well, actually i did...

todays game has changed my opinion somewhat, yes we could finish top 5,.. bloody hell.

the kids are obviously alright, no need to sign any journeyman strikers, shola and dyer to get 25 between them.

even if this season doesn't pan out we're in a good position for next year with a few tasty signings in the summer

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Answers

I for one never said the season was over. My friends said I was stupid and far too optimistic - all they talk about is mid table, around 12th (the whinging mackems). I currently have a massive smile on my face.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

What a terrific controlled performance from a side given no chance before the game. They withstood all the pressure Leeds could muster, and hit them superbly on the break.

I couldn't really pick out any one player, as it was an excellent all round team performance, although young Ameobi did really well up front, and capped it off with a well taken goal after being teed up by Nobby.

It was really nice to see Barton defy his critics with a fine performance after a couple of poor displays. In fact, defensively we did really well, soaking up lots of pressure, and defending well what seemed like at least 50 corners. Given's contribution was a couple of outstanding saves at 1-1 and 2-1.

Lee, Speed and Acuna were perhaps the key factor in the victory, providing a very solid shield in front of the back four, getting in countlesss tackles in and around the penalty area, with Solano holding the ball up to good effect. Acuna is clearly getting used to the pace of the game in the PL now, and beginning to look a really good player.

Back up to 6th; three excellent points; 37 in total now, and getting close to point where we can start to relax a little, and strive for the bit more consistency needed to achieve a UEFA Cup place - which would be a truly fantastic achievement considering all the problems we've had this season.

Well done Newcastle; well done the Toon Army for yet again creating a home atmosphere; well done Bobby Robson - everything still to play for.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

I am starting to think of the Champion League.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Just the tonic. Shay produced a couple of top-draw saves, Barton was solid, Goma struggled with Viduka but grew as the game went on. Super Aaron Hughes was tidy and unfussy. Not impressed with Quinn I'm afraid, looked out of his depth, poor distribution and positional play. Acuna was magnificent, Man of the Match, box to box, important challenges and strong on the ball, wonderfully improvised goal- 1 million is looking a snip. Also cheered by Ameobi who troubled the Leeds defence, held the ball up, took his goal well and wasn't afraid to go eye-ball to eye-ball with that little sh*t Bowyer.

We looked vunerable at set-pieces and I wasn't completely convinced sitting back in the second half and countering was the right tactical decision but we rode our luck, it worked and after Wednesday this was just what the club needed. Howay the Lads!

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

I don't think we sat back deliberately Stevo, but neverthless defended with increasing authority as the game wore on - particularly Goma, who had a shaky 1st half.

Wayne Quinn didn't look as good as last week, but I really felt he suffered from the same problem all recent LB's have suffered - the lack of support/cover in front of him. I didn't think to did too badly, and in addition it was his cross that Nobby 'killed' for Shola to blast in.

Let's not give up on the lad just yet, after all it was only his 2nd PL game.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Point taken about Quinn Clarky. Lets just say I'm glad YBR + the coaching staff have a bit of time to make their minds up before a permament move. But this is minor griping in the face a quite magnificent performance by the lads in Black 'n'White. Like Macbeth I've the hugest of grins on my face. My first ever away match at Elland Road in the mid-70s when Alan Clarke, Lorimer etc trounced us 3-0. Worse still the vile Leeds hoolies around us spent most of the game calling for Geordie blood, the experience stopped me Dad taking me on away games for years to come. Since then I've loathed Leeds and love getting one over them. For all their spending and O'Learys blather an injury ravaged United side has just taken 6 points of them. Bobby Robson, I take my hat off to you. BTW Clarky which cable/satellite station did you watch it on?

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Oi George - you been drinking again? Actually, I've said it before, but I'll say it again. The EPL is very even in the middle (below ManUre and above the bottom 4-5). A couple of bad results could see us scrapping, but a few more like today's, we could be in with a great shout of a UEFA. That's why I think the board are short-sighted in holding back on the transfer market. We are lucky that (a) Dyer has done a good fill-in job in a position he doesn't prefer and (b) that Ameobi has stepped up to the challenge.

However, I still feel we are short of a strong midfielder. I didn't see today's game, but perhaps Bobby Lee took on this role today? Did that make the difference? I believe we have enough ball-passers, but I'm not convinced we have a battler.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Stevo,

I'm not really sure - it was on at the local pub. I believe it's a German satellite station they get. They have a live PL game on most Saturday's, and you can actually get English or German commentary.

Screacher,

We were as strong in midfield as we've been weak recently. RL did quite well but I don't think it was just down to him. The combination of Speed, Lee and Acuna was the key for me - they were all tigers, allowing Solano to provide the sublety.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Thanks Clarky. That's good news. Bliddy infuriating they can't do it more regularly. As you are probably aware, I'm yet to be convinced about Bassedas. Could that be what made the difference? What was he like when he came on?

