Match Thread- Newcastle United Vs Aston Villa

[Villa'Zawg]

Ridiculous first half.

I don't understand why we appeared to be playing out the first half.

The only dice to throw in from the bench is NRC and Heskey/Fonz.

We could get back in to this but hearing Keegan tak about 6 or 7 makes me want to puke.

[Steve Z]

Bring back Sir Brian

[citizenDJ]

Well, some dreadful stuff there. It was always going to be a tricky game (Newcastle first home game etc etc), but we really have looked terrible in places.
I really think the formation is the first balls-up; Ireland is wasted as it stands, and with Petrov charging forward then we have noone to break up their play. Reo-Coker on, and switch to 4-5-1, would immediately halt that, I think.
Carew is using up any goodwill I held for him very rapidly with this sort of lumbering performance.
I've never been that convinced with Luke Young, and today he has been quite appalling in my view; shoddy tackling, poor positioning.

I'm probably reading too much in to this, but I can't help but think that the players looked a little lackadaisical at the start of the match, and I wonder if that's an issue with no manager (permanent)? I'm always suspicious when players start pleading for their choice of manager - is that the right relationship between manager and players?

Ah well, well see if there's an improvement in the second half - there better be!

[BILL DE VALL]

Where was Barry for the penalty   

JC wanted to get off the mark -can't blame him for that
can blame him for skyrocketing it over

[garyshawsknee]

Well the bubble after last week has been completely annulated,a clean sheet and a couple of goals is a must for the second half.

[steve.t]

Midfield to light weight and its to late to fix it now. Carew can shite off I was one of his biggest fans but he is seriously taking the piss now. Get NRC on for downing push ashley out wide and let ireland push on. Heskey on for the norwegian Donkey!

[Steve Z]

Lets see what we are made of for the second half, We'll see what Kev Mc can do now

[DaveD]

If Emile Heskey is the answer, you're asking the wrong question...

[taylorsworkrate]

As much as there may be to admire in our attacking play, it doesn't matter if you can't defend and get completely overrun in midfield whenever the oppo have the ball.  5 players in midfield and every one of them is only interested in attacking.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the line up never boded well.  I suppose this may at least force our hand into buying a quality defensive midfielder or two. (although we already have a reasonable one who should be playing).

Other observations:

1. What the hell has happened to Warnock, how the hell can you get ripped apart by fuckin Wayne Routledge.

2. Why is Clark the one continously challenging Carroll.  He can't cope with his physicality, Dunney take some responsibility.

3. Mr Carew, your one quality performance in 5 doesn't excuse your patheticness in the other 4, either show some heart or fuck off.

This games gone now, but at least show in the second half that as a team we can learn from our mistakes. 

[curiousorange]

We're virtually playing 4-2-4 and we're being overrun. I only hope that's the last time Friedel picks the ball out of his net.

[PeterWithesShin]

Thank feck Petrov was rested in midweek, I dread to think what he runs like if he's a 'bit tired'.

[andyh]

Carew is slowly but surely turning into another Heskey.

[eastie]

Anyone else thinkin randy's holding back on a manager to save money and not have to buy anyone in the transfer window- he's had 2 weeks we are told loads of applications - so why the hold up randy?

Today has shown keV mac as a good coach and nothing more than that.,,rather than holiday in milan randy should be liking for a manager!.

[Steve Z]

Midfield to light weight and its to late to fix it now. Carew can shite off I was one of his biggest fans but he is seriously taking the piss now. Get NRC on for downing push ashley out wide and let ireland push on. Heskey on for the norwegian Donkey!

Its not to late at all, we dominated them in the first 15 - 20 minutes, Look at the goals, defensive errors, the defence was shit, Emule on for Carew, sorry but ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[BILL DE VALL]

the basic problem we will have in the second half is that newc will sit deep,deny us the space to run in behind
 and make us unpick them, then hit us on the break

be prepared for a lot of midfield slogging