Player Ratings v Wigan (H)
By Wasim
October 22 2011
Newcastle United's player rater Wasim4nufc has named Jonas Gutierrez as Man of the Match for his performance against Wigan at St James' Park this afternoon. Cheik Tiote, Tim Krul and Yohan Cabaye all received high scores for the 1-0 win which saw the side go joint 3rd in the Premier League on points (4th on goal difference).
Player Ratings
Tim Krul (8) - Made a stunning save to deny Moses early on and deserved his clean sheet today.
Danny Simpson (7.5) - Did not offer us much going forward but certainly defended well. Made some solid challenges when needed.
Steven Taylor (7.5) - Made one solid block which stood out and like his fellow defenders, handled what came his way.
Fabricio Coloccini (7) - Not his best game for us but still did well. Was often caught in a two on two battle but stood up to the challenge.
Ryan Taylor (7) - Had a difficult day with Moses running at him but we came through with a clean sheet so he can certainly take some credit for that.
Gabriel Obertan (6) - Beat his man smartly early on with pure pace and put a decent ball into the box but that was as good as it got for him. Tried putting a few other balls into the box as well but his delivery let him down on almost each occasion. Taken off after 75 minutes and rightly so.
Yohan Cabaye (8) - May not have controlled the game but it was his moment of magic which won us the game. Scored with a beauty of a finish and it was worthy of winning any match. He certainly does work hard so it was wonderful seeing him score his first goal for the club.
Cheik Tiote (8) - Another solid performance by the Ivorian. He was all over the pitch and despite Wigan having three players in the centre of the park he still stood up and allowed us to have more possession than them. That is a credit to him for it was not easy today.
Jonas Gutierrez (8) - Put numerous balls into the box most of which were very good. Did his defensive duties too and kept running, often beating his man when on the ball.
Leon Best (6.5) - Was good but just not that effective today. Beat Caldwell twice with neat skill but missed a great chance and he was the unfortunate man to make way for Ben Arfa who needed to come on at half time, in an attempt to win the game.
Demba Ba (6) - Had a good headed chance in the second half but unfortunately his good goalscoring run ends as he couldn't get on the score sheet today. Was just not as involved as his previous three games.
Substitutes
Hatem Ben Arfa (7) - Made a difference without looking his best. Did some good things but also lost the ball sometimes when he kept the ball for too long. Needs more game time in order for him to show his true worth.
Shola Ameobi (6) - Hardly made a difference in terms of a goal threat but helped us win freekicks towards the end.
Sylvain Marveaux (7.5) - Set up the goal with neat control and never looked like losing the ball. Made a difference and he too deserves more game time.
Newcastle United Man of the Match - Jonas Gutierrez
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I think they are a fair assessment.The goal was a cracker.
Jonas was full of running getting forward and back so much. He is having his best season no doubt.
Apart from a couple of late challenges I thought Simpson was again rusty and off the pace. Raylor was better for me and he is playing out of position.
Tiote was just Tiote, a monster. Cabaye, what a finish and he does so much unsung work. Gets everywhere on the pitch.
Obertan was poor but he is still young. Think he may need some time out and a chance to come off the bench to change a game. Marvaux is a different player but will create more like today.
Best and Ba were similar and put themselves about well. Thought Best was a little unlucky to be taken off for HBA. Not that it wasnt the right move, because it was, but it could easily have been Ba.
HBA was a different outlet for us but just needs more time. Pulled out of a few challenges but I suppose who could blame him.
Wasim's Sport Blog
Toon4life
Ben Arfa adds more zip to the team
Quote:TOONTILLIDIE
Marveaux derserves a start, and it doesn't change the way we play as he has pace anyway but on the looks of it can do more on the ball, I would like to see Santon and Ben Arfa get a start as well, drop R.Taylor and Best to fit those two in.
Ben Arfa adds more zip to the team
I'd rather see Simpson dropped than Raylor at the moment. Put Santon and Marveaux on the left with Raylor and Jonas on the right. Raylor's ball into the box for Marveaux was gorgeous, and he's played well against some of the better wingers in this league (Bale and N'Zogbia for example).
Ben Arfa needs to calm down on the ball, and stop trying to dribble around everyone before I'm ready to see him start. He's a very good passer, so I think he can do the job in the center of the pitch, but he needs to be more mature on the ball.
Drop Obertan for Marveux, the only worry about this is that we are going to have a whole new left side which may weaken the team!
I would have rated both Colo & Taylor the same or maybe Colo a little higher, both 7-7.5. I also thought Jonas was MOTM and an 8 is right. I love the way he always tracks back.
I think I'd start HBA. He was hesitant but he may grow into a game if given more time. Both our starting forwards were in indifferent form in this match and Shola's out for a while (surprise, surprise). And a 5-man midfield is the way to completely neutralize Blackburn on Wednesday.
If AP pulled it off then he would certainly be a adopted Geordie and can't wait for that hang over
Great game to get Ben Arfa some game time in the hole
S.Taylor is out I think with a broken nose
We must get another CB-it's not an option. I can see Perch losing the game for us tonight, I really can.
There's no excuse for not having another senior CB in the squad. Three is not enough, and Williamson was already injured during the window. Perch is not a top flight CB and Kadar obviously wasn't in AP's plans. An option at FW other than Loven would have been nice. I'd have preferred Shola but him being injured is so very predictable.
Wish list for January: Pieters, Maiga (or equivalent) and a new deal for Colo.