Newcastle United v Man City [R]

[Lynne_mcfc]

Newcastle United v Man City

Weds 2nd January 2008

@ St. James' Park

Kick-off 19:45 (GMT)


Fox Soccer Channel 14:30
Setanta Sports Canada 20:30 (EST)
UK - 0!!**!! How come? :eek:



Happy New Year everyone - let's hope our Blues can make it a great start for us.

Newcastle will be out looking for revenge due to the defeat at COMS in September. Barton is out (penned-up somewhere or is 'staying at home under supervision'!) and Smith is doubtful.

So, it's down to SGE's starting line-up again (no Castillo, blessed paperwork didn't go through in time for the deadline for today's match - don't you just love red tape).

Come on you Blues :)

[SoccerCityFC]

I am looking forward to the it!

[Manchester City]

I am unfortunately going into the new year sick; I am hoping City does not follow suit. Our boys will be a bit more fatigued than the Toon squad, but we have a much more cohesive and talented side, so I expect nothing less than three points. That is, if our midfield plays to their own level.

Speaking of which, Alan, although I do understand the points you made on the Blackburn match thread, I still must disagree with you concerning Elano's latest form; I purposefully included the perceived persistent indecisiveness, confusion, and frustration in the description of his recent performance. These are much too pronounced to be merely fatigue or opposition preparedness. Blumer's confidence seems disrupted by something more than just common play. That said, I hope I am wrong, and that he has overcome any psychological or physical hindrances and has found his form again.

Anyway, back to sleep for me. Happy New Year to all.

[CityBlues]

Hey all,

Sorry I have been quite slack recently getting these game threads up, thanks Lynne for stepping up.

I am still having issues getting internet at my new place, pain in my butt.

Still trying to catch up with all the comments from previous matches. This next one should be pretty fun.

I've read a lot about expectations and disappointment with City's table position, I am a little confused. I am nothing short of ecstatic with our current position in the table, drawing Liverpool was an accomplishment worth nothing in this years portfolio of matches. We were battling last year, and if you would have told me 'next year you guys will be top ten after Xmas' I would have laughed and given you ten reasons why thats not true.

I am very proud of our squad, we are a force to be reckoned with and I am loving every minute of the ride so far. My expectations continue to be exceeded.

---

That said, I am looking forward to this match at St. James. I am hoping we can continue with our brilliant defensive form.

Unfortunately I will be at work for the live showing, but I am recording it so as soon as I get home I can sit down with a brew and watch.

Lets start the new year off right, with three points!

[SoccerCityFC]

We were battling last year, and if you would have told me 'next year you guys will be top ten after Xmas' I would have laughed and given you ten reasons why thats not true.


I stated something very similiar earlier. 29 points from 11 home games prior to 2008 is just fantastic!

Cheers.

[Manchester City]

I've read a lot about expectations and disappointment with City's table position, I am a little confused. I am nothing short of ecstatic with our current position in the table, drawing Liverpool was an accomplishment worth nothing in this years portfolio of matches. We were battling last year, and if you would have told me 'next year you guys will be top ten after Xmas' I would have laughed and given you ten reasons why thats not true.


Where are these comments? I do not think I have come across anyone that has indicated anything other than a wish for City to live up to its new potential.

[CityBlues]

I understand City's new potential. And I too wish for them to live up to it.

My post wasn't in response to anyone in particular, there wasn't any one comment. Just a general sentiment from some people.

No doubt all of our expectations of the team have completely changed at this point. Sven and City have definitely upped the anty' I was simply saying, I would not be disappointed if we missed out of Champions League or UEFA play this next season. I am pretty happy considering what we came from to where we are now. Although, I feel with City's new potential, we could certainly obtain a UEFA spot, I wouldn't be disappointed because I know this team is going to grow into a fantastic squad. We have set ourselves up quite nicely. A top 6 finish would just be icing on the cake.

[Manchester City]

Those watching the match may want to pay particular attention to the close-ups of Elano after he handles the ball. The tension is in his face; much more, in my opinion, than would be present for a normal player during this short stretch of many matches.

[Manchester City]

GOAL!

Not his best goal, but a great effort (give-and-go) from our Brazilian and decent finish. He still looks unhappy, though, even after the goal; I honestly thought it was his stretch without goals that was causing his frustration but perhaps I was wrong... we shall see.

[chaoslord08]

I really think City will need another goal to confirm this result. They've been playing decent so far, and they might can get by without another one, but I really do think that they'll need to find another goal to snatch all 3 points.

