Newcastle gave a tremendous rear-guard defensive performance against a brilliant young Arsenal team. But during the last 7 minutes they finally wilted with Arsenal finally getting 2 goals after enormous pressure in the second half.
To be honest, this was a game in which the Newcastle team were outplayed by the Arsenal youngsters, as strange as that may seem - especially in the second half, when Arsenal went into a higher gear.
This was the beautiful game played beautifully by the Arsenal youngsters . It was almost an exhibition by Wenger’s brilliant youngsters.
But nevertheless this will be an extremely disappointing loss to Newcastle and our fans - because this was our best chance to win something - after so long. We will have to put this behind us and come out anew against Manchester City with all guns blazing because even though the team was outplayed tonight - our new players will be be that much better, after this experience.
But hats off to Arsenal - who were better technically than the Newcastle players tonight - where does Wenger get these players from?
Arsene Wenger - his youngsters put on wonderful exhibition against a resilient Newcastle side
Newcastle did have 3 great chances which all fell to Martins. Oba could have had a hat -trick but he failed to take his chances. After Arsenal’s goal - within a minute Martins again went round the Arsenal keeper – similar to Sunday’s game against West Ham - but again failed to score as Senderos got back to kick the ball off the line. Martins didn’t hit the ball with any power after he rounded Fabianski. Oba looks short of confidence since Michael Owen will have a hernia operation on Friday in Germany.
If Alex Ferguson watched this game he would have seen that Arsenal’s first team and reserve team could probably both win the Premiership this season – their reserve team is that phenomenal. A wonderful performance from Arsenal and Newcastle played a great rear-guard action but didn’t take their chances when presented. No disgrace for Newcastle.
We need to win on Saturday and tonight’s game has been a good game for Newcastle’s new players to understand how tough the football is in England. But Newcastle (and the fans) need to accept that Arsenal have some brilliant players and there’s not many teams as good as them in the premiership. We can prove this by ensuring we not only win at Manchester City but put in a really good performance.
FULL REPORT follows:
The Newcastle manager caused a surprise by playing Shola Ameobi up front with Martins and Milner in a 4-3-3 formation. As expected Faye started in midfield for the first time for Newcastle United.
Teams:
Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Hoyte, Senderos, Traore, Denilson, Diarra, Song, Bendtner, Eduardo, Walcott
Subs: Mannone, Gavin Hoyte, Perez, Diaby, Lansbury
Newcastle United: Given, Beye, Taylor, Rozehnal, Enrique, Milner, Faye, Ameobi, N’Zogbia, Martins, Smith
Subs: Forster, Edgar, Butt, Emre, Geremi
Referee: Howard Webb
Newcastle started in an attacking 4-3-3 formation and the game got off to a fast start with both teams willing to attack each other. After 10 minutes Newcastle had a wonderful chance to go ahead as Enrique sent in a powerful cross and Martins eluded Senderos rather easily to put in a powerful header, that forced Fabianski made a wonderful save.
Then after 16 minutes Arsenal had an even better chance when Bendtner sent in a powerful header from another excellent cross which flashed over the crossbar when he really should have scored.
James Milner was not his usual self, when after 20 minutes he gave the ball away twice within a couple of minutes. The game was end to end with both sides producing an end to end attacking game in front of a full house at the Emirates Stadium. After 25 minutes there was a half chance for Arsenal when a cross came over from Eboue and Beye challenged Eduardo as the Arsenal youngster slid in but the ball went by the post for a goal kick.
After 25 minutes the Arsenal youngsters were hitting their stride and putting pressure on the Newcastle defense. Newcastle’s defense were being put under pressure as Arsenal were attacking in style and playing some terrific flowing football. After 30 minutes Martins had a good chance but Oba lashed the ball wide when some calmness surely would have ensured a goal. It was Milner who hit a beautiful ball over the top for Martins. Oba needs to gain more composure when these chances present themselves.
After 38 minutes, following a free kick for a foul on Eboue, Walcott sent a shot over the crossbar but he had too much time to shoot. The Newcastle defense is being stretched but they are holding out well. Shola Ameoi is playing out wide on the left but is looking out of place and his confidence is not high.
There is some hope for Newcastle as Senderos has made one or two errors in central defense that Arsenal have not been punished for. Newcastle must think they have a chance if they can get Martins one on one with Senderos exposed. Seems like most of the Arsenal players are teenagers - but their age bears no resemblance at all to their skill as they continue to play excellent football.
The half time whistle comes and everyone is surprised as the game has been enthralling and passed so quickly. An excellent game to watch but Arsenal are the better team - but it’s still 0-0 and Newcastle are still in with a chance.
This is a chance for perhaps Emre to come on in the second half for Newcastle - because the game is pure football and Emre can play in this kind of game. His creativity could open a few chances for the black and whites.
