A Draw, A Strop And Steven Taylor's New Contract

Paul Patterson wrote...

Well I had a great St Patrick’s Day- Lots of that black Irish stuff to wash away what was a dismal first half.

I think Obafemi’s reaction was brilliant to see and the consoling that Keegan did on the bench was also brilliant- Robbie Keane supposed to be getting fined £120k for his little tantrum on Sunday, puts it a different way?

This draw was a highly acceptable one from my points of view, one that we should be thankful for IF- If we beat Fulham on Saturday, then we can put clear daylight between us and third bottom (You’d expect Bolton to get battered against Man Utd tomorrow).

How many chances did Geremi want to get a corner/cross past the first man? Just what he does to justify his reputation/selection, as set-piece taker is beyond me.

Still never mind- a worthwhile point taking us into Saturday with the Al Fayed brigade from Craven Cottage.

Win and I will be having a stiff drink.

Lose, and I will be having a stiff drink.

Draw and I will be having a stiff drink.

Cheers!

Paul.

Note From Luke
What will you do if the game is called off then Paul? Ha, didn't think of that did you!
I said much the same thing about Geremi during the game, but although his legs have gone - he makes Barton look quick - I was impressed with Geremi's intelligence. He picks up a lot of loose balls and still tries to do the right thing when he has the ball. He can't beat anyone, but he was a very good player once and, hopefully, with games, his touch will come back as well.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | March 18, 2008 5:36 PM

James 09 wrote...

But Luke.... Taylor's a top class defender - or so one would believe if they read The Chronicle. Here's a thought - actually re-watch our matches and Taylor has been just as awful as the other clueless bunch (refusing to call them footballers).

Credit is certainly deserved for the second half but why the heck are we continuing to put in performances as bad as the first? The new line-up maybe. Despite that, we are still deeply in the thick brown stuff and I don't think any reasonable observer could be confident of victory over Fulham. Yes they're awful....and so are we. Yet victory is absolutely vital.

I loathe having to say this but I'll certainly be wishing Man U thrash the stuffing out of Bolton - a nice 6 nil or 5-1 would satisfy aye.

Note From Luke
I think everyone will share your sentiments about Man United vs Bolton tonight! And yes a win against Fulham is vital and, psychologically, I think it would be a massive step towards survival.

Posted by: James 09  | March 19, 2008 7:35 AM

Keith Hutton Africa wrote...

Well things did get better, considering since KK arrived we played well for 35minutes before the wheels came off and have put in some horrific 2nd half performances the worst was to be feared. There was an improvement in the 2nd half and maybe we could have won through honest endeavour. But tactically we are all over the place, there is no structure, the midfield run around like chickens with their heads chopped off and there is a definite impression that we are not all reading off the same page. The player don't look like they are sure what to do and there appears to be no strategic plan. Maybe KK has this complex revolutionary ploy that the players are trying to come to terms with, or maybe there is no tactics just a "go out and run your guts out lads" plan. Hughton looks a like a rabbit caught in the head lights almost afraid of what he is looking at. The look in his eyes says "it wasn't like this a Spurs." Lets no get carried away one baby step against a very poor team is a start but we need new ideas we need a strategy and we need to take the players we have an use them where their potential lies or fear the unspeakable worst.

Note From Luke
Sometimes, in difficult circumstances, the only way you can get out of trouble is with stubborn hard work and that is what Newcastle resorted to against Birmingham. I think confidence was lower than most of us thought because of the poor run. Hopefully, the draw will restore some self-belief and some better football will return. I don't care if Keegan has a system as such, I just want to see him getting the very best out of the players.

Posted by: Keith Hutton Africa  | March 19, 2008 7:52 AM

Mike Ashburn wrote...

Your article certainly hits the spot,Luke,though I think that the situation as far as Oba is concerned ,smacks of post match spin-doctoring.
I'd have taken Viduka off,replacing him with N'Zogbia,which would have given the midfeild that bit more zip,whilst not lessening the pace up front.
'Duk's could hardly have complained could he(to be frank I can hardly see him complaining about anything at the moment)and we might have been level with Boro'on points,since Oba and Owen looked the best option for getting the winner.
I'll bet that is what was going through Martin's mind as he went off the pitch,and as far as I'm concerned,he was in the right to be angry.
Most,if not all of the fans watching the match,by THEIR reaction,also could'nt fathom out KK's decision,and let everybody know that also.
Anyway,looking to the weekend,I hope it's Monday nights second half performance that we see on Saturday,
there's still a way to go yet!
Keep the faith!
Mike Ashburn

Note From Luke
I guess the reason he kept Viduka on was so that he could hold the ball up when it was booted out of defence.He is also handy in the air at set-pieces. He was knackered and could hardly run, but I thought the tubby Aussie did pretty well on his return to the side. Hopefully he'll stay fit until the end of the season now, but who knows with him?

Posted by: Mike Ashburn  | March 19, 2008 11:07 AM

David B wrote...

Luke – good posting and I couldn’t agree more on some of the points made. I’ve commented many times that Steven Taylor, although in my opinion a future NUFC Captain, is miles from the finished article.

Although his bravery is not in doubt his decision making is. He completely misread 40 yard punts on Monday in his keenness to get there first. Match goers know that this is not the first time this season he’s been caught out like this. If Taylor is the Karate Kid then we need that old knarly fella next to him telling how to paint the fence and wax on and wax off. This is not Faye by the way - are we progressing through the phone book trying to get a decent one – who was woefully the wrong side on a number of occasions including the goal.

