Winding back the years - my thoughts on the Metalist game.......

Really buzzing still from last night.
I thought it wound back the years and nights in Palermo and Milan came to mind. It wasn't going to be pretty but we had our game plan and stuck to it.

Krul 9 - One of his best ever games - what a rock. He's back!!!!
Haidara 7- A classy debut and one for the future
Coloccini 7- Looking like his old self again
Yanga-Mbiwa 9- Oh my word.... what a class act this bloke is. Our best defender by a mile... defensive Jizz...
Simpson 6- Did the simple stuff right but got caught out once or twice still
Marveaux 6- A quiet game for Marv and missed a sitter
Cabaye 7- A good performance despite some bullying
Anita 7- Did really well given he's not been playing regularly
Sissoko 7.5- I want his children.... another assist
Shola 8- Cometh the hour... cometh the man (and I bet Tash did too)
Cisse 6- Played out of position but worked hard for the team

Bigi 6 - Nothing spectacular
Perch 7- Calmed things down a bit when he came on
Jonas 6- Not too much time to make an impact but like Perch... calmed things a bit

 

The game as it happened.....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/feb/21/metalist-kharkiv-newcastle-united-live

 

Tim did a fantastic job when called into action. nothing to do first half then a stormer in the second. not always easy for a 'keeper to stay that alert after a quiet game.

i actually thought Cabaye was very poor last night. His delivery from both dead balls and open play were substandard. He was also off the pace, got caught out of position as so resorted to petty fouls. If it had been Jonas everyone would have on his back. He'd get about a 5 from me.

Mbiwa looked a good addition to the team, if maybe a little rusty from lack of matches.

I thought Haidra's debut was very promising. Looks like he might be inclined to dive in a bit and get caught out, but I'm hoping that was just over enthusiasm having had a chance to be in the first team. Overall, he looks a great prospect and some much needed competition for Santon, who now needs to buck his ideas up.

Sissoko's is awesome. He sometimes scuffs the final ball, but his work rate and power give us a great outlet. Immense player.

Overall a very good performance and a very satisfied Obi.

 

Waddle

What a prat this bloke is. How many people have got to be off sick for him to be called in to commentate on a game?

Decent shift from you guys last night, not easy going away to places like that at this time of year. At least you're well prepared for Anji/Anzhi!

 

Thought Cabaye was poor - only a 5 for me
Guti was the same as Perch but more noticeable and solidified the right hand side - much more worthy of the 7 than Perch. But I would give them both 6

 

Moscow should warm up a bit more too in the next few weeks...

 

Excellent block on the line from Perchy as well towards the end.

Definitely impressed by Haidara as well - looked a bit likely to dive in (maybe enthusiasm on his debut) but overall looked another quality addition to the squad. Great to have competition for places across the team again

 

Unfortunatley, Krul is going to be out for up to 6 weeks with an ankle injury. I hope to god Harps/Elliot put in good performances

 

Copycat!

 

Or maybe just great minds think alike?

 

That too!

 

Flattery will get you everywhere with Obi.

 

It might have been as I didn't expect it, but the debut from Haidara was the outstanding piece of a pretty good night. Yes Cabaye didn't have one of his better performances, but on the whole it was a throwback to a bit of the old days where our class and team spirit shone through.

 

Great away performance, personally thought Simpson was a 7 and Perch an 8. The value of good honest pros.

Big mention for Pardew. Much maligned by many this season, but tactical masterclass over the two legs.