Let's hear from those of you at the match. You've probably all lost your voices judging from the crowd noise, but you should be able to type. Providing you haven't bitten your nails down past the skin. ;-))

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

Answers

Awaiting Post-match bevvies

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

Just got back from watching the TV - does that count Ciara?

We were good for a win, no doubt about it. Everyone had a decent enough game - with perhaps the exception of Nobby who just 'had one of those games'. A few stupid bookings [kicking ball away and dissent] and definite chances to score. Shola was excellent. Bellamy too - their running off the ball and movement was great to see - just wish they could shoot on sight/target. Defence looked okay but just that - okay. AGAIN looked dubious on the counter IMHO. Midfield worked hard. All in all a solid performance - but lacked a real cutting edge. A point won and with a bit more luck would've been three. 2 from 2.

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

We were better, simple as. The goal should never have occured as the defence should have been well, well out of there. No one organising is my view/our weakness. Mr Barton, y not play like that against Troyes?! Big fan of Bellamy-works his arse off

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

Just back from SJP - only got a few minutes right now - off to Screacher's "do".

Fairly even 1st half, with us displaying our usual defensive weaknesses, lack of organisation and poor marking - Phillips of all people was entirely unarked when he headed in their goal.

We took the game by scruff of the neck after the break, particularly in midfield where Rob Lee was outstanding, and without getting the run of the ball, were extremely unfortunate not to take all 3 points with Solano missing two guilt-edged chances towards the end and Dabz hitting the crossbar.

Neverthless a decent performance overall with the pace of Robert and Bellamy causing the mackems problems throughout. Given put in a solid performance, and I thought the much-criticised Barton was excellent. O'Brien shut out the Munchkin when he replaced the injured Robbie Elliott - he is our best defender, and really must be included in the side from the off.

It was wonderful to see Shearer coming on and looking pretty sprightly, and a great pity one of several good chances didn't fall to him to totally silence the surprisingly average away fans up on the top- shelf - it was however very neighbourly of them to chant AS's name when he finally made his entrance!

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

An enjoyable game, despite it mattering so much.

As the Sky lot said at half time, both goals came against the run of play. We were just starting to boss it when they scored. (Foul throw if either the ref or linesman had been watching, but hey ? )

Our goal was excellent. For those too distant from here and having not seen pictures it was a Terry Hibbitt curled left foot pass from Robert, Bellamy ran on to it from 30+yards out, ran away from the defender and put it across the goalie. Very good.

Second really was all us. They ahd a couple of runs at us when they seemed to have an extra man, but Shay didn't make a save in the half.

We had 4 good chances. Robert skinned all of them at speed, cut in with Bellamy free on the 6 yard line and Robert shot at the goalie rather than passing. Solano then missed an easy header, and then probably an easier free volley. Last minute or so was a goal mouth scramble and we could have scored but just didn't.

Barton played fine, nice reception from Leazes/East End corner when he went to take a throw. Got booked for chucking ball away, silly boy. Elliot was okay till he went off. O'Brien was better, or defence was better as a whole, when O'Brien was on. Hughes was okay, a couple of slips that he had to get himself out of second half. I thought Dabizas played his heart out to try and cope with Quinn but never won a challenge. Before I saw Robbie going off I thought they'd decided to take Dabs off for tactical reasons.

Solano, contributed positively, 'tackled' back more than usual but missed two very easy chances to win it. Speed was busy but he went off while the game was still in the kicking lumps out of each other stage. Acuna was busy when he came on, but I'm not 100% sure doing what. Lee played far better than he should have done for a third game in a week. He kept the ball moving better than normal and had a good game.

Robert went from very good to breathtaking although I felt he was dead on his feet at the end, and would probably have gone off fot Lua2 if we'd had subs available. Did a superb mazy run that must have beaten 5 players. Had a superb run from the half way line that he ended up hitting the goalie with rather than centring. Got booked early on for French petulance.

Shola tried hard but we continue to play the ball at his head just cos he's tall. He had a couple of excellent runs at their defence, and generally chased well but should probably share games with Shearer for the next few weeks.