[Manchester City]

I really think City will need another goal to confirm this result. They've been playing decent so far, and they might can get by without another one, but I really do think that they'll need to find another goal to snatch all 3 points.

And you have gotten you wish with a beautiful example of how good our younger talent is. Etuhu with superb holding, then a slide pass to Fernandes for a beautiful one-time strike.

[chaoslord08]

And you have gotten you wish with a beautiful example of how good our younger talent is. Fernandes with superb holding, then a slide pass to Etuhu for a beautiful one-time strike.

Yeah, that should be enough to take all 3 points. That was beautiful, as you said. They had tried the through ball a few times, and got close a few times, and finally did get the insurance goal.

Easy to see why City is so high in the table when they play like this, IMO. They've had a few mistakes, but overall I thought this was a pretty good performance.

[chinesefootballfan]

Finally, first away victory since our first game of the season on August 11th. I almost feel like this is a sarcastic celeberation. Why can't we play like this every away game? Even if one of those 4 draws on the road was a win, we would be 3 points ahead of Liverpool for tha 4th spot right now. Next game vs Everton will be a true test at goodison park. If we win that one, we have a good chance of securing at least that 5th spot.

[Manchester City]

Finally, first away victory since our first game of the season on August 11th. I almost feel like this is a sarcastic celeberation. Why can't we play like this every away game? Even if one of those 4 draws on the road was a win, we would be 3 points ahead of Liverpool for tha 4th spot right now. Next game vs Everton will be a true test at goodison park. If we win that one, we have a good chance of securing at least that 5th spot.

I am a bit confused as to what you are getting at, since we already own the 4th place spot above Liverpool thanks to Bramble (he seems to help us quite a lot). But I completely agree with you regarding the apprehensive manner in which I believe we are celebrating this victory. It was a solid performance, however, and it is something to give us confidence going into the Everton match.

[chinesefootballfan]

I am a bit confused as to what you are getting at, since we already own the 4th place spot above Liverpool thanks to Bramble (he seems to help us quite a lot). But I completely agree with you regarding the apprehensive manner in which I believe we are celebrating this victory. It was a solid performance, however, and it is something to give us confidence going into the Everton match.

Sorry for the confusion. What I meant was, currently we are 4th, 1 point ahead of liverpool, but liverpool has a game at hand (20 games played as opposed to 21 played by us) so I am just being pessemestic and implying that our current 4th spot is not legit yet. Also, we need to be 6 points ahead of Everton and Aston Villa, because if we are tied with them on points, they are killing us in terms of goals differential. We play Everton next week and it's tough to win at Goodison Park, and Everton owns us on GD. I hope this makes more sense.

[thejuggernaut]

Sorry for the confusion. What I meant was, currently we are 4th, 1 point ahead of liverpool, but liverpool has a game at hand (20 games played as opposed to 21 played by us) so I am just being pessemestic and implying that our current 4th spot is not legit yet. Also, we need to be 6 points ahead of Everton and Aston Villa, because if we are tied with them on points, they are killing us in terms of goals differential. We play Everton next week and it's tough to win at Goodison Park, and Everton owns us on GD. I hope this makes more sense.
Liverpool is going to be focusing on CL and FA from here on out. I also don't think we heard the last of the rift between the American Owners and Rafa. We have Nery Castillo coming, we got Boj coming back. Are away form is improving. Elano is back. Michael Johnson will be back. Etuhu, Fernandez are fine players. Anything less than optimism I feel is retarded. After L-pools tie to f'n Wigan (who never get points from any of the big 4... ever) we may have as good a chance as ANYBODY, if not more, for the top 4. To me, that's just as legit as Arsenal being number 1 (aside from the game in hand).... regardless, The future is bright.

[SoccerCityFC]

RE: Fernandes - I really think he is going to end up being a quality player. A major steal at what 2 million?... I can't remember but it was low.

[Lynne_mcfc]

And you have gotten you wish with a beautiful example of how good our younger talent is. Etuhu with superb holding, then a slide pass to Fernandes for a beautiful one-time strike.

Just finished watching the delayed showing of the match by Setanta. I'm SOOOOOOOOOO happy! :eek: In the start of the match thread, I didn't want to put anything about this being a great possibility for a win, but that was my gut feeling. I didn't want to jinx the match for us.

We played much better football (as at the beginning of the season), gave the ball away much less and Hart rolled the ball out a few times instead of long kicks that the opposition sent straight back to us. Glad to see that SGE read my previous posts :D re making attacking substitutions (instead of defensive or status quo subs) and with adequate time on the clock (not his usual ten minutes to go) to get another goal.