However, it doesn’t look like 4-3-3 is doing Newcastle any favors as Arsenal is playing at a tremendous pace and it’s really hard for the middle 3. As half-time approaches Beye seems heavy legged as he seems to be suffering from the speed of the Premiership. The game is completely open and being played at a frantic pace by the young Gunners.
Where does Wenger find these players?
Arsenal came out attacking in the second and moved up a gear. In the first 10 minutes they put Newcastle under tremendous pressure. After 534 minutes Eboue found himself move easily past Rozehnal but just as he was to shoot Taylor makes a tremendous tackle to save what looks like a certain goal. Then from the resulting corner Charles N’Zogbia heads off the line and over the cross-bar for another corner.
On 60 minutes Emre replaced the ineffectual Ameobi and Newcastle move to 4-4-2 with Smith and Martins up front. Looks like it was a move forced on Sam Allardyce as Arsenal look to over power Newcastle – the Arsenal youngsters are just playing the beautiful game – beautifully. On 64 minutes Diaby comes on for Eboue who does not look pleased to be replaced. He’s been one of Arsenal’s best players so it looks good for Newcastle.
After 68 minutes Arsenal are camped in Newcastle’s half but to their credit Newcastle are defending well especially being under so much pressure. On 69 minutes Butt is brought on for Milner. It seems like some Newcastle players have just been run off their feet and it’s a case of getting good experienced fresh legs in the team. But it seems like it’s a defensive move by Big Sam as Newcastle seem to be hanging on as Arsenal are completely dominating midfield. Who are these Arsenal youngsters?
After 72 minutes Bendtner tries a long shot but it’s way over the bar and rather a wasted shot by the youngster. There’s no way he could beat a goalkeeper of Shay Given’s ability, who has made 3 useful saves in the second half.
The game is still being played at an amazing pace by the Arsenal youngsters – but it’s still Arsenal who look the much better team but Newcastle are hanging on and giving a gutsy and defensive performance. However, the Arsenal goalkeeper has had nothing to do in the second half – which is worrying for Newcastle, who are using all their effort to defend and keep a clean sheet..
How a team can have a reserve team as good as this is just ridiculous – no wonder they easily beat Liverpool in last year’s Carling Cup – so whatever happens Newcastle have given a great gutsy defensive performance and it’s 77 minutes into the game
After a beautiful passing move by the Arsenal youngsters Eduardo shoots the ball just wide – but they have overdone it with too much passing this time. Newcastle are still level but pressure is tremendous against the Magpies defense. Wonder if there’s any chance of signing any of Wenger’s youngsters for Newcastle?
Arsenal finally get the goal that they have been threatening on 83 minutes as Bendtner finally scores - a terrible time to concede a goal.
Within a minute of conceding Martins went round the keeper at the other end. Amazingly he tried to be sure of a goal but the ball is hit weakly and Senderos is able to clear off the line.
Martins should have scored for the second time in the game - but misses. Once you go round the keeper you have to put the ball in the net and Martins missed a wonderful opportunity.
Then after 88 minutes Denilason slams home a beautiful goal which gives Given no chance after Charles N’Zogbia lost the ball in midfield. That’s it there’s no way Newcastle can come back so late in the game. Newcastle have been completely outplayed by Arsenal in the second half.
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70 responses so far ↓
1 apan // Sep 25, 2007 at 21:52
if we cant beat arsenal youngsters, what chances are they for us to beat their real team, this time martins with a costly miss, told ya arsenal youngsters is bloody good and shouldnt be underestimated
2 nufcstats.com // Sep 25, 2007 at 21:56
bye bye carling cup… destroyed by teenagers. it could be much much more. 5 or 6. awful second half. Martins is out of form. miss against WHU was meaningless but was an alert. tonight he missed all of our 3 chances with the last for 1-1 seems to be a copy from Sunday but this time on target but to weak… fully deserved win for Arsenal after great display. it is worrying we again looked not interested at all. like against Derby. Faye, Martins, Ameobi, Smith, Milner (any decent performance this season…) . the question is what NUFC is more like? that from Sunday or from Derby and tonight game. we have no players to play 4-3-3 but Sam still wastes Smith at right midfield and put Shola upfront… i’m not worried just because of result. Arsenal played so well but i’m worried about we are not able to play well game after game and again looked not involved. Owen can be out, Viduka won’t play every week, Shola is poor, Martins out of form and where is that powerfull attacking force with 5 stars fighting for 2 places?
it is like a rollercoster now but maybe it is just a case of new gaffer, new players and all that need some time. hope so
3 w2 // Sep 25, 2007 at 21:56
big sam didnt manage the expectations well.. wegner decided on his team a day earlier haha bloody confident of him. without VIDUKA WE ARE NOTHING! we can’t play without viduka! big sam’s tactics only work with viduka upfront. so we are basically screwed.
4 w2 // Sep 25, 2007 at 21:59
bloody hell i dun think we’ll be top 8 if big sam keeps on playing smith on the right geremi in middle and milner on the left. GET IT RIGHT MAN!! the midfield is useless the 2nd string strikers are hopeless.
