The match had, rather harshly in my opinion, been billed as our first real test of the season and despite the fact that we only managed a draw I think it’s fair to say that we passed it and that there are clear signs of progression at the club.
Alan Pardew named an unchanged side for the fourth game in a row and resisted the urge to call upon Davide Santon, Hatem Ben Arfa or Sylvain Marveaux who had to make do with a spot on the bench despite calls from some quarters to change things around.
This match showed the spirit that the team have currently, and there were signs of our more flamboyant side at times as Newcastle threatened to take all three points towards the end of the game. We pegged Tottenham back twice and in the end could have had three points for our effort but it wasn’t to be and a point a piece, along with top four consolidation, was the overall result of the day.
Most of the first half was played away from each respective goalmouth and both sides rarely threatened or looked capable of breaking the deadlock. Neither side really mustered an attempt on goal although it was the away side who struck the first blow courtesy of a gift from the home side just before half-time.
Yohan Cabaye received the ball facing his own goal but was outmuscled by Jake Livermore. Scott Parker pinged the loose ball through to Emmanuel Adebayor who took a touch away from goal only for Steven Taylor to come marauding in and attempt a tackle with his less favoured left foot. The result was a stonewall penalty to Tottenham which Rafel Van der Vaart duly despatched after sending Tim Krul the wrong way.
Half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Tottenham
Newcastle hit back almost immediately after the restart though after great work by Jonas Gutierrez who took the ball past two Tottenham defenders and stood the ball up for an unmarked Demba Ba in the middle of the penalty area. The Senegal international struck the ball straight at Brad Friedel but the power of it was too much for the American to keep out. 1-1.
From then on you could have expected the home side to push on and take the ascendency, but it was the away side who had the better chances. Adebayor went close before Van der Vaart shot straight at Krul and all this was before Jermaine Defoe, on as a sub for Van der Vaart, managed to turn Ryan Taylor and smash the ball into the bottom corner of Tim Krul’s net.
Once again Newcastle tried to get themselves level which made Tottenham into a real threat on the counter attack although they were guilty of not picking the right final ball to punish an usually open Newcastle United defence.
Off went Demba Ba and an ineffectual Leon Best to be replaced by Shola Ameobi and Hatem Ben Arfa. With Frenchman dubbed as some form of super king of the world from some fans I was expecting great things, like the solving of third world hunger for example. However it was Shola who stole the show.
This was Barcelona defying, Mackem slaying Shola at his devastating best and Tottenham just couldn’t cope with him. I can’t actually recall a time where he lost the ball as he twisted and turned the Spurs defence in and out repeatedly. Than came the pièce de résistance just four minutes from time as Shola smashed a left-footed drive past a despairing Brad Freidel and into the back of the Gallowgate net.
From then on there was only ever to going to be one side who went on to win the match as the home side looked to force home their advantage. It wasn’t to be though despite the fact there were chances for us to wrap things as the match finished up 2-2.
If this was our first real test then I have to say that I’m confident we passed it. Newcastle showed great desire to get the point and come from behind twice against a team that are tipped for the top four.
How far can we go? who knows, but I think we have an outside chance of a top six finish providing things keep ticking along nicely. We’ll see though as there is still along way to go and I’m just enjoying each game as it comes.
Wigan at home next!
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez, Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Gabriel Obertan, Leon Best, Demba Ba.
Subs: Rob Elliot, Davide Santon, Hatem Ben Arfa, Sylvain Marveaux, Dan Gosling, Peter Lovenkrands, Shola Ameobi.
Tottenham: Brad Friedel, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Ledley King, Younes Kaboul, Kyle Walker, Gareth Bale, Scott Parker, Jake Livermore, Luka Modric, Rafael Van der Vaart, Emmanuel Adebayor.
Subs: Carlo Cudicini, Sebastien Bassong, Danny Rose, Andros Townsend, Giovani Dos Santos, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Jermain Defoe.
Referee: Lee Probert.
Attendance: 46,420.
Cracking game today like.
Atmosphere was next to nothing as well.
