Newcastle United
Player Ratings - Newcastle Utd v Leicester City
By Wasim
August 31 2009
Alan Smith was judged Man Of The Match for his performance against Leicester City this evening, by Tyne-Talk's resident player rater Wasim4nufc. He narrowly claimed the title ahead of Nile Ranger and Danny Guthrie who also received high ratings. Read on to see how the rest of the team faired......
Player Ratings
Steve Harper (7.5) - Was extremely solid today, making some good saves and coming to get one or two crosses when he needed to.
Ryan Taylor (6.5) - He had a decent game, but nothing close to his best game either. Made some good runs forward.
Steven Taylor (7.5) - Commanding at the back and just the presence we need. He communicated well with the defence, and we so need him to stay!
Danny Simpson (7) - Struggled in the air against Howard, but otherwise had a good game, for someone whose usually a right back. Good to see someone with pace in the centre of defence.
Jose Enrique (7.5) - Always tried to get forward when he could, while looking comfortable with the ball at his feet. Dealt strongly with his defensive duties as well. His really been very consistent this year, and I sure as hell hope we can keep him for the season.
Danny Guthrie (8) - Showed good ball control as always while his goal was a superb strike. Lots of composure and its great to see midfielders scoring more frequently this season.
Alan Smith (8) - Looks to have found his role this season. Did well as captain too, with him always talking to the others and making sure we kept focus with the job at hand. I can see Butt struggling to get into the team now.
Joey Barton (6) - Seemed to lack match sharpness but he did have his moments here and there. He did however give the ball away sometimes too.
Geremi (6.5) - Inconsistent game from Geremi. Did some amateur things like give the ball away needlessly, but almost scored with some neat skill moments later for example. Worked hard though for the team, most of the time.
Kevin Nolan (7.5) - Seems to be his old self again. He made some great runs, kept the ball and was the perfect link between midfield and striker. I can understand why Bolton want him back!
Nile Ranger (8) - Considering it was his first league start, he deserves a high rating. Here's why. He won quite a lot in the air, provided the pass for which Guthrie then scored from and worked tirelessly up front. He simply seemed to get better as the game went on and thoroughly deserved his standing ovation.
Substitutes:
Vuckic, Kadar and Donaldson - N/A although Kadar looked decent.
Man of the Match: Alan Smith
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31/08/2009 22:41
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nice passing from joey b... even though our side had no pace we did the basics well
toon toon
Wasim's Sport Blog
Toon4life
Nice ratings overall
Our midfield has been class this season. They have great chemistry with each other and are putting the ball in the back of the net. I'm sure it helps that Ryan Taylor, Guthrie, Barton, and Nolan are all from Merseyside, but their communication with each other has been quite impressive.
I feel like Ranger deserves MoTM for all the chances he created rather than had. Nolan, Barton, even Smith all got shots on target due to his great hold up play.
Also, think Enrique wasted alot of passes.
MOTM hard to say,
Ranger - Brilliant.
Smith - I'm not usually a fan but he worked very well last night.
"It was an excellent display. What we've got with Alan is that he's enjoying a run of games for the first time in a long time.
He's going to get fitter and fitter and better and better. His commitment is outstanding and I thought he really set the tone tonight."
Totally agree with that. That's why I think him being captain is a good thing.
Wasim's Sport Blog
Toon4life
Take away the run of games and use him as a bit part again and he will probably end up injured and go back downhil performance wise.
I am not his biggest fan and have to say I've suprsied myself but i am starting to see a side to him we havent had at this club yet but that he showed at his previous clubs. Commitment and the ability to get stuck in and do a lot of leg work.
If he keeps it up I may even become a fan of his.......
i havent been this guys biggest fan, but one player has been playing as captain all season, just without the armband. instead of doing the wrong things, like he has previously, pumping his fist to the crowd before making a stupid tackle in front of the ref, or going missing up the pitch when a move broke down, our best centre half has been doing all of the right things. he's talking to his defence, ordering them out of the box when needed, has become more aware of early signs of danger and has taken responsibility in every game so far.
i'm now all for steven taylor getting the armband, as soon as possible
Personally i would have made Steven Taylor skipper but aslong as he is ok without the armband then im cool with Smithy, or Kevin Nolan being skipper. We have some strong personalities out there like Barton, Nolan, Smith, Butt and Taylor and Harper so i think we are ok for commitment.
I do however feel as I said above that Smith has used the responsibility of the band to his advantage and that shows
Quote:Carys
I do however feel as I said above that Smith has used the responsibility of the band to his advantage and that shows
I agree with that. As much as I think Taylor should have been made captain, before the season started, I do feel Smith has taken up the challenge of the captaincy and led by example and really set the tone for the team. For that reason I wouldn't fix something that isn't broke just yet.
Wasim's Sport Blog
Toon4life
Now I've seen the commitment shown by Smith and how he's played like a captain, I've changed my mind. Let him keep it.
he could also have had two red cards, in particular the sheff wed game where he deserved to go.
captain?
I completely agree with lostmekeys.
I do not at all like the current trend of giving a guy the armband to 'motivate' him (see also: Gallas, William). The selection of captain should be a reflection of who is the de facto leader of men on the pitch. From what I've seen and heard that's been S. Taylor, not Smith. I wonder, though, if Smith wasn't given the armband because Hughton feared Tayls would be sold.
Quote:tunyc
Wow.
I completely agree with lostmekeys.
I do not at all like the current trend of giving a guy the armband to 'motivate' him (see also: Gallas, William). The selection of captain should be a reflection of who is the de facto leader of men on the pitch. From what I've seen and heard that's been S. Taylor, not Smith. I wonder, though, if Smith wasn't given the armband because Hughton feared Tayls would be sold.
gonna frame that!
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
I wouldn't mind his being a departure in January at the historically inflated prices we're seeing right now-but only if we'll get in someone new, which we won't.
Wasim's Sport Blog
Toon4life
Wasim's Sport Blog
Toon4life
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