5 gordon // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:06
w2 stop taliking out of your stupid ar*&^ehole.
6 gordon // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:07
funny liverpool got destroyed by the same team at home last season as well.
7 nufcstats.com // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:08
it is sad that BS a great tactician have to idea what to do without Viduka. even if you have Pele, Maradona or Cruyff you have to be able to play without them and they were “slightly” better and more important then Viduka. you have to adjust tactics to players you have avaliable and opposition not players to single one tactic for every game. we are not Bolton (with all the respect for them) and BS can’t copy the same solutions. I hoped Derby was the lesson we needed and won’t make the same mistakes… of course everybody has been still learning, BS, players and we and that will take time but if you are good, team of committed players performances can’t be so different every game
8 phoonck // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:08
its nice and pleasing to hear given played extremely well. hopefully BSA will see the class in Given, and u can’t really blame Martins for missing sitters. what encourage was given to him to get benched when u are scoring and performing well only to be replaced by Owen who just returned from a serious injury and played well in 2 international games? it does his confidence no good and lost his match sharpness.. hope to see Martins regain his confidence and prove hard for BSA to drop him..
9 nightfall // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:13
hey guys…cheer up…it’s not a shame to lose against arsenal… let’s just move on…we have bigger things to fight for this season…we have a chance to win CL spot… but sam must stop being pig-headed and give players chances on their natural positions… next stop…man city!
10 ToonKing // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:13
I wanted to post a good reply———but i can’t, i’m gutted.
Things will be better in time, Sam will do his job, players will gel better, form will come and go,injuries will heal…….. BUT only one thing is certain AMEOBI has got go, he’s useless, i don’t want to see him after January, Caroll back in Ameobi out of the fookin country, off the bloddy continent, taxi for Shola to the MLS.
again, terribly disappointed…………….
11 Ashton // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:13
The problem was Newcatle’s ugly away kit
12 nufcstats.com // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:17
gordon it is true Wenger plays that way for some time and it works very often but I don’t care. I didn’t expect easy game tonight and know they can beat us but I expect some good play and different tactics but it was like a Derby game. Obvious choice was Smith with Martins upfront but I was sure Ameobi will start. Milner is poor this season. maybe because of position. maybe they know him better and every of his very few plays…of course we can think we are strong beating WHU “easily” 3-1 but we create only 4 chances that day (if we count gift for Martins he did’t scored)
13 Ed Harrison // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:20
We’re going to have to accept we were beaten by a better side - i just don’t know where Wenger gets these guys. But maybe Sam can ask him over a drink.
We lost and were well beaten - that’s the truth. Let’s not go overboard - well not too much.
But it’s just one game and we have to forget it and I’m sure the players will learn from tonight. The next thing now is that we MUST win against Manchester City - don’t forget these Arsenal youngsters hammered Liverpool last year 6-3 at Liverpool after being up 5-1 up after 60 minutes.
14 ToonKing // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:20
@phoonck : ” u can’t blame Martins for missing sitters” ????? WTF kind of post is that mate?? who can u blame then ??? jesus.
Oba was benched because Owen is better. simple, form or no form, Martins in form can miss these kind of sitters just like he did a couple last season while an out-of-form Owen will bang them in, there is a class difference between them. Oba will be good in a few years but he needs to learn, to calm down, to look around, he’s like a hyperactive little kid.
Ferguson won’t pick Eagles ahead of Ronaldo ’cause Eagles is on form, FFS, the better player plays and the better player is Owen.
Martins is a very good player and a super-star of the future for sure —-if he learns. For now let him watch Owen and soak it all in, he will have his chance now but he has got to start putting these sitters away first and then score from 40meters.
15 Ed Harrison // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:22
nightfall - well said - it’s just one game - if we beat Man City on Saturday we’ll be at least 4th top - forget tonight but hopefully the players will learn from it.
Hey where does Wenger get these guys from - that’s what our strategy is now - to bring in youngsters from around the world. Maybe we can tap Arsene’s phone
16 Tripp // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:24
“u can’t really blame Martins for missing sitters.” ???
That’s not gonna help his cause at all. Great players have composure. Martins needs to work on that. It’s not the first time he’s missed the net. Don’t get me wrong, he’s capable of great goals (that thunderbolt at White Hart Lane last season is proof of that) but he’s not steady. Adebyour was in the same mold last season. This season he’s starting to put chances in the back of the next. Martins needs to follow suit.
17 ToonKing // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:25
let’s get Mourinho
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Joke
18 ToonAndy // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:30
To be fair lads, that was hardly Arsenal’s youth team.
I thought Arsene showed us a lot of respect in his selections, compared to what they have played in previous years and will play against weaker teams in later rounds. The likes of Eboue, Senderos and Eduardo are not inexperienced, whatever the BBC and SKY may have had to say on the subject. We probably had more inexperienced youngsters in the likes of Jose Enrique, N’Zogbia etc. We also still lack the attacking midfield presence of e.g. Barton and any potential January signing.