So lets hope a Centre Half is high up on the shopping list for next season. This should be before Messi, before Henry, and before we try to coax Pele out of retirement.

Note From Luke
As ever, I suspect two world class central defenders will be top of the priority list in the summer and, as ever, Newcastle will fail to get them, instead plumping for some no mark from Europe!

Posted by: David B  | March 19, 2008 11:15 AM

Edmond Dante wrote...

For me, the only difference between Taylor and Titus Bramble is that Taylor gives a generic quote to the Chronicle every time there's no obvious headline story.

Posted by: Edmond Dante  | March 19, 2008 11:32 AM

jac mills wrote...

Luke

I did not see the NU/Birmingham game, and take your account to heart. But I still have a problem with Owen. You write of his goal maybe being crucial and that he still can find the back of the net. Only trouble I see is that he is not doing it sufficiently. And being blunt -- that is his job isn't it? I believe you are being too easy on him. I do not look for negatives, but from what I have seen this year, Owen has lost pace, the ability to constantly pressure defenders, and maybe some desire. It happens. NU need now a couple of young prolific goal-getters, and Owen and Viduka are not the answer. For the time being, wearing my KK hat, I would put in Martins every week and play just behind him N'Zogbia. At least they would give some opponents fits, run them ragged, and who knows, bag a few goals that would keep NU in the EPL for now.

Agree wholeheartedly with you on Taylor. I have always felt he needs a LOT of maturing as a center back. But he is not likely to get it when every week he is in a desperate and struggling defence. But there is no doubting his heart and physical ability.

But what do I know?

Note From Luke
As much anyone probably, it's just we all have different opinions! I disagree with you about Owen, I think he's starting to look the business again but I'll reserve full judgement until the end of the season.

Posted by: jac mills  | March 19, 2008 11:40 AM

Phil wrote...

The consensus of the fans is right as usual - Martins is our biggest threat - and worry to the opposition. He is quick and explosive, and unpredictable. He provides that spark that can suddenly create a goal. He MUST play. I am a great fan of Kevin Keegan. He will bring us success - gradually. I think he has been extremely patient with Michael Owen, almost to the detriment of the team. Smith and Duff have certainly let him down, as well as others. Kevin has not bought a single player yet, so he is doing his best with someone else's team. Kevin's positive style is suited to a talented team, which can challenge the opposition to "score more than we do". You can only do that with exciting attacking skilled players. He will get them as soon as he can, and once again Newcastle will be buzzing!

Posted by: Phil  | March 19, 2008 12:02 PM

True Mag wrote...

Finally someone has told the truth about Taylor. He may think talking to the press the whole time and milking the applause of the fans is the way to make himself a Newcastle hero, but he would be better off concentrating on improving as a player on the pitch. In my mind, Taylor should still not be the first choice centre half, that he is has put far too much pressure and focus on him. He's still a young man who should be coming in to the side when needed and then having a few weeks on the sidelines to work on his game. Too much has been expected of him and now, sadly, I think he has begun to believe his own hype. I just hope we don't see his talent go to waste. I don't want to see him leave, but I do want to see him do more of his talking on the pitch.

Posted by: True Mag  | March 19, 2008 1:08 PM

Richard wrote...

I hope Keegan sticks with the three man strikeforce as you say Luke. Hopefully with a little more confidence the goals will start to come from the trio as they look like they've got goals in them. A win over Fulham on Saturday will ease our relegation fears and I hope we go for it.

Posted by: Richard  | March 19, 2008 5:35 PM

Mr Chipper wrote...

Luke, can't believe you're bigging up Taylor. The boy hasn't got it at the moment and isn't progressing nearly as fast as he should be. Neither Roeder or Pearson have improved him and his current mutterings about his contract give a fairly good idea of where his priorities lie. At the moment he's a liability and had he been Bramble he would've been hounded out already. Keegan needs to make a splash on a couple of top drawer centre halves in the summer (amongst others). That will really put the cat amongst the pigeons and then we'll see if Taylor has the ability to play himself into the side. Until then the jury is out and the lad is only really getting a game due to the complete lack of a tangible alternative.

Note From Luke
That is kinda what I was saying Mr Chipper if you read it again!

Posted by: Mr Chipper  | March 20, 2008 9:50 AM

David B wrote...

Luke we live in strange times indeed – like many last night I found myself shouting for the Mancs against a team who had a chance to go above Sunderland if they’d won.

I’m hoping one day I look back on all this and laugh………..

Posted by: David B  | March 20, 2008 12:41 PM

Brian wrote...

Taylor needs a experienced defender beside him, like a Hyypia or Sol Campbell type of player, who can organize the defence. i am not sure about Owen, martins and Viduka together because when the other team have the ball specially Owen and Viduka are not working hard to get the ball back and that puts more pressure in the midfield.

Posted by: Brian  | March 22, 2008 10:59 AM

zulu wrote...

Hi Luke, Cannot believe all the stick Stevie Taylor is getting, he is a local lad who gives his all every game. He does need a partner who can read the game, and Faye is not a central defender. Where is the exciting young full-backs, Edgar, where did the young lad disappear to ?? (back to Canada me reckons). Geremi's intelligence impressed me as well at the African Nations Cup, although Martins and the whole Nigerian side were off colour.Thought for next season get rid of the fat and unfit Aussie and buy Yakuba to partner with Obe. Sell Moan Owens to Wigan and he can partner with another england has-been. The Smoggies warned us about buying a one third of season striker, and their smugness might still pay off. Great result against Fulham - well done KK.

Posted by: zulu  | March 26, 2008 12:37 PM