[Archived] Rovers 0 Newcastle 3

[thenodrog]

The initial goal - somebody says it was defo a free kick - then why 10 minutes later when Boumsong did exactly the same to Bellamy didn't we get a free kick ?

347798[/snapback]

Cos it was in the box and would have been a penalty. Though it was far 'sturdier' than the Neil incident Riley bottled it.

[thenodrog]

Hughes picked the wrong team and the worrying thing is that I'm not sure he knows what his best team is.  There's nothing wrong with 4-5-1 providing we play the right players in the right positions - it can be an extremely attacking formation when played right.  However, we played it all wrong today.

For an hour not much happened.  Two bad teams scrapped about in midfield, mis-placing passes all over the place, and creating little or nothing in front of goal.  We had a couple of free-kicks that went close-ish, they didn't even have that.  Then Newcastle scored.

I haven't seen the incident on TV yet, but it looked a harsh call to give Newcastle a free-kick on the edge of the area.  Once it was given though the whole ground knew what was coming - a Shearer piledriver.  No-one blocked it and in it went.  One-nil to Newcastle with what was probably their first shot on goal.

Five minutes later they scored again.  A cross from their left was met by a totally unmarked Owen who doesn't miss those.  Terrible defending by us - Christmas Day for the Toon Army.

To be fair to us we showed a bit of character and tried to get back in the game, but it wasn't to be.  Kuqi and Tuigay, shortly followed by Jansen, came off the bench and we created a couple of chances, notably one awful miss by Kuqi, but we didn't do enough.  Even after Newcastle had a man sent off they managed to extend their lead on the break when N'Zogbia beat Friedel cleverly.

A thoroughly miserable afternoon all round really.

It's a daft thing to say when we've been beaten 3-0 but we defended quite well really.  Shearer and Owen hardly had a kick all game but, like the quality strikers they are, they took their one chance expertly.  I think it was Zurab who lost Owen for his goal, and Neill managed to get booked within two minutes for a daft challenge but, other than that, they didn't do badly at all.

All our problems were at the other end.  Reid isn't a right winger.  Emerton is better.  Yes, I said Emerton is better.  Emerton is far from great, but he offers a much bigger threat than Reid will ever do.  Pedersen didn't do enough and we really need him to step up to the plate this season.  He's got the talent but he fails to show it too often for me.

Savage played well in midfield, as did Mokoena, but neither contributed much going forward.  Bentley was disappointing.  He impressed me with his cameo at Bolton and I was expecting more today, but he didn't seem to have the confidence on the ball today that he showed at Bolton.  I think he can play that position he played today (attacking midfielder playing off the front man), but it might also be worth trying him wide-right.

The biggest problem the team had today though was Bellamy.  He's just not a lone striker.  He can't hold the ball well enough and he doesn't battle with defenders.  Obviously he's not going to win things in the air either, all of which meant that any ball played forward just came straight back.  He's a willing runner and will run the channels all day, but he needs someone to play off.

It was a poor home performance today and I believe Hughes got his team wrong. We're in trouble now.  Hughes needs to sort out his best team soon and hope that it performs, otherwise it's going to be a long hard season again.

347822[/snapback]

A most accurate assessment scotty. I mean it. You really need to stick to the football stuff cos you're quite good at it.

[Scotty]

It's unfortunate that after a whole year people like you are still referring back to Souness.  If anything it only highlights how bad Hughes has been, and how bad his team is to watch.

347855[/snapback]

"People like me"? I've hardly ever referred to Souness since he left, and I think you're the one that's brought his name up repeatedly tonight and referred back to his tenure here.

But I agree with you about the lack of emotion regarding the Rovers at the moment. However, I'd extend it to say I feel the same about all football.

We were chatting about this in the pub before the game and it became apparent just how little football we've all watched this season. In season's gone by I'd rarely miss a weekend live match on tv and I'd usually watch at least one midweek game. The games just don't interest me anymore though and now I hardly watch any of them..

[thenodrog]

Not our day as they say.  The Mags must feel that they are the luckiest team in the country.

347785[/snapback]

Sorry........... I've just watched City v Bolton! A 93rd min pen for an average Bolton whilst City had 5 cracking efforts rattling the woodwork. Robbery without violence! Stuart Pierce must have felt like he'd been tied to a tree and shot!

[thenodrog]

We were chatting about this in the pub before the game and it became apparent just how little football we've all watched this season.  In season's gone by I'd rarely miss a weekend live match on tv and I'd usually watch at least one midweek game. The games just don't interest me anymore though and now I hardly watch any of them..

