Player Ratings v Norwich City (A)
By Wasim
December 11 2011
Demba Ba has been named Man of the Match for his contribution to yesterday's 4-3 defeat at Carrow Road against Norwich City. Tyne-Talk player rater Wasim4nufc also praised Yohan Cabaye with a high score, but following disappointing performances by Obertan and Gosling, neither scored highly. Read on to see how the rest of the team faired....
Player Ratings
Tim Krul (7) - Conceded four goals although he wasn't really at fault for any of them. Needed more protection from his defence.
Ryan Taylor (7) - I thought he did well at right back. Went forward a bit and held his own in the air.
Danny Simpson (7) - Made one or two blocks in the first half and marshalled the back line nicely for the first 40 minutes but then was unlucky to see the ball deflect off him for their first and he struggled from there on in.
James Perch (6) - Did not have a bad game, conceding four was a disservice for his performance but ultimately he could not handle Holt in the air and that's where two of their goals came from.
Davide Santon (7) - I was very impressed with him when on the ball. He looks very comfortable and has a fair bit of pace. Had a difficult day on the defensive side of things but gave a good account of himself non the less, considering it was his first start in the league.
Gabriel Obertan (5) - I was very disappointed with his performance. Needs to look up a bit more for sometimes there's a player open and he'll just look down and take on the two defenders in front of him instead of passing. Provided very little service to our strikers.
Dan Gosling (5) - Had a decent first half, in which he popped up in their box a few times, making some good runs. Then had a nightmare second half, firstly giving the ball away needlessly which led to their third goal and then minutes later getting sent off for a stupid challenge when already on a yellow. Blew his chance to stake a claim for more first team football.
Yohan Cabaye (7.5) - Played a delightful ball forward for Ba to run onto for our first goal and worked hard throughout. Just misses Tiote to protect him so that he can use his passing ability to greater effect.
Jonas Gutierrez (6.5) - Another who disappointed a bit. Not as bad as Obertan but he too provided very little for the strikers. Did seem to form a nice partnership with Santon down that flank though which was encouraging.
Shola Ameobi (7) - Had a quiet first half but a much better second half. Won the ball for us which led to our second goal and linked up nicely with Ba a few times. Also held up the ball well on a few occasions.
Demba Ba (9) - Scored two quality goals, the first with great control and the second with a clinical finish. Apart from that he was good on the ball and always looked a threat.
Substitutes
Sammy Ameobi (6) - Had very little impact but does deserve more time especially with Obertan playing below par.
Alan Smith (N/A) - Was only on a few minutes.
Shane Ferguson (N/A) - Don't think he had a touch after coming on in injury time.
Newcastle United Man of the Match - Demba Ba
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Wasim's Sport Blog
Toon4life
You tend to score an "average" performance as a 7, and that's fine, but on a day when the back line gives up four goals, no one should get higher than a 6 according to your scale.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:12:13:00:54:11 by waffles.
Raylor Simpson Perch Santon
Obertan Cabaye Gutierrez
Ben Arfa
Ameobi Ba.
Obertan-I'm completely out of patience with him. Don't compare him to Jonas, who runs his ass off and doesn't dawdle while he's beaten to 50/50 ball or while his fullback is being run ragged by opposing wingers.
The only positives for me out of this game are Santon-he looked great, in the mold of JE and should promptly displace Raylor once we get a couple guys back-and a recomfirmation that Ba is a brilliant finisher.
We need Colo and Tiote back ASAP. We're screwed as long as they're out.
I'd really like to see us get Kolo Toure in January if he's going to be loaned.