The criticism of Davey's tactics for the first hour is absurd. We didn't go there "expecting to lose", we went there to try and contain a team in which every single individual player cost/is worth more than our entire squad. We were very good at containing them in the first half, and aside from a corner which Owen failed to react to, and a couple of long range efforts, they created absolutely nothing. Infact, the best save of the half was made by Given from Werling's freekick.</p> If Mostto had controlled Ricketts brilliant pass on 53 minutes, we might have been 1-0 up, rather than being 1-0 down after 54 minutes. The goal was the turning point in what had been an even game. After that, Kozluk hit a post, albeit with a mishit cross, Mostto was close to winning a header after a great move between Ricketts and the impressive Werling, McCann had a shot blocked. Yes, the again impressive Christensen should have been brought on earlier, but with the squad we had, we didn't have many attacking options - any striker worth their salt would have done better with the chance that Christensen presented to young Coulson. They then caught us out with a goal set up by a handball.D</p> Davey could perhaps be criticised for not going 4-4-2 sooner after we conceded - but Mostto was knackered, so leaving him on would have been of very little benefit. Considering we were missing Howard, Foster, Anderson, Odejayi, Ferenczi etc, it was a very very creditable effort by The Reds. Well done boys - effort like that will get us a long way this season in the league games with 2 upfront. </p> Or maybe people wanted us to be gung-ho, and be completely out of the game after 10 minutes? I don't know.</p> Souza, Nyatanga, Werling, Togwell, McCann, and in patches Ricketts, all played well, and Mattis was a major improvement on last seasons efforts and was shown appreciation for that when replaced.</p>
Agreed I was frustrated that he didn't change things quicker after they scored. Having said that thanks to the poor PA system at St James's I hadn't appreciated how little Davey had available to him on the bench.
Agree that the 4-5-1 formation was probably correct to start with... but Davey certainly should have changed it once they scored. The other thing is, if you're playing 1 upfront to contain the opposition, and presumably rely on breakaways to nick a goal, then Mossto ain't really the correct guy to pick for that role imho. He isn't physical and he needs good service to his feet - summat he rarely got tonight. Christiansen would have been a better bet to start upfront in my view, with Mossto an option to come on later, alongside the Dane - dependent on how the game was progressing. I haven't a clue as to Davey's reasoning behind keeping the status quo after Owen's goal, but whatever - the fans who made the trip up there deserved better from him in the final 30 minutes, from a decision perspective.
No criticism from me for the tactics for the first hour But after we'd gone a goal down we needed to change things and he did that far too late.
agreed with all points......... but can any1 say there disappointed with the way the lads played 100% from every player for the 1st time in ages. a real team performance but u gotta think on we made 5 changes to the win v plymouth. 5 reserves!!! WELL DONE BOYS (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap) (clap)
One shot on target according to the Guardian. BBC say that Newcastle dominated the whole match. Were they there? Thought it was a good game and at times it was difficult to say who was the Prem team and who was the Championship side. And all that with a second string side. Don't fancy Newcastle's chances in the next round.
RE: agreed with all points......... I wouldn't call them reserves when they have first team numbers. Fringe players is a better way to describe them. Anyway I get ya point.
except chirstensne last saturday was shagged after 1/2 an hour, so he's not yet fit enough to play up there on his own for any real period of time.
Their stats: Newcastle - Attempts = 15, On Target = 12 Barnsley - Attempts = 3, On Target = 1 Sat at a computer in London making 'em up.
Excellent post would agree with all that. The negativity from some is well summed up as 'absurd'. But it is to be expected whenever we lose, and sometimes when we win.
RE: Agreed can,t be any worse than the pa system at barnsley,sounds like has got his head submerged under water.
