Friday night lights!In a game that appears to bear the hallmark of our ‘The Entertainers’ period, with breathtaking attack and heart-attack inducing defending, England U21s nonetheless came out victors with Newcastle’s Andy Carroll playing a starring role in a 6-3 win.
The game was played at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena and a reasonable crowd of 20,000+ turned out to watch the action and saw the youngsters throw away the lead twice before turning the screw on their Macedonian counterparts. Theo Walcott went off with a dead leg and will be a doubt for the full squad for the game against Belarus.
There were a number of good performances in a pulsating affair but some questionable defending which will have left Pearce seething. But of course the main focus for us in the game was young Andy C and he didn’t disappoint with a brace in the second half. (more…)
Sing in the cheap seats!You could be excused for forgetting there was a football match going ahead this afternoon. After the findings of the arbitration yesterday, all the talk has been of last summer and deliberation over whether everyone is happy with the outcome of ‘the affair’. Well I took full advantage of my dodgy knee and got to another game this season.
I’d decided for this game, partly due to circumstance and partly through choice, to get tickets in the Leazes Corner and as we stepped out of Central Station and the sun shone, the wind seemed to help to blow away the cobwebs of the protracted tribunal. My thoughts being that Keegan had been vindicated and with every day that passed and every victory notched we could step closer to a sale and moving on.
A quick one in O’Neills and some banter with Bristol City fans, most of whom declared they’d be happy with a draw, and we were off to Tilleys before picking up the tickets. After another couple in Tilleys, we navigated the pre-paid ticket queues without too much hassle and headed to the turnstile. Two or three hundered steps later we were out amongst the fans. (more…)
The new Big Al?If Hughton is thinking about Newcastle United’s striking options on Saturday and getting a headache, I’d implore him to take five minutes out to rest his weary head and then make an informed decision. To partner Nile Ranger and Marlon Harewood upfront.
That’s not a reflection of Andy Carroll’s recent form, which has been good and admittedly somewhat above my expectations. However, I just feel that Nile Ranger, despite his tender years, has what it takes to make it in the game and certainly has enough at this level. For me, he has had a major impact since feeling his way into the team and is growing in confidence with each outing.
Ranger has pretty much everything you’d want from a centre forward. He has bags of pace and is really quick off the mark. For a young lad he is incredibly strong and is effective at holding the ball up. He will improve over the years but even now he has demonstrated intelligence in making good runs and is willing to get on the end of things. (more…)
You'd think 'direct' would be our mottoWell that’s certainly how it felt. I’ll cut to the chase on this one because I’ve got my GNR preparations and an early night ahead of me. And frankly most of today’s game was instantly forgettable. From Enrique’s elaborations, to Joey Barton’s wonky radar and then over to a lop-sided and blunted formation, there was much to brush under the carpet come 4.50pm this afternoon.
However, thanks to a timely substitution, the endeavour of young Ranger and the fact that Plymouth were on the whole pretty horrible, we walked away with three points and a slightly flattering scoreline. And given that results went our way, we’re sitting quite comfortably behind West Brom who hammered the Smogs 5-0 at home.
Hughton promoted Geremi and Lovenkrands into the starting line-up amidst raised eyebrows in the Upper Tier of the Sir John Hall stand. Although there was a general acceptance that Butt should be replaced by Smith in the middle of the park. The new fella started on the bench. And once again we went with an uninspiring 4-5-1 approach to the game. (more…)
