In regards to our signings I dont know how we could have done any better considering we have NO EUROPE to offer footballers. What SA has done is bring in players that are willing, have the right attitude and have the proven talent to take us to a position where we can play Europe. Once we are their and pushing you will see the club spend 10+m on a 'Marquee' type of footballer we need, in saying that the quality we have at the moment we dont really need all that much.
On to last nights game....
Has anyone ever seen Newcastle dominate like that for a long while in the PL?? we outplayed them for the full 90 minutes, 10 men or 11 men we where a class above them from the get go. How did these ******** refs waive Taylors and Owens offside and then miss Brambles handball?? we should have won 5/6-0. Owen looked dangerous but very rusty, you have to ask your self would Martins have muzzed those 3 or 4 chances Owen did?? in fairness to Owen it is his first start for us in years and he was very dangerous in the first half, went missing in the 2nd half but then bobbed up to header that cracking cross from Martins. And on Martins, this guy is a freak.... he comes on for 20+ minutes and runs riot, beating defenders, cutting inside and laying for great balls and delievering crosses with his right foot like his a natural winger, he can do everything.
What about SA's move to bring on Ameobi?? why do it?? Viduka looked the most dangerous forward on the park in the first half, his hold up play and work in and around the box is 1st class.... if their is one thing I will be happy with for the rest of the season is to see Ameobi in the reserves and Alan Smith take up his spot as the back up striker on the bench.
I am the first to jump on Alan Smiths back but gee this bloke tries his heart out, is clearly not a right sided midfielder and you can tell he is frustrated as we play the ball down the left 80% of the time but noone can fault his effor. He is the perfect back up to Martins,Viduka and Owen, lets leave it at that.
Player ratings:
Taylor 8.0: Showed some attacking flair and was solid in defence
Rozehnal 9.0: Rarely caught out of position and is strong in the air, very good player
Cacapa 8.5: Super quick and is as cool as cucamba, CL quality and it showes
Nzogbia 7.5: Got lost a few times but again his attack is good and tackling is also very good, will be much better when Enrique goes to LB and releases him to the wing
Milner 7.0: Was ok without being outstanding, still struggles to beat players 1on1 but he did provide some good crosses today
Butt 9.0: He is a FU KING work horse this bloke, and was also our best creator going forward, absoloute gem
Geremi 5.5: Was carried by the rest of the team, is a squib and does little of anything out their
Smith 6.5: Tried his heart out and made a few good tackles, had a good 15 minute spell in the 2nd half when he was dangerous around the box, is improving
Viduka 7.5: I thought was dangerous when out there, showed good hold up play and probably should have scored but got the ball tangled between his to big pins, will probably start on the bench against Derby
Owen 8.0: Squandered a heap of chances but was dangerous and scored the winner, on the way up
Harper 9.5: Made a couple of really good reflex saves, is a top line keeper
Ameobi 6.0: Another big useless squib, he is slow and unco
Overall very good display, cant wait for Joey Barton and Emre to get in the side... really exciting times.