Newcastle-Vålerenga Leg 1[R]

[cleazer]

Apparently this match will be shown LIVE on GolTV.
Excellent news!
Let the scoring commence.

(sorry for posting about the midweek match before the weekend match has even taken place, I just wanted to make sure people had adequate warning about the live broadcast)

[speedcake]

Who needs Goltv? I'll be in the stands! heh heh :D

[CrewToon]

1-1 result. bellamy scores for the Toon.

[Fat Dutchman]

A pretty bad result for the lads.... Shearer is now being quoted as saying he's quite disappointed that he was dropped.

And honestly, I'm very disappointed as well. What does this show about the depth of the team? We should have been able to beat this team easily with players like Ameobi, Viana, and even Ambrose. Those who are angry that we left Shearer and Robert on the bench have to look at the team as a whole and see we don't have sh!t for depth on this squad. I keep hearing that Amoebi and Viana are gonna be great players...well, they didn't show fcuk all tonight and that was against a side who haven't played a competetive match since November (I believe).

We were lucky to come away with a draw. Valarenga were the better side in the second half and looked like they probably deserved to win the match.
-Sorry about the rant, I've had a few drinks to say the least tonight :)

Here's hoping we can get a good result against Portsmouth on Sunday. We have the talent to do it, and I hope the lads really take it to 'em.

HOWAY THE LADS!!

[CrewToon]

Perhaps this is what Shearer was saying about some of these players needing to step up. Unfortunately, some of those players didn't play but those who did failed miserably.

[speedcake]

Despite missing the first 15 minutes of the game I thoroughly enjoyed myself! We couldn't leave work until 4 p.m., only an hour before kickoff, and well...let's just say if anyone ever comes to a big game in Oslo be sure to get to the stadium 2 hours early if you drive. Parking is a nightmare in Oslo, as is traffic in general.

Vålerenga should have won. Simple as that. Especially in the second half they dominated ever so slightly and another goal would have brought the house down. I thought Newcastle were crazy when I realized Shearer wasn't playing. They looked to have completely misjudged the skill level and danger of the Norwegians and came close to paying dearly for it.

I have to admit I was suprised VIF was able to hang so well, but in the end it comes down to the Norwegian league just simply NOT being the ultra light weight that alot of my fellow Americans believe it to be. VIF barely avoided relegation at the end of last season, hadn't played a competitive match since their last UEFA cup tie, yet came out and played with class. While Newcastle no doubt did not play up to capabilities that isn't the only reason they didn't win, nor is it the biggest.

I still expect them to get the result in the return leg, but it won't be easy.