsenal supporting) friend making some choice wisecracks right through the game. Though of course I felt very confident that another drubbing like that wasn’t on the cards, his presence still made me slightly superstitious. We found ourselves ensconsed in the Vicarage Road end, and indeed, the view doesn’t seem bad at all compared with what away supporters get at some grounds, and it seems like a decent enough place. Well it does on three sides anyway, with the currently closed East Stand looking a bit of a mess as it awaits the construction of a supposedly “state of the art” new stand. The supporters seemed fair enough too though perhaps not the most vociferous. On with the game though! (more…)
'Big' miss?If reports in the The Dail Mail are accurate then top goalscorer, Kevin Nolan has joined Newcastle’s list of crocks and misses out on the trip to Watford. With Wayne Routledge a disappointing absence from the first team squad against Preston after a good start to his Toon career, Danny Guthrie almost inevitably moved across to the right. Smith took over his role and Newcastle fans were left frustrated by a narrowing of the play, after we’d played with such freedom on the wings in previous home games.
Tightening things up and narrowing the play away from home is something that Hughton has done throughout the season mostly to effective, if ultimately a little uninspiring, ends. Certainly after the Derby hammering, you imagine he will be more cautious than ever, as proved at Swansea where we played a 4-4-2 but mostly tucked in as a 4-4-1-1. (more…)
Will Chris Hughton roll the dice in the middle of the park?I’m sure I will be met with many in agreement when I say that right now, our main problem is in the middle of the park. It’s a position that blights us in my opinion, filled with high earners and also very over-subscribed. As it stands right now, we have Nicky Butt, Alan Smith, Kevin Nolan, Danny Guthrie, the imminent return of Joey Barton from a long standing injury, and likewise with young Haris Vuckic.
So, what’s the problem?
Realistically, you just have to look at those players and it becomes obvious. 6 players jostling for 2 positions in the starting XI, that’s what I mean about over-subscribed. On paper, you could argue that the players we have in the middle should be bossing this league. The fact is that they are not, be it through old age, lack of form, injury or being played out of position or any other reason for that matter, it’s no excuse for the tame midfield we seem to have at the minute. (more…)
James Linnington before the game?I only caught this on Radio Newcastle so whatever follows is partly second-hand but…
Amidst some baffling officiating, Newcastle’s ‘Wembley Dream’ was shattered by a strong West Brom team who went two better than their plundering at St James’ last Monday, to take them through to the next round of the FA Cup. But the matchday officials can expect lifelong infamy round these parts, as they more than played their part in the fortunes of the victors.
Chris Hughton made expected changes from the 2-2 draw earlier in the week, which saw Tim Krul replace Harper between the sticks, Ryan Taylor come in at right back for the newly-acquired Danny Simpson and Tamas Kadar slot in for Steven Taylor, who appears to have suffered a serious knee injury following a shoddy challenge from Bednar in the previous game. Fabrice Pancrate and Andy Carroll also started, with Lovenkrands understandably being given time away to spend with his family and Ameobi dropping to the bench. The shape of the team changed as we elected for the 4-4-1-1 approach with Pancrate allowing Guthrie to move into the middle with Smith, Gutierrez in his usual wide left role and Nolan pushing in behind Carroll.
West Brom manager, Roberto Di Matteo, had suggested he would also make changes to protect his squad for the priority of promotion, but it was a very familiar starting eleven which ultimately trotted out. And yet despite that, it seems like they lacked the quality and drive on display in the league game. However, in a first half where Newcastle players were again found wanting for some creativity and where a number barely applied themselves, it was West Brom who took a deserved 2-0 lead into the break. (more…)
