By Chris Baker
January 29 2006

Chris Baker gives his player ratings from Newcastle United's FA Cup fourth round clash away at Cheltenham.

FULL TIME: Cheltenham Town 0 - 2 Newcastle United

Given - 7 - Didn't have anything to do, just some weak shots to save and crosses to catch, did well to force Odejayi round him in the 2nd half. One or two miskicks in the 2nd half but otherwise OK.
Ramage - 7 - Solid game, got forward well in the 1st half, and did well defensively all game
Bramble - 7 - Good game from him, didn't do anything wrong, but was caught out once in a chance Cheltenham should've scored from.
Boumsong - 5 - In that same chance it was Boumsong who got a great last minute touch to make the ball go wide. But apart from that this was a very poor game from him. Very poor.
Babayaro - 7 - Did well like Ramage, nothing else to say really.
Solano - 6 - He linked up well in passing the ball around in the first half, but didn't really do much else. Was drifting into the middle a lot.
Clark - 6 - Same as Solano really, nothing special.
Parker - 7 - Good game, lost the ball once and gave Cheltenham a chance on goal, but apart from that he did well. Good passing and deserved his goal.
Ameobi - 7 - He was OK down the left after the first 15 minutes, and an OK game overall. It was annoying how he seemed to be insisting to have the ball rather than pass it around towards the end, losing it in the process.
Shearer - 6 - Quiet game from him, a few chances on goal and not much else. Missed a sitter from N'Zogbia's cross but wasn't expecting the defender/keeper to not get it.
Chopra - 7 - Good game from him and deserved his goal. Committed performance and deserved to stay in the team and should do for Man City as well.

kirk@kirkwdavis.co.uk

Subs:

Emre - 7.5 - Good run out for Emre, good passing and skills, very pleasing to see him back. Helped control the tempo of the game and seemed to get us passing the ball around well towards the end.
N'Zogbia - 7.5 - Also did well down the left flank, seems to have responded to being dropped. Perhaps a recall is on the cards for City.
Luque - 7 - Didn't really do much to be fair, just passed the ball around like everyone else did at the end. Decent corner.

Souness - 8 - If you check in another thread, the team he sent out was identical to mine except he started Shola instead of O'Brien. I also wanted to see Emre, N'Zogbia and Luque play in the 2nd half and that happened too. Overall I think he made good use of players and played them appropriately. Gave Emre some time and didn't overuse Parker. Hopefully they will both be ready to start against Man City, which is very important.

Match reaction to follow.

 
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