By Wasim
September 13 2011

Striker Leon Best was named Man of the Match by Tyne-Talks resident player rater Wasim4nufc. Defenders Danny Simpson and Steven Taylor both got high scores for their performance against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road last night. Read on to see how the rest of the team faired...

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (7.5) - Dealt comfortably with everything which came his way.

Danny Simpson (8) - A very good defensive display from the right back. He made a crucial goal line clearance which helped us earn a point. Apart from that the rest of his game was also fairly impressive, as he made some good tackles and looked decent when with the ball.

Steven Taylor (8) - Another player who defended well. He too made a good goal line clearance while he also made a good last ditch tackle in the first half. Had a more comfortable second half, as QPR seemed to run out of steam.

Fabricio Coloccini (7.5) - Overall yet another solid performance by our skipper, although he had a hard time trying to do his work and covering for Ryan Taylor, who had a difficult first half. Showed his class at times, yet never seems to get the recognition from the media and commentators which I think he deserves.

Ryan Taylor (6) - He tried hard but had a tough time marking Shaun Wright Phillips. I think it was a good thing that SWP was moved to a different position in the second half, as Taylor wasn't as troubled after the half time break. I'd expect Santon to come into the team soon.

Gabriel Obertan (6.5) - He had a fairly good first half, tracking back and seeing a fair bit of the ball. The second half was a bit different, although he did have two half chances albeit with headers.

Cheik Tiote (6) - He did some good things but also a fair bit of ordinary things. The amount of times he lost the ball against QPR was so unlike Tiote and one wonders why his performances have dropped so dramatically this season. It's still early days though, so let's give him time.

Yohan Cabaye (6.5) - A sound performance from Cabaye. He was a bit quiet but yet what he did do he did well. Wasn't able to go into their third of the field much though which affected us, as the lack of creativity proved.

Jonas Gutierrez (6) - Another player who wasn't quite his dangerous self. Had one or two runs which unfortunately came to nothing, whilst he had a lot of defensive work to do in the first half and seemed to pick up a knock too.

Shola Ameobi (6) - Didn't offer us enough movement up front, particularly as Best was having a good game. I don't think he was 100% fit also.

Leon Best (8) - Perhaps our best player on the day. Looked sharp on the ball and almost scored with a lovely solo effort. Ben Arfa's potential return may see Best benefit most as he needs support up front.

Substitutes

Sylvain Marveaux (6.5) - Looked good on the ball when he came on and deserves a start soon, I feel.

Demba Ba (6.5) - Looked more lively than Shola and just needs some chances in front of goal, which he isn't getting.

Sammy Ameobi (7) - Seemed fearless when he came on and I'd have loved for him to come on earlier. Seems a real confident player, who is good on the ball and not afraid to take on his man.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Leon Best

Player Ratings v Queens Park Rangers (A)

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 13/09/2011 18:56

TyneTalk
13/09/2011 18:56

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i!
13/09/2011 20:00

Nobody in midfield or attack should score over 5, can't agree with Best man of the match at all. Between Simpson (best performance so far this season) and Staylor for me, although 8 is maybe a bit of a high rating.


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tunyc
13/09/2011 21:50

Didn't see it, but from what I've heard I gotta agree with i! about the midfield/forwards. MOTM for a striker who manages one shot on target over 90 minutes? Must be slim pickins'...

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DaraghL
13/09/2011 23:29

As much criticism as I have given him Danny Simpson was fantastic definitely my man of the match.

Saylor was shocking bar the last ditch block he constantly made the wrong choices and if it wasnt for poor finishing we would have paid for these mistakes.

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tunyc
14/09/2011 03:32

Good to hear Simmo had a good game. Everybody I've seen comment says he defended well, got up and down the field and put in some crosses. Hopefully this is the start of a run of form.

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mentalman
14/09/2011 10:13

Simpson for MOTM for me! Saylors good bits of defending all were a result of bad defending which needed to be stopped!

I think some of the criticism towards jonas is a bit harsh, he's ahd to change his game and reduce his attacking threat to cover at LB!

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davenufc
15/09/2011 13:13

I thought R taylor was dreadful myself. Wright philips beat him at will 3 at best and I think I'm being generous.

Tiote seemed to spend most of the match trying to kick Barton and forgetting about playing football.

Simpson was his normal workman honest self and yes I would agree with MOTM.