Class day out and bring on Wigan.
HOWAY THE LADS
SpencerTheToon(Quote)
Great game to watch really enjoyed it. Think we’ve proved we can compete with the so called big boys after that peformance.
Thought Tiote was man of the match he was everywhere, Jonas was also class. Steven Taylor needs to get his act together because it could have been two pens in a row after his tackle against Wolves, he should know not to go in like an idiot in the penalty box; apart from that I thought he had a solid game. Great to see Santon come on at right back as well. Ben Arfa came on and gave the ball away at crucial moments but I guess to come on as a sub in a game of that pace he was always going to struggle at times, he did have a few clever runs though.
If Obertan starts the next game I won’t be happy at all, Marveaux must be thinking why on Earth is he not starting ahead of him, he was shocking today. He doesn’t even stay out wide when he should and when he gets the ball he seems clueless. I rekon Obertan should be used only to be an impact player to come on off the bench.
Still can’t quite believe the start we have had! 🙂
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Toonsy pretty good post match summing up there Fella 😉 I asked on the last thread but dont think anyone said if they know why Simpson came off, as I never seen him get any knocks or owt ? or was it just a straight sub
Big Dave(Quote)
Think everyone should take a look on this mackem forum, it’s made the smile on my face even bigger 😆
http://www.readytogo.net/smb/forumdisplay.php?f=86
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Straight sub I think Dave, maybe pardew thought he looked tired? or just cause hes ****.
Anyone else heard that Danny Guthrie stormed out the ground before the game? Fucking twonk 😆
SpencerTheToon(Quote)
Andrew yeah he could have gave 2 pens but in the end it was only 1, but in the same 2 games he has cleared 3 stonewall goals of the Line, does that still make him an idiot ❓ tis funny when Colo makes a **** up he gets no abuse over it what so ever 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Great results for me.
Both in that I think Spurs are a great team and also in that I said 2-2 on the predictor 😆
On a side note. I’m thinking about naming my little bairn “Aaron”, like Aaron Hughes. Always liked the name since he played for us and always liked him.
JJ(Quote)
Spence I think Bird or Ryder mentioned it, but TBH im sure he is pissed off at not getting a chance, maybe he should think of a move to keep what I think could be a good career at a lower club alive, because he will just waste away with us, as there is other players infront of him
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave
His goal like clearence was class, thought Taylor has a great game apart from the penatly, he has to learn quickly though because it should have been two pens in two games but he got lucky. I’ll hold my hands up because last season I slated him and said Williamson should play ahead of him, but what do I know 😆
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Just watched the goals again, what the **** was Ryan Taylor doing for defoes goal? He looked like he was dancing or something.
SpencerTheToon(Quote)
Dave @ 3 – Cheers mate 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Saylors saved more goals than given away that’s for sure.
Can’t criticise, he’s been immense with some amazing blocks.
Adebeyour is fast … but not a Spurs player.
Should Premier League teams be allowed to use loan players against clubs not fielding a loan player?
Great game unlucky not to take 3 points.
HWTL
geoff777(Quote)
Andrew I just think Saylor needs a break he is constantly slated for ever we mistake he makes, but some fans never seem to give him the credit he deserves for the good things he does, but are real quick to slate him.
and im not meaning you 😉 just in general.
Big Dave(Quote)
Toonsy credit where credits due 😆 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Great summary. If Ba keeps this up people will be talking about getting rid of the 1 on his shirt (although not me). I’m a shola fan and it’s days like today when I’m glad he’s in the squad. Taylor and Colo will always slip up once or twice during a game, Colo recovers quicker and gets away with it but Taylor doesn’t…I don’t think there will be any more learning from him we just have to accept it.
