Well after the full time whistle I was left personally so demoralised and so too probably every other geordie fan - for once again our mob had let us down so miserably.

A good first 45 minutes was turned on its head as a deflected shot made its way past Given to open the flood gates. Newcastle United fell like a pack of cards as shaky confidence showed its ugly head.

Early signs in the first half of Carr having no left foot for playing left-back played were not heeded at half time when an early goal from Michael Owen settled us down and rocked Villa.

The signs were there at the end of the first half as Villa started to knock at our door. It was quite clear that O’Neill would change things at half time and the shear presence of Harewood made Given injured again… Well that and the deflected shot from Villa’s Bouma after messing about from Carr and Duff got punished with the resulting corner.

We should have held out a rocky storm but instantly we panicked. Another corner and Duff was caught asleep on the post to let in a goal which clearly he should have been covering.

A third after we failed to clear our lines on numerous occasions resulted in ping pong in front of Steve Harper after he had pulled off fine saves previously. Butt couldn’t do much with the ball in mid air and headed straight at Carew who stuck it in the back of the net.

It was then summed up when for no reason whatsoever Carr decides to handle a ball right in front of the referee… Penalty. Up steps Carew to take his hat-trick. A player who more often than not looks like he could score with going out for a week on the big market.

Where this leaves us is clear. Looking straight down at the depths of the Panda Pop League. We are not sandwiched between the Smogs and the Mackems who look like they can win a game.

Players who can actually take some credit from the game are few but Owen, Harper and Milner can take some satisfaction from putting in a shift but there is more than rot going on at our club.

Viduka was benched for what can only be for being a naughty boy? Smith was clearly hopeless second half and Emre was only introduced when 2 down?

Butt is now looking more and more tired and losing his legs/passing. Barton was wayward with most passes and non-existent. Duff don’t need to say anything as well as Carr who should be dropped. Enrique can’t be that bad. Cacapa and Taylor did not particular stick themselves forward for glory.

Villa known for set piece goals only and we have Faye on the bench and Carr one of the smallest players going. Something is wrong with our club and its going to take something special to sort it.

Man United won’t be the start of it? GULP….

Date: Feb 10th, 2008 · Comments RSS · Tags: Matches