My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Stevenage

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (5.5) - Not at fault for any of their goals and made some good saves but his kicking was very poor and did not fill me with confidence. Needs to work on that for it is the one weakness preventing him from being our number one I feel.

Danny Simpson (6) Should never have allowed the first goal to happen. Allowed his opponent to turn and have a clear shot and goal which was disappointing. Apart from one good cross he was not at his best in this game.

Mike Williamson (5.5) - Had a chance to impress but did not take it. Was unlucky to deflect their first goal goal wards but looked very shaky at times.

Fabricio Coloccini (6.5)- Our best defender on the day but even he did not impress too much. Has played 5 games in 13 days so could perhaps be forgiven for a rather tired looking performance.

James Perch (5)- Offered very little going forward, gave the ball away too much and wasn't good enough for me. He was played out of position but I still think he was a waste of transfer funds by the club.

Wayne Routledge (6) - At times he looked good on the ball, while he seemed to also be our only player capable of creating something. The problem is though that he never created anything despite all his efforts.

Alan Smith (3) - A player earning such great wages but does absolutely nothing. It was as though we played with ten men as he did nothing to protect the defence. Can see why Tiote was brought on.

Kevin Nolan (6) -Fought hard to get us to create something but failed to inspire the team when they looked so poor.

Joey Barton (7) - Scored with a stunning strike but other than that he was not as influential as he has been this season. Played out on the left which was a big mistake, despite young Shane Ferguson being on the bench.

Peter Lovenkrands (6) -Was very much anonymous although he got very little service.

Leon Best (6) -Did virtually nothing although again, he too got little service for the half that he was on for.

Substitutes
Nile Ranger (6) - Failed to make any real impact on the game after coming on at half time.

Cheik Tiote (4) - Tried to make an instant impact and to stamp his authority on the game but he was sent off for a some what wild tackle. Did seem to win the ball but his sending off was the last thing we needed.

Phil Airey (6) - Had a shot at goal which is the only thing I remember him doing. Not the greatest of debut's for him.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Joey Barton

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs West Ham (H)

Player Ratings

Steve Harper (7.5) - Made a few good saves on a night in which he did not have a lot to do.

Danny Simpson (7.5) - Very solid at right back. Really has been excellent since he's come back into the team.

Steven Taylor (7) - Picked up an injury which only allowed him to play until half time but hardly looked troubled when on the field.

Fabricio Coloccini (8) - Put in some fine tackles, even when the score was already 5-0 and just looked so assured at the back.

Jose Enrique (8.5) - Barely gave West Ham the chance to attack down his flank and was very good going forward. Linked up well with both Jonas and Ferguson as well. I wouldn't swap him for any other left back in the league.

Joey Barton (8.5) - Fast becoming one of my favourite toon players, he was once again very impressive. Controlled things for us in midfield and it came as no surprise to see him involved in the build up for three of our goals. He is bang on form at the moment and long may it continue.

Cheik Tiote (8.5) - Magnificent in midfield, the Ivory Coast international did well to protect the back four as well as getting us onto the front foot regularly with his passing and drive from the centre of the park. Went off with an injury but hopefully he'll be fine for the mackems game.

Kevin Nolan (7.5) - Took his goal very nicely indeed and really does lead from the front.

Jonas Guierrez (7) - Played his part in the build up to our third goal and certainly worked hard for the team when he was on. Considering he played with an injury for much of his 60 minutes some credit should go to him.

Peter Lovenkrands (8) - Made some excellent runs, as seen by his movement for the first two goals. Took his goal nicely to get on the score sheet and kept the West Ham defence busy all evening.

Leon Best (9) - What a performance! Many thought he did not warrant a starting berth but he proved all those doubters wrong. Took all his goals well and was excellent in the air, winning numerous flick ons and linked up nicely with Lovenkrands up front.

Substitutes
Mike Williamson (7) -Would have relished being given another opportunity after half time and defended fairly well during his time on the field.

Nile Ranger (5) - Missed a real sitter and still seems to be very raw at the moment. Needs to be sent out on loan.

Shane Ferguson (7.5) - It was a nice cameo from the youngster who seems to be a real good prospect.

Man of the Match - Leon Best

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Wigan (A)

Player Ratings

Steve Harper (7) - Did not have a lot to do but did well when called upon.

Danny Simpson (7) - Provided a superb cross from which Shola should have scored. Despite an early booking he defended well and linked up nicely with Barton.

Steven Taylor (7) - Was unlucky not to score with a header which hit the crossbar but will be happy with the clean sheet for our defence defended well with him winning many balls in the air.

Fabricio Coloccini (8) - Really steady and calm at the back. Can hardly remember him making a mistake today and he too was unlucky not to score after his header hit the post in the first half.

Jose Enrique (7) - Made one or two mistakes early on, losing the ball or miss controlling it but recovered well thereafter even though he's had better games before.

Joey Barton (8) - It was his hard work which lead to the goal. He pressurised the defender and eventually got a good shot in which the keeper could only see end up in the back of the net moments later. Controlled things for us and most of our best moves had him involved somewhere in the build up. Provided some good set pieces too.