julio laker(Quote)
http://www.goalsarena.org/video/england-barclays-premier-league/16-10-2011-newcastle-united-tottenham_en.html
rainman(Quote)
Saylor made a mistake but we cannot call him into question! He alongside Colo are making a Strong partnership! For me the Man of Match is Colocinni and Special Mention to Tioté, Jonas Ba and Raylor were good here’s my marks:
Krul 7
Simpson 4
Saylor 5,5
Coloccini 8,5
Raylor 6
Tioté 8
Cabaye 5
Obertan 5,5
Jonas 7
Ba 7
Best 5,5
King SHOLA 10
Blackbartoon(Quote)
Great performance from the lads today. Tiote, jonas and collo were fantastic. My concerns re Obertan were confirmed today. Very quick but lacks control and positional sense. Moving forward we need to address the right wing ‘problem position’. Do we bring Marveuax in on the left and move jonas to the right. Not sure as jonas is playing out of his skin at the moment. Alternatively we could just bring Sammy in to play right wing but then Marveuax is out in the cold???? Mmmmmmmm, thoughts????
Deana(Quote)
Man of the match by a mile was Colo, a furlong behind Tiote.
Toonanti(Quote)
I think Raylor should continue his run in our starting 11 and put Santon at Right Back, because we all know that if he’s not a great defender, the fact that he plays behind Jonas help him, and his free kicks abilities are not insignificant. Simpson should be a Santon’s Backup. Offensively he sucks, he cannot even do a good pass and when he tuch you feel some hesitations by him and just for his professionalism, Raylor deserve to play.
Blackbartoon(Quote)
DEANA jonas plays on the wrong side really,why cannot marv simples 😀
icedog(Quote)
Obrton did not have a great game today but he brings the whole pitch into play. Barton could not do that. It also means that Jonas has more room to work and el galgo is making all defenders queasy with his mazy runs. Like all wingers, Obertan will have good and bad games. But if you watch the game on a replay, you will see he did farr more good than bad out there.
BeeGuy(Quote)
Obertan had a poor game going forward, but he was key in keeping Bale quiet.
I thought Spurs were superb defensively, with only Jonas getting the better of them. Both Obertan and Ben Arfa struggled against Assou Ekotto and Livermore respectively.
After seeing Bassong today, I am glad we got rid. He is terribly positionally and panics on the ball.
The Kid(Quote)
Good game today. Cabaye didnt have a great game same with obertan. Ben arfa was trying to do too much when he came on and messed up most of the time, needs a start against wigan. Same with marveaux and santon. With those three lads we should steamroll wigan next week.
toonbilly(Quote)
really enjoyed this game and i think a draw was fair for both teams.
i think both the fullbacks played well, even though both made a few errors. all raylor did vs defoe was to try and trip him up when the goal was scored and simpson did not provide any offensive presence at all except when he made that run through the middle and when he was on the outside of obertan when he shot, ready to receive the ball. you have to remember how worried everyone was about the presence of bale and to be perfectly honest, both fullbacks completely shut him down, he was almost out of the game. obertan and jonas were both able to keep up with him down the flank when he tried to go on one of his trademark runs as well.
you can tell how desperate hatem ben arfa is to start. he showed off his technical prowess and while the pass was on (and the better option…) he would try and dribble through a few defenders, looking for that spark of brilliance to put him in the lineup. i liked how he was able to play behind shola and shola actually looked fast today…
too bad demba ba and ameobi both had great games, it will be hard to start both, theyre too similar i think
vv44(Quote)
The Kid I never seen much or heard much about Livermore but he looks like a real good player.
Big Dave(Quote)
Actually I though Cabaye worked his socks off against a tough midfield.
Favourite comment from next to me when Shola scored – and also played excellently – “Bloody hell! Have we got 3 Ameobi brothers?”
Magpie6699(Quote)
Yeah exciting game to watch, i think we shaded it and perhaps deserved the three points.
On saying that , against a team that includes people such as Modric, Bale and Abadiore, all big name players.
The game was dominated by the midfield pair of Tiote and Cabaye , one stopping it appeared every attack launched by Spurs, the other providing the pin point passes.
All in all, the fear of Bale dominating on the left was proven to be unfounded, possibly his poorest outing, of course some credit has to be given for the defensive efforts of the Toon.
As for our lineup, not really happy with the one size fits all selection and both Jonas and Obertan were for the most part wasteful in possession, for most of the game.
