Any score?

ken

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

Answers

0-1

O.G.

Shinton

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

As an entertainment, it was a waste of time. As an opportunity to say "thanks" to Rob Lee, it was worth going. As an indiation of how the coming season may progress, it was worrying. We lined up :

Given
Barton Dabizas Hughes Elliot
Solano Lee Bassedas Robert
Ameobi Bellamy

In the fisrt half we didn't look troubled and were the livlier side without managing to turn our posession into goals. Robert showed some good touches and had a great free-kick saved by te keeper. Shola showed some good touches but still lacks the ability to put the ball in the bac of the net, despite some great work outside the area. Nobby started where he left off on Tuesday. Hopefully he will improve 'cos if he doesn't, he shouldn't play. Robbie Elliot had a much better game than on Tuesday evening but still made some poor clearances. However, the most worrying performance of the day had to be Craig Bellamy. For the 3rd match in a row, he filed to impress. To be honest, I can't see any difference between him and Kevin Gallacher - aprt from £6M. Worrying. Half-time changes saw Harper, Griffin, O'Brien and Lua x2 on for Given, Barton, Dabizas and Ameobi and during the 2nd half, Lee was replaced by Acuna and Marcelino came on for Hughes, to a round of booing. IMHO, this was diabolical, and all credit to the lad for ignoring it and turning in a good solid performance. Their goal came from a break in left MF, and a square pass to an unmarked player whose shot took a wicked deflection and looped ovver Harper. However, if you give that much space away just in front of the penalty area, you have to expect to be punished. I've seen 3 games now this season, and sadly, the performances (or as it just the results?) against Lokeren and Munich away seem to me to have been a bit misleading. The main hope I can draw was a very promising perfrormance today by Robert who showed pace, movement and a hell of a shot. With a ecent striker or two up front, we could well do well from his industry, and hopefully a fit Cort and Shearer can benefit from this. Dyer would also give us more options, so when the walking (and not so walking) wounded are back, we may well see a different side.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

A couple of things: To the feckwits who booed Marcelino (in a testimonial for Christ's sake), I hope you are proud of yourselves. As far as I'm concerned, any debt Marcelino had to the club was wiped out at that moment. Central midfield still our weakest link by a stretch. Gary Speed has a hamstring which is a bit worrying. Up front, we don't have a soul with a shot in them. At the back we are OK. Laurent is too good for us on today's showing. Nobby was crap. The Smogs beat this lot 3-0 last week. We should be worried.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

ps. the booing ruined rob's day and humiliated marcelino. he had a great game as well.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

The booing directed at Marcelino was awful. I heard today that apparently Marcelino was close to having his finger amputated, the injury was that serious. If he had played during the time it was injured it would have almost certainly had to go. For someone to move abroard when their career is going well and have that happen to them it must be terrible. I say, maybe the lad has been extremely unfortunate with injuries, let's give him a chance, to be honest, I thought he was the best defender of the game today and good luck to the lad. Imagine what it would feel like if you moved to Spain and had that happen to you, I bet you'd be pretty p****d off.

Also, how can people still not like Bassedas. He played the best game out of all of them today. He was making intelligent passes, had good movement on the ball, was picking out players well (e.g. his superb lob other a Bilbao player's head to pick out Solano) and he always wins us a great deal of free kicks - because he runs into empty space and not into players. One thing that doesn't need improving is the midfield, I say let Bassedas, Acuna, Solano and Robert have a long run in the team together. Speed is definitely past it.

I think I might copy the above or something similar in my match report for Toonweb.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

Central midfield? Its all down to wether Dyer can fulfill his potential as an attacking midfielder- weve only seen glimpses of this since he came- fingers crossed.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

Disappointing all round.
'FromTheTerrace' reckon Rob - disappointed with the attendance of less than 20,000 - didn't even do a lap of honour at the end. What a crying shame.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

Clarky, Rob Lee did a "sort of" lap of honour. He had his 3 kids with him (2 were mascots and the other looked little more than a babe in arms. Hardy surprising he didn't walk the perimeter with the bairn in his arms.

The attendance was poor, but I blame that on the price. We'll have had 3 European ties in little over a month. To ask fans to fork out £20 for a testimonial is too much. If they'd kept it to £12-15 I think they might have had over 30,000 so little difference in revenue - not that he needs it but he'd have had a better "send off" than a grounf barley 1/3 full. I also blame folks for arranging weddings on the same day too ;-)

As for the Marcelino incident - I said my piece above, but I also agree with Dougal in that it spoiled the atmosphere for a testimonial. To$$ers.