Cheik Tiote (8) - Superb in the centre of the park. Won many tackles, lost the ball very few times and helped us win the midfield battle which lead to us winning the game. On top of all that, he never got booked today which doesn't happen very often!

Kevin Nolan (7) - Not as influential as the previous two but still played his part in today's win. Proved to be a good link man between the midfielders and strikers.

Jonas Gutierrez (7.5) - He lost the ball twice in the first three minutes and I thought to myself how does he start every game but he picked up his game and did well especially when he ran at the Wigan defence. Had a pretty decent game and showed he does add value to this team when he plays well.

Peter Lovenkrands (7) - Should probably have scored at least one goal today but despite that he ran into space well and played his part in the goal. Put in a good shift overall.

Shola Ameobi (7.5) - We saw the good and the not so good from him today. Scored the only goal of the game but missed the easiest chance of the game as well. Won plenty in the air though and did well in the absence of Andy Carroll.

Substitutes
Wayne Routledge (7.5) - Despite the lack of a good final ball he did very well when coming on. Beat his man at least three times and showed that he can be a danger when coming on through his skill and pace.

Leon Best (6) - Looked pretty average when he came on although he did go on one good run despite failing to hit the target with his shot.

Alan Smith (N/A) - Came on with a few minutes to play.

Man of the Match - Joey Barton

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Tottenham (A)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (7.5) - The only player to come away from today with some credibility. He made some good saves, one of which was terrific to deny Spurs late in the first half. Repaid the manager's faith in him and was not to blame for their goals in my opinion.

Danny Simpson (6) - Had a difficult time marking Gareth Bale and came out second best today. Few can stop the Welsh winger though so his focus should just go onto the next game and try and learn from today.

Steven Taylor (6) - Looked shaky at times and should have done better for Bale's goal. Could perhaps have closed him down and stopped his shot from coming in. Other than that he did relatively well.
Fabricio Coloccini (6.5) - Made a few good tackles to deny the Spurs attackers and seemed to form a better partnership with Taylor today than in the previous game. Our best defender on the day.

James Perch (6) - Had a decent first half and put in some good challenges but then all that was undone by allowing Lennon too much space for him to open the scoring. Just hope Enrique is fit for Sunday for he offers much more in both defence and attack.
Wayne Routledge (6) - He was full of energy but unfortunately did nothing of note. It's disappointing for he can be dangerous with all his speed.

Alan Smith (6) - He did fairly well defensively for us. He made one excellent block in the first half but it was his passing and offence which just wasn't good enough. For someone coming in for Nolan, it is evident we lack depth in our squad.

Cheik Tiote (6.5) - Had a pretty decent game but he needs to stop making some unnecessary challenges. Could easily have been sent off today and with our squad being as thin as it is, we just can't afford that right now.

Jonas Gutierrez (5.5) - For someone of his ability he has really been disappointing in the last few weeks. Fails to bring anything good to the team's attack in terms of getting balls into the box or playing a dangerous pass to open up the defence. Was taken off after the hour mark and rightly so.

Joey Barton (5) - Had a decent game in terms of his commitment and ball skills but his passing was pathetic. His free kicks offered the team very little and for someone capable of such accuracy when it comes to his passing he was just not good enough today. Played far too many long balls which were over hit.

Andy Carroll (6) - His commitment was there but he failed to get any decent service and was visibly frustrated by it. Needs more support up front.

Substitutes

Nile Ranger (5.5) - Was unable to make any impact today.

Peter Lovenkrands (5) - Should have done better in the build up to the second goal for it was clearly a decent chance for us to create something and we got punished for it.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Tim Krul

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Man City (H)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (5) - His terrible mistake cost us the first goal and that gave us a mountain to climb thereafter. Hopefully he'll get another opportunity for I'm sure he'll learn from today's mistake.

Danny Simpson (6) - Put in some good tackles although his crossing left a lot to be desired.

Steven Taylor (6) - Did not have a bad game but needs to do more if he is to keep Mike Williamson out of the team in my opinion. Did not close some of the City attackers quickly enough at times which could have made the scoreline worse.

Fabricio Coloccini (6.5) - Good to have the centre half back in the team today but it was not enough to stop City from scoring thrice. Was the unlucky guy to have the shot deflect off him which ended our hopes of getting something from today. Should not have turned his back on the ball! Had a decent game overall though.

Jose Enrique (6.5) - Worked hard for the team and tried to go forward as much as he could he could although Milner kept him busy throughout.

Wayne Routledge (6) - Started brightly but soon faded and was replaced after the hour mark.

Joey Barton (6.5) - Was not afraid to get stuck in. City though made sure he was not able to influence the game for us the way he has done of late. Did manage to create an assist for our only goal today.

Cheik Tiote (6) - Failed to protect the back four today at times and was guilty of lazily giving the ball away for their second goal. Did have a much better second half though which was a good recovery.

Kevin Nolan (6) - The move to play him up top with Carroll did not pay off. He had one or two chances but other than that starting Ranger might have been the better option in hindsight.

Jonas Gutierrez (6) - He too worked really hard but was unable to find that quality ball in the last third that allowed us to score from. Can't fault his effort though.

