Player Ratings v Aston Villa (A)
By Wasim
September 17 2011
Yohan Cabaye has been named Man Of The Match by Tyne-Talk's player rater Wasim4nufc after his performance against Aston Villa this afternoon. The two sides each took a point from the game with Leon Best scoring for Newcastle. Cheik Tiote also picked up a high score for his contribution. Read on to see how the rest of the team faired...
Player Ratings
Tim Krul (7.5) - Did not really have a busy afternoon, surprisingly. Dealt easily with what came his way, except for the goal which was a good finish from very close range.
Danny Simpson (7.5) - Kept N'Zogbia quiet for most of the match and defended well. Did not go forward as much though, despite all our possession today.
Steven Taylor (7) - Almost made one huge error but was fortunate to see Villa waste it. Other than that, he had a decent game.
Fabricio Coloccini (7) - Potentially at fault for their goal, as he fell over. It was a bit fortuitous though as the ball fell kindly for Agbonlahor too. Coloccini did keep Bent quiet before he was eventually taken off.
Ryan Taylor (7) - A better performance from Ryan Taylor today. He did his job for the most part and tried to support Jonas on attack too so no complaints about his performance this time around.
Gabriel Obertan (6.5) - Showed a few times that he had the beating of Warnock but unfortunately he couldn't find the cross to match his good work. His pace is nice to have in the team though, especially away from home as he carried the ball forward a lot on the break.
Cheik Tiote (8) - A much better performance from our central midfielder today. Despite giving the ball away in crucial areas a few times, which luckily came to nothing, he was more like his old self, winning the ball, turning and finding space to help us build another attack and upsetting their momentum. Also provided the cross in the build up to our goal. He now needs to build on this performance.
Yohan Cabaye (8.5) - Superb performance from Cabaye today. He really deserved a goal as he hit the post with a sublime first time effort and forced a world class save from Given, when it was goal written all over it. Apart from that, he dominated the middle of the park along with Tiote and put in a really good hard working performance.
Jonas Gutierrez (6) - I thought he was disappointing today. Did do his defensive work but could have done more on attack.
Demba Ba (7.5) - A very sharp looking performance from him and one that can hopefully cut him sum slack for the time being. He beat his man a few times and also showed good inter play with some of his colleagues. Looked like the striker I saw at West Ham, now he just needs a goal.
Leon best (7.5) - At the right place at the right time, to score his third goal of the season, at the second attempt. A fairly decent showing from him and I must say it's surprising to hear he has never played the full 90 minutes for us yet in the premier league.
Substitutes
Shola Ameobi (5) - Offered very little when he came on. I'd much rather have kept Best on the field.
Sylvain Marveaux (7.5) - A very decent cameo from the former Rennes man. Played Cabaye in superbly at the end, which could have resulted in a goal while he barely lost the ball and helped us finish the game the stronger.
Sammy Ameobi (N/A) - Was only on the field for a few minutes.
Newcastle United Man of the Match - Yohan Cabaye
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Im over the moon though and its another away point. More than that though I was pleased when the commentator was saying there was a good spirit and performance about us.
Technically, how good is Cabaye. His strikes were so sweet and we have seen glimpses of what he can do with a few really good defense splitting balls in other games. It just needs the right forward/set up to take advantage. Its probably no surprise that when Tiote has performed the way we know he can it has allowed Cabaye to push on.
Im definitely not getting carried away as slowly slowly should be the way but if this is the points we can get with the new players either coming back from injury or bedding in then it bodes well for the future. It sounds like Marv has done some decent things when he has come on which is nice.
Judging by what people are saying on other threads I would like to see one up front especially as the three we have are so similar. Plus I think that there is a stigma attached to having five midfielders on the pitch. If you look at our squad we really only have Tiote as an out and out DM (Im just not counting Smith). Its not as if we would set up like a Fat Sam midfield.
There are probably too many formations to go through (Thread anyone!) but we all know how we have a few players who could play off a front one, leaving a typical four man midfield. Or more like a 4-3-3. Just hope AP is sussing out the players he has. Its easier said than done but when everyone is fit I could see a formation like Chelsea of a few years ago being possible.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:09:18:12:45:56 by Biffins Bridge.
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Is he the answer to our goalscoring problems? no. Will a fully fit Ben Arfa increase our chances of scoring more? I believe so.
Quote:DaraghL
One interesting stat which will suprise you was from Martin Tyler that Nani has scored more in his first 100 games then Ronaldo did for United.
The stat was 19 goals each in 100 games for Ronaldo and Nani, but Nani had double the assists that Ronny