Were we that good or were they that poor?

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Answers

The way we were playing, Dougal, I could play against little Bobby tonight and not look any more in control. Simply the best passing display we've seen since Fazackerley left. Sensational. Pissed. Laughing and very very very happy. Howay the Lads!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Hi Softie,

Any chance of an analysis of tactics? Perhaps tommorrow!! The guys on Metro Radio said Dyer was playing in "central" midfield. I'd like to know how both Dyer and Solano managed together - considering that the feeling 2 or 3 weeks ago was they couldn't play together and against Man City Solano was a sub.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Wow, what a performance! We controlled the game from start to finish and never allowed them to get into any rhythm at all. Our passing and movement was excellent, and we repeatedly broke from defence with pace and in numbers.
Difficult to pick out individual players in such an outstanding team performance, but I thought Aaron Hughes was immense, and that YKD had his best game for a long time.
Oh yes, the Toon Army were simply brilliant - it actually came over on Sky like a home game. Well done lads 'n lasses.
VERY satisfying night.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Actually Dougal, I'm not going to tell you. I told you to leave work and watch it and you didn't, so there.

OK - I'm in a (very) good mood. It was actually a bit of both. However, don't let that detract from the performance. Boro were poor because we didn't let them have a chance to do any better. We set out to dominate the first half and we did. The unfortunate thing is we only led by one - should have been two but for the "offside" goal. We really should have banged in a few more before halftime.

It's hard to say what a Liverpool, Arse or ManUre would have done against Boro - probably scored a few more if I'm to be honest. I think we lacked the hunger in midfield to go for the jugular. We made so many opportunities that just didn't quite materialise in front of goal. I think the likes of Henry, Kanu (even Bergkamp!), Cole, Solskjaer, Sheringham and Owen would have scored more 'cos Henry is f***in' brilliant in front of goal and ManUre have the likes of Scholes, Keane and Giggs pressing forward and they're all hungry greedy b@st@rds.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Francis and Parry tried to describe the system we played and should have just given up: this was total football. Everyone pressed from start to finish. We were playing a high-tempo, slick, well drilled game and seemed to be first to the ball in every 50/50 situation.

Solano had his "out to prove something head on", Goma and Hughes were superb, Charvet and Domi ran further and faster than everything Boro had to offer. Goma's goal really demonstrated what has changed: a corner from Cordone was beaten away by Boro and when it looped out Cordone sprinted towards the descending ball and hacked it back in on the volley to where Goma climbed from beneath 2 cheating Smoggie twats to head home. In every other game this season we'd have been noodling about and letting the cleared ball go fo a throw in: tonight we had a real edge.

No kidding, this was "Keegan" football.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Francis and Parry tried to describe the system we played and should have just given up: this was total football. Everyone pressed from start to finish. We were playing a high-tempo, slick, well drilled game and seemed to be first to the ball in every 50/50 situation.

Solano had his "out to prove something head on", Goma and Hughes were superb, Charvet and Domi ran further and faster than everything Boro had to offer. Goma's goal really demonstrated what has changed: a corner from Cordone was beaten away by Boro and when it looped out Cordone sprinted towards the descending ball and hacked it back in on the volley to where Goma climbed from beneath 2 cheating Smoggie twats to head home. In every other game this season we'd have been noodling about and letting the cleared ball go fo a corner: tonight we had a real edge.

No kidding, this was "Keegan" football.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

I'll give it a whack Sounder.
Boro as usual played with three a the back and WB's. To counter this, and I suspect cater for Boksic, BR adopted a formation that was kind of 3-4-2-1 (is that not Vegetables Christmas tree formation?), but it seemed to switch to 4-4-2 at times with Charvet playing RB. Had me confused obviously!
Hughes basically played as sweeper just behind Charvet, and Goma- and was terrific. Domi and Solano were nominally WB's, with Lee & Speed in central midfield, and Dyer and Cordone just behind AS - although to be honest YKD was all over the field, here there and everywhere.
To be perhaps a little harsh, I thought Cordone was the weak link - continually over-elaborating - and Lua Lua produced enough magic in his 15 minute appearance to possibly get the nod against Everton.
The game proved again to me what a genius our Manager is, and how we must do everything humanly possible to keep him - he's on his way to putting something special together. It might not be quite there yet, but he's getting there.
Excellent, dominant performance - totally outclassing the opposition on the night. I just hope Mr. Heed, who was in the crowd, enjoyed it and doesn't have too many sleepless nights 'cos Judgement Day is getting ever closer!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

This team is going places! Boro are useless at the Riverside (all those chemicals) but we had 70 percent of the possession with Lee, Speed and Dyer working their socks off in central midfield. Boro played the long ball game and deserved nothing... even the goal we gave away at the end was a result of sloppyness at the end of the match rather than a decent effort by Boro.

