Onyewu rises above Bellamy's belligerent display

[Guest alex]

Looked like he has a calm head on him (which for a Newcastle centre half is all but unheard of) and was never seriously outpaced by Bellamy. Let's hope he keeps it up.

 

That's my concern, like. Boumsong was pretty good in his first half-season IIRC. As much as I want Gooch to be terrific and blossom into a world-class center half, I have concerns about Bramble and/or Taylor being the right person to pair him with to that end!

Boumsong never looked strong enough and I thought he looked good when he first came when Bramble was having a purple patch. I was never convinced. Gooch looks like might be the big strong defender we've been crying out for. Early days though, as you say. Agree about potential partners too, hopefully Taylor will fit the bill long-term.

[Bombadil 0]

I thought Onyewu looked shaky against Liverpool. That's to be expected, it was only his second game in English football - but to call him a calming influence would be much too early.

[AmericanMag 0]

Roeder was quoted as saying that he liked the partnership Gooch and Bramble were forming and that they were doing well especially in the second half.

[gram 0]

I thought Onyewu looked shaky against Liverpool. That's to be expected, it was only his second game in English football - but to call him a calming influence would be much too early.

Gooch played very well I thought. We still badly lack pace at the back. Taylor was shocking in the first half and shaky in the second but he got better. Thought Bramble was similar.

Titus was handy in that he matched Bellamy for pace on a couple of important occasions and used his strength when the weasel was threatening to get away. If we do play Gooch we need some pace in the full back positions and/or alongside him. Gooch isnt slow but I would like to see some real pace back there. Taylor doesnt have that at all. Bramble is easily the quickest of the three but is shaky, as we know. Thought Nobby had a very good game. Most intelligent footballer on the pitch by a long way. Dyer played well too.

[TheInspiration 1]

Roeder was quoted as saying that he liked the partnership Gooch and Bramble were forming and that they were doing well especially in the second half.

Good to see he's forgotten about the nightmare Bramble had last week, and nightmare he had first-half against Liverpool.

 

He had a very good second-half, but that means nothing - I wouldn't be at all surprised next game if he starts off making stupid mistakes as per usual.

[Bombadil 0]

I thought Onyewu looked shaky against Liverpool. That's to be expected, it was only his second game in English football - but to call him a calming influence would be much too early.

Gooch played very well I thought. We still badly lack pace at the back. Taylor was shocking in the first half and shaky in the second but he got better. Thought Bramble was similar.

Titus was handy in that he matched Bellamy for pace on a couple of important occasions and used his strength when the weasel was threatening to get away. If we do play Gooch we need some pace in the full back positions and/or alongside him. Gooch isnt slow but I would like to see some real pace back there. Taylor doesnt have that at all. Bramble is easily the quickest of the three but is shaky, as we know. Thought Nobby had a very good game. Most intelligent footballer on the pitch by a long way. Dyer played well too.

 

Gooch had a good second half, but Liverpool absolutely battered us towards the end of the first half and if one of their chances had gone in, it would have been a different story. We rode our luck and our defence was shaky at best. Gooch has all the physical attributes though and as I said, it was only his second game in England, so he's done himself no harm. Some of the praise has been a little OTT though.

[Dr Gloom 22499]

why does every newcastle manager seem to rate bramble so highly when it's obvious to all of us that he's not good enough?

 

i'll cry if he's offered a new contract.

[gram 0]

I thought Onyewu looked shaky against Liverpool. That's to be expected, it was only his second game in English football - but to call him a calming influence would be much too early.

Gooch played very well I thought. We still badly lack pace at the back. Taylor was shocking in the first half and shaky in the second but he got better. Thought Bramble was similar.

Titus was handy in that he matched Bellamy for pace on a couple of important occasions and used his strength when the weasel was threatening to get away. If we do play Gooch we need some pace in the full back positions and/or alongside him. Gooch isnt slow but I would like to see some real pace back there. Taylor doesnt have that at all. Bramble is easily the quickest of the three but is shaky, as we know. Thought Nobby had a very good game. Most intelligent footballer on the pitch by a long way. Dyer played well too.

 

Gooch had a good second half, but Liverpool absolutely battered us towards the end of the first half and if one of their chances had gone in, it would have been a different story. We rode our luck and our defence was shaky at best. Gooch has all the physical attributes though and as I said, it was only his second game in England, so he's done himself no harm. Some of the praise has been a little OTT though.

Not sure you are aiming that at the right people. Bramble, Taylor and Babayaro were shaky and Liverpool simply played well. Gooch deserves it in my opinion but I think we agree on the main points.

I do wish Taylor would stop the posturing and just get on with playing it simply. He would be far more effective if he understood his weaknesses and played to his strengths. He does play some ludicrous balls so nonchanently at times and has done since he got into the side. But for Gooch and Bramble making amends for two of those we could have been in the shite. At least we have some competition and Ramage's Newcastle career looks like it is over, thank fuck. Not being ungrateful. The kid tries his best but the days when we played the likes of belong to an era when only LM was at SJP.

[newcastlebroon 0]

the newcastle defender curse will soon strike again