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

That moment when Shola squared up to Bowyer was great, especially when Shola's cool demeanor made Bowyer lose his rag. hee.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Ciara

Don't you mean squared down - he outstared Bowyer easily. The bairn will do.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Bassedas didn't have much time to do much Screacher. His only real contribution was when he was put through in the box on his left foot, declined to shoot, took it wide and passed back to Quinn who crossed for Solano to kill it beautifully for Shola to ram it home.

Like many others, I'm trying to be patient with Bassedas, but he has me worried. He's a nice, tidy footballer but he just isn't influencing games. However, I really think we have to be patient with him, and it may take the rest of the season for him to really settle in.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Today I actually witnessed from a Newcastle player , movement, in fact anticipating a thro ball before it was actually on. Watching Acuna`s goal he in fact makes his run before Gallagher`s lay off to Speed, I thank you Clarence , so used to seeing ball to feet with the receiving player in static mode surrounded by opposition. You are not going to get a ball like that all the time but at least you are making something happen as opposed to waiting for it to happen. A welcome three points , Leeds missed chances , we took ours.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2001

Buff - You're right Clarence got a good header in early on and was in the box several times. He's starting to get the pace of the game sorted. He also gets stuck in - they featured one bit on MOTD.

As for Bassedas - I reckon that he'll improve more - remember Clarence is just showing now and Bassedas started after him really after his injury. He isn't going to be as solid as Bobby or Clarence but has a sweet pass and isn't slow.

Wenger quoted after the Edu injury that foreign players need a period of aclimatisation because of the pace of the EPL - I reckon he wasn't wrong.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

Aye, I heard Wenger saying that, but cynically thought of him making an excuse for a buy which didn't come off! Well, what I really think he was referring to was the pace of the game and how Edu wasn't fit enough for the EPL - hmmm, who was it who said we didn't train well enough over here?

As for Bassedas, yes,I can see his strengths. He passes a good ball. What I have not yet seen is the role he should be playing in conjunction with the rest in midfield.

Nobby's playing out of his skin - certainly the best run he's had with us. His layoff for Shola's goala yesterday was sublime, full of vision and executed (am I allowed to say that or is it non-PC?) to perfection. For me, he's the first on the sheet.

As many have already said, Acuna has adjusted well and looks a bargain at £1M (or whatever we paid for him).

So that's 2 in midfield who I think we all agree on present form (and hence ability) should be there. That leaves us with 2 from Gavilan (too early?), Glass (too inconsistent and not liked by YBR?), Speed (can we afford to lose his goals from set pieces?), Lee (too old for the long term but influential and great in specific circumstances - increasingly won't last the pace) and Bassedas.

This assumes we will play 4 across the middle. If we go for a 3/5, then IMHO, Glass hasn't shown enough and we'd likely use Quinn as LWB (assuming he stays and I see no other left-footed option - Griff on occasions as a marker but not a regular on the left.

To be honest, I'd go with yesterday's 4 in the middle (check my TeamPick Clarky!) but we still need the Rob Lee replacement. Maybe Bass is the one and he'll adjust. But fir £4.5M, we should be seeing more return than we have in the very near future.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

...........not to mention LKD, who IMHO seems to have found a better role upfront. YBR will have his work cut out to accommodate him, Shearer and Cort in the team. Hmm - Cort for the future when Al's body finally cries "enough".

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

I have added my oar to the match report thread. Have a hangover from Hell and actually got a on a train going in the wrong direction this morning... One thing I didn't mention was the players all coming over to clap us - lovely touch the teams on the pitch and off deserved applause and the best thing was the glorious chorus of "walking in a Robson wonderland" that they could probably hear in Sheffield.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

Dougal - did you ever get a reply to your 'letter of support' that you sent to BR before Xmas?

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

Can we introduce cyber-punishments onto this BBS for when our outlook swings the other way again(after Chelsea beat us 5-1)? :-)

Feels great after that result yesterday. Acuna is proving a phenomenal signing when u consider we were going to buy Dacourt for 8 mill or so! Amazing work rate, good tackling+distribution though sometimes i feel he tends to ball watch a bit too much as he runs around the midfield, occasionally not tracking a runner etc.

Im really looking forward to AFTER the Chelsea match when we have a run of very winable 6 games or so :-)4 points behind the Arse!!

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

I'll put me hand up to that one george. But while (like everyone else) I can see that European qualification is still wide open as long as everyone continues to take points off every other bugga, I still feel that the best policy is to lower expectations for the remainder of the season, sit back and enjoy watching YBR continue his rebuilding. Each to their own eh ?

BTW - agree with comments that it's too early to be writing either Quinn or Bassedas off yet.

As a final thought, not sure if it's already been mentioned, but one of the best things I've yet seen Luax2 do was when he took the ball into the corner and held off two Leeds defenders for several seconds. Not the act of a completely naive or inexperienced player I thought. Good lad

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

Shearer must have taught him that trick.

Many's the hour Alan would spend in the corner for Blackburn.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

Not to mention in the semi vs. Spurs Nick. See you at 5-a-side the neet ?

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2001

Spud

>>>>Im really looking forward to AFTER the Chelsea match when we have a run of very winable 6 games

So that makes 7 very winnable games then ....

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2001