Good result bearing in mind the perfomace, but surely, surely there can not be any arguments now that we need a bloody striker.

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tunyc
15/09/2011 14:34

All the commentary I've seen has agreed that SWP had the beating of Raylor easily.

I bet Villa start Zog on the right.

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TOONTILLIDIE
15/09/2011 18:27

I thought anybody from midfield and the forwards are lucky to score anywhere near 6, that was the worst performance I have saw, and I have seen us play bloody bad enough times. We were last to the ball every time, the midfield was dreadful and had no heart or desire to close down there midfield or atleast try and hold them up. Best was better than Shola and BA, but then Shola would have been subbed after 20 minutes for me and shouldn't get more than a 3. We knew 4-4-2 wasn't working so why didn't we stick the extra midfielder on.

Raylor got done so much by SWP, and we got lucky that SWP swapped wings so much, as had he stuck on the right wing, we would have lost. Simspon played well I thought, but I thought S.Taylor was the best player on the pitch for us.

It made me laugh how early on that Krul was wasting time with his kicks, and thank god he did

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i!
15/09/2011 19:02

Ba did more when he came on than Best and Shola did for the whole game. Those two were completely immobile, at least Ba ran about a bit.


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wasim4nufc
15/09/2011 21:00

I must admit, looking back, the 8 I gave Best was way too high. I did however feel that he was very sharp and lacked service, hence the one shot on target whole match stat, rather than due to poor play from his side. All in all, Pardew made a mistake starting with two strikers, away from home against a five man midfield. We got a draw though, playing badly and that is a good thing. Saturday will be a harder test so hopefully Gosling or Marveaux come in for Shola.



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tunyc
15/09/2011 21:17

How much of the reserve game did Gosling play? Marveaux only getting an 8-minute cameo makes me wonder if he's got full match fitness yet.

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waffles
15/09/2011 21:27

Gosling got the full 90 against Norwich

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tunyc
15/09/2011 21:47

Start him against Villa. We should go with a 5-man midfield but even if not, I'd sit Tiote at the start to give him a kick up the backside with Gosling filling his role.

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TOONTILLIDIE
16/09/2011 09:34

I fully agree, Tiote needs a kick up the @#$%& for his performances so far, get gosling in there and stick Marveaux or Vuckic in the holding role instead of Shola, then decide between BA and Best as the single forward. I am pleased with the start we have made but we got bloody lucky that we got a point with the way we played

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tunyc
16/09/2011 12:53

I really hope Marv has full fitness. We sure can use him now, as the injury to Santon eliminates the possibility of pushing Raylor up the field. We need to get someone out wide who can serve it up if we're going with 2 forwards and that's neither Jonas' nor Obertan's forte.

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davenufc
16/09/2011 13:21

What about staring with Sami?

I fail to see how he can be any worse, that what the other two produced on Monday.

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waffles
16/09/2011 13:52

Only problem with Sami starting is that I'm not sure he can go a full 90 minutes at PL pace yet, especially if he's matched up with Albrighton. If he can only handle 60-70, I'd almost rather him come on as fresh legs with 30 minutes to go then play the first 60.

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tunyc
16/09/2011 15:02

Sammy in the midfield? I'd be happy enough starting him over his brother, sure. But I don't think he'll work as a wide midfielder in 4-4-2 (which is what AP will go with) unless he's a much better crosser than has been advertized.

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davenufc
16/09/2011 16:03

No I mean start with Sami up front. Why not fck all else is working.

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tunyc
16/09/2011 18:53

Hell, why not try 4-3-3?

GK-Krul
RB-Simmo
CB-Colo
CB-Taylor
LB-Taylor II
RCM-Gosling
CM-Cabaye
LCM-Jonas
RW-Sammy
LW-Ba (this is where he was most effective at WHU)
CF-Best

It couldn't be any worse than 4-4-2 with two immobile forwards and wingers who don't cross well. But really, I'm hoping for a 5-man midfield with Best up top on his own. Bring Sammy on as an impact sub.

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TOONTILLIDIE
16/09/2011 21:54

I am not against going for Sammi as a lone forward or in the hole, we can't go for 2 big men as forwards in this game as if we do we could lose the midfield battle again

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tunyc
17/09/2011 14:44

Well, two forwards it is again...we'll see...

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TOONTILLIDIE
17/09/2011 17:41

If we are going to have the 2nd forward, then get Sammi up there, as atleast he offers something different.

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