My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs QPR (H)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (7.5) - Made a couple of decent saves but did not have that much work to do overall.

Dnny Simpson (7.5) - Had another good game at right back. Went forward nicely a few times and did his job at the back.

Mike Williamson (7.5) - Won several headers and did everything that was required of him. Really has done well since he returned to the team.

Fabricio Coloccini (8) - A few years ago, I said Jonathan Woodgate was the best centre back at Newcastle for quite a few seasons but Coloccini has surpassed him. Hardly gets beaten, deals with situations calmly and has bags of skill.

Davide Santon (7.5) - Made a couple of defensive mistakes in the first half but apart from that gave another encouraging performance.

Ryan Taylor (7) - Started the game on the right and then moved into the centre when Cabaye went off but was efficient in both positions. Did a job for the team.

Danny Guthrie (8.5) - Really stepped up to the plate in Tiote's absence. We started slowly but once we gained control Guthrie started showing his quality. Never afraid to go into the tackle, intercepted a few balls and was good on the ball. Solid all round display from a man who really should get a new contract soon.

Yohan Cabaye (6.5) - Went off injured just after the half way point in the first half.

Jonas Gutierrez (8) - Was forced to play in a drifting role when Ben Arfa came on and did that with great effect. I thought he was dangerous as he seemed willing to take on players. I'd like to see more of him in such a role.

Leon Best (8) - Worked hard and took his goal brilliantly. I must admit I was questioning his inclusion as I thought Ben Arfa did more to warrant a start. I was happy to eat my words.

Shola Ameobi (6.5) - Did a good job of holding up play but I don't think he had a shot at goal all game if I'm not mistaken which is disappointing for a striker.

Substitutes
Hatem Ben Arfa (8) - Another very encouraging display from the French Magician. Changed the game for us when he came on, as he injected some pace and flair which was lacking in our game at that point. Did a good job of tracking back which was good to see. Hope he gets to start the next game.

James Perch (7.5) - Did a good job as a defensive midfielder when he came on.

Dan Gosling (N/A) - Don't think he had too many touches in the brief period he was on.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Danny Guthrie

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Man Utd (H)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (7.5) - Did not have that much to do but handled whatever came his way.

Danny Simpson (8) - Defended really well for the most part. Made one goal line clearance and made one or two other notable clearances and tackles as well.

Mike Williamson (8.5) - Was really solid at the back, winning several headers and putting in some fine tackles when needed.

Fabricio Coloccini (9) - Read the game superbly and was just as solid in defence. Hardly put a foot wrong and the clean sheet against the champions was fully deserved.

Davide Santon (8.5) - His best performance in a toon shirt thus far. Made some important challenges and kept going until the end, proof of which was a great run towards the Man Utd box in the final minutes, after winning the ball close to the half way line.

Ryan Taylor (7.5) - Switched to right midfield for this match and the versatile player showed his worth to the team with a decent outing in that position.

Cheik Tiote (8.5) - Really seemed up for this. Won several tackles, ventured forward a bit when he could but really protected the defence well which of course is his primary role in the team.

Yohan Cabaye (9) - Scored a sublime free kick which will be played over and over again I'm sure. Apart from that, he played some lovely balls for the attackers to run onto and also put in a few good tackles. Also one of his better games for Newcastle.

Jonas Gutierrez (7.5) - Another who worked hard and played his part in us scoring three and keeping the clean sheet.

Shola Ameobi (7.5) - Was slightly off the pace at times but certainly contributed to us winning the game. It was his flick on which allowed Ba to open the scoring and it was also his physical presence at the top which caused Man Utd endless problems. May not have scored, or had a shot on target but he did a job for us none the less.

Demba Ba (9.5) - For those who watched the game, the applause he received when taken off towards the end was enough evidence to show what a great game and season his had thus far. Scored the opening goal with a well taken half volley but also looked dangerous throughout. Will be a huge miss but I'm so glad he got the premier league player of the month for December for he has been immense for us this season.

Substitutes
James Perch (7) - Came on during the latter stages as we tried to keep the clean sheet. Did make one or two clearances.

Leon Best (6) - Did not really do much in the 15 minutes he was on for.

Gabriel Obertan (N/A) - Do not recall him touching the ball when he came on in stoppage time.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Demba Ba

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Liverpool (A)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (6.5) - Did not have a lot to do but was still beaten thrice so he won't be too happy.

Danny Simpson (5) - Had a poor game at right back. Clearly at fault for their second goal, whilst he allowed too many crosses to come into the box.

Mike Williamson (7) - Had a fairly good game marking Carroll and seems to have settled into the team very quickly after being out for four months.

Fabricio Coloccini (7.5) - Won several tackles, read the game well and us conceding three was an injustice to him for he was quite good.

Ryan Taylor (5) - Had a poor game and was taken off at half time. By that stage he was already booked and looked vulnerable.

Gabriel Obertan (6.5) -A fairly quiet game from him but showed some neat touches and was involved in some of our best moves in the match. Did not have that much space to work with unfortunately.

