A well fought result, it wasn’t the best we’ve played this year, and the opposition being weakened by injuries and suspensions did help. We showed grit and determination, heads didn’t drop and we got a deserved result which could have been made more comfortable had a couple of decisions gone for us, namely the disallowed goal and the penalty not given.
First half we were a bit nervy, our movement wasn’t the greatest as we played quite a rigid 4-4-2, with Gabby and Bent up top, Downing wide right and Young on the left. This meant that the focus of the passing had to come from Petrov and Makoun, who generally did well in tight areas passing between themselves, but from there the movement was quite limited and they struggled. Playing 2 strikers who like the ball in behind, and who don’t enjoy playing with their back to goal, means the space in and around the box can become quite congested, even more so when the two wingers are looking to cut inside onto their preferred foot all the time. The result was our attacks broke down quite easily. Whilst Downing and Young had solid games, they were quite isolated on their flanks, especially in the first half, they had to come and collect the ball, opportunities for them to create something were few and far between.
Is Gabby the answer?
Gabby really struggled in the opening 45 to find space and get on the ball. He needs room to run into and, in part, this is limited by him playing with Bent. As Bent likes to play on the last man, the opposition defence tends to drop a little deeper causing the space in behind to become smaller. If they continue to play together then Bent needs to come towards the midfield sometimes, bringing the defence up and opening up space in behind for Gabby to exploit. We saw this movement against Blackpool away – Bent coming towards the ball and turning it in behind for Gabby to run onto and score. After the break Gabby started finding more space, not only because Bent and Gabby stretched across the pitch, but also because of the movement or positioning of Ashley Young. Young dropped much deeper and came inside more often looking for the ball and trying to link up with Downing, this usually drew the right back Simpson with him, which opened up space for Gabby. Gabby then showed his pace and looked more dangerous, drawing a good save from Harper on one occasion.
The second half we showed much better movement and played with more pace, looking to move the ball quicker. Perhaps the players were a little more relaxed as they were 1-0 up. I was impressed with Luke Young who, like Gabby, enjoyed the space vacated by Ash. If he can keep fit, he could fill the left back role for the rest of the season. He wasn’t really tested defensively today, so it remains to be seen if he is comfortable defending on that side. When Ashley Young dropped deeper he was still looking for that killer pass, but often struggled because he found himself so far off the strikers, the strikers did make some good runs which freed space in front of Ash but he rarely moved into it with the ball which was a little disappointing.
Darren Bent – Money well spent
Bent looked good all game, he worked hard throughout, but he had to, as our most creative players were out wide so chances for him were few. He took his one chance well, and on another day the decision might have gone our way. He was also unlucky not to win a penalty for a challenge not dissimilar to Makouns’ on Jagielka last week. Bent isn’t a target man – I also think he can struggle when he plays with another striker. He is at his best with very slight movement as he reacts to the player with the ball, so playing with another striker his movement can be restricted. His two goals against Everton were perfect examples of this movement. His first he followed the ball across the pitch from left to right slowly, he watched Downing pick up the ball, who ran at Baines with pace cutting inside. Bent matched that pace by sprinting into the box, but as he hit the penalty spot he stopped, he gave Downing an easy choice, such a simple goal, made by Bent’s reactions. The second was very quick and ready thinking by both Ash and Bent. Bent is always ready and looking to get that killer pass. There was a chance yesterday that sticks in my mind, we pressed really high up the pitch just outside their box, Makoun and Petrov won the ball back, Downing nicked it away from Enrique and settled it in the corner, looking to cross it. Bent made a very late run getting on the end of it but was under the ball so missed the target. The reason he got under the ball was because the space he wanted to get into was occupied by Gabby. Apart from his disallowed goal, his header was the only other chance he had that I can think of. We need to get him service, but we also need to give him the space to move into. Give Bent space, and his movement can make the decisions for the person with the ball so much easier.
Makoun didn’t have the best of games, he played a nice reverse ball for Bent’s disallowed goal but he was shrugged off the ball all too easily, sometimes in very dangerous positions. Petrov covered him well, and it was good to have our captain back who always gives his best. He was my Man of the Match, he did all the dirty work, won the ball in midfield, pressing constantly. He even hauled down Joey Barton when he was breaking free, he worked for his teammates, and he led by example.
A solid base, or shaky foundations still?
In a game that we looked very comfortable, there were still moments we looked fragile. Friedel was only really tested once, but it was very avoidable, a cross coming from a deep position catching Dunne under the ball, with Collins not tucking in leaving Lovenkrands with a free header. The midfield generally pressed high up the pitch making it hard for Newcastle, but this did leave our defence a little exposed when Newcastle emerged with the ball. Dunne and Collins don’t look entirely comfortable with the team pressing higher up the pitch, and when Newcastle worked the ball forward through our midfield, Collins was pulled badly out of position, over committing himself and leaving space in behind. Instead he should be holding the attack up and waiting for the midfield to come back and support. I should add it was a tremendous header from Collins from a very good freekick from Ash. Walker looks in need of a rest, he has played a little sloppily the last 2 games, losing concentration and surrendering possession in dangerous areas. He doesn’t look as confident as when he first arrived, so perhaps a break will sharpen him up. We did keep a clean sheet so it should be a big boost to the squad, but Newcastle were badly affected by injuries, so we mustn’t think that we have regained the solidity we had last year.
The positive is obviously the result, a very important 3 points with a workmanlike, if unspectacular performance. However, the next game is another massive game, and the one after. Houllier is targeting an unbeaten finish, why not?
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