Brief match report: The lads played really well first half and matched Newcastle Mags around me reckoned we played better football than Newcastle but to be fair we didn't create much of a threat, just showed strength in midfield and stopped them playing - credit davey's tactics there. First game I've seen this season so good to see new faces looking good. Nyatanga and Souza both played pretty well individually, left a bit too much room in the middle though so they need to get talking - we looked vulnerable to the ball through the gap in the first half and that's how owens goal came after half time. We did tighten up a bit after that. Mattis was a surprise inclusion but looked ok. Devaney was as frustrating as ever, beats each man at least twice before running into trouble, good skills but no end product. I wouldn't call that a bad game just his usual. Mostto looks slow and not very sharp, I really hope he can come good but must say I don't have high hopes if the defenders beat him for pace. Worked hard but I don't think he's suited to one up front to be fair to the lad. He missed the few chances he had and that's not great. Werling looks well solid - fantastic hit on the free kick again - my heart was in my mouth when he lined it up - just thinking 'newcastle, you've got no idea what's coming here' three steps for a run up and he hit another rocket, if he'd hit either corner Given would have been picking it out as it was it was too near the keeper. Togwell had a good first half and was a bit anonymous in the second but newcastle had gone up a gear by then. Ricketts looked up for it and had the beating of Solano but needed the right through ball to capitalise. McCann looked keen too and chased everything didn't show as many deft touches tonight though and might be suffering with lack of match practice. Their second goal was a clear handball to control it before his strike - cant believe the ref missed it it was blatant and only souza seemed to make a serious appeal Overall an entertaining game, a full strenth Newcastle against a less than full strength Reds side and they only edged it really. With hindsight I think Davey might wish he'd risked it and played our best side. We could have come away with something. The Reds fans sang loud and clear in stretches and it looked like a great turn out and good atmosphere up there. Unfortunately I had to sit on my hands and keep my head down near the diehard toon fans in the opposite corner!
From where you were sat was owen off-side for the goal. He's quick and the linesman wasn't keeping up with him at all
defending corners! brilliant Yep, that reminds me that one of the big plusses for me tonight was seeing a Barnsley side successfully defending corners. Newcastle cross a ball damn well and we defended everything well. Muller didn't miss anything tonight, must give the back line real confidence that. bodes well for the league
