Are You Watching Big Fat Sam?
10th place out of reach?
Well on the basis of our play then no?
Spurs seem to have gone on holiday since the Carling Cup final and the Hammers are struggling for form with an injury list (probably most of our ex has beens) as bad as we used to have on a regular basis then why not? We still have the Hammers to play albeit away from home? But at the moment does that really matter?
Reading came and fair play to them put up a team performance without anything really up top to offer. The annoyance of the pest Hunt moving all over the pitch initially showed with Beye who eventually got to grips with him to what I would say was the MOTM performance including 2 assists.
Oba Martins opened the scoring after the Reading defender fell over after repositioning, composing and sloting home. It was later followed up with a fantastic pass from Beye through to Owen who dispatched with pleasure.
At this time Reading were still having a go as a team unit and I would have to say they looked very much a good side and should be safe from the drop.
The players went in at half time to a great reception which was deserved but had you thinking would this have been a scoreline just a few weeks ago? Well done Kevin Keegan!
We came out second half and dominated from the start looking for that third to kill the game off. Some of the passing and the confidence in that passing was an absolute joy to watch. Switches, back heals, the lot were on show…
Shortly the third came. A great bit of link up between Beye and Viduka. Viduka composed as ever picked his spot with aplom.
We tried for more with chances for Martins, Duff and Barton but we came away once again with a clean sheet and 3 goals in a game which we didn’t play as well as against Spurs.
Some specials mentions…
Edgar who started the first 15 a little shaky came through and had a fantastic match standing in for Taylor. His no nonsense defending and reading of the ball was great to see for the young lad. Hopefully we have a new player in the making.
Barton had once again a great game with some fantastic passes to release strikers early and was not too far away on a few chances of scoring himself with some fizzing shots. Starting to look much more the player we thought we had signed.
Nicky Butt cleaned up absolutely everything all day. He was like a man possessed all afternoon before being taken off for fresh legs in the shape of Smith. Butt is back in fine form again after a blip mid season and probably one of the big pieces of the puzzle as to why we are ticking over again.
Enrique had a fantastic game and gave Reading very little down the right hand side all afternoon. Looks to be settling and next season he could be some player. The full backs all afternoon were great to watch and a big part as to our recent success in offering width.
A great game and a pleasure to have watched. To sum it up…
“Are you watching Big Fat Sam….”
April 6th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Just a quick one, rushing out so haven’t even had chance to read the post above – if anyone else has had trouble finding the highlights/goals of games and has missed MotD, try this site, it has all of the video highlights and goals:
)
http://www.fcfootballblog.com/ (Don’t worry Toonbobbyrobson, it’s not a competing blog!
Sorry, I often miss MotD due to being out on a saturday night and it annoys me I can’t find the goals anywhere.
Speaking of which, we really do have three classy strikers seeing those goals…
April 6th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Just a quicky to say you can catch PL highlights at http://www.virginmedia.com/sport/ too.
April 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
All in all it was another good attacking display from a bunch of players bought to play slow, percentages football. What will Keegan do once he has some more of his own players in?
Admittedly we have to keep our feet on the ground. Fulham and Reading are near the bottom for a reason and Tottenham are mentally on holiday. However they were good wins and we’re only just getting into our stride…
Great to see Martins come out AGAIN and say how much he and everyone else want to stay at the club because of KK’s brand of football… All that on the same day the Daily Star Sunday calls Martins “unsettled”… They really are fooling no one up this end of the country!
April 6th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Yeah sick of their headlines they get so boring. Yeah no worries thats a useful link mate Simo and will be using it! I often miss MOTD and hate how they always stick us on last. I usually have to wait til the Monday morning for Virginmedias highlights online
Thats a great post though will use that link. The match was a good one but at the end of the day you can only beat what is put out in front of you. Funny to see MOTD2 say that we’ll draw against Chelsea haha! They’ve changed their tune 
April 7th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I agree with you on the fonz aswell. He was my motm. Some good defensive duties combined with him bombing down the wings. His delivery was first class and really encouranging. I thought we would lack width playing this system but Enrique and Beye seem to be working like troopers out there.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:28 am
I loved owens accidental one-two with one of their players out on the left. Cracked me up that one.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:05 am
The ‘Fonz’ that one cracked me up! First time ive heard that!
