Newcastle United v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[Chipsticks]

The Sun have got our line up a little wrong.

That's brilliant! How on earth do you confuse 'El Ahmadi' with 'Given'?

[Jimbo]

Who's Wellman?

[Monty]

Saw Sky's extended highlights last night. As one of Bent's critics, I should mention how impressed I was with his performance. I would happily take a few less goals in return for the team play he delivered yesterday, much better than usual and he showed he can do it. Great to see Gabby putting the wind up them as well.

I noticed that about Bent yesterday. Got involved more, dropped deeper and won a lot of headers. Whilst still getting in the box. I reckon he's had a bollocking and realised that with Gabby being fit and 2 new strikers coming in Lambert will drop if players are not pulling their weight or are making mistakes (Given).

Showed real willingness to get involved and move off the ball and into space. He did look like he didn't know what to do as soon as he actually got the ball, mind, but at least he's trying.

[paul_e]

I thought yesterday was a very good performance from the whole team and I have to say I'm suprised by the amount of people giving 5s and 6s to players.  7s pretty much all round for me except Guzan and Ireland who I'd give 8 each.

Lichaj looked weaker going forward but was defensively very strong which seems to have been missed by a lot of people.

Holman was generally good but because of the amount of involvement he had he also made more mistakes in possession than most, but was really good to see a midfielder demanding the ball so much, we've not had that for a few years (ditto Bannan who I thought did a great job of anchoring the midfield and always being available for the simple pass).

Finally Bent, I thought he did really well.  He was much more involved and did a good job with his back to goal which isn't his strong point.  The only thing I'd say is that he was getting the ball too deep too often when he was facing goal.  I want him to only take 1-2 touches when he's facing goal as that is what he excels at.  Yesterday he was having to carry the ball a lot because he was getting it 30-40yards out.  If we can start feeding him 10 yards further forward we'll see the goals start coming.  I think Benteke has been signed mainly to facilitate that.

[Percy McCarthy]

Maybe the highlights I saw were kind to him, as highlights tend to be, but I thought there were numerous times when he controlled and kept it well and constructively. This is from someone who thought Tranmere was a nadir for him.

[olaftab]

That's brilliant! How on earth do you confuse 'El Ahmadi' with 'Given'?

Given time Shay may well develop into a midfield general!?

[Mazrim]

The Sun really is an abyssmal publication.

[olaftab]

Who's Wellman?

Well man he is Holman!
From the obvious mistakes  here it's clear to see why the Press and Radio talk crap!
I was listening to Talksport and they announced that N'Zogbia has come on to replace Ireland and 10 mins later they announced that Ireland has missed an almost open goal!

[jimmygreen]

Who's Wellman?

Dunno but I reckon he's a clinical finisher.

[pooligan]

Watched the game live here on cable and thought Villa played really well and deserved the point and with better finishing could have had all three .Was good to watch a Villa game again and actually enjoy it.Relegation? after watching all Liverpool games this season i would say they are in more trouble than us.

[Chipsticks]

That's brilliant! How on earth do you confuse 'El Ahmadi' with 'Given'?

Given time Shay may well develop into a midfield general!?

Did...did you mean to make the pun with his name or is this just a beautiful accident?

[SteveN]

The hope is coming back, and of course it is the hope that kills you. Really impressed with what the Manager has done to date.

Very pleased with what I saw from the highlights, loved the burst of speed from Gabby when he laid on the chance for Bent.  He's back I thought.

 

[Risso]

I think it was clear that although he played well, Bent isn't fuilly match sharp yet. He took extra touches he wouldn't normally take. He could have had at least a couple yesterday if he was fully up to speed. It's an exciting prospect. As was Ireland's business and string pulling.
Ireland's return to form is why I wasn't too disheartened to lose out to Dempsey because I think he'll do a great job linking it all up in the final third and we have other goal threats. Speaking of which it was nice to see Gabby back in action and looking something like his old self. When he's fully up to speed he'll be awesome. Another weapon and dimension to scare the shit out of people. As will Benteke with his pace and power.

I have to say it's looking very encouraging. There will be more backwards steps to come but yesterday was a glimpse of a bright future. We went to a hard place to get anything, written off and with no league form at all and were very unlucky not to win.
Only rustiness in front of goal (a temporary problem) stopped us winning comfortably. Yes we could have lost it too but that would have been especially harsh.

Looked like the whole team yesterday were aware that nobody's place is guaranteed, and they all played accordingly.  I think the dropping of Given helped reinforce this point.  Well done Lambert.

[Chipsticks]

Who's Wellman?

Isn't he the bloke who makes the mayonnaise? 

[London Villan]

Losing those first two games could be a blessing in disguise. We've been written off as relegation fodder, no-one is paying us any attention and the manager has been able to do drop some big names without the upset that normally occurs.