Bellamy, brilliant !!! yes he is just Kevin Gallacher, but he's so much more too. He has the pace that Gallacher has lost, he has the same positional sense, creating space superbly, and running into it well. He took his goal very well and seemed to be bristling with confidence. I'm very pleasantly surprised.

As for Sunlun ? Everything went through or was aimed at Quinn. This is fine, and clearly works well, but it makes the midfield a bit redundant. I doubt they strung 5 passes together in our half more than once in the game. Phillips works well of Quinn, but that is it really. They seem like a Martin O'Neill Leicester side with strong defenders, scrappers in midfield and a big forward with a wee one around him.

If I look back and compare with last year then we are hugely better off with Robert on the left rather than nobody at all. Defence still struggles against Quinn. Midfield fought longer and harder, and maybe were better off because they had outlets in Robert, Bellamy and Shola.

Last season we got null points against Chelsea away and Sunlun at home, so we're two better off than then. I'm happy, and I think it's that it was the psotive performance that did it.

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

We woz robbed (still at Screacher's "do"). Anybody else for a pint before it runs out???

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

delighted with a point... we played some good stuff at times and tried to get it wide but for some reason it didn't click in the last third and lots of moves broke down through our own errors..... we played well below par but you played to your limits thats the difference betwwen the two teams.... Phillips took his well as did Bellamy but Sorenson should have done better.... Shearer came on for you lot and did nothing but fall over and dive around.... and you should have won it at the end....

the ground was very quiet at times and most of the noise was made by us until you scored....

we are well happy with 1-1 as you should have won it... I fancy you lot for relegation more than ever now....

By the way.... Macbeth you are an ugly get.... (pic in programme!!!)...

adios and off to bed having just got back to Cambs....

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2001

It may have been the best we've played against you lot but that doesn't mean it's the best we've played. I think Sunlun don't play the way most Premiership sides play. When you did try and play pretty passing football it worked with a couple of good runs made around the box and from midfield. Normally we get more time in mdifield and I think anyone giving us more time to get the ball wide will suffer from Robert and Solano.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001

We were great in the second half: absolutely mint. Having said that, the Makems were pisspoor. Couldn't pass the salt. Anyone who says that English football is catching up with other countries need only look at how well the Makems do by hoofing the ball around artlessly for proof to the contrary. I wouldn't say that any of our players had a bad game although Elliott was poor before he went off. Given was a spectator for most of the match but his kicking was f******g awful. Shearer looked good for the short while he was on and Shola took the piss out of their defence. We do need a finisher badly, though, because we should have beaten them by a humiliating margin.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001

Any thoughts on the mackems goal?

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001

DB, it was against the run of play and basically was the result of defending too deep. Hughes got a shove, and Dabs wasn't properly placed to help out. From where I was sitting, it looked like Dabs had knocked it in himself but the replay showed this wasn't the case. Oh, and Phillips is a whingeing little w******r.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001

*hinge*???

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001

All from the telly, I thought we should have won it with the second half performance.

For me the plus points were Bellamy, O'Brien, Robert and in the second half Rob Lee.

I still think in the centre of midfield we're too deep with Lee & Speed, there were a few times in the forst haf when Robert & Bellem got away and ready to cross and you expected a swarm of B&W support to stream into the penalty area, they waited & nothing came.

Shola needs to learn a lot. Not even convinced he'll make the grade. Rarley made the right run & never gave an option. He didn't control the ball well & really is only a threat when facing goal & moving with the ball.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001

Bellamy really was good, and Rob Lee was top notch in midfield.

I have to say as well that we coped pretty well with the vast majority of their long balls, Dabizas had Quinn sorted out for most of the game - maybe his bad back is catching up with him now. We missed Dabizas last season against the Mackems, if we had him then it would have been a different story.

Barton also made up some way for his mid week farce, with a solid display and some good passing.

I feel as if we should have won - Solano definitely had 2 easy chances - I would have put the second one away no bother, but you can excuse him for the first one if he's not a headerer.

However, at least when Sky visit the SoS now the viewers won't have to endure half an hour of "we beat the scum 2-1"

"We drew with the scum 1-1" doesn't really have the same effect does it?