347859[/snapback]

Thats more worrying than empty seats for the 'fat controllers' of footy. Murdoch will be pacing around his cage waiting for contract time.

Whilst we are on about it I'm even noticing desperation in the pundits in trying to sound authorative, innovative and enthusiastic. Le saux's assessment was nonsensical and largely irrelevent to the match, whilst Hansen is simply the worst at the moment. For such a supposed big shot expert analyst he adds sod all that we have not heard before and nowadays seems to frequently get it wrong. imo he's just going through the motions.

Edited September 18, 2005 by thenodrog

[paddyk]

this 4 5 1 debate is something we have been having, tbh managers have seen chelsea play it last year and many have copied it (us included) i hate it!! souness has reverted back to a 442 or when all fit a 4132 with parker as a holding m/f Rovers are not good enough to play it, fact! this is no dig lads as we also are no where near good enough to play it also, if you had players like robben, duff, wright phillips, makale lamps etc it would work, but sadly the auld ruskie has snapped them up, anyhoooo dont be too downhearted we were outplayed and dare i say outclassed in the first half but if you dont take your chances.........imo i would play kuqi up top with bellend just off him, it would be better as we played him just off shearer, he is not a back to goal player, but have him running on the flick ons and you will see the benefit

[Neil Weaver]

Hopeless optimist here. Got to agree with lots of Scotty and DMTP's summaries. Thought apart from the striking dept, we shaded the game (until late on anyway). The difference was Newc had Shearer and Owen - who didn't do a great deal apart from score. Wish we had forwards with that habit though. If - yes, I know, it didn't happen - we'd have got 3 points, folk would be saying that the likes of Nelsen had an excellent game. Oh and one stat you can guarantee won't be headlines in the media : Bad ole Rovers one yellow card, saintly Toon five yellows and a red. At least it looks like we'll have some competition in the bad boys league.

EDIT - and just seen your thoughts paddyk. Fair enough. Agree on the Kuqi/Bellamy point, and cos we don't have decent enough midfielders, I don't know how to make it work unless we get an exemption to allow us to play with 12

Edited September 19, 2005 by Neil Weaver

[Steptoe]

  I think it was Zurab who lost Owen for his goal,

347822[/snapback]

No, it was a rare mistake from Nelsen - backed off and let Owen in front of him. The replay showed Nelsen doing an "air" header as the ball was heading for the corner of the net.

[Alan75]

I woke this morning at 3am and I'm still depressed.

I've tried to find something positive about the game however

ps Was Bentley really making his home debut. Or was it Tugay's invisible friend with the number 29 shirt.

[Nate]

A little bit of over-reaction on here if you ask me - Newcastle had three shots on target - for me that says it all. For the vast majority of the match we were the better team

The initial goal - somebody says it was defo a free kick - then why 10 minutes later when Boumsong did exactly the same to Bellamy didn't we get a free kick ?

4-5-1 for me the jury is out - if we had taken our chances, and had a little more luck we would have won with something to spare - and the discussion wouldn't even be raised.

However - Bellamy and Kuqi (for me) would be an ideal front two. Yes Kuqi will never be a true premiership finisher - but he is quick for a big man and will deflect a lot of attention away from Bellamy to gain him additional space.

Unlike a lot of people on here - and I am still fairly optimistic. Bellamy isn't fully fit - but still showed flashes of the pace that will make a huge difference to the team. Nelsen looked unbeatable for large parts of the match, Friedal has signed a new contract.

Yes, we got beat - but by the better team - hardly. Results like this can sap moral - it is down to Hughes to raise moral again. It is imperative that we put Huddersfield to the sword - as United away doesn't hold much hope beyond a battling draw.

347798[/snapback]

Exactly right.

[Flopsy]

Rovers must play Emerton from the off - how we missed him today

347805[/snapback]

In what way has emerton showed any once of threat this season, other than crappy backpasses to gift goals to the opposition

[RevidgeBlue]

Surely Bentley deserves more than one bad game to make his mark.

Emerton has already inflicted two bad seasons on us.

[bubblerrovers]

Have to say it was great to see how quickly we lost confidence after the first goal and credit must go to the boys for another stunning performance. Some harsh words need to be said as we look so easy to beat. The formation with one up front will not work, was a good idea two seasons ago. Get it together boys, Esp Sav could think of better ways to blow 3.5mill on a complete to$$er.