April 7th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
great win thios weekend lads, i am really really chuffed with whats happening at SJP. it seems as thou everyone is working together as a unit, and no one wants away, i’d even go as far to say that Zogs might end up staying, but who knows. now that we find ourselves out of the relegation dogfight, and we have 5 more matches to go, who do you think is going down… obviously derby and fulham.. but who is the next weakest? do you think our north east rivals will slip up or do you think its a bolton or birmingham? personally i think bolton will go down, they look like they not up for the fight. Reading were not awful against us and should stay up. Anyways looking fwd to pompey this weekend, they weren’t fantastic against WBA this weekend, and we could definatley draw, if not nick a win, then we face the scum at SJP, and that match promises to be a cracker, i hope we give them a massive smack!! howay the toon!
April 7th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Hahaha, took me a second but I love the Fonz bit!
Have they started signing that at games yet?
As for who’s going down, I think it’s Bolton. They’ve been unlucky in parts but I just think Birmingham have that little bit more fight. The Mackems and Smoggies are surely safe and both have learnt how to scratch out a win. Having said that it goes without saying I hope we tear the Mackems apart at SJP!
April 8th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I think the current bottom 3 are your bottom 3. I think Birmingham have just done enough and have a bit more belief about them. Least they can score goals. I mean Derby, Fulham and Bolton are very poor teams this season. That means the smogs and mackems stay up which isnt a bad thing… hopefully 12 points next season… Im sorry to say but I miss the Sunderland match as I am away on holiday so it means I get the derby next season. I know… I know… Ive had the grief already lol!
April 8th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Sorry, just looked at my last entry – I meant are the SINGING that at games yet!
Bolton always looked like dropping when Allardyce left. Clubs like that (Leicester are another good example) end up doing much better than they naturally would because everything gets built up around a very good manager (I would say Allardyce is good at what he does, which is essentially ruin the beautiful game and drag results out). Once they leave, the club falls apart. Besides, Bolton sold a few of their best players and never replaced them properly so they had it coming…
By the way, the paper talk is of us looking at Jermaine Pennant, John Arne Riise, Scott Brown, Aiden McGeady and Anderlecht’s Mbarek Boussoufa. Any views?
NB I don’t for one second believe half of the rumoured links in the papers, just thought I’d bring them up!
April 8th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Wouldnt be fussed on Pennant. Riise wouldn’t be a bad option to Enrique. Premier League proven as well – depends on his wages though. Can’t say that the others I have enough information to comment on to be fair. Though as you say which I completely agree with – can’t believe the papers. Apparently we’ve already approached Deco of Barcelona but I would rather go for his 2nd option of Moutinho at Sport Lisbon and bring him on. We need a world class playmaker. I would love to see Bentley come in as well which I have said numerous times. If Charles has spat his dummy out as well id do the swap for Lennon. I think KK could get alot out of Lennon. If no player can respond to Keegan they shouldn’t be in football let along Newcastle.
April 8th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Just read we may be looking an Pennant -NO NO NO! Not sure why I am so strong about this, but I really am tired of getting these players that love themselves more than their clubs. Saying that, Keegan has the ability to draw the best out of a player. Would love to see Henry here – obviously the man is a major talent but I think that is a little of the dreamworld… If Ronaldhino is available it could be interesting getting him and Henry as Keegan is an attacking manager. They would certainly help people like Zoggy improve… Any comments?
