Season 2007-2008

NEWCASTLE UNITED

3 v 1

WEST HAM

Post Match Comment:

Big Sam said:
“It was a great return at St James’ Park with three goals, which we have not seen for a while – apart from pre-season. The performance at times was a little patchy, but in the end it was capable of overcoming West Ham.”

Alan Curbishley said:
"You can't defend like we did and expect to get something from the game. You can't let in goals after two minutes - otherwise you don't give yourself a chance. We got back into it and were the stronger side in the first half but more poor defending at the end left us 2-1 down at half time. Overall I feel we've done enough to take something from the game. We played well to get back into it and it's desperately disappointing. “

After the result at Derby both Car Share Buddy and myself where down beat about the impending game. Listening to the pre game conflab on radio Newcastle wasn't helping much, the gist of which was West Ham had a great away record and they've only been scored against once away from home. As I joined, the now regular, massive queue to get through the turnstile we did a customary guess the score line. I said a boring nowts each.  CSB said an equally boring ones each.  How wrong we where.

The match kicked off and West Ham didn't hang about.  Before we knew what was happening they where up the far end have pop shots on Harpers goal.  I started to fiddle about with me camera, that dam flash keeps enabling and I know one day I'll be.....cross in to the West Ham box!  Viduka's nipped in front of Ferdinand and headed the ball home.  GET IT. Nearly missed it.

As per usual the Toon didn’t build on their early success and West Ham started to get more and more chances on goal.  The equaliser was due, they’d had two corners in fairly quick succession just before hand, and it involved Cole and Ashton doing some heading practice with our defenders watched like bottles of milk. Ashton volleyed the ball into the far corner, tho if Rozehnal had have stayed still he would have blocked it. This gave the Toon the kick up they backside they needed and less than 10 mins later the splendid Zogs provided another cross for The Duke to sorta....erm...slide on his tippy toes and knock the ball in with his shins. Who cares how they go in as long as they do.

Half time arrived and the kids from the special school where allowed in to tek their seats up in the Gods.  What followed was a near constant chanting of “One Bobby Robson. One Bobby Robson.  Walking along, singing a song, walking in a Robson wonderland” for the rest of the game.  Everyone else was wondering if they’d missed something in the news.

Second half started and Owen lasted 5 mins, with Martins replacing him.  The game wasn’t really played at the same pace as the first, but the Toon was well in control.  The problem we had was Zogs wasn’t making enough runs forward and Milner’s pace had deserted him, which stifled the attack some what.  There was some fisty cuffs mid way during the half involving Nicky Butt, tho most people missed it and it wasn’t even shown on the MOTD highlights.  It wasn’t till Enrique came on that we went forward with any purpose.  Zog was now free to push up the pitch and less than 5 mins later he got Newcastle’s third. The West Ham fans give up on the match and started shouting “Let’s go f***ing mental”. It was a bit much for some of the feds and the final 15 mins was spent watching people getting escorted out and Martins missing a sitter.

On the whole, an entertaining match. Must be 3 years since our last one.

By Rogue Pieman

AUSSIE MAGS