All,
for those of you unable to attend games at Gallowgate for whatever reason here is the eleventh of my match accounts for this season, including personal thoughts as a Newcastle supporter as the day’s events unfolded both outside and inside St James Park.
It’s rare that pre match meetings and training are not totally dominated by Talk of The Toon. Yet that was the case this time round as I had arranged to meet up with some old pals and fellow Mags to watch the Irish play Italy. As sporting events go, any Rugby International is worth watching, as there’s a position for just about all shapes and sizes in a given team. Along with plenty of endeavour, spirit and a fair degree of physicality that puts football to shame when it comes to being a man’s game. I also happen to both like and admire the fifteen a side version. Even if at times I have no idea how the referee manages to keep it all under control. Although I know from first hand experience that the after game social side is regarded by many to be just as important as playing. With the score 17 – 10 to the Irish at half time talk turned to the main match of the day against Wolves.
Most round the table thought this fixture would be a comfortable home victory as APee should have his strongest side available for selection since the win over Manure. The fact Wolves were struggling to get anyone to take on the manager’s role since Mackem Mick was given the boot only added to the degree of optimism. The job eventually being given to Terry Connor until the end of the season. Quite a few Mags fancied another goal glut similar too that of last season. However, I have to be honest here and say I wasn’t that sure, as their away record is a damn site better than that at home. The last four fixtures earning them three draws (Gooners and Spuds among that lot) and a victory at QPR. There’s also those other nagging doubts from previous nailed on wins expected against the likes of Blackpool, Stoke and more recently The Baggies to haunt my footsteps all the way up to Gallowgate. With half time over and the Irish still putting points on the board, we finally set off for the ground.
Entry into the stadium was even easier than usual and gave me no indication just how large the crowd would actually be for this game. Once inside St James’ there followed a quick check of the TV screens, the team news revealed the returning trio of Raylor, Tiote and Cabaye would all be playing. It was only as I took my seat did it finally dawn on me that this fixture had attracted a big crowd, as none of the familiar gaps appeared present in the Leazes End. With home supporters butted right up against the small number of travelling fans from the West Midlands.
The game kicked off with Newcastle attacking the Leazes End although the visitors almost took the lead in the opening two minutes as Williamson allowed Doyle to test Krul. Fortunately his effort was rather tame, however those nagging doubts started coming back into my head. What I needed was a nice early goal from The Lads to put my mind at rest. That duly arrived on six minutes following a great piece of pressing by Cabaye on Wolves defender Christophe Berra. The midfielder robbing him of possession and crossing towards Ba only for his back heeled effort to be cleared. The ball however eventually being played out to Mr T whose attempted shot deflected towards Cisse who then capitalised with his left foot to open the scoring.
What followed was a period of sustained pressure from The Toon the highlight of which was a fine drive by fullback Danny Simpson that Wayne Hennessey spectacularly saved. The Toon was not to be denied and on eighteen minutes, the second goal arrived. Jonas is not prolific when it comes to scoring goals, but when he gets one they are usually a bit special. With a long ball coming in from the right towards Coloccini of all people on the edge of the penalty area, the ball was half cleared and fell nicely to the feet of Jonas about twenty five yards out. With plenty of time to gather his thoughts and the Leazes End screaming shoot! He did just that! Smashing a terrific shot past a floundering Wolves keeper, who never stood a cat in hells chance of getting close never mind actually stopping it from going in for the second goal of the game. Things were looking comfortable again and any doubts well and truly put to the back of my mind. As things were it was looking more a case of the opposition being lambs in Wolves clothing and visions of a repeat of last season’s result perhaps becoming a reality.
Barely two minutes further on the doubts returned as Doyle once again came close to scoring following a cross from Jarvis. Quite what Simpson and Williamson were doing to prevent this God only knows. For the remainder of the half I was trying to figure out whether or not Newcastle were being pulled down to Wolves level or had Connors men simply rallied for the new manager. Either way with O’Hara pulling the strings in midfield they began to assert themselves albeit without creating any clear cut chances to score. Newcastle on the other hand appeared to be all at sea and playing like eleven individuals rather than a team. Cabaye and Tiote assisted by Raylor making a contest of the midfield battle, however it was hardly gripping stuff to say the least with both sides guilty of losing or giving the ball away endless number of times. There was also a huge gap developing between the forward players and the midfield of both sides. Despite all that half time came with The Toon still two nil to the good.
Discussion during the break included Spiderman’s great strike, the fact a Stag Party were the match ball sponsors and the Mackems losing two nil at West Brom.
The second half kicked off much as the first had with Wolves immediately taking the game to The Toon. Quite a few Toon players appeared to have left their heads in the dressing room as the opposition pressed for a breakthrough to get them back in the game. With five minute’s elapsed Wolves received their reward as Jarvis cut inside and hit a speculative effort that took a deflection off Simpson to send it sailing over the flailing arm of Krul into the net. That goal appeared to take the wind out of the sails of both team and crowd. The defensive frailties displayed at other times also returned and this certainly set the crowd on edge. The Mags strike force of Ba and Cisse becoming more and more isolated as Newcastle’s midfield retreated under the constant pressure.
Meantime Wolves were now supporting Doyle in numbers and he began to cause more and more problems for Colo and Williamson. The equaliser on sixty-six minutes was a poor goal to concede although credit must go to Doyle for shear persistence.
From an O’Hara free kick on the right Doyle challenged for the ball as it was whipped in. Tim Krul managing to stop the strikers first attempt at goal while most of his defence just stood and watched. However Doyle was not to be denied and managed to get another touch to see the ball cross the goal line to make it two all. Once again quite what Simpson and Williamson thought they were doing to prevent this God only knows. Whether they were influenced at all by the double substitution of Cisse and Raylor for Guthrie and Ben Arfa prior to the kick being taken is open to debate.
Somewhat surprisingly Wolves appeared to me they preferred to see the game out when possibly they could have pushed on to take all three points. Not that The Toon did much to endanger that situation with any set pieces looking inept to say the least never mind being tested out week on week at the training ground. Too many passes going astray or simply given away altogether. Ben Arfa again showing supporters why he possibly should be in the team yet by the same token also providing more evidence if needed of why he isn’t a starter each week. His two goal bound efforts the sum total of a shocking final fifteen minutes or so from The Toon. With the final whistle coming as a relief to most and very much cold comfort considering what the opening eighteen had produced.
Positives…...Great goal from Spiderman although no mask to celebrate, still within touching distance of teams above us in the table, big wake up call before the noon showdown with the Mackems next week and I’m thankful it didn’t turn into another Baggies type defeat.
Negatives….two points dropped from a very good position, not convinced the substitutions were correct for this encounter, also in games like this you see how big a miss is Saylor and a captain like Nolan, as the side didn’t have a real leader on the pitch to lift them.
Next up is the derby game against the Mackems on Sunday 4th March live on TV with a noon kick off. Time for ‘Dogs of War’ and I can hear the Floyd warming up all ready.
CWL