The Arsenal youngsters also have a lot of playing time together, even if it isn’t in the first team. Certainly this Newcastle team is still gelling into a unit. I think it will be the second half of the season before we see them consistently at their best. This could be frustrating for us, but we have to get behind Big Sam as he is a class above everyone we’ve had since Robson. Take one look at Rozehnal and tell me he hasn’t been the best Newcastle defender in years, even in the few appearances he’s made so far.
As has been pointed out a lot of late, we have a tendency as fans to head towards extremes. When we win we are league challengers, when we lose we are relegation fodder. It’s time, dare I say it, for some common sense. Newcastle are one of the better teams in the league and over 38 games we will show it, even in this early stage in the Allardyce project.
I wasn’t at the game, like all of us posting so early on this blog, so I don’t think many of us have seen it yet. Let’s not judge too early. It sounded from FiveLive, who were so biased that I have to make my own judgements somewhat, that we defied them for much of the game and threatened at times. As phoonck pointed out earlier in the comments, Martins is lacking confidence having been unfairly dropped for England’s Michael Owen after a couple of goals for the number 10 against less-than-Premier-League-standard opposition. Let’s see where we get when Oba’s back in the rhythm.
It’s not all doom and gloom: we’re a decent if unspectacular team, headed in the right direction for a change. Now we finally have a class-act in the dugout, let’s give him the time and space he needs to work his magic. The early signs are encouraging enough to suggest that our usual late-season form is likely again and from there we’ll surely go from strength to strength.
Keep the faith,
Andy
19 Hadji // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:32
”Where does Wenger finds these players”
They are everywhere but Newcastle is too blind to see them
Kallstrom,Zapater(Zaragosa),Srna(Shakhtar Donetsk),Modric,Lucho Gonzales,Moutinho,Desena,Eremenko Jr,Foggia,German Denis,Pablo Ledesma,Jonathan De Guzman,Ever Banega,David Odonkor,Van Der Vaart,Diego,etc
These are all Wenger’s type of players and non of them plays in Arsenal.So why cant we get at least 2 from this list of players.Why…
Because non of them fits BSA’s taste,he likes horses not football players.
20 ToonKing // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:35
“Because non of them fits BSA’s taste,he likes horses not football players.”
HAHAHa funny
21 Pawel // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:35
It’s Fabianski, not Fabrienski :]
22 nufcstats.com // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:37
yeah if we beat city… would be great (even more because I don’t like sven goran, appriciate his work at club level but don’t like) but will be hard. fact is we haven’t play poor in two straight games this season so now it is time for better one
unfortunately I won’t see or even listen to that game because will be on the plane going for some holidays.
maybe Arsenal first eleven would be easier to play tonight. those very talented young guys played with no pressure and real joy but most interesting for me was their patience. they played the same all the second half and got what deserved
I’ m not so angry and frustrated like after Derby game because we were beaten by very good team which put some great performance and also I’m used to saying bye to Carling Cup so early
23 Ashton // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:41
hadji
he likes old experienced horses
24 nufcstats.com // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:43
Hadji if they were Wegner type of players at least some of them would be at Arsenal. they are good (at least some of them, Eremenko jr must be a joke. he is like horse not footballer) but most much older then boys we lost to tonight and still play in moderate leagues in moderate teams. N’Zogbia is Wenger type of player and it is great for us Sir Bobby got him
25 Hadji // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:44
Screw the cups guys lets focus on the 4th place,once we qualify in the CL and all the goods which come with it(Better players,Tv rights,Bonuses)etc,the cups will be won easily.
26 Jóhann // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:45
Well Given didn´t exactly play extremely well. He just saved the shots he should save but full credit for that. But that doesn´t really matter anything to me if we end up losing the game. Terrible lineup, absoloutly terrible but Sam really had to give ameobi another chance but playing him on the left in 4-3-3. Ameobi once again shows the lazyness of Luque which I hate to see.
Rhozy as you could see clearly will be destroyed by good attackers. I dread that moment we meet manutd or chelsea. Faye in midfield? What the hell is the point! I´d rather see Pattison in there to have some creativity!
27 phoonck // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:45
TOONKING, its unfair to expect players coming in to perform well after they were benched when previously they were going to hit form and playing well.
it will sure damage their confidence. i’m sure ppl do know Martins capabilities, and to know that Ameobi was picked ahead of u in that fateful Derby game, how would u feel? yes, some might argue that one should grab the chance when u’re given one, but lets see what happens to Shevchenko when he was benched? look at how much damage has been done to his confidence. Is he not a world class finisher? still, he suffers from the disappointment of being dropped. look at C Ronaldo. after missing 3games due to suspension, his recent form suffers in the premiership. u need games to maintain match sharpness, and its the same even for Owen.
look at how AF deals with the then young Rooney. same goes for AW’s Fabregas and Kolo Toure. they were given lots of matches to maintain their match sharpness even though they were relatively young then. and Martins is no Eagles..
