Sunday, September 25, 2011

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Blackburn Rovers(H)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (7) - Had very little work to do.

Danny Simpson (7) - Made about two defensive errors. One led to their goal as he gave Olssen too much room to cross and the other as Olssen hit the cross bar when he was on the wrong side of his man. Other than that he was fairly sound but it just shows how important concentration is at this level.

Steven Taylor (7.5) – A pretty solid display, although he wasn’t quite as busy as I expected.

Fabricio Coloccini (8.5) – I thought he was brilliant. Read the game so well and defended superbly all game. Did it with style too.

Ryan Taylor (7) – Made two or three important challenges and blocks and also put in the odd good ball into the box. Gave the ball away carelessly which led to them scoring so needs to be more careful.

Gabriel Obertan (8.5) – His best performance in a toon shirt thus far. Caused problems all afternoon and was a constant threat. Seems to be growing in confidence which bodes well for the future.

Cheik Tiote (8) – Another solid performance from Tiote following on from last week’s impressive display. Barely gave the ball away and won many challenges for us. His partnership with Cabaye seems to be flourishing as well.

Yohan Cabaye (8) – I thought his passing was superb. He fed Obertan and Jonas with so many balls to run onto and went about his work quietly yet very effectively.

Jonas Gutierrez (7.5) – Had yet another better second half performance and deserved his standing ovation he got towards the end.

Demba Ba (9.5) – A fantastic performance from our number 19. He looked dangerous from the first minute and finished all his goals clinically. Perhaps deserves a ten but I’ll reserve that for when he bags four goals in one match later in the season.

Leon Best (7) – Worked really hard and played well but his finishing let him down. Does get himself into good positions and if he keeps doing that he’ll score goals in games more often than not.

Substitutes

Hatem Ben Arfa (7.5) – Looked good when he came on and nearly set up two goals in his brief cameo.

Sylvain Marveaux (7) – He too did well when coming on and deserves more time on the pitch I feel.

Newcastle United Man of the Match – Demba Ba

Saturday, September 17, 2011

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Aston Villa (Away)

Player Ratings
Tim Krul (7.5) - Did not really have a busy afternoon, surprisingly. Dealt easily with what came his way, except for the goal which was a good finish from very close range.

Danny Simpson (7.5) - Kept N'Zogbia quiet for most of the match and defended well. Did not go forward as much though, despite all our possession today.

Steven Taylor (7) - Almost made one huge error but was fortunate to see Villa waste it. Other than that, he had a decent game.

Fabricio Coloccini (7) - Potentially at fault for their goal, as he fell over. It was a bit fortuitous though as the ball fell kindly for Agbonlahor too. Coloccini did keep Bent quiet before he was eventually taken off.

Ryan Taylor (7) - A better performance from Ryan Taylor today. He did his job for the most part and tried to support Jonas on attack too so no complaints about his performance this time around.

Gabriel Obertan (6.5) - Showed a few times that he had the beating of Warnock but unfortunately he couldn't find the cross to match his good work. His pace is nice to have in the team though, especially away from home as he carried the ball forward a lot on the break.

Cheik Tiote (8) - A much better performance from our central midfielder today. Despite giving the ball away in crucial areas a few times, which luckily came to nothing, he was more like his old self, winning the ball, turning and finding space to help us build another attack and upsetting their momentum. Also provided the cross in the build up to our goal. He now needs to build on this performance.

Yohan Cabaye (8.5) - Superb performance from Cabaye today. He really deserved a goal as he hit the post with a sublime first time effort and forced a world class save from Given, when it was goal written all over it. Apart from that, he dominated the middle of the park along with Tiote and put in a really good hard working performance.

Jonas Gutierrez (6) - I thought he was disappointing today. Did do his defensive work but could have done more on attack.

Demba Ba (7.5) - A very sharp looking performance from him and one that can hopefully cut him sum slack for the time being. He beat his man a few times and also showed good inter play with some of his colleagues. Looked like the striker I saw at West Ham, now he just needs a goal.

Leon best (7.5) - At the right place at the right time, to score his third goal of the season, at the second attempt. A fairly decent showing from him and I must say it's surprising to hear he has never played the full 90 minutes for us yet in the premier league.

Substitutes
Shola Ameobi (5) - Offered very little when he came on. I'd much rather have kept Best on the field.

Sylvain Marveaux (7.5) - A very decent cameo from the former Rennes man. Played Cabaye in superbly at the end, which could have resulted in a goal while he barely lost the ball and helped us finish the game the stronger.

Sammy Ameobi (N/A) - Was only on the field for a few minutes.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Yohan Cabaye

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs QPR (A)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (7.5) - Dealt comfortably with everything which came his way.

Danny Simpson (8) - A very good defensive display from the right back. He made a crucial goal line clearance which helped us earn a point. Apart from that the rest of his game was also fairly impressive, as he made some good tackles and looked decent when with the ball.

Steven Taylor (8) - Another player who defended well. He too made a good goal line clearance while he also made a good last ditch tackle in the first half. Had a more comfortable second half, as QPR seemed to run out of steam.

Fabricio Coloccini (7.5) - Overall yet another solid performance by our skipper, although he had a hard time trying to do his work and covering for Ryan Taylor, who had a difficult first half. Showed his class at times, yet never seems to get the recognition from the media and commentators which I think he deserves.

Ryan Taylor (6) - He tried hard but had a tough time marking Shaun Wright Phillips. I think it was a good thing that SWP was moved to a different position in the second half, as Taylor wasn't as troubled after the half time break. I'd expect Santon to come into the team soon.

Gabriel Obertan (6.5) - He had a fairly good first half, tracking back and seeing a fair bit of the ball. The second half was a bit different, although he did have two half chances albeit with headers.

Cheik Tiote (6) - He did some good things but also a fair bit of ordinary things. The amount of times he lost the ball against QPR was so unlike Tiote and one wonders why his performances have dropped so dramatically this season. It's still early days though, so let's give him time.

Yohan Cabaye (6.5) - A sound performance from Cabaye. He was a bit quiet but yet what he did do he did well. Wasn't able to go into their third of the field much though which affected us, as the lack of creativity proved.

Jonas Gutierrez (6) - Another player who wasn't quite his dangerous self. Had one or two runs which unfortunately came to nothing, whilst he had a lot of defensive work to do in the first half and seemed to pick up a knock too.

Shola Ameobi (6) - Didn't offer us enough movement up front, particularly as Best was having a good game. I don't think he was 100% fit also.

Leon Best (8) - Perhaps our best player on the day. Looked sharp on the ball and almost scored with a lovely solo effort. Ben Arfa's potential return may see Best benefit most as he needs support up front.

Substitutes
Sylvain Marveaux (6.5) - Looked good on the ball when he came on and deserves a start soon, I feel.

Demba Ba (6.5) - Looked more lively than Shola and just needs some chances in front of goal, which he isn't getting.

Sammy Ameobi (7) - Seemed fearless when he came on and I'd have loved for him to come on earlier. Seems a real confident player, who is good on the ball and not afraid to take on his man.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Leon Best