Newcastle United - Blackburn Rovers 2/11 [R]

[realmadrid1086]

The game is at Ewood Park. It starts at 3 pm ET.

Robert Back In Contention (http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~485739,00.html)

Bernard Wants To Hold Onto Fourth Spot (http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~485753,00.html)

Soccernet Preview (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=108970&cc=5901)

[Howay the Lads]

Well another 2 points thrown away in the final minutes. Thats 4 lost points in the last three matches. 4th spot should be ours right now by a margin. What the heck is going on?

[Trackman20]

The problem is we didn't go after Carlos Bocanegra when his contract was up with Chicago.

[Boro_lad]

yea im sure they could do with a player like that in training especially with belamy's dodgy knee

[Fat Dutchman]

Originally posted by Trackman20
The problem is we didn't go after Carlos Bocanegra when his contract was up with Chicago.

That's not the problem. What we need is a strong center back..Bocanegra would not have been the answer. He's more of a full-back than center anyways. I'm tired of reading all the US based Magpie supporters on this site saying how we could use him so much. What did he do today?? Oh yeah he got sent off for one of the worst tackles of the season. Something tells me we really don't need that right now.

[Fat Dutchman]

I'm disappointed that there hasn't been a response to my previous post. I was waiting for some strong responses, but it hasn't happened-I'm quite surprised. Here's my reason(s) for why I feel the way I do: There is no doubt in my mind the Bocanegra will be an excellent defender in the Premiership soon, I didn't feel he was somebody that was just going to be able to step right in and be steady at the back for us. Yes, he's started for Fulham in all of their matches, starting with his first against us. He looked quite shaky(many players would) I thought. Our backline seems to sh!t themselves a lot(our match on Wednesday a case in point) when Woody is not in the line-up. Carlos was not somebody who was going to step in and instill that confidence in the back four. We had two players in our squad that I felt were as capable as Bocanegra in middle of defense. Both Steve Caldwell(yes, I've talked about him before) and Nik the Greek are both solid defenders who were never given the chance to look as bad as Bramble does out on the pitch. Something that irks me quite a lot. I mean we had f*&king Robbie Elliott on the bench on Wednesday for defensive cover. Bobby what hell are you thinking?
So, I guess Bocanegra wouldn't have been a bad addition, but I don't think he would have been the answer to our defensive problems(especially when Woody is not on the pitch).
So, there's the end of my ranting :)

[CrewToon]

Originally posted by Fat Dutchman
That's not the problem. What we need is a strong center back..Bocanegra would not have been the answer. He's more of a full-back than center anyways. I'm tired of reading all the US based Magpie supporters on this site saying how we could use him so much. What did he do today?? Oh yeah he got sent off for one of the worst tackles of the season. Something tells me we really don't need that right now.

I really don't consider Boca a fullback. He has played more in the center. Yes, that was a stupid tackle he made to get the straight red (he probably learned that from his ex-Fire teammate Kovalenko) but he is a good man marker. I think he would be better in the middle and would have made a good pairing with Woodgate. That being said, the Toon needed a player similar to Nicky Butt in the midfield - unless Jenas finally decides to get his head out of rear and start playing to his potential.

[JayRockers!]

Originally posted by CrewToon
I really don't consider Boca a fullback. He has played more in the center. Yes, that was a stupid tackle he made to get the straight red (he probably learned that from his ex-Fire teammate Kovalenko) but he is a good man marker. I think he would be better in the middle and would have made a good pairing with Woodgate. That being said, the Toon needed a player similar to Nicky Butt in the midfield - unless Jenas finally decides to get his head out of rear and start playing to his potential. Dema had only 5 more yellows and actually one less red than Bocanegra while at Chicago. I think he did lead in broken legs, though.

Thx,

Jay!

[Fat Dutchman]

Originally posted by CrewToon
I really don't consider Boca a fullback. He has played more in the center. Yes, that was a stupid tackle he made to get the straight red (he probably learned that from his ex-Fire teammate Kovalenko) but he is a good man marker. I think he would be better in the middle and would have made a good pairing with Woodgate. That being said, the Toon needed a player similar to Nicky Butt in the midfield - unless Jenas finally decides to get his head out of rear and start playing to his potential.

Well, you and I will just have to agree to disagree on where Carlos' position is and if we could really use him. He's played quite a lot at left back so far at Fulham. Woodgate, as we all know, has had loads of injuries and seldom can stay in the starting 11 for more than a few matches. When he's out is when we have the most problems.

I will agree though that we needed a tough, defensive midfielder. Jenas does have his head up his arse and I can only hope he pulls it out sometime soon.