-- Anonymous, August 11, 2001

We're a funny crowd, mind, because after booing him on he put in a terrific tackle on the edge of the box and calmly lashed a pinpoint 30 yard pass up to a midfielder (or Bellamy - can't remember who it was as I was watching Marcy in case he gave the fans the finger afterwards). Next time he got the ball he got a big round of applause which was genuine: the booers then thought we were being ironic and proceeded to "cheer" him from then on. Mixed signals.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Odd that you reckon Bassedas had a great game Ian, as I scarecely noticed him as usual. The fellow who really caught the eye was Robert: a nutmeg, going round his man and whipping crosses in, bringing wildly mishit "passes" from Peruvians under control without Welsh-style whinging, dummying two markers to step into space on the edge of the box and cross for a non-existent header of the ball, tackling back with real aggression, twice trying to chip one over the keeper and in at the far post where Cort or Speed will be well advised to make a beeline for. Exactly what you'd expect for 10 million: quality. Bellamy on the other hand was distinctly underwhelming again. I simply cannot understand what he did to survive in the First Division. He goes down at every available opportunity even when he's passed the man he hurls himself on the floor instead of going on and punishing them where it hurts. Considering that abh only merits a whistle when perpertrated against the referee himself in the Nationwide, what did he used to do???? Are all his goals own goals or something? Still waiting for his National skipper to tell us how fabulous it is having the chance to team up with him at club level.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Robert was wonderful - looks like £10m well spent and Cort and/or Shearer will benefit greatly from his presence.

Marcellino was a revelation. An excellent display in the short time he was on. Not only good defensively but his passing was very crisp and efficient (not the usual roll the ball to the man alongside or behind). There were two long passes out of defence to set Lua*2 and Robert away. Absolutely superb passes - not lofted hit-and-hope clearances. Converting defence into attack instantly. GET OFF THE MAN'S BACK AND SUPPORT HIM. (That's what we're supposed to be there for.)

I remember writing in support of Marcellino on here recently. Every player deserves a chance. Hardly anyone backed up what I said and quite a few went against it. That is the sort of environment in which the non-thinkers, who boo, thrive. We have what appears, on this brief evidence, to be a top class player in Marcellino and to hound him out of the club (and lose money into the bargain) would be a disgrace.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

I wasn't there yesterday so I cannot comment on the ooing or the performance.

I will say though that to impress for 20 minutes in a pre-season friendly against a Spanish side doesn't make him a great player. Those of you who were there all sound shocked by the booing and I think have overreacted in the other direction by seeing some good play from him as signs of him being a 'top class player'. I will wait to see as I feel two seasons mediocrity versus 20 minutes greatness isn't a leveller. To finish off his move to hero he only needs to start applauding the crowd

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

I would like to think the crowd's reaction to Marcelino yesterday was a one-off reaction to an unusual situation.
Neverthless, it is deeply regrettable for a SJP crowd to boo anyone wearing b&w, and should be utterly condemned - it is inexcusable and another worrying indication of the growing influence of "non-fans" (ie. spectators).
"Real" Toon fans would never engage in such abhorrent behaviour.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Sadly Clarky, those behind us who were booing were not the type I would class as "spectators". They certainly weren't genuine fans, but they looked to me like a bunch of to$$ers regulars.

As Jonno said, this is a new season and the guy has stated his intention to fight for his place. Even if we intend to sell him, he will have to show some consistency in his form and freedom from injury and I think the fans should give him a chance to do so.

On the allbeit very short evidence of yesterday, Toon could save themselves a lot of money buying the central defender you believe is still required if Elena could put his past behind him and turn in regular performances of the type that convinced TDO to splash out circa £6M. But it will be a bliddy sight harder if the crowd gets on his back for no apparent reason (apart from his recent history). Clear the slate and give him a chance. I will refrain from any snide comments if he pulls his finger oot weight this season.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

I feel my point is still valid Screacher - far too many 'regulars' these days are simply 'spectators' and not real fans - hence the diminished atmosphere at SJP.

Certainly, those tw@ts booing Marcelino yesterday don't deserve to be considered fans, imo of course - and should look closely in the mirror this morning. I also include in my criticism anyone who seeks to justify the actions of these morons.

Could you imagine a single one of the band of 400 at Troyes the other night booing a player wearing b&w for simply walking onto the pitch? Nuff said.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

The other thing is that it was a disgrace as a testimonial..it was used as a pre-season friendly with YBR putting on loads of players etc and was a rip off for the money. Warren Barton got a chorus of centre-partin' and we learn today that he has refused a new contract. Interesting...

