Newcastle dodged a bullet tonight, but still deserved their valuable point at Birmingham City, with a strong and gutsy second half display.
Martins - looked good in second half - but then substituted?
Things hardly looked promising at half-time with Newcastle a goal down and looking a little fragile. It was not unlike last week at Liverpool.
But Keegan had some impact with his team talk at the break, as the lads came out battling in the second half, and the lads deserved their draw, which could have been a win with just a wee bit of luck. Bu overall a draw was probably fair to both teams.
Both teams gained a place in the league table with their point tonight, with Newcastle moving above Reading by a point, and Birmingham moving ahead of Sunderland on goal difference.
This is how things now look after all the weekend matches.
Pos Team Games Won Draw Lost GF GA GD Points 12 Wigan 30 8 7 15 27 42 -15 31 13 Middlesb. 30 7 10 13 27 44 -17 31 14 Newcastle 30 7 8 15 31 57 -26 29 15 Reading 30 8 4 18 35 57 -22 28 16 Birmingham 30 6 9 15 34 46 -12 27 17 Sunderland 30 7 6 17 26 48 -22 27 18 Bolton 29 6 7 16 28 43 -15 25 19 Fulham 30 4 11 15 27 49 -22 23 20 Derby 30 1 7 22 14 64 -50 10
Newcastle are now 4 points above the drop zone, but if Bolton win their game in hand we’ll only be a couple points above the drop zone, with an inferior goal difference on all relegation threatened teams.
We still did nothing tonight to improve our goal difference, which is still a very poor -26.
Don’t get us wrong, we were not cavalier and exciting tonight, and the way things are looking if we do survive relegation, it looks like it will be by limping across the finish line.
The Newcastle get their chance to support the lads and roar them on for a first win against Fulham on Saturday. We liked the look of Owen, Martins and Viduka as our attackers.
But please Kevin, leave Oba on for the full game - he can get goals out of nowhere - which would be a big help in these nail biting games. 
Anything is better than relegation - but if we do survive this season then Ashley and Mort must support Keegan to bring in new players he wants and needs.
We don’t want to go through this again.
Comments welcome.
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63 responses so far ↓
1 Dirk // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:18
team for fulham
harper
beye..faye..taylor..enrique
duff…..butt……..zoggy
………..carrol
……owen…martins
all out attack i say, leave butt help the back four and duff n zoggy have sum experience defendin so they could track back and help out when needed, part from that have them bomb forward and supply crosses, luvved martins and owen they link up well and should stay as a partner ship with sum1 like carrol holdin the ball for them.
2 Gooderz // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:22
Was anyone else impressed by Muamba today?
Okay, his shooting leaves a lot to be desired but he undoubtedly has some talent and is a tall and fit lad. Hopefully someone will take note of him and consider bringing him in alongside the likes of Giles Barnes.
Speaking of young talent, the “Dennis does Dallas” piece on NUFC.com is interesting. It seems we may be eying up even younger players.
3 James // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:22
Tonight KK finally proved he has the balls for the job.
1) He dropped Smith
2) He took off Martins to shore up the midfield because Martins kept losing his position forcing Barton to cover two places. A brave decision by KK and the right one.
His tactics were excellent tonight. He made sure we didn’t lose the game.
4 valle // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:23
as one of Butt’s critics i shall be the first to say that he was absolutely magnificent today… Barton on the other hand.
5 James // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:27
Hopefully Manure beat Bolton on Weds, and we win against Fulham on Sat, then everything looks okay again.
6 Andy H // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:30
The whole team worked really hard all game in chasing the opposition and not letting them pass. We kept the ball patiently but couldn’t really open them up. In the second half we looked much better and the strikers were linking up well. The combination of Owen, Martins and Viduka will cause defences so many different problems and they have the quality to keep us up.
7 AlexW // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:31
in all fairness i thin we will stay 4 points clear coz after all, boltons game in hand is at old trafford lol, hardly winnable
8 Tom_Toon // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:31
Butt was quite immense tonight, and as you say Barton was quite shocking.
9 Davies // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:33
Don’t be hard on Barton. He did two jobs tonight and made up for some stupid mistakes by at least three other higher rated players.
I have a little hope for all of our players after that match. Nicky Butt redeemed himself beautifully tonight as well. It’d be nice if Smith could do the same next time he (inevitably) comes on.
10 Tom_Toon // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:34
If smith sets foot on a football pitch in the black and white again ill actually cry and then plan his murder.
11 CRAIGG // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:35
James ive been trying to make that point as well KKs tactics were spot on.
12 Davies // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:36
Also, somewhat annoyingly, Viduka looked good tonight.
13 Spyro // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:41
good result, team should be left the same for the weekend
14 Ausgeordie // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:43
Viduka looked like the only one who had composure on the ball in the first half. He is predictable but was also surround by three players whenever he had the ball. He should play just behind Marins and Owen.
Boy we need some decent mids. I would have liked to have seen Lua Lua on the bench and swapped for Geremi in the second half. Barton did not play well but Smith would not have done better. Butt is so crap with the ball and but did well getting the ball tonight. He is still not good enough though. Faye has shown he is a true NUFC defender.
