By Wasim
March 4 2009

Peter Lovenkrands was judged Man Of The Match for his performance against Everton on the weekend by Tyne-Talk's resident player rater Wasim4nufc. Read on to see how the rest of the team faired......

Player ratings vs Man Utd

Steve Harper (6.5) - He did fairly well, and handled the crosses efficiently , although I do feel he could have done better for their 2nd goal. He needs to work on his kicking though.

Steven Taylor (5.5) - He did okay, but he needs to keep his head more. He could easily have been sent off for 2 challenges late in the 1st half.

Fabricio Coloccini (6) - He struggled to handle Rooney, but he did have moments where he defended well. He was good on the ball and made one or two good forward runs.Perhaps a better option at right back maybe?

Sebastien Bassong (6.5) - He gave the ball away too much for my liking, but apart from that he had a decent game. Can't fault his talents though.

Jose Enrique (6) - He was good going forward in the 1st half, but otherwise an average game from him, not his best not his worst game for us.

Ryan Taylor (5.5) - At fault for their 2nd goal, as he made the wrong decision. His set pieces were also lacking but one cannot fault his efforts and commitment.

Alan Smith (6.5) - He started the game brilliantly, winning challenges and breaking their attacks up, but tired as the game went on. Its his first start in 10 months though so it was expected. He does sometimes slide around needlessly though.

Geremi (6) - He initially did well, with Smith in midfield, but started giving the ball away and having a lesser impact in the middle of the park. Good news is we should have other central midfielders back for the next game.

Jonas Gutierrez (7) - He took the shot that led to the goal, and he looked dangerous when on the ball. He was again part of all our best moves. His work rate is exceptional and credit to him.

Peter Lovenkrands (7.5) - He scored the goal, and was very lively. Kept giving Man Utd problems, especially on the break. Not bad for a free signing, certainly deserves a contract beyond this season.

Obafemi Martins (7) - He was excellent as the man to hold up the ball, and build attacks and he also gave Man Utd problems. He certainly offers us a new dimension on attack and he linked up well with Lovenkrands.

Andy Carroll (6.5) - Made a decent impact when coming on, should perhaps have come on earlier to provide an aerial threat.

Kazenga Lua-Lua (N/A) - Didn't really notice him in the period he was on, which wasn't too long though.

Positives
* The way we started the game, it even had Man Utd rattled.
* The counter attacks were working brilliantly, mainly in the 1st half.

Negatives
* We now in further relegation trouble.
* Steven Taylor may get into trouble by the FA for his wreckless challenges.

Man of the Match: Peter Lovenkrands

NUFC v MUFC Player Ratings

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 04/03/2009 22:14

TyneTalk
04/03/2009 22:14

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Mighty__Mag
04/03/2009 22:25

Steven Taylor 10

Nacho 10+

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ToonBart
05/03/2009 13:09

Harper 5 Did he come for / save any crosses?

Taylor 6

Colochini 6

Bassong 8 Man of the match

Enrique 8 Runner up for MOTM Growing in role every week.

RTaylor 5 Gave away goal, set pieces poor, not much else

Smith 5 Continually gave the ball away

Geremi 7 Started wee then faded

Jonas 6 Usual jonas huff puff no result

Lovehandles 7 Poachers goal and lively display

Martins 7 Hold up play good, but slightly lacking


Some average individual performances but a team performance of 9.

Enrique is just getting better and better and better

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wasim4nufc
05/03/2009 14:05

For me Harper handled their corners well, bar one, and comparing that with Van Der Sar it can't be taken lightly. Bassong gave the ball away inside our half at least three times and for me that could have been costly and hence his 6.5 rating.

Quote:

Toonbart
Jonas 6 Usual jonas huff puff no result

He made our GOAL with a shot and did create one or two other opportunities. I think you too harsh on him there.



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Chilango
05/03/2009 14:29

gutierrez man of match for me with at least an 8
dangerous at all times and feel toonbart is harsh on jonas

at times felt there was no options being made for jonas.


bassong and enrique were both excellent also.


i disagree with the amount of praise for lovenkrands and reckon a 6.
took his goal well but there was a couple of quick crosses across the face of goal i felt he should have had and pounced on,
in this aspect felt he lacked the killer instinct to latch on to these and against a team like man u, need to make most of every chance

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wasim4nufc
05/03/2009 16:43

You make a good point Chilango, but don't you think Obafemi Martins should be the one who should have that "killer instincts" as he is our main striker while Lovenkrands feeds off him? In this sense we miss Owen for his goal scoring ability.



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ToonBart
05/03/2009 18:28

Honestly (And to be 100% I would have to check) I dont think Harper came and got one cross.

Van der valk created the goal

In my local rag, Enrique got Man of the match. Cant argue really.

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wasim4nufc
05/03/2009 20:55

I know Harper claimed or punched a few corners and thats where I was giving him credit for. I agree in that Enrique has really upped his game in the last month or two, since the Blackburn game I'd say. Perhaps his now fully settled and that's good to see. He also seems able to handle the physical nature of the Premier League, something he seemed to be lacking early on.



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Biffins Bridge
05/03/2009 23:46

pretty much totally agree with Toonbart.

Thought harper was canny and seems to be getting more settled.

Enrique my MOTM but Bassong was again excellent and showed good strength against Rooney.

Jonas was canny but for once he didnt track back which let them in for the first goal. He needs to add goals to his game though.

Martins and Lovehandles show you dont need the usual target man up front as we were far better just trying to quickly to pass the ball around. Ameobi cant jump as high as Martins anyway and milk turns quicker than him.

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wasim4nufc
06/03/2009 05:10

Yeah I agree about the not needing a target man comment. Martins and Lovenkrands did really well, and in the first 20 minutes we looked like scoring on almost every counter attack with the quick passing. Its so much better than having an average target man in Ameobi while Martins isn't half bad in the air anyways. I hope Chris has realised that now.



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