By Nick Raynor
May 17 2005

Nick takes a look at each Newcastle player who played a main part in this season and how they performed on AND off the pitch.

GOALKEEPERS

 

Shay Given

 

Good Points: Shay for me has been again, one of Newcastle’s most influential players. Total professional and solid between the sticks and although not a great season for us, has made some life saving saves.

 

Bad Points: Could have kept more clean sheets I suppose but the defenders were to blame for that as well.

 

Rating – 9/10

 

DEFENDERS

 

Stephen Carr

 

Good Points: Finally…a decent defender. Proved to be quiet valuable at the back and made few defensive errors. Good professional attitude aswell.

 

Bad Points: As he is a right-back, I feel he could be better with his distribution and crossing but his main priority is as a defender which he does well at.

 

Rating – 8/10

 

Jean-Alain Boumsong

 

Good Points: Another decent defender in. Seemed very confident at centre-half and often improved the game of whoever was partnering him. He was very solid and made few mistakes and in the short time he has been here, has worked to a high standard of professionalism.

 

Bad Points: Sometimes didn’t seem to perform to his full capacity every game but that’s rare for any player. Another annoyance was he was cup-tied for Europe…not really his fault though.

 

Rating – 9/10

 

Titus Bramble

 

Good Points: Seemed to be playing a bit better this season when he played and could concentrate for longer. He also seemed to benefit from playing next to Boumsong. Had a bad reputation for attitude etc… but these seemed to have fizzled out

 

Bad Points: Despite improvement, still wasn’t a model defender. He has had injury problems which hampered his and Newcastle’s season.

 

Rating – 9/10

 

Celestine Babayaro

 

Good Points: I’m trying to think of something to put here. He did OK when he played for us and we did get him for a good price.

 

Bad Points: Doesn’t seem interested at all. These injury that he can feel but scans show that his knee is fine and then rumours of late nights in Newcastle while supposedly recovering. Total disappointment for me.

 

Rating – 5/10

 

Aaron Hughes

 

Good Points: Has stayed fit and has not actually made too many mistakes this season so has been a useful squad player overall. As always, a total professional.

 

Bad Points: Hughes has reached the point where we know he will never be the type of defender we need for European football and trophies. He is simply not good enough

 

Rating – 6/10

 

Andy O’Brien

 

Good Points: Like Hughes, has stayed fit and is always a total professional. He also gives 100% commitment and effort every game.

 

Bad Points: O’Brien simply makes too many mistakes and we really should get rid. He does work his arse off but it’s simple: Not Good Enough

 

Rating – 5/10

 

Steven Taylor

 

Good Points: Still a great promising youth and has impressed quiet a lot for me this season, showing he is capable of stepping in for injured players and playing in all defensive positions. Great comedy fall aswell when pretending the ball hurt him when it quiet clearly struck his hand.

 

Bad Points: Not experienced enough this season and at times it showed.

 

Rating – 7/10

 

MIDFIELDERS

 

Kieron Dyer

 

Good Points: Did pick his form up and showed prospect as a really good player when he got himself sorted. Finally started scoring some goals too.

 

Bad Points: Refusing the captain’s armband was not great, then he was reformed and played great and the fans finally forgave him…then he got in an on pitch fight and when that was sorted he got his old injury problems back. Oh dear

 

Rating – 4/10

 

Jermaine Jenas

 

Good Points: Has been a model professional and showed good captain material in place of Alan Shearer.

 

Bad Points: Really disappointing, just didn’t show much spark throughout a lot of the season and ended up on the subs bench quiet often. Couldn’t seem to score, lost the ball a lot and distribution was poor.

 

Rating – 5/10

 

Nicky Butt

 

Good Points: Was a great holding midfielder after signing him and looked like he was going to be a great player for us.

 

Bad Points: Suddenly flopped and just played poorly. He most notably under-performed in FA Cup semi final against Man Utd. Another disappointing moment was being sent off moments after his European debut for the club. Not a great season in all.

 

Rating – 4/10

 

Amdy Faye

 

Good Points: Played well as a holding midfielder when paired in the centre of the park with an on form attacking midfielder, but due to other problems this rarely happened. Good signing though for “2 million. Stayed fit and was there when needed

 

Bad Points: Hughes has reached the point where we know he will never be the type of defender we need for European football and trophies

 

Rating – 6/10

 

Lee Bowyer

 

Good Points: Found some form at one point when he was making and scoring goals.

 

Bad Points: Most infamously the fight with Dyer. Ruining the whole season and has really put a dent in the career of Lee Bowyer. Proved himself as a liability and brought shame to football.

 

Rating – 3/10

 

Laurent Robert

 

Good Points: Odd wonder goal, Wants to leave.

 

Bad Points: He’s French, he’s lazy, he can’t get to the by-line, he moans, he unsettles the dressing room and he’s an arrogant bastard! (Excuse my language) I honestly hope he trips over something. I don’t want him to die or anything, just to hurt and embarrass himself.

 

Rating – 1/10

 

James Milner

 

Good Points: Worked hard and towards the end of the season played pretty well at times. Showed good maturity and 100% commitment. Was fit when we needed him.

 

Bad Points: Not consistent enough but is getting better.

 

Rating – 7/10

 

Charles N’Zogbia

 

Good Points: Very young but promising and when he played this season he looked the part and could be one for the future. Never moaned about not playing, just got on with it and took his opportunity. Was fit for the best part of the season aswell.

 

Bad Points: Still inexperienced but will improve.

 

Rating – 7/10

 

ATTACKERS

 

Alan Shearer

 

Good Points: Signed a new contract, was a good captain and model professional as per usual. Gave 100% commitment.

 

Bad Points: Didn’t actually have the bets season by his standards and we missed him when he was injured.

 

Rating – 6/10

 

Patrick Kluivert

 

Good Points: Seems set to leave. Played OK in Europe.

 

Bad Points: Just didn’t perform as we expected. Lazy, unfit, and just doesn’t seem interested. I will not be sorry to see the back of him.

 

Rating – 2/10

 

Craig Bellamy

 

Good Points: Was on absolute fire before we loaned him out and when he leaves in the summer, we should get a decent price for him.

 

Bad Points: The spat with Souness did him no favours and so now will be leaving which is disappointing. I’m a big fan of Bellamy but it seems he was doing no good for the dressing room spirit.

 

Rating – 3/10

 

Shola Ameobi

 

Good Points: Gave full effort every time he wore the Black and White strip and played through an injury.

 

Bad Points: He’s not good enough. He has had many chances and he is NOT the man to replace Shearer. Time to leave I’m afraid Shola.

 

Rating – 4/10

 

THE REST

 

Graham Souness

 

Good Points: Made some good signing’s, convinced Shearer to stay and had a good start to the season. Also straightened out some players.

 

Bad Points: Things have not gone his way and the second half of the season was a complete stinker. I think he is a poor manager but it’s too late and we should just get behind him now.

 

Rating – 5/10

 

Freddy Shepherd

 

Good Points: Has backed the club’s manager again well financially and always knows what he is doing with the clubs cash. The future is safe as long as Freddy Shepherd is calling the shots money-wise

 

Bad Points: Gets too involved and needs to let Souness run the team.

 

Rating – 6/10

 

Fitness Staff

 

Good Points: None

 

Bad Points: I’m not sure we have any.

 

Rating – 1/10

 

Fans

 

Good Points: Kept coming to games and will always try and look for the good in any situation.

 

Bad Points: Do not have the brain capacity (if anybody does) to see the good in some of the situations that have gone on at Newcastle United this season. Need to start the new season with tons of support.

 

Rating – 7/10