Yeah I know it was Jonas who provided the first goal and yes he did score in the last game.
My point is and i have heard it echoed by other fans, that a percentage of perhaps one in ten good end products is not enough to guarantee him a permanent role, he can be very frustrating to watch.
His willingness to track back to defend ,is his saving grace however.
As for Obertan equally wasteful in possession, without being a great defender, though he did track back in to-days game (credit for that)
I believe it’s time we started Santon in place of a struggling Raylor, we have Cabaye for set pieces.
That and time to involve both Ben Arfa and Marveaux, in place of Jonas and Obertan, the excuse of not being fit is rubbish, how else do players reach match fitness other than by playing.
But then, what the hell do i know ?
chuck(Quote)
My goodness grief!
How well did we play today?
Absolute solid performance for me.
It looks like my judgement on the players has been wrong.
I know Ben Arfa held the ball up but I honestly believe if he was fit he would have the same impact as Ginola ! That’s how good I rate his control and belief in his ability.
Humble pie at the moment for Stavers! 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Great game and the atmosphere was great in the last ten minutes.
Disappointed with Overtan though, he’s so frustrating and I was begging Pardew to replace him with Marvauex.
Thought Best and Ba did well too, Best held the ball up well with Ba looking really quite classy.
All in all I dont think a point against Spurs is a bad point and if we play like that next week we should beat Wigan easily.
Dunno how Ben Arfa will get in but we need him in there, looked lively and looks like he’ll open defences.
Stuart79(Quote)
Evening Lads,
Wow!!
Great afternoon that was.
Just been reading thru the match comments from the previous thread.
This is the best one for me :-
“ron
October 16, 2011 at 17:19
god i just had a horrible realization..fukin shola is on the bench!!”
Wooo Hooo. What the fuk do we know. eh?
Fantastic finish from the old fella. We had them rattled at the end.
Colo was immense once again as was Jonas.
Cant wait for Archie’s alternative assessment. 😉
That was a great advert for premiership football at its best. Cant wait to see it all again on the tv.
Get in lads. That was a true test alright, and I dont think we were found wanting. Defoe is class still, bastad 👿
Wigan will be shyting themselves lol
Thats the true test tho, gotta put them to the sword next week.
MAGIC.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Troy there is nowt wrong with getting things wrong and in my book it takes a big Man to admit it 😉
Chuck maybe if he didn’t have to do most of Raylors work aswell as his own he would attack more, but considering he has a better assist rate and only one goal less than Benny isn’t bad, considering that in most Fans opinions Benny is going to be a star.
Big Dave(Quote)
There was a moment today where Obertan gave Bale a 5 to 10 yard headstart and still jetted past him. Frightening pace. Obertan did the same role as Jonas today, good team performance from him that might go overlooked.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Dont want to be too critical of our Lads today, but I do agree with Beeguy @22 🙄
Even the best players have poor games sometimes. The key tho is to keep on workin hard, not give in when it goes wrong. Obertan did that for me. All the lads did.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Oberton was sloppy today, but did help out defensively quite a bit. I just think we are all a bit eager to see Marv as he has looked good in the final when he’s come on and has done well for the reserves.
MDS(Quote)
Quality performance for me, we were a little bit pushed in the first half, but second half. FK! Proper entertaining stuff. Was good to see Bananararfa get a bit of game time, he definAtly showed sparks for me (or maybe that was just the glint off his ruby slippers).
Must admit, I was calling for Obertan’s (Alice the Goon, from Popeye) head for most of the game and was surprised he never got taken off. Loses the ball far too much for me.
Massive dolphin-heed sized credit going out to Tiote, and despite the blunder from Saylor, the lad worked his bollocks off from start to finish. Let one in, yeah, but played a big part in not conceding more.
I bet Stardust was giggling in a massive pile of told-you-so **** when Saylor gave away the penalty. Surprised he’s not been on to banish him to the naughty corner actually.
I knew it’d be 2-2, yet I still managed to bet on a Toon win, the stupid **** that I am.
