Saturday saw us on the road again but even though we have had many happy away days, this one was going to prove different with the likes of Barton and Tiote missing. Arguably our two best players this season would be missing the game due to suspension. The midfield was put together with Smith making a rare start with Gutierrez, Nolan and the still rusty Guthrie. Lovenkrands would be missing out as well whilst Ameobi made a comeback from a short break from a injury.
The game never really got going from a Newcastle perspective and a penalty given for handball by skipper Nolan was not what we needed. Bolton then doubled their lead and then went further ahead until Carroll got one back and we showed signs of a comeback for about five minutes. The game got worse though when they got another goal and to top it off the ref who should have gone to Specsavers gave another penalty for a good tackle by Enrique. Two bad penalty decisions on the day flattered Bolton who were the better team though still not a great team. They have been said to play good football but I did not see it. I did not see it from anyone in a Newcastle shirt either. A terrible day and a non performance by Smith and Guthrie who look very short of match practice. Smith, who was brilliant last season was not the same player. We lacked Joey's passion and ability to get the ball to the tall forwards with some accuracy. Tiote was missed as a holding player and we suffered because of his absence. Williamson clashed with Elmander early doors but the ref gave nothing and I saw it as an accidental clash as two players reacted to a long ball but ran into each other, as much Elmander's fault as it was Williamson's. I did argue about Colo's sending off before seeing the elbow in the replay. No arguments there - Colo should have walked before the ref pulled his card out. Williamson is not the type to go for another player, more of a honest hard worker to be honest but the FA have looked at it and he has been charged with violent conduct. So that leaves us with the very slow looking Campbell and unused Steven Taylor for our game with Chelsea with Kadar the only other center half on the bench.
We lacked Joey's passion and ability to get the ball to the tall forwards with some accuracy
Chelsea have been going through a bad patch and have their own problems with injuries and suspensions but our squad can't be compared with that of the Premier League Champions. We went down to Stamford Bridge only a few weeks ago now and gave them a good kicking. Can we do it again without Barton and Colo or are Chelsea going to come up here and give us a hiding?
We don't know that is exactly it. We can be sure our home form has got to improve. Maybe the likes of Campbell and Taylor will help that home form? I personally would like to see these two fully fit playing alongside one another before Colo and Willi.
The midfield has got to change. Smith will just not do and we need width and both wingers supplying the front men or man. It looks like Carroll may lead the line alone as he did with England last week. Nolan and Vuckic in the middle and Lovenkrands plying in the hole with Routledge on the right and Jonas left. We need pace in the team and wingers. Lovenkrands can run so he can work between the midfield and Carroll. Lovenkrands has been poor this season but some hard work could get him back upto scratch. Routledge should be seizing his chances and this is his time - possibly his last opportunity of Premiership football. As long as we're solid in the middle and back we should not ship too many goals while still being a threat up top. If Andy Carroll gets the ball he will be a handful so a little support is vital. I predict a defeat from the West Londoners but just hope we don't do it the hard way again.
Highlights
Picture sourced from http://www.sportydesktops.com/wallpaper/B/3/
No comments:
Post a Comment