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001

Shola was fairly poor - lack of control, didn't link up well and heading was poor. In contrast the combination of Robert and Bellamy looks v promising. Robert is a superb player, committed, brave and skillful. Bellamy, aside from an indifferent first 30 minutes made some very good runs. Barton had an excellent game - didn't put a foot wrong - but he wasn't against very much - they were poor. Shearer gave a bit more shape to the team - but he is predictable. Time will tell. Dabizas had his typical brave game putting Quinn under a lot of pressure. But against pace he still looks v vulnerable.

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2001

Wee bit late but what the hell, last Sunday started off really well, mu under 16`s winning Cup and Fair Play trophy , 6-2 , as usual we were dwarfed by the oppossition but took our chances and won very convincingly, 2 of our boys signing `S` forms for pro outfits after game. I watched the derby in the company of 5 of the mothers in the bar after the game , big screen , superb facilities, £1.65 pint, 60p a nip. I enjoyed the game , good football was at a premium and what was played was played by Newcastle. Having read the posts on here,two words keep coming back to me, Pace and Predictability. The intro of Robert and Bellamy has added to Newcastles game a vital ingredient that other teams hate, namely pace both on and off the ball. When Dyer returns this will up the stakes once more , it is then up to the rest of the team to capitilise on this, by thinking quicker , not a word of a lie but I did remark to the mothers that Rob Lee who I have been so quick to critisise was reminding me of Jimmy Scoular with his attempts to bring Robert into play, well spotted also Bobby!!!!!!.

I am afraid the predictably showed with Shola, sitting on the fence somewhat but I am not sure if he is the answer now or in the forseeable futures, big reservations about his reading of the game, Also when AL returns I agree with another poster , he is so predictable, it will be very interesting. Dabs received a bit of stick on here , I admired his passion and will to win , he has to play alongside O`Brian , Barton okay, but tell me please, why does he make all these non productive inside runs ,is Solan0 squeezing the space,? same last year. With inclusion of the injured I know Newcastle can now adapt to a different game plan, the effort they put in on Sunday is impossible to do week in and out,its getting the right mix as always.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2001

The varying views on Ameobi are interesting ansd perhaps even merit their own thread. My gut feeling is that he won't make it, unfortunately. Why? Not entirely sure, as there are lots of promising aspects. His awkwardness can be a bonus, and he does seem to have incredible close control of the ball despite flailing arms and legs. I also always hear the comment that his pace is deceptive, but from the little I've seen, he doesn't have a burst of acceleration - when he gets going he might be quick, but rarely seems to win the normal 10 yard sprints. Buff's comment on awareness/reading the game - to me he appears inconsistent in this department, so perhaps it's a concentration issue which can be improved upon. Presence in the air...hmm..in fact it's the general presence in the box that's his current downfall. I'd like to see a more predatory nature, with physical presence and aggression to go with the ball skills. Perhaps it'll come with age...I hope so.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2001

Also late, but if its good enough for the mighty Buff etc (congrats on the cup win btw)

Hot, sticky, sweltering day. Watch Ajax unexpectantly turn over Feyenoord 2-1 away on the TV. Houlier and Thompson in crowd - to see Bret Emerton says the commentator, who played poorly- subsequently hear it was Dudek. Rafael van der Vaart scores superb second goal out of nothing.

Cycle into Leiden to nearest 'English Pub' with Sky. Spot familiar Geordie face I recognise from Feyenoord friendly- have chat. 5 Toon, no Mackems. One tells me when living Glasgow him and mates insisted on getting a derby game on TV in a pub despite clash Old Firm match. He's a big mean looking bastard, I believe him.

20 minutes into the game disaster strikes. Massive electrical storm torrential rain, sheet lightening, and the signal goes dead. Irish bloke reckons he can fix it 'its all the static i'm tellíng you, no problem.... leave it to me'. Ten minutes later we loose the 'no signal received' message and get a blue screen. 'Aw for fucks sake man'. Tempers are raised.