STILL UNDEFEATED!!!!
…all thanks to King Shola 😀 😛 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
Am I alone in thinking Raylor had a decent game today? Yeah he turned by Defoe, but many better players have suffered the same fate.
To me, on today, Santon replaces Simpson at right back.
toonsy(Quote)
chuck disagree aboot jonas think he had another good game ,he reminds me of forest gump he runs and runs and runs 😉
batty(Quote)
Dont know if yous have seen this, but its quite a good read:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thefootballtacticsblog/2011/10/newcastle_profit_from_pardews.html
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
TOONSY said before is there something in simpson not signing new contract 😉 maybe
icedog(Quote)
What people need to remember is that this is the first time Obertan has played against quality players week in and out. He has MASSIVE potential. At the moment, he lacks strength on the ball and decision making. A bit like Nani of a 3 or so years ago. We have to stick with him and wait for him to flourish. He has the physique and raw talent to become a superb talent for us.
The Kid(Quote)
A fair result we can all agree although I can’t help feeling like its 2 points lost after going ahead twice. Fairplay to Taylor for admitting his mistake for the pen in post match interview, good lad.
Honestly believe if we had King on the pitch for the whole game we’d have won and I hope his withdrawl was precautionary and not a serious long term problem.
I said at the start of the game that Defoe should be playing and Bale should not have been on the right and I think HR got it wrong there – you don’t drop a striker in form, especially when its Defoe who is a real confidence player!
Anyway, gripes aside it was a good game with plenty of passion and flair, a few tasty tackles without ever boiling over.
SpursFanInPeace(Quote)
Bats, never had a bad word to say about Forrest. I think he’s the unsung hero of our ‘team’. People just expect more of him from the attacking positions he gets into. He’s always in my squad, LB, RB, RW, LW you name it.
Next game I’d like to see Bananararfa get a start, drop Alice the Goon. And yeah Toonsy, without a shadow get Santon in for Simpson.
Rodzilla(Quote)
Also I agree Toonsy, RTaylor had a great game, and it wouldn’t have been fair to bring him off just to bring Santoon on. Simpson off was the right call imo.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Toonsy, agree about raylor, i thought he looked as composed as i’ve seen him all season.
Also, I know oberton was frustrating but i thought he improved once we injected a bit of pace into the game. Early on he seemed to run only until he got to a player and then pass backwards afraid to lose the ball, but once we opened up a bit he looked very good going forward as well. I did want him taken off at one stage too and he was losing possession but i thought he turned it around well
Dubtoon(Quote)
Beardsleys Boots
Good find, mate.
Toonsy
I make you right. Simpson brings panic to the back line. He will be dropped for Santon as R.Taylor has taken his chance with both hands.
The Kid(Quote)
Jonas was immense in the second half. Obertan has pace to burn. They both contribute a lot to the defensive aspect of the toons performance. That’s why Bale was nullified today., and ffs 25 million pound man Modric spent the whole second half playing out of his skin to try and keep Jonas in check. And what about that man Tiote ? He’s a beast man…
Immense effort today by the lads, against a top Spurs team full of seasoned internationals. Even more proud to be a Geordie than usual today !!
Munich Mag(Quote)
Am I alone in thinking Raylor had a decent game today? Yeah he turned by Defoe, but many better players have suffered the same fate.
To me, on today, Santon replaces Simpson at right back.
———————–
Toonsy you’re not alone. I agree on both counts. Have a feeling Simpson will be gone in January. (And I’m ambivalent about it)
MDS(Quote)
Toonsy your not alone I said during the game that Raylor had done well, even though we were being told that he was going to be raped etc etc before the game 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Ha ha yeah Tiote is a BEAST alright.
Took a booking for the team and then gave Jonas one hell of a bollicking.