April 8th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I think we can forget about N’Zogbia – despite him now having the opportunity to play in what could be the most attacking and exciting team in the league he doesn’t look to have taken it. KK constantly seems keen to give compliments about players for working hard we’ve heard nothing positive about Charles. He’s obviously going to sulk until summer and then leave. If that’s the sort of player he is, get rid.
I have to agree about Pennant, he seems like another player who could rock the boat a bit and he doesn’t have that amazing level of skill that could make it work the risk.
Henry and Ronaldinho wouldn’t come to a cold northern club with no European football. If they did I’d doubt their conviction to play to their best anyway.
In regards to Lennon, the jury’s out for me. Great pace, can run at people all day, but can he cross? I’m told by a friend of mine who watches any game he can that his crossing is pretty weak, which might explain why Spurs are willing to trade him in, in which case £10m sounds very, very steep. If we just want someone fast with no other real skills, as I’ve said before Dwain Chambers is apparently free…
Bentley again I’d love to see join but I simply can’t see it…
April 8th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Money talks let see if Blackburn are willing… Im sure Bentley would come with higher wages which Blackburn couldnt match. Future England star as well.
April 8th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
It’s more that I think Bentley will be at a club like Liverpool next season – close to where he currently lives and probably in the Champions League… Shame as I think he’s a top player…
April 8th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Don’t think he’d go to Liverpool due to the rotation policy. He won’t go back to Arsenal. Chelsea are not exactly stable atm and don’t exactly play exciting football… Abramovich seems to have gotten bored and Manure don’t need him. Spurs would probably be our main rivals. I think Bentley would be keen to play all the time hence why he left Arsenal. He probably would want to be one of the star players still but would he be at any of the top 4? Newcastle he’d be worshipped, well paid and play every game as well as fit into a KK formula superbly well. I dunno I think its a win win and very doable. Its the type of player I would like to see. We now know KK is looking at another defensive midfielder, another left back and right back as cover for Beye as Carr is probably gone.
April 8th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Hmmm, you never know – either way the greatest thing that could tempt him would be if he saw us bringing in a few big names. If he knows the club is seriously heading upwards and he’ll be in a team of good players that can win things he might make the jump.
Where did you hear we’re looking for a defensive midfielder? Good decision if it’s true, Butt is playing well but we need someone to come in this summer, get settled and then slowly replace him.
April 9th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Now we’re being linked with Metzelder… Again a top player I can’t see coming to us because of our lack of European football. However I guess if we go after enough top, top players we could persuade a few of them to come. Besides, if we can get one or two signed up early in the window, it becomes a statement of intent. Other players will sit up and take notice. It’s those first couple of signings that are the real hard work though.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Keegan mentioned we are light weight at left back, right back and in defensive midfield. Probably other areas as well but that is what he said the other day.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Out of interest, does anyone else find it a bit odd and worrying that the likes of Forster, our third choice keeper (although he could even slip further down the ranking once Soderberg gets older and Krul returns) is signing a new contract, yet everything’s still quiet on the Steven Taylor front?
April 10th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I heard something very interesting at the weekend match. One of the older members was at a blokes social club where Beardsley came. He was at the bar with a group of them and had a drink with them and they asked who he’d keep out of the current squad if he was Keegan. He said Owen and Beye are the best 2 players the rest can go. One person chirped up what about Taylor? He said no way hes a big headed arsehole… Id take notice of that personally. Hes not as good as what he thinks niether.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Quite simply they might not want to give him another contract and would rather sell him.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:37 am
That’s the impression I’m starting to get… Pity, as he’s not a bad player and stands a chance of being a good one. Plus the local lad link is always welcome. I actually met him when he was just starting to break into the first team and he seemed a really decent bloke, very down to earth. It’ll be a shame if he’s got too big for his boots. In fact, I was actually in the press area with a friend who works in radio and sneaked me in – the press asked for Taylor to come through to be interviewed as he’d had his England call-up but the news came through his Dad had said he wasn’t to be interviewed to “keep his feet on the ground”.