'I reckon we've won a corner', 'whats happening now, has Dabs gone up for it?'I'm thinking of cycling back to listen to the radio but outside...the rain i could live with, but that lightening looks deadly. After 30 minutes or so the storm eases up a bit, still no signal. I cycle home, get drenched, and catch most of the second half on the radio. Highlights on Dutch TV were only consulation, but a Mackem friend v. generously offers to send video.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2001

Congratulations on the Cup win Buff.
A very thoughtful analysis, but a genuine question for you. You say AS is predictable. Don't you think he has been largely predictable for 10 years, but still powerful, brave and skilfull enough to score buckets of goals? Personally, I don't think he's ever been a clever technical player, just an out and out goalscorer. I only hope he can do it for another season or two.

Ref Ameobi. Peter Miller and yourself point out that Shola doesn't read the game well, and I entirely agree with you. However, is this deficiency not simply part of being only 19 with very limited experience? As for his lack of physical presence and real pace - again, he is only 19 and still developing physically.

As for the lack of a genuine burst of pace over 5-10yds - how many players of his height, ca.6'2", have such a burst of pace? Not many, I would suggest.

The biggest potential problem in my mind with Shola is that he does not appear to be an instinctive finisher, and I'm not convinced he will ever score a pile of goals. However, he is undoubtedly talented and one who should go one to become a genuine PL forward with adequate coaching, experience and continued physical development and maturity.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2001

Re Alan Shearer Clarky, yes he is predictable and he has been for years , this predictability has brought him numerous honours and a bucketful of goals every year . The problem here is because of his stature within the club the rest of the team become predictable in their approach to a game , I have no hassle with Al whatsover as long as he gets into the area and hurts the opposition , he can still do it as long as the rest vary their game to suit. Rob Lee cross balls to Robert are a example, one outta three reach , Robert can hit the line fast and even at 30 you would want Shearer making the run into the box. As for Shola I`m afraid if he aint a natural finisher at 19 ,he has to forget it, no amount of coaching will instill this God given gift , Greaves, Owen , Clough etc all had it , even money although I have not seen him play but McMemem ? will have more predatory instincts . Shols may have a role to play in the future,I am not sure where or what position.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2001

Thanks Buff - no disagreements there.
I didn't mean to imply that coaching could make Shola a more instinctive striker - it won't, and that's the main problem I can see with him.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2001

I always struggle to criticise kids, unlike their old and blonder colleagues :0)

I feel Shola has been a breath of fresh air. We had lost the ability to beat a man. Shearer's predictability means he doesn't eve beat someone in the box (occasionally on the right wing) but I don't remember when he did in the box. We were playing without a left winger, and our right winger is a passer not someone who beats a player. (Not criticising this, just commenting on style). Shola takes people on, adds that touch of unorthodox unpredictablity that defenders hate. Kanu doesn't score goals as much as he should but he's great to watch, I feel like that about Shola.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2001

Macbeth - the last time AS beat a man in the box to score was probably around 1992. It didn't stop Blackburn and then the Toon paying record transfer fees for him, or stop him becoming the PL's top goal-scorer.

For a period Blackburn brilliantly played to his strengths and minimised his weaknesses: we have stuck him in a No.9 shirt and said "well gan on then, score some goals!"

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2001

I wasn't criticising Shearer at all. I believe a goal scorer is a magical asset, much preferring the raw Andy Cole that got 34 goals to the new improved version that can't hit a barn door witha Gary Speed.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2001

Just thought I'd let some of you who weren't in the ground know that at 3.30ish they played U2s 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'. Seemed somewhat innapropriate at the time.

-- Anonymous, August 30, 2001

I like the Kanu reference re Shola. That is very much how I see him but without the confidence to take on that role. What I have noticed is that on rare occasions he has held the ball up ewell and looked for CB running through passed to him but fluffed the pass.

I think with a few years under his belt he could easily turn into the sort of player that Kanu is today. i.e good control, full of tricks and able to pick out a pacy striker

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

I've seen Shola play well for the U-21's who don't use him as an out- and-out striker, but as a target man to hold the ball and bring other players into the game. The difference is that they don't just hit high balls up the middle and expect him to compete physically with giant defenders.

Against Mexico U-21's last season he was just excellent - to the point where he was eventually 'cleaned out' from behind and went off injured.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001