NEWCASTLE 2 Liverpool West Ham 2, Report by Rik

The Third of the Xmas home Games

 Today starting eleven are:-

Harper

Barton .... Dabizas ... Marthellino .... Pistone

Solano . .......... Lee (sub Fumaca)..... Speed

Gallacher (Sub Glass)

Ferguson (Sub Kets)..... Shearer.

It was a strange kind of day at St James' Park. Perhaps it was me, still dazed (OK hungover) from the previous nights, but I felt, through too much food and drink and not enough sleep somewhat lethargic.

I wasn't the only one. All around me things were decidedly quiet, and it wasn't just in the stands where bloated bellies, sore heeds and tired legs could be seen. Most of the 22 on the pitch were also still suffering from post Millennium sickness. I had wondered the previous day where the Millennium bug had struck. I could see it on the field in front of me. 22 players had the bug, just going through the motions, doing what had to be done, the first half was dismal, brought only into life by the well taken goal by Dabizas in the 17th Minute. The ball had been sent to the far post where Shearer got the better of Shaka Hislop. the ball found it's way back to Dabizas who found the net through a packed penalty box. Shaka had clearly damaged his left Knee and Newcastle could have finished off the game early if a few shots had been taken at the struggling keeper. But they didn't take advantage and at half time it was 1 - 0.

Bobby Robson must have given them a right bollocking at half time as they did come out fighting after half time. well atleast a handful of them, notably Shearer, Barton, Gallacher and Speed did. The latter getting Newcastle second goal with a terrific volley from a Solano chip. The goal should have been the beginning of the end for West Ham. There should have been no way back , Newcastle should have shut up shop, kept the ball and been comfortable. But once again Newcastle sat back and let the opposition into the game. Sinclair was allowed to cross from the right and Keller looked a dead cert. However, Harper got a parry on his powered header and Solano cleared gleefully. West Ham could have got a goal back but for a fine reflex save by Harper around the hour mark. Things weren't helped much when Lee was taken off . Antunes, The Boy from Brazil who has just had his contract extended until the end of the season or Fumaca as he likes to be known, came on for the remainder of the game. He played a little wider than Lee , which worked well when we were on the attack, but left a bit of a gap between himself and Speed. He was instrumental in setting up the shot of the game, which unfortunately was followed by the save of the game as Gallacher's shot was saved brilliantly by Shaka in front of the applauding Gallowgate faithful. Gallacher, who unlike some that I will mention.

OK I will mention them, FERGUSON, PISTONE, and MARCELINO had been the most lethargic of the bunch whereas Gallacher had run his socks off. He was replaced by Glass. The balance of the team in theory was better now, with Glass playing wide on the left. It spread the players out more and perhaps it was this that led to the hammers getting back into the game Frank lampard jnr who found a gap in the Newcastle defence and scored what should have been a consolation with 84 minutes played. At that point all Newcastle had to do was to play keep ball, do nothing rash and they would win. Once again though they recklessly went forward leaving big gaps in the defence for the hammers to exploit. For the first time in the game Pistone who had been urged forward by Robson for the major part of the game decided that with just five minutes left he would go forward and contribute something to the game. Perhaps he shouldn't have bothered as this only contributed to the Hammers equaliser. He was well out of position and was chasing back 18 year old Joe Cole running towards the corner flag. A needless bad tackle wasn't needed, but that's what he gave away. From the resulting free kick, the ball found the head of Stimac towards who Marthelino was allegedly marking. What a waste of space the overrated and overpaid Spaniard is. Will I be glad when the likes of Helder, Howey and Goma are fit. We may be stretched for players at the back at the moment but we would be better off without Marthellino. Bring back Hughes, all is forgiven. (what has he done wrong anyway?)

Oh by the way Ketsbaia came on for the last 15 minutes. He was as useless as the player that he replaced, Drunken Ferguson, he's another player that we could do without, especially 3 days after Hogmoney. Rumour is that Robson may spend a big chunk of the NTL money on Ruud van Nistelrooy, This would render Mr Ferguson as useless.(is he useful?). Yes I'm annoyed, this was a game that could easily have been won. West Ham were down to the bare bones, playing 3 players under 18. They were not a good team yet we gave them 2 points as a New years present.

Today Newcastle LOST to West Ham 2 - 2, next week It's Sheffield United in the cup. If I were in charge I'd stick with Harper, he's still one of the best keepers in the country, the same goes for Barton and Dabizas at the back. Pistone perhaps still had a bit of flu, so I'll stick with him for atleast one more game. Play Hughes instead of Marcelino . In midfield Solano , dispute playing some awful balls is still one of the best creative midfielders in the Premiership, he must have set up more goals than any other player this season. In the centre, Speed and Fumaca must train together all week. If Lee is going to be out for a month then the right hand must know what the left is doing. The boy from Brazil has potential and I believe that Robson can make a premiership player out of him. On the wings bring in Glass on the left, he needs a full game, and we need the width. Hopefully Dyer is back and he should replace Gallacher as the man in the hole. He in turn should replace Ferguson who is better coming off the bench. As for Shearer, he shouldn't be troubled too much by Sheffield United. I predict a 4 - 0 win with Shearer getting a hat trick, set up by Solano, Dyer and Gallacher.

Happy New Millennium ? we were 6 minutes away from one.

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