15 James // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:43
Davies - agree, he was annoyingly effective. The ball just sticks to his feet. But every time he was looking for a midfielder to burst through for the lay off, there wasn’t one. Barton was too knackered from covering for Martins, Butt was too busy running everywhere else, and Geremi was too busy doing nothing.
16 micknufc // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:45
i like geremi’s corners!
comments welcome
17 Martins // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:45
Barton was the worst palyer on the pitch lost ball every time.
18 richie // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:46
yes same team for fulham,,as commentator on setanta said in the seocnd half..,’newcastle actually look like a football team’
saying we stay up big if,, enrique and beye actually look like they could b a force in the prem
19 Tom_Toon // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:48
micknufc // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:45
i like geremi’s corners!
comments welcome
————————————————————
F*** that
20 richie // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:49
tom toon smith looks out of picture now..i was actually defending him for his efforts but it looks like were far better without him,,
in actual fact he has an adverse effect as his play is so negative and mondane
it took a game with him out of the side to notice this
21 ScottyT // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:50
viduka is someone who when he fancies it is a great player his hold up play close skill to his body and link up play is vital to us .. only problem is trying to make him fancy it every game
also am glad to see others taking note of butts performance tonight. he may not be good enough nymore but hes trying his best and i thought he did a good defensive job tonight. barton on the other hand is just woeful every single game does nothing but give the ball away. geremi imo wasnt good either but only just better than thuggy barton
fulham is massive now…
22 Kash // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:51
Faye was shit yet again, totally rubbish. All of you who commend him are a bunch of fools!!!!
Can’t trust Cacapa or Faye, Taylor isn’t in good form and no wonder considering the africans the others have been shit!
Enrique played very well, good game! Beye can’t cross but solid otherwise! Geremi had his best game for us, while Baton showed determination but his passing was poor! Butt had a good game too!
All strikers put in a good shift with Owen pick of the bunch!
Against Fulham, well if Diatta is fit, then throw him in with Taylor.
23 CJ // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:51
Where is grey pubes today.
24 ScottyT // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:53
also yes agree faye was very poor tonight and cost us the 1st goal. in all fairness he really shouldnt be getting muscled off the ball by james mcfadden.
25 GP // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:53
Can’t see Bolton getting anything at Old Trafford, especially as Man Utd will be looking at this weekend and saying “Arsenal won’t get a win there” so it’s a huge opportunity for them to swing the title race to their advantage.
26 James // Mar 17, 2008 at 23:55
Team for Fulham
———————–HARPER————————–
BEYE——–TAYLOR——-FAYE———ENRIQUE
——–DUFF———-BUTT———NZOGBIA
———————–VIDUKA—————————-
————OWEN —————MARTINS———
27 CJ // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:02
Has anyone had a look at that thing that say’s who is sam’s best summer buy i would love to know who voted for Barton Rozenhal or Cacapa if i find out i will make sure they get locked up in St nick’s and go to rehab.
28 ScottyT // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:06
lol well i can say that like most others i voted for wor habib
29 CJ // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:08
Same hear you would have to be pretty fooked up to vote for Cacapa Rozenhal Smith Geremi and Barton.
30 richie // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:09
i had my doubts about beye and enrique but was really impressed wth both tonight
31 CRAIGG // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:11
I was wondering who voted for Barton the other day!
Not me i voted for Faye who tonight aside has been awesome
32 Tom_Toon // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:13
I voted for Enrique.
33 Spyro // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:14
jose enrique was my choice
34 richie // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:14
how is enrique rated in spain?? 6mill he wasn cheap for a young player
35 CJ // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:16
Cannot complain about those 3 would have been great to see Enrique’s shot nestle in the top corner would have been a contender for goal of the season.
36 Spyro // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:17
well rich, wen we bought him they said he was an under 21 player who is fully expected to make the push up to the senior team in the next couple of years, and based on his performances for us i can see it happening too. taking into account the madness that has been happening around him, the fact he is a young lad who can barely speak english, he has played very well most of the games he has featured in. The thing is, he just keeps getting better everytime he plays aswell
37 CJ // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:20
Enrique is rated highly in Spain i think he is thought as Spains no1 choice left back for the future i think he has also lost a few pounds from the start of the season that is off his belly not Joey jailbird Barton robbing him.
38 CRAIGG // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:20
Just been on SKY Sports.Com and our stats the one the stands out was Our passing success which was 71.6%
When was the last time we had that sort of percentage maybe 2 seasons ago as the best part of the last season and a half has been long balls and scrappy midfielders and no ball retention at all things are looking up.
39 Spyro // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:21
LOL @ CJ
40 Tom_Toon // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:21
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j64ZnPeyWVg
41 richie // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:22
yes i see.. he showed nerves previous time iv seen him, tonight he looked like a different player
one thing i did notice was when he was pinned back in his corner he would try pass it out rather than get rid ..the spanish way rather than the eng
but after tonight very happy with the 2 full backs
42 canmag // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:23
watch today’s game very decent second half.
wasted too many dead ball situations ie geremi
keep him away from all corners and free kicks
he is just about the worst i have seen in along time, if he is going to play then maybe the team for sat should be
harper
geremi beye taylor enrique
butt
duff barton zoggy
viduka or martin &owen
subs forster diatta edgar vids or oba & lua lua
43 CJ // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:24
Good point spyro think of him in a good steady defense hopefully what we will have next season and watch him at his best he has a great left foot although i think he try’s the long ball a bit to much but that is what happens when your midfielders are not coming to get the ball.
