UEFA Progress,

Some observations from last nights game. This is not intended to be a match report as these are plentiful elsewhere.

Harper, whilst obviously injured he was not tested and should now get a rest on Sunday to make way for an adopted Geordie.

Carr - Improvement from last couple of games but not up to the expected standard.

Duff - Given the sponsors MOM for his efforts, as you would expect good going forward, comfortable on the ball but wasn't really tested. Certainly worth another try at full back.

Taylor/Ramage - Showed signs of a good partnership. Taylor is still short of top form and was caught out a couple of times but like a good partner Ramage was always there to tidy up. The fact that the turks never threatened (i can only remember 1 shot on target and that was tame) must be credited in no small part to these two. Ramage was my MOM. Shame they will be split on Sunday.

Milner - Worked hard as ever, never let the defence settle but needs to work on his final ball. Encouraging.

N'Zogbia - See Milner but less involved.

Parker/Emre - a big night for these 2 against quality opposition. Parker was no-nonsense and Emre looked desperate to impress against his countrymen. A good midfield battle probably drawn, no disgrace against classy opposition.

Sibierski - Good touches, good link up, in the right place at the right time. Deserves a chance to form a partnership with Martins. Unless he catches someone’s hip in training he is likely to be harshly dropped on Sunday.

Martins - Getting batter. His touch is improving and he has started to harry the opposition. Needs a settled partner and run of games.
Roeder Watch - A good brave selection, although he could have possibly shown more faith in Krul instead of risking Harps. Late substitution of Martins for Shola was disappointing. Shola is not the answer, when we scored he was no where near being involved like any decent striker would be. If he wanted to change the team, Luque was on the bench and even his usual lacklustre efforts would have been better than Sholas.

For our German Reader,

If you spend your time browsing the web in search of information on our beloved Toon you will see many comments ranging from sack the manager to sack to board via sack the stadium announcer. Lets just reflect on where we are and how we got here.

Before Roeder took over we were heading one way quick, we couldn't trap a ball, pass a ball, stop a ball and the player looked like they had never met each other before pulling on the shirt. Glenn came in and got us playing football, gave the kids a chance and moved us up the table. In a way we would have been better finishing anywhere other than 7th as this brings unfortunate comparisons with Glenns previous forays into the hot seat and with it extra pressure.

What happened in the summer? who knows, did Glenn not fancy Johnson, Bent, Teves, Kuyt.... did he think in Carr we have a top premiership fullback, did he believe the Cole to Chelsea deal would complete in time from Bridge to come to Toon, did he believe Bramble had put his problems behind him and offered a better option than Campbell or Woodgate? or did Freddie not deliver?

All we know for certain is we got what we got, 3 strikers, only one of whom cost anything and a right winger (Milner) who had been on his way.

So what has gone wrong, excluding Old Trafford which can never be explained, we've forgotten the lessons we learned last year. You play and win as a team.

Sitting in the stands there are a couple a glaring certainties.

• A fully fit Shola is not good enough for the Toon, an injured one is not fit for anyone.
• Steven Carr is a sorry excuse for an experienced full back, he's overweight, lack mobility, getting caught out positionally and not helping his colleagues.
• Martins will never be a player until he is given some support, lets see him alongside Sibierski who should provide some knockdowns and handle some of the physical abuse for him.
• Oli Bernard, I know he's here, I've read it in the paper. Why hasn't he had a look in? Peter Ramage to his immense credit was slaughtered a couple of weeks ago for not getting forward and always cutting back onto his right, against Bolton he must have put in half a dozen crosses with his left, not the best but he has shown he is prepared to work on his game. He will never be a left back and must be banging on Glenns door asking why he hasn't had his promised shot at centre back when he sees Titus falling asleep every week.
  Titus, you could be anything you dreamed of, you're strong, fast, good in the air, good on the deck. Just don't dream during the game. I'm sorry you've had one to many chances, Taylor and Ramage deserve their opportunities.

Okay so I've slaughtered half the team, is it really that bad?

No. I thoroughly enjoyed the Everton game even though we lost and for a hour on Sunday we played well against a team aiming for 3rd in the league. For all we fell asleep and had to watch amateur dramatics Diof and Emre style the game was infinitely more enjoyable than those under the Souness and Daglish eras.

Okay questions need to be asked about the lack of Luque, the refusal to take off Shola, only using 2 subs when you are chasing the game (what has happened to removing a full back and having a go?) but we have to accept this squad will be luck to qualify for Europe.

Am I happy about this? No.

Do I think it's acceptable? No.

But it is what it is and lets build on what is still a young squad, lets find a hungry right back and striker who wants to play in front of 50,000 and see where it takes us!AG

Hi All,

In response to complaints about the lack of a link to the members section, please selest below to be re-directed.

Members Area

Many thanks,

AG

GWIP,

I'll be uploading pics to the members site over the next few days, that won't help you until you accept the invite though!

PW, if you send me the best e-mail address I'll invite you to.

AG

Update,

Well it's been an interesting couple of weeks starting with a point at home against Everton that was one of the most enjoyable games in seasons. Okay it was sloppy in places, Titus needs to engage the grey matter a bit more and Emre really needs to understand we don't want cheats tarring our club so unless he has been shot he should stay on his feet. The general consensus was 2 points lost but worth it for the entertainment.

Then came the UEFA and 2 v.good goals from Oba. The first saw him 'leap like a salmon' as a former manager would say, to head nome a corner and the second was a turn and shot into the roof of the net from 20yds. Impressive.

The on Sunday for some reason it was decided that going to Old Trafford with only 4 defenders; one whom playing out of position and another playing his 3rd/4th game in 9 months; we should sit back and play for a point. Out goes the confident striker with pace and movement and in comes Shola. I've nothing personal against the lad but he will never be a player at this club. The result? We were battered. I can understand Glenn protecting the players buit I hope he has a look at himself and doesn't consider making the same mistakes at Chelsea, Liverpool......

On the plus side, Little Madam moved into her own room over the weekend, the boss got her own way (for a change) when the compluter desk disitergrated and had to be replaced and the AG jnr is an absolute star. i'll be posting some pics to the members area just as soon as I work out how to add a like from this site.

AG