Andy Carroll (7) - Scored our only goal and fought really hard for the team. Wasn't afraid to shoot from outside the box either. Seems to play better with a partner up front though.

Substitute
Nile Ranger (6.5) - Did not quite have the same impact as the last game but did well enough to perhaps warrant a start in place of Nolan in the next game.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Andy Carroll

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Liverpool (H)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (7.5) - Made a terrific save from Torres in the second half and had a pretty decent game overall despite one or two heart in mouth moments.

Danny Simpson (6.5) - He wasn't able to go forward too much but defended well.

Sol Campbell (6) - Made one or two telling tackles but was very much to blame for their goal. Should never have turned his back on the ball and it almost cost us. Won a fair amount in the air though which was important.

Steven Taylor (7) - Looked far more assured than Campbell today. Did not give the Liverpool attackers too much space bar one or two opportunities.

Jose Enrique (7.5) - He really got stuck in today. Was always willing to go forward and defended well too. He really seemed up for it and was our best defender on the day.

Joey Barton (8.5) - Joey was outstanding today. His commitment was second to none and he of course scored the all important second goal for us with a gutsy finish. Played his part in the other goals too and showed why he was so badly missed in the previous games.

Cheik Tiote (8) - Won several challenges and looked very good on the ball without giving it away too much. Certainly a big part in why we won today.

Kevin Nolan (8) - In terms of leadership he was excellent today and really led from the front. Scored the first goal, which was crucial and hopefully he'll be okay for the next game after he was substituted.

Jonas Gutierrez (5.5) - Not a good performance from Jonas today it has to be said. Apart from the last 15-20 minutes, he lacked confidence to take the ball up and was just not able to influence the game in any way. Should may be have been taken off but never stopped trying to his credit.

Shola Ameobi (6.5) - Went off with an injury and although he worked hard in the first half, he wasn't able to influence the game as much as his strike partner. Did to his bit though and showed signs of linking up with Carroll very nicely. Do hope his injury is not too bad.

Andy Carroll (8.5) - Another top class performance from our number nine. Set up the first goal, was part of the build up for the second goal and wrapped the game up with the third goal with a sublime finish. Really did cause Liverpool all sorts of problems.

Substitutes

Nile Ranger (7.5) - Many will feel his introduction changed the game and to me it did. He brought real energy to the team, chased various flick ons and showed that he really is a good prospect.

Alan Smith (N/A) - Only on for a few minutes.

Wayne Routledge (N/A) - Barely on for a minute.

Man of the Match - Andy Carroll

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs West Brom (A)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (6) - Hardly to blame for any of their goals but he cannot be happy conceding three goals today.

Danny Simpson (6.5) - He put in some decent crosses going forward but was really tested by Thomas in defence. Beaten a few times with Thomas' blistering pace exposing him occasionally.

Steven Taylor (5.5) - Caught playing the attacker on side for their third goal and failed to close down the goalscorer in the lead up to the second goal. Won't be happy with his display today, although he did manage one good attempt on goal in the second half.

Sol Campbell (5) - He was very much off the pace of the game today. Caught holding up his hands in the hope that the attacker was offside for their third goal but it was clear that, it was more in hope than actually him being offside. Should also have closed down the goalscorer for their other goals. On today's showing, one has to worry about our centre backs coping with Fernando Torres next week.

Jose Enrique (5.5) - Arguably one of his worst games in a long time. Had his hands full with Tchoyi, who got the better of him a few times, which is something we don't say too often. Was not able to go forward too often as a result.

Wayne Routledge (6) - He worked hard and got one really good ball into the box but other than that it was a frustrating day for him, getting few chances to run at the Albion defence.

Danny Guthrie (5) - Went off injured with what looked like a serious injury but gave the ball away for their second goal which seemed to kill off any hopes we had of getting something from the game. As for his overall performance, he failed to get any foothold on the game and his set pieces were poor most of the time. Just not a good day for him, but let's hope he recovers quickly as we could do with his creativity even if its from the bench when Barton and Nolan return..

Cheik Tiote (6.5) - He had his moments where he showed real quality on the ball and won back the ball for us but he too was unable to get us on top in terms of possession for large enough periods in the game. Does give away some silly fouls though.

Jonas Gutierrez (5.5) - Very ineffective today. Apart from one good run which saw the ball some how cleared off the line, and one excellent cross which could have resulted in Lovenkrands scoring, he did not offer us much and was lucky to play the full 90 minutes in my opinion as I would have substituted him, if we had someone good enough to bring on in his place.

Shola Ameobi (6) - Wasn't able to get into the game and was taken off at half time. Not his fault though as we allowed WBA to have most of the possession in the first half.

Andy Carroll (6) - Similar to Ameobi, he was rarely in the game although he did have a better second half. Was involved in the build up to our goal but it was far too late then.

Substitutes
Peter Lovenkrands (7) - Made some really good runs and managed to break his duck for this season. Still needs more game time to get his sharpness back.

Alan Smith (5) - It's frustrating seeing him come on, when a player like Vuckic can't even make the bench.

Nile Ranger (5.5) - Failed to have any impact after coming on towards the end.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Peter Lovenkrands