Harper 7 - Didn't have much to do but did his job in a decent manner. Simpson 7 - Good going forward and looked solid defensively, decent display in general. Colo 7 - Looked shaky in some occasions but generally he did his job well. Willo 6 - Looked shaky in the first half but was far more comfortable with three at the back in the second half. Enrique 8 - Made some great runs in the first half and looked a constant threat on that left-hand side but was far more quiet in the second-half because of his defensive duties(Damn you Raylor). Raylor 5 - Looked OK in the first half, provided a bit of width and made some decent crosses but what is he thinking when he went in for that tackle???!!!! it changed the whole context of the game and instead of getting three points we were lucky enough to escape with 1(A more clinical side would've punished us). I think we should try and sell him in the summer because Barton, Guti, Ben Arfa and Ireland are all better than him and we also have LuaLua and Ferguson waiting in the wings. Tiote 7 - Looked shaky at times but generally was his solid-self, his work-rate and stamina was immense, had a strong first half and did his job about in a good manner in the second half. He's massively vital to us! Nolan 6 - Yes he got the goal and had a strong first-half but his technique was found wanting at times, his reaction time and quickness is sometimes very questionable and he can go missing for large periods(but that was mainly because of the sending off, so he had to help Tiote out a bit more), still he's captain fantastic but not captain Tiote!!! Nolan without Tiote = Championship player. Guti 6 - Good first half but average second and rightly subbed off. Lover 6 - Worked hard but didn't get much of a sniff and looked tired in the second half. He's bound to see better days that's for sure. Best 7 - Looked very lively and energetic in the first half, put himself about and caused the Bolton defense something to think about but in the second half he looked a bit tired(may have been carrying a knock), but generally worked his socks off and with a bit more cutting edge he may be a regular starter beyond this season! Here are some questions to answer : 1) Does Raylor still have a future at NUFC? 2) Is the jury still out on our current strike-force? 3) Should we buy Holden and Stud-man in the summer? 4) What do you think of Pardew's second half tactics(post-Raylor sending off) ??? 5) Should we try out a 541 formation with Enrique and Simpson acting as pure attacking wing-backs? 6) Do you think we'll get the three points against Everton? 7) Without Tiote would Nolan be as effective? and finally 8) What did we learn today?
1) Does Raylor still have a future at NUFC? ****ing hope not. 2) Is the jury still out on our current strike-force? Best and Lover are doing ok. 3) Should we buy Holden and Stud-man in the summer? **** off. 4) What do you think of Pardew's second half tactics(post-Raylor sending off) ??? 5-2-2 a bit strange, but i can see why he did it. He's a good tactician. 5) Should we try out a 541 formation with Enrique and Simpson acting as pure attacking wing-backs? No, because any of our strikers would get swamped by themselves. Best and Lover are working quite well together. 6) Do you think we'll get the three points against Everton? I think so. 7) Without Tiote would Nolan be as effective? Without Barton he looks ****e. and finally 8) What did we learn today? Without Barton, our deliveries are generally cack. We haven't won a game without Barton, and that says it all.
Harper - 6 - played well but didn't really have loads to do. Simpson - 6 - solid game, got forward well Enrique - 8 - Just for when he skinned those 2 players about 4 times just before the end of the game before putting his cross in Coloccini - 8 - Solid as ever Williamson - 7 - Kept Davies quiet, which isn't easy R. Taylor - 5 - Solid, but needless sending off Jonas - 5 - Too quiet for my liking today Tiote - 7 - Great cross for our goal, stupid pass for theirs. More sloppy than he usually is. Not his best game for us but still did pretty well Nolan - 7 - Well taken goal Best - 8 - Did really well seeing as he was against Cahill and Wheater Lovenkrands - 6 - I like him but he can be a headless chicken at times Ranger - 6 - Didn't make a huge impact but did okay S. Taylor - 7 - Good forward runs, played well but didn't have much time to do anything Kuqimonster - 7 - Apparently should have won a pen and was a physical presence, as well as being fairly mobile
Why not Holden and Stud-man? Holden looks like the complete midfielder to me(technically very good, good on the deck, stamina, quick and not scared of a tackle, wouldn't cost much aswell) and Stud-man looks like a class act(good dribbler, good pace, can score goals if given a consistent run, clinical and unpredictable in a good way).