44 shirts // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:26
I like that team, but have a feeling that Faye’s a better DM than a CB, so maybe drop Butt (though I read he had a good game tonight). How about:
Harper
Beye, Taylor, Cacapa, Enrique
Duff, Faye, N’Zogbia
Viduka
Owens, Martins
45 CRAIGG // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:36
I just hope we beat Fulham on saturday or that dribble of knob cheese andy dunn will have a field day in the bog paper of the world on sunday morning.
c’mon lads shove it up that eton attending, polo playing, mozart listening, Quentin Crisp admiring piece of upper class arse (Watching my language ED)
46 GP // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:37
Kompany is well known and I’m not sure if we could get him here, but I wouldn’t mind him to say the least. What I think we really need in the backline is a CB with lots of leadership, someone to command the backline. Woody would have been great but it was not meant to be. Kompany and Van Buyten in the summer? Haha, I can only hope…
47 Gazzatoon4 // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:38
i was actually at the game tonite and thought we did really well the 4-3-3 was a good selection but against teams with more quality than birmingham i could see us gettin easily exposed. viduka played very well tonite and owen linked up the play very well. Got to say barton and enrique in my opinion didnt have the best of games but barton did have lot of work to do as was playing in a 3 man midfield which was clearly tough! but apart from that a good point! lets just hope we can improve on that and get a win over the weekend
48 Tom_Toon // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:39
Ye there is no chance in getting Kompany, but id just love it if we could, love it
49 richie // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:40
ye i think centre of the park is very weak and its leaving our defence open, we should priortise a tall commanding midfielder..
i dont think wel get carrick
didi hammann if he was 10yrs younger !!!
50 Tom_Toon // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:41
or perhaps Simon Rolfes.
51 Spyro // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:42
Fulham match will be very similar to tonight, they have some good attacking players but arent great at the back, much like birmingham. If we take the same approach for the whole 90mins as we did in the second half tonight, we will win…i think
52 richie // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:42
id get garven from ipswich and give him a chance in the prem
53 GP // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:43
Because the first time Hamann was here it worked out perfectly.
54 Spyro // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:43
Hangelaand has been hot and cold for them since he came, lately he has been hot and really has made the difference for them, i just hope he is not 100% on the weekend
55 richie // Mar 18, 2008 at 0:50
ye perfectly lol
56 Leo // Mar 18, 2008 at 1:00
well done butt as most know i dont particularly like the fact that he gets a game, but who else would we play, if we are honest.
that was a hard game to watch, i was at the pub and had to drive home but the adrenolin was pumping soo hard that i wasnt sure whether it would be safe.
it is important that we keep viduka fit for the rest of the season, he has soo much class!!!!
57 Hamabi // Mar 18, 2008 at 1:03
Much better. Positive moves have positive effects. It’s always possible to play with 3 defensive midfielders yet play positively and this is one way to go.
58 Leo Kompany for the Toon // Mar 18, 2008 at 1:05
lets start a petition to try and pursuade kompany to come to newcastle. enough people saying it will be interesting… highly unlikely that he would come, but would be awesome
59 ObaFan2 // Mar 18, 2008 at 1:42
Bolton’s game in hand is gonna be easy…….Man U at Old Trafford !!!!!!!!!
btw KK on bbc interview said it’d be a good fight between him n Oba but KK’s a bit taller than him !
60 Toooooooooooooooooon // Mar 18, 2008 at 3:16
i bought kompany for newcastle united every time i play football manager. kompany, nigel de jong and heitinga
61 Tripp // Mar 18, 2008 at 3:47
Here are the Sky Sports stats. Like Craigg pointed out, the passing was superior. Also note the possession….
Birmingham City Team Statistics Newcastle United
1 Goals 1
1 1st Half Goals 0
4 Shots on Target 5
7 Shots off Target 7
3 Blocked Shots 8
3 Corners 8
9 Fouls 13
1 Offsides 0
2 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
54.8 Passing Success 71.6
35 Tackles 23
60 Tackles Success 78.3
39.5 Possession 60.5
48.9 Territorial Advantage 51.1
62 Tripp // Mar 18, 2008 at 3:50
I have to say that while we didn’t get all 3 points the positives in this game out weigh the negatives by quite a bit. Simply coming back from 1-0 in an away game is a huge step in the right direction. The fact that we dominated the second half is another. There’s still a lot to work on, but this was defo a positive game. Wish we coulda got the other 2 points. And now saturday… probably the biggest game of the season and I have to say I fancy our chances. As much as I love the guy, I wish McBride weren’t playing…
63 simen // Mar 18, 2008 at 15:13
Yep Leo, let’s do it! He can be our new Philippe Albert
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