So what was the match like for those who were there?

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2001

Answers

Rob tis the season of soirees, Strawberry shower are dining after the game, Screacher could be first, last bus oot toon to Blyth say 11pm, hour to log on, estimate arrival of first report 0100hrs unless his arch team picking foe, `Clarky` beats him to it.

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2001

Basically:

We had the ball a hell of a lot, in the first half we kept pushing them and pushing them but couldn't find a way through - really missed Bellamy's movement to be honest.

Their goal was a blatant foul on Given from where I was, although there was no midfield cover to pick up Tugay. So much for Rob Lee being a defensive midfielder. However, the shot looked an easy catch for the 'keeper to me, and as well as he's been playing recently, Given has to take some of the blame for it. Maybe Elliott can take some blame as well, but he was caught in two minds whether to go for Tugay and leave Gillespie in acres or stand and mope in between them and hope for the best.

Second half we played some great stuff. Dyer really did look quality, (apart from the miskick obviously). His passing was crisp and his movement meant Solano's passes were defence splitting rather than a waste of the ball.

Bernard's goal was class - quite similar to Rickett's against Spurs the other week. Speed's looked a little fortunate - I don't think he meant it, but what the hell, I'll take it.

Lua Lua also made a difference as he ran at defenders. As soon as he got the ball about three Blackburn players ran straight for him - one time he beat all three of them with zero effort.

Shearer was fouled countless times but the referee was a tart and gave no decisions - hence he was booed off the pitch at half time. I hear from the match thread that Sky reckoned we were booing the team off - it couldn't be further from the truth. I think if you hear a mixture of boos and "the referee's a wa*ker" then it's obvious who the boos are directed at.

We were perhaps weaker defensively once Lee was subbed off, but when we had the ball we were ripping them to shreds. If that team had played from the start we would have found it easier from a defensive point of view as their midfield wouldn't have pushed so far up the pitch.

One other point - Tugay. Canny player but absolute ponce of a diving foreign Turkish bastard bollocks git. As soon as we went 2-1 up he never hit the deck once, contrasting with about 3 times every ten minutes when Blackburn were winning. A very welcome three points nonetheless, and three points that I feel we thoroughly deserved. For all Blackburn's pressure in the last ten minutes, they never really threatened the goal. A few nervy moments when crosses were put into our box, but that was it.

Lastly, I hate Spurs.

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2001

I should also add:

Distin put in a mixed performance - no comparison with his excellent Ipswich display, but not really too bad. A few risky passes but I suppose the risks paid off. One class long ball across the entire length of the pitch to pick out (I think) Aaron Hughes.

Speed was my man of the match (Dyer would get it but didn't play the whole match)

There was a move as well at the start of the second half involving about 10 one-two's which was breathtaking stuff. Sadly Dyer miscued what was quite a hard chance (coming towards the wrong foot).

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2001

Paul, I thought Tugay stood out head and shoulders above the rest of the Blackburn team, he looked like a canny player to me! And to be quite honest, I thought we were really hanging on towards the end. We seemed determined to clear the ball direct to a Blackburn player...and hence it was coming straight back into our penalty area. Which was creating panic among our defenders...and that wasn't just for the last ten minutes. But hey! 3 points.

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2001

I thought that Distin was excellent today. Apart from one very dodgy ball given away, he was solid, confident and probably the best defender on the field.

Bernard was nothing special apart from the goal which was a cracker.

Luax2 livened things up immensly but was responsible for us not getting a third. He is the living definition of a glory-hound and could have laid a simple ball to Solano at one point for an almost certain goal but chose instead to do it all himself.

Thei goal looked like a foul on the keeper to me as well but I'd have to see a replay. It was a very soft goal to concede.

We went to bits for the last 10 minutes and seemed intent on giving them as many chances as possible to level the score.

We missed Bellamy today. There were very few ideas going forward, despite huge amounts of possesion.

I'm a huge fan, but Shearer today looked slow and ineffectual. As someone to draw defenders away from Bellamy and hold the ball up, he's fine but he certainly doesn't look likely to score much himself from open play.

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2001

Main thing was the 3 points - absolutely vital given the difficult run of games we've got coming up. Fair play to the lads, league table doesn't lie (well maybe a little) and even if we haven't been 100% convincing all season we can look down at the likes of Man United, Chelsea, Spurs, Villa, Sunderland & Boro. We're even ahead of Leeds at least until they play tomorrow and we've got a great opportunity to qualify for Europe through the league.

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2001

Dyer made the difference. We were actually OK until he came on but looked very unlikely to score: he changed the entire complexion of the game.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001

Just goes to show its all about opinions, i thought Bernard had a great 2nd half and a good 1st half.

Distin was the best defender for me he hit two or 3 passes 40 yds plus straight to a BW shirt, he had bags of pace , BUT who was Blackburns striker who came on for the last 10 - he made distin look small.

Obrien was a bit slow and on one occasion could have cost us with his deliberating , but GIVEN did what all good keepers should , he took the ball Obrien the striker and half the pitch , that was good keeping.

There goal looked a certain push on Given but on TV given was leaning back and just fell into the net , so it was a soft goal I blame Given for not getting the Tugay shot and Hughes for not sticking his head on the 2nd ball.

Lua x 2 just confuses the hell outa me he beats 3 men then looks for someone else to beat , hello Ketsbaia.

Dyer looks like hes having no reaction to the injury and gave some wonderfull options , im looking forward to seeing him nobby and bellamy playing in traingles at pace.
All in all im happy with 3 points but we need to be more unforgiving in front of goal. Ken

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001

Agree with Kennyboy re their goal. After watching it again and again, Dunn simply got there first..ish. Given actually just managed to get a hand to it but it was a desperate lunge and only succeeded it knocking it onto Dunn.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001

Well it's pretty much all been said about the match - agree that Distin played v.well with only the occasional mistake, Bernard maybe not quite the MOTM but a big effort for his first full run-out, and thought Gary Speed had a huge second half.

I'll save judgement on the SJP experience until after I've been to the Boro and Chelsea games but all in all it was fantastic to be at my first home league game in over 5 years. Lucky omen me, I told you so !! Well, if we can do Leeds next Satda then I'll definitely take that mantle off Sting :O))

Excellent to see the gang in the Strawberry beforehand. Decided to make the earlier train afterwards so sorry not to see you then. Planning on definitely having longer pre and post Chelsea on 29th for anyone around. Tony - complete star for sorting me out for tickets, drinks are def. on me then.

-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001