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

"It's down to the fans - if they think a player is not deserving of a testimonial, they won't turn up." - Rob Lee's quote during the week.

No wonder he wasn't very happy. It's a crying shame he didn't have a full stadium to pay due homage to the man. Despite his above comment, I only hope he understands this has nothing whatsoever to do with how highly he is regarded by the Toon Army. The relatively low attendance is a function of several contributing issues:

* pre-season timing may have been ideal under normal circumstances where this would have been the only game played at SJP, and probably against the best opposition in our pre-season schedule. However, the TwoBob games eventually made the timing of the testimonial very bad - after several competitive games in a short period of time against similar standard continental opposition.

* the choice of opposition was uninspired. Bilboa are not high- profile opposition, and include no world-class stars who might have attracted the waverers.

* the price could have been a little lower. However, I doubt this was a major factor if the other factors had been right.

* the game was used as part of the pre-season schedule, without any high-profile guest players who again might have attracted a few more punters - eg. Pedro, Gazza, Ronaldo, Ginola. Again the pre-season timing was always against securing the appearance of any current world stars.

At the end of the day the attendance wasn't that bad, and Rob will probably receive a tax-free payment of £3-400,000 (equivalent to a £5-600,000 taxable gift) - which is more money than many of his fans will earn in their lifetime, and is surely better than poke in the eye with a sharp stick?

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Never allowed to boo a Newcastle player ? What about the manager, could you boo him ? What about the board of directors ?

Does supporting Newcastle United really mean cheering everything black and white without any questioning ? So if Freddie Shepherd completely loses the plot and registers himself as a player, tells the manager (who would be a 16 year old YTS kid by this point) to pick or he's fired, and Freddie appears with the number 9 on the pitch you'd cheer him on ? OKay I'm going to a completely illogical conclusion but the "keep cheering" crew that appear on here and readily back Barton, Speed, Lee and now Marcelino need to wake up before we're using the said players to gain us promotion.

The claim that until there is nothing better than Barton/Speed/Lee we need to keep playing them I see as worryingly self-fulfilling.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

MacB, until last season I had never booed a Newcastle team but actually gave a short boo after the Southampton home game - I was booing the club and the team for what was a shocking, lazy, humiliating performance (and got called a Makem-type twat by someone who hadn't even been to the game I might add). I make no apologies for that at all as none of the players deserved to wear a black and white shirt. However, yesterday was about Rob Lee and it was a "festive" game and booing had no place in the proceedings.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

"The claim that until there is nothing better than Barton/Speed/Lee we need to keep playing them I see as worryingly self-fulfilling".

Frankly, I don't understand the comment as stated Macbeth, but I suspect it's jibe at me saying that Rob Lee needs to play until we get someone better. If so, perhaps you would explain what the alternative is?

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Clarky, IMHO, the price could and should have been significantly lower. Many Newcastle supporters are on the minimum wage and £20 is almost 6 hours work for them. Giving up a day's wages to line the pocket of a millionaire even further hurts. He could have got signing on fees elsewhere (although it's debatable that he'd have earned as much wage-wise anywhere else) but he's still a very wealthy man and £20 sounds greedy. The big thing for me, though, is that it was just poor value entertainment - Bobby had hijacked it for pre-season run out purposes and it had all the interest factor of watching slow- drying paint dry. Announcing all our players individually was nice as they all got wicked receptions and Rob got a tremendous reception. After that, though, you'd be forgiven for forgetting that it was a testimonial.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Warren Barton got a chorus of centre-partin' and we learn today that he has refused a new contract. Interesting...

I've heard nothing about this and it's not mentioned in the Sunday Sun. Can you tell us the story in a new thread please Dougal?

Macbeth, I am amazed you can apparently condone the booing of a player who has been absent for such a long period and yet has pledged to fight for his place. The infamous finger injury necessitated his arm in a sling, a fact which was sadly never explained by the club, and I've never seen a player appear in a sling before.

Only good for 20 minutes? Macb - he can only look good during the time he has on the field and that is all the time he has had in the entire pre-season. To then come out with some utter drivel about FS playing himself at number 9 and should we cheer that, is (I'm sorry to say because I know you can do better) stupid, and does the discourtesy of not respecting the intelligence of those advancing the other argument. If substandard players are continually picked by the manager, I'll call for the manager's head (as I have done in the recent past). If a player wantonly fails to try, I might boo him, (can't recall it happening), if the board fail to show ambition, I'll call for their heads (as I have done in the past)- this has not been seen since pre SJH. If you don't agree the continual selection of Lee Barton and Speed you really should be calling for YBR's head yourself.