1) Does Raylor still have a future at NUFC? - No he has shat in his nest with that tackle. He'll be out the door in the summer. 2) Is the jury still out on our current strike-force? Yes and no. Yes we need to see what these guys can do so that we know what sort of additional strikers we need to buy in the summer. 3) Should we buy Holden and Stud-man in the summer? Yes - if we can get them for reasonable prices i think they would be good buys. 4) What do you think of Pardew's second half tactics(post-Raylor sending off) ??? Good - he had no midfield options on the bench yet he managed to tighten things up at the back and still pose a threat going forward. Think we were unlucky not to nick the win. 5) Should we try out a 541 formation with Enrique and Simpson acting as pure attacking wing-backs? If we continue to have a shortage of midfielders then yes give it a go. Once HBA, Gosling and Barton back though don't think we would use it. 6) Do you think we'll get the three points against Everton? Yes - 2-1 to us. Best and Nolan to score. 7) Without Tiote would Nolan be as effective? Nowhere near as effective. Tiote gives him the luxury of allowing him to push on looking for goals knowing that his defensive duties are covered. and finally 8) What did we learn today? Raylor isn't good enough. Pardew can cope with changing tactics under difficult circumstances and with restricted player options.
Oh now that should have been obvious. Sturridge wouldn't come to us though, Drogba looks to be on his way, Anelka has not got long left and he is better than Kalou. He will be in the Chelsea starting 11 for years to come I think.
Harper 6 - Didn't do much Simpson 6 - Solid as ever Williamson 6 - Not as assured as I'd like him to be Coloccini 7 - Played well, poor judgement for the first goal conceded though Enrique 7 - The usual Taylor 5 - Was mediocre before being sent off Tiote 8 MOTM - Just gets away with loosing the ball for the goal, shouldn't have got it in the first place.. Defensively brilliant.. Nolan 7 - Took goal well, his workrate at times can be underrated.. Jonas 5 - Very quiet today Lovenkrands 6 - Sure he tried Best 7 - Even creating chances for himself now, suprising how decent he's starting to look..
Harper 7 - he was steady when needed Simpson 7 - getting better and better this bloke Colo 7 - not his best game but got some good blocks in. Willo 6 - a little shaky but reliable Enrique 8 - First half didn't look into it, he just kept booting it up front in hope but also whipped some good ones in too. Raylor 5 - Very good in the first half! Shame about the sending off, probs seen the last of him Tiote 8 - Shaky at times also but kept his head, was strong and composed and without him we might have lost the match. He gets an 8 for me cause he was absolutely worn out but didnt go off. Plus he played through his injury. Nolan 7 - Played his part, got a very good goal and put a shift in. 50th prem goal, 12th of the season. Seems to go quiet second half but he just doesn't have the energy these days, bless him. Guti 7 - Had his moments, looked a constant threat. Shame he didnt deliver the same as he did against Brummies. Lover 6 - Worked hard, as per usual but barely got noticed. Should have had a couple in the first half. Still gets my approval for starting the game. Best 7 - I want to give him an 8 but his lack of knowledge for the offside rule is irritating. Wow, this guy can get himself around, he showed passion and committment and was excellent in the air. Had a rough time with the back four and on another day may have won a lot more free kicks. I'm really impressed by him. Here are some questions to answer : 1) Does Raylor still have a future at NUFC? I really hope so but I cant see it. Which is a shame cause he stayed with us when we got relegated. 2) Is the jury still out on our current strike-force? i liked what I seen of Kuqi today, maybe should have won a pen but it would be nice to have one more just to give us options. 3) Should we buy Holden and Stud-man in the summer? Holden YES, Sturridge hmm.. he needs to grow up a lot but good finisher. 4) What do you think of Pardew's second half tactics(post-Raylor sending off) ??? He steadied the ship, subs were great and he gained more respect from me. 5) Should we try out a 541 formation with Enrique and Simpson acting as pure attacking wing-backs? No. 4-4-2 cause Best isnt all there yet. 6) Do you think we'll get the three points against Everton? Hopefully! 7) Without Tiote would Nolan be as effective? Yes, he's done it for years but now he has someone to trust beside him. and finally 8) What did we learn today? We can go down to ten men and stay strong. 2 years ago we didnt
1) Does Raylor still have a future at NUFC? Hopefully not if we sign Ireland,wouldnt mind him going but its nice to have numbers. 2) Is the jury still out on our current strike-force? Best needs a better partner start him and ranger next match. 3) Should we buy Holden and Stud-man in the summer? yes, but only if they arent to expensive and we have enough to buy a quality striker. 4) What do you think of Pardew's second half tactics(post-Raylor sending off) ??? We were knocking the ball about nicely,would have liked to be a bit more attacking and kill the game off with a 2-0 score line at the break. 5) Should we try out a 541 formation with Enrique and Simpson acting as pure attacking wing-backs?Nope,I wouldnt trust Willo and Colo on their own without Jose and Simmo covering the wings. 6) Do you think we'll get the three points against Everton?yes, we would have gotten 3 points if Raylor hadent gotten himself sent off. 7) Without Tiote would Nolan be as effective? I've seen us play without Nolan and Tiote,it wasnt nice I think we need both of them until Ireland or Goslin are ready to step it up and take Nolans role. and finally 8) What did we learn today? 11 men are better than 10....