Having said that - I couldn't work out what formation we were playing. At one point Charvet seemed to be centre-back, the next he was overlapping Solano on the wing. Hughes was immense and that volley from Cordone was absolutely astounding. If this had been a 5-0 result it would not have overemphasized the difference in class between the two teams.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Oh wow: it sounds sensational. The exciting thing is that we have now won as many away games as we won all of last season (in the league). How long did it take us to get to 16 points last season? It'll have done Goma and Dyer the world of good, too. We really have to beat Everton at home - no sitting in laurels - and will be very well set up to nick a point or three off West Ham next weekend.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Oh wow: it sounds sensational. The exciting thing is that we have now won as many away games as we won all of last season (in the league). How long did it take us to get to 16 points last season? It'll have done Goma and Dyer the world of good, too. We really have to beat Everton at home - no sitting in laurels - and will be very well set up to nick a point or three off West Ham next weekend. "WE may be poor, we may be broke All our profits have gone up in smoke But we are the super Geordies".

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

That was the best we've played on the telly since Barca, and as far as League games probably the 5-0.

Superb passing and movement, support, incisive runs, solid defence. Compete and utter control of the games. First half we had 66% possession. Every time we lost the ball we got it back. If they'd picked the best 12 players on the pitch not one Boro player would have got in the squad.

Dyer was everywhere, Domi was forward all the time, Solano looked eager, centre halves weren't really troubled. The icing on the cake was the world getting to see Lua Lua for 15 minutes. Wonderful little display. If (in my eyes) Dyer has finally replaced Beardsley then Lua Lua looks like the long term Tino replacement. All I'm waiting for is the new Robert Lee and I'm hopeful either Acuna or Bassedas can be that. (Pushing this slightly further isn't it a shame that Aaron Hughes hadn't been there for Keegan !!)

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Thanks Clarky, the words passing,pace, and movement - been on about it long enough, Tactics, in a away game, mainly European any manager worth his salt if he is a wee bit concerned about the opponents front two as I reckon Bobby was will go with two center backs and a sweeper, if a guy is good enough, can read a game, this is the easist position to play on the park,I have thought for a while that Hughes even taking into account his youth could adapt to this role. The system could alter on a match to match basis and should not be set in stone, for home matches I would change to a more familiar back 4/3. Away games, sweeper, breaking with pace, Bobby we are getting there.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Great stuff tonight- watched it on Sky+enjoyed every minute! Excellent postmatch interviews with Dyer+Robson worth watching at http://www.sky.com/sports/video/index.htm. Dyer must be suffering Robsonitis - he goes on about how great it was to keep a clean sheet again!! Shearer also remarks it was about time he(Dyer) scored a goal - great stuff.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

great performance both on and off the pitch thought we bossed (believe the current vouge expression) the gane from start to end. Great to see the human side of YKD and the King when he gave the clean sheet speech ....

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Thank you CNN. I just saw the goals. Excellent! Goma's header was class and as for the cross...! Dyer CAN finish - good to see him being selfish and having the confidence to hit the net and Big Al - well, what can you say?

Great reports lads - a BIG thanks from this exile...

What's this about Dyer saying "it was nice to keep a clean sheet" in the post match interview? ;o)

I think Buff's right - fluid systems away from home and a more settled home formation. Hughes is immense and seems to be growing in stature with every game. A gem...

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Thanks very much indeed for the analysis Clarky - and the descriptions that emphasized the speed and fluency. I think I understand now. We really have got a manager!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Saw it on cable here in Malaysia. Must say it was the best Newcastle display I saw for quite some time and I have seen four of our matches so far this season, thanks to cable tv.

Totally agreed the passing, movement and sheer teamwork was real class. Everyone on the pitch seem to knew where to go and who to pass to without really trying if you get my meaning.

Given was not troubled what with Boro playing hit the carpark with your shots. Their goal was scored mainly due to the fact we were not paying attention. Maybe the lads were tired after such a great display.

Goma was commanding, cutting out moves by them before it got too near our goal. Hughes and Charvet was competent and not really under pressure too much what with Lee, Speed, Domi and Solano helping out when need be.

Cordone was ok, very unlucky for the offside goal. Looked good to me on tv. Shearer was Shearer, pure class. Boro were totally swamped. We were coming at them wave after wave, they tried but we were just TOO GOOD, I guess.

Movement off the ball was really outstanding. Never seen so much movement by our players in the other games before tonight, drawing defenders away, creating spaces for team-mates, supporting the player with the ball, we did everything right. One thing I was particularly impressed with was how our players seem to side step tackles. Every one of them seem to be doing the same trick time and time again. A Boro player comes at them, they side step or push the ball to either side(sometimes without looking) and voila!, one of our players appears to pick up the ball.

A special mention for Lua-Lua. He was a great joy to watch, twisting and turning with the ball seemingly tied to his boots. Still has to learn to rely on his mates more and where to position himself. Saw Solano pointing out to him where he should be after a play when he and Speed was standing side by side and Solano trying to pass to one of them.