Cheik Tiote (7) -I thought he was good overall despite giving away some silly fouls, one which led to their second goal. Mind you he won the ball in that challenge but he should perhaps have not been that forceful in the challange.

Yohan Cabaye (5.5) - I thought apart from two moments in the match, where he was involved in our goal and where he set up Ba with a superb pass, he was quite poor. Could have been sent off for a stupid tackle on Spearing, whilst he gave the ball away quite a lot which is unlike his usual self. Mind you after playing 53 matches in a year, you are expected to have an off day thrown in there.

Jonas Gutierrez (6) - Made to defend quite a bit and unfortunately didn't have many chances to go forward.

Haris Vuckic (6) - The gamble to start with him kind of worked as he went off with the score at 1 all, but he wasn't involved in the game as much as we'd hope for. Did show some nice touches but needs more game time before we see his true potential start coming through.

Demba Ba (7) -Had one chance in the entire game and still found the target. Unfortuantely it was cleared off the line but he kept going right until the end.

Substitutes
Davide Santon (6)- Did slightly better than Taylor but still had a hard time dealing with the attackers downhis flank.

Hatem Ben Arfa (5) - Disappointing since coming on but he needs more game time. Wasted on the bench at the moment.

Sammy Ameobi (5) - Did nothing when coming on. Was dumb struck when he tweeted "5minutes here 5 minutes there". For someone so young he should be happy to be apart of the squad and shouldn't even think of complaining.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Fabricio Coloccini

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Swansea (H)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (7) - Statistics show he did not have a save to make all game.

Danny Simpson (6.5) - Did okay without really impressing. Defended well for the most part and put a few balls into the box. Did not go forward as much as Santon though.

James Perch (7.5) - I thought he did well alongside Coloccini. Hardly put a foot wrong and deserves some credit.

Fabricio Coloccini (8) - Came back into the team and it showed. He was his brilliant usual self, defended well and was unlucky not to score with a header which hit the post in the first half.


Davide Santon (8) - A fantastic performance from the young Italian. Kept bombing forward and still did his defensive duties as well. Looks a quality player and this after only his 2nd start in the league.

Gabriel Obertan (6) - I thought he did well to be involved as much as he was in the first half. However his delivery was poor. He gets into good positions without really taking the right options after that.

Cheik Tiote (6.5) - Good to see him back although there was a few occasions where he lost the ball and looked rusty. That was expected although he did have some good moments as well.

Yohan Cabaye (7) - Played some lovely cross field balls and was impressive although his corners could have been better. Got his fifth booking of the season which means he misses the next game.

Jonas Gutierrez (6.5) Was slightly better than Obertan without really getting enough quality crosses into the box. Linked up well with Santon in an attacking sense which bodes well for the future.

Leon Best (6) - Looked a bit rusty and off the pace a little which again was expected. Did win a few flick ons but was rightfully taken off in the second half.

Demba Ba (7.5) - Impressed yet again. Looks very lively and perhaps should have scored at least one goal. The shot he took towards the end of the first half was just awesome.

Substitutes
Shola Ameobi (6.5) - Did not have the impact one would have hoped for but did put himself about.

Haris Vuckic (6.5) - Came on towards the end and showed some neat touches.

Sammy Ameobi (6) - Did very little in the few minutes he was on for.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Davide Santon

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Norwich City (A)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (7) - Conceded four goals although he wasn't really at fault for any of them. Needed more protection from his defence.

Ryan Taylor (7) - I thought he did well at right back. Went forward a bit and held his own in the air.

Danny Simpson (7) - Made one or two blocks in the first half and marshalled the backline nicely for the first 40 minutes but then was unlucky to see the ball deflect off him for their first and he struggled from there on in.

James Perch (6) - Did not have a bad game, conceding four was a disservice for his performance but ultimately he could not handle Holt in the air and that's where two of their goals came from.

Davide Santon (6.5) - I was very impressed with him when on the ball. He looks very comfortable and has a fair bit of pace. Had a difficult day on the defensive side of things but gave a good account of himself nonthe less, considering it was his first start in the league.

Gabriel Obertan (5) - I was very disappointed with his performance. Needs to look up a bit more for sometimes theres a player open and he'll just look down and take on the two defenders in front of him instead of passing. Provided very little service to our strikers.

Dan Gosling (5) - Had a decent first half, in which he popped up in their box a few times, making some good runs. Then had a nightmare second half, firstly giving the ball away needlessly which led to their third goal and then minutes later getting sent off for a stupid challenge when already on a yellow. Blew his chance to stake a claim for more first team football.

Yohan Cabaye (7.5) - Played a delightful ball forward for Ba to run onto for our first goal and worked hard throughout. Just misses Tiote to protect him so that he can use his passing ability to greater effect.

Jonas Gutierrez (6.5) - Another who disappointed a bit. Not as bad as Obertan but he too provided very little for the strikers. Did seem to form a nice partnership with Santon down that flank though which was encouraging.

Shola Ameobi (7) - Had a quiet first half but a much better second half. Won the ball for us which led to our second goal and linked up nicely with Ba a few times.

