Season 2006-2007

NEWCASTLE UNITED

2 v 2

WEST HAM UNITED

I actually thought this was going to be a boring game of footy.  The last time a Curbishley played at St James' it sent everybody to kip.

Nobody could quiet work out how the defence was going to be setup when the teams where announced, is Carr going to be on the right or in the middle? As it turned out we where all wrong. But we didn't have time to worry where the players where going to be as West Ham ran our back 4 ragged for the first 25 mins.  Or should I say right up to the point where Ramage ran off the pitch crying his eyes out, which the first time he'd got out the back pocket of Harewood.  The damage had already been done by then with Carlton Cole drifting into the box completely unmarked and banging home a corner with his noggin on 18 mins, then less than 5 mins later Harewood shugged Ramage off, without breaking in to a sweat, and toe poked their second home. It was like the Brimingham game had come back to haunt us. I'll admit now I told The_Goat if we go 3 behind I'm going yem.  Thankfully this didn't happen.  Ramage ran off to his mammy, to be replaced by David Edgar. The midfield continued to play very deep, but the confidence in the defence began to grow, with West Ham being firmly shut out, and we started to make some head way.

On the stroke of half time Super James Milner popped up on the edged of the West Ham box and did one of his 20 yard strikes which flew into the back of the net.  Is it me or are these now getting so last week?  He should do a bit of juggling or sword swallowing at the same time coz I'm getting bored with these now.  Now Allan Curbishley had a whinge on MOTD saying Scott Parker had been offside and impeded the sight of their keeper, I'd just like to say what a crock of poo.  How can a player standing to the right of y' stop you from seeing a shot coming from in front of y'? Carroll dived the same way as wot he would have done if Parker hadn't been there, he was no where near getting it and Parker never touched the ball. In my book it's a perfectly good goal.

Half time came and Mr Roeder must have gave 'em real yelling at,  showed the team how to pass the ball  and Steve Carr how to stop doing milk bottle impressions.

The Toon where more up to the task in hand after the break and their persistance paid off less than 10 mins after the restart when Boa Morte descided it would be a splendid idea to block a across with his arm.  Nobby stepped up and stuck resulting pen home with out problem.  The rest of the half was all the Toons, with Dyer hitting the woodwork and Martins forcing their keeper into an excellent save; tho we did have a scare where Etherington was left a boat load of space, he umed and arred about his shot just long enuff for Harper to force him the the by line then the rest of the defence harry to ball out of play

If the game had have been another 15 mins longer I think we would have nicked all the points but it wasn't to be.  2 – 2 was a fair result at the end.
 

AUSSIE MAGS