Either way I think the idea that only Owen and Beye are good enough may be a little harsh – although admittedly any of the rest of them are arguably replaceable, I still think several are worth keeping (Martins, Given/Harper, Baton if he gets his head straight, Milner etc).
Is Beardsley back at Newcastle then? I heard an ugly rumour he was coaching at Boro…
As for Beye though, I like the guy more and more each game. Reminds me of Cafu in a funny way, he looks like the type of player who is incredibly professional and will play on into his mid-to-late 30′s…
April 10th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Yeah I think Beye will be here for a good while. Hes settled in with the fans now a very likeable character. Seems to do his talking where it matters. Each game he simply gets better. Natural athlete as well so id like to think another 3 years out of him certainly 2. Was Marseille’s captain. I think hes enjoying being able to get forward as well. Hes turned into the kind of likeable character Nobby was. With regards to Taylor. If we can get good money in for him im sure we could find another player elsewhere. I know hes came through the youth but he has to start improving his game. His decision making at times leaves alot to be desired but he probably needs a steady central defender alongside him to learn from. I hope he doesn’t go the way of Ameobi ‘oh ive made the first team thats it’ which might be the case atm. If he is demanding £52k a week id tell him get stuffed. Find another club that will pay that. Hes still got alot to prove. Id keep Martins but Harper/Given won’t be around that much longer they are starting to kick on in age but youth wise we seem to be brimming with goalkeeping talent which is great. Milner if we got enough money id sell. Hes 100% but no end product. Ive thought it for a very long time. If Villa sniff for 8-10 million id take it if not id certainly keep him in the squad. It says alot that with Zog and Milner out of the team we are actually doing BETTER. If you have wide men they need to be the mutts nutts delivering week in week out service for the frontmen and chipping in with the goals. Yes Beardo is at Boro coaching atm but that will probably end up changing in the future.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I like Milner but the difference between him and a player like Gillespie was for us is down to delivery. Gillespie wasn’t half the player Solano was in my opinion but he was quick and could knock good quality crosses in all afternoon. That is the bread and butter for a winger and they really need to have that ability. It really shows the difference when you have a player like Beye out wide you almost expect a dangerous looking ball curving into the box.
The Taylor thing; well whatever the truth is there I’d really like to see us, in the wider picture, to have zero tolerance on any kind of pre-madonna behaviour. From the outside that has been a problem for us in recent times and team building is far more important than any one player.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Couldnt agree anymore about team building. I just wonder how much of it is problems with the previous regime where players expected this and that and a young lad like Taylor looking on thinking it was the ‘norm’ hence possibly the wrong sort of attitude now. I think charles has a bit of that…
April 10th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I think Charles has a lot of that. KK probably looks at him and thinks “He’d be a good player for us but if he’s going to have an attitude whilst other players are playing wherever and whenever they’re asked, to get us out of the shit, without a grumble, then we can replace him no problem”.
I agree about Milner to some extent – his crossing isn’t great so he can run all day, it won’t help us one bit (I have similar wories about Lennon as I’ve said). However he is only 22, so given a year or so with Keegan trying to mould him he could be great. Admittedly though if he can be sold for big money and replaced with a better player, fine.
We’ll just have to wait and see about Taylor. If he’s asked for silly wages I’m sure they’re just letting him sweat, which would have to be expected…
April 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am
If he thinks he’ll get those wages elsewhere then he is mad… I don’t think our current board are the same muppets than were running the club 12 months ago. They know how to handle business.
April 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Actually to add to that you do now start to have a feeling of a change at the club the way its run etc. I think its the beginning of it starting to settle down. We seem to be alot more structured and the press are getting a bit bored of us which may be a good thing. The stupid stories about martins, owen etc we never bother to respond to anymore. Why should we? Man United dont about Ronaldo this that and the other…
April 11th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Yep, they have calmed down. They are now trying to find quotes of anyone saying they snubbed NUFC and how it was the right choice etc blah blah.. /yawn /yawn /yawn