Overall a good display. I say good because we were made to look great by a very bad Boro side. But if we play like this every match, we are looking at a placing of at least the top six at the end of the season.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

Awesome! I did panic when we hadn't scored after all the pressure.... seen it before.... quick break and bang.... 1-0 down.
We had 3 scares in defence but got away with them. Rob Lee's 'through ball', Given's flap, and a dithering between the defenders instead of hoofing it.

Going forward we were magnificent. Moment of the night for me was Lua-Lua with the ball telling Shearer where to run! This boy will go far.

;-))))))))))

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

On a lighter note, the shots of those guys wearing the smog masks raised a little glimmer of a smile on my miserable owld chops.

They might have been taking their lives in their hands on the way out the ground, although on second thoughts, there didn't seem to be enough smoggies left at the end to cause any hastle.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

Yup those sky shots of the toon fans in gas masks had/has me pissing myself.....

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

There hasn't seemed to be any gradual build up to how we played last night. Up to now this season, we've sort of done the business but for me it hasn't been all that good to watch.

All of a sudden we're just about back to Keegan level, but without the defensive frailty. Hughes gets better with every game, and I thought Dyer and Solano had one of their best yet. I sort of agree with Clarky about Cordone, except that volleyed cross for Goma's goal was world class, and if he can produce similar on a regular basis, I'd put up with his weaknesses.

I think Lee is on borrowed time, and even though I'm probably in a minute minority, it wouldn't bother me if Speed slung his hook. Lua Lua has to get on from the start, very soon. If he lives up to the hints we've seen over the last few games, we'll be fighting off the biggest clubs in the world. ( As an aside, how would Weah fit in now he's kicked Man City into touch ?)

I watched last night's game with an archetypical newton heath supporter (he's from Watford) and his makkem wife, and they both said it was one of the best matches sky have shown this season.

Roll on, (and hope we roll over) Everton.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

How old's this lad from Watford and what's his name? I might know him ;)

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

Pit Bill,

Cordone's cross for the 2nd goal was top-class, but I just felt he gave the ball away too much by trying to over-elaborate, and as an individualist he still isn't linking very effectively with AS.
To be fair to the lad mind he's still adjusting to the game over here, and he does have a lovely touch. hopefully he'll get there with time and a little patience.

Regarding George Weah, I've watched him a few times on TV recently and I think his legs have gone. He still has some lovely touches but he's a yard off the pace in the PL. Great player whose time has come, unfortunately.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

I could'nt work out the formation , It looked from where I was like a 2 - 6 - 2 formation, being in the front row means you don't get a good perspective on the match. Goma and Hughes handled Boskic and "Ritard" as some behind me were calling him. The rest of the defender, such as Charvet, Domi and Solano played further ahead and didn't half put in some leg work. ahead of them Speed and Dyer were excellent with Lee keeping it all together. Like I say there seemed to be 6 midfielders which completly cut off the Boro strikers from their midfield, who were pushed right back. Boro's only noticable player was Karembeau,possibly because of his looks. All the rest faded into the background. I can't see him staying at boro for very long, and I can't see Robbo lasting too long either.The way the fans sneaked out with 15 minutes left to play and all the empty seats in the corners at the start, in a local? derby was quite amusing , but rather sad from Mr Gibsons point of view.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

Thanks for all the reports, folks! It's killing me even more that I didn't get to see this one. Sounds a wonderful night! It's hard to believe we were that good just listening to the webcast, but then it's hard to tell anything over the web. 2 televised wins for us, hopefully means Fox/Setanta will pick up even more of our games this season! :-)

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

I'll add my two-penneth!

I watched it on the telly like many Boro' fans, according to the Toon army who were magnificent throughout the match, it sounded like a home game.

The lads played a 3-5-2 to start with but once Lee, Speed and Dyer started to really dominate midfield, Solano pushed higher up the pitch and Charvet playing as the right of three CB's pushed up as a wing back leaving two at the back!

Awesome performances from every man. I was pleased to see Solano doing so well as he appeared to relish playing for a crowd that love him. The passing throughout the match was immense, crisp and precise and Boro' had no answer. The performance of Lee let the attackers make the inroads, his position is essential to the make up of the team and that is why Robson has bought Acuna IMHO.

Watching this match was an absolute delight, my girlfriend was in the other room doing her marking (she's a Teacher) and even she kept coming through to admire the lads. Once I said Lua-Lua was on she watched the rest of the match!

Another highlight was the dancing pepperami man that came through the post this morning in exchange for filling out a brief online questionnaire. Every time the commentator raised his voice, I raised my voice or I opened another can of beer...... he reacted like those dancing flowers you get which react to music. He has a Union Jack type strip on at the mionute with a rattle in his hand, which will soon be changed to a Toon strip!!

Entertainment which made me glad to support the lads.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2000

Toon Toon, Pepperami, Toon Toon, Pepperami!

-- Anonymous, October 18, 2000