[Flopsy]

Id love (not going to happen)

to play a 4-3-3 with Reid Savage and Pederseen in Midfield (add Emerton when drunk) and play Jansen/Bentley Bellamy and Kuqi up front kuqi in the centre role with jansen/bentley and bellamy just behind and either side.

That could be interesting or horrible, but hey at least it'll be more fun to watch.

Good to see by the way that Shearer got a great send off. NOW STOP SCORING AGAINST US PLEASE ALAN

[Paul]

..........(add Emerton when drunk)

347880[/snapback]

When he's drunk or when you are?

[waggy]

well yesterday the 3 gingers were guests off bet24,we had a fantastic day out,result apart.

we arrived at the premier suite at noon,was met by john lee and beamo,beamo had a rovers shirt which criag bellamy signed for him.whilst waiting for the rovers photographer,we met robbie savage.bellers is a midget but very polite and made us all feel at ease.

afterwards we were wined and dined in the premier suite,prawn sandwich brigade,and i loved every minute.we watched the game from the top seats in the jw upper fantastic view.

as for the game,newcastle were dire,i reckon they were playing to get sourness the sack.until mike riley gave the barcodes a dubious free kick,which big al has for breakfast they never troubled us.

too lose another goal so soon after the 1st was a killer,the introduction off kuqi nearly made me cry.

ratings

FRIEDAL 6 NOT TROUBLED AND FAULTLEES FOR THE GOALS

NIELL 6 STEADY

ASLYUM SEEKER 6 DITTO

ADMIRAL 5 WORST GAME EVER FOR THE BLUES,BUT NEVER STOPPED TRYING

GRESKO 4 WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAD WE HAD ON LOAN

AXE 5 SHOULD NEVER PLAY AT HOME

SAVAGE 3 USELESS

REID 4 NOT A WINGER

BENTLEY 5 STRUGGLED TO COPE WITH 90 MINUTES

BELLERS 5 NOT FIT

MGP 6 WISH HE WOULD BELT SAVAGE,WHEN HE TAKES THE FREE KICKS

SUBS

TOOGS 7 MUST THINK HUGHES HATES HIM

MATTY 6 ONE EFFORT OF THE LINE

KUQI 6 3 GOOD CHANCES BUT STAGE FRIGHT STRUCK

ATTENDANCE -10

[Flopsy]

When he's drunk or when you are? 

347883[/snapback]

theres an idea, is alcohol a controlled substance? And can players play when pished?

If not the fans'l have to do a flintoff

[promoted2001]

I thought the team played ok on the whole, I thought Savage was great at closing players down but yet again we lacked the ability to score goals and if we fail any longer we can wave bye-bye to the premiership. This is a stark warning for our aim for a draw mentality!

[Presty On Tour]

totally guted!!

must play 4.4.2!!

jansen/bellamy up front!!

fairplay it was sad watching shearer leave ewood for the last time!!

geordies in the cup!!

[philipl]

An interesting revelation from Lee on the official site.

We did not play 4-5-1 yesterday.

It was supposed to be 4-4-1-1 with Bentley in the "hole".

[Flopsy]

a black hole

was he on the pitch yesterday?

[promoted2001]

An interesting revelation from Lee on the official site.

We did not play 4-5-1 yesterday.

It was supposed to be 4-4-1-1 with Bentley in the "hole".

347902[/snapback]

Ah the Hole, the most useless position in the park, we might as well have played 4-5-1!

[92er]

I don't think we can argue with that. Indeed it's what the "newish" fellow on Radio Rovers was saying.

However, he also said that the first 1 had to 100% on his game and that it was a tough role to play-he suggested that Bentley's form in the role was disappointing.

[thenodrog]

An interesting revelation from Lee on the official site.

We did not play 4-5-1 yesterday.

It was supposed to be 4-4-1-1 with Bentley in the "hole".

347902[/snapback]

Thats not a revelation Philip it was obvious that MH was trying to utilise Bellamy's pace with Bentleys vision. Unfortunately the new Bergkamp didn't turn up to provide our 'Henry' with any service. Bentley was obviously aware of the plan and imo trying to play to much to instruction because he treat the ball like a hot potato.....he couldn't get rid of it quick enough on occasion. He was also given too long on the pitch, HT was enough to see that he was ineffective in that role.

[G Somerset Rover]

As theno kinda said, you need to be as good as Dennis Bergkamp to pull of the "hole" role. Bentley should be tried on the right...he couldnt have done much worse than Emo or Reid.

Edited September 19, 2005 by Somerset Rover!