We the fans have a part to play in victory - it's not an insignificant part (witness the difference between the points we win at home against what we win away) and it is up to us to give the team on the pitch, maximum vocal support at all times. Booing is counterproductive, moronic and evidence of a herd-like mentality often indicative of some of the most base aspects of society. Yesterday's booing was entirely unjustified, especially in the light of the booee's subsequent performance. We should be rejoicing that we may well have a "new" centre half, who at the very least could put us a couple of million in the bank, or possibly even become a vital part of a strong team.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Not having seen the match, I can't comment on performances, but it does sadden me to hear of Marcelino being booed when he came on. Though I can understand why people might feel like wanting to do so. If is finger injury was so severe it's even more an indictment of the poor PR at NUFC that it was never explained and supporters were allowed to think it was just down to a player being lazy or wimpy. Sadly this seems par for the course for the club. But even when not injured he's yet to really prove himself value for money. I hope he does so this season. That gives us a 'new' player, or at worst means we'll get more money selling him elsewhere.

Still, I agree that he should not be booed upon entering the pitch while wearing the shirt. Inexcusable at a testimonial for another player! What is it our mothers always said, "If you don't have something nice to say to someone, don't say anything at all." Silence is as powerful as booing. Leave the complaints for outside the stadium.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

This argument has become a bit confused.

Mac, i wouldn't boo shepherd at number 9, i'd laugh at him :->

Marcelino looked less nervous yesterday and imho was neat and tidy with a couple of great passes. It's the way he pulls out of a challenge that worries me.

i'M WORRIED AT THE WAY our players seem reticent to get stuck in. Funnily enough Robert seemed to be the one who fancied it most. Lee excepted of course.

Talking of Robert i thought he was EXTREMELY PROMISING. If we can feed him the ball more and get our strikers fit we are laughing.

Sadly Bellamy didn't prove me wrong (which i badly want him to do) quick and thats it. 5mil on Lee Hughes would have been much more usefel. Ironically my cov mates said he was awesome yesterday. Strong, quick and got a goal. Damn.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

I too can understand the booing. It lets him know what his antics until now are thought of.

When he next appears he should be greeted warmly by the crowd. Any good work on his behalf should be aggressively cheered. Sort of like training a dog. (I do not mean anything derogatory).

I have said it before, he is the best CB we have at the club. Why he has been performing the way he has is another story. If he can continue on in the way he played in the last match he just may be the surprise of the season. Along with Acuna, Bassedas and Griffin actually starting.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

I'm with Gus

Marcelino's finger injury was probably 4 months (?) out of two years. The dislike for him has not come solely from that but from his general demeanour, the reporting of Robson, and Shepherd giving him bollockings, and his talent at wimping out of challenges. No one began the two years wanting him to fail, it has been his attitude that has been his downfall. A few weeks ago I suggested the highlight of the season would be Marcelino being voted player of the season in 12 months time. It would be.

I am not condoning the booing, I just understand it.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Clarky

I feel the old'uns who are occupying our side to no great merit will block he development of any younger players. If Shearer could have hung on, surviving on cortisone until the end of the season, playing his ever more static role, then we would never have seen Shola, except maybe as the odd sub. We would easily be able to say there is no one better than Shearer cos we'd never seen anyone better.

Now Shola may be special and an exception but he's be in the reserves at the moment, known as an ungainly kid, rather than playing well for the team. I know he may be a one off, but we just don't know what else may have been forced on us if we stopped accepting Lee/Speed levels of performance.

I think my displeasure with Lee and Speed was heightened by watching Celtic and seeing Lambert and Lennon doing the job properly. Looking back we'd be so much better off with a Paul Bracewell than a Lee or a Speed, and I never thought I'd say that.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Not wanting to be a stick in the mud, but, we signed Rob Lee in September 1992, why did he have a testimonial on 11 August 2001, not even nine years service ?

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

'Cos he's on the way out?

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

It's a very fair question Macb. This is only the start of his 10th season and he could move on before it is over. I wonder if he was offered the testimonial as part of the deal to get him to sign his last contract (whenever that was). Hopefully, if that was the case, the wages were held back somewhat.

Time to scrap the benefit the player derives from these games. All profits should go to good causes and the game would solely be a way of fans paying tribute to a much loved player. The player should regard it as a matter of honour.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Oink, Oink. Is that another pig I can see over Dunston Staithes??

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001