Demba Ba (9) - Scored two quality goals, the first with great control and the second with a clinical finish. Apart from that he was good on the ball and always looked a threat.

Substitutes
Sammy Ameobi (6) - Had very little impact but does deserve more time especially with Obertan playing below par.

Alan Smith (N/A) - Was only on a few minutes.

Shane Ferguson (N/A) - Don't think he had a touch after coming on in injury time.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Demba Ba

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Chelsea (H)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (9) - Carrying on from his performance last week, he showed why he is fast becoming the best keeper in the league. Saved the penalty and really deserved to keep a clean sheet. The problem was that Chelsea had far too many shots at goal and obviously he was going to be beaten eventually.

Danny Simpson (6) - Not one of his best games of the season. Allowed Chelsea to get in behind him and gave the ball away needlessly at times.

Steven Taylor (7.5) - I thought he was our best defender on the day. Covered for Perch a few times and did his job. Will be missed if reports are true that his season is over.

Fabricio Coloccini (6) - Unfortunately struggled and was forced off in the first half with a thigh injury. I sincerely hope he's fit for next week.

Ryan Taylor (5) - Allowed Sturridge far too much room and showed that he needs Jonas in front of him for him to do well. Luckily Jonas should be back next week.

Gabriel Obertan (5) - Seems to lack confidence at the moment. Rarely took Cole on and only put about one or two decent balls into the box. He really needs to use his pace and take people on.

Yohan Cabaye (6.5) - Fought hard and didn't do too badly in midfield but was at fault for giving the penalty away. His passing was good and the set pieces weren't bad either.

Danny Guthrie (7) - Our best midfielder on the day. Worked hard and was again very good on the ball. Lacks the pace sometimes but one can't fault him too much.

Peter Lovenkrands (6.5) - I was surprised to see him start but was pleasantly surprised with his display. Now he hardly did the defensive work of Jonas, which cost us, as Chelsea really found a lot of space down his flank but what he did do was run at their defense and he played some clever balls to the front line. He looked dangerous and seemed to be heavily involved in the first half. Faded as the game went on the though and was then substituted.

Hatem Ben Arfa (6) - Not as effective as I thought he would be. Had some good moments without really penetrating the Chelsea defence. Was therefore replaced at half time.

Demba Ba (7.5) - Caused Luiz all sorts of problems. Was unlucky not to score twice as he hit the post and saw Cech make a good save with the other chance. Also showed some really good ball control and seems to be one of our most important players now.

Substitutes
James Perch (6.5) - At fault for their first goal but grew into the game and didn't too badly overall.

Sammy Ameobi (6.5) - Saw a shot cleared off the line but was otherwise not that effective. Does have some good skill though, proof of which was one great run late in the game where he beat a few Chelsea players.

Shola Ameobi (7) - Did well when coming on and he too was unlucky to see a great shot canon off the woodwork. Enjoyed his battle with John Terry in the second half.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Tim Krul

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Man Utd (A)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (9) - A superb display of goalkeeping by our young Dutch international. Made some terrific saves and was worthy of walking away with the man of the match in my opinion, for he only made one mistake all game.

Danny Simpson (8.5) – Made that goal saving block on the line at the end and defended with great heart and quality. Although Evra did well going forward I credit Simmo with keeping Ashley Young so quiet and ineffective.

Steven Taylor (8.5) – Was unlucky to be involved in their goal but apart from that he was superb in the air and made one goal saving tackle himself. Another impressive display by a man who cannot be far from the England squad.

Fabricio Coloccini (8.5) – Passed a late fitness test to play in the game and its great that he did for he was a rock at the back. Formed a solid partnership with Taylor throughout despite Hernandez making good runs and led by example.

Ryan Taylor (7.5) – A better performance from the left back. Made some good challenges when needed and deserves a lot of credit especially after his nightmare last week.

Gabriel Obertan (7) – He certainly was very involved in the first half, although his final ball could have been better. For a player who missed the last few games though he did not do too badly.

Yohan Cabaye (7.5) – Put in a good shift and helped us control some good portions of the game. Made some good tackles and showed why the fans have taken too him.

Danny Guthrie (7.5) – Put in a really good shift, considering he hardly trained this week. Broke up a few attacks and looked good in possession. Was unlucky to be taken off as it was purely for fitness reasons and not for the way he played.

Jonas Gutierrez (7) – Worked hard without really getting into many attacking positions. The sending off was possibly more to do with tiredness and not through stupidity.

Hatem Ben Arfa (7) – Kept possession well for us at times when it was needed and of course won us the penalty with a decent run. I’d like him to continue starting as he seems to be getting better with each game.

Demba Ba (7.5) – Had a difficult afternoon playing as the one striker but kept going until the end and took his penalty superbly.

Substitutes

Sammy Ameobi (6) – Was hardly in the game as an attacking sense but tried to help out defensively where he could.

James Perch (6.5) – A small impact by him as he came on for Guthrie and helped us hang on at the end.

Peter Lovenkrands (6) – Do not recall him doing much when coming on towards the end.

Newcastle United Man of the Match – Tim Krul