28 Tom_toon // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:46
Eremenko jr is an actual immense footballer. Arsenal wanted him 2 years back
29 Hadji // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:48
I ment to say that they’re all technitians,and that’s what Wenger likes from the players.His whole game is based on technique and short passes.
30 phoonck // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:53
don’t get me wrong, i am supportive of BSA in taking us ahead, but i just hope fans can realize Martins is only human, and some big stars and accomplished players miss sitters as well. and mind you, the 2nd Viduka’s goal against West Ham, he could have missed tat too, the way he connected with the ball, it could have missed the goal with just metres off the goaline!
hopefully Martins can get back his confidence and make it hard for BSA to drop him in the future! he was our top scorer last season, playing almost every game as a lone striker..
31 -Illusion- // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:57
Just wanted to say good game to you Newcastle folks tonight, I think that despite the fact you lost you still have some good things to take from this game. Your defending was rather good and kept us out for a long time despite a string of chances going our way, Given was great as he often is and your defence made some nice last ditch tackles which were very important.
Martins had a bit of an off night, he could and probably should have got you at least one goal from the chances he had. But as an Arsenal fan I will tell you that we know all too well how it feels to have a Striker miss chances like those, it’s happened to us so many times we know exactly how you feel there.
Don’t be disheartened by this loss, you might have been playing our second string but you have a lot to look forward to as a club. I think you are on course for a UEFA Cup spot, providing Allardyce can get your team putting away their chances when Viduka and Owen aren’t around.
Always a pleasure to play Newcastle, I like the support you guys bring all the way down to London, with such vast and loyal support you deserve to get some silverwear soon.
Should be a good game between you and City this weekend, two teams around the same level looking to end up in the same place at the end of the season.
32 Hadji // Sep 25, 2007 at 22:57
Zapater was also wanted by Arsenal a year ago and Modric is coming in January cause he was included in the Eduardo da Silva deal but Dinamo decided to keep him till January.
Foggia is also being monitored by Wenger.
So nufc there are some of them which attracted Wenger.
33 nufcstats.com // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:00
Hadji you are right Wegner’s game is based on technique and I respect him for balance with it. there are not too much useless tricks just usefull technique with great tempo and one touch football not like i.e. Portugal national team posessing ball 60-70% and drawing with Armenia away and us (Poland) and Serbia at home
34 fubar // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:13
Maybe be can get some of the Arsenal kids on loan
Are the highlights on TV tonight?
35 Michael Stewart // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:14
Expected result really. Arsenal had the home crowd behind them, have scored ridiculous numbers of goals recently so have great confidence at the moment. Arsene Wenger is the best manager in the world, not Mourinho or even Sir Alex. What a genius.
I tell you what though, we need to forget this result and quickly. The Premiership is all we should be focusing on now, get as high up as possible so hopefully we have European football next season to attract better players next summer.
Plus, I agree about Ameobi. Physically he is a Premiership striker, but his overall willingness to assert himself on the pitch and his burning desire seem to be more Championship quality. No offence to the guy there, he seems a really great bloke, but he is fourth choice striker for a reason.
P.S. We NEED Barton back as soon as possible. He could be our Kevin Nolan that Sam Allardyce made so successful to Bolton.
36 anon-e-mouse // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:17
You guys are dreaming if you think you are going to even have a chance at beating city with the kind of display that was put on today
37 nufcstats.com // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:18
just saw the goals and Oba miss…. two very good goals (Beye gave a little bit too much space to cross for the first and Diaby had too much time in our box before played to Denilson whose shot was outstanding) and Martin’s lack of games can’t be the reason to explain that miss
38 Hadji // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:24
No mate,you cant compare the National competition with the Club competition.No matter how Portugal is good,they only have 3-4 days of preparations,while most of the clubs players play 3-4 or maybe more years together in a row.
So the club’s chemistry is way way stronger than any national team chemistry.
But i understood your point.
39 Dingo // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:26
i don’t like Sam’s tactics… i listened to the game on the radio mind you…. however…. it seemed like we played 4-5-1 and didn’t change until the last 10 mins or so to a 4-4-2 with Smith finally in the position i had hoped he would start in. Why could BSA not see that formation was not working.. long ball up to Oba to run on too!!! i guess he was playing for penalties.
anyhoos… onwards n upwards… more time to concentrate on the league.