Elano needed that goal (lots of punching in the air from me and screams that all the neighbours must've heard!!) and I hope that we see him scoring many, many more. He had a good match and did his fair share of midfield work. Don't rain on his parade because he's had a few games where he didn't score or you thought he wasn't playing well etc. He's only human.

I was still on tenterhooks as the clock was running down, even though Newcastle didn't really look like scoring. A lack of concentration and our lead would be lost, edge of seat time.

The second goal was a delight and saw me jumping up and down and screaming. Corluka to Etuhu (who held the ball up with great skill in the box) and rolled the ball into Fernandes' run on goal. GOAL!

Two goal cushion, relax and breathe. Final whistle. MOTM Hart, he handled the crosses well, commanded the box and made some terrific saves - kept us in the match. The midfield was again strong and Petrov's runs were amazing (I'll buy some of whatever he's taking!). All our players had a really good match, full of commitment and everyone of them must have been singing in the champagne bath and all the way home.

The 12th man was on the pitch - our fans made sure that their voices were heard load and clear, Blue Moon ringing around the ground time and time again (they were the only ones making the atmosphere). Hardly a peep from the home fans.

We could have had a couple of sendings off and a penalty against us, so Newcastle will feel cheated (read their thread), even though we played the better football and obviously wanted the win the most.

Great fan support, great team performance, a joy to watch and three away points!! Let's have more please.

_ _ _ _ _

Re this season's loss of points mentioned in this thread - Remember when SGE was playing Samaras and not Vassell, Geo or Bianchi (when he got fit)? I can't (and couldn't at the time) understand why SGE played him for as many matches as he did.

[thejuggernaut]

Just finished watching the delayed showing of the match by Setanta. I'm SOOOOOOOOOO happy! :eek: In the start of the match thread, I didn't want to put anything about this being a great possibility for a win, but that was my gut feeling. I didn't want to jinx the match for us.

We played much better football (as at the beginning of the season), gave the ball away much less and Hart rolled the ball out a few times instead of long kicks that the opposition sent straight back to us. Glad to see that SGE read my previous posts :D re making attacking substitutions (instead of defensive or status quo subs) and with adequate time on the clock (not his usual ten minutes to go) to get another goal.

Elano needed that goal (lots of punching in the air from me and screams that all the neighbours must've heard!!) and I hope that we see him scoring many, many more. He had a good match and did his fair share of midfield work. Don't rain on his parade because he's had a few games where he didn't score or you thought he wasn't playing well etc. He's only human.

I was still on tenterhooks as the clock was running down, even though Newcastle didn't really look like scoring. A lack of concentration and our lead would be lost, edge of seat time.

The second goal was a delight and saw me jumping up and down and screaming. Corluka to Etuhu (who held the ball up with great skill in the box) and rolled the ball into Fernandes' run on goal. GOAL!

Two goal cushion, relax and breathe. Final whistle. MOTM Hart, he handled the crosses well, commanded the box and made some terrific saves - kept us in the match. The midfield was again strong and Petrov's runs were amazing (I'll buy some of whatever he's taking!). All our players had a really good match, full of commitment and everyone of them must have been singing in the champagne bath and all the way home.

The 12th man was on the pitch - our fans made sure that their voices were heard load and clear, Blue Moon ringing around the ground time and time again (they were the only ones making the atmosphere). Hardly a peep from the home fans.

We could have had a couple of sendings off and a penalty against us, so Newcastle will feel cheated (read their thread), even though we played the better football and obviously wanted the win the most.

Great fan support, great team performance, a joy to watch and three away points!! Let's have more please.

_ _ _ _ _

Re this season's loss of points mentioned in this thread - Remember when SGE was playing Samaras and not Vassell, Geo or Bianchi (when he got fit)? I can't (and couldn't at the time) understand why SGE played him for as many matches as he did.

Well Said and good stuff. Elano looked like he got his swagger back. The penalty? Dunne looked sloopy but he got some of the ball and regardless, even if it was, it may have gotten them one goal, very late. But, all in all, not enough out of Newkie to think they got hosed. Maybe if they had Joey Barton in the line up?:D

[SoccerCityFC]

Well Said and good stuff. Elano looked like he got his swagger back. The penalty? Dunne looked sloopy but he got some of the ball and regardless, even if it was, it may have gotten them one goal, very late. But, all in all, not enough out of Newkie to think they got hosed. Maybe if they had Joey Barton in the line up?:D

J Barton's life is actually turning tragic these days. I might have to shed a tear for him. ;)