Astonishing as it may seem, we played quite well for most of the game. Certainly better than we did in beating Blackburn and West Brom. Crossley had the game of his life in the Fulham goal, partly through good saves and partly through being hit by shots he knew nothing about. Until the second goal, everyone was confident we would turn it around. The killer blow was O'Brien losing the ball to Cole just inside our half. He ran through and Malbranque was completely unmarked to score. After that, we played with a back two (! both full backs were substituted, for Robert and Ameobi) and it was easy for Fulham to score two later goals. Even then, we had plenty of pressure and Crossley had to make some late saves. The result looks awful, but for most of the game we played well. Bellamy started wide on the left. He showed pace, skill and enthusiasm, but just cannot really cross the ball. Jenas played wide on the right. He got past Bocanegra easily but if he went wide down the right his crossing was awful and if he cut inside he just showed that he has no left foot and ended up passing the ball square. Jenas has defensive qualities, but at least at home I think that we should have Milner playing wide right if he is available. Jenas' best position is in a holding role as defensive midfielder. Unfortunately, in Butt and Bowyer we have two players doing that job already.
And Given was where...? Marwood and Leslie are two complete boobs in the booth, and FSW never said. I assume it was a childbirth thing... Well, looks like they'll be buying a keeper in the transfer window. Harper was sh!te. Sample commentary "Newcastle certainly has won the battle of corners, I don't think Fulham has taken one." Isn't there a f'ing producer in their ear, or a stat-boy who could confirm that? That result sucked. That ref sucked, and lost complete control of the players after the banishment of Souey. Players were walking away from him when he was trying to "tick them off". Props to Crossley, though. He certainly earned it. What a great run by Newcastle with all those corners. Surely they could have gotten something... Got to question Graeme's sub pattern. It certainly stung as soon as Shola came on. Frogbert and Bellamy are certainly becoming team players this season, who'll be leaving in the transfer window? I needed to vent, thanks. Down the Che£$ki-scum. And ManUre. Thx, Jay!
Jay, have couple of pints of newkie broon and settle down a wee bit. We won't be needing to spend any money on a keeper during the transfer window. We need to spend the cash on a defender or two. Harper was not sh!te; maybe 1 of the goals he could have done better on. You need to ask Mr. O'Brien what he thought he was doing out there.
It certainly wasn't the game Harper would have liked to have, but he really didn't have much chance with the goals. He is still a very good keeper - there were no worries on the part of the supporters about him turning out instead of Given and that would be the same if he had to play in the future.
Spot on, WB. Harper is as good as any Premiership number 2 and would be first choice on a fair number of the teams as well. I've always been happy that we've had a number with the quality Steve has. Plus I love the fact that he is a loyal lad. I'm sure he could have left and found first team football, but chose to stay with us. It's such a rare quality in a footballer these days.
Sorry to sound so negative, it's just that they all looked so confused at the back, and I know Harper has basically been playing reserves and some Euro games with many of the same players, I kinda expected more. For the first time that I actually saw Harper, so it was kind of a shock that they looked so shakey. Then again, the defense isn't known for being the tightest. But those two calls (or non-calls) really sent the team down the well for the game. Thx, Jay!