Feared the worst when he went down, but he’s no softy, thankfully.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I’d like to see some of the other three get a chance to start against wigan but isn’t the CC match the following midweek (not sure). If so, i think it makes it very easy for Pards to keep the same team and bring them in for that. Either way, trust him to make the right call and wouldn’t be too annoyed whatever he decides
Dubtoon(Quote)
PS toonsy, i think we all know that if you think something positive about Raylor, everyone else must too; some people are harder to please 😉
Dubtoon(Quote)
The Kid@41….you are spot on with Obertan there mate. Just watch this bloke blossom at the Toon.
Also the reason why he runs at plpayers then stops and comes back and passes is called “retaining posession”, which we seem to be doing really well with Pardew this season cos we have so many footballers in the side (Danny Simpson aside cos I’m afraid he often looks uncomfortable on the ball)….
Munich Mag(Quote)
…all thanks to Krul, it could’ve been 2-3 with Raylor’s last minute ‘clearance’, but, credit where it’s due, the ‘no-way-full-back-****-winger’ seems to be settling in nicely. And he takes a mean free kick.
SpursFanInPeace, I was well surprised Defoe never started. And I turned to my mate and said “****, Defoe worries me” as soon as he came on. All said, very good game, hats off to Saylor for admitting he ****** up, and good refereeing. This kind of game is what the Premier League is all about.
I’m confident we can hold our position for a while yet. This game was always gona be a test. I’m just chuffed we didn’t lose!!!
Rodzilla(Quote)
MM, didn’t mean it in a bad way, just that i can see why some get frustrated in situations where there’s a counter attack on, like i said, i think he came good in the end. I think the main problem early on was his control and he lost possession a few times because of that
Dubtoon(Quote)
Dubtoon..no probs, I know where you’re coming from, it is frustrating when he gives the ball away and puts us under pressure. I think the bloke has more to come in the next couple of years, once Pardew introduces a bit more structure and confidence into Obertans play..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Krul is also developing brilliantly, another great performance today…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Lads who thinks we will hear a few Pards chants soon ? , I am really pleased with the way he is going about things.
Big Dave(Quote)
Munich Mag
October 16, 2011 at 21:23
Krul is also developing brilliantly, another great performance today…
———–
Good on ye for pointing that out. I’m afraid I’m already taking Krul’s brilliance for granted which is a shame on my name 😥
Was it me or is he looking so much more assured coming off the line? Distribution improving as well. A rising star that lad
MDS(Quote)
Chuffed with that result today, overall… buzzing when Shola hit the equaliser!! “TOON TOON!!” 🙂
Hoddo(Quote)
Cant understand why Vorm of swansea gets picked ahead of Krul for Holland. ?
Maybe I’m just biased tho.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
MDS, very true, came off the line quickly twice to intercept the ball at the edge of the 18yard box. Still kicked out of play a few times but tbh I’m not too pushed if that side of his game takes a while to develop, I know it can lead to goals and pressure but his control of the area is a much more immediate concern. Wasn’t tested much with crosses today but made a couple of very good saves and a few awkward collections. Dealt very comfortably today with all that was thrown his way
Dubtoon(Quote)
what time’s MotD on?
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB -10
Dubtoon(Quote)
dub 😉
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Can’t wait to watch it over again myself
Dubtoon(Quote)
Dave, I’d give it until at least March mate. Toon fans are notoriously frigid when it comes to manager-love 😛
Rodzilla(Quote)
dave frick off ,iam still walking in keegans wonderland 😆 😆
batty(Quote)
Bats, giviz a gan on yer time machine man.
Rodzilla(Quote)
rod i wish 🙂
batty(Quote)
Seen them in Argos Bats, £7,329.99. In 3024. A think they’d been reduced like. Loads of people taking them back.
Rodzilla(Quote)
😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
That Shane Long looks canny like.
We missed out on summat there 👿
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Respect to you Troy man @ 23 😀
Lobacka(Quote)
BB, who needs Shane Long when you’ve got secret weapon Shola?
…our very own Solksjaer. Very similar in play, and appearance actually. I bumped into them both in Fenwicks a few months ago. Separated at birth or what. If I hadn’t have noticed the birthmark on Shola’s left arm it could’ve been quite embarrassing. 😳
Rodzilla(Quote)