40 Sinead // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:29
People here are having a right go at Martins about missing “sitters” and like what do you expect ye expect players who are rusty cause they’re not been given game time, like Martins and Given, to come in and be back to their best, to be sharp, to do their jobs well. Given did well, for someone who hasn’t been played in ages by the manager he did extremley well. Martins, this is what really annoys me now, nearly every second person here are complaining about missed chances..blah, blah, blah. What do ye expect of course he’s not going to be as sharp as he usually is, if he’d been getting regular football which he deserves to get he would have put them away in his sleep. Of course he’s going to be rusty. But ye’ve all seen what the likes of Given and Martins can do when they have game time when their at their best. Ye know that all they need is time on the field, training isn’t the same.
Ye can’t have it both ways ye can’t have Owen play but Martins stay fresh, all this so called options up front you can’t have it like ye want it, if players aren’t played they wont be at their best. Ye can’t have it both ways, ye can’t have Harper staying in goals till he “screws up” and Given ready to take off where he was at. It just doesn’t work. They need time. But half of ye are living in a land of delusions like. Ye can’t have it both ways.
So of course Martins is going to be rusty, what did ye honestly expect, he hasn’t been getting game time. 5 mins here, 5 mins there, it doesn’t work. What were ye exactly expecting like. Players get rusty. Everyone knows this. Yet Sam and ye seem to aswell thought..em ya throw in Martins and Given..etc, make them proove themselves tonight. Talk about being thrown into the deep end. It’s not logical like.
Ya their professionals they train hard, physically they’re fine, mentally they’re fine like, but none of that compares to having match practise.
Give the lads a chance because they will improve they will get better they are better, so much better. So stop slatting Martins, did ye honestly expect him to be in sparkling form like, ya those almost goals looked like sitters like but it’s alot easier said then done. SO like cut him some slack. He’s working his arse off just to get on to the bench, even though he deserves to be on the field. Ye’re so quick to criticise like. Try for a second being in their shoes.
41 Dingo // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:36
sinead.. i get yer point…BUT… how many of the Arsenal players from tonights game are getting regular football? They played good enough to be in Europe (and do well). Rusty doesnt cut it with me I am afraid. If ya good ya good.
talking about good.. http://www.pa-sport.com/en/actim/actim-index-premier.html
go on Zog an Harper
42 bobc // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:38
I agree with Illusion, there is a lot to be positive about for you Newcastle fans. Big Sam may not play ‘have the prettiest wife at home’ but he gets results. Give him time and with the fact that you have greater resources and fans than Bolton, you’ll be pushing the top 4 in no time IMO.
43 Sinead // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:38
”Where does Wenger finds these players”
Everywhere if you know where to look. But there’s a problem with Newcastle, this big names problem. Ye’re obbsesed, I’m sorry but ye are. Now that’s all good and well. If they preform. Like but look at Reading Kevin Doyle, one of the top scorers last year was bought from Cork City along with Shane Long, and then Hunty aswell from one of the other Eircom Teams there’s a lot of talent there in places like the Eircom League and even in the first and second division then you’ll find in teams in the Championship like teams like Reading, like Sunderland are loaded with them. Ye talk about a so called inexperinced side, I would take the inexperienced Irish side anyday, Doyle, Potter, Hunt, Long..etc. It’s a bloody good team, ruined by the manager but we’ll leave that argument for another day. But it’s about looking and spoting players not hunting for big names, ya sure great if ye get one like but only going after big name players is a joke and it’s a weakness and a fault in alot of teams like Newcastle, like Chelsea. It’s just a matter of looking and it’s something Newcastle hasn’t done and it’s a bad habbit.
44 nufcstats.com // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:41
Hadji of course I’m not comparing club to national only technical football by Wenger and that from i.e. south america, portugal or spain (glad you see the point)
45 Sinead // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:43
Dingo, no doubt, I’ve no doubt what so ever that group of players has alot of time concentrated on them. That’s nearly an entire team. We’re talking about one or two players now like not an entire team. I’ve no doubt that Wenger has someone just for them, to develop the talent. It’s completley different.
Rusty doesn’t cut it, do you play sport?? Come on try to be reasonable here for a few seconds we’re talking about game time, which is needed to make you sharper, stronger, better. You get better at things when you keep practising, practise makes perfect like and training isn’t the same as actual game time. Theses guys are humans like.
46 Steeley // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:44
Although this is a disaster cup-wise, I think it’s not the end of the world. We were never going to be in our best form with the injury list we have (no excuses from this quarter, but I think the loss of Viduka and Cacapa were decisive). I think the game came 24hrs too soon for some of the players, with the amount of games showing most in Milner who I think has worked himself to death ovr the past 18 months (he has barely stopped since the start of last season…take note Bentley - and I think its only fair not to criticise him!
I think Ameoba must FINALLY have sealed his own fight with another lacklustre and skill-less performance in the shirt. I genuinelly think that should be the last we see of him (save some more injuries).
So long as we keep our league form up and qualify for Europe through Premiership standing then I think we will be forgiven for not winning this cup. A good run in the FA Cup would be very nice though!!
We have Man City and Everton away now and if we dont lose both then that’s satisfactory - to not lose either a bonus, and to take anything more than 2 points quite a treat. I can see Man City tripping up, but I think Everton will be stubborn away match!
Up the toon. Down the Shola.
47 Sinead // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:45
So the club’s chemistry is way way stronger than any national team chemistry.
I’d argue that in some situations, there’s so much more heart in the country. Some players preform better for their countries.
48 Gooner // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:49
Newcastle is a good side. I see them at least in UEFA spot. Beat city and you will be in top4 ( at least for a period).
We all know the loyal fan base Newcastle, it wont be a problem.
BTW, this is not exactly Arsenal 2nd string. Some of them are as good as the first team.
49 nufcstats.com // Sep 25, 2007 at 23:55
Sinead yes they often play better for countries (even sitting on the bench at the clubs) but it was about something different. about working together whole season, know each other on and off the field which makes understanding on the pitch and well fast tempo one touch footbal etc. much much easier to achieve then spending 3-4 days from time time during international breaks.
)
playing for your country or just for the many and how much heart is involved is very different story (talk with Luque about money
50 phoonck // Sep 26, 2007 at 1:34
DINGO, “Rusty doesn’t cut it with me I am afraid. If ya good ya good”.. yes, if you’re good, you’re good. right. but if u don’t play regularly, how can you maintain the same level of fitness, match awareness and sharpness compared to the same good player who’s playing week in week out?
think Owen in the England vs Germany international friendly. he has 2 glorious chances to score, and the 2nd was a sitter as well, but he missed. why? same reason, hasn’t played regularly, no fitness, no match awareness, and no sharpness.
ask any sportsmen in the world and they’ll tell you the same. the more games they play, the better they get and that’ll build up their confidence.
so i urged those who fault Martins for missing chances, give that chap a chance. if he were to play regularly after starting the season well, i’m sure he’ll put those ’sitters’ away any day. he’s human, and human err.
51 Ross // Sep 26, 2007 at 2:01
im not gonna have a go at any player in particular, or about the performance tonight, in fact i think our back four had a blinder, along with super shay naturally.
after the pressure applied, to hold it to 0-0 with only 7 minutes to go was impressive in one way or another. good things came from tonight even if they’re not immediatly evident.
fair enough these arsenal players may be young, but wenger always plays a young team in the cups and its not like its been a failure before, these players have been, and still are (as seen tonight) very good in this type of environment. we’re not the first to lose to this up and coming string of incredibly impressive arsenal youngsters, and we wont be the last. alot of these players will find themselves playing first team football soon enough, and deservidly.
put it behind us, move onto man city, take 3 points, and we’re back on track!
52 apan // Sep 26, 2007 at 6:59
Quote of the day by Hadji
“Because non of them fits BSA’s taste,he likes horses not football players.”
Martins is off form currently, well he do get at least 40 -50 mins per game he just doesnt start thats all so i dont think his rusty, he just lacks composure and need to learn to control it, one good example is adebayor, he was a laughing stock before but now he improves and im sure martins to….given yday was performing like any other goalkeeper should do, but im sure harper will be selected ahead of him because his rested….our defenders did great our forwards and midfield didnt, this shows how badly we need a playmaker come january
Good thing is now we can focus on our league games, no more reason not to break into the top 6 now big sam u have lesser games to play
53 Geno Toon // Sep 26, 2007 at 7:11
Dont blame Oba. He was inform and playing football that was much more dynamic then Owen. Just because Owen is a big name we play him….. Owen gets a “knock” and he is out for weeks… oba is a great striker who needs consistency for him to shime. I would invest my money on him rather then Owen who is good but just gets hurt far to often in the long run.
and for gods sake… start Given regularly…. I didnt like our lineup for this game at all. we need to ditch shola in Jan and get another holding forward. I would of rather seen oba and smith uptop then what we had today.
54 perry // Sep 26, 2007 at 7:19
Yeah, Go Newcastle go..
55 Callum // Sep 26, 2007 at 7:37
About Martins miss, as well as being out of form due to not starting, the keeper did take his leg a bit and made him nearly lose his balance, if the keeper didnt make him nearly lose his balance im sure he would have shot with more power.
56 Toon Chicken // Sep 26, 2007 at 7:44
Everyone who has been on here protesting that Martins should start instead of Owen has been shown exactly why BSA will nearly always pick Owen first when he is fully fit. Martins, as much as I love him, just isn’t composed enough in front of goal. Owen would have scored both the open goals that Martins missed, plain and simple. That’s why he has a goal every two games ratio and Martins doesn’t. The excuse that Martins is rusty just doesn’t wash with me - it’s not like he’s been out injured for the best part of a year or anything. Martins will undoubtedly get better, but right now he can’t get near Owen’s goalscoring record.
But as we all know, Owen is going to be out for at least 3 weeks, so hopefully Martins will learn from his mistakes, start scoring again, and make it as difficult as possible for BSA to pick Owen once he’s fully recovered.
57 Sinead // Sep 26, 2007 at 8:10
Martins hasn’t got enough game time to be as sharp as he needs surely you can see that, surely Sam can see that. As for GIven Sam pretty much said that Harper’s his no.1. and Owen his first choice so it’s only a matter of time before Martins and Given leave. It wont matter how hard either of them work Sam’s his mind made up and well in my oppinion anyway it’s the wrong desicion. GIven is by far the better keeper and Martins will put those goals away if he’s given more game time, the sharpness wasn’t there last night and that goes down to Sam completley.
58 Callum // Sep 26, 2007 at 8:14
Toon chicken, funny you say Owen would have scored both open goals that Martins missed, didnt Owen miss an open goal for england vs germany last month?
59 Toon Chicken // Sep 26, 2007 at 8:39
Hadaway n shite man Sinead.
60 erik // Sep 26, 2007 at 8:42
If I read another “Get Källström” comment in this blogg again Im going to scream and sell my swedish citizenship on ebay. What a tosser. Well atleast he would make Martins look like a sharp shooter.
Jokes aside, I don’t know where this overconfidence came from before last nights game. I more or less expected a loss (though hoped for better ofcourse). Youngster gunners or not.
It’s not far into this season and already there’s either “We place top 4″ or “We’re shit and will end up last” comments depending on the previous game.
No use crying over Carling cup it should be in the past now. Time to focus on saturday, and I would really r e a l l y love to tell my city-fan friend off
61 Toon Chicken // Sep 26, 2007 at 8:44
Callum - there’s nowt funny about it at all - Owen’s scoring record is almost second to none. He may well have missed a sitter a few weeks ago - but I’d have still put a hell of a lot of money on him putting away the chances Martins missed.
Don’t get me wrong though - I love Martins - I think he’s brilliant. I just get sick of all the tripe on here about Martins being the better striker, when he quite clearly isn’t. Strikers are always going to be judged on goals - Owen guarantees goals - at present Martins doesn’t. He can only get better though, and I’m so pleased he’s at the toon.
62 Rich // Sep 26, 2007 at 9:03
Does anyone know if there were any good performances last night by our guys? How did emre look when he replaced ameobi?
63 Toon Chicken // Sep 26, 2007 at 9:22
Couldn’t really fault us defensively. Enrique looks pure class - can’t wait for him to start playing every week. Beye put in some good tackles on the right-hand side, although he did appear to give whoever he was marking too much room at times.
Taylor and Roz were solid in the middle - no nonsense, no messing about.
Faye looked very good defensively too and made some great passes at times. Smith was everywhere - tough tackling, but fair. N’Zogbia found it difficult to get into the game - but i’m not sure if that was because Ameobi kept getting in his way on the left wing (yes that’s right - left wing???). Milner didn’t have a great game. Martins didn’t take his chances - which ultimately cost us the chance of a place in the next round. I’m not even going to waste my time talking about Ameobi.
Emre looked quite sharp when he came on and made some decent passes. He should be in contention for a starting place against City. Let’s just hope he shows us what he is clearly capable of, and not the usual crap we have sadly come to expect from him.
64 Dingo // Sep 26, 2007 at 9:38
sinead…. Oba has had as much game time this season as MO. At this level you got to put your chances away. An open net is an open net… i dont care how ‘rusty’ you are… lack of game game time don’t make you foot turn into a fifty pence piece…… We all know Oba is a ‘hit & miss’ player, and whilst I am not blaming him in any way over our defeat, I would like to think that BSA can get some rust remover on him OUTSIDE of game time. Face it Sinead… he is showing that same form now he showed the WHOLE of last season, he needs to work on his first touch, awareness and finishing in TRAINING then maybe he wont look so RUSTY in an actual game.
65 Toon Chicken // Sep 26, 2007 at 9:48
couldn’t agree more Dingo lad
66 Rich // Sep 26, 2007 at 10:05
ToonChicken- thanks for the info! Couldnt believe it when you spoke about Ameobi on the left wing nearly fell off my seat! good to see us performing well defensively, after all the defence thats in place was all bought by Big Sam, hopefully he can get the right players in to perform in the midfield. Glad you said Emre looked sharp also, he could be very valuable next few games, create some chances for Martins, surely hel score one haha
67 yemozone // Sep 26, 2007 at 10:39
Stop talking about owen’s scoring record.Talk about how many goals he scored for newcastle and how many matches he played.
We can afford to lose martins b’cos of injury prone owen.
And i suggest we shld try a non british manager.
68 yemozone // Sep 26, 2007 at 10:45
Probably,Get another striker in january.
69 Toon Chicken // Sep 26, 2007 at 11:07
Yemozone - you can’t seriously be suggesting we sack Allardyce after 8 games? Get a grip mate.
70 JJ // Sep 26, 2007 at 12:00
My bad Sinead, it was JoshI who